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). Register here 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!"

Read the latest SPRED newsletter here.

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

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.

Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth

Ths State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth was one of the most viewed events in history with over 4 billion watching the live broadcast from Westminster Abbey in London.

Among Catholics at the funeral were Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, and Archbishop Leo Cushley, who was representing the Catholics of Scotland.

Alost attending were Archbishop Mark O’Toole of Cardiff, who is the most senior Catholic leader in Wales, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Northern Ireland, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, representing Pope Francis.

James MacMillan, renowned composer and Catholic, wrote an anthem for the funeral titled 'Who Shall Separate Us?'

At the funeral, Cardinal Nichols prayed: "Let us give thanks for Queen Elizabeth's commitment to the Commonwealth throughout her reign, for her sevice and dedication to its peoples, and for the rich bonds of unity and mutual support she sustained.

"O almighty and everlasting God, hear our prayer for the Commonwealth, and grant it the guidance of thy wisdom. Inspire those in authority, that they may promote justice and the common good; give to all its citizens the spirit of mutual honour and respect; and grant to us all grace to strive for the establishment of righteousness and peace; for the honour of thy name. Amen."

HM Queen Elizabeth was the UK’s longest-serving monarch.

She met four Popes on official visits during her reign: Pope John XXIII (1961), Pope John Paul II (1980, 1982 and 2000), Pope Benedict XVI (2010) and Pope Francis (2014).

In 1951, a year before she acceded to the throne, she met Pope Pius XII.

Archbishop Cushley shakes hands with King Charles as the Monarch met faith leaders ahead of the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth.
From left: Archbishop Leo Cushley, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Mark O'Toole.

Join us for Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage

The Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 18 September at St Patrick's Church in The Cowgate, Edinburgh.

It will be a time of prayer, stillness and reflection.

Join us from 2pm (schedule below). Watch the promo video below or on YouTube (video by Sancta Familia Media).

Schedule

2:00pm: Rosary

2:20pm: Confession, Adoration, Benediction

3:15pm: Talk by Dr John Watts

3:30pm: Free time

4:30pm: Holy Mass (lead celebrant Fr Joe McAuley)

SSVP: daily support for those in need

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) works  all year around to support those in need in communities across Scotland.

Around 2000 SSVP volunteer members provide this assistance on a daily basis. Working in 300 groups, they assist people in need in the best way

SSVP member Richard Steinbach said: "It is important that our outreach and support for those in need is always available.

"With some shops and foodanks closed on Monday (19 Sep), if you're struggling to get by, or have a family to feed, please don't hesitate to get in touch with your local SSVP conference."

Alternatively, contact Richard on 07719 898 502 for assistance. To become a member of the SSVP contact your local parish. More at ssvpscotland.com

Prayers offered for peace in Ukraine

Scotland's Bishops have asked Catholics to pray for peace in Ukraine today (Wed 14 Sep), Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross and European Day of Prayer for Peace.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said: "The Bishops of Scotland are one with the Ukrainian people in their suffering.

"Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski (pictured) who joined us at our meeting in March (main pic, top) at the beginning of the invasion of his country, has written a message for the people of Scotland to thank them for their support.

"He also asks for our prayers and has written a prayer for all of us to pray on the European Day of Prayer for Peace, Wednesday 14 September, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross."

He added: "May the Ukrainian people who share in the sufferings of our Lord, know that he bears the cross of their suffering with them and that the power of His Cross can turn hatred to love, and death to life.

"We invite all Catholics in Scotland, members of other Churches and other Faiths, and all people of good will to participate in this Day of Prayer in our parishes."

To view the prayers and message from Bishop Nowakowski click here (PDF). For a Word Version, click here.

WATCH: Archbishop reflects on Thanksgiving Service for The Queen

Archbishop Cushley gave his thoughts on representing the Catholic Church at the Thanksgiving Service held in remembrance of HM The Queen at St Giles' in Edinburgh. Watch below or on our YouTube channel.

EVENT: National Youth Pilgrimage this Saturday

The National Pilgrimage for young people 16-30 takes place on Saturday 24 September in Dunkeld, Perthshire.

It includes walks to holy sites, talks and Holy Mass. A bus will leave from the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh at 9:30am (£10). To book your place email yi@staned.org.uk.