Parish Groups

 

Pro Life

From conception human beings are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139) to know, love and serve God.  From before birth God knows and loves us: “for you were made in my image” (Gen 1: 27) and “I knit you together in your mother's womb” (Ps 139) .... more

SVDP

The Society of St Vincent de Paul is an international organisation of Catholic lay men and women, who seek to help those in need. The Society was founded in Paris, by a group of lay people, in 1833. The Society is named after St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), who helped the underprivileged. Starting in Paris, St Vincent organised his priest helpers into the Vincentians, and his women helpers into the Sisters of Charity. St Columba’s SVDP was first formed in 1891. Our principal role is that of regularly visiting the sick, elderly and housebound, but some of our other activities include an annual Mass of Anointing, and a senior citizens’ outing. We are also ‘twinned’ with two overseas parishes, one in Kerala, India, the other in Utrecht, South Africa. For further information, please contact any member of the Society in St Columba’s.

Justice and Peace

We are now a Fair Trade parish and we operate a Fair Trade stall in the parish hall on the first Sunday of each month after the morning Mass, alongside the refreshments.  In the past we have used various parish activities to raise money for overseas development, often through SCIAF.  More recently we have been concerned to work in partnership with the Justice and Peace group in our twin parish, St Peter’s Mbare, in Zimbabwe.  At present this means setting up communications and introducing ourselves to one another.  We had a Mass said for their intentions on their feast day, and later we hope to contribute to their work of empowering their community to cope in the daily chaos and poverty which surrounds them.
At home we have an on-going concern with homelessness, and we organize parish collections for the charity Fresh Start.  During this recession we have begun to work with our Church of Scotland neighbour, Mayfield Salisbury, to learn more about the effect which poverty has in our local community, and we plan to develop this further.
We urgently need new members to help in our various undertakings.
Contact Anne Havard on anne@havard.plus.com if you are interested.

Rosary Group

The Rosary Group has been meeting every week in St Columba’s since it was started by two young men in 1984.  All the mysteries are recited including the Mysteries of Light. Prayers for His Eminence the Cardinal, Archbishops, Bishops and priests of the diocese are also said.  Also included are prayers for the unemployed, alcoholics, those addicted to drugs, for the sick and dying and for those who have no one to pray for them.  We also pray for peace in the world and we ask for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. All are welcome to join the Rosary Group on Monday evenings in the church at 6.45 pm.

Tuesday Club

The Tuesday Club is a well-established Ladies' Group in St Columba's Parish. Founded by parishioners 3 years ago. The club meets from 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm in the Parish Hall from October till June and includes a variety of activities, entertainers and refreshments.
Entertainers/Speakers are invited to promote their relevant activity in a programme planned several months in advance. A regular participative audience now averages around 25. This includes members of other parishes and denominations who are welcome to join.
Contact Veronica McIvor on 0784 692 0157
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St Columba's Parish Men's Group

The group is open to all men of the Parish.  The aim of the group is to provide a social and informal forum for discussion of the faith and the challenges and issues facing the Church at this time.
Meetings are generally held on a Friday evening from 6.30 to 8.30pm in the Middle Hall. The exact dates are determined by the availability of the guest speakers. On average there will be six meetings per year.
The format of meetings is a short presentation from an invited guest speaker followed by a question and answer session. The rest of the evening is given over to further discussion and socialising. BYOB!

Future Meetings:

Friday 18 June 2010 at 7.00pm – PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

Annual Mass & Meal.

Holy Mass at 7.00pm in the Church followed by a hot buffet in the Parish Hall. No guest speaker. The cost is £10 per head.
Names and payment needed by 1 June 2010 please


Friday 3rd September 2010 7.00 pm Paul Chitnis, Chief Executive of SCIAF

Men's Group: Next Meeting:

Child Protection

The Child Protection Coordinator is - Arthur McIvor

Scottish Country Dancing

A group of ladies meet in the Parish Hall on Thursday evenings from October to April where they practice their dancing in sets.  The evenings are most enjoyable.  During the summer they usually meet in July for their Midsummer Reunion.  The Club was established in 1945. Contact Frances McCormack.

Maintenance & Fabric Committee

The team maintain and carry out day to day operations at the
Church, 9, Upper Gray Street
Presbytery, 11, Upper Gray Street,
Church Halls, 15, Upper Gray Street

The main functions are
Daily operations; heating timings, cleaning of hall,
Regular Maintenance; Annual inspections, servicing, testing of fire systems and safety features.
Minor Maintenance; small repair works which can be done either by members of the team or a local contractor.
Major Projects; rewiring church and house, dry rot eradication, roof work to name a few, all done in conjunction with the Archdiocese

The Parish Priest sits on the MaFT Committee and the contact is
Peter Wright 0131-668-4186

Social Committee

The committee meets several times throughout the year, to discuss and organise various Parish events. Quiz nights have been very popular and well-supported, and we also have a Christmas meal for senior citizens, as well as a family Christmas celebration with carols, mince pies, and mulled wine. We also make contributions to other Parish events, such as the children’s Christmas party. We are always pleased to receive suggestions from the Parish. contact person - Terry White

 

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