WATCH: Prepare for Pentecost (Week 2)

Watch Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM and Fr Kevin Douglas in our second talk on Preparing for Pentacost. See below or on YouTube.

The first session of the six-week talk series is available to watch below or on YouTube.

About

St Thomas Aquinas would often say that we can't love what we don't know.

Follow his lead in this six-week online course to explore the Holy Trinity.

Preparing for Pentecost (Exploring Pentecost & The Holy Trinity with St Thomas Aquinas) will help you get to know God better, allowing us to love Him and live in His presence day by day.

Each one-hour Zoom session will help you prepare for two feasts at the end of Eastertide: Pentecost (28 May) and The Most Holy Trinity (4 June).

Sessions are hosted by Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM, our catechetics advisor, and Fr Kevin Douglas, parish priest of St Theresa’s, St Philip’s and St Andrew’s (West Lothian).

It is designed for people without a philosophical or theological background, but who want to know the Catholic faith better or who are just interested in what Christians believe and why.

Registration

Please click here to register for the six week course. You will be sent a link to join each week (and helpful reminders)

Dates

Format

Preparing for Pentecost: Exploring Pentecost & The Holy Trinity with St Thomas Aquinas is organised by the Catechetics Commission of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

Archbishop's Engagements for May

Here is a list of Archbishop Leo Cushley's engagements for May 2023.

Wednesday 3 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, St Marie’s Church, Kirkcaldy.

Thursday 4 May, 4:00pm
Trustees Meeting, Gillis Centre, Edinburgh.

Thursday 4 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, St Bride’s Church, Cowdenbeath.

Friday 5 May, 10:00am
Mass for 10th anniversary, St Bernadette’s Primary, Stenhousemuir.

Friday 5 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, St Agatha’s, Methil.

Saturday 6 May, 5:00pm
Confirmations, St Margaret’s, Davidson’s Mains.

Sunday 7 May – Thursday 11 May
Meeting of Commission for Family & Life, Bucharest.

Friday 12 May, 10:00am
Catholic Headteachers’ Association annual meeting, Crieff.

Friday 12 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, St Margaret Mary’s, Granton.

Saturday 13 May, 11:00am
Confirmations, St Mary’s, Bathgate.

Saturday 13 May, 7:00pm
Knights of Malta Charity Ball, Edinburgh.

Sunday 14 May, 4:00pm
Confirmations, St John the Baptist, Fauldhouse.

Monday 15 May, 4:00pm
Confirmations, St Michael’s, Linlithgow.

Tuesday 16 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, St Catherine's, Edinburgh.

Wednesday 17 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, St Teresa’s, Craigmillar.

Thursday 18 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, St Kentigern’s, Barnton.

Friday 19 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, Sacred Heart, Lauriston.

Saturday 20 May, 11:00am
Confirmations, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, North Berwick.

Sunday 21 May, 9:00am
Confirmations, St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Monday 22 May, 6:30pm
Moderator's Reception, Edinburgh.

Wednesday 24 May, 2:00pm
School Chaplains Meeting (Zoom).

Wednesday 24 May, 6:30pm
Beating Retreat, Holyrood Palace.

Saturday 27 May, 11:00am & 2:00pm
Confirmations, St Francis Xavier’s, Falkirk.

Saturday 27 May, 7:00pm
Adoration, St Albert’s Chaplaincy, Edinburgh.

Sunday 28 May, 11:00am
Confirmations, Our Lady & St Andrew, Galashiels.

Tuesday 30 May, 7:00pm
Confirmations, Our Lady of Loretto, Musselburgh.

Tuesday 30 May, 7:20am
Thought for the Day, BBC Radio Scotland.

Wednesday 31 May, 7:15pm
Mass for Married & Engaged Couples, St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Archbishop in Bucharest for Family & Life Conference

Archbishop Cushley heads to Bucharest on Sunday for a three-day conference discussing the role of the family in modern day Europe.

It is organised by the Family and Life Commission, which is one of the four commissions of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE).

As president of the commission his role is to co-ordinate its work and support its initiatives.

He will be joined by Fr Nick Welsh, a priest of this Archdiocese, who is secretary to the commission.

Fr Nick said: "The title of the conference is ‘Lord, how can we know the way; the family in Europe today’.

It is hoped that they can offer some ways in which delegates might be able to help, support and sustain families in Europe.

"Those who have been asked to speak this year, including Cardinal Eijk of Utrecht, will share a diagnosis of the situation of the family in Europe.

"It is hoped that they can offer some ways in which delegates, who represent the different bishops’ conferences, might be able to help, support and sustain families in Europe."

Fr Nick is currently vice rector of The Pontifical Scots College in Rome and studying for a PhD at the John Paul II Institute, where he previously gained a licence in Marriage and Family.

Archbishop Cushley said: "We're delighted to have speakers including Cardinal Eijk and Nicola Speranza (Secretary General of Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe).

“I'm looking forward to the discussions and I’m honoured to take part."

The CCEE's commissions are:

 

Fragments of 'True Cross' to feature in Coronation Procession

Fragments of the True Cross given as a Coronation gift to King Charles will be included in the Coronation Procession.

Archbishop Cushley has described last month's gift of the relics from Pope Francis as "a fitting gesture" and offered prayers and best wishes ahead of tomorrow's religious ceremony that will see him crowned King Charles III.

He said: "Service is at the heart Christian leadership and Christian monarchy, and the Cross is the supreme symbol of service. I thought the gift was a very fitting gesture.

“In his speech following his declaration as sovereign of the United Kingdom, King Charles said he was praying for 'the guidance and help of Almighty God'.

"We add our own prayers and wish him every success in guiding the nation."

The two small wooden fragments of the Cross are those on which Jesus was crucified, according to Christian tradition.

They have been included in a newly made Cross of Wales that will be used at the head of the coronation procession in Westminster Abbey on Saturday morning.

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland issued prayers for the new monarch that have been sent to all parishes in the Archdiocese. Read them here

Prayer

O God, to whom every human power is subject,
grant to our sovereign Charles
success in the exercise of his high office,
so that, always revering you and striving to please you,
he may constantly secure and preserve
for the people entrusted to his care
the freedom that comes from civil peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.

Laudato Si Week - 21-28 May

Laudato Si’ Week marks the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on care for creation.

The global celebration takes place from 21-28 May and this year parishes are encouraged to host a screening of the film The Letter (see the trailer below).

The film tells the story of four 'social poets' affected first-hand by the climate crisis who travel to Rome to meet Pope Francis.

It is the main resource for the week's events. Find out how to organise a screening here. Alternatively, watch it on YouTube.

Several global events will take place during the week, including an event dedicated to The Letter on Saturday 27 May and the conclusion of the Week on Pentecost, Sunday 28 May.

What is Laudato Si' Week?

Laudato Si’ Week began as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ papal encyclical letter, Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home.

Since then, the annual celebration is away for Catholics to unite and rejoice in the progress made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life and to commit ourselves to further prayer and action for our common home.

The annual event is organized by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and facilitated by the Laudato Si' Movement together with other partners.

For more information visit the laudatosiweek.org website, and fill out the form to register your interest and receive the latest news.

WATCH: 'Transform the World through Acts of Love'

Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III, Fr Jamie McMorrin reflected on the Sacrament of Confirmation on BBC Radio Scotland's Thought for the Day.
Broadcast this morning (Tuesday 2 May). Fr Jamie is parish administrator at St Margaret's, Davidson's Mains in Edinburgh.
All pics from recent confirmations in the Archdiocese

SUNDAY: African & Caribbean Mass

The next African & Caribbean Mass is this Sunday 7 May at St Cuthbert's Church, Slateford Road, Edinburgh, all welcome.

Wee school gives BIG welcome to Archbishop Cushley

A SELKIRK school with just 15 pupils gave a big welcome to Archbishop Cushley on a special visit.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary invited him on Wednesday to show all that’s great about their school.

They were joined by pupils from St Margaret's Catholic Primary in Galashiels.

Archbishop Cushley said: “Both St Joseph’s and St Margaret’s punch above their weight when it comes to the talent and enthusiasm of the children.

“It’s a close-knit community with a positive learning environment and the headteacher of both schools, Nicola McLeod, and her team are doing a wonderful job.

“It’s a pleasure to be here and discover more – a big thanks to the pupils for telling me the best bits. They are proud of their schools and rightly so.”

The event began with Mass celebrated at Our Lady & St Joseph’s Church in nearby High Street, before pupils gave the Archbishop and visitors, including parish priest Fr Andrew Kingham, a presentation and Q&A session.

Nicola McLeod said, “It was a great honour and privilege to welcome Archbishop Leo Cushley to St Joseph’s.

"The children and staff worked extremely hard to share the uniqueness and ethos that is present in both St Joseph’s and St Margaret’s, which stems from our Chirstian Values.”

St Joseph’s roll may be limited but there are no limits in the rich experiences had by the children attending there.

Melissa Gavan, the Archdiocese’s Religious Education Adviser for Primary Schools, added: “It was a wonderful occasion for all involved and it is evident how proud the staff, pupils and parents are of the great work taking place in the schools.

"St Joseph’s roll may be limited but there are no limits in the rich experiences had by the children attending there. Fond memories will be cherished by all who were present.”

Also present was Marian Docherty, Church Representative for the Scottish Borders, along with Justin Sinclair, Chief Education Officer, and Christian Robertson, Quality Improvement Officer.

SUNDAY: World Day of Prayer for Vocations

World Day of Prayer for Vocations (WDPV) is this Sunday, 30 April.

Watch Archbishop Cushley's message for the day below or on YouTube.

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Please keep in your prayers the seminarians from the Archdiocese:

A special collection for the Ecclesiastical Students' Fund will take place at Masses this weekend. You can donate online at bit.ly/studentscollection

Our next Mass to Pray for Vocations is at 7pm on Monday 1 May at St Mary & St David in Hawick.

Our next group meeting for women interested in the Religious Life is on Sunday 30 April at St Columba's, Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh at 4pm. Contact religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

Pope Francis' message for WDPV can be read here.

If you want to find out more about the priesthood or religious life, speak to your parish priest or contact Fr Andrew Garden at vocations@staned.org.uk (0131 663 4286) or Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk (0131 623 8902).

Pope appoints Archbishop to Vatican’s Department for Evangelisation

Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Leo Cushley to a five-year term as a Member of the First Section of the Dicastery for Evangelisation.

He is joined by John Docherty, former head-teacher of St Ninian's High School in East Renfrewshire, to a five-year term as a Consultor of the same department, which deals with the 'fundamental questions of evangelisation in the world'.

Archbishop Cushley said: “I was surprised and honoured to be asked to become a member of the Dicastery for Evangelisation.

"As this dicastery is an important part of the recent curial reforms of the Holy Father, I look forward learning more and to contributing whatever I can to the fundamental questions of proposing the Good News in today’s world and its many contexts.”

Mr Docherty said: “I am both honoured and deeply humbled to be invited to serve the Church through the Dicastery of Evangelization.

"I hope that my experience of working within Catholic Education will be of value in assisting Pope Francis’ mission to put evangelisation at the centre of our lives. I look forward with great enthusiasm to the challenges that lie ahead.”

The Dicastery for Evangelization is a new department of the Roman Curia formed by the merger of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization in 2022.

The Dicastery is responsible for the fundamental questions of evangelization in the world and according to its Constitution, “is presided over directly by the Roman Pontiff."