Thank You, Deacon Joshua!
As you know, Deacon Joshua Moir departs today concluding his summer placement with us. We thank him for his diaconal service here during the summer and wish him well his studies in Rome! Please keep Deacon Joshua in your prayers in his studies for the priesthood.
Congratulations to Deacon Tom McEvoy and to Douglas Robertson!
On Saturday, 11th September, 2:00pm, Archbishop Cushley ordained Deacon Tom McEvoy as a Permanent Deacon for our Archdiocese! At the same Mass, Douglas Roberston was installed as a Lector, one of the ministries received in the process of becoming a Permanent Deacon. Deacons can baptise, proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages, and preside at funerals. To find out more about the Permanent Diaconate, contact Deacon Ronnie Macauley on 01501 740348 or macaulay_ronnie@yahoo.co.uk
Coffee Saints at the Cathedral!
Enjoy Ethical Coffee in a Friendly & Beautiful Café 7 Days a Week 8:30am-5:00pm
Thank you to all who supported our new Coffee Saints café last weekend! Please continue to spread the word! The café is open every day 8:30am-5:00pm! It is beautifully decorated and serves delicious food and excellent coffee! As you know the café is a partnership between the Cathedral and the Grassmarket Community Project, a charity which supports Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens. All profits go to charity! This is the only café in the St. James’ Quarter where you can get an ethical coffee! To see the full menu, visit https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/
Cathedral Cleaning Volunteers Needed, Wednesdays 2pm-5pm
The Cathedral cleaning team meet every Wednesday afternoon between 2pm – 5pm to clean the church. We are seeking to recruit more volunteers to join the group with a view to easing the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences. If you cannot attend every week, helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the group, or find out more, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com
Sacramental Preparation for Children: Registration Open!
Registration is now open for sacramental preparation for children for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. To register online, simply use your phone to scan the QR code on the poster in the back of church or visit the following links:
First Reconciliation (P3 and above): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-reconciliation
First Holy Communion (P4 and above): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion
Confirmation (P7 and above): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation
More information about class format and dates will be provided on registration. Please spread the word!
Vocation Awareness Week: Explore the Call!
This week the Church in Scotland highlights vocation awareness. Our vocation or calling from God is rooted in our Baptism. Do you think God may be calling you to serve the Church as a Priest, Permanent Deacon or religious Sister or Brother? Explore the call! Contact: Fr Andrew Garden, 0131 663 4286, vocations@staned.org.uk or Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, 0131 623 8902, religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Parish Bible Study on Zoom Monday evenings 7pm
Our parish Bible study group meets regularly to discuss the coming Sunday’s Mass readings. Each week a brief commentary on each reading is provided in preparation for a guided group discussion on Monday evening at 7pm. The group will continue to meet online, perhaps with occasional in-person meetings – ad experimentum! To register, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Young Adults Group - Tuesdays at 7.30pm Beginning 21st September
All young adults aged 18-35 are very welcome to join our Young Adults Group which will begin meeting again on Tuesday evenings from 21st September, 7:30pm at 63 York Place (around the corner from the Cathedral) for a talk on some area of Christian life / theology, followed by some prayer and then a trip to the pub! If you'd like to receive regular updates, please look us up on Facebook (St Mary's Cathedral Young Adults' Group) or watch for news in this Newsletter.
Interested in Becoming Catholic? Meetings Start Tuesday, 14th Sept. – Sign Up Now!
The Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) group will meet each week on Tuesdays, 7:00pm-8:30pm at Cathedral House from Tuesday, 14th September until Christmas and then from January to Easter, with a few sessions after Easter. To sign up email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Marriage Preparation Course on Saturday, 27th November
Are you planning to get married next year? Please contact Fr Jamie frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk as soon as possible to make arrangements for Marriage Preparation. We will offer our own, regular parish-based course on Saturday, 27th November.
“Shakespeare: A Catholic Perspective” Free Webinar 7:30pm, Mondays
Now into its second week, join the free 6-week webinar series titled “Shakespeare: A Catholic Perspective”. This week features Measure for Measure! The sessions will look at his best-known works with insights on human nature from St Thomas Aquinas. Don't worry if you haven't read Shakespeare, you’ll be guided along each week! The event is organised by the Archdiocesan Catechetics Commission. For more details and a full schedule, visit https://archedinburgh.org/register-now-for-mini-course-on-shakespeare/
Register at bit.ly/ShakespeareWebinar
Praying for Life: 40 Days for Life in Edinburgh: 22 Sept – 31 October
Join other Christians for 40 Days for Life: 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. You're invited to peacefully pray during a 40 Day vigil in the public right-of-way outside the Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Chalmers Street, Edinburgh. For more information and especially if you'd like to volunteer to help, please contact edinburgh40days@gmail.com or visit www.40daysforlife.com
Craig Lodge House of Prayer: Spirit & Truth Weekend (1-3 October)
Craig Lodge is delighted to be launching a new series of weekend-long worship schools comprised of teaching and extended times of worship, finding their source and summit in the Mass. These are open to all who want to simply grow in greater intimacy with the Lord. Joe Wells and Pippa Baker from One Hope Project will be leading the first school, 1-3 October. For more information visit, https://www.craiglodge.org/ Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR, T: +44(0)1838 200216, mail@craiglodge.org.
2022 Pilgrimage to Oberammergau Passion Play with St. Columba Parish
St. Columba Parish is planning a pilgrimage to Oberammergau for the Passion Play next year, for 8 days departing 23 September, 2022, including Lake Garda, Venice & Verona. For details, please contact Agatha Kai-Kai at agathakaikai@gmail.com