EVENT: My Faith & Scotland

Is Scotland a tolerant country for people of faith? What has been the experience of Christians and Muslims?

Join us for a fascinating insight into life as a person of faith in Scotland in 2022, as our speakers lay out the obstacles, opportunities and share the story of 'My Faith in Scotland'.

Share your own experience at this event in which people of all faiths and none are warmly invited.

Details
My Faith and Scotland takes place in the Canon Coban Hall at the parish of St John Cantius & Nicholas, 34 West Main Street, Broxburn on Saturday 10 September, 11am to 3pm. See here for map.

Register
Register on our Eventbrite page here.

Speakers
- Father Tony Lappin - Catholic priest at St Joseph's Parish, Peebles.
- Mohammed Ashman - Blackhall Mosque, Edinburgh.
- Sheila Anderson - Penicuik Trinity Community Church.

Host
Fr Jeremy Bath, parish priest at St Philomena, Winchburgh, and St John Cantius & Nicholas, Broxburn. He is the Vicar Episcopal for Ecumenism & Interfaith Dialogue for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

Event organised by the Commission for Ecumenism & Interfaith Dialogue of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

Rev Thomas Hood: requiescat in pace

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rev Thomas Hood. He died on Saturday at St Anne's care home in Musselburgh. He was 93.

Fr Hood was a priest of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), who are based at Nunraw Abbey in Haddington, where he was dedicated to seeking God and following the Gospel in prayer and work. May he rest in peace.

Last chance to respond to buffer zone consultation

Catholics are being urged to respond to a consultation on a proposed bill that aims to prevent peaceful prayers and offers of support to vulnerable women and their babies near abortion clinics in Scotland.

The closing date to complete the Safe Access (Abortion Services) Scotland Bill Consultation is this Thursday (11 August).

Take 10-15 minutes of your day to compete the consultation survey. 

Hannah McNicol, of Compassion Scotland, said:  “Women facing unplanned pregnancies deserve access to compassionate emotional and practical support, including outside medical settings. We know that many babies are alive today because their mothers did receive that unexpected help. With recent research suggesting 15% of abortions are the result of coercion, that support is even more critical”.

Guidance

To contact our Pro-Life office email prolife@staned.org.uk or call 0131 623 8917

Credit: Compassion Scotland.

Children's Liturgy for Sunday

Here is the link to this Sunday's Children's Liturgy:

Children's Liturgy resources are available from the 'resources' in the Catechetics section of this website. Click here.

 

 

 

August update

Find out about news & events in the Archdiocese in our August update. Read it here.

Get updates to your inbox by completing the subscribe box in the news section of this website here.

Fringe art event celebrates those on the margins

A week-long Edinburgh Fringe event will celebrate those on the margins, and visitors are invited to contribute to the artwork on display.

Outside In is led by Syrian artist Mousa Alnana and organisers include the Archdiocesan Caritas, Justice & Peace commission's working group on refugees.

Agatha Kai-Kai, from the group, said: "Our working group has a special vocation to serve and learn from people on the margins, and we invite people to take part in our latest venture.

"Along with collaborators, we have helped devise a week of creative art which will culminate in an art installation on the theme of Outside In.

Spiritual Theme

"The completed installation and exhibition will remain on display in August. Then it will be moved to new venues where it will continue to celebrate art and promote discussion of the spiritual theme - Outside In. The longest journey is the journey within'."

She added: "This art-week is free and open to all: we invite individuals and groups with experience of loss or of coming in from the outside to a new place of belonging to register for a group workshop, where everything will be provided."

The description for the event states: "The longest journey is the journey within. Come and join us during the day to participate in the creation of an artwork in St Mary's atmospheric Cathedral with the celebrated artist from Homs, Mousa AlNana. Plus exhibition by community artists from Artlink, L'Arche and more."

Outside In takes place at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh from 7-14 August. People can drop in any time between 10am to 4:30pm (8-13 Aug) to take part in free workshops and contribute to the artwork. Alternatively, register for a workshop by contacting sarah.tolley@btopenworld.com, 07593316284.

Sr Aelred honoured at Edinburgh University

A Religious Sister of Mercy has received an honorary degree for her dedication in helping the most vulnerable and marginalised in society.

Sister Aelred Timmins RSM was granted the title Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa, at a ceremony at Edinburgh University's McEwan Hall.

It was conferred for her work over 50 years helping those in need and leading the Homeless Project at St Catharine's Mercy Centre in Lauriston Gardens, which she established in 1993.

Sr Aelred received her award from acting vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University  Professor Dorothy Miell at a graduation ceremony on 11 July.
It now assists up to 200 people every day, including the homeless and those coming off various addictions. It offers meals, toilet facilities, advice on welfare and a place of refuge and calm.

Kindness

Professor Enda Delaney, who nominated Sr Aelred for the award, said: "Around us in this beautiful city of Edinburgh, there are inequalities we see every day.

"There are a few individuals who don’t look the other way, and have devoted their lives to working with the people on the margins of society.

From left: Professor Dorothy Miell, Sr Aelred and Professor Enda Delaney, who nominated Sr Aelred for the award.

"Today we honour one of them—Sister Aelred Timmins. Her selfless championing of the poor, the marginalised, the homeless, asylum seekers, migrants, those recovering from addictions and indeed many others, is a shining example of how compassion and kindness can make the world a better place for everybody.

"Having come to know Sister Aelred, I can say how much she is a beacon of hope and the embodiment of faith in practice."

Support

Born in Kilkenny, Ireland, Sr Aelred has spent most of her life in missionary work. After completing her noviciate in England, she came to Edinburgh in the early 1970s to work in primary education in West Pilton, including establishing support for families suffering from HIV and AIDS in the 1980s.

The Homeless Project provides food, facilities and a place of peace and repose to the vulnerable and marginalised.
For her work in establishing the Homeless Project she has received awards including the BBC Heart of Gold Award in 1994 and the Sir William Y. Darling Award for Good Citizenship from the City of Edinburgh in 2004.

Many dignitaries have visited the project such as Prince Charles in 2001 and the then President of Ireland Mary McAleese in 2007. The project has never had to appeal for volunteers nor seek donations -it is supported solely by the generosity of its helpers and benefactors.

The Degree of Doctor honoris causa (Dr h c) is awarded to those who have done outstanding work/public service to Edinburgh or Scotland.

To find out more about the homeless project visit https://mercycentre.org.uk/the-homeless-project

LISTEN: Canon Jock leads BBC Radio worship service

Listen to Canon Jock Dalrymple of St John's & St Mary Magdalene's, Edinburgh lead a prayer service this Sunday at 7:30am on BBC Radio Scotland (and 7th & 14th August).

He is joined by parishioners Alice Codling and Anne Jabir and this Sunday reflects on St Mary Magdalene and what it means to be holy.

Listen to the first programme here.

 

GALLERY: Smiles and prayers in Lourdes

Archbishop Cushley has encouraged Catholics to visit Lourdes following a successful Archdiocesan pilgrimage.

He said: "It has been a wonderful pilgrimage, bringing people from across the Archdiocese together where they can make friends, have fun and grow in their faith. It is so well organised with plenty to do and it's over too soon! I encourage you to join us in 2023."

The week long pilgrimage at the French holy site - where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette in 1858 - is organised by the Hospitalité Committee in the Archdiocese. It includes excursions, concerts, trips to holy sites, prayer events, daily Mass, social events and lots more.

As is tradition on the last night (Thursday), pilgrims visited the grotto to light candles "and leave our prayers, hopes & dreams burning in Lourdes".

Take part in the Lourdes 2023 pilgrimage. Visit edinburghlourdes.com

Gallery

Celebrating Grandparents & the Elderly

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated in the Catholic Church on Sunday 24 July.

Parishes in the Archdiocese have been asked to dedicate one of their Masses on that date to grandparents and the elderly in their community.

On the day the Church grants a plenary indulgence. That means the faithful obtain remission of their sins' punishment. They can obtain it for themselves or for the souls in purgatory.

How can I get it?

By visiting or accompanying the elderly who are alone. Pope Francis calls it a "work of mercy". The act must be accompanied by the usual conditions for indulgences:

Bearing fruit

The day was established last year by Pope Francis. The theme chosen by him for 2022 is "In old age they will still bear fruit" (Psalm 92:15). It intends to emphasise how grandparents and the elderly are a value and a gift both for society and parishes.

The Archdiocese has provided clergy with a liturgy guide to help them organise the Mass. It's taken from this pastoral guide from the Dicastery for Laity, Family & Life.

Prayer for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

I give thanks to you, Lord,
For the blessing of a long lif
For, to those who take refuge in You,
Grant always to bear fruit.

Forgive, O Lord,
Resignation and disillusionment,
But forsake me not
When my strength declines.

Teach me to look with hope
To the future you give me,
To the mission you entrust to me
And to sing your praises without end.

Make me a tender craftsman
Of Your revolution,
To guard with love my grandchildren
And all the little ones who seek shelter in You.

Protect, O Lord, Pope Francis
And grant Thy Church
To deliver the world from loneliness.
Direct our steps in the way of peace.

Amen.

For more details on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, visit www.laityfamilylife.va