Reflection – Yet another parable. Here, the only person in trouble is the one who plays safe. We have received God’s gifts for the sake of the kingdom. They are not the product of our work, so we have no excuse for not using them for God’s work. Those who use their gifts are given the same reward, despite their results being different. They are rewarded with a share in their master’s happiness – another free gift!
Mass readings.
33rd Sunday of Ordinary -Year A, 14th & 15th November 2026
1st Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13
Responsorial Psalm. Blessed are all who fear the Lord
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia..Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord. Whoever abides in me bears much fruit ….. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
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:
World Day of the Poor – Sunday 15 November marks World Day of the Poor. This year’s collection will support the Care Van, run by Bethany Christian Trust and Edinburgh City Mission, which provides food, hot drinks and practical support to people experiencing homelessness and hardship in Edinburgh city centre. You can also donate online at bit.ly/dayforpoor.
Catholic Education Week – special collection – The annual special collection for Catholic Education week is on Sunday 22 November. More details to follow.
Parish Council Meeting – Minutes for the October Parish Council Meeting are now available at the back of the church and on the Church Website which took place in October.
Prisoners’ Childrens’ gifts – We will be collecting at the church entrance again this year. Books, dolls, action figures, games & footballs are particularly appreciated. New items only. Gifts should be unwrapped or loose inside gift bags and will be picked up on the 18th December after morning mass. Please support if you can.
SSVP Healing Mass: Will be held on Friday, 27th November at 11:30am at Our Lady’s. After the Mass we will move into the hall for food, drink, and some entertainment! You are all warmly invited and if you plan to attend, please let one of the SSVP members know (Aongus, Hugh, Irene, Kevin, Pat, Peadar or phone 0793 332 7051). This will help us to gauge numbers and dietary requirements for the catering, and you can let us know whether you require transport to/from Our Lady’s on the day.
ARCHDIOCESAN UPDATES
Job Vacancy – The Archdiocese is recruiting a full-time Support and Property Administrator, based in Edinburgh. Salary circa £26,000. Closing date: Tuesday 24 November. For details and to apply, visit bit.ly/archjob26.
Yearly Formation Morning for RCIA leaders – All RCIA leaders and those who assist them are invited to the yearly formation morning hosted by the Catechetics Commission at the Gillis Centre (100 Strathearn Rd EH9 1BB) on Saturday 12 December 2026. The day will include opportunity for Confession, Mass, and inputs on the divinity and humanity of Jesus from Fr Andrew Garden. Register at bit.ly/rciaevent
Job Vacancy at Cathedral – Role: Sacristan/Cleaner, St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Hours: 30 hours per week; working hours between 8:00am and 2:30pm, Monday – Friday. Salary: £13.45 per hour. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk for a job description. Applications in writing with CV to Alex Mileto, Cathedral Facilities Manager, Cathedral House, 61 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JD, or email complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Closing date: Friday 20 November 2026.
Diploma in Catechetics 2027 – Registration is now open for the Archdiocese’s Diploma in Catechetics 2027, beginning Thursday 28 January. The course offers 36 weekly Zoom sessions exploring the Catholic faith, with expert speakers, guided readings and one-to-one support. The cost is £220 (bursaries available), with places limited to 100. Register at bit.ly/2027catechetics. For enquiries, email diploma@staned.org.uk.
Volunteer to Support Children with Special Needs in Edinburgh – 3 adult volunteers needed for the new Children SPRED 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. Contact Sr Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM (srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk) if interested in learning about becoming a SPRED volunteer catechist for the group. Training and formation are provided!
Red Wednesday Mass – St Mary’s Cathedral -Archbishop Leo Cushley will celebrate Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 18 November at 7:00pm to mark Red Wednesday, an annual initiative organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The Mass will be an opportunity to pray for Christians around the world who face persecution and discrimination because of their faith, and to show solidarity with those who suffer for their beliefs.
Young Adults Mass – The Archdiocesan annual Mass for young adults takes place on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 22 November, at 7:00pm in Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. Celebrant: Archbishop Cushley. Social afterwards.
Archdiocesan events – More events are listed at archedinburgh.org/events
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £171
Month total collections (Cash) £352
Special Collections: £-
Bank Total (month) £810
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, November 18th, 10.00am
- Emidio Rosa family faithful departed
- Julia & Nigel
Friday November 20th, 10.00am
- Moore & Higgins families
- Kevin & Gerry
Sunday, November 22nd 11.30am
- Edwin D.Cunha
- Barbara Somerville
- Geraldine Folland - recently deceased
- Rita D'Cunha
- Ian Somerville
- Nigel & Julia
- SSVP and Parish community
You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much
Matthew 25:14-15, 19-21
At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
‘Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, “Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” ’
Reflection on the painting
“You have been faithful over a little; I will entrust you with much more.” These words of Jesus in today’s Gospel express something we recognise in education. We learn our letters before we can read a sentence; we grasp simple numbers before attempting complicated calculations. Each small discovery prepares us for the next. A good teacher understands the importance of these small beginnings, patiently helping a child to grow in understanding and learn bigger things. In the parable, the master entrusts his possessions to his servants, giving them the opportunity to make something of what they have received. Education involves a similar trust: to help grow the talent of the children and expand their knowledge.
Christian education adds an even deeper dimension to this growth. Alongside learning about the world, we learn to recognise it as God’s creation and to understand our own place within it. Our talents and abilities therefore become gifts to be offered in service. Learning to listen in class can help us become attentive to another person’s needs; admitting a mistake can teach us honesty; helping a classmate can begin a lifelong habit of generosity. Through such small, daily experiences, knowledge grows into wisdom, and faith begins to shape how we live.
Eduard Ritter’s oil painting Good Girls, Bad Boys, School Class in Tyrol offers a rather amusing picture of education in practice. Children crowd the wooden benches of a rustic but rather grand classroom, some attending to their work while others appear much more interested in mischief. The schoolmaster, meanwhile, seems comfortably occupied with grapes, a glass of wine before him and a long Tyrolean pipe at his mouth. We might hesitate to recommend his approach to classroom management! Yet the scene is charming. Ritter captures the restless energy of childhood, reminding us that every classroom contains distinct personalities, each needing patience, attention and encouragement.
The painting also invites us to think about the responsibility of those who teach. Children learn from the example before them as well as from the lesson being taught. A teacher’s fairness, a parent’s patience, a school staff member’s willingness to listen: these apparently small things can remain with a child for life. Christian education asks us to care for the whole person, helping each child discover that they are loved by God and have something precious to contribute. We cannot know all that will grow from the individual talent entrusted to each child. But a small lesson, faithfully taught, will have a lasting impact.