Our School Prayer
O, St. Andrew, hear us pray.
Sail over the sea to give us faith.
Let us have hope
Let us help one another
O, St. Andrew, hear us pray.
Let us share our kindness
Let us share your miracles
O, let us respect our classmates and teachers
O, St. Andrew hear our prayer,
O, St. Andrew, hear us today.
Amen
By Chloe, P6, 2022
_______________________________
Parish Information
Our Parish is St Matthew’s Parish (Rosewell, Bonnyrigg and Gorebridge)
Father Olufemi Michael Akintolu is our Parish Administrator (St. Matthew’s RC Church, 36 Carnethie Street, Rosewell, EH24 9AT, 0131 440 2150).
Weekend Mass Times are as follows:
Saturday Vigil Mass: 6pm, St. Matthew’s Church, Rosewell
Sunday: 9:30am, St. Margaret’s Church, Gorebridge (this Mass has weekly Children’s Liturgy, as well as a weekly coffee bar after Mass, in the church hall).
Sunday 11:30am: Our Lady of Consolation, Bonnyrigg
Sunday 2:30pm: Nazareth House, Bonnyrigg
For more info re weekday Masses/Confession please click the link below to find this information on the Parish Website. You can also see info on Parish News and Events on their Facebook page.
https://m.facebook.com/stmatthewsparishrosewell/
_______________________________
Sacramental Information 2023/24
We have started our Sacramental Preparation in school. Mrs Green, Miss Watson and Mrs Briggs prepare the children for their Sacraments. Please keep an eye on our website, Twitter feed and newsletters for all information regarding Sacramental Preparation and key dates for parents/carers.
Reconciliation – Congratulations to seven of our P3 pupils who made their Sacrament of Reconciliation on Sunday 17th December 2023 at St. Matthew’s RC Church, Rosewell. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue through their faith journey.
First Holy Communion – Congratulations to 3 of our P4 pupils and 1 of our P5 pupils who made their Sacrament of First Holy Communion on Sunday 28th April 2024 at St. Margaret’s RC Church, Rosewell and Our Lady of Consolation RC Church, Bonnyrigg. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue through their faith journey.
Confirmation – Primary 7 pupils will make their Sacrament of Confirmation. This is led by Archbishop Leo Cushley and will take place on Friday 14th June 2024, at St. Matthew’s RC Church, Rosewell. Mrs Briggs has begun preparing the children for this Sacrament. There will be a Confirmation Information meeting for parents on Tuesday 7th May 2024, 7pm in Our Lady of Consolation Church Hall in Bonnyrigg. If you cannot attend this meeting please speak to Father Michael to discuss your child’s readiness to make their Sacrament.
_______________________________
ASCENSION THURSDAY – 9TH MAY 2024
This Thursday, 9th May 2024 marks Ascension Thursday, a Holy Day of Obligation. Parish Mass times are as follows:
– Vigil Mass – Wednesday 8th May 2024, 6:15pm, Nazareth House.
– Thursday 9th May 2024, 9:30am, St. Andrew’s RC Primary School, Gorebridge
– Thursday 9th May 2024, 10:30am, Our Lady of Consolation RC Church, Bonnyrigg
– Thursday 9th May 2024, 12:00pm, St. Matthew’s RC Church, Rosewell
_______________________________
LAUDATO SI’ SCHOOL
We will be continuing our promise of being stewards of God’s creation and working towards becoming a Laudato Si’ School. Our goals for this year are: Simple Lifestyle & Fair Economy. Please keep an eye on our website and Twitter feed to see what we get up to.
_______________________________
POPE FRANCIS FAITH AWARD
This year ten of our Primary 7 pupils will continue to work towards earning their Pope Francis Faith Award. The Pope Francis Faith Award is designed to help children to show ‘signs of love’ in their daily lives and to be active members of their local church. The Faith Award invites young people to use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and to see how they can bear fruit in their homes, schools and parishes.
Keep keep them in your prayers and keep an eye on our website and Twitter feed to watch their PFFA journey.
_______________________________
FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION & BENEDICTION
As part of the parish’s efforts to help us achieve more spirituality, the parish will be having Adoration & Benediction in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus every first Friday of the month at 7pm. This will be in rotation in all of their three churches (Bonnyrigg in June, Gorebridge in August, Rosewell in September and so on).
_______________________________
PASTORAL CARE AT NAZARETH HOUSE, BONNYRIGG
Arrangements have been made to continue with Pastoral care to Nazareth House, as before. Therefore, there will be afternoon Mass every Sunday at 2:30pm, a vigil Mass the day before every Holy Day of Obligation at 6:15pm, and Mass at 11am on every First Friday of the month. These and other spiritual programs at the House will be published in the parish bulletin. All welcome.
_______________________________
PARISH SOCIAL GROUP
The next Social Group meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th May 2024 at Our Lady of Consolation Church Hall in Bonnyrigg at 7pm. All welcome!
_______________________________
GARDEN FETE 2024 – PLANNING MEETINGS
Planning for our annual Garden Fete is about to start. Our first meeting will be on Tuesday 4th June 2024 at 7pm, in Our Lady of Consolation Church Hall, Bonnyrigg. This is the biggest event that the parish has and requires many volunteers to ensure its success. ALL WELCOME!
BIG SUMMER RAFFLE
Tickets are now available at the back of each church. Amazing prizes to be won! Please take a bundle to sell to family and friends. £1 per ticket, 10 tickets per book.
_______________________________
ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH DAY 2024
The Archdiocese of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh is holding a Youth Day, ‘A Day with Mary’ for children aged P4-P7. The event will be held at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, on Saturday 11th May 2024, from 11am-3pm. This is a chance for children to learn more about the Blessed Virgin in her month of May, whilst enjoying games and activities with other children from across the Archdiocese. Register here: https://bit.ly/daywithmary2024
_______________________________
BUSY BEES GROUP
The Busy Bees craft group has started on Thursday evenings, 7pm-9pm in St. Margaret’s Hall, Gorebridge. All welcome!
MEN’S THURSDAY CLUB
A new Men’s Thursday Club has started in St. Margaret’s RC Church Hall, Gorebridge every Thursday, 2pm-4pm. Cards, dominoes, crafts, hobbies, chat etc. All welcome!
PARISH HEALING SERVICE
In preparation for Pentecost there will be a Parish Healing Service on Friday 17th May 7pm-9pm, in St. Matthew’s RC Church Hall, Rosewell. SAVE THE DATE (more details to follow)!
CATHOLIC PARISH SUMMIT – 12th-14th JUNE 2024
It is about inspiring Catholics with a vision of a renewed Church that is missionary and apostolic at its core, and equipping them to cast off their parishes into mission – so that they can bring people to Jesus. Who is this for? If you’re involved in parish ministry in any way, this summit is for you. For more information, check this link: https://catholicparishsummit.com/about/
MASS FOR MARRIED AND ENGAGAED COUPLES
The annual Mass for Married and Engaged Couples is at 7:15pm on Wednesday 29th May 2024 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. Come and celebrate the gift of marriage, renew your commitment and receive God’s blessing upon your love. Requests for special invitations for couples celebrating significant anniversaries can be made at: vemarriage@staned.org.uk or by calling: 0131 334 1693.
ASSISTED PILGRIMS TO LOURDES
Do you know someone who is ill or infirm and would enjoy the opportunity to experience a life-changing trip to Lourdes? The Archdiocese is seeking Assisted Pilgrims to join them on the pilgrimage in July. They will receive 24hr support from the brilliant doctors, nurses and volunteers in the Medical/Helper team and stay in specially equipped accommodation. It will be an unforgettable week with a full spiritual and social programme. Please contact Bernadette on 0131 441 1939 or visit http://www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes24
_______________________________
Sunday Gospel and Reflection
Sunday 5th May 2024 – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Year B
This is the Gospel according to John.
Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
Reflection
Children enjoy playing games and when teams are formed, they eagerly wait to be picked by one of the teams. Every child desires to be selected first as it makes them feel valued and appreciated. However, being picked last can be a challenging and unpleasant experience for a child. This illustrates the human longing to be accepted and valued. Thankfully, God chooses each one of us and desires us to be a part of His family. Recognizing this truth is crucial and can be a source of encouragement and affirmation. Reflecting on the fact that God chose us even before we were born is a beneficial spiritual practice. God knew us from all eternity and desired to bring us into His family. It’s crucial to acknowledge, accept, and have faith in this truth that we truly belong to Him. God doesn’t just choose us to be part of His family, but He also selects us for a significant mission. He desires to utilize us to produce fruit for His Kingdom and calls us to a sacred purpose. Being part of His team infuses our lives with direction and significance. Even if we feel like we lack the necessary skills or abilities to make an impact, we should keep in mind that God doesn’t view us that way. Instead, He recognizes the immense possibilities that reside within us and chooses to employ them in advancing His Kingdom.
Gospel and reflection taken from: https://catholicreadings.org/i-have-chosen-and-appointed-you-to-go-and-bear-fruit/
_______________________
Our Parish Mission Prayer
Holy Spirit be our guide as we journey towards our Father’s house.
Help us to work together so that our time of mission may enrich our parish of Our Lady’s, St. Matthew’s and St. Margaret’s.
With our friends and neighbours in other churches, help us to bear witness in our community to the love of Jesus Christ so that all people will be drawn to him.
Amen