Sunday Missal:  Second Sunday of Advent – Year A – Page 33.

 

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.

 

Cancelled: The afternoon Retreat for Advent planned for Sunday 7^th December has been cancelled as there was little take up. The prayer and meditative singing in the Taize style will go ahead at 7pm in St Serf’s Church.

 

Children’s Christmas Party – Sunday 21^st December 2pm-4pm. Please sign up on the list on the table in the porch.

 

 

 

 

Advent Penance Service:  Monday 15^th December at 7:00pm. Fr Paul Lee will be here to assist.

 

Archdiocesan Catholic Directory for 2026: Copies available for £3.

 

200 Club: Congratulations to the winners in the November Draw - £200 Marie Gibbs (203); £100 Yvonne Kay (97); £50 Angela Leask (82); £50 Ben Stalker (212); £20 Fiona McElhinney (77); £20 Mary Kay (47). The December Draw will take place on Sunday 21^st December. There will be £2,500 in prizes. Thanks to the promoters and supporters.

 

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.

 

Save the date: The next parish social event in the church hall takes place on Saturday 3^rd January 2026, starting at 6pm (just after the Vigil Mass).  We will have a Chip Shop Supper, with tea/coffee and biscuits/chocolates provided (and you are welcome to bring your own bottle of juice or alcohol).  The cost will be £10 per head.  All ages welcome.  This is something to look forward to, as the festive period comes to an end.  A sign-up sheet will be available next weekend, with members of the social committee on hand after Mass on Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning to take an advanced order for the chip shop, along with the £10 per head.  

 

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 

 

Catholic Families for Life: The latest Catholic Families for Life Newsletter from the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life is now available at www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk

 

Anecdote 1 - The artist’s reconciliation: Leonardo da Vinci painted the fresco (wall painting), “The Last Supper,” in Santa Maria delle Grazie church in Milan in three years (1495-1498). A very interesting story is associated with this painting. At the time that Leonardo da Vinci painted “The Last Supper,” he had an enemy who was a fellow painter. Da Vinci had had a bitter argument with this man and despised him. When Da Vinci painted the face of Judas Iscariot at the table with Jesus, he used the face of his enemy so that it would be present for ages as the man who betrayed Jesus. While painting this picture, he took delight in knowing that others would actually notice the face of his enemy on Judas. As he worked on the faces of the other disciples, he often tried to paint the face of Jesus but couldn’t make any progress. Da Vinci felt frustrated and confused. In time, he realized what was wrong. His hatred for the other painter was holding him back from finishing the face of Jesus. Only after making peace with his fellow-painter, and repainting the face of Judas, was he able to paint the face of Jesus and complete his masterpiece.  (https://frtonyshomilies.com/)

 

Anecdote 2 - Waiting for the Lord to be reborn in our lives: Waiting, an inevitable and even necessary aspect of human life, is not something that most of us relish. We wait in lines: in order to purchase groceries; to be served at popular restaurants; to be assisted in a bank; at stop signs and traffic signals; at amusement parks; to see a play or film. We must also wait for flowers to grow and bloom; for babies to be born; for wounds to heal; for bread to rise and cheese to age; for children to mature; for friends to call; for love to deepen. Statisticians have estimated that in a lifetime of 70 years, the average person spends at least three years waiting! Today’s readings invite us to wait for the rebirth of the Lord in our lives with repentant hearts and renewed lives. (Sanchez Files). (https://frtonyshomilies.com/)

 

Have a good week. Take care. Fr James