Teas and Coffees available after Mass on Sunday and Thursday.

Deanery Holy Year Gatherings: During the Jubilee Year there will be Eucharistic Adoration, Evening Prayer and Reflection on different themes on the last Sunday of every month at 4.30pm ending by 5.30pm at the Carmelite Monastery, Dysart. The first, on the theme of Jubilee, will take place on Sunday January 26^th.

Preparation for Sacraments:  We are hoping to resume sacramental preparation classes soon. Please contact Fr James if you have a child who would like to prepare for First Confession (Primary 3), First Holy Communion (P4) or Confirmation (P5).

Weekday Missal Update: According to the Catholic Truth Society website they will be publishing a Weekday Missal (Monday-Saturday only) on 30^th April 2025, priced at £55 and also a Daily Missal (includes Sunday and Weekdays) at £69.99. I have placed an order form on the table in the porch. As this is different to what they previously stated I will disregard the previous order form so please add your name to the new sheet if you would still like a Missal.

Synodal event 2025: The Archdiocese welcomes Fr Matthew Nunes from the Archdiocese of Liverpool who will lead an event titled Conversations in the Spirit, to help guide us on how to lead and participate in parish Synodality. It takes place on Saturday 1 February at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh EH9 1BB, from 11am-3pm (optional Mass at 10am). Details and registration at bit.ly/inthespirit25

Religious Observance in schools: A Scottish Government consultation seeks views on proposed changes to the current legislation on Religious Observance and Religious and Moral Education in all schools. The Scottish Catholic Education Service is calling for parishioners to respond and reflect the viewpoint of the Church. Please complete the consultation by the deadline of 26 January using the help guide with suggested responses at bit.ly/reguide25 

Afternoon retreat for couples: The Archdiocese has organised a Valentine’s mini-retreat for married and engaged couples from 2-5pm on Saturday 15 February at St Kentigern’s Church, 26 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR. The speaker is Fr Andrew Garden (St David’s, Dalkeith) and the event is free. Register at bit.ly/valretreat25

Grief to Grace is a specialised five-day programme of spiritual and psychological healing for anyone who has suffered from sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or neglect in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, including those abused by a religious/member of the clergy. If you are interested in attending this confidential healing retreat  from 29 April to 4 May in Perth, please contact:  margaret.clarke@grieftograceuk.org

Lourdes 2025: The February Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes will take place at 4:00pm on Sunday 2 February in St Cuthbert’s Church, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT. Archbishop Cushley will be the principal celebrant. The Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes for the Holy Year 2025 takes place from 11-18 July. For more details please visit www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes25

Anecdote: “I have two wives:” There was an article in Reader’s Digest recently by a man named Patrick Cooney titled, “Why I Wear Two Wedding Bands.” Cooney says that he has worn two wedding rings for more than a dozen years. When he’s asked about them, he responds, “I have two wives.” He’s kidding, of course. One day a stranger would not let him off with this glib answer about why he wears two rings. So, Cooney spilled the whole story. He explained his father died in 1999. As they were saying their final farewells at his funeral, his mother, who had been married to his father for 50-plus years, removed his father’s wedding ring and handed it to Patrick. Surprised, he placed the gold ring on his left middle finger, next to his wedding ring. There it has remained. He told the stranger that he wears his father’s wedding ring to u his father and his parents’ marriage. He also wears it to remind himself to be the son, brother, husband, and dad that his father wanted him to be. He is now 60 years old and has been married for 30 years. The stranger walked away, then turned back and said, “Sir, you know, I have my father’s wedding ring in my sock drawer at home, and beginning today, I am going to start wearing it.”  — Powerful story. But isn’t it true of all our relationships? It’s important not only to be faithful and attentive to our spouse, but to our children or our parents and our friends. I can tell you right now, without any hesitation at all, that it is God’s will for us to take care of our relationships. Jesus demonstrated this by honouring Mary’s wish and saving the family reputation of the bridegroom at Cana. (Adapted Rev. by King Duncan in  www.Sermons.com  and quoted by Fr. Kayala).