Comings and goings….
It is with a very heavy heart that we say goodbye to Sr. Mary Simone this weekend. Sister has been working in the Parish Office for the last two years and has made an enormous contribution to our parish life. She has been incredibly hard working, patient and gracious. We wish her well as she returns to Rome to study theology – but we will miss her very much. Please keep Sister in your prayers and hopefully she will come back to visit us soon.
To replace Sr. Mary Simone, three new Alma Mercy Sisters have now arrived in Ravelston! Sister Edith Mary will be working with the retired priests in the Diocese, Sister Anna Marie will work in catechetics and Sister Miriam Fidelis will take over in the Parish Office. We are delighted to have them here – and I know you will make them feel welcome!!
The Debut CD from the Schola Cantorum of the 12noon Mass — For Sale after Mass!
We are delighted to announce that our new choir CD, With Angels and Archangels, will be released on Sunday 20 September and is available for purchase. 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.
Parish SCIAF Meeting Wednesday 14th October at 7pm
Are you concerned about the impact of the current pandemic on the poorest societies? Or the links between poverty and climate change? The Cathedral is hosting a Zoom meeting with speakers from SCIAF to find out more. We’ll be joined by Alistair Dutton CEO, and Ciara Commins, Programme Manager to explore these questions and much more. If you’d like to join us, email the Parish Office to register.
First Holy Communions – 10th October
This week the children in P3 made their First Reconciliation. On the 10th October, the First Holy Communions that had to be postponed from June will now take place in both the Cathedral and Ravelston. If you still need to register your child, please contact the parish office. Please keep these children in your prayers as they prepare for their first reception of Holy Communion.
Registration Open for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation in 2021
If your child is in P3, P4, or P7 and is due to receive a Sacrament this year, you may 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. Please spread the word, especially if you are in contact with someone who has not been able to attend Mass recently.
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 talented young curate is continuing his extremely popular Parish Bible Study on Thursday evenings. If you have not yet signed up, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. You will receive a short and accessible commentary each week in preparation for the coming Sunday’s Gospel. Then, join the meeting on Thursday night as we ask questions, share our reflections and pray together. This is a great way to come to know Jesus better through the Gospels, so why not give it a try?
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. Thank you in advance!
A Request from Our Passkeepers in St Andrew’s, Ravelston
Since it takes a bit of time to get everyone checked in and seated for Mass, our passkeepers are asking if you could please arrive at least 10 minutes early, rather than right before Mass begins. This will allow them to safely check in all those attending Mass in good time. Thank you very much!
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!
Fire Panel Installation Completed in Cathedral House
This week the installation of the fire protection system in the Cathedral complex was completed! This has been a big and very expensive project, but it means that we now for the first time have a functioning fire alarm system in both the Cathedral and the house, which means that fires can be detected much earlier than previously. Thank you very much to all who have donated so generously!!
Fabric Updates in St Andrew’s, Ravelston
In advance of other garden changes, the long-standing skip has been removed from church grounds and replaced by an outsourced garden waste recycling service. Additionally, a permanent solution has been made to our two most regular leaks in the church roof. These leaks occurred where heavy rainfall streamed from the top gutter across the tiles to the lower gutter. Recent heavy downpours have confirmed this fix works. One final note: the gas meters for each of the Church and House/Rooms were upgraded to smart meters this week.
Return of Catechism Classes
The Parish Rooms in St Andrew’s, Ravelston are now ready for the return of catechism classes for the delayed First Holy Communion class of 2019-20. Families have been informed by email. We look forward to welcoming the children back!