Congratulations to Deacon Martin Eckersley!
On Saturday, the Archbishop will ordain Martin Eckersley, who has been staying with us here at the Cathedral for the past four months and featured as the altar server in most of our live-streamed Masses, to the diaconate here at the Cathedral. Deacon Martin will be staying here with us for a few more weeks before returning to seminary and will be preaching at several of the Masses in the Cathedral on Sunday. Please keep Deacon Martin and Deacon Bobby Taylor, who was ordained together with him yesterday, in your prayers during this year as they prepare for ordination to the priesthood. And do congratulate Martin after Mass!
And Congratulations also to our Confirmandi!
This past Thursday, the 14 adults who have participated in our Confirmation Classes during Lent could finally be confirmed by the Archbishop here in the Cathedral. Well worth the wait and congratulations to them!
Finally! Baptisms & Receptions into the Church on Thursday
We are very much looking forward to welcome Can, Adonis, Heman, Jack, Michael and Angus into the Church on Thursday! All of them have participated in our RCIA program during this year and we are very happy to finally be able to receive them. Please keep them in your prayers during this week. I know you will give them a warm welcome to our Parish!
“Why the Church?” – Wednesday at 7pm on Zoom
The Church, and why it is important, is our topic on Wednesday, when we will continue our very successful series of talk entitled “Rediscovering Catholicism”. More people still join us ever week, but there is still space for a few more. Why don’t think about doing the same? To join, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk and we will send you the link. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn more about our faith!
Parish Bible Study – Coming Soon!
Fr. Jamie will be going away today for a two-week holiday, and he will come back refreshed and ready to start up a new Parish Bible Study! As you know, Fr. Jamie is very talented, knows a lot about Scripture and is also very good at explaining it. So, if you would like to find out more about the readings at Sunday Mass – this is going to be a great opportunity to do so! If you sign up, you will each week receive a brief and accessible commentary on the Scripture readings for the coming Sunday and then on Thursday evenings there will be a meeting to share reflections, ask questions and pray together. This group is open to all parishioners, regardless of age or expertise. We'll initially meet online via Zoom, but hope to meet in person when this becomes possible. The first meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday 20th August and will run for a trial period of eight weeks. Why don’ think about it? If you would like to sign up, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
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
Because of the Government’s restrictions on congregation size to 50 people, tickets must be reserved beforehand for Sunday Mass. Do so by visiting here for Mass in English or for the Polish Masses. Tickets are available from Monday at 8am until 5pm on Saturday. No reservation needed for weekday Masses!
For the 12noon Mass in Ravelston, please phone Fr. Emerson on 0131 332 3750. If you don’t have internet access, please phone the Parish Office on 0131 556 1798.
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.
Gift Aid Envelopes - 2020/21
Gift aid envelopes for 2020/21 are still available at the back of both churches. For simplicity, we have allocated sets to all parishioners who regularly used envelopes during 2019/20. However, we know that many of you have set up standing orders during the lockdown period. If you therefore no longer wish wish to have a set of envelopes for the current year, do not pick up your named set but email Caroline Reid, on finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Thank you!
Continued Problems with the Roof in Sacristy 1
The problems with the roof in Sacristy 1 has unfortunately continued. We had three leaks during the heavy rains earlier in the week and the roofer came back on Thursday to have a look at it. He is trying the easy and less expensive ways of fixing it first and will begin with redoing the seal at the top of the domed sky light, which will cost £200. There is still a risk that we will have to reslate the whole roof, and we are preparing to get quotes for this if it turns out to be the only possible solution. Obviously, we cannot repair the plaster work in Sacristy 1 until we manage to solve the problem with the leaks. On a happier note, the railings were repainted this week, which looks very nice!
Daily Mass in Ravelston
Just a reminder about our new weekday Masses in Ravelston at 6pm. The turnout has been great with between 15-20 people attending Mass each night – but there are still some who should be there who have not yet come! Daily Mass is a great opportunity to grow closer to our Lord in the Eucharist. Why don’t give it a try and come along?