Reflection –
This famous parable, about the vineyard of the Lord, tells of people engaged to work in the vineyard at different times of the day. The agreed wage: one denarius – the minimum wage of the time. Those who worked longer expected more, but the denarius is a symbol of what sustains life: God’s gift; not something earned. What kind of owner would pay less than enough to live on? God gives life itself as gift, not as wage.
Mass readings.
25th Sunday of the Year -Year A, 19th & 20th September 2026
1st Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9
Responsorial Psalm. The Lord is close to all who call him
Second Reading: Philippians 1:20c-24, 27 a
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia .…Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may pay attention to the words of your Son.…… Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 20: 1-16
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PARISH UPDATES:
Mass Bookings. We invite mass bookings for special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthdays, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest. Please use the envelopes at the back of the church and fill out all detals. A minimum of one week’s notice is advised, earlier if possible so we can include in the weekly newsletter on time.
Catechesis – Parents with children who don’t attend catholic school and would like them to receive the sacraments during school term times 2026/27, please register them for catechesis asap using the form at the back of the church. This is applicable to P3 children for Reconciliation, P4 for First Communion, and P7 for Confirmation.
Catechism classes will start soon on Saturdays afternoon, according to demand. Also, if you’d like to join the catechist team please let us know on office.stcuthbertsedinburgh@staned.org.uk.
Special Collection – Special collection towards the training of the congregation of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy will take place on the weekend of October 4th. This is the congregation that Fr’s Francis and Malachy belong to.
Father Tom Molloy – Fr Tom Molloy, Redemptorist Priest in our parish as well as his hospital ministry, died in hospital on Saturday 12th September. Although aged 91, his death was unexpected. May he rest in peace.
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.
Joint Parish Council meeting – There will be a joint parish council meeting on the 22nd September. If you have any issues you wish raised please inform any parish council member or send to office.stcuthbertsedinburgh@staned.org.uk
Parish Council meeting – The next Our Lady’s Pastoral Parish Council (PPC) will be held on Tuesday 13 October. Parishioners are encouraged to contact the PPC Secretary (Gerry Higgins) or any member of the Parish Council if they have any issues they would like to be discussed at the PPC meeting. Minutes of the meeting will be posted on the church notice board and also posted on the parish website.
Sacristans & Passkeepers – Due to illness we are currently very stretched on the Sacristan and Passkeeper teams. We are also looking for a new coordinator for the Passkeeper rota. If you are able to help by joining the team please speak to Fr Francis or drop a message to office.stcuthbertsedinburgh@staned .org.uk
Archdiocese Updates
Volunteer to Support Children with Special Needs in Edinburgh – Three new adult volunteers are needed for the newly forming Children SPRED (Special Religious Development) group meeting at George Square in Edinburgh on Fridays from 3pm-4pm. The spiritual programme for children with special needs fosters communion with Jesus Christ within the Catholic community of faith. Please contact Sister Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM (srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk) if you are interested in learning about becoming a SPRED volunteer catechist for this new Edinburgh children’s group.
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage = This year’s pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 20 September at St Patrick’s Church in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. 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).
National Youth Pilgrimage – The National Youth Pilgrimage (for ages 18–35) will take place on Saturday 26 September at Pluscarden Abbey. This year’s focus is 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 please contact youth.office@staned.org.uk.
£15 leadership event offer for young adults – Young people aged 17–35 are invited to attend The Revival and The Calling at the SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, on 1–2 October. A limited number of tickets, normally costing around £125, are available for just £15. The events offer an opportunity for Christian worship, prayer and leadership development. To request a ticket, email gensec@bcos.org.uk by Friday 4 September. Places are first come, first served. More information: thecalling.scot
Poverty in Scotland – can we do more? – An event to dive into the reality of poverty in Scotland. We’ll hear from a range of speakers working on the frontline, discuss what’s being done and explore ways we can do more to help. It’s a chance to connect, share ideas, and spark change. It takes place on Saturday 3 October, 10:30am-4:00pm at, The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Register at bit.ly/povertyinscotland
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. For more information email youth.office@staned.org.uk
Archdiocesan events – Events are listed at archedinburgh.org/events
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £213
Month total collections (Cash) £476
Special Collections: £-
Bank Total (month) £820
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.
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
MASS TIMINGS
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS DONOR
Wednesday, September 23rd, 10.00am
- Cath & Ian Mackintosh - RIP
- Nan & Peter Folland
Friday September 25th, 10.00am
- Matt, Mary & Patrick Maguire
- Fr Tom Molloy, RIP
- Mary Cook
- Fr Francis
Sunday, September 27th, 11.30am
- Eileen Morrison - RIP
- Jim Garvie - RIP
- McCarthy Family
- Margaret & Rob Meek
Or do you begrudge my generosity?
Matthew 20:1-16
At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market-place, and to them he said, “You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.” So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, “Why do you stand here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You go into the vineyard too.”
‘And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, “Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.” And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” So the last will be first, and the first last.’
Reflection on the painting
Today’s Gospel contains one of those parables of Jesus that can leave us unsettled. We instinctively sympathise with the labourers who had spent the whole day working in the vineyard. Why, they ask, should those who arrived for just the final hour receive exactly the same wage? Their protest sounds perfectly reasonable. In any workplace today, paying someone who has worked for one hour the same as someone who has worked all day would seem deeply unfair. It would have sounded no less strange to those who first heard Jesus tell this story. Parables are indeed timeless!
Jesus surely knew that his listeners would react in this way. The apparent unfairness is not a flaw in the parable; it is precisely what makes the parable work. It deliberately unsettles our ordinary ideas about what people deserve. Perhaps that is precisely Jesus’ point: the kingdom of God does not operate according to the calculations and measurements by which we so often judge one another. God’s generosity goes far beyond what we think anyone has earned… and then comes the killer line in our story: “Or do you begrudge my generosity?”
If God were to ask each of us directly, “Do you begrudge my generosity?”, most of us would immediately answer, “Of course not.” We are grateful that God is generous, merciful and patient, especially when that generosity is directed towards us. But if we truly mean that answer, then it should shape the way we live. We cannot rejoice in God’s generosity while remaining mean-spirited towards others. To welcome the generosity of God is also to allow that generosity to pass through us: we receive, we rejoice, and we pass it on to other people: in the way we forgive, in the time we give, in the patience we show and in the kindness we extend. God’s generosity is not simply something for us to receive; it is something we are called to imitate.
Today’s painting, Drops of Kindness, by South African artist Nicolene Botha, gives us a wonderfully simple image of generosity. Painted in 2016 during a severe drought, it shows two sparrows beside a tap, reminding us of just how precious even a single drop of water can be. One little bird gently opens the tap so that the other can drink. It is a tiny gesture, but that is precisely what makes the painting so touching. Generosity does not always require grand gestures or great sacrifices. Often it consists simply in noticing another’s need and giving what we can. A drop of water, a little time, a kind word,…: individually they may seem insignificant, but to someone who is thirsty they can mean everything.