MONDAY: Online talk from Archbishop Leo

Join Archbishop Leo tomorrow (Monday 27 March) at 7:30pm for a talk on Palm Sunday as we look towards Holy Week.
Register at bit.ly/palmsundaytalk

GALLERY: Hundreds attend visit of Padre Pio relics

There was a great turn out tonight for the visit of the relics of Padre Pio at Ss John Cantius & Nicholas Parish in Broxburn last night.

Fr Bryan Shortall OFM Cap, Director of the Padre Pio Apostolate, spoke to us before Holy Mass below (or watch on YouTube).

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GALLERY: Leavers' Mass for primary pupils

Pupils from across the city of Edinburgh gathered at St Mary's Cathedral for Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley.

The annual Mass is for primary seven pupils preparing for their journey to Secondary school. Priests including Canon Jock Dalrymple, Canon Kenneth Owens and Fr Robert Taylor were also present.

The event was organised by the Head Teachers in the City of Edinburgh and Melissa Gavan and Margaret Barton, the education team for the Archdiocese.

Melissa, religious education advisor for primary schools, said: "It was a wonderful occasion. The children were a credit to their schools."

SATURDAY: Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord is celebrated tomorrow (Saturday 25 March).

It celebrates the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear a son, who would be named Jesus, the Son of God.

The event is described in the Gospel of Luke, and marks the beginning of the life of Christ on earth.

Paul Atkin, Pro-Life Officer for the Archdiocese, said:  “The Annunciation is exactly nine months before Christmas.

"The Feast reminds us that the unborn Jesus is present, in the womb of Mary from the moment of His conception and encourages us to recognise and protect life from the very beginning.”

The Annunciation is an important event because it marks the beginning of the Incarnation, which is the central mystery of our faith. It is through the Incarnation that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and the Annunciation is the moment when God's plan for salvation begins to be fulfilled.

The Annunciation is also emphasises the role of Mary in God's plan. Catholics believe that Mary's "yes" to God's plan was a key moment in salvation history, and that Mary's faith and obedience serve as an example to all Christians.

Begin Holy Week with Archbishop Cushley to pray the Stations of the Cross for unborn children, their mothers and all Pro-Life intentions. Join us on Monday 3 April at 7:45pm. Register here.

St Joseph's Primary welcomes Archbishop Leo

Pupils and staff at St Joseph's Primary in Linlithgow gave a warm welcome to Archbishop Leo who visited earlier this week to mark the school's feast day.

He celebrated Mass and was joined by school chaplain Canon Paul Kelly from St Michael's Parish. Thanks to all at St Joseph's for their warm welcome!

Readers from Mass, who are class reps from P2-P7 classes.

Archbishop Leo speaks to pupils and staff during Mass.

The Archbishop and Canon Kelly get a preview of school musical Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, along with an Elvis-inspired Pharaoh!

(From left) Mr Gerry Burns, headteacher at the new Sinclair Academy; Father Paul Kelly Parish Priest of St Michael's, Linlithgow; Mrs Lisa Moore, Education Officer; and Mrs Ann Smith, headteacher at St Joseph's Linlithgow.

Visiting a classroom with head teacher Mrs Ann Smith.

 

WATCH: The remarkable Servant Songs of Isaiah

Fr Jamie McMorrin concluded our Lent talk series last night (Wednesday 22 March).

Watch it below or on our YouTube channel.

Our next online talk is from Archbishop Cushley at 7:30pm this Monday (27 March) and is titled 'Palm Sunday: accompanying the Lord'. Register here.

Week 4 talk

 

Week 3 talk

Week 2 talk

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Week 1 talk

Visit our YouTube channel for all talks and more.

WATCH: Reflection for 5th Sunday of Lent

Prepare for each Sunday of Lent with a reflection on the Sunday Gospel with Canon Hugh White.

This video series is available each Tuesday throughout Lent on our YouTube channel.

Reflection for Gospel for 5th Sunday of Lent (26 March)

Reflection for Gospel for 4th Sunday of Lent (19 March)

Reflection for Gospel for 3rd Sunday of Lent (12 March)

Reflection for Gospel for 2nd Sunday of Lent (5 March)

Reflection for Gospel for 1st Sunday of Lent (26 February)

Lent retreat with Fr Parys begins Friday!

A mini-Lent retreat entitled Encountering Jesus begins on Friday at St Kentigern’s Church, Barnton, Edinburgh.

It is led by Fr Bart Parys, a Divine Word Missionary based in Ireland and it will help you draw closer to Jesus in Lent.

He said: "This weekend retreat will help you enter into - or renew - a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and experience the love of God the Father.

"We will explore inspirational Gospel stories about people encountering Christ.

"There will be space for for private prayer in silence, time for fellowship and an opportunity to listen to testimonies and participate in the Eucharist. I look forward to welcoming you."

Encountering Jesus begins on Friday 24 March 7:30pm - 8:30pm. It continues on Sat 25 Mar from 10:00am to 3:00pm before concluding on Sunday 26 Mar 9:30am - 11:00am. All dates at St Kentigern's Church in Parkgrove Avenue, Barnton, Edinburgh. No registration required, simply turn up to any or all of the dates.

Bishops call for reform of asylum process.

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland have issued the following statement in response to the UK Government’s Illegal Immigration Bill.

"People come to the UK for a multitude of reasons. Numerous are driven from their homes by persecution, conflict, poverty, natural disasters, or lack of opportunities. Many of them attempt the extremely dangerous journey across the Channel to reach the relative safety of the UK.

"Everyone would like to see the end of dangerous Channel crossings using small boats, however, the UK Government’s Illegal Immigration Bill, the stated purpose of which is to bring an end to these crossings, raises more questions than it provides answers.

"The Bill fails to provide sufficient detail on the establishment of more safe and legal routes for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

"These routes, which are a lifeline to many desperate and vulnerable people, are essential if the Government is serious about ending perilous Channel crossings."

Vulnerability

"Due to their very vulnerability many refugees and asylum seekers cannot possibly have all the necessary documentation with them. This proposed Bill will automatically force their removal regardless of how or why they came here.

"There is also a pressing need for reform of the asylum process which currently has a backlog of hundreds of thousands of asylum applications. The Government must remember that behind each application is a human being.

"The establishment of asylum processing centres in France could help speed up the process and provide a safe, legal route for vulnerable people to come to the UK.

"We call on the UK Government to provide an assurance that it will respect the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Refugee Convention, and its obligations to victims of modern slavery.

"These people are our fellow human beings, our brothers and sisters, and regardless of their immigration status their intrinsic dignity must be upheld.”

Published by the Scottish Catholic Media Office on Monday 20 March 2023

GALLERY: Happy Feast Day of St Joseph!

Archbishop Cushley joined Fr Baji, Fr Shinto and parishioners at St Joseph's in Broomhouse yesterday to celebrate Mass ahead of the Feast of St Joseph.

He told them: "You are blessed to have St Joseph as your patron and intercessor in heaven. He is a wonderful example to us all, especially to men, of humility and a willingness to follow the will of God.

"Happy Feast Day to all parishes/churches who have St Joseph as their patron, in Bonnybridge, Burntisland, Kelty, Peebles, Selkirk and Whitburn.

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