Our Lady of Loretto & St Michael Catholic Church

15/08/2026

The Assumption of Our Lady

Today, 15 August, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the most important feasts in the Church’s calendar.

The Assumption celebrates the belief that, at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken body and soul into the glory of Heaven. It reminds us of Mary’s unique role in God’s plan of salvation and points towards the hope that is at the heart of our Christian faith: that death is not the end, and that we too are called to share in the resurrection and eternal life with God.

Mary’s Assumption is also a celebration of the dignity of the human person. In Mary, the Church sees a glimpse of what God promises to all who follow Him, the fullness of life with Him.

As we celebrate this beautiful feast, we can ask Mary to pray for us and to help us, like her, to say “yes” to God and to trust in His plan.

Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.

07/08/2026

Parish News

There’s plenty coming up in the next couple of weeks, with opportunities to worship, get involved and support our parish community.

All Under One Roof: Building Fund
Our Building Fund has now reached an amazing £23,114! Thank you to everyone who has supported our Roof Fund so far. If you would like to make a contribution, you can donate using the QR code in this week’s newsletter.

Coming up:

Special Collection: Sunday 16 August: The Care Fund & Holy Places Collection will support charitable projects through the Archdiocesan Care Fund, as well as Christian communities in the Holy Land.

The Runciman Murals: Wednesday 12 August: An evening exploring the remarkable 18th-century murals at St Patrick’s Church, Cowgate, followed by tea and coffee.

Art Exhibition: 14–23 August: St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Musselburgh hosts an exhibition by Olivia Mayores, celebrating the creativity of children.

St Anne’s Care Home Summer Fayre: Saturday 15 August, 2–4pm: Come along and support the wonderful work of St Anne’s. Cash only.

Music for the Homeless Jesus: Monday 17 August: An evening of choral music at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral as part of the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts.

National Pilgrimage to Carfin: Sunday 6 September, 3pm: Holy Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop William Nolan, joined by bishops, priests, religious and faithful from across Scotland.

Can you help?
Our Hall Committee is looking for a Meeting Secretary to help support the running of the hall and its exciting programme of events. If you could spare a little time to get involved, please speak to Ian Thom or Fr Basil.
And, as always, our regular Masses, Confessions, Rosary and parish activities continue throughout the week.

Thank you for being part of our parish community and for all the ways you continue to support our parish.

11/07/2026

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in parish life this week:

• Raise the Roof Bingo Fundraiser Friday 17 July at 7.00pm. Enjoy live music from John & George, a singalong, dancing, prosecco, pie, sausage roll and juice included in your ticket. There may even be a little bingo! Tickets are £10.

• Pass Keepers Needed: We are looking for volunteers to welcome people to Mass, assist with the offertory and help in emergencies. If you can spare around 20 minutes before Mass, we'd love to hear from you.
• Music for the Homeless Jesus: A special concert on Monday 17 August with the Schola Cantorum of St Mary's Cathedral, inspired by the Homeless Jesus sculpture and raising awareness of homelessness.

• Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage: Join the annual pilgrimage on Sunday 20 September at St Patrick's Church, Edinburgh, as we pray for her beatification.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our Raise the Roof appeal. The Building Fund now stands at £22,496 towards our £50,000 target. Every donation, fundraiser and act of generosity is helping to preserve our parish for future generations.
We look forward to welcoming you at Mass this weekend.

19/06/2026

Parish Newsletter Highlights | 20–28 June

Join us this weekend as we celebrate the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, with Masses in Musselburgh and Tranent, along with Confessions, Exposition and the Rosary. We also welcome Ynaya Sofia, who will be baptised on Saturday.

This week we keep in our prayers those who have died recently, especially Billy Robertson, Dave Waterston, and Patsy and Glen McQueenie, and we remember all those who are sick or in need of our prayers.

Looking ahead:

Wednesday: P7 Leavers' Mass in Musselburgh.

Thursday: P7 Leavers' Mass in Tranent, Billy Robertson's funeral service, and the Reception into Church for Dave Waterston.

Friday: Funeral Mass for Dave Waterston in Tranent and a wedding celebration.

Next weekend: We celebrate the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul.

Please note there will be no 10.00am Mass in Musselburgh on Friday as Fr Basil will be in Tranent for the funeral.

Next weekend's special collection will support Peter's Pence and the Annual Day for Life, helping the Church's pro-life work, advocacy, pastoral care and support for vulnerable people.

Don't forget our Bingo Group Fundraiser on Friday 17 July at 7.00pm, raising money for the parish roof fund. Tickets are £10 and include refreshments, live music from John & George, and a chance to enjoy a singalong and wee dance.

There is also a wonderful opportunity to hear the acclaimed St Mary's Cathedral Choir, Sydney, who will perform at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh on 1 July, with both a choral Mass and a free evening concert.

Finally, parishioners are encouraged to take part in the Archdiocesan consultation on the future structure of the Church in Scotland before 26 June.

Thank you, as always, for your continued generosity and support of our parish. Please keep one another in your prayers throughout the week.

05/06/2026

❤️ THANK YOU ❤️

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our Family Fun Day on Saturday and helped make it such a wonderful success. An extra big thank you to the group of parents from Loretto Primary school that organised such a successful event.

We are delighted to share that together we raised just over £1,000 towards repairing the roof of our church.

This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many people:

🙏 Thank you to all the families and members of our community who attended, took part in the activities, bought raffle tickets, enjoyed the BBQ, and helped create such a fantastic atmosphere.

🎁 Thank you to all of our generous raffle prize donors. Your kindness and support helped make our raffle a huge success.

🤝 Thank you to the wider Musselburgh community for supporting, sharing and promoting the event.

🍔 A special thank you to Father Basil, who kept everyone well fed by cooking burgers on the BBQ throughout the afternoon and to all the baking donations who were amazing and gone very quickly!

🎶 Thank you also to everyone who gave their time, talents and energy to help organise, set up, run activities and tidy up afterwards. Community events like this are only possible because of volunteers willing to lend a hand.

We are truly grateful for the generosity, encouragement and community spirit shown by everyone involved. Every penny raised will help preserve our church for future generations.

Thank you all for your support. ❤️

Reishel Music - thank you again for the wonderful Ceilidh!
Kaffeine Deli Musselburgh, Musselburgh Racecourse, Fruit-Bakes, Ravelston House Musselburgh, Cammafi, Tesco, S.Luca Dairy Ice Cream, Lidl GB, Elena Di Rollo’s, Edinburgh Zoo, Scottish Seabird Centre, DalPatino and others!

03/06/2026

Protect The Right of Catholic Education.

It is of great importance that the people of the parish compete the survey below.

The deadline is tomorrow (4th of June). We are looking to protect the longstanding arrangement of 80 years to admit the pupils of Loretto RC primary school to St David’s RC High School. For context St David’s is roughly 150 below capacity with Loretto sending 120 pupils to the school (from S1-S6). We must stand up for the rights of Catholic education of our young people and now allow them to be shut out of attending St David’s as many of the parish have for 80 years. These pupils must not be punished due to an oversight at the time of regionalisation. Please do all that you can to protect the right of Catholic Education.

https://midlothiancouncil.citizenspace.com/education/denominational-admissions-policy-consulta/consultation/intro/

The answers below are how we, as a Parish would suggest you respond to the consultation:

1. I wish my response to be considered as confidential with access restricted to Elected Members and Council Officers of Midlothian Council.
• You must accept this in order to proceed

2. Are you responding to this questionnaire as an individual or on behalf of an organisation?
• Answer to this would be individual.

3. In which Local Authority do you reside?
• Answer this accordingly to your home address.

4. Which category best describes you? (Select the appropriate box for yourself)

5. If you are a parent, please indicate which stage of education your child / children currently attend (please tick all that apply)

6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to clarify the school catchment area for St. David's Roman Catholic High School?
Answer: Strongly Disagree

7. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to vary the ‘Education Policy Admission to Primary and Secondary Schools’, in relation to entry to denominational secondary school? Answer: Strongly Agree

8. To what extent do you agree or disagree that Midlothian resident catchment children, who are not baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will have siblings attending St David's RC secondary school at the same time should not have any priority over RC baptised children from Loretto RC Primary School? Answer: Strongly Agree

9. To what extent do you agree or disagree that children who attend a Midlothian denominational primary school but are not baptised RC and will not have a sibling attending St David's RC secondary school at the same time should not get any priority over children from Loretto RC Primary School who are baptised RC, or who are not baptised RC but have a sibling attending the school? Answer: Strongly Agree

10. To what extent do you agree or disagree that all remaining Midlothian resident catchment children who wish to attend their catchment denominational secondary school, which is St David's RC High School should not get any priority over children from Loretto RC Primary School (apart from those Loretto children who are not baptised RC and do not have a sibling attending the school)? Answer: Strongly Agree

11. Below are suggestions of what to include. The main point within all of this is the faith formation of the young people at Loretto RC Primary school is under direct threat from this consultation:

• Impact on Midlothian provision of Catholic Education as the pupils of Our Lady of Loretto support this.
• St David’s is the only Catholic High school in the area. With this being withdrawn the access to Catholic Secondary Education will be removed.
• Catholic community is wider than council boundaries, linking both school and Parish.
• Loretto pupils’ attainment levels at St David’s have had a very positive impact on raising the success of the school. Removal of this could have an impact on St David’s standing regarding exam pass rates and therefore wider Midlothian Council standings.
• Values of the Catholic Faith are explicitly at the core of Catholic Education in both Primary and secondary schools. These are appreciated of parents/carers of all faiths and none.
• Historical connections from Our Lady of Loretto to St David’s many of you may have been pupils of Loretto and St David’s yourself.
• The fundraising efforts of St David’s pupils and families that have taken place in the parish.
• Loretto Pupils have always been heavily involved within the pupil leadership of the school as well as the parents of pupils from Our Lady of Loretto in the Parent Council.
• No Catholic Provision in East Lothian.
• Cause of anxiety to parents and carers to have their children be placed on a waiting list to attend that could take years to be admitted if ever.

Thank you, please share this with your friends and family.

31/05/2026

Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday – a beautiful reminder of the mystery at the heart of our faith: one God in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Trinity is not something to be solved, but something to be experienced. It is a relationship of perfect love, and we are invited into that love each day, in our prayer, in our families, and in the way we care for one another.

As we begin this week, may we be mindful of God’s presence within us, beside us, and surrounding us always.
“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…”

22/05/2026

On 17 August the Cathedral's Schola Cantorum choir will present a special concert inspired by Timothy Schmlaz’s powerful 'Homeless Jesus' sculpture, which has recently been installed outside St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral.

Part of Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, the evening will contemplate homelessness and marginalisation through a programme of breathtaking choral music that speaks of mercy, compassion, and hope.

The evening will include a live performance of Gavin Bryars’ iconic composition “Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet”, which is built around a haunting loop of an unknown homeless man singing an improvised refrain.

The concert will also form part of a documentary film, which the Schola Cantorum is currently producing in partnership with Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and in collaboration with the Grassmarket Community Project, the Bethany Christian Trust, and St Catherine’s Convent of Mercy at Lauriston.
Tickets are £15 (£10 child) — booking link in comments.

St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts
Sculpture BY Timothy Schmalz
Grassmarket Community Project
Bethany Christian Trust
Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh

20/05/2026

🎭 Union Theatre presents Shall Roger Casement Hang? by Peter Arnott

Union Theatre Company are delighted to unveil their season opener, coming this June to the stage at Hill Street Theatre!

Originally commissioned and performed by the Tron Theatre, this powerful production dives deep into questions of history, colonialism, and national identity, a gripping and thought-provoking piece that still resonates today.

📆 15 – 19 June 2026
📍 Hill Street Theatre
🎫 £17 (incl. fees)

Don’t miss your chance to experience this compelling drama live.

👉 Book your tickets now:

Tickets are now available for Shall Roger Casement Hang? by Peter Arnott at Hill Street Theatre, Edinburgh between Monday 15th June 2026 and Friday 19th June 2026. Click the link for further information and to secure your tickets now!

19/05/2026

🎉 Family Fun Day – Raffle Prizes Update! 🎉

Our Family Fun Day is shaping up to be something really special, and our raffle is packed with some fantastic prizes thanks to the generosity of our amazing local community 💛

Here’s just a taste of what you could win…

✨ Two adult tickets to the races on 22nd June – kindly donated by Musselburgh Racecourse
🍦 A bag of goodies and ice-cream vouchers from S.Luca Dairy Ice Cream
🍪 Two tins of delicious biscuits from Elena Di Rollo’s
🍝 £20 gift voucher for DalPatino
🍽️ £20 meal voucher for Ravelston House Musselburgh
💅 £20 voucher for Musselburgh Nails & Spa
☕ Coffee & muffins from Kaffeine
🌴 £40 voucher for Eivissa
💇‍♀️ Hair goodies from Blo hair salon
🍰 Homemade treats and tea from Cammafi
🍓 A fresh fruit basket from Fruit-Tee
🐦 A complimentary family day ticket to the Scottish Seabird Centre

…and we’re still adding more!

A huge thank you to all the businesses who have supported us so far – your kindness is helping make this a truly joyful day for our community 🙏

🎟️ Make sure you come along, enjoy the day, and grab your raffle tickets – you’ve got to be in it to win it!