Noticeboard

NOTICES
for SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2026

Jesuit Community
We welcome Fr Kpanie Addy sj from Ghana who joins the Jesuit community to complete his doctoral studies at Edinburgh University. Fr Addy will be helping out with Masses and in the life of the parish while he is here.

First Friday Mass
This Friday is the first Friday of the month and we will celebrate the customary Mass in honour of the Sacred Heart, patron of this church. Mass is at 7pm followed by Adoration until 8pm.  All welcome.

Consultation on Diocesan Structures
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has announced the latest phase of its consultation on the future structure of dioceses in Scotland. Informed by feedback, possible configurations were considered by the bishops. The following options are now being presented for further reflection and consultation:
1. Argyll & the Isles and Paisley merge
2. Argyll & the Isles and Glasgow merge
3. Paisley and Galloway merge
4. Galloway and Motherwell merge
5. St. Andrews & Edinburgh and Dunkeld merge
6. Motherwell, Paisley and Galloway merge
7. Maintain the current diocesan structures but with greater sharing and collaboration.
These are possibilities for further discernment, not decisions or an agreed map for the future. The bishops recognise that dioceses are communities of faith with their own histories, relationships and traditions. Any change must therefore be approached with prayer, sensitivity and care for the people and communities involved. Synodal discernment also asks each of us to look beyond our own self-interests and to consider what will best serve the Catholic Church in Scotland as a whole. Everyone in every parish is encouraged to make their voice heard when opportunities for consultation are announced locally by their diocesan bishop. More at: archedinburgh.org/news/

Volunteering
Many people give up time and energy to allow Sacred Heart Church to function efficiently and to fulfil its mission. In addition to the more visible Sunday ministries of Welcomer, Reader and Eucharistic Minister, we also need help:
1 keeping the church clean;
2 helping with the parish historical archive;
3 arranging the flowers;
4 sponsors to accompany adults on their RCIA journey to being baptised or received into the Church at Easter;
5 gardeners to help keep the courtyard flower beds and pots alive and tended;
6 responsibility for the Gift Aid programme – an annual submission to claim gift aid on donations.
Thank you to those who have already volunteered. If you can help with any of these things or want to know more, please get in touch at ejc@jesuit.org.uk

Assistive Listening
We are proposing to install a new assistive listening system for those who use hearing aids. The T-loop is being replaced by LE Bluetooth technology. To make sure we get this right, we need feedback from parishioners (and visitors) who use hearing aids or mobile phone for assistive listening.  Are you able to receive Bluetooth Auracast (this is different from regular Bluetooth)? In the narthex you will find a survey which will help us understand what you can use. Thank you.

RCIA – The Journey to Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the journey for adults who wish to become Catholics, beginning in October and running until Pentecost, with baptism (or reception into the Catholic Church for those already baptized) at Easter. To find out more, pick up the leaflet in the narthex. To register interest in joining this year’s course, contact Andrew Cassidy, Pastoral Associate, at ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk

RCIA Sponsors Needed
We need volunteers to accompany those going through the RCIA journey to becoming Catholic. Sponsors will be practising Catholics settled in their Christian lives who are willing to share something of their faith and Christian practice. Contact Andrew Cassidy, Pastoral Associate, at ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk to find out more.

2027 Missals
Those who ordered 2027 Sunday Missals can now collect them from the bookshop. If you didn’t pre-order, there are a few extra copies available. £9.95 Contactless payment available.

Bookshop
Our bookshop, open after Sunday Masses, stocks books and shorter CTS booklets on scripture, spirituality and prayer, theology, liturgy, and church history. We also have devotional items such as rosaries, prayer cards, crucifixes, statues, etc. And a selection of second-hand books all for sale at £3. Please take a look. Contactless payment is available.

Jesuit School Alumni
Tomorrow evening, we are hosting an event to welcome alumni of Jesuit schools who are starting studies at Edinburgh University and will be joined by Fr Andrew Brookes op, Catholic chaplain to Edinburgh University.

The Beginning Experience
A weekend for those suffering bereavement through divorce, separation or widowhood. 16-18 October at the Conforti Centre, Coatbridge. Email beginningexperiencesoctland2@gmail.com

Music at 10.30am Mass Today
Before Mass: Léon Boëllmann (1862-97) Prière à Notre-Dame
Communion: Plainsong, Memento verbi tuis; JS Bach (1685-1750) Ich Ruf zu Dir BWV 639; Stefan Klaverdal (b.1976) God be in my head
Recessional: François Couperin (1668-1733) Fugue on the Trompette   

Epiphany Group Scotland is offering three courses this autumn to help deepen your relationship with God and grow in confidence as a spiritual companion. Each course builds on the previous one, though the first two can stand alone.
1. God’s Invitation to Relationship is a 6‑week online introductory prayer course beginning 5 November.
2. Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living (GPRL) goes deeper, including learning about Ignatian discernment. 3 November to 16 March with three in‑person days in Edinburgh.
3. Spiritual Conversation builds on GPRL, with online sessions from 22 September plus five in‑person days. More information at epiphanygroup.org.uk

Red Mass
The annual Red Mass takes place at 12-noon on Sunday 4 October at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh. The Mass marks the beginning of the new legal year in Scotland and brings together members of the legal profession to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the administration of justice. All are welcome.

Pro-Life Candlelight Procession
SPUC Scotland’s annual Candlelight Procession takes place in Glasgow on Thursday 29 October to pray for the protection of unborn life. The evening begins with the Rosary at the Mercat Building, Glasgow Cross, at 6.30pm, followed by the Candlelight Procession at 7pm and Mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Catholic Conversations for Women on the Rosary
In October, the month of the Rosary, all women are invited to join ‘Catholic Conversations’ on Saturday 17 October, 3.45pm to 4.45pm in St Andrew’s Parish rooms at 77 Belford Road EH4 3DS to look at how the mysteries of the Rosary are rooted in Scripture. Optional Holy Hour at the adjacent convent with Adoration, Rosary and Vespers from 5.10pm. Email to register: edinburgh@almamercy.org

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a programme for 3 to 12 year-olds, focused on Jesus and the sacraments. It aims at nurturing children's union with God through Mass, prayer, and joy. Sessions are weekly at a CGS Atrium and run by trained catechists. Six catechists are needed to maintain the single Edinburgh Atrium and possibly open another. Training begins in mid-October (spread over three long weekends). To find out more: srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk

Arthur Oldham Project: Call for Former Choir Members of St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh is undertaking a project about the music of Arthur Oldham, the Cathedral's renowned choirmaster from 1956-71. To mark the centenary of his birth, the project will bring to life Oldham's music housed in the cathedral archive, including a special concert and a new CD recording. The team is keen to speak to former choristers who were part of Arthur Oldham's choir at St Mary's Cathedral and who are willing to share their memories. Contact Cameron Shippee at ArthurOldhamProject@gmail.com

Young Adult Events
Young adults (17–35) are invited to attend two events for Christians: The Revival and The Calling in Glasgow on 1-2 October. A limited number of tickets for both events, normally costing a total of around £125, are available for just £15. The events offer an opportunity for Christian worship, socialising, prayer and leadership development. To request a ticket, email gensec@bcos.org.uk by Friday 4 September. More information at thecalling.scot and therevival.scot

P1 School Admissions in Edinburgh
The annual open day for primaries across the City of Edinburgh is Wednesday 4 November. This is an opportunity to visit the school you would like your child to attend. If you would like your child to attend a Catholic primary school, you should ensure they have been baptised prior to enrolment as a baptismal certificate may be required.

Please remember in your prayers those of our parish who are sick or housebound including Mary Cherry, Sandra Fleming, Benedicte Gasparde, Anne Giles, Kathleen Kudesia, John McManus and Betty Saria.

Financial Support for Sacred Heart Church
We rely on the generous financial support of those who worship in this church to keep the building and our mission in Edinburgh afloat. There are four ways you can contribute your Sunday Collection or donation:
1 By setting up a standing order with your bank (this can be done online if you have a banking app or online banking). Standing order forms are available in the narthex – just hand this to your bank.
2 By making a contactless donation on the new machine in the narthex.
3 By making an online donation.
4 By making a cash donation in the collection.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please also sign a Gift Aid form – this enables us to claim from the government an additional 25p for every £1 you donate at no extra expense to yourself. Gift Aid forms are available in the narthex. The new contactless machine also allows you to Gift Aid.

Edinburgh Jesuit Centre Mailing List
Each Friday afternoon, we send out a short email reminder of concerts, talks, retreats and other events at Sacred Heart Church.  Join the mailing list by emailing ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk  You can unsubscribe at any time.

Events in the Archdiocese
Click here for a full list of forthcoming events in the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.