Reflection –
The Holy Spirit is given to enable the disciples to overcome division. In John this is the division from God, from one another, even estrangement from our own true selves, which we call sin. In the Acts account, the division is ethnic and linguistic, with Pentecost now reversing the disaster of Babel. Can we let the Spirit do its work?
Mass readings.
Pentecost Sunday, 23rd & 24th of May, 2026
1st Reading: Acts 2: 1 – 11
Responsorial Psalm. Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia… Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love………… Alleluia
Gospel: John 20: 19-23
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PARISH UPDATES:
Fr Francis travels – Fr Francis will be away from the 19th of May till the 4th of June. Please contact Fr Malachy for any pastoral duties. Fr Francis would also like to thank parishioners for their kind and warm welcome to his Mum, Gladys. She will be going back to Nigeria next week.
St Margaret Pilgrimage – This annual national Catholic event takes place on Sunday 14 June in Dunfermline. Schedule: 12:00pm Angelus at St Margaret’s Cave; 1:00pm Prayer Service at St Margaret’s tomb at Dunfermline Abbey; 2:00pm Procession from Glen Gates to St Margaret’s Memorial Church, East Port; 3:00pm Mass at St Margaret’s Memorial Church, celebrated by Archbishop Cushley
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
Annual Caritas, Justice & Peace Mass – The annual Caritas, Justice & Peace Mass takes place at St Peter’s Church, 9 Carmondean Centre Road, Deans, Livingston, EH54 8PT on Thursday 18 June 2026. Guet speaker is Peter Diamond from Aid to the Church in Need.
New Catholic Retreat Day -Joined the Church in the last three years? Take part in a retreat day for new Catholics hosted by the Catechetics Commission of the Archdiocese on Saturday 20 June 2026 at The Gillis Centre. Save the date. Timetable and registration detail coming soon.
Special Collection – A special collection for the apostolate of communications will be held today. This collection supports the work of the Office of Communications and Evangelisation, which was recently established to strengthen digital evangelisation across Scotland.
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.
May Flowers – In keeping with our tradition during the month of May, we kindly ask the children if they can sometimes bring flowers to the Sunday morning Mass to decorate Our Lady’s altar. We would be delighted to receive them.
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.
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £156
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £1,009
Special Collections: £-
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 27th, 10.00am
- Late Donald Joseph McLean - anniversary
- Donald & Irene McLean
Friday May 29th, 10.00am
- Archibald - God's Healing
- Alice
Sunday, May 31st, 11.30am
- Geoff Jefferson
- Julia & Nigel Jefferson
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pentecost Sunday – Receive the Holy Spirit
John 20:19-23
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’
Reflection on our painting
Today we celebrate Pentecost, the great feast marking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, fifty days after Easter. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek pentēkostē, meaning “fiftieth.” It commemorates the moment when Christ, having risen and ascended, fulfilled his promise by sending the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. As Jesus says in the Gospel: “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you”—and with that, he breathes the Spirit into them, equipping them for their mission to the world.
Throughout Christian art, the Holy Spirit is most often represented through powerful, elemental imagery: flames, wind, the breath of God, and the dove. In today’s painting, we see a striking combination of these symbols. At the top, the dove hovers as a divine presence; from above, the wind seems to swirl and flow into the scene; and most vividly, tongues of flame rest upon the heads of the apostles and the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalen. These flames draw our attention first, they burn brightly as a visual reminder of God’s nearness. Fire has long symbolised God’s presence: from the burning bush in Exodus to the sanctuary lamp that flickers in our churches, or the small candle we light when we pray. Here, those flames announce again: God is here. The Spirit is alive. And the Church has been set ablaze.
Our painting by Fray Juan Bautista Maíno centres on the Virgin Mary, who is depicted with serene composure, surrounded by the apostles in varied states of awe and reverence. Mary Magdalen is by her side. Maíno’s use of chiaroscuro, influenced by his exposure to Caravaggio during his time in Italy, enhances the dramatic effect of the scene. The apostles’ expressive gestures and upward gazes convey a sense of wonder and divine inspiration. They have been set on fire. Through this painting, Maíno invites viewers to witness the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, marking the birth of the Church and its mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.
So today, on this sacred feast of Pentecost, let us open our hearts wide, like the apostles did, and be set ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Let us go forth, emboldened, not to whisper the Gospel, but to proclaim it with courage, with joy, and with love, until the whole world is lit with the flame of God’s truth.
