St Agathas

03/06/2026

Please, pray for Amy, Olaf, Joseph, and Aylah, as they prepare to receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday at St Giles at the 11.30am mass. Many thanks to all the teachers and volunteers who helped to prepare them.

02/06/2026

Karen Ward - R.I.P

The funeral mass for Karen Ward will be held at St Agatha's on Monday 8 June 2026 at 9.45am. May she rest in peace. Amen.

01/06/2026

THANK YOU ALL

Many thanks to all of you for your kind prayers, and wishes, and cards, and songs, on my birthday (yesterday). God bless you all exceedingly.

31/05/2026

This year, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on a Sunday and has been displaced. Regardless, we celebrate the end of May with our Blessed Mother.

Rosary and Benediction at 5pm at St Agatha's.

Even though the Feast of the Visitation falls on a Sunday this year, we didn't want to end the month of May without remembering this beautiful mystery of Mary bringing Christ's joy to Elizabeth.
https://ewtnmission.com/seasonsandfeastdays/visitation/

30/05/2026

You are invited to the Archdiocesan 2026 Corpus Christi Procession at Galashiels.

Join us in Galashiels on Sunday 7 June at The Parish of Our Lady and St Andrew for the annual Corpus Christi procession led by Archbishop Cushley.

More details: https://archedinburgh.org/event-guide-corpus-christi-procession/

29/05/2026

Please, take your time to read the Newsletter for the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

28/05/2026

Ella Ward - R.I.P

Please, pray for the happy repose of Ella Ward. The funeral service for Ella will take place on Thursday 4 June 2026 at St Agatha's at 9.45am. Her remains will be received into the Church at St Agatha's on Wednesday 3 July 2026 at 4pm.

27/05/2026

Rest in peace, dear Fr.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Allan Ocdenaria who died peacefully in the early hours of this morning. He was 56.

Fr Allan served at Our Lady Star of the Sea, North Berwick and Our Lady of the Waves in Dunbar since 2023. He has ministered in the Archdiocese since 2007, beginning at St Luke & St Anne's in Dalkeith, St Mary's Cathedral, St John the Baptist in Fauldhouse, and St Matthew’s, Rosewell-Bonnyrigg-Gorebridge.

Allan Fernando Banga Ocdenaria was born in the Philippines on 30 May 1969 and grew up there. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2000 and later became incardinated into our Archdiocese. He celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination last year. Fr Allan served faithfully, quietly and was known for his great kindness and devotion. He had been ill for some time and died at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh.

Holy Mass for the repose of his soul will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea on Wednesday 27 May at 7:00pm. Funeral details will be shared in due course.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

26/05/2026

THE POPE'S NEW ENCYCLICAL LETTER

The Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has just released the first Encyclical Letter of his pontificate - Magnifica Humanitas.

An encyclical letter is a formal teaching document issued by the Pope, usually addressed to bishops, clergy, and the faithful worldwide. It’s one of the highest forms of papal communication, often focusing on important theological, moral, or social issues.

Encyclicals are meant to guide the Church’s understanding and action on pressing matters — from faith and doctrine to global challenges like poverty, peace, the environment, and human rights. While they are not infallible pronouncements, they carry significant moral and spiritual authority.

This new Encyclical calls global attention to the need for a responsible and moral use of artificial intelligence. Divided into five chapters, Magnifica Humanitas has an underlying premise: technology is not “a force antagonistic to humanity”, nor is it “inherently evil”. However, “technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it". Find the link to the Encyclical here: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

25/05/2026

Our Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church!

Mary was at the foot of the Cross. When the hour came for Jesus to yield to the will of the Father, He handed Mary to the Church through Apostle John: 'Son, behold your Mother!' Mary was part of the community at the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit came. Mary was there at the inauguration of the New Testament evangelism, with St Peter converting about 3000 people to the fold. Mary remains with the Church till today. She is venerated all over the world and beckoned upon at masses, in the Church's liturgy and prayers, in rosaries, and in all litanies in the Church. She is the mother of priests and the mother of all Christians. Today, we celebrate our heavenly mother for the roles she continues to play in our Church.

Mass at 9.45am at St Agatha's.