The Debut CD from the Schola Cantorum of the 12noon Mass — Last Chance to Pre-Order!
We are delighted to announce that our new choir CD, With Angels and Archangels, will be released on Sunday 20 September and is available to pre-order. The CD was recorded by the Schola Cantorum in March just before lockdown and was produced for us by Delphian Records. The album showcases some of the very best choral music sung at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. It tells the story not only of our vibrant musical life, but of a shared search by Catholic composers for beauty and truth in sacred music. It’s a real must for anyone who loves beautiful choral music!
All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go directly towards ensuring the future of our cathedral music. In these troubling times when we are without our choirs, there is no better way to support the future of music at St Mary’s than by buying a copy. Listen to samples and pre-order.
First Confessions on Monday & Tuesday
Due to the lockdown, the celebration of First Reconciliation for the children in P3 (now in P4!) had to be postponed. After a long wait, the children in our Parish will now be able to receive this beautiful Sacrament for the first time on Monday (Cathedral) and Tuesday (Ravelston) this week. Please do keep them in your prayers this week!
First Holy Communions – 10th October
The First Holy Communions that had to be postponed from June will now take place on Saturday the 10th of October in both the Cathedral and Ravelston. To help us to plan for the big day, we ask the parents to please register their attendance as soon as possible.
Daily Confessions in the Cathedral
Just a reminder that we have resumed our regular schedule for confessions in the Cathedral, which means Monday – Friday following the 12.45pm Mass and on Saturdays from 10.30am – 12noon and 5pm – 5.45pm. For the sake of providing better ventilation, we are not currently using the confessionals. Instead, the priests are hearing confessions in the sacristy, but still with a screen to provide anonymity. If you do not know where the sacristy is, our volunteers in the back of the Cathedral will be happy to show you. Please do take this opportunity to encounter the mercy of God in this beautiful Sacrament!
Vocation Awareness Week
Each year, the Church in Scotland sets aside this week to reflect and pray on the theme of vocation. If you are thinking about a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, please talk to Fr. Patrick or Fr. Jamie. You can also contact Fr. Andrew Garden, the vocations of the Archdiocese, directly at 0131 6634286 or vocations@staned.org.uk, or Sr. Mirjam Hugens, director for religious vocations, at 0131 6238902 or religiousvocations@staned.org.uk. Please also keep the three seminarians from our Parish, Alessio, Peter and Paul, in your prayers as they prepare to return to Rome shortly!
Why Not Join in the 4 O’clock Prayer for Vocations?
Lord Jesus, at this hour, you called Andrew, our patron, and his companion to be your disciples. We pray that the men and women of our country may hear your call to discipleship at this same hour. May they respond to your call with generosity, confidence and enthusiasm. Inspired by the example of Mary Immaculate may they say ‘yes’ to service in the priesthood, the consecrated life and the diaconate.
Mary, Star of the New Evangelisation, pray for us.
Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland, pray for us.
All Saints of our land, pray for us.
Registration Open for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation in 2021
You can now register your child to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) or Confirmation (P7). Registration forms are available in the back of both churches or through the Parish Office. Please return the forms by Monday the 28th September.
Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Or do you know someone who is?
The Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) group is for adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, with a view to becoming members of the Church. It gives an opportunity to explore the Catholic faith with others and to meet and talk to Catholics about their beliefs. The group aims at helping to give an understanding of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity and the teaching of the Church. The group also strives to deepen the faith of its members through studying the Holy Scriptures and through prayer. It’s a very supportive place for people to come together on a faith journey. We will be starting with four virtual meetings between September and December with the hope that we can meet physically as a group in January, providing Covid restrictions are lifted by then. Our first meeting will be on Tuesday 29th September at 7pm. Please contact the Parish Office to register.
Parish Bible Study – Thursdays at 7pm on Zoom
Our very popular Parish Bible Study continue on Thursday evenings. If you would like to join, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, and you will each week receive a short and accessible commentary to this coming Sunday’s Gospel, before we meet on Thursday night to ask questions, share our reflections and pray together. This is a great way to come to know Jesus better through the Gospels, so why don’t give it a try?
Podcasts from the Cathedral
And remember, you can listen to sermons and talks from the Cathedral as mp3 files downloaded from our website. Make sure to subscribe so that you receive updates automatically through Apple Podcasts.
Special Collection Today for the Aged & Infirm Clergy Fund
Our second collection this weekend is for the Aged and Infirm Clergy fund. This fund is vital to supporting retired priests in their retirement after dedicating their lives to the service of the church and parish communities, so thank you very much for your generosity! If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider gift aiding your donation by using the AICF donation envelopes at the back of the church. Please ensure that you complete the reverse side of the envelope to allow gift aid to be claimed on any amounts that you give. This will effectively uplift your donation by a further 25% at no additional cost to you. If you do not have cash with you, you can also give online through the Archdiocese’s website. Please visit this site. Online donations can also be gift aided.
Could you help us keep the Cathedral open?
In order to comply with all COVID-19 regulations, we need the help of generous volunteers who can act as passkeepers. If you would be able to help in this essential capacity, please contact Elizabeth Andrews, who coordinates the volunteers.
Fabric Works at the Cathedral
The cracked lintel in the Parish Rooms has now been repaired, and we have obtained quotations for replacing the broken windows. In addition, the extensive work to install fire panels across the complex have begun in Cathedral House and will be continued on Wednesday. A broken heating pipe under the floor of the large Hall has caused substantial damage to the floor in the Hall, but the cause has been discovered and we are now discussing with the tenant how to move forward. Thank you for your generous support which enables us to care for the future of our Parish!