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).
Our Lady of Lourdes, Blackburn, and Our Lady's, Stoneyburn.
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!
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
3.00pm Liturgy of Water
5.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.00pm Holy Hour
8.00pm Torchlight Procession
9.00pm Holy Mass
Keep up to date with the week events at the grotto at www.carfingrotto.org
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."
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).
Pics: Eddie Mahoney.
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 Centre at 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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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?'
I was deeply honoured to be invited to write a new anthem 'Who Shall Separate Us?' for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in my life and an inspiration to countless millions across the globe. https://t.co/opjUnumI6f
— James MacMillan (@jamesmacm) September 18, 2022
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.
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).
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)