Notes from Parish Assembly
26th October 2025
Parishioners present: 20 (approx.)
Friars present: Frs Dermot, Andrew, and Patrick. Chair: SP
Fr Dermot said an opening prayer
The topics presented at the last parish assembly were reviewed.
Friday lunchtime Mass will continue.
The friars noted the weekday Mass attendance had increased this year including at the Friday lunchtime Mass.
Currently, there are three groups focusing on Evangelisation. There are two groups for the Lay Mission Project and also Fr Andrew’s “Who is Jesus?” series.
The June conference “Therefore I Have Hope” went well with over 90 attendees. The dates for next year are not yet fixed, because there is a delay in getting a booking the Assembly Hall.
The proposed pub quiz did not take place but the organiser is still keen and is tentatively planning for it to take place in January.
Lent 2026. Many thanks to PP for the New Testament Greek classes put on during Lent. The chaplains would welcome suggestions for ideas for next year’s Lenten reflection.
The monthly Afternoon Tea and Chat is well attended. Many thanks to the organiser.
Name Tag Sunday went well. The organiser will sort out dates with Fr. Dermot for future Name Tag Sundays.
Proposals from parishioners
Bidding prayers should always include a period of silence for people to add their own intercessions in private. This proposal was positively received and approved. It was suggested that those who give the bidding prayers should allow a silence of 30 seconds for people to add their own prayers either aloud or in silence.
Celebrants should be more consistent with welcoming those joining online. The friars made note of this. It was suggested that those leading the bidding prayers at the streamed 9am Mass should include the online congregants in their invitation to add their own intercessions.
Parish Parties
A Children’s party is planned for after the 10am Mass on Sunday 7th December.
Epiphany or Candlemass were suggested for an evening party with music. It was suggested that there be a pub quiz just before Lent and an Irish/Scottish themed party near St. Patrick’s day in March. All parties need to consider the students’ schedule of events when picking a date.
Proposals from the friars
Readers should step up for the bidding prayers as soon as the Creed finishes to avoid an awkward silence after the priest begins the prayers. This was generally approved.
When the Alleluia is sung the Reader should move away as soon as the verse is read so that the celebrant can move to the lectern during the singing of the second alleluia. This was generally approved.
After communion eucharistic ministers should leave enough space for the missal to be placed on the credence table.
All of these changes should be disseminated by those who organize each Mass’s readers and Eucharistic ministers
Proposals from the Justice and Peace Group
It was proposed that we have a bake sale for St. Theresa’s School of Nursing on Sunday 14th December. We should encourage a wider range of goods for sale. Recycled Christmas cards are unlikely to be included as they required a lot of effort and they did not raise as much as the bake sale did. Other suggestions included another sponsored walk and auction of talents in January or the spring.
It was suggested that there be times of prayer for peace during each week of Advent. The format of each session could vary and might include The Rosary, silent prayer, Taizé prayer, or Eucharistic adoration (Note: if organisers would like the Blessed Sacrament exposed, they need to organise this with a priest well in advance)
It was agreed that these would take place in the Chapel on each Monday of Advent from 6:15–7:15pm. Each will be led by a parishioner involved in the Justice and Peace Group.
Ongoing outreach to the Hebrew Congregation in Edinburgh. It was agreed that we should send a card from the parish for Hanukkah. Fr Dermot and the Rabbi will look for opportunities for joint events in the upcoming year
Outreach to the Muslim community in Edinburgh. One idea to send a card from the parish for Eid.
Fr. Dermot said that it would be good if our outreach to the local Muslim community (perhaps via the Edinburgh Central Mosque) came from the laity and encouraged one or two lay people to take the initiative.
Justice and Peace Talks
On Sunday 9th November Fr Patrick and Sr Tina will speak on the Church in Africa after the 12pm mass.
The CEO of Fresh Start will be invited to give a talk in the new year. The Justice and Peace group welcomes proposals for potential speakers/talks to take place in 2026. The next Justice and Peace group meeting will take place on 2nd December in the library
A.O.B
On 6th December Fr Patrick will offer the Day of Recollection for the Edinburgh Lay Dominicans but it is open to the entire parish.
The friars wish to thank all those who participated in the assembly and ask for prayers for the parish, the community, and all its ongoing projects.
Fr Dermot wishes to thank BB for taking minutes during the assembly
Fr Dermot closed the assembly meeting with a prayer.
The Catholic Chaplaincy serves the students and staff of the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University.
The Catholic Chaplaincy is also a parish of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh (the Parish of St Albert the Great) and all Catholic students and staff are automatically members of this parish.
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St Albert's Catholic Chaplaincy is part of the English Province of the Order of Preachers, a charity registered in England and Wales (231192) and in Scotland (SC039062).