Monday Morning Coffee Club – Starts This Week!
Thanks for the fantastic response to our new Monday morning coffee club! There’s still room for a few more volunteers to help out (get in touch if you’re interested: catherine@grassmarket.org, 07507691155). Please also spread the word to anyone you know from the parish and beyond who is looking to meet new people, spend time with Cathedral friends and enjoy our wonderful new café! The coffee club will start this Monday, 4th October from 9:30am- 11:30am in the Coffee Saints café! Do come along – everyone is most welcome!
Enrolment for First Confession – This Sunday at Mass
Congratulations to the children of our parish being enrolled today for preparations to make their First Confession later this year. This year, we have 17 children from St Mary’s Primary School and 19 children in our parish Catechism Class (thanks to Mary, Michael and Roberto for their hard work getting everything organised). Please keep these children and their families in your prayers during these important months of preparation.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Table in Octagon Today!
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul do so much good work in our parish helping those in need of help. They’re always in need of new volunteers. If you might be interested and would like to meet the team, make sure to stop by the table in the Octagon after 9am and 12pm Masses at the Cathedral this Sunday. For more information or to get involved introduce yourself this Sunday or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Bible Study on Zoom – This Monday at 8pm
It’s been great to see so many returning members of our parish Bible Study, as well as a few new faces, coming together to read God’s word together. To register, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. When you sign up, you’ll receive a printable copy of next Sunday’s readings as well as an accessible commentary. You’ll also receive an invite to a Monday evening Zoom meeting to discuss what you’ve read and share reflections. This Monday we’re meeting at the slightly later time of 8pm (because of a wedding rehearsal in the Cathedral – sorry!). Hope to see you there!
Get More From the Mass - Young Adults’ Group – Tuesday at 7pm
The Young Adults Group continues to meet on Tuesday evenings at 63 York Place. The speaker this week is a popular returning guest, Fr Scott Deeley, who will speak on ‘How to Get More from the Mass’! Fr Deeley is parish priest of St Margaret’s in South Queensferry. He’ll give us some tips on how to prepare well for Mass, how to avoid distractions and how to bring the fruits of the Mass into our everyday lives. Should be good!
Concert at the Cathedral – Saturday, 9th October 7.30pm
Those of you who come to the 12noon Mass know how wonderful our Schola Cantorum are. If you’d like to hear more from them, on Saturday 9 October at 7:30pm sopranos Cassandra Humble and Lisa Johnston will perform a 30-minute programme of Baroque duets including pieces by Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Pergolesi and Handel. While entry is free, donations towards the music at St Mary's Cathedral are very welcome! To meet Cassy and Lisa and to get know what motivates them to sing each week, watch this short interview here: https://bit.ly/MeetScholaSopranos
Cathedral 40 Hours Devotion Begins Sunday 28th November, 12:00pm Mass
Mark your diary! Beginning on the First Sunday of Advent 2021, 28th November, 12:00pm Archbishop Cushley is to relaunch the simple and beautiful tradition of 40 hours' Devotion, which recalls the period of 40 hours from the time of our Lord’s death on the cross until His Resurrection. This time of solemn adoration will see each parish in the Archdiocese have 40 hours of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. A video on 40 Hours is at bit.ly/ArchYouTube
Second Collection for Fr. Binu’s Seminarians 16th-17th October
Fr. Binu Palakapally (who helped at the Cathedral parish while doing further studies at the University of Edinburgh) is now a seminary rector in Bangalore, India where 9 seminarians are studying for the priesthood. He’s been in touch to let us know some of the grave difficulties faced by Catholics in India - I think we can help! Fr Binu will preach at all Masses on the weekend of 16th/17th October in the Cathedral and St Andrew's, Ravelston, and share some of the challenge they’re facing over there. A second collection will be taken at the end of each Mass to support this vital work! Please be as generous as you can!
New Contactless Devices Arriving Next Week
As you may have noticed, we have unfortunately been experiencing problems with our two contactless donation devices for several weeks. Although we’ve had a long wait due to supplier delays, I am pleased to tell you that our new devices will arrive next week. Please bear with us, and if you would like to make a donation but have been unable to do so, you may wish to visit our website www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/donate
Job Opening - Cathedral Complex Manager
A self-motivated manager is sought for the role of Cathedral Complex Manger. Facilities management experience and a flexible, hands-on approach to working in this unique environment are required. For a full job description visit https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/complex-manager-job-advertisement
Want to Become Catholic? Meetings Tuesdays 7pm at Cathedral House
The Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) has begun meeting each week on Tuesdays, 7:00pm-8:30pm at Cathedral House until Christmas and then from January to Easter, with a few sessions after Easter. To register to attend, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
For many resources about becoming Catholic, visit The Coming Home Network https://chnetwork.org/ whose members come from a variety of religious backgrounds and walks of life.
Friday Morning Coffee Club at St. Andrew’s
We are very pleased to announce the Friday morning Coffee Club at St. Andrew’s parish hall 10:00am-12Noon is back! All are welcome to come every Friday morning! This is a great chance to meet new friends and old. Our beloved Mairi-Angela will be bringing along her special baked treats to share too – best coffee and cakes in Edinburgh!
Vocations Mass at St Columba's - 6:30pm, Monday 4th October
Is God calling you to serve the Church as a Priest, Deacon, religious Sister or Brother? Come to the First Monday Vocations Mass, 4th October, 6:30pm at St. Columba’s Parish, 9 Upper Gray St. Fr. Andrew Garden, Vocations Director, will celebrate the Mass. Questions? Contact vocations@staned.org.uk
Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate information is at https://archedinburgh.org/vocations/
For women discerning religious life, contact Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk or to learn more about religious life visit https://www.ukvocation.org/religious-life
Webinar, 5th October: Quality Palliative Care is the Alternative to Assisted Suicide
On Tuesday, 5th October, the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office presents 'Dying Well: How quality palliative care is the alternative to assisted suicide'. With Dr Gillian Wright. 7:45pm, Tue 5 October on Zoom. Register here: bit.ly/DyingWellEvent
Trams to Newhaven Project Construction Begins Monday, 11th October
Please be aware that construction work begins Monday 11th October around Picardy Place, York Road, London Road for the Trams to Newhaven project. To sign up for email updates, click on the green box ‘Join our mailing list’ on this page: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tramstonewhaven. The work will go on through Spring 2022! Questions? Contact 0131 322 1122, Newhaven.tram@edinburgh.gov.uk
White Mass – 12pm, Sunday 17th October
Archbishop Cushley will celebrate the 12noon Mass on Sunday, 17th October especially for healthcare workers in Scotland in gratitude for their service throughout the COVID pandemic. The White Mass is traditionally celebrated on or near the Feast of St. Luke (18th October), the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. If you are a healthcare worker, please RSVP by Sunday, 10th October cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Help the City’s Hungry and Homeless: Bethany Care Van Volunteers Needed
Can you help deliver food to the hungry at lunchtime or in the evenings? The Bethany Care Van in Edinburgh needs volunteer drivers and food collectors. Email carevan@bethanychristiantrust.com call 0131 454 3120. Watch a 5-minute video about Bethany’s life-changing services at https://bit.ly/BethanyLifeChanging
Post-Covid Pilgrimage Challenge! The Way of St. Andrews
Support the revival of the ancient Scottish Pilgrimage to the town of St Andrews! The pilgrimage walk offers beautiful scenery from coastal to moorland. Start off with a mini-pilgrimage to Rosslyn Chapel. All details and contact information on http://www.thewayofstandrews.com/
Dementia: Hope on a Difficult Journey
An event for those supporting friends or family with dementia will be held at the Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, from 2-4pm on Saturday 6 November. A talk will be led by Dr Adrian Treloar, and there will be a chance to share experiences before a time of prayer in St Margaret’s Chapel, onsite. Light refreshments will be served. The event is organised by the Archdiocesan Marriage & Families Commission. Register at bit.ly/DementiaEvent2021
Shakespeare: A Catholic Perspective
Explore the Bard's plays in this weekly webinar series titled Shakespeare: A Catholic Perspective. The sessions look at six of his best known works, with insights on human nature from St Thomas Aquinas. The series is organised by the Archdiocesan Catechetics Commission and continues this Monday 4 October at 7:30pm. Register at bit.ly/ShakespeareWebinar
Read the newsletter for 3rd October (pdf)