Reflection –
Why does God allow evil to exist? Parable one today suggests that destruction of evil may also cause destruction of good. God alone must make the final judgement on who and what is good or evil. Next come two parables about the growth of the kingdom of God. Farmers saw the mustard plant as a nuisance, and yeast was considered a corrupting force in bread-making. Christians are still often seen as a corrupting influence and a nuisance!
Mass readings.
16th Sunday of the Year – A, July 18th & 19th 2026
1st Reading: Wisdom: 12:13, 16-19
Responsorial Psalm. O Lord, you are good and forgiving
Second Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia … I thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven & earth, you have revealed the secrets of the kingdom to little children………… Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 13: 24-43
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:
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. Please state the church you want mass said and the date. A week’s notice is advised.
Monthly Standing Orders – There are still a small number of parishioners paying a monthly standing order to the Bank of Scotland. As this account is closing this year, it’s important that you transfer your standing order across to the church’s Royal Bank of Scotland account. If you don’t have the details, please contact George, Parish Administrator on office.stcuthbertsedinburgh@staned.org.uk.
Paul McTweed – Thank you message from Mary & Family – Mary and Family would like to thank Fr Francis and the 2 parishes for the lovely mass and amazing send off that they gave Paul, and for the generous donation of £500 for Dementia Scotland.
Publications – There are some back copies of the International Catholic Weekly, (The Tablet) in the porch. Feel free to help yourself to a copy. There are also a small number of Mass cards in the porch for sale.
Thank you message from Pat Fergusson – The Fergusson family would like to thank you all for your kindness and prayers throughout the period of Stuart’s illness and passing. We are very grateful for your support.
ARCHDIOCESAN UPDATES
National Youth Pilgrimage – The National Youth Pilgrimage (for ages 18–35) will take place on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Pluscarden Abbey. This year’s pilgrimage will focus on religious and monastic life and will include a tour of the Abbey, a Q&A with the monks, talks on vocation, and a Vigil Mass with Archbishop Cushley. Young people are invited to travel with the Archdiocese. To register or enquire, please contact youth.office@staned.org.uk.
Altar Servers – The Annual Day for Altar Servers takes place on Saturday 5 September from 10:30am to 3:00pm at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. Please speak to Fr Francis for details.
March for Life – travel offer – Travel to the March for Life in London for just £40 return. March for Life is the UK’s largest pro-life event, bringing together thousands of people for Mass, inspiring speakers, family and youth activities, and a peaceful march through central London. The Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office is offering a limited number of big-discount return train tickets to this year’s event on Saturday 5 September. Book early to secure your discounted ticket. Go to bit.ly/archtravel
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage – This year’s pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 20 September at St Patrick’s Church in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. It’s the annual opportunity to come together to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair, entombed in the Sacred Heart chapel at St Patrick’s. Schedule: 12:30pm – Sale of candles & goods, refreshments; 1:30pm – Holy Hour (exposition and benediction); 3:00pm – Reflection from Canon Jock Dalrymple; 4:30pm – Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley (Homilist: Fr Michael John Galbraith).
World Youth Day 2027 – World Youth Day takes place in Seoul, South Korea, from 1-9 August 2027. Young adults are invited to travel with the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh: Departure 1 August and return on 9 August 2027. For more information email youth.office@staned.org.uk
Music for the Homeless Jesus – On Monday 17 August with the Schola Cantorum choir of St Mary’s Cathedral. This concert is inspired by Timothy Schmlaz’s ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture, located outside St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Part of Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, the evening will contemplate homelessness and marginalisation through a programme of choral music that speaks of mercy, compassion, and hope. Tickets are £15 (£10 child) — book at bit.ly/4wttcCd
Brecbannoch Pilgrimage 2026 – A pilgrimage to pray for the renewal of the Faith in Scotland, from 31 July to 3 August, with a walk across the Isle of Mull, returning the relics of St Columba to Iona. Discounts are available for students and under-22s, and under-5s go free. Visit brecbannoch.co.uk
Season of Creation Conference – A day of inspiration, reflection and practical action to celebrate the Season of Creation. Saturday 5 September 2026, 10:00am – 3:00pm, Eyre Hall, Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JY. The keynote speaker is Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement. Register: bit.ly/SeasonofCreation26
Archdiocesan events – Events are listed at archedinburgh.org/events
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £169
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £309
Special Collections: £358
Bank Total (month) £812
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, July 22nd, 10.00am
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Friday July 24th, 10.00am
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Sunday, July 26th, 11.30am
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Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let both darnel and wheat grow till the harvest
Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus put another parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”’
Reflection on the Botanical Print
Sometimes, exploring a bit of botany can enhance our understanding of parables. This illustration from an 1836 medical botany book shows darnel. It closely resembles wheat. The difference between the two becomes apparent only as the plants mature. When fully grown, the ears of wheat are heavy and droop, while the ears of darnel stand upright because they are lighter.
Distinguishing darnel from wheat during the early stages of growth is nearly impossible. Jesus teaches us that weeds can only be separated from wheat at the proper time—harvest time. Similarly, when we grow we may at times display characteristics of wheat, but sometimes of darnel. We thus have a choice every day, every moment, to do right or wrong, to nurture ourselves to become proper wheat. God does not condemn us by uprooting us like weeds for our mistakes. Instead, he lest us grow, forgives us, allows us to do more growing, in hope we will turn out who God intended us to be.
As individual disciples we will indeed remain a mixture of light and shade until we are fully conformed to the image of God’s Son in the next life. We are all the time trying to grow more fully into conformity to Christ. Yet we have to accept that, this side of eternity, sin will always be part of our lives. Like the farmer in the parable, the Lord is patient with us. We need to be patient with ourselves and with each other. This is not complacency; it is simply the realistic recognition that we are all a work in progress.
