Parish Online Meeting, Monday, 2nd November – What is God calling us to do in these times?
To try to discern how God might be calling us as a parish to respond to this changing situation of the pandemic, the Parish Council has decided to call a parish meeting to discuss a way forward. This will take place online on Monday 2nd of November at 7-9pm. This is an important moment in the life of our parish, so please make every effort to participate. Thank you for your interest, the meeting is now full!
Parish Bible Study – Thursdays at 7:30pm on Zoom
Our new Parish Bible Study meets online every Thursday evening at 7:30pm. Email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to sign up. You will receive a short and accessible commentary for the coming Sunday’s Gospel in preparation for the Bible study. At the meetings, we ask questions, share our reflections and pray together. Do join us!
Bible Talk: St Mark’s Gospel
Speaking of Bible studies… on the first Sunday of Advent, we will start reading the Gospel of Mark at Sunday Mass. To prepare for this, the Archdiocesan Catechetics has organised a talk by Scripture expert Fr Andrew Garden titled ‘Getting to Know St Mark’ at 7pm on Monday, 19th October. For the link Zoom link to attend, visit here.
Catechesis on Prayer Event Online – Monday, 23rd November
The Archdiocese is also running an exciting new Zoom series of catechesis events for adults, led by Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM: ‘Life of Faith: Where does Prayer fit in?’ The 45-minute talk will give you tips on improving your prayer life to help you draw closer to God, and will be followed by a Q&A. Sister Anna Marie will host a session for parishioners in each deanery. The date for Edinburgh is Monday, 23rd November at 2pm and 7pm. Registration details will be published on the parish website in the coming weeks. Sister Anna Marie is a much sought-after speaker and we’re very lucky to have her in the Archdiocese!
Hospital Chaplaincy
Our own Fr John Peter is the designated chaplain for the Western General Hospital. If you know of anyone who has been admitted to hospital, please call the parish office to request a visit or inform the on-duty nurse. The priests in the parish are more than happy to provide the sacraments to anyone in need of spiritual care – please don’t hesitate to inform us!
In God’s Image
The Bishops in Scotland want to hear from you if you wish to propose any changes to ‘In God’s Image’, the safeguarding policy manual for the Catholic Church in Scotland. To offer comments and suggestions, please visit www.bcos.org.uk/InGodsImageV2.
National Rosary Rally for Faith, Life and Peace
This national event for praying the rosary takes place in our diocese at 1pm on Saturday, 31st October. Pray the Rosary online with others on the Archdiocese’s Facebook, YouTube or website: www.archedinburgh.org/news-events.
Fratelli Tutti
The Pope’s new encyclical is available to read online now. ‘Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship’ can be found in the encyclicals section of the Vatican’s website: www.vatican.va
The Debut CD from the Schola Cantorum of the 12noon Mass
Available now for purchase is With Angels and Archangels, the Cathedral Choir’s first CD. You can have a look at the beautiful CD and purchase it online. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go directly towards ensuring the future of our cathedral music. Thank you for your support of music at St Mary’s through your purchase of the CD and listen to samples until your own copy arrives in the post!
Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners’ Children
We will be collecting Christmas gifts for children of prisoners in Edinburgh Prison. We ask that the gifts are new, wrapped in Christmas Gift wrap, and with a label attached stating whether the gift is suitable for a boy or a girl and the age of the child. Gifts for older children from 11 years onwards would be most appreciated. There will be a collection box in the back of the church over the weekends of 14th/15th and 21st/22nd November.
Society of St Vincent de Paul
We are always here to help, supporting individuals and families in need of assistance. If you become aware of ways in which our support would be welcome or needed, please contact the Parish Office. Whilst the presence of our SSVP Conference has not been as visible as usual during these COVID restricted times, we have been able to continue our work through telephone calls and virtual meetings. We remain committed to responding to requests for assistance and/or to give support wherever and to whomever we can. Thank you to all who have made donations to the Conference in recent months.
Daily Confessions in the Cathedral
Confessions are available at the Cathedral Monday – Friday following the 12.45pm Mass and on Saturdays from 10.30am – 12noon and 5pm – 5.45pm. If you do not know where the sacristy is, our volunteers in the back of the Cathedral will be happy to show you. For the sake of providing better ventilation, we are not using the confessionals. Rather, the priests are hearing confessions in the sacristy, but still with a screen to provide anonymity.
Could you help us keep the Cathedral open?
Please consider volunteering as a passkeeper to help the Cathedral comply with all COVID-19 regulations. We are still in need of volunteers. This is an essential capacity, so if you are able to help, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com or on 0131 553 1510. Many people have been so grateful to be able to pray in our Cathedral during the day—thank you to all passkeepers who help to make this possible!
Mass to be Celebrated by Fr Binu – Friday, 23rd October
Fr Binu, who lived in the Cathedral parish while studying for a Masters at the University of Edinburgh, will return to Ravelston on Friday, 23rd October to celebrate Mass in thanksgiving for the generous support given to the seminary where he now works by the parish project fund. If you'd like to say hello to him, do come along to Mass at 6pm!
Return of Catechism Classes
Well done to all the children who participated in the first Catechism class of the new term and the Rite of Enrolment last week. The class takes a holiday this weekend and will resume again next Sunday. It’s still not to late to register to take part. These classes are for children in Primary 3 (or those who have not yet made their First Confession) and take place at 10am each Sunday of term. In January 2021, classes will begin for those children (P4 and above) who have registered for First Holy Communion in 2021, and those children (P7 and above) who have registered for Confirmation in 2021. More details will be provided nearer the time.
Pilgrimage Opportunities
Need to ‘Get Out’? Take a “Day Out” on one of Scotland’s great pilgrimage trails, to Rosslyn Chapel a few miles south of Edinburgh or north along St Margaret’s Way to St Andrews. Check the “Little Camino” on this website.
40 Days for Life: 23rd September – 1st November
Since 2007, 40 Days for Life has been organising pro-life outreach that is prayerful and supportive of future moms. 40 Days for Life is an inter-denominational, faith-based effort made up of three key components: 1) prayer and fasting—inviting people of faith to join together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion; 2) a 40-day peaceful prayer vigil outside Chalmers Sexual Health Centre; and 3) community outreach: taking a positive, upbeat pro-life message to as many as possible. To learn more about 40 Days for Life or to register for events, visit this website.