www.archdiocese-edinburgh.org.uk

The next meeting of the Liturgy Committee will take place on Wednesday April 30th at 7.30 pm in St. Catharine’s Convent.

Readers’ Meetings. The meetings for readers, postponed from before Easter, will now take place on Tuesdays May 13th and 20th at 7.30 pm in the Ogilvie Room. Would all readers please try to attend one of these evenings; if that proves impossible, please see Fr. Walker.

Today, Sunday April 27th is our fundraising event for St. Ignatius College, Zimbabwe, and it is a Bottle Stall/Tombola held in the Hall after the 10.45 am Mass. Please join us to raise money for this Jesuit school who are in great need of our financial help.

The next meeting of the SAFE Committee takes place on Wednesday June 25th at 7.30 pm in the Presbytery.

Elections for the Parish Pastoral Council. Voting will take place over the next three weekends. Voting forms and Ballot Box will be available after every Mass. Elections  are required only for the representatives for Administration and Finance and Social Life. Candidates for the first are Pat Cavanagh and Tim Myles; for the second, Anna Maria Ambrecht and Pat Walsh.

Great Edinburgh Run. This run will take place on Sunday May 4th, and once again will pass the Sacred Heart Church at the beginning of the 10.45 am Mass. There will, as usual, be road closures and restrictions, but we have been promised that there will be a coned-off access lane for vehicles to bring those who need transport to the door. Access will be from Lauriston Place, and vehicles will have to leave by the same route. Please do not attempt to park in the Church forecourt, or in the access lane.

Christian Aid Week – All the Tollcross churches are asked to help with the annual street collection for Christian Aid Week, from May 11^th to 17^th, and Sacred Heart have been asked to collect in five local streets. If you can help with this important collection please contact Fr Boles (229 9104) or Jean Lugton (667 1189). Many hands make light work!

Oberammergau 2010. 42 people have shown interest in a one week holiday which includes seeing the Passion Play. Only 6 places left. There will be a meeting on April 14th at 7.30 pm in the Small Hall for those who have expressed interest and for anyone else who would like to know more about this trip.

Sick List. To put a name on the sick list, please contact the Parish Office. You must be sure that the sick person agrees or would agree to this. The list is for parishioners or their close relatives. Please let us know promptly (by contacting the office again) when the person can be taken off the list. 

We pray for the sick and those who care for them: Joe McCafferty, Bridget Gordon, Catherine Wilson, Maga Maczek, Nilda D’Agostino, John Donoghue, Margaret Donoghue, Cristovam Graciano Rebello, Rita Jones, John McPartlin, Jane McPartlin Samantha Carey, Jude Payne, Fiona Giles, Mary Smart, Eleanor Docherty, Bill Hawkins, Elizabeth Wales, Jim Stanton, Mary McMillan and Mrs. Farquharson.

Reflection:  “I will not leave your orphans; I will come back to you”.                John 14:18

Feasts of the week:

Monday, April 28^th. St. Peter Chanel. In St. Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr (Feast day - April 28) The protomartyr of the South Seas, St. Peter Chanel was born in 1803 at Clet in the diocese of Belley, France. His intelligence and simple piety brought him to the attention of the local priest, Father Trompier, who saw to his elementary education. Entering the diocesan Seminary, Peter won the affection and the esteem of both students and professors. After his ordination he found himself in a rundown country parish and completely revitalized it in the three year span that he remained there. However, his mind was set on missionary work; so, in 1831, he joined the newly formed Society of Mary (Marists) which concentrated on missionary work at home and abroad. To his dismay, he was appointed to teach at the seminary at Belley and remained there for the next five years, diligently performing his duties.

In 1836, the Society was given the New Hebrides in the Pacific as a field for evangelization, and the jubilant St. Peter was appointed Superior of a little band of missionaries sent to proclaim the Faith to its inhabitants. On reaching their destination after an arduous ten month journey, the band split up and St. Peter went to the Island of Futuna accompanied by a laybrother and an English layman, Thomas Boog. They were at first well received by the pagans and their king Niuliki who had only recently forbidden canabalism. However, the kings jealousy and fear were aroused when the missionaries learned the language and gained the people's confidence; he realized the adoption of the Christian Faith would lead to the abolition of some of the prerogatives he enjoyed as both highpriest and sovereign.

Finally, when his own son expressed a desire to be baptized, the king's hatred erupted and he dispatched a group of his warriors to set upon the saintly head of the missionaries. Thus, on April 28, 1841, three years after his arrival, St. Peter was seized and clubbed to death by those he had come to save. And his death brought his work to completion - within five months the entire island was converted to Christianity.  Catholic on Line

St. Louis Marie de Montfort. Louis's life is inseparable from his efforts to promote genuine devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus and mother of the Church.Totus tuus (completely yours) was Louis's personal motto; Karol Wojtyla chose it as his episcopal motto.

Born in the Breton village of Montfort, close to Rennes (France), as an adult Louis identified himself by the place of his Baptism instead of his family name, Grignion. After being educated by the Jesuits and the Sulpicians, he was ordained as a diocesan priest in 1700.

Soon he began preaching parish missions throughout western France. His years of ministering to the poor prompted him to travel and live very simply, sometimes getting him into trouble with Church authorities. In his preaching, which attracted thousands of people back to the faith, Father Louis recommended frequent, even daily, Holy Communion (not the custom then!) and imitation of the Virgin Mary's ongoing acceptance of God's will for her life.

Louis founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary (for priests and brothers) and the Daughters of Wisdom, who cared especially for the sick. His book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, has become a classic explanation of Marian devotion.

Louis died in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre, where a basilica has been erected in his honor. He was canonized in 1947. American Catholic. org. Tuesday, April 29th.  St. Catherine of Siena. St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church

The 25th child of a wool dyer in northern Italy, St. Catherine started having mystical experiences when she was only 6, seeing guardian angels as clearly as the people they protected. She became a Dominican tertiary when she was 16, and continued to have visions of Christ, Mary, and the saints. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day, although she never had any formal education. She persuaded the Pope to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377, and when she died she was endeavoring to heal the Great Western Schism. In 1375 Our Lord give her the Stigmata, which was visible only after her death. Her spiritual director was Blessed Raymond of Capua. St, Catherine's letters, and a treatise called "a dialogue" are considered among the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church. She died when she was only 33, and her body was found incorrupt in 1430.   Catholic on Line.                                                                        

Wednesday, April 30^th. St. Pius V. Pope from 1566-1572 and one of the foremost leaders of the Catholic Reformation. Born Antonio Ghislieri in Bosco, Italy, to a poor family, he labored as a shepherd until the age of fourteen and then joined the Dominicans, being ordained in 1528. Called Brother Michele, he studied at Bologna and Genoa, and then taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years before holding the posts of master of novices and prior for several Dominican houses. Named inquisitor for Como and Bergamo, he was so capable in the fulfillment of his office that by 1551, and at the urging of the powerful Cardinal Carafa, he was named by Pope Julius III commissary general of the Inquisition. In 1555, Carafa was elected Pope Paul IV and was responsible for Ghislieri’s swift rise as a bishop of Nepi and Sutri in 1556, cardinal in 1557, and grand inquisitor in 1558. While out of favor for a time under Pope Pius IV who disliked his reputation for excessive zeal, Ghislieri was unanimously elected a pope in succession to Pius on January 7, 1566. As pope, Pius saw his main objective as the continuation of the massive program of reform for the Church, in particular the full implementation of the decrees of the Council of Trent. He published the Roman Catechism, the revised Roman Breviary, and the Roman Missal; he also declared Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church, commanded a new edition of the works of Thomas Aquinas, and created a commission to revise the Vulgate. The decrees of Trent were published throughout all Catholic lands, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the New World, and the pontiff insisted on their strict adherence. In 1571, Pius created the Congregation of the Index to give strength to the Church’s resistance to Protestant and heretical writings, and he used the Inquisition to prevent any Protestant ideas from gaining a foot hold in Italy. In dealing with the threat of the Ottoman Turks who were advancing steadily across the Mediterranean, Pius organized a formidable alliance between Venice and Spain, culminating in the Battle of Lepanto, which was a complete and shattering triumph over the Turks. The day of the victory was declared the Feast Day of Our Lady of Victory in recognition of Our Lady’s intercession in answer to the saying of the Rosary all over Catholic Europe. Pius also spurred the reforms of the Church by example. He insisted upon wearing his coarse Dominican robes, even beneath the magnificent vestments worn by the popes, and was wholeheartedly devoted to the religious life. His reign was blemished only by the continuing oppression of the Inquisition; the often brutal treatment of the Jews of Rome; and the ill advised decision to excommunicate Queen Elizabeth I of England  in February 1570, an act which also declared her deposed and which only worsened the plight of English Catholics. These were overshadowed in the view of later generations by his contributions to the Catholic Reformation. Pope Clement beatified him on May 1, 1672, and Pope Clement XI canonized him on May 22, 1712.  Catholic on Line

Thursday, May 1^st St. Joseph the Worker. Apparently in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker in 1955. But the relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers has a longer history.

In a constantly necessary effort to keep Jesus from being removed from ordinary human life, the Church has from the beginning proudly emphasized that Jesus was a carpenter, obviously trained by Joseph in both the satisfactions and the drudgery of that vocation. Humanity is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ. American Catholic.org

Friday, May 2^nd. St. Athanasius. St. Athanasius, the great champion of the Faith was born at Alexandria, about the year 296, of Christian parents. Educated under the eye of Alexander, later Bishop of his native city, he made great progress in learning and virtue. In 313, Alexander succeeded Achillas in the Patriarchal See, and two years later St. Athanasius went to the desert to spend some time in retreat with St. Anthony.

In 319, he became a deacon, and even in this capacity he was called upon to take an active part against the rising heresy of Arius, an ambitious priest of the Alexandrian Church who denied the Divinity of Christ. This was to be the life struggle of St. Athanasius.

In 325, he assisted his Bishop at the Council of Nicaea, where his influence began to be felt. Five months later Alexander died. On his death bed he recommended St. Athanasius as his successor. In consequence of this, Athanasius was unanimously elected Patriarch in 326.

His refusal to tolerate the Arian heresy was the cause of many trials and persecutions for St. Athanasius. He spent seventeen of the forty-six years of his episcopate in exile. After a life of virtue and suffering, this intrepid champion of the Catholic Faith, the greatest man of his time, died in peace on May 2, 373. St. Athanasius was a Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  Catholic on Line

Saturday, May 3^rd. St. Philip & St. James. James, Son of Alphaeus: We know nothing of this man but his name, and of course the fact that Jesus chose him to be one of the 12 pillars of the New Israel, his Church. He is not the James of Acts, son of Clopas, “brother” of Jesus and later bishop of Jerusalem and the traditional author of the Letter of James. James, son of Alphaeus, is also known as James the Lesser to avoid confusing him with James the son of Zebedee, also an apostle and known as James the Greater.

Philip: Philip came from the same town as Peter and Andrew, Bethsaida in Galilee. Jesus called him directly, whereupon he sought out Nathanael and told him of the “one about whom Moses wrote” (John 1:45).

Like the other apostles, Philip took a long time coming to realize who Jesus was. On one occasion, when Jesus saw the great multitude following him and wanted to give them food, he asked Philip where they should buy bread for the people to eat. St. John comments, “[Jesus] said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do” (John 6:6). Philip answered, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little [bit]” (John 6:7).

John’s story is not a put-down of Philip. It was simply necessary for these men who were to be the foundation stones of the Church to see the clear distinction between humanity’s total helplessness apart from God and the human ability to be a bearer of divine power by God’s gift.

On another occasion, we can almost hear the exasperation in Jesus’ voice. After Thomas had complained that they did not know where Jesus was going, Jesus said, “I am the way...If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6a, 7). Then Philip said, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8). Enough! Jesus answered, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9a).

Possibly because Philip bore a Greek name or because he was thought to be close to Jesus, some Gentile proselytes came to him and asked him to introduce them to Jesus. Philip went to Andrew, and Andrew went to Jesus. Jesus’ reply in John’s Gospel is indirect; Jesus says that now his “hour” has come, that in a short time he will give his life for Jew and Gentile alike.  American Catholic.org

5th Sunday of Easter (A): April 19th/20th 2008

Our Royal Priesthood.: We are assembled  here today to exercise  our royal priesthood and to offer the spiritual sacrifice which

Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God our Father.

This is a Fairtrade Parish

Thanks for last week’s collection which totalled £1065.75. The second collection for Ecclesiastic Students Fund raised £551.94.

The  Congregation  will lead the singing at the 10.45 am Mass today.  All are welcome to refreshments in the Hall after this Mass.

 Volunteers! We are still looking for a small number of people who would be willing to help keep the Hall and Kitchen clean and tidy. Please contact Fr. Walker or the Office if you can help.

Lauriston Forthcoming Events

WEEKDAYS

Mon 21 Feria  St. Anselm, BD                                     John  14:21-26

Tue  22 Feast  Mother of the Society of Jesus          Matt     1:20-23                                                                          

Wed 23 Feria   St. George, M                       

                         St. Adelbert, BM                                   John   15:  1-8                       

Thu   24 Feria   St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, PM                                               John    15:  9-11

Fri    25  Feast  St. St. Mark, Evangelist                                                        Mark    16:15-20

Sat   26 Feria                                                                 John     15:18-21                                                             

Diary Dates: April 21st-25th  2008

Mon    Friendship Group 1.30 pm. Illustrated talk by  Charlotte Neary on the Waters of Leith.  All interested

          welcome. Rosary  for the Unborn after the  5.45 pm Mass. Voice of the voiceless.      

Tue    1.00 pm Over 60s Lunch.  AA Group at 7.30 pm in Parlour 2.  ASDC 7.30 pm.

Wed   Legion of Mary 7.00 pm at St. Catharine’s. Alanon meet at 7.30 pm in the Ogilvie Room. 

Thu     Music Group Practice 7.30 pm.

Fri      Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3.00 pm.

The winner of this months 200 Club draw is Mr. Scott Glancy. Congratulations.

Business Matters: City Centre Security. Wednesday April 23rd in the West End, Mc Grigors LLP, Princes Exchange, 1 Earl Grey Street.  Wednesday April 30th in the East End, Baillie Gifford, 1 Greenside Row opposite John Lewis. Times 12.45 for 1.00 pm.

Refreshments: Courtesy of our host Companies.  Essential to register in advance: ring Janice Todd on 332 5339 or e-mail  janice@businessmattersedinburgh.com

The next meeting of the Liturgy Committee takes place on Wednesday April 30th at 7.30 pm in St. Catharine’s Convent.                           

Volunteers! We are still looking for a small number of people who would be willing to help keep the Hall and Kitchen clean and tidy. Please contact Fr. Walker or the Office if you can help.

Please Note that if you have internet access, you can find the Archdiocesan Newsletter and much other information at:www.archdiocese-edinburgh.org.uk

Bottles Needed: On Sunday April 27th our next fundraising event for St. Ignatius College, Zimbabwe, will be a Bottle Stall/Tombola held in the Hall after the 10.45 am Mass. All bottle donations gladly accepted which can be handed into the office or left at the back of the Foyer after Mass. Please join us to support this worthwhile cause.

Elections for the Parish Pastoral Council. Voting will take place over the next three weekends. Voting forms and Ballot Box will be available after every Mass. Elections  are required only for the representatives for Administration and Finance and Social Life. Candidates for the first are Pat Cavanagh and Tim Myles; for the second, Anna Maria Ambrecht and Pat Walsh.

Great Edinburgh Run. This run will take place on Sunday May 4th, and once again will pass the Sacred Heart Church at the beginning of the 10.45 am Mass. There will, as usual, be road closures and restrictions, but we have been promised that there will be a coned-off access lane for vehicles to bring those who need transport to the door. Access will be from Lauriston Place, and vehicles will have to leave by the same route. Please do not

attempt to park in the Church forecourt, or in the access lane.

Oberammergau 2010. 42 people have shown interest in a one week holiday which includes seeing the Passion Play. Only 6 places left. There will be a meeting on April 14th at 7.30 pm in the Small Hall for those who have expressed interest and for anyone else who would like to know more about this trip.

Sick List. To put a name on the sick list, please contact the Parish Office. You must be sure that the sick person agrees or would agree to this. The list is for parishioners or their close relatives. Please let us know promptly (by contacting the office again) when the person can be taken off the list. 

We pray for the sick and those who care for them: Joe McCafferty, Bridget Gordon, Catherine Wilson, Maga Maczek, Nilda D’Agostino, John Donoghue, Margaret Donoghue, Cristovam Graciano Rebello, Rita Jones, John McPartlin, Jane McPartlin Samantha Carey, Jude Payne, Fiona Giles, Mary Smart, Eleanor Docherty, Bill Hawkins, Elizabeth Wales, Jim Stanton, Mary McMillan and Mrs. Farquharson.

Reflection:  “My Lord and my God!”                                                                         John 20:28

Feasts of the week:

Monday, April 21^st. St. Anselm.  St. Anselm was one of the most important Christian thinkers of the eleventh century. He is most famous in philosophy for having discovered and articulated the so-called “ontological argument;” and in theology for his doctrine of the atonement. However, his work extends to many other important philosophical and theological matters, among which are: understanding the aspects and the unity of the divine nature; the extent of our possible knowledge and understanding of the divine nature; the complex nature of the will and its involvement in free choice; the interworkings of human willing and action and divine grace; the natures of truth and justice; the natures and origins of virtues and vices; the nature of evil as negation or privation; and the condition and implications of original sin.

In the course of his work and thought, unlike most of his contemporaries, Anselm deployed argumentation that was in most respects only indirectly dependent on Sacred Scripture, Christian doctrine, and tradition. Anselm also developed sophisticated analyses of the language used in discussion and investigation of philosophical and theological issues, highlighting the importance of focusing on the meaning of the terms used rather than allowing oneself to be misled by the verbal forms, and examining the adequacy of the language to the objects of investigation, particularly to the divine nature. In addition, in his work he both discussed and exemplified the resolution of apparent contradictions or paradoxes by making appropriate distinctions. For these reasons, one title traditionally accorded him is the Scholastic Doctor, since his approach to philosophical and theological matters both represents and contributed to early medieval Christian Scholasticism.The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Tuesday, April 22^nd. Our Lady, Mother of the Society of Jesus. On September 27th, 1540, Pope Paul III approved the first Formula of the Society of Jesus and gave his permission for the drawing up of Constitutions. On April 22nd of the following year, St. Ignatius, who by now had been elected Superior General, and his companions took their solemn vows in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome before Our Lady’s image. With good reason, therefore, this day is regarded as the birthday of the Society. It is celebrated every year as the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Society of Jesus.

Wednesday, April 23^rd. St. George. Since the fourth century St. George has been venerated in Lydia, in Palestine. Tradition holds that he was a soldier who died for the faith and his cult spread throughout the East and the West. he was adopted as Patron of England during the Crusades.

St. Adelbert. Opposition to the Good News of Jesus did not discourage Adalbert, who is now remembered with great honour in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Germany.  Born to a noble family in Bohemia, he received part of his education from St. Adalbert of Magdeburg. At the age of 27 he was chosen as bishop of Prague. Those who resisted his program of clerical reform forced him into exile eight years later.

In time the people of Prague requested his return as their bishop. Within a short time, however, he was exiled again after excommunicating those who violated the right of sanctuary by dragging a woman accused of adultery from a church and murdering her.

After a short ministry in Hungary, he went to preach the Good News to people living near the Baltic Sea. He and two companions were martyred by pagan priests in that region. Adalbert's body was immediately ransomed and buried in Gniezno cathedral (Poland). In the mid-11th century his body was moved to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.

Thursday, April 24^th. St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen. Born in 1577, Mark Rey (Fidelis was his religious name) became a lawyer who constantly upheld the causes of the poor and oppressed people. Nicknamed "the poor man's lawyer," Fidelis soon grew disgusted with the corruption and injustice he saw among his colleagues. He left his law career to become a priest, joining his brother George as a Franciscan friar of the Capuchin Order. His wealth was divided between needy seminarians and the poor.

As a follower of Francis, Fidelis continued his devotion to the weak and needy. Once, during a severe epidemic in a city where he was guardian of a friary, Fidelis cared for and cured many sick soldiers.

He was appointed head of a group of Capuchins sent to preach against the Calvinists and Zwinglians in Switzerland. Almost certain violence threatened. Those who observed the mission felt that success was more attributable to the prayer of Fidelis during the night than to his sermons and instructions.

He was accused of opposing the peasants' national aspirations for independence from Austria. While he was preaching at Seewis, to which he had gone against the advice of his friends, a gun was fired at him, but he escaped unharmed. A Protestant offered to shelter Fidelis, but he declined, saying his life was in God's hands. On the road back, he was set upon by a group of armed men and killed.  American Catholic

Friday, April 25^th. St. Mark. The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes called John Mark. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there.

St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also that he was in Rome with St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria.

St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D.; he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile converts to Christianity. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was requested by the Romans to set down the teachings of St. Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position  which St. Peter has in this Gospel. In this way the second Gospel is a record of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. He is the patron saint of notaries. Catholic on Line

---

4th Sunday of Easter:  World Day of Prayer for Vocations: April 12th/13th 2008

The Shepherd And Guardian Of Our Souls. Today we rejoice in the Lord, our Shepherd, who calls us to himself.

This is a Fairtrade Parish

Thanks for last week’s collection which totalled £914.43. This weekend the second collection is for Diocesan Ecclesiastic Students Fund.

The  Music Group  will lead the singing at the 10.45 am Mass today.  All are welcome to refreshments in the Hall after this Mass.

Volunteers! We are still looking for a small number of people who would be willing to help keep the Hall and Kitchen clean and tidy. Please contact Fr. Walker or the Office if you can help.

WEEKDAYS

Mon 14  Feria                                                        John 10:11-18

Tue  15  Feria                                                        John 10:11-18                                                   

Wed 16  Feria                                                        John 12:44-50

Thu  17  Feria                                                        John 13:16-20

Fri    18  Feast  Dedication of St. Mary’s               Special Readings

                         Cathedra, Edinburgh                   

Sat   19 Feria                                                        John 14: 7-14

Diary Dates: April 14th-18th  2008

Mon   Rosary for the Unborn after the 5.45 pm Mass. Voice of the voiceless.           

Tue    1.00 pm Over 60s Lunch Club. AA Group at 7.30 pm in parlour 2.

Wed    Legion of Mary 7.00 pm in St. Catharine’s Convent. Alanon meet at 7.30 pm in the Ogilvie Room.

Thu      Choir Practice 7.30 pm.

Fri       Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3.00 pm.

Elections for the Parish Pastoral Council. Voting will take place over the next three weekends. Voting forms and Ballot Box will be available after every Mass. Elections are required only for the representatives for Administration and Finance and Social Life. Candidates for the first are Pat Cavanagh and Tim Myles; for the second, Anna Maria Armbrecht and Pat Walsh.

Automatic Doors. All three entrance doors to the Foyer and Church are now fitted with push-button controls on both sides. They can also  be opened manually as usual.

Fire Safety  -  See fire brigade leaflets and notice in the Foyer for details.

 The next meeting of the SAFE Committee will take place on Wednesday April 16th at 7.30 pm in the Presbytery.

Liturgy Committee meets on Wednesday April 30th at 7:30 pm at St. Catherine’s Convent.

Bottles Needed: On Sunday April 27th our next fundraising event for St. Ignatius College, Zimbabwe, will be a Bottle Stall/Tombola held in the Hall after the 10.45 am Mass. All bottle donations gladly accepted which can be handed in to the Office or left at the back of the Foyer after Mass. Please join us to support this worthwhile cause. 

Volunteering With Bethany Christian Trust. We currently have some specific volunteer vacancies, could you help? We are looking for 4 volunteers to fill various roles within the community education service:

1               2 females to help in a woman’s group: preparing and serving food, welcoming the women that use the service, and tidying (Tuesdays 12.00-3.00 pm)

2               1 person to  help in a men’s group: preparing and serving food, welcoming the men that use the service, and tidying (Thursday 23.30-3.30 pm.)

3               1 person to help with administrative tasks, including updating databases 2-4 hours per week).

Every volunteer will receive an induction. If you are interested in one of these opportunities, get in touch . Please ‘phone Jess Philbrick-Smith on (0131)635 6411.

A pro-life chain is being organised by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) in Edinburgh on Saturday April 26th from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm, situated in Princes Street. The chain is a peaceful and silent kerbside vigil where the pro-life message witnessed by thousands of passing motorists. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act coming into force, a law which as resulted in the lives of mare than 6,750,000 unborn children being cut short and countless women and men being harmed by an abortion experience. Please join the chain and show your support for a culture of life in our country. More information from Michael Meehan 443 7117. Begin with the Rosary at Sacred Heart Church at 10.00 am (Voice of the Voiceless).

Make your voice heard. Write to your MP about the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Bill. Postcards in the Foyer.

Oberammergau 2010. 42 people have shown interest in a one week holiday which includes seeing the Passion Play. Only 6 places left. There will be a meeting on April 14th at 7.30 pm in the Small Hall for those who have expressed interest and for anyone else who would like to know more about this trip.

Feasts of the Week:

Friday, April 18^th. Dedication Of The Cathedral of St. Mary, Edinburgh.

The story of the Mother Church of the Archdiocese - St Mary's - begins during the days of the Vicars Apostolic prior to the restoration of the hierarchy in 1878.  Bishop Hay, Vicar Apostolic for the Lowland District, chose the site of St Mary's in 1801. He had seen his Chapel in Blackfriars' Wynd burnt down by a mob, and hoped that the new site would be a more sheltered spot, protected by the surrounding buildings. But it was Bishop Cameron who actually opened the Chapel of St Mary's - designed by the prominent ecclesiastical architect, James Gillespie Graham - in 1814, with the first Masses being celebrated in August of that year. Under the successors of Bishop Cameron the church was considerably embellished and in 1878 on the restoration of the Scottish hierarchy it became the pro-cathedral of the new Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

The Cathedral was solemnly dedicated on the 18th April 1978 and looks forward with confidence to its 200th anniversary in 2014.

Sick List. To put a name on the sick list, please contact the Parish Office. You must be sure that the sick person agrees or would agree to this. The list is for parishioners or their close relatives. Please let us know promptly (by contacting the office again) when the person can be taken off the list. 

We pray for the sick and those who care for them: Joe McCafferty, Bridget Gordon, Catherine Wilson, Maga Maczek, Nilda D’Agostino, John Donoghue, Margaret Donoghue, Cristovam Graciano Rebello, Rita Jones, John McPartlin, Jane McPartlin Samantha Carey, Jude Payne, Fiona Giles, Mary Smart, Eleanor Docherty, Bill Hawkins, Elizabeth Wales, Jim Stanton, Mary McMillan and Mrs. Farquharson.

Reflection:  “In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever”.                                        Psalm 22

---

3rd Sunday of Easter: April 5th/6th 2008

Christ With Us On The Way Of Life.: Christ has made known to us the true way of life and ransomed us from the useless way of life handed down to us. He is with us today in the breaking of read.

This is a Fairtrade Parish

Thanks for last week’s collection which totalled £1128.94.  The second collection for Church Fabric & Repair raised £424.84. The second collection next weekend is for the Diocesan Ecclesiastic Students fund.  The remaining Gift Aid envelopes can be collected from outside the Sacristy.

Rotas for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers are available outside the Sacristy. If you are unable to attend when you are on the rota please arrange a replacement from the list of Readers and Eucharistic Ministers.

The  Music Group  will lead the singing at the 10.45 am Mass today. All are welcome to refreshments in the Hall after this Mass.

Volunteers! We are still looking for a small number of people who would be willing to help keep the Hall and Kitchen clean and tidy. Please contact Fr. Walker or the Office if you can help.

Because of a meeting for all Jesuits in Glasgow, there will be no Mass here at 5.45 pm on Tuesday April 8th. Fr. Gordon Brown will celebrate the 12.30 pm Mass on that day.

WEEKDAYS

Mon 07 Mem  St. John Baptist de la Salle, P             John   6:22-29

Tue  08 Feria                                                              John   6:30-35                                                     

Wed 09 Feria                                                              John   6:35-40                                                                                   

Thu  10 Feria                                                              John   6:44-51                                                                                                                                          

Fri    11 Mem   St. Stanislaus, B.                                John    6:52-59

Sat   12 Feria                                                              John    6:60-69

Diary Dates: April 7th-11th 2008

Mon   Friendship Group 1.30 pm. Rosary for the Unborn after the 5.45 pm Mass.         

Tue    1.00 pm Over 60s Lunch Club. AA Group at 7.30 pm in parlour 2.

Wed    Legion of Mary 7.00 pm in St. Catharine’s Convent. Alanon meet at 7.30 pm in the Ogilvie Room.

Thu     Choir Practice 7.30 pm.

Fri       Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3.00 pm.                

Automatic Doors. All three entrance doors to the Foyer and Church are now fitted with push-button controls on both sides. They can also  be opened manually as usual.

The next meeting of the SAFE Committee will take place on Wednesday April 16th at 7.30 pm in the Presbytery.

Bottles Needed: On Sunday April 27th our next fundraising event for St. Ignatius College, Zimbabwe, will be a Bottle Stall/Tombola held in the Hall after the 10.45 am Mass.  All bottle donations gladly accepted which can be handed in to the Office or left at the back of the Foyer after Mass. Please join us to support this worthwhile cause. 

‘Pass It On’. Please see the Poster in the Foyer from Fr. Basil Clark about Evangelisation. Fr. Basil writes: ’We are not expecting street evangelists, but ordinary Catholics who want to know how to share their faith with family and friends. Catholics who want to build up their confidence and skill base in this vital area’.  Do consider taking advantage of this excellent opportunity.

Oberammergau 2010. 42 people have shown interest in a one week holiday which includes seeing the Passion Play. Only 6 places left. There will be a meeting on April 14th at 7.30 pm in the Small Hall for those who have expressed interest and for anyone else who would like to know more about this trip.

Feasts of the Week:

Monday, April 7^th. St. John Baptist de la Salle was born at Rheims, France on April 30th. He was the eldest of ten children in a noble family. He studied in Paris and was ordained in 1678. He was known for his work with the poor. He died at St. Yon, Rouen, on April 7th. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900. John was very involved in education. He founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (approved in 1725) and established teacher colleges (Rheims in 1687, Paris in 1699, and Saint-Denis in 1709). He was one of the first to emphasize classroom teaching over individual instruction. He also began teaching in the vernacular instead of in Latin. His schools were formed all over Italy. In 1705, he established a reform school for boys at Dijon. John was named patron of teachers by Pope Pius XII in 1950.    Catholic on Line                      

Friday, April 11^th St. Stanislaus was born of noble parents on July 26th at Szczepanow near Cracow, Poland. He was educated at Gnesen and was ordained there. He was given a canonry by Bishop Lampert Zula of Cracow, who made him his preacher, and soon he became noted for his preaching. He became a much sought after spiritual adviser. He was successful in his reforming efforts, and in 1072 was named Bishop of Cracow. He incurred the enmity of King Boleslaus the Bold when he denounced the King's cruelties and injustices and especially his kidnapping of the beautiful wife of a nobleman. When Stanislaus excommunicated the King and stopped services at the Cathedral when Boleslaus entered, Boleslaus himself killed Stanislaus while the Bishop was saying Mass in a chapel outside the city on April 11. Stanislaus has long been the symbol of Polish nationhood. He was canonized by Pope Innocent IV in 1253 and is the principle patron of Cracow.  Catholic on Line

Sick List. To put a name on the sick list, please contact the Parish Office. You must be sure that the sick person agrees or would agree to this. The list is for parishioners or their close relatives. Please let us know promptly (by contacting the office again) when the person can be taken off the list. 

We pray for the sick and those who care for them: Joe McCafferty, Bridget Gordon, Catherine Wilson, Maga Maczek, Nilda D’Agostino, John Donoghue, Margaret Donoghue, Cristovam Graciano Rebello, Rita Jones, John McPartlin, Jane McPartlin Samantha Carey, Jude Payne, Fiona Giles, Mary Smart, Eleanor Docherty, Bill Hawkins, Elizabeth Wales, Jim Stanton, Mary McMillan and Mrs. Farquharson.

Reflection:  “You have made known the way of life to me”.    Acts 2:28

 

 

 

---