All Children's Liturgy resources are available from the 'resources' in the Catechetics section of this website. Click here.
WATCH: School Christmas Gallery
Schools across the Archdiocese have put on nativity plays to retell the birth of Jesus as part of the celebration of our Catholic Faith.
We thank them for keeping Christ in Christmas, and for their festive charity initiatives to help those in need. We wish pupils, teachers, support staff & volunteers a happy, holy Christmas! Watch the video below or on YouTube.
Bishops highlight concerns over Gender Reform Bill
Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have expressed grave concerns over the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Among the concerns are the fact that the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria will reduce what the bishops describe as “the opportunity for crucial healthcare, support, and protection for vulnerable individuals, including children”.
The statement also echoes the concerns of the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics that the Bill is ‘unsafe’ and likely to harm young people and urges MSPs to oppose the legislation.
Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Statement on Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
The Church is pastorally sensitive to the experience of those who desire to have a body and identity other than their biological sex. They are to be met with compassion and a particular care and support in the challenges and distress that come with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
We are gravely concerned about the changes proposed by the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
The Bill introduces a system of self-identification, allowing a person to change their legal sex without the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria or having to consult a doctor. Removing this requirement and denying the important medical oversight that goes with it, will inevitably reduce the opportunity for crucial healthcare, support, and protection for vulnerable individuals, including children.
Children must be protected from making permanent legal declarations about their gender which may lead to irreversible elective interventions, including surgery. Lowering the minimum age from 18 to 16 and introducing a system of self-identification will put more children and young people on this path. Our concerns are amplified by the intervention of the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, which has described the Bill as ‘unsafe’ and likely to harm young people.
Women’s organisations also have recorded their own concerns about the Bill, principally that the proposed reforms will increase risks to the safety of women and girls by men self-declaring as female and accessing women-only spaces. There are also real concerns that the proposals will mean a female healthcare practitioner will no longer be guaranteed for women and girls, even when it is requested.
The freedom to hold the reasonable view that sex and gender are given and immutable and disagree with the idea of gender as fluid and separable from biological sex should be upheld. Particularly for those who work in education, healthcare, the prison service, or as marriage celebrants who, from both reasonable and religious perspectives, hold an understanding of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
We urge members of the Scottish Parliament to uphold these freedoms and to oppose this Bill.
Join Archbishop Cushley for Adoration
Join Archbishop Cushley for a Holy Hour in Edinburgh tonight (Sunday 18 December) from 6-7pm.
It takes place at St Margaret's Chapel in the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, EH9 1BB.
The Holy Hour consists of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Vespers (evening prayer).
TONIGHT: On this fourth Sunday of Advent, Archbishop Leo begins the first of four Holy Hours at St Margaret's Chapel, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, from 6-7pm.
"I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament." - +Leo. pic.twitter.com/Hz3U4ca14d
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) December 18, 2022
It is the first of four holy hours instituted by the Archbishop as a response to the Synod 2021-23.
In the Archdiocesan Synod Report he said: "Arising from the synodal process in this Archdiocese, there is, I believe, a real need to deepen the prayer life, the spirituality, and discernment of every individual in this Archdiocese.
"I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. Together let us ask the Lord to bless our endeavours and raise up committed disciples in this Archdiocese.
"Let us pray for insight, courage, and joy in our mission as His followers. Let us be confident that He is with us and He will hear us."
Tributes have been paid following the death of Canon John McAllister on Saturday (10 December).
He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Dunfermline. He was 90.
Following news of his death, comments flooded onto social media to pay tribute to the much-loved priest known as 'Fr Mac'.
Brendan Murphy posted: "A dedicated priest and servant of God, with a great wit and sense of humour."
Rosemary Ryan wrote: "Father Mac RIP - a true shepherd of his flock. Thank you for your ministry to myself and my family in the early years of coming into the church."
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Canon John McAllister who died on Saturday morning.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep, aged 90. Canon McAllister was ordained to the priesthood in 1955.
— Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh (@archedinburgh) December 13, 2022
Archbishop Leo Cushley said: "John was priest who always greeted you with a smile, behind which was much courage, experience and determination.
"He served in some very difficult, even dangerous, circumstances early in his priesthood and his tenacity and bravery there earned him much respect.
"He worked in many places in the archdiocese too, always with energy and commitment.
"He was also very faithful to Lourdes throughout his life, and rarely missed a chance to join the diocesan pilgrimage there.
"We will all remember him fondly upon our future visits to the Grotto. May he rest in peace."
John McAllister was born in Leith in 1932 and was baptised at St Mary, Star of the Sea.
He attended Holy Cross Primary in Edinburgh (1938-44) before heading to the junior seminary of St Mary's College in Blairs (1944-51).
John studied alongside two others who would become priests of the Archdiocese – and great friends of his – Canon Philip Doherty, (who died last year) and the late Monsignor Tony McNally (died 2007).
Canon McAllister (left) with his friend Provost Philip Doherty following Mass at Inverkeithing in 2015 to mark his 60th anniversary of ordination.
Together they attended Saint-Sulpice seminary in Paris where he received a baccalaureate in Theology (the three men would regularly return to visit Saint-Sulpice later in life).
Fr John, along with Philip and Tony, was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Gordon Gray at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh on 2 July 1955.
He was appointed to St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk and would serve there from 1955 to 1960.
Mission
His next destination would be Africa. In 1957 Pope Pius XII appealed to dioceses with a sufficient number of priests to send clerics to mission territories.
Archbishop Gray responded with great generosity and in 1961 Canon McAllister was one of several priests from St Andrews & Edinburgh who volunteered to work in Nigeria.
He served in the Diocese of Calabar in East Nigeria until 1966.
Speaking at his Diamond Jubilee Mass in Inverkeithing in 2015, Archbishop Leo Cushley said: “In that regard Canon McAllister did a great deal of work but I also understand that it involved many trials and suffering."
Canon McAllister at St Peter in Chains in Inverkeithing in 2015.
"In a certain way I’m happy to learn that we are celebrating his diamond jubilee on the Feast of St Thomas, who didn’t go to Africa but did go to India, and was thus somebody who embraced the mission given to him by the Lord – something Canon McAllister has demonstrated throughout his life.
“Canon McAllister has the reputation of being one of the most active and hardest working priests of the diocese with a great deal of experience. He is well known and much loved in all the parishes he’s worked in,”
Scotland
Upon his return to Scotland, Canon McAllister served in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh (1966-69) before being asked to become the founding parish priest of St Paul’s parish in the city’s Muirhouse where he spent 10 years from 1969 to 1979.
He then served the parishes of St Machan’s in Lennoxtown (1979-87), St Ninian’s in Edinburgh (1987-91), St Peter in Chains in Inverkeithing (1991-2010), and Ss Peter & Paul in Rosyth and Ss John & St Columba in Rosyth (2005-10).
He was a regular and faithful pilgrim to Lourdes, so much so that he was made an honorary Canon of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Fr Mac pictured with a support worker in Dunfermline.
Upon his retirement he was resident in Musselburgh before finally moving to Leys Park care centre in Dunfermline.
“Thanks be to God,” said Canon McAllister following the Jubilee Mass in 2015. “It is only by His grace, by the Grace of God, that we have made it this long and he’s helped us all the way through.”
The Very Rev John Canon McAllister, 11 January 1932 – 10 December 2022. The obituary can be read here
GALLERY: Rorate Mass & blessing of crib
Archbishop Cushley blessed the new crib at St Mary's Cathedral last night (Monday 12 December) after a candlelit Rorate Mass.
The Mass was accompanied by beautiful music to help lift up hearts to God!
Afterwards, people gathered in Coffee Saints cafe for Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.
(Pics: Benedicta Lin).
Bishops: Supreme Court has failed to protect basic freedoms.
Scotland's Catholic Bishops have hit out at a decision that will ban peaceful prayer vigils and offers of help for women outside abortion clinics in Northern Ireland.
The UK Supreme Court last week cleared the way for Northern Ireland to introduce 'buffer zones' outside clinics.
Responding to the decision the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCOS) urged members of the Scottish Parliament to support “the expression of longstanding rights and the principle of reciprocal toleration”.
They point out that, were the Scottish Parliament to pass such a law, it would have “a chilling effect on freedom of speech and assembly in a country which has long valued both”.
BCOS - Statement on Supreme Court Decision
The recent decision of the UK Supreme Court on the Northern Ireland buffer zone case is very concerning. It is a decision which fails to protect basic freedoms of expression and freedom of assembly.
It will no doubt embolden efforts to criminalise peaceful vigils in Scotland.
A proposal has already been put forward by an MSP which would prohibit ‘occupying’ space around abortion facilities and introduces areas of Scotland where prayer would become illegal.
Were the Scottish Parliament to endorse such a law, it would erode hard won freedoms and fundamental rights.
Criminalising citiziens for no more than occupying a specific location with the threat of imprisonment of up to six months for a first offence and up to two years for subsequent offences, would have a chilling effect on freedom of speech and assembly in a country which has long valued both.
Silent Peace vigils outside the Trident nuclear submarine base at Faslane have been a regular occurrence for decades and have enjoyed wide support, universally considered to be benign expressions of deeply held convictions.
Vigils outside abortion facilities should be afforded the same protection.
Evidence of their peaceful nature is seen in the fact that they have not led to any arrests or convictions.
As Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh points out, “Many mothers in crisis have felt supported at the last minute by a sensitive offer of practical help to find a way out of their crisis other than by ending the life of their unborn baby, it is perfectly reasonable to want to reach out in compassion to help vulnerable women and to be free to protect the life and well-being of both a mother and her unborn child.”
We would urge members of the Scottish Parliament to support the expression of longstanding rights and the principle of reciprocal toleration.
Wednesday: Advent Rosary for Life at 7:45pm
Please join us for our Advent Rosary for Life each Wednesday at 7:45pm.
Tonight's online event will conclude with a brief reflection from Canon Jock Dalrymple. Register at bit.ly/archrosary2
Event: Advent concert by candlelight
Enjoy beautiful festive choral music this advent with a candlelit concert from the choir of St Mary’s Cathedral!
It will perform it's 'Light fo Light' show to audiences across the Archdiocese at the following venues:
• FALKIRK St Francis Xavier's Church, Wednesday 7 December, 8pm.
• KILSYTH St Patrick's Church, Saturday 10 December, 8pm.
• DUNFERMLINE St Margaret's RC Church, Friday 16 December, 8pm.
Tickets are £5 (or £10 family) and available via Eventbrite or on the door on the night. Visit https://bit.ly/3T7wRRY
Michael Ferguson, director of music at St Mary’s Cathedral, said the hour-long performance will feature "some of the most beautiful festive choral music ever written".
One week to go until the first of our Schola Cantorum candlelit concerts!
Join us in St Francis Xavier's Church, Falkirk, on Wednesday 7th December at 8pm for an hour-long programme of choral music and carols.
— Music at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral (@MusicatStMarysC) November 30, 2022
He added "We’ll take everyone on a musical journey that is both reflective and meditative, joyful and inspiring. It’ll be a perfect way to celebrate the season of Advent and to prepare for Christmas.”
The choir will sing some much loved carols, as well as pieces by composers such as John Tavener, Morten Lauridsen, Philip Stopford, and John Rutter.
Sing along
Michael, a lecturer in music at St Andrews University, added: “It has been a pleasure to work on the preparations with Fr Daniel Doherty at St Francis Xavier’s, Fr Scott Deeley at St Patrick’s, and Fr Cyriac Palakudyil at St Margaret’s.
"All three priests have invited us so warmly into their parishes to spend an evening making music with their communities, and we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone.”
"There is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and to sing along!”
Founded in 2018, the Schola Cantorum brings together eight excellent singers to perform sacred music to the very highest of standards in the liturgy.
Light from Light: St Francis Xavier’s Church in Falkirk on Wednesday 7 December, St Patrick’s Church in Kilsyth on 10 December, and St Margaret’s Memorial Church in Dunfermline on Friday 16 December. All concerts begin at 8pm. Tickets are £5 (or £10 family) and available via Eventbrite or on the door on the night. Visit https://bit.ly/3T7wRRY
Friends and residents of Nazareth House in Bonnyrigg said a fond farewell to three Religious sisters last night.
Sr Gabriel Joseph, Sr Teresa of Avila and Sr Margaret Mary (main pic, above) were joined by sisters from across the UK for Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley at the care home's chapel.
Sisters of Nazareth with Archbishop Cushley after the farewell Mass.
Sr Doreen Cunningham, Regional Superior for the UK, said: "It is now their time to move on and I'd like to thank Sisters Gabriel, Teresa and Margaret for all the work they have done in Bonnyrigg over the years and for accepting this move as God's will for them at this time."
"We thank the residents for the many blessings they have showered on this house through all their prayers over the years.
The Mass was a chance to say thanks and farewell to the Sisters of Nazareth.
"The sisters will continue to try and visit residents and staff from time to time and we will keep you very much in our prayers. Please God, one day the sisters will return to Bonnyrigg."
Spiritual care
The Sisters of Nazareth have been based in Bonnyrigg since 1931, providing spiritual and physical care for residents at Nazareth House.
Archbishop Cushley was joined at the Mass by Fr Allan Ocdenaria and Abbot Mark Caira of Nunraw Abbey in Haddington.
Archbishop Cushley said the Sisters of Nazareth had provided faithful and loving service in Bonnyrigg since 1931.
Archbishop Cushley said: "We are sad about their departure and will reflect on their love, affection, hard work, patience and dedication to others, most if it unseen by the rest of the world.
"They have provided faithful and loving service to the Lord through their work here."
Heather Fraser said: "I worked here for a few years, and every one of the sisters have been like angels.
"My father was here the year before he died and they took excellent care of him. They will be missed."
Find out more about the Sisters of Nazareth at www.sistersofnazareth.com.
