Parish launches Lent book club

A Lent book club has been launched at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Edinburgh.

Everyone is invited to take part in the sessions held each Monday, either in person (at 1:00pm) or online (at 7:00pm) led by parish priest Fr Adrian Porter SJ.

The featured book is Pondering and Praying Vatican II by Archbishop John Wilson (main picture), of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

Fr Adrian said: "Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to revisit the four key documents of the Second Vatican Council during this Jubilee Year of 2025.

"These constitutions reshaped the Catholic Church in the mid-twentieth century and their implications are still being worked out in the life of the Church today.

"Everyone is invited to join us for one or more of the sessions."

To get the Zoom link for the 7:00pm session please email ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk. The book is available for purchase online or in the parish bookshop.

About Pondering and Praying Vatican II

 

Ash Wednesday service at Parliament

Archbishop Cushley led an Ash Wednesday service for MSPs and staff at the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

The annual event sees MSPs and Holyrood staff receive their ashes and pray together.

He said: "It is a moment of reflection and prayer for MSPs and Parliament staff as they begin the season of Lent.

"It's also a chance to pause and consider our shared commitment to justice, compassion, and service to others.

"I wish them the peace and grace to grow in faith during this sacred season."

He added: "Thanks to Claire Adamson MSP who sponsored the event and to Anthony Horan at the Catholic Parliamentary Office for organising it."

Earlier in the day Archbishop Cushley celebrated Mass at St Mary's Cathedral, which was attended by pupils from St Mary's Primary school.

Praying for those who have suffered abuse

The annual Day of Prayer for those who have suffered abuse is observed in Scotland today (Friday 7 March).

The day offers Catholic communities and parishes the chance to pray for the healing of all those who have suffered abuse in the Church and elsewhere.

Resources are available here so that parishes can support the provision of specific prayers and liturgies in churches and faith communities across Scotland.

The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency said: "We are grateful for the valuable contributions of some survivors of abuse towards the development of this resource."

Taking leadership in child protection

The Archdiocese's annual safeguarding day heard from a leading charity which helps ensure the better protection of children.

Stuart Allardyce, of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, said: "With this annual safeguarding event you have invited in an organisation to talk about what we can do to stop abuse before it happens.

"I think that's a real sign that there's some pro-active work being done that really is progressive in relation to safeguarding within the Catholic Church."

The key message of the day, held at The Gillis Centre, was that faith and belief communities can take leadership in protecting children from harm.

Stuart and his colleagues gave presentations to clergy, to provide evidence-based examples, practical tips and resources.

Archbishop Cushley said: "I'm grateful to Stuart and the team from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation for leading this Safeguarding Day.

"It has been helpful, thought-provoking and we are encouraged to continue taking leadership in ensuring the prevention of harm within the Church."

The event took place ahead of the annual Day of Prayer for those who have Suffered Abuse, which is on Friday 7 March.

Parishes have been sent liturgical resources from the Bishops Conference of Scotland to help mark the day, which can be found here.

Find out more about the Lucy Faithfull Foundation here.  Find out more about the work of the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Safety team here.

'A cheerful and brave servant of the Gospel'

The funeral Mass for Fr John Callaghan took place yesterday (Tue 25 February) at Our Lady & St Ninian's in Bannockburn following his passing on 6 February.

John was born in Kilsyth on 18 November 1938 to William & Alice Callaghan (nee Cox), the younger brother of Patsy and Anna.

At an early age he wanted to be a priest and left home young to go to the junior seminary at Blairs and then to the Royal Scots College in Spain.

A family picture on the day of John's ordination to the priesthood in Spain, 1962.

He was one of eight young men ordained to the priesthood on 29 April 1962 by Bishop Black (Paisley Diocese) at the college in Valladolid.

The men who trained there for the priesthood developed a love of the Spanish language and culture, and it created an enduring bond of brotherly affection.

John is the last of the Valladolid class of 1962 to go to God.

Missionary Priest

John was appointed to St Patrick’s in Edinburgh and remained there for five years before a move to St Margaret’s in Raploch, Stirling (1967-1969).

He volunteered to serve in the Archdiocese’s missionary outreach in the Diocese of Bauchi, specifically in Biliri and Gombe, from 1971 to 1975.

During his time there, he looked after 15 mission stations, one school and around 1,200 parishioners.

Fr John organised a water-drilling programme and this good work resulted in several wells being established in the region.

He recalled living in a mud-roofed bungalow and using an old Landrover to get around.

He would see the other missionary priests around once a week and many of his nights were spent reading, one of his favourite pastimes.

At one point he contracted Malaria and Hepatitis and spent an uncomfortable fortnight in hospital.

Despite the hardships of life in Africa, he said: “It’s been very rewarding and I am glad I took the job on.”

Scotland

On his return home he enjoyed spending time with his family, and on his day off he would join his sister Patsy in visiting their dad who lived with his other sister Anna and her family in Kilsyth.

In Lourdes, 2017 (pic Pauline Dempsey).

Being back in Scotland also gave him time to play golf, which he did often with parishioners and friends.

One of his favourite memories was when he drove from Scotland to Lisbon in the summer of 1967 to watch Celtic win the European Cup against Inter Milan.

He had only recently passed his driving test and was joined by two fellow priests.

The day of the final itself was the Feast of Corpus Christi and before attending the match the priests stopped in a village to celebrate Mass.

Fr John also served at the following parishes:

Retirement

Fr John made the difficult decision to retire from active ministry in 1992 due to ill health and he settled in Bannockburn.

He loved to travel and enjoyed trips to places including Lourdes, Canada, Germany and Australia, visiting his nephew.

Pointing at his personalised brick, Celtic Park.

He moved into Oakshott House Care Home in Stirling in 2023. Some of the staff there are Nigerian and he enjoyed reminiscing about his time in Africa.

His love for Celtic remained; a friend would bring him matchday programmes for him to read and he has his name engraved on a brick on the stadiums wall.

Fr John died on the night of Thursday 6 February at Forth Valley Royal after a short illness. He was 86.

His Requiem Mass took place at Our Lady & St Ninian's.

At the Mass, Archbishop Cushley said: “I recall John as I knew him, older and slower but still a cheerful, willing, brave and loyal servant of the Gospel after all those years.

“I thank the Lord for John’s service of our people here and in Africa; and I add my thanks to those of the people of Biliri and Goma and Edinburgh and Gala and Stirling, for all the good that John brought to his time on earth with us. And I pray with them that the Lord will gather John into paradise with him today.”

His family described him as “a kind-hearted man who was loved by everyone he met”.

May he rest in peace.

St Mary's Cathedral and the Jubilee Indulgence

The Jubilee Indulgence during the Holy Year 2025 is a beautiful expression of the mercy of God.

The “indulgence” of our Loving Father frees the sinner, already forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance, from every residue left by the consequences of sin, enabling us to grow in love rather than fall back into sin.

To obtain the indulgence at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, during this year, as pilgrims of hope:

The Holy See also grants the Indulgence for a pilgrimage to Schoenstatt Scotland Retreat Centre at Campsie Glen, near Lennoxtown.

As groups, or as individuals, we can also receive the indulgence by devoutly visiting the Jubilee Cross at the Cathedral for a period of time for Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, Profession of Faith, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary (for example, Hail Mary; Hail, Holy Queen; Memorare).

The indulgence may be obtained each day and may be applied in suffrage for the souls in purgatory.

“I invite you to visit the Jubilee Cross and to experience the mercy and forgiveness of Christ as we strive to renew our faith in this special year of grace. And, having come here quietly in prayer, anyone can receive a plenary indulgence, having fulfilled the usual criteria.” - Archbishop Leo Cushley

A plenary indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven and can be gained by visiting the Jubilee Cross at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, or Schoenstatt Retreat Centre through this Holy Year with the following conditions: a detachment from sin; going to confession; receiving Holy Communion; praying for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Jubilee 2025: Calendar of major events

Pope's Lent message: Journey together in hope

Pope Francis’ Lenten Message is encapsulated in the phrase "Let us journey together in hope," writes Vatican News.

It ties into the broader theme of the Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope.

The Pope's reflection focuses on conversion and unfolds in three key dimensions:

Recalling the biblical Exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land, the Pope reminds us that our lives too are a journey—one that should be directed toward God.

This journey is not merely a metaphorical one but involves a constant call to conversion, “to leave behind the occasions of sin” and situations that degrade our human dignity.

Pope Francis, therefore, urges the faithful during this Lenten Season to examine their own lives: are they actively progressing on the path of spiritual renewal or are they held back by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of their comfort zone?

The call to journey together: a summons to synodality

A fundamental aspect of the Lenten Message is the emphasis on community and synodality—the idea that Christians must walk together rather than in isolation.

Pope Francis reminds us, “The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters.”

“Journeying together,” he writes, “means consolidating the unity grounded in our common dignity as children of God (…) without letting anyone be left behind or excluded.”

Again, he challenges the faithful to reflect on whether we are capable of walking together with others in our families, workplaces, and communities, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed. Are we welcoming to others? Do we include those who feel marginalized?

The call to journey in hope

The third fundamental dimension of the Lenten journey is hope, anchored in God’s promise of salvation and eternal life fulfilled in Jesus' Resurrection, the victory over sin and death.

Pope Francis invites us to examine whether we truly trust in God’s mercy. Do we believe in His forgiveness, or do we fall into the trap of self-reliance?

And do we concretely experience the hope that inspires in us “a commitment to justice and fraternity, to care for our common home and in such a way that no one feels excluded?”

Referencing Saint Teresa of Avila, the message urges the faithful to remain watchful and patient, understanding that God’s promises will be fulfilled in His time.

“This was the prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila: 'Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one.'”

Pope concludes by entrusting this journey of hope to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, "Mother of Hope," praying that she may accompany the faithful as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter.

Read the full message here.

A pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Paul Atkin, the Pro-Life Officer of the Archdiocese, recently returned from a pilgrimage to Mexico City in homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Every year, millions of Catholics visit the shrine on the outskirts of the capital. Here is what he learned…

Tepeyac Hill is the major site of pilgrimage in the Americas
Tepeyac Hill, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, is a huge site of pilgrimage. It is to that continent what Lourdes is to Europe. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (below) has Mass on the hour, every hour, from 6am to 8pm. I was able to go to Mass and take time to pray before the miraculous tilma (cloak), which is displayed in a specially designed glass case. At the very top of Tepeyac Hill, there’s the Chapel of the Hill of Tepeyac – it is where the Virgin Mary actually appeared to Juan Diego.

File:Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe 2018.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

The cloak worn by Juan Diego baffles scientists
The cloak can be viewed in the Basilica. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, miraculously imprinted on the cloth, continues to baffle scientists and historians. The image has never faded and it shows no signs of deterioration after almost 500 years. Some of the image’s miraculous qualities are fascinating: for example, there are no brushstrokes on the cloak - the image appears to be a divine imprint, rather than the work of a human artist.

Mexico City is safer than you think
We saw loads of police officers at the main tourist points and there was one on every platform on the underground. The first two carriages of every train are reserved for women and young children.  We didn’t feel unsafe at any time. We stayed at the Hotel Catedral in the centre of town where rooms start at about £70/night. Getting to and from the airport was easy with Welcome Pickups who provided an English speaking driver for about £35 from the airport to our hotel.

Our Lady of Guadalupe put an end to human sacrifice
I discovered that the appearance and image of Our Lady of Guadalupe contributed to the end of human sacrifice in violent Aztec culture and played a significant role in the conversion of millions of Mexicans to Catholicism. St Pope John Paul II made five visits to the Shrine declaring Our Lady of Guadalupe the Patroness of the Unborn and today we pray to her as an enduring reminder that every life is precious from conception to natural death.

Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe

It’s easy to get there
I fulfilled a long-held promise to Our Lady to visit the site of her miraculous apparition at Guadalupe, in Mexico City.  While Rome and Lourdes are more practical to get to in this year of pilgrimage, it’s easier to get to than you might think, particularly if you combine it with a trip to the US. The Pilgrimage site is located in Mexico City with flights there from major US and European airlines.  If you were visiting Florida it would be an easy add-on and UK nationals do not need a visa.

As I left the Basilica to head back to Scotland I had a renewed sense of the importance of defending the most vulnerable, particularly the unborn and their mothers. Our Lady of Guadalupe’s image inspires all who seek to uphold the dignity of life, and her intercession offers strength to the pro-life movement worldwide.

EVENT: Reflecting on the loss of a child

Losing a child is a painful experience for any parent.

An annual Remembering Service has been held for around 30 years at Ss John the Baptist & Kentigern Parish in Edinburgh to give parents a time to grieve, reflect and pray.

This year it takes place at 5:00pm on Sunday 2 March in St John the Baptist RC Church, Corstorphine.

One of the organisers said: “A variety of people attend, from those whose loss has been quite recent to others whose loss may have been up to 40 years ago.

“There are some who have experienced miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth or the death of an adult son or daughter.

"There are also those who come in support, one of whom recalled that her mother had suffered two miscarriages and she was suddenly struck, during the service, by the realisation that she had two relatives in heaven. She had never thought of it like that before."

The service has been found helpful to those who have not had the opportunity to fully acknowledge and grieve for their loss

The service may be helpful to anyone who feels that they have not had the opportunity to fully acknowledge and grieve for their loss.

The service was developed in the 1990s following a query from two men who had attended a pro-life talk.

The organiser said: “They came up to us at the end and said they felt there was no way of recognising the loss of miscarriage within the Church and asked if we would be able to think of anything.

"That led to us starting the service which has developed, over the years, into what it is now.

"The service has been found helpful to those who have not had the opportunity to fully acknowledge and grieve for their loss.

"There is an opportunity to share stories over tea and coffee after in the hall. For some this is an important part of the service and we try to have someone from Held in our Hearts present.

"It is a time for quiet reflection and can be a time for tears."

A Remembering Service Sunday 2 March 2025 at 5.00pm in St John the Baptist RC Church, Corstorphine, 37, St Ninian’s Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8AL. Ecumenical and open to all. Refreshments available afterwards.

Courage to be Catholic Conference

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has launched tickets for one of the biggest national events for Catholics in Scotland this year on Saturday 29 March – The Courage to be Catholic Conference.

It features:

ACN’s focus for the conference is to foster a spirit of collaboration amongst different Church organisations, agencies and charities.

It also wants the conference to provide a platform for the laity to live their faith more boldly in today’s world and support one another in their faith journey as the Church celebrates a Jubilee Year of Hope.

William More, Manager of Operations for ACN Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the laity and Church to come together and we believe it to be the first of its kind for the Church here.

“We want our conference to be a platform for the Church community to build a stronger, more vibrant Catholic faithful and we want to reach out the hand of friendship to those who might feel isolated or downbeat about the Church getting smaller in our country.

“But it’s also a chance to for us to share some of our great work around the world which brings spiritual and practical help to Christians – especially those who are persecuted for their beliefs.”

Tickets can be purchased via TryBooking early bird offer until Monday 10 February: £25 Concession and £30 Adult. Thereafter, £30 Concession and £35 Adult. Group rate for parishes - contact the ACN Scotland office on  01698 337 470.

Aid to the Church in Need is a Pontifical Foundation of the Catholic Church, supporting the Catholic faithful and other Christians where they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need. ACN operates 5,000 projects in more than 140 countries and has a Scottish office in Motherwell.