The Romero Lecture and Mass takes place on Friday 14 October at Sacred Heart Parish in Lauriston, Edinburgh.
Archbishop Cushley will introduce Fr Martin Maier to give an insight into the life and work of Saint Óscar Romero.
It will be preceded by Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Bill Nolan of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, who is lead Bishop for Justice & Peace and the National Justice & Peace Commission. Register here.
The event is the first in a series of SCIAF Lectures on the issues and topics at the heart of its work. It features experts and faith leaders from around the world to talk about the subjects that matter to them.
About Oscar Romero
Saint Óscar Romero was a 20th century Latin American Archbishop who stood up for the poor and marginalized people of El Salvador.
In this lecture, you will hear how the assassination of Romero’s great friend Blessed Rutillio Grande motivated Romero’s work to speak out against the injustices facing the poor of El Salvador – work that would ultimately lead to his own assassination in 1980.
Fr Adrian Porter SJ, parish priest at Sacred Heart, Fr David Stewart SJ and Archbishop Leo Cushley following a thanksgiving Mass in January.
Earlier this year Archbishop Cushley celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the news that Rutilio Grande SJ was to be beatified.
Fittingly, this lecture will be held on the anniversary of the canonisation of St Romero.
The Sacred Heart hosts a shrine to both Saint Óscar Romero and Blessed Rutilio Grande, including relics of each.
Romero Lecture and Mass, 6-8pm, Friday 14 October, Sacred Heart Church (Edinburgh Jesuit Centre), 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. This event will be livestreamed - please register for the event to receive all details.
Catholics urged to help prevent assisted suicide in Scotland
Catholics are being urged to sign a national petition to stop plans to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland.
Care Not Killing (CNK), supported by the Catholic Parliamentary Office, has launched the petition to show how strong the level of resistance is in Scotland against Liam McArthur MSP's proposed assisted suicide Bill.
The bill risks undermining the provision of palliative care and undermining efforts to prevent suicide.
It will make the most vulnerable people, including the elderly and disabled, feel like a burden and its safeguards will prove futile.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “As Catholics we must reject assisted suicide and encourage rather the enhanced provision of palliative care for the elderly, the disabled, and the vulnerable who are such a precious part of our society."
Not safe
Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said: “There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ law which allows assisted suicide. So-called ‘safeguards’ will be stripped away, and the law expanded to include an increasing number of vulnerable people.
"Evidence from other countries shows us that those who suffer from mental ill health, the disabled, and even children, are not safe. The current law is the safeguard. We should be caring for people, not killing them.”
Parishes are invited to hold a Petition Day on a Sunday during October to promote the petition and gather as many signatures as possible.
Holy Mass with schools across the Archdiocese took place at Carfin Grotto as part of the Archdiocesan Day (Thursday 29 Sep).
They were joined by parishioners and clergy, including Archbishop Leo Cushley, and there was a chance to venerate the relics of St Bernadette!
(Pictures with logo courtesy of Sancta Familia).
Pupils at Holy Mass in the grotto at Carfin.The relics of St Bernadette.Mass procession.Pupils who took part in Holy Mass.Sisters from the Carmelite Monastery in Dysart.St Augustine's, Edinburgh.St Ninian's, Livingston.
St Patrick's Parish, Cowgate, Edinburgh.St Margaret's Academy, Livingston.St Kentigern's, Blackburn.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Blackburn, and Our Lady's, Stoneyburn.
St David's High, Dalkeith.Holy Rood High, Edinburgh.Reliquary containing relics of St Bernadette.
Relics of St Bernadette at Carfin!
Today (Thursday 29 Sep) we host our Diocesan Day at Cafin Grotto to celebrate the arrival of the The relics of St Bernadette in Scotland!
Schedule
8.00am St Francis Xavier’s Church opens for private prayer
9.00am Confessions
9.15am Morning Prayer of the Church
9.30am Holy Rosary
10.00am Holy Mass followed by veneration of the relic
11.00am Confessions
12.30pm Holy Rosary
12.30pm Confessions
1.00pm Holy Mass followed by veneration of the relic Main Celebrant: Archbishop Leo Cushley
Young people from across Scotland took part in the National Youth Pilgrimage in Dunkeld on Saturday (24 September).
It was led by Archbishop Cushley and included a visit to Dunkeld Old Kirk to pray for the unity of Christians, as well as a Renewal of Baptismal Promises ceremony by the River Tay (main pic, top).
He said: "It was lovely to be together and encourage each other in faith and friendship in a context where we can ask all type of questions.
“To see our young Catholics so involved in their faith and having the chance to pray and socialise in the beautiful surroundings of Dunkeld was heartening.
"Our diocese is home to young Catholics from all over the world, many of whom are here studying or working and we enjoyed each other's company."
Encouragement
Over 30 young people from the Archdiocese took part, along with Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, Sr Karin Hugens FSO (Edinburgh) and Sr Aurora de Esperanza of the Servidoras Sisters (Lochgelly).
Sr Mirjam said: "The renewal of baptismal promises by the River Tay was a wonderful moment, reminding us of the continuous flow of our Christian mission which encourages us to seek and follow God’s will in our life.
"Thanks to everyone from the Archdiocese who came on this pilgrimage and made it so special.”
Clergy taking part included Fr Robert Taylor (St Mary's Cathedral), Fr Martin Eckersley (St Francis Xavier's, Falkirk) and Fr Matthew Jarvis OP (St Albert's Chaplaincy, Edinburgh University).
Gallery
Pics: Eddie Mahoney.
WATCH: Archbishop discusses St Margaret Declaration
Archbishop Leo Cushley speaks recently (Wed 21 Sep) about the recent landmark commitment of friendship and unity between the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Church of Scotland, the St Margaret Declaration.
This event was organised by the Edinburgh Jesuit Centreat Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh (small hall) and was livestreamed on YouTube. (Watch below or here).
The event launches a programme of talks between September and December at the Edinburgh Jesuit Centre - see here for more details.
Take part in our Day for Readers event
Do you read the Word of God at Mass in your parish?
We invite you to our Day for Readers at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, from 11am – 3pm on Saturday 8 October (registration open from 10:30am). Registerhere by midday on Wednesday 5 October.
We will reflect on the Gospel of St John, in sessions led by scripture scholar Fr Andrew Garden of St David's Parish in Dalkeith. We will also have practical sessions to offer tips and guidance on public speaking.
You don't have to be a reader at Mass to take part - we welcome those who simply want to come along to hear more about St John's Gospel.
The day concludes with Mass in St Margaret's Chapel at 2:15pm. A light lunch and refreshments will be available - please register by midday on Wednesday for catering purposes.
We hope you can join us!
This event is organised by the Archdiocese's Commission for Catechetics. Free parking available onsite.
Centenary celebrations at Holy Cross!
Congratulations to Holy Cross Parish in Edinburgh which is celebrating its centenary!
Archbishop Cushley recently joined parishioners for a Centenary Mass at the church, based in the Trinity area of the city, and passed on his congratulations.
From left: Canon James Tracey, Fr Peter Kelly, Archbishop Cushley, Mgr Gerry Hand and Fr Eddie McGhee (pic: Maciek Samulski).
He was joined by parish priest Mgr Gerry Hand, Fr Jamie McMorrin, Canon James Tracey, Fr Peter Kelly and Fr Eddie McGhee of Galloway Diocese.
Parishioners take a trip down memory lane with a gallery of pics from the past (pic: Maciek Samulski).
Mgr Hand said: "We celebrated the Centenary Mass with great joy. It was also a chance to encourage people to return to Mass and deepen that sense of community of faith.
"We go forward now ready to be more committed to the Centenary year and ready to go into the second hundred years hopeful and believing in the future of the parish."
Work of SPRED blessed at annual Mass
The SPRED annual commissioning Mass took place last night (Tuesday 20 Sep) at St Kentigern's in Edinburgh.
SPRED (Special Religious Development) is a parish-based programme that catechises children and adults with learning disabilities.
It has groups in Bannockburn, Dunfermline, Dunbar, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Livingston and Rosewell.
Archbishop Cushley was joined by Canon Brian Gowans (Kirkcaldy) and Fr Tony Lappin (Peebles).
He blessed catechists and the books that will be used to lead sessions to share God's word over the next year.
He said: "It was such a pleasure to meet many of the friends of SPRED and those who assist with the course throughout the diocese. Every blessing on them for the coming year!"
This Sunday is the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) and Pope Francis has chosen the theme 'building the future with migrants and refugees'.
The Holy Father said: "There can be no tomorrow without this inclusion.
"We are all called to commit ourselves to building a future based on a new global system that better responds to God's plan, a world where everyone can live in peace and prosperity."
In his official message for WDMR he says: "No one must be excluded. God’s plan is essentially inclusive and gives priority to those living on the existential peripheries.
"Among them are many migrants and refugees, displaced persons, and victims of trafficking. The Kingdom of God is to be built with them, for without them it would not be the Kingdom that God wants."
Archdiocesan Working Group
The Archdiocese's Commission for Caritas, Justice and Peace has a Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers sub-group. It is committed to:
• Finding ways to work with local parishes and other organisations to make life better for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
• To educate ourselves and others about the problems facing displaced people and to communicate accurate information which conveys a positive message about the gifts refugees and migrants can offer.
• To make links with other voluntary and public organisations with a parallel mission.
If you would be interested in joining the Commission’s working group, email m.a.kaikai@ed.ac.uk
The Church has marked the the WDMR since 1914 .Read the message of Pope Francis for WDMR here. Find out more about the Commission for Caritas, Justice & Peace here.
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