Joseph Gilhooley, RIP
It was with great sadness that we received the news of the death of Joseph Gilhooley on Monday the 11th May, aged 72. He served the Cathedral for some 49 years and was latterly MC and sacristan before ill-health prevented him from continuing a few years back. In addition to his public roles, Joseph also served in very many other hidden, unseen ways. He'll be sadly missed by so many at the Cathedral who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace and be richly rewarded. Joseph will be laid to rest privately, but Mass will be offered for him in the Cathedral this Sunday, with a public Requiem Mass to follow as soon as the church opens again.
SCIAF Appeal – Last Chance to Have the Donation Matched by the UK Government
Thank you to everyone who has been saving money in your SCIAF WEE BOX to help women in the DR Congo. You have been most generous. If you still have your WEE BOX at home please donate before 20th May to ensure it is matched by the UK government. You can donate over the phone on 0141 354 5555, via our website (www.sciaf.org.uk), or you can post your donation to FREEPOST SCIAF. If posting your donation, please include a small note with WEE BOX 2020 written on it so we know it's for this year's WEE BOX appeal.
Telephone Apostolate Update from Deacon Peter
Things are generally ticking along nicely thank you very much! Our volunteers report that they’re all having nice long chats and that things are going well despite the lock down. But for some, particularly those with Alzheimer's /Dementia or indeed other mental health issues, this lock-down can appear like a never-ending road. It is a road which has led them away from normality. One person who I spoke with is desperate to get back to the Cathedral, desperate to get back to Mass, desperate to get back to receiving the Blessed Sacrament and above all, desperate to get back to normal. Some who are struggling to cope with the mental pressures brought about by the lock down have descended into a deep sense of isolation, even of imprisonment. I was sent a leaflet this week on the impact of COVID-19 upon those who suffer from dementia which really highlighted the importance of fostering a common sense approach to Good Mental Health. It is an approach based on good communication, based in friendship and above all in patience, understanding and in caring for those who find it difficult to cope with the mental pressures and changes wrought by the pandemic. Our volunteers in our telephone apostolate are doing just that, reaching out to others as Christ taught us to do. We all hope that as we come out of the pandemic, the Cathedral and St Andrews in Ravelston will reopen, at least for private prayer. Until then please keep all of our volunteers and befriendees in your prayers.
Read the newsletter for 17th May (pdf)
Read the newsletter for 17th May (doc)