OFFERTORY COLLECTION Sunday, 29th January £867.27 - Building Fund £289.73

RETIRAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEK for the work of Catholic Education.

CARE OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND GROUP will meet on Monday, 6th February at 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Centre meeting room.  If you are interested in joining this group please
come along to the meeting.

PARISH SAFEGUARDING TRAINING: Several parishioners in new volunteering roles will be attending the diocesan Safeguarding training here at St Mary's on WEDNESDAY 8th FEBRUARY AT 7.30pm. We are grateful that a trainer is available to come to our own parish to deliver this training for those volunteering with children or vulnerable adults, as it can be adapted to our groups and surroundings. Those who are required to attend the training have been invited already, but if any parish volunteer would like to refresh their Safeguarding awareness, they are very welcome to attend. Just let Fr John/Nuala Gormley/the parish house know (for numbers). Further information is available from Nuala (0131 258 4395).

LEITH CHURCHES TOGETHER: We hold a monthly ecumenical service on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1.00 p.m. and our hosts on 8th February are Ebenezer UF Church, Bangor Road. Our worship together lasts c. 30 minutes and is followed by lunch together. If you haven't been before and you're free then, just come along - there is always plenty to share!

HIBERNIAN HISTORY HANDBOOK by Frank Dougan (Frank’s brother) is now on sale at £7.00Included in the book are the details of how the St. Mary, Star of the Sea CMS, were critical in the history of the football club. A donation will be made to the CMS for every copy sold.

ARBORETUM REUNION: For over 80 years the rugby club, which at various times has been known as Holy Cross Academical RFC, Old Augustinians RFC, Holy Cross RFC and currently, Inverleith RFC has played at Arboretum Road in Edinburgh. A small number of past players meet up occasionally to reminisce about the good old days and they have decided that an invitation should be extended to all ex players and friends of the club, to join them at the clubhouse in Arboretum Road, from 12.30pm on Saturday, 31st March, 2012. It is intended that this will just be an informal gathering but to help bring back old memories Pies and Beans will be available. To assist with numbers, if you would like to attend, please contact the email address below or contact: Jim Carroll: 07828 428627 or Gerry McManus: 07836379747 Email: arboretum.reunion@gmail.com

ST. MARY'S PARISH RETREAT 12th - 16th March: We have an amazing opportunity as a parish community to be on retreat together during Lent. Many people today do not have the time or the money to go off to a retreat centre, so the retreat is coming to us. A team of three will lead us daily in a time of reflection. There will be an opportunity to come together either after midday Mass (Monday to Friday), or at 7.30 in the evening, to spend time with God in prayer. Members of the team will come to the Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses on the 3rd & 4th March to tell us about how the retreat will work for us, and to encourage everyone to participate as fully as they can.  The focus of the retreat will centre on the Eucharist and various moments of Mass, enabling us to pray the Mass and participate more deeply. There will be two daily retreat sessions of one hour, one after the midday Mass and another in the evening. (You choose which hour you come to). Each daily session consists of twenty minutes of reflection, followed by twenty minutes of prayer in Church and then twenty minutes of shared conversation. This is an opportunity for yourself. Don’t let the invitation pass you by - think about it as it may be something you have wanted for yourself for a long time. No need to book a place. For more information contact Marguerite Kramers: 07506 504532

ASH WEDNESDAY is on 22nd February. This is the first day of Lent. To help us journey through this holy season, doing something different for the 6 weeks, there will be a Retreat/Time of Reflection for 5 days, and there will be a gathering each Tuesday night for prayer. (Choose one or the other or both - but choose to make Lent different this year!)

MASS TO CELEBRATE MARRIAGE WEEK - Sunday, 12th February at 7.00 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier's Parish, Falkirk - all are welcome to attend, especially those who are married or preparing for marriage. A very warm and particular invitation is extended to couples who are celebrating a special wedding anniversary or who would like their marriage commitment renewed. See notice.

SATURDAY 10th MARCH 10.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m., Theme: "Take off your shoes, for you stand on holy ground" annual Justice & Peace Lenten Retreat. An opportunity for anyone who would like to take time to reflect on action for justice and peace in the context of our faith. Sacred Heart Hall, Lauriston Street. There is a charge of £15 for the day (£10 non-waged), which includes lunch. More information and booking forms from Miriam McHardy - Miriam.mchardy@staned.org.uk 0131 623 8922.

SATURDAY 24th MARCH - "I have called you by your name!" A day of reflection for anyone aged between 18 and 35 taking the theme who would like to take some time out to reflect on how God might be calling them to act in the world. Gillis Centre, Edinburgh 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Cost £10:00 which includes lunch. For more information contact Miriam.mchardy@staned.org.uk or anne.mcevoy@staned.org.uk or facebook.com/EdinburghRCdiocese

THEOLOGY FOR CATECHISTS - The Mystery of God - Year 2 Workshop 2. Revealed Truth of God - Year 2 Workshop 3. In the Image of God - Year 2 - Workshop 4.

THE BEGINNING EXPERIENCE is holding a weekend for those who find themselves alone again through divorce, separation or bereavement. The weekend will take place from 23rd - 25th March at St. Mary's, Kinnoul, Perth. For details contact: Ros on 0131 669 0003 or e-mail roz25@hotmail.co.uk

CATHOLIC TEACHERS and all who work in Catholic Schools in Midlothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders, please come to Holy Mass concelebrated by His Eminence, Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien and the Very Rev. Hugh, Canon White, at Our Lady of Consolation, Bonnyrigg on Monday,
February 6th at 5.00 p.m.

FAIR TRADE GOODS will be on sale in the Parish Centre after the Sunday morning Masses. Come and see the various products on sale. Your support will be much appreciated.

PASTORAL FINANCE GROUP (PFG)
Copy of the feedback received by the PFG is included in today's insert. Next week the 2011 Parish Accounts extract will be published!

A YOUNG ADULTS' SCRIPTURE GROUP has recently formed in St Mary's for young people aged
18-30. This group will meet each week for one hour in the parish centre. If you would
like to join this group, or find out more information please speak to Anne Fegan, anne.oblate.partners@gmail.com, (0131) 554 2482.

LEITH CHURCHES TOGETHER: Our next committee meeting is on Wednesday 1 February, at Duke Street URC, 7 for 7.30pm (Observers are welcome but please contact one of our Co-Chairs in advance so that we know numbers - David Igoe 0131 467 1449, or Rev. John Tait 0131 554 1842).

CARE OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND GROUP will meet on Monday, 6th February at 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Centre meeting room. If you are interested in joining this group
please come along to the meeting.

PARISH RETREAT AT HOME MARCH 2012: St Mary's has been chosen as one of 6 parishes to link up with a team from the diocese in order to deepen in prayer and scripture during a week this Lent. The retreat takes place in the church/parish centre each day. Our dates are Mon 12 - Fri 16 March. There will be short sessions each day, hoping to accommodate people's different schedules. These will be : before Mass, before end of primary school day and in evening: all are welcome. Help needed now to join a small coordinating group for this event. Would you like to help in some way? Please contact Marguerite Kramers: [margueritekramers24@yahoo.co.uk] or Fr Frank for more information.

IMPACT AT ST. MARY'S STAR OF THE SEA: A new youth project for young people aged 13 - 17. Impact is a project specifically for young people, developed by the Young Christian Workers, which aims to encourage young people to become active members of their community. The Impact sessions will invite young people to develop a deeper understanding of their faith, through participating in group activity, discussing social issues relevant to them, and meeting other young Catholics. The first Impact session will take place on Sunday, 29th January from 11am - 12pm in the meeting room, in the parish centre. All Welcome. If you would like to know more information, please speak to Anne Fegan: anne.oblate.partners@gmail.com

SEARCH WEEKEND 9th - 11th March 2012: Are you aged between 18 and 30? Do you sometimes struggle to hear God’s voice in this modern world? Would you like some space for yourself? If so, why not join us for a weekend retreat in beautiful Wistaston Hall, Crewe? Spend a couple of days listening to your own thoughts and feelings. At Wistaston Hall you will have the opportunity to share your journey with a spiritual director. These meetings will help you notice the reality of God’s presence and activity in your life. You will also have the opportunity to spend time with other like-minded young people. Please contact  Ronan Lavery, Oblate Partners in Mission, Denis Hurley House, 14 Quex Rd, Kilburn, London NW6 4PL. Email: lavery.ronan@googlemail.com Tel: 020 7624 7296

Zimbabwe Missionary Experience Summer 2012

In the summer of 2012, a group of Oblate volunteers will return to Zimbabwe to take part in a missionary experience among the most marginalised people in our world today.
From 15th June to 15th July (approx.), volunteers will spend time working in the Sandra Jones Children's Village with children who have been orphaned by AIDS, and have often suffered grievously at the hands of those charged to protect them. We will also spend time in local schools, educating the children on the realities of AIDS, and equipping them with the tools to make positive life choices. Finally, we will spend time in the malnutrition ward of St Luke's Mission Hospital, witnessing to the life changing project, which is being funded by your generous donations to the recent
Oblate Christmas appeal.

Applications are now being received by the Partners in Mission office from anybody wishing to take part in this experience. (Please note all applicants must be at least 18 years old). To request an application form, or for more information about the trip, please contact:

Ronan Lavery,
Oblate Partners in Mission,
Denis Hurley House, 14 Quex Rd
Kilburn London NW6 4PL
Tel 020 7624 7296 | e-mail lavery.ronan@googlemail.com
(Closing date for applications: Sunday 26th February 2012)