Reflection –
Matthew tells that the disciples fall on their faces overcome with fear when they hear the voice of the Father. Only after the resurrection will their faith be perfected to the point that they can hold to both the majesty of God and his desire to save them by drawing them into his perfect love through Jesus.
Mass readings.
2nd Sunday of Lent – Year A – February 28th & 1st March, 2026
1st Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a
Responsorial Psalm. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8b-10
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia,Alleluia…Glory to you O Christ, Wisdom of God the Father. From a bright cloud, the Father’s voice was heard: ‘This is my beloved Son, listen to him’ Glory to you O Christ, Wisdom of God the Father …. Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
Important Note: Please scroll within the below window to have access to daily readings for the Holy Catholic Mass. To keep scrolling down Our Lady’s newsletter, just scroll outside the window.
PARISH UPDATES:
Easter Services – the following are the planned services for Lent & the Easter Period
| Ash Wednesday 18th February | Holy Thursday 2nd April | Good Friday 3rd April | Easter Vigil 4th April | Easter Sunday 5th April |
St Cuthbert’s | 7pm | 7pm | 3pm | 8pm | 10am |
Our Lady’s | 10am | 6pm | 3pm | 8pm | 11.30am |
Stations of the Cross -The Archdiocese hosts online Stations of the Cross each Monday in Lent. The first one is on Monday 23 February at 7:45pm and will feature a reflection from Archbishop Leo. The annual event is to pray for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Register at bit.ly/stations26
What’s Happening at Mass – Mass is the climax of Catholic life. Join the Archdiocese’s Catechetics Commission to explore what we are ultimately doing with God at Holy Mass. What’s Happening at Mass takes place at The Gillis Centre,100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, on Saturday 14 March, from 9:30am-4:00pm. Register: bit.ly/archmass
Our Lady’s 60th Anniversary Celebration – takes place on the 15th March. Archbishop Leo Cushley will be joining the mass at 11.30 and then at the after-mass celebration at the Gibson Craig Hall nearby on Lanark Road, where we will have lunch and some musical entertainment. If you haven’t put your name down yet at Our Lady’s or if you are a St Cuthbert’s parishioner and would like to come along, please let Norma Mitchell know at normamitchell5237@gmail.com .
IMPORTANT – Stations of the Cross will take place at 7pm every Friday in Lent.
Children’s Singing Performance for 60th Anniversary Celebration – Children are invited to take part in a singing and action performance for our Celebration. To support, a practice video will be sent to parents for children to learn the song at home. Practices will also take place during Children’s Liturgy on 1st and 8th March. On the day of the celebration, children are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before Mass for a final rehearsal. To join, please scan the QR code below and sign up.
60th Anniversary parking arrangements (15th March) – Parking in the church car park will be restricted to visiting priests and guests, and to those parishioners with mobility issues. We would ask that others to park in the Pentland View or Currie Library car parks or alternatively the Pentland Medical Centre car park on Pentland View. The reception after Mass is in the Gibson Craig Hall, a 5min walk from the church; anyone who would find this difficult and would like a lift should contact Norma or Blanca so that arrangements can be made. Note: parking at the Gibson Craig Hall is limited and will only be available for Disabled Badge holders.
Parish Council Meeting minutes – Latest PPC Meeting Minutes now available on the website
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £286.
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £932
Bank Total (month) £778
Mass Bookings.
We are reminded that the booking of mass for our special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthday thanksgiving, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers is highly recommended. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest.
MASS TIMINGS
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS DONOR
Wednesday, March 4th 10.00am
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Friday March 6th 10.00am
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Sunday, March 8th 11.30am
-Special Intention for Margaret & Rob Meek
Margaret Meek
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain
Matthew 17:1-9
At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one, but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, ‘Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.’
Reflection on the watercolour
It can seem almost surprising that the Church places the radiant mystery of the Transfiguration before us in the heart of Lent. We are fasting, almsgiving, walking steadily toward the Cross, and suddenly we are bathed in light. Yet perhaps that is precisely the point. Before we reach Calvary, we are given a glimpse of glory. In the Gospel, Jesus leads Peter, James and John away from the familiar shores of Galilee and up a high mountain. Mountains in Scripture are never accidental; they are always places of revelation. And there, in that luminous moment, Peter blurts out what many of us would feel: “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here.” It is the instinctive cry of the heart when heaven seems very near. I do love Peter’s reactions in this reading.
Deeply moved, Peter immediately wants to act. he wants to do something. He wants to build three tents, to preserve the moment, to help, to contribute. It is a very human response. When grace touches us, we want to secure it, organise it, perhaps even control it. But what Peter witnessed on the mountain was not a moment for construction; it is a moment for contemplation. Before Peter could even begin building, the Father’s voice interrupts: “This is my Son, the Beloved… listen to him.” Some encounters with God are not meant to be followed by action, they are simply there to be savoured, to be enjoyed. When we relinquish the urge to always want to ‘do something’ and take charge, when we simply stand in quiet wonder, something can shift within us. The light can settle more deeply in stillness. And that quiet listening heart is what will sustain us when the mountain gives way to the road that leads to Jerusalem… that is our Lenten journey…
Our watercolour by David Roberts shows this journey to Jerusalem. We see pilgrims on the left standing high on a hill, gazing out toward the sacred city ahead . Its rooftops and spires are shining in the distance. From this elevated vantage the path below looks clear and inviting, but the road to Jerusalem does not go straight across smooth plains. It threads through valleys, winds around rivers, and negotiates rocky terrain, reminding us that the pilgrimage of faith demands effort, endurance and trust. Just as these travellers on the hillside must leave the ease of the summit and make their way down into the challenges below, so our Lenten journey calls us not simply to admire the promised light of Easter, but to walk through the valleys of repentance, prayer and transformation that lead us there.
