From the Archdiocese

A look at the new Lectionary

Fr Paul Denney spoke recently at The Gillis Centre about the new translation of the Lectionary.

He was just one of several speakers at 'Celebrating the Gift', an event hosted by the Archdiocese on Saturday to help people prepare for the introduction of the Lectionary from Advent (Sunday 1 December). Watch on YouTube.

Diploma in Catechetics
Take the Diploma in Catechetics and make the Holy Year 2025 a time of newness and deepening in your life of faith. The course is run by the Archdiocese and starts in January. It consists of a weekly lecture on Zoom, guided reading from the Catechism and regular 1-to-1 support. To mark the Holy Year the course is being offered at £125 (normally £200). Find out more and register at bit.ly/diploma2025.

Jubilee 2025
The Holy Father has announced that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The theme is Pilgrims of Hope. For more information, visit the official website https://www.giubileo-2025.it/en. A Facebook page has been set up that will highlight resources and events in Scotland - search ‘Holy Year Scotland 2025’. To help us prepare, the Holy Father has established 2024 as a Year of Prayer dedicated “to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world”.

To help us prepare for for the Jubilee Year, the Holy Father has asked us to study the documents of the Second Vatican Council. "Being Catholic" has produced a new video series, suitable for parish groups or individual use, presented by Fr Tom Magill of Motherwell Diocese. The videos are available on the Archdiocesan website -click here.

Explore: a retreat for young women

Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will in monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh.

Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the first one takes place on Sunday 28 January 2025, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street.

It is a chance to pray, share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and refreshments will be served. The series continues each month at the same time/venue:
25 February 2025
17 March 2025
21 April 2025
12 May 2025
22 June 2025

To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

Marriage Counselling
If you are concerned about your relationship and feel as a couple that you are unable to reach a conclusion alone, it is likely that you will benefit from marriage counselling. The Archdiocese has an arrangement with a qualified Catholic marriage counsellor who may be able to help you. For information or advice or to arrange counselling sessions please email in confidence marriage.counsellor@staned.org.uk or phone 07511928621 (Please note that counselling fees apply).

Events in the Archdiocese
For a full list of forthcoming events in the Archdiocese visit https://archedinburgh.org/news-events/.

Please see other news items from the Archdiocese in this week's Parish Newsletter.

Please also visit the Archdiocesan website for up-to-date information from the Archbishop.

Prayers

A prayer for peace in Ukraine

O Loving God, your Son, Jesus Christ, came into the world to do your Will and leave us His Peace. Through the intercession and example of our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Peace, grant us the wisdom and humility to reflect that peace to the world. Inspire our thoughts, words and deeds to bear witness to your presence in our hearts. May your Holy Spirit fill us with every grace and blessing so that we may pursue what leads to peace for all humanity. Amen

We pray for all those in our country and throughout the world suffering from the Coronavirus. May its victims and their families be strengthened by the support of our community of faith and restored soon to full health. We also pray for our leaders and medical personnel who deal with the virus. May we keep calm and may we join together in solidarity with care and compassion to tackle this scare. This we ask in confidence though Christ our Lord.

Fresh Start help people who have experienced homelessness set up their new home through the provision of goods and services. They work to end the cycle of homelessness and for a better life for those living in poverty.

Fresh Start's Christmas Campaigns!

It's that time of year again, and we’re asking for your help with Fresh Start's Christmas campaigns!

For many parents, the pressure to give their children a magical Christmas can lead to debt, making it harder to pay rent or bills and sometimes pushing back families to the brink of homelessness. The season, meant for joy, can become a source of anxiety.

At Fresh Start, we aim to bring back the magic by providing Christmas presents not only for children but also for parents and individuals transitioning from homelessness. Everyone deserves something to look forward to at Christmas.

Our festive food hampers include special treats like advent calendars and Christmas chocolates, bringing joy to the families and individuals we support. You can help by donating items from our Festive Food list. We also collect gifts for parents and others through Giving Trees in workplaces, schools, and more.

Finally, our Cookers for Christmas 2024 - JustGiving raises funds for essential white goods, preventing families from being pushed into homelessness. Your support means a brighter Christmas and a more secure future for those in need.

Thank you for helping us make this Christmas special!

To learn more about Fresh Start's Christmas Campaigns and to watch Fresh Start's Cookers for Christmas video, please click here.

Free Debt Help in Scotland - Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

For over 20 years, CAP has been providing free debt help in Scotland. CAP Scotland helps hundreds of people get out of debt every year, equipping them to withstand whatever storms may come their way in the future.

All CAP services are run through local churches. Our local CAP centre is based at Holy Trinity Church in Wester Hailes serving the west side of Edinburgh, including our parish area.

CAP also run a Job Club service. The Job Club is a friendly place where clients can get practical help as they seek employment. It's a relaxed environment with the chance to meet other jobseekers, get support and gain the tools they need to find work.

For more information visit capscotland.org.

Join OLIO – and help reduce food waste

OLIO is an app designed to reduce the amount of food (and non- food) items going to landfill. You can download the free app which allows you to request and collect free food within your local area.

Food is collected by OLIO ‘Food Waste Heroes’ from local supermarkets/stores when ‘Use By’ or ‘Best Before dates are reached. OLIO ‘Food Waste Heroes’ then post items on the app and anyone can request them. You, too can share free food and non-food household items with local people through the app.

OLIO can be downloaded, free, from whatever app store you normally use. More information is available at the app store or at www.olioex.com.

LINKnet Mentoring (Scottish Charity Number: SC029440) is the first and the only direct mentoring organisation that is established to serve minority ethnic communities in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Scottish Borders and Fife. It was established in 2000 to serve disadvantaged ethnic minorities in their pursuit of development. Over the years thousands have taken part in various mentoring programmes, education and employment mentoring being the core programme.

For more information visit LINKnet's website by clicking here.