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
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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/
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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 – Primary 4 pupils will make their Sacrament of First Holy Communion on: Sunday 28th April 2024 – St. Margaret’s RC Church, Gorebridge, 9:30am; OR Sunday 28th April 2024 – Our Lady of Consolation RC Church, Bonnyrigg, 11:30am. Miss Watson has begun preparing the children for their Sacrament.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (Rosewell in May, Bonnyrigg in June, Gorebridge in August and so on).
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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.
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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!
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GARDEN FETE 2024 – PLANNING MEETINGS
Planning for our annual Garden Fete is about to start. Our first meeting will be on Tuesday 30th April 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.
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ST. MARGARET’S YOUNG ADVENTURERS
Look for the gnomes in the grounds of St, Margaret’s Church – you can choose a gnome, give it a name and check on it each time you go to Mass.
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BUSY BEES GROUP
The Busy Bees craft group will start again on Thursday 18th April 7pm-9pm in St. Margaret’s Hall, Gorebridge. All welcome!
MEN’S THURSDAY CLUB
A new Men’s Thursday Club is starting in St. Margaret’s RC Church Hall, Gorebridge on Thursday 18th April, 2pm-4pm. Cards, dominoes, crafts, hobbies, chat etc. All welcome!
PASSKEEPERS WANTED
Passkeepers are required to go on a rota at St. Matthew’s RC Church, Rosewell for Saturday 6pm Masses. The role involves welcoming people on arrival and giving out hymn books, bulletin etc. If you are available please contact Father Michael. Any help is much appreciated.
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/
SYNOD EVENT – SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION
The Archdiocesan Synodal Team invites you to Spiritual Conversation (Exploring the role of the laity), an event taking place at Ss John Cantius & Nicholas, Broxburn on Saturday 4th May, 10:30am-1pm. To read the event guide follow this link: https://archedinburgh.org/wp-content/uploads/Synod-Broxburn-Event-Guide.pdf
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Sunday Gospel and Reflection
Sunday 21st April 2024 -Fourth Sunday of Easter – Year B
This is the Gospel according to John.
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”
Reflection
What is the aspect of life you’re most acquainted with? Which internal or external voices do you hear frequently in your mind? We come across various influences regularly, some of which are beneficial while others are not. We often convince ourselves that the multitude of voices or influences we encounter each day have no impact on us. The media, pop culture, the love of money, and the desire for recognition are among the compelling factors that push us. They hold significant sway over us, and whether we acknowledge it or not, they have an impact on us. The Gospel provides an understanding of the inner conflict by distinguishing between the voice of the Shepherd and that of a stranger. The sheep have a natural inclination to learn and adapt. The sheep become familiar with their shepherd’s voice because it was customary for shepherds to frequently communicate with their flock. As the sheep became accustomed to the sound of their shepherd’s voice, they would respond by turning towards him and following his call. The same principle applies to us, as we tend to follow the voice that we are most accustomed to. Our daily immersion in certain activities or stimuli will gradually have an influence on us, and without realizing it, we will be drawn to follow them. This leads to the question of what we are most familiar with. It is recommended that we spend adequate time studying God’s Word to become familiar with His language, tone, and voice. It is also advised that we set aside a portion of our day for silent contemplation of God. By doing this, we develop a habit of listening to His voice and become at ease and consoled by it. Once we have developed this practice, it becomes simpler to continue hearing God throughout our busy day whenever He decides to communicate with us. We will instantly recognize His voice and obediently follow His guidance. Take time today to contemplate what captures your attention the most. Don’t let the multitude of voices in the world drown out God’s voice. Instead, ready yourself for when He chooses to communicate with you. When He does speak, allow His voice to seize your focus so that you can follow His guidance.
Let us Pray: Dear Lord, assist me in recognizing and cherishing Your tender voice in every aspect of my daily routine. May Your voice overshadow all the other sounds that strive to distract me. I choose You as my sole shepherd and advisor, dear Lord. Jesus, I love You. Amen.
Gospel and reflection taken from: https://catholicreadings.org/the-sheep-hear-his-voice-as-he-calls-them-by-name/
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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