Reflection –
The Farewell Discourse of Jesus at the Last Supper is revisited now in Eastertide to allow us to see the fullness of the truth and life promised by Resurrection faith. Jesus is the Way to Truth and Life and all that God promises, not in the sense of formulae or explanations (as Thomas and then Philip seek) but as the path or way we must walk down.
Mass readings.
Fifth Sunday of Easter, 2nd & 3rd of May, 2026
1st Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Responsorial Psalm. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you O Lord.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia.I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord. No one comes to the Father except through me. Alleluia
Gospel: John 14: 1-12
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PARISH UPDATES:
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.
‘Our Lady’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations – photos now showing on our parish website!
Please take a look at the photos of our anniversary celebrations in the website ‘Archive Information & Gallery’ section. These are a great memento of a marvellous day. Our thanks to Mandy Kwan for taking the photos and creating the short video which will be available shortly & to Carla for uploading. Please follow the QR code to the website.
Gift Aid – If you haven’t already done so, please pick up your Gift Aid envelopes from the back of the Church. The new tax year starts this Sunday so its important the new envelopes are used from now on.
Corpus Christi Procession – Save the Date – The annual Archdiocesan Corpus Christi procession, led by Archbishop Cushley, will take place from Our Lady & St Andrew’s, Stirling Street, Galashiels, on the afternoon of Sunday 7 June 2026. Details to follow soon.
Family Picnic & Mass – Join families from around the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB for a picnic at 1:00pm on Saturday 9 May, followed by a time of catechesis, games, a Rosary procession and concluding with a Vigil Mass at 4:00pm. Bring your own picnic, and the Archdiocese will provide tea/coffee, soft drinks & a dessert. The day is aimed especially at families with school-age children. Register at bit.ly/archpicnic26. Event hosted by the Marriage & Family and Catechetics Commissions of the Archdiocese.
Pentecost event for young adults – Join young adults from across the Archdiocese to celebrate Pentecost at St Andrew’s Church, 77 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DP, on Saturday 23 May, beginning at 4:00pm. There will be a talk, Eucharistic Adoration & opportunity for Confession, Holy Mass and a barbecue. Organised by the Archdiocese along with the young adult ministries at Edinburgh Jesuit Church, St Mary’s Cathedral and St Albert’s Chaplaincy. Register at bit.ly/pentecost26. Come, Holy Spirit!
Edinburgh Seven Hills Pilgrimage – The Seven Hills of Edinburgh Pilgrimage route is approximately 26km, taking in Castle Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart Hill, Braid Hill, Blackford Hill, Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill. Starts at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral at 9:00am on Saturday 13 June with a dedicated reflection at each peak from Monsignor Jeremy Milne. Details and registration at bit.ly/sevenhills26
Mass for Married & Engaged Couples –From Fr Benedict Iwatt, VE for Marriage & Families: A reminder that the annual Mass for Married and Engaged Couples is at St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday 19 June. We will acknowledge and celebrate couples who are marking significant milestones in their married life (10th, 25th, 50th, 60th, and 70th) so please submit to me names and relevant details of parishioners (vemarriage@staned.org.uk) so that they receive a special invitation to attend the Mass from Archbishop Cushley.
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £258
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £2,914
Special Collections: £222
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, May 6th, 10.00am
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Friday May 8th, 10.00am
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Sunday, May 10th, 11.30am
- Sue Ward
- Peter Higgins
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life
John 14:1-6
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’
Reflection on the painting
Throughout our readings this week, Jesus has been revealing profound truths about Himself through simple yet powerful imagery. He has told us that He is the Shepherd, guiding and protecting His flock. Yesterday, He declared that He is the Light, shining in the darkness to lead us safely home. Today, He offers one of His most beautiful and defining statements: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” These are not mere metaphors, but deeply meaningful revelations, helping us to understand who Christ is and how we are called to follow Him.
Jesus is the Way — not just a guide, but the very path by which we reach the Father. Why is He the only way? Simply because this is how God, in His wisdom and love, has designed the journey of salvation: that we come to Him through His Son. More profoundly, the vastness of the divide between humanity and God is something we could never cross on our own. Without Christ, we would be lost. It is only by walking with Jesus, by knowing Him intimately, that we can hope to enter into the mystery of God’s infinite glory.
Jesus is the Truth — not a truth among many, but Truth itself, made flesh. As the Son of the Father, He embodies the ultimate answer to every human longing for meaning, purpose, and understanding. In Him, we find the truth about who we are, where we come from, and what we are called to become.
Jesus is the Life — the one who gives life in abundance. When we follow His way and accept His truth, our souls are filled with true life. Without Him, we may exist, but spiritually we are empty; with Him, we share in the divine life that conquers even death.
Our reflection is beautifully complemented by Daphne Stephenson’s painting, “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. Working in the style known as Primitive Naïve Art, Stephenson captures spiritual themes with refreshing simplicity and honesty. Art critic Alan Bowness explains, “Naïve artists make an appearance when art becomes too precious or too clever. Someone with a natural gift, untrained, comes along and overturns everybody’s preconceived notions, and makes us rethink.” In much the same way, Jesus’ words today cut through complexity and intellectual pride, bringing us back to the essentials: to trust, to follow, and to live in Him who is our Way, our Truth, and our Life.
