A New Way to Prepare for Easter
Would you like to try something new for the 6 weeks of Lent? We are starting a small Faith Sharing Group at 63 York Place (time and day to be arranged – depending on who is interested) to help people prepare for Easter. We will share our Faith journey in the light of Scripture readings, so everyone is welcome, whatever your age or background. If you are interested, please contact Lis for more information: Lis at ejherschan@aol.com
Confirmation Class for Adults: Begins March
Once again, this Lent the Cathedral will be offering a course for adults to prepare for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, 16th April 2022. To register, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Vocations Mass at the Cathedral this Tuesday at 7:30pm
Archbishop Leo will celebrate the Archdiocesan Vocations Mass here at the Cathedral on Tuesday, 8th February at 7:30pm. All are welcome! The Vocations Mass is an opportunity for people to come together to pray that more people will respond to God’s call to the priesthood or religious life. For more information on priesthood contact Fr. Andrew Garden, Vocations Director, vocations@staned.org.uk and visit https://archedinburgh.org/vocations/. For information on religious life, contact Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk and visit https://archedinburgh.org/wp-content/uploads/Consecrated.pdf for a list of religious orders in the Archdiocese.
Society of Saint Vincent De Paul and Grassmarket Community Project
Working Together
We are delighted to introduce some activities from SSVP and GCP aimed at the over 60s. These include both social and practical activities, the first of which are listed here.
Coffee afternoon: Weekly on Tuesdays 2.30pm – 4:00pm starting 8th February in Coffee Saints
Cinema Group: Every second week starting Wednesday 16th February. This will be a turn-up outing, no need to pre-book. Our first trip will be to see ‘Death on the Nile.’ Meet at Coffee Saints at 1.30pm. Cinema admission will be free to you.
SSVP have a few digital devices for the over 70s. If you would like to become digitally connected please speak to SSVP at the Cathedral door on Sundays or phone Cathedral House to be put in touch with us.
If you need help with any digital device, an IT surgery starts Thursday 10th February at Coffee Saints. This is a drop-in service from 11.30am to 1.30pm
Grassmarket Community Project continues to offer an Open Door meal every Tuesday 5pm -6.30pm. As well as a free, three-course meal they show a film!
2022 Marriage Preparation Courses: 21st May and 27th August
The Cathedral organises four Marriage Preparation courses each year, featuring presentations, testimonies and workshops led by married couples from the parish. The next 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. 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
2022 Archdiocesan Directory – Hurry while stocks last!
Don’t miss this opportunity to get your copy of the 2022 Archdiocesan Directory. It’s just what you have all been waiting for —an invaluable source of information on our Archdiocese, including Mass times at parishes and important contact details. It is on sale today at the back of the Church for only £3.00 each. Hurry before all are sold!! A must-read book of 2022…!
Beautiful Scotland 2022 Calendars
One of our Parishioners, Maciej Zurawski, is a photographer and has produced a beautiful calendar for 2022. Originally priced at £10 each – he has donated those left over to the Cathedral. We are selling them at only £5 each for anyone who still needs a wall calendar.
Volunteers Needed! Many Roles Available!
Consider offering your time for the parish in Ravelston to help with cleaning, cash counting, serving Sunday coffees/teas, teaching children’s catechesis, singing in the choir, flower arranging, serving as Eucharistic ministers, readers, passkeepers. Many of the roles are on a rota basis and would only need a commitment every 6 to 8 weeks. Can you help? If interested, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
We have had some good interest this week (thank you!) and are still processing these. We have capacity for more volunteers - please do get in touch!
Progress Report on Parish House Rewiring
The Parish House endures necessary upheaval as the electricians continue this invasive and essential job. The Rooms remain usable in daylight. The fundraising balance has just reached our £5,000 goal - THANK YOU! Pledges yet to arrive are still very welcome. Find out how you can donate and view the pledge board here or contact finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass Restored as of Sunday, 6th March
The Bishops Conference of Scotland has announced in a pastoral letter that the obligation for Catholics to attend Sunday Mass will be restored from the First Sunday in Lent, Sunday 6th March, “given the easing of restrictions in every other walk of life.” To read the letter, visit https://archedinburgh.org/news-events/
National Synod Event with Cardinal Grech - 2pm, Saturday 12 February
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCOS) hosts ‘Synodality in the Life & Mission of the Church’ at 2pm on Saturday 12 February. The keynote speaker will be Cardinal Mario Grech, General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops. This online event will be streamed on the BCOS YouTube channel at bit.ly/BCOSYouTube
New Vocations Video: ‘How Do I Discover God’s Plan for Me?’
Each of us has a vocation from God to do his will on earth — for some it will be serving Him in the priesthood or religious life. Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO, Archdiocesan director for religious vocations, has produced a beautiful video on discernment, ‘How Do I Discover God’s Plan for Me?’ It's only a few minutes long, but has lots of great advice! Check it out at bit.ly/ArchYouTube
FREE Event to Help you Grow in Sharing Your Faith!
Making Disciples Seminar – Friday, 25th February-Sunday, 27th February
In a three-day seminar, Friday 25 - Sun 27 February at St Kentigern’s Church, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue, Barnton, EH4 7QR 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.
The event will be based on Sherry Weddell’s excellent book Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus. To register for this FREE event and for more info visit bit.ly/disciplesseminar
Vacancy: Primary Schools Adviser in Religious Education
The Archdiocese is recruiting an Adviser in Religious Education (primary schools). While the post is full-time, applicants looking for part-time or flexible working patterns are also encouraged to apply. Please see archedinburgh.org.uk/news-events for full details.
Events for Married and Engaged Couples in March, April and May
The Archdiocese is hosting events for married and engaged couples in the lead up to the 10th World Meeting of Families (Rome 22-26 June 2022). These events are for couples to come before the Lord together in reflection on the beautiful Catholic vision of marriage and family life, thanksgiving for the gift of this calling and prayer for the blessing of their love. The reflections will draw on themes developed in Pope Francis' Encyclical Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love).
Events at Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh:
Sunday 6th March 2022, 4.00-5.00pm - Holy Hour with Archbishop Leo Cushley.
Sunday 3rd April 2022, 4.00-5.30pm - Testimony and Holy Hour with Anton and Angela Colella.
Sunday 8th May 2022, 3.00-5.30pm - Afternoon Retreat with Brian and Maureen Devine.
St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral: Wednesday 18th May 2022, 7.00pm - Mass for Married and Engaged Couples
Register for all events at bit.ly/ArchEventbrite (scroll down to select event).
Help for Hurting Marriages: Retrouvaille Weekend 3-6 March
The Retrouvaille programme offers hurting couples who suffer with marital problems the chance to rediscover themselves and find a loving relationship in their marriage. Many couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information or to register for the programme, which begins with a virtual weekend 3-6 March, call/text 0788 7296983 or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com
The website is at www.retrouvaille.org.uk