The Debut CD from the Schola Cantorum of the 12noon Mass — Available to Pre-Order Now
We are delighted to announce that our new choir CD, With Angels and Archangels, will be released on Sunday 20 September and is available now 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.
New Dates for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communions
As you remember, we had to postpone the children’s first celebration of these beautiful Sacraments. The new dates for these are as follows: First Confessions will be on 14th (Cathedral) & 15th September (Ravelston) and First Holy Communions will be on the 10th October in both places. For more information or to register, please contact the Parish Office. And please keep the children in your parish in your prayers during these weeks!
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
Many of you have already joined our new Parish Bible Study, but there is still room for more! If you would like to join, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. This is a great way to come to know Jesus better through the Gospels, so why don’t give it a try?
Huge Thank you to All Our Covid Volunteers
As you know, we are working very hard to keep both the Cathedral and St. Andrews Ravelston sanitised and safe for worship in these difficult times. This is possible only because of a huge number of volunteers coordinated by Elizabeth Andrews (in the Cathedral) and Louise Gardiner (in Ravelston) and assisted by Deacon Peter and Marcin, our wonderful sacristan. Together, these volunteers man the Cathedral throughout the day ensuring that all the distancing regulations are followed, they collect the names and contact details of everyone attending mass in the Cathedral and Ravelston, and they sanitise both churches after every mass. This is a huge feat of organisation and I would like to thank all of you who are involved for your incredible generosity. It is only because of this great communal effort that we are able to keep the parishes open and functioning. Thank you!
Podcasts from the Cathedral
And remember, you can listen to sermons and talks from the Cathedral as mp3 files downloaded here. Make sure to subscribe so that you receive updates automatically through Apple Podcasts.
Special Collection Next Week for the Aged & Infirm Clergy Fund
The ACIF, which provides funds to care for our retired priests, is as you might know, very much in need of financial support during this time. Next Sunday, we will have a special collection, so please give generously to this important cause, especially since they lost the income the collection in May usually generates. Thank you so much for your generous support in enabling the Archdiocese to give the best possible care to the priests who have dedicated their lives to serving us and bringing us closer to Christ! You can donate online here.
Music for the 12noon Mass
Bach/Gounod Ave Maria
Bach Schafe konnen sicher weiden
Organ voluntary: William Russell Voluntary in C
Daily Mass in Ravelston
We are delighted that more and more parishioners keep joining us for our weekday Masses in Ravelston at 6pm. Coming to Mass at the end of the day is a beautiful way of growing closer to our Lord and of attaining inner peace. Why not give it a try?
40 Days for Life: 23rd September – 1st November
Since 2007, 40 Days for Life have been organising peaceful, prayerful and simultaneous pro-life outreach. 40 Days for Life is a cross-denominational, faith-based effort made up of three key components: Prayer and fasting: inviting people of faith to join together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, a 40-day peaceful prayer vigil outside Chalmers Sexual Health Centre and 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.
Last call for Wee Boxes
If you still have your SCIAF Wee Box at home, there is a second chance to hand it in or to donate money directly to SCIAF during September at www.sciaf.org.uk/weebox. As long as SCIAF receive the money before the end of September it will be eligible for the UK Government’s UKAID Match. Thank you in advance and God Bless!