Sunday Missal:  First Sunday of Advent – Year A – Page 29.

Teas and Coffees available after Mass on Sunday and Thursday.

SSVP Seniors Christmas Party – Sunday 14^th December: A list for names is now on the table in porch (please list any dietary requirements). Numbers limited to 40, so first come first served.

Waiting Time?   A short time of reflection for Advent - guided by words and images of Mary, Mother of Jesus Sunday December 7^th afternoon and early evening St Serfs Church - details on leaflet.

Children’s Christmas Party – Sunday 21^st December 2pm-4pm

Sunday: Nativity Blessing & Carol Concert: Archbishop Cushley joins religious leaders from across the city of Edinburgh for this annual event at Assembly Hall Courtyard on Mound Place, Edinburgh, before a Blessing of the Nativity Scene on The Mound backed by music from the Salvation Army Band. Sunday 30 November, 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Masses for the Solemnity of St Andrew: St Mary's Cathedral on Monday 1 December, to celebrate the Solemnity of St Andrew, our National Patron, whose feast day this year is transferred from 30 November (Sunday). The Apostle’s relics are preserved in the National Shrine of St Andrew at the Cathedral. Mass will be at 10:00am, and with Archbishop Cushley at 12:45pm. Public veneration of the relics follows both Masses. At 7:00pm there is a Holy Hour with sung Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration.

An Advent Walking Retreat will take place on Saturday 6^th December offering the chance to walk, talk, and meditate on the coming of Christmas. Based on the Mass Readings and Gospel message of the Second Sunday in Advent the walk will start in Culross in Fife (birthplace of St Mungo) and finish at the National Shrine of St Margaret in Dunfermline. There will be an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Adoration with Benediction followed by 5.30pm Mass. This walking retreat will lead us all into a time of preparation and repentance, focused on the message of John the Baptist to "Prepare the way of the Lord". To register for this free event please contact Deacon Pat Carrigan at obl.columba@gmail.com

Christmas Carol Service Organised by the Archdiocesan Lourdes Committee: St Margaret's Church, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh, EH4 5AD, Sunday 7 December at 3:00pm.

Diploma in Catechetics - register now: Explore the richness of the Catholic faith in 2026 by taking the Diploma in Catechetics. The popular course is run by the Archdiocese and takes place at 7:30pm each Thursday on Zoom, starting on 22 January. Be quick, places limited to 100. Cost £220. Registration and details at bit.ly/diploma2026 

Anecdote - Waiting for Godot: Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot focuses on two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon. They sit around waiting for the coming of a mysterious person known only as Godot. As they wait for him, they try to recall what their meeting is all about. They know that it is important and that their future depends on Godot’s arrival, but that is all that they can remember. Then two other characters appear on the stage. Vladimir and Estragon are not sure if either one is Godot since they do not know how to recognize him. As the play ends Vladimir and Estragon are left alone on a dark and empty stage, still waiting for Godot to come. — Today’s liturgy ushers the season of ADVENT during which the Church celebrates our Lord’s coming in three ways: first, in past history, when He was born a man; second, in the present time, when He comes at Christmas; third, in the future, when He will return at the end of time. In a sense, this final and future coming of Christ is a process, one that will begin for us personally when we die and time will end for us. For the moment, we are still living in a “mean-time,” that is, the time between Christ’s coming in past history to share our humanity and his coming in the future to lead us into glory. Lest our waiting in “mean-time” be empty and meaningless, as it seemed to be for Vladimir and Estragon in Beckett’s play, we celebrate an Advent culminating in a Christmas each year to recall why and for Whom we are waiting. Another purpose of Advent is to teach us how to recognize the Lord’s coming – in the duties we carry out, or the things that happen to us, or in the people we meet. — During Advent we need to discipline ourselves to see Christ in everyone and in every situation. Our waiting then will not be one of frustration, but rather one of readiness and anticipation. (Albert Cylwicki in His Word Resounds; quoted by Fr. Botelho). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/)

Have a good week. Take care. Fr James