Welcome Back – Extra Masses
Due to the very large requests for tickets for Sunday Masses, we will be adding extra Masses from next Sunday, the 26th of July, and onwards. Masses at the Cathedral next Sunday will be at:
6pm – Vigil
9am
10am (Polish)
11am
12noon
4pm
5.45pm (Polish)
7.30pm
Baptisms and Weddings Resume Again
In addition to Masses, we can now also resume baptisms (with up to 50 guests) and weddings (with a maximum of 20 guests). For more information or to book, please contact the Parish Office.
What is Different at Mass?
We are very happy to welcome you back to Mass again, but please keep the following in mind:
1. Facemasks must be worn during Mass. Exceptions: The priest and children under the age of 5.
2. 2m physical distancing must be observed between households at all times.
3. There will be no congregational singing.
4. Sunday Masses will be shorter than usual, to minimize the time an extended group spend together.
5. For track and trace purposes, everyone is asked to leave their contact details.
6. The congregation is restricted to 50 people. Therefore, you must reserve a place for Sunday Mass.
Our Online System to Reserve Places for Sunday Mass
Due to the Government’s restrictions on congregation size, tickets must be reserved beforehand for Sunday Mass and other popular events. Please visit here to book a place for Sunday Mass in English or click here for the Polish Masses. For the 12noon Mass in Ravelston, please phone Fr. Emerson at 0131 332 3750. Tickets are available from Monday at 8am until 5pm on Saturday. Or call the Parish Office at 0131 556 1798. Reservation is not needed for weekday Masses.
Chrism Mass – Friday at 10am
One of many things which was cancelled due to the lockdown was the annual Chrism Mass. It has now been rescheduled to Friday the 24th of July at 10am. If you would like to attend, please make sure to reserve a seat here.
Our RCIA Candidates can finally be received into the Church!
We are very happy to announce that we are now finally able to receive our RCIA candidates into the Church! Since the Easter Vigil had to be celebrated privately, they have waited very patiently during these months and will now be received into the Church on Thursday the 6th of August during a special Mass. Please keep all of them in your prayers as they prepare for this big step in their faith journey.
…and the Confirmandi can be Confirmed
In addition to our RCIA group, all who attended our confirmation class for adults during Lent have also had a long wait to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. With the lockdown, the confirmation classes moved online, and it seemed to have worked quite well. On Thursday the 30th of July they will now finally be confirmed by the Archbishop. Please keep them in your prayers as well!
“Rediscovering Catholicism” – A Short Course in Theology on Zoom - Wednesdays at 7pm
Our very successful theology course over Zoom continues. If you would like to join in next Wednesday contact Fr. Jamie as soon as possible on frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Cathedral Podcasts
You can now listen to sermons, talks and messages from the Cathedral as you jog, drive or do the dishes with our new podcast. You can download mp3 files here: https://stmaryscathedral.podbean.com/. You can also subscribe to receive updates automatically on Apple podcasts. Do you get your podcasts from another source? Let us know and we'll try to make ours available there too.
Thank you to Sister Maria Guadalupe
After a year here in Edinburgh, Sister Maria Guadalupe returned to the United States earlier this week for her profession of first vows and to begin nursing studies in Toledo, Ohio. We are so grateful for everything Sister has contributed to the life of the Parish during her time here, and we wish her all the best in the future!
Welcome to Our New Organist
This weekend we welcome our new Cathedral Organist, Tom Wilkinson. Tom is University Organist and Associate Lecturer at the University of St Andrews. In 2015 he founded the Kellie Consort baroque ensemble, and from 2009 to 2018 he was Director of Chapel Choirs at the University of St Andrews. He comes to us with a First Class degree in Music from the University of Oxford and a Masters degree in Early Keyboard Performance from the University of Edinburgh. A Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Tom is former Organ Scholar of Truro Cathedral, and of the Queen’s College, Oxford. We’re delighted to welcome him to the St Mary's music team, and we look forward to hearing him play our wonderful organ on a regular basis!
Organ Music for Mass
Vigil Mass Organ Postlude: Allegro maestoso from Sonata No. 2 - Mendelssohn
12noon Mass Organ Postlude: Carillon from 24 Pieces in Free Style - Vierne
Cathedral Fabric Update
This week, the renovations of the stained-glass windows in Sacristy 2 were completed. See the difference here or on our Facebook page – it’s quite remarkable! Thank you so much to all who contribute financially to enable us to care for our beautiful Cathedral.