Reflection –
A big issue for any community: how often should you forgive a wrongdoer? Peter offers a generous suggestion – seven times? Peter must have thought he was doing well, but he’s still wrong! How wrong is shown when Jesus talks of God’s limitless forgiveness. Jesus tells of someone who was released from a debt of 10,000 talents: about 150,000 years’ wages! How much more then was this person morally obliged to release his brother from a smaller debt!
Mass readings.
24th Sunday of the Year -Year A, 12th & 13th September 2026
1st Reading: Sirach 27:30-28:7
Responsorial Psalm. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in mercy
Second Reading: Romans 14:7-9
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia .…A new commandment I give unto you, says the Lord, that you love one another, just as I have loved you…… Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
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 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.
Artwork – The image for today’s newsletter was drawn by parishioner Jorge Kerr. If you would be interested in providing your own artwork for future newsletters appropriate to the reading for a particular week, please get in touch with the communications group at the office e-mail, office.stcuthbertsedinburgh@staned .org.uk
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.
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.
Parish Council meeting – The next 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. There is also a joint Parish Council meeting with St Cuthbert’s on the 22nd September. Minutes of this will also be shared.
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
Coffee Morning – Today, Sunday, 13th September there will be Teas & Coffees after Mass
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: £263
Month total collections (Cash) £263
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 16th, 10.00am
- Peter De Luca
- Deanna & Gerry McCue
Friday September 18th, 10.00am
- Allen Nicholls
- Nan & Peter Folland
Sunday, September 20th, 11.30am
- Julia & Nigel Jefferson - 10 yr anniversary
- Julia & Nigel
Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
Matthew 18:21-35
At that time: Peter came up and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
‘Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, “Pay what you owe.”
So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.
Then his master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.’
Reflection on the marble sculpture
Someone once said that forgiveness seems like a very good idea until you have someone to forgive. There is a great deal of truth in that. We can listen to the words of Jesus and readily agree with them. His teaching sounds beautiful, wise and right… until life suddenly puts that teaching to the test. If someone causes an accident that changes your life, do you forgive? If a doctor makes a serious mistake during a procedure, do you simply forgive? If someone betrays you deeply, destroys your reputation, or even takes the life of someone you love, can you forgive then? Suddenly the words of Jesus are no longer comfortable ideals. They become painfully real.
That is often the challenge of the Gospel. What Jesus asks of us does not change, but our circumstances do. A teaching that seems straightforward today can become extraordinarily difficult tomorrow. And that is precisely what we encounter in today’s Gospel: the call to forgive. But what does that actually mean? Are we really expected to forgive everyone and everything? Does forgiveness mean pretending that nothing happened? Does it mean there should be no justice or consequences? Does forgiving also mean forgetting? These are not easy questions.
Peter tries to make sense of the teaching of forgiveness. He asks Jesus, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ In the biblical world, seven symbolised fullness and completeness. Peter therefore thinks he is being remarkably generous. Seven times is surely enough. Yet Jesus replies, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.’ In other words, stop counting! Forgiveness cannot simply be reduced to a quota that, once exhausted, gives us permission to hold on to resentment.
That theme of forgiveness is captured with great tenderness in our sculpture today, Le Pardon (Forgiveness) carved in white marble by the Belgian sculptor Pieter Braecke between 1893 and 1895. We see a mother and her son at the moment when words seem almost unnecessary. The son has come close to her, his body suggesting remorse and vulnerability, while the mother bends towards him and receives him back. We do not know what he has done. Braecke deliberately leaves the story untold, allowing us to imagine the hurt that has passed between them. What matters is the gesture we see now: reconciliation. The marble may be cold and hard, but the scene itself is wonderfully warm and tender. Perhaps that is something of what forgiveness does…. turn coldness to warmth…