Sunday Missal:  6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) -  Page 987

Teas and Coffees available after Mass on Sunday and Thursday.

'Hope Eternal': A concert of beautiful choral music by the Schola Cantorum: On Monday 17 February at 7:30pm St Mary's Catholic Cathedral's celebrated Schola Cantorum will perform a hope-filled concert of choral music at Our Lady of Loretto and St Michael Church, Musselburgh. All are welcome, and all proceeds will help to support the choir's singing at Scots College Ordinations in Rome in May 2025. Tickets are £10 / £8 concession, available from Eventbrite or on the door: https://tinyurl.com/hopeschola

RETURN: A day to help you get back to Confession:  If you have not been to confession for a while, want to learn more and go to confession, come to this event. The day includes talks, a how-to session, Q&A, prayer, and a chance to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It takes place from 10am-4pm on Saturday 8 March at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Register on Eventbrite at bit.ly/return2025

SCIAF: WEE BOX, BIG CHANGE 2025: From the smallest kernels of hope, gardens of peace can flourish. War in Columbia has raged for decades, causing untold heartache, especially for the most vulnerable people caught in the crossfire. Families are turfed from their homes, children are forced to fight in illegal groups, and armed gangs control large parts of the country through fear and violence. For more than 35 years, SCIAF has stood with the people of Columbia as they endure the horrors of war – and we stand with them today on their journey towards peace. SCIAF works with the Church across the world for conflicts internationally. This Lent your contributions can support families caught up in the conflict with essential food and water., provide safe spaces for children to play, and to give a home back to displaced people. Your donations will also help people after the violence subsides, giving them the tolls they need to rebuild their lives – and training the next generation to be peacebuilders. With your support this Lent, we can help people on their journey to build a better, more peaceful world – in Columbia and round the world. Please pick up a WEE BOX from the table in the porch.

Ecumenical event:  A special ecumenical event titled The role and importance of Interreligious Dialogue in Catholic Peacebuilding, takes place at the Conforti Centre in Coatbridge on 7/8 March. The event is the annual Symposium of the Bishops' Committee for Interreligious Dialogue. All welcome. Details and registration: https://www.interreligiousdialogue.org.uk/symposium-2025/

Aid to the Church in Need: Scottish Conference 'Courage to be Catholic':  This conference, hosted by Aid to the Church in Need, takes place on Saturday 29 March at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 9:30am - 4:00pm. Hear from inspiring speakers, meet representatives of Catholic organisations from around Scotland, and help build Catholic community. Scan the QR code below or go to https://www.trybooking.com/uk/EHSR to register.

Beginning Experience: The loss of a loved one through Separation, Divorce or Death, is one of life’s most traumatic experiences. It can result in unbearable feelings of grief and loneliness. The Beginning Experience, Scotland Team, would like to help. A weekend away for a lifetime of change to be held at Conforti Centre, Coatbridge, 4^th-6^th April 2025. A time to heal by experiencing God’s love through others. An opportunity to begin again. For further details phone: Louise on 07926 571004 or e-mail: louise398@gmail.com

Satan’s Beatitudes: Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Church – they are my best workers.
Blessed are those who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked – I can use them in my business.
Blessed are those who are touchy.  Soon they will stop going to Church – verily, they shall be my missionaries.
Blessed are those who sow gossip and trouble – they are my beloved children.
Blessed are those who have no time to pray – for they are MY prey.
Blessed are those who gossip – for they are my secret agents.
Blessed are you when you read this and think it has everything to do with other people, and nothing to do with you – I’ve got room for YOU at my inn.

Keep safe and well. Best wishes. Fr James