Last Day for Registration 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, please be sure to 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 note that the forms are due by Monday the 28th September. If you are in contact with someone who has not been able to attend Mass recently, please help spread the word!
SCIAF – 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 on Wednesday 14th October at 7 pm with speakers from SCIAF to find out more. We’ll be joined by Alistair Dutton CEO, and Keira Commins, Programme Manager to explore these questions and much more. If you’d like to join us, email the Cathedral Office to register. A link will then be sent to you so that you can join the meeting.
The Debut CD from the Schola Cantorum of the 12noon Mass — For Sale after Mass!
The Cathedral Choir CD, With Angels and Archangels, is available to purchase. You can have a look at the beautiful CD and buy one after all Masses this weekend. 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 or purchase by visiting: www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/store/withangels
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.
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 outstanding Parish Bible Study continues with Fr Jamie! 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. At the meetings on Thursday nights we ask questions, share our reflections and pray together. Our Lord said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” This is a great way to take an initial step of opening the door to God and His word.
First Saturday Devotions on 2nd October
First Saturday devotions to Our Lady of Fatima will take place at 9:30 am in the Cathedral on Saturday 2nd October 2020. These will be followed by Holy Mass at 10:00 and Confessions will be available thereafter.
Could you help us keep the Cathedral open?
We are still looking for generous volunteers who can act as passkeepers to help the Cathedral comply with all COVID-19 regulations. This is an essential capacity, so if you are able to help, please contact Elizabeth Andrews, who coordinates the volunteers, at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com or on 0131 553 1510. A big thank you to all who are already assisting, and thank you in advance to those who will volunteer!!
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. 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. If you do not know where the sacristy is, our volunteers in the back of the Cathedral will be happy to show you. Also, if you need help remembering how to go to Confession, no worries—the priest will be happy to walk you through it. Do take advantage of this great Sacrament of healing!
Return of Catechism Classes
The Parish Rooms 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!
A Request from Our Passkeepers
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 a little early, rather than right before Mass begins. This will allow them to safely check in all those attending Mass, and to do so before the Gospel reading. Thank you very much!
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 www.40daysforlife.com.
Street Pastors
Edinburgh Street Pastors are recruiting new volunteers. Training will take place on the weekends of 18 to 20 October and 15 to 17 November and will be run on the Friday evening, Saturday part day and the Sunday afternoon of both weekends. If you are interested, please email edinburghsp.training@gmail.com or call 07523 267 906. For background information see www.streetpastors.org.