Help Needed….

As you know it takes a lot of effort from a lot of different people to keep the Cathedral running! Most of these people are volunteers and we really couldn’t run without them (you)! However, because we have a fairly fluid parish population, at times our pool of volunteers runs low.

We are in this position now!

Specifically, we need volunteers for two crucial tasks: Cleaning and Flower Arranging.

Could you (would you) consider helping with either one (or both) of these apostolates?

Cleaning

The cleaners are organised into different teams and meet on different days and at different times. If you were able to give even just an hour a week – we could integrate you into one of our teams and put you on the rota. If you are open to this please contact Elizabeth elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com

Flowers

The flower arrangers meet regularly on a Friday afternoon to arrange do the arrangements. Our idea would be to have 2 or 3 groups so that each group would only be on once every three weeks. If you would like to give this a go, please contact Sr. Miriam Fidelis at the parish office cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or 0131 556 1798.

Coffee & Cake with Cathedral Over Sixties Club – Tuesdays 2.30-4pm

Come along and join SVDP and the Coffee Saints Café for the Over Sixties Club for the Cathedral. We meet every Tuesday from 2.30-4pm for coffee and cake (all free!) and anyone over 60 years of age is welcome! Next cinema visit is ‘West Side Story,’ on Wednesday, 2nd March. Time to be confirmed – stay tuned! For more information contact Graham 07568 202 547 or graham@grassmarket.org

A New Way to Prepare for Easter

Would you like to try something new as part of your Lenten journey? We are holding a small Faith Sharing Group to help us prepare for Easter at 63 York Place on the six Saturdays in Lent commencing March the 5th. We will share our Faith journey in the light of scripture readings. Everyone is welcome whatever your age or background. If interested, please contact Lis at ejherschan@aol.com

Young Adults Group: This Tuesday at 7pm

Thanks to Fr Kevin Douglas for an excellent talk on the Eucharist this past Tuesday. This coming Tuesday (22nd February) Fr Matthew Carlin will give an introduction to the Church's moral teachings with a talk at 63 York Place, entitled, 'The Splendour of Truth.' Doors open at 7pm and the evening will conclude with a time of prayer before we head to the pub for some refreshments. Hope to see you there!

Parish Bible Study

As we approach the beginning of Lent, our weekly parish Bible Study will meet on Zoom at 7pm for the last time this Monday 21st February. We hope to resume after Easter! For more information, please contact Fr Jamie: frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Confirmation Class for Adults: Begins March

Thanks to everyone who has registered for our Confirmation class for adults! This course will prepare adults for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, 16th April 2022. To register, please contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

2022 Marriage Preparation Courses: 21st May and 27th August

The next Marriage Preparation course will take place on Saturday, 21st of May from 10am-5pm and the last one of the year will be held Saturday, 27th of August. The course includes presentations, testimonies and workshops led by married couples from the parish. Although priority is given to Cathedral / Ravelston parishioners, this course is also open to people from other parishes and dioceses –spread the word! To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Listen to St. Andrew’s, Ravelston parishioners Rosemary and Andrew Milligan in this 2-minute interview on BBC Radio Scotland about their experience helping run Marriage Preparation courses, along with Fr Jeremy Milne, Vicar Episcopal for Marriage & Family Life: https://fb.watch/ba0zD4kk92/

Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 25th June - 5th July 2022

A reminder to all booked on the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land that you should have received a letter from Special Pilgrimages. If you didn’t, please speak to Fr. Patrick quickly. If you’ve decided not to come, let us know as soon as possible at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or 0131 556 1798.

Job Opening: Cathedral Facilities Manager – Closing Date 4th March

St Mary’s Cathedral is looking to employ a facilities manager. The job is 21 hours per week (£16,200 pro rata) and the closing date for applications is Friday 4 March. Job description and how to apply at https://www.s1jobs.com/job/facilities-manager-52764122

Parish Registration Forms for St Andrew’s, Ravelston

Parish registration forms are once again available at the back of the church. If you have not completed one before, please take one. As you will see, filling in and returning a registration form will allow us to keep you informed of events and/or opportunities in the parish according to your interests and preferences. The form also gives you the opportunity to let us know of any volunteer roles you may be interested in so that we can provide you with further information and help you get involved. Thank you!

A Warm Welcome Awaits You at Our Cafés in the Parish Rooms

Teas & coffees have already returned on Sundays after 10:30am Mass - every Sunday! Additionally, the Friday cafe (10am-Noon) has reopened with delicious home-baking. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat at either or both cafes!

Married and Engaged Couples’ Holy Hour with Archbishop: 6th March

Married and engaged couples are invited to attend a Holy Hour with Archbishop Cushley to pray and reflect on the gift of the vocation to marriage and to ask for God’s blessing of their love. The event will be held Sunday 6th March 2022, 4.00-5.00pm at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh:

Please register for this and other upcoming events for married and engaged couples at bit.ly/ArchEventbrite (scroll down to select event). For more information, contact 0131 623 8900 or VEmarriage@staned.org.uk

Archbishop Leo to Pray Pro-Life Stations of the Cross: Tues., 8th March

Register to join Archbishop Cushley on Zoom to pray the Stations of Cross for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions on Tuesday 8 March. He will give the reflection in the first of the weekly prayer events that takes place on Tuesdays at 7:45pm throughout Lent. Sign up to join on Zoom at https://archedinburgh.org/lent-register-now-for-pro-life-stations-of-the-cross/

Making Disciples Seminar

“Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)

Friday 25 Feb: 7pm-9 pm,

Saturday 26 Feb: 9am-5pm

Sunday 27 Feb: 11am-4pm

Don’t miss this exciting FREE seminar at St Kentigern’s Church, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue, Barnton, EH4 7QR to learn how to grow in sharing the gift of your faith with others! This seminar will be led by Sr. Anna Marie, RSM, Archdiocesan Advisor on Catechetics, and Katherine Coolidge, Director for Parish and Diocesan Services at the Catherine of Siena Institute (https://siena.org/), Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A. You will learn:

• How discipleship makes catechesis a life-changing experience.

• How to introduce non-believers, and the lukewarm, to Jesus and the Church.

• Ways to share your own personal witness in gentle, intriguing, and non-threatening ways.

• How to integrate these evangelizing skills and concepts into parish life and ministry.

To register for this event and for more info visit bit.ly/disciplesseminar

It will be based on Sherry Weddell’s book Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus.

Ethics and Practice Training Days for Catholics in Health and Social Care

St Mary's University, the Anscombe Centre and the Bios Centre are holding three events on ethics and practice in health and social care in Edinburgh, London and on Zoom. The events are learning and networking opportunities aimed at Christians working in the health and social care sectors, but anybody is welcome to attend to discuss, amongst other topics, the challenges of assisted dying, the care of the dying and questions of conscientious objection in the workplace.

To book your place, please visit the online registration links below:

Edinburgh, Sat., 19th March, 9.30am-3.30pm, Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Road, EH9 1BB (£20):

https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2022/03/catholics-in-health-and-social-care

London, Sat., 2nd April, 11.30am-4.45pm, St Patrick’s Church, Soho (£20):

https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2022/04/catholics-in-health-and-social-care

Zoom, Sat., 14th May, 11.30am-4.45pm (Free):

https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2022/05/catholics-in-health-and-social-care

For further information, please email marianne.rozario@stmarys.ac.uk, Project Manager of Catholic Mission at St. Mary’s University.