And so, farewell…
Sadly, for us, I have to let you know that the Archbishop this week appointed Fr. Nick to be the next Parish Priest of Galashiels in the Borders. This appointment will take effect during the week beginning 28th May and so next weekend will be Fr. Nick’s last weekend with us. He has had a good innings here at the Cathedral – having been here for nearly four years – and he has been a wonderful presence in this community building up many aspects of the life of the Cathedral and carrying the burden of the parish for much of his time here. I know that you will want to express you thanks to Fr. Nick and so I propose that we organise a Parish Social after a few weeks when we will invite him back and make a presentation. Fr. Nick is not here this weekend because he is supplying in Stirling (following the death of Fr. Began) but will be here next week to bid farewell. In his place the Archbishop has appointed Fr. Jaimie McMorrin – who is an excellent young priest only two years ordained and who has been working in Falkirk since his ordination. Fr. Jaimie’s first weekend will be the 2nd/3rd June.
Parish Restructuring
There is an important letter from the Archbishop to be read out at the end of all Masses today. In this letter the Archbishop proposes that the Cathedral Parish of St. Mary’s should be merged with St. Andrew’s Parish in Ravelston. As we already cover St. Andrews (and have done for some years) this is more or less a formalization of what is actually the present situation. Copies of the letter are available at the back of the Church, and there are also copies of a note concerning the financial organisation of the amalgamated parish – according to which the finances of both parishes will be merged in the future while each parish will maintain its own bank balances and debts from the past. This is a technical reorganisation which is sensible, and which will slightly simplify things for us. It will also encourage and enable us to work more closely together but, apart from that, (in my opinion)will have little discernible effect.
May Procession – Next Saturday – 2.30pm
The lovely Annual May Procession, organised by the Missionaries of Charity, will take place next Saturday, 26th May. It will begin at the Convent at 18 Hopetoun Crescent at 2:30pm and will process to the Cathedral. This is a beautiful and traditional devotion. Why not join in next Saturday?
God bless you and your families this week, Fr Patrick, Fr Nick and Deacon Peter