Young Adults Tuesday, 7pm: St. John Paul II's Messages to Young People
Fr Joseph McGill, recently ordained priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will talk about St John Paul II's messages to young people. Advance notice that on Tuesday 5th April we're honoured to welcome Bishop Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewbury, who'll conclude our series on St John Paul II with a talk titled ‘The Church of the Third Millennium.’ Doors open at 7:00pm for coffees and teas at 63 York Place before the talk at 7:30pm, and the evening will conclude with a time of prayer before we head to the pub for some refreshments. All adults, aged 18-35, very welcome!
Friday Stations of the Cross
A Lenten tradition is to follow the footsteps of the Lord on the way to Calvary, meditating on his suffering and death for our salvation. On Fridays at the Cathedral during Lent, we will pray the Stations of the Cross after the 12:45pm Mass. Please consider joining us in this Lenten spiritual exercise.
Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration
This Lent, take some time for quiet, peaceful prayer before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated every Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm in the Cathedral. You may want to pray the Rosary or read the Scriptures to draw near to God in prayer in these holy days of Lent. Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Our Lady of Fatima First Saturday Devotions
On Saturday, 2nd April, 9:30am all are welcome for Our Lady of Fatima devotions before 10:00am Mass.
Cathedral’s Over Sixties Club
Come along and join the Society of St Vincent de Paul 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 Wednesday film offering is ‘Uncharted’ showing at 3.30pm, meet at Coffee Saints 3pm on Wednesday, 30 March. For more information contact Graham 07568 202 547 or graham@grassmarket.org
2022/23 Gift Aid Envelopes – Ready for Collection
I am pleased to tell you that the new 2022/23 Gift Aid envelope sets are now available for collection from the back of the church from this weekend. With the new tax year approaching, this is also an ideal time to consider registering for Gift Aid with the parish if you have not already done so. For more information on this or for any other Gift Aid enquiries, please contact our finance officer, Caroline Reid, at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
From Sunday 3rd April, Easter Knitted Goods on Sale in Octagon
Please support the Cathedral by buying some Easter-themed knitted gifts! Easter items are sold online from £10 at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathedralKnits and will be for sale in the Octagon as of Sunday 3rd April. All the profits from all sales are very generously donated by our own wonderful parishioner Joanna Kopystynska to the Cathedral.
Sunday Eucharistic Adoration from 3:00pm
The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma invite you to join them Sunday afternoons at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston, on Sundays in Lent from 3:00-5:15pm. Come for a few minutes or a couple hours for silent Adoration from 3:00pm followed by Holy Hour with the Sisters at 4:00pm, including devotional prayers, the Rosary and chanted Evening Prayer. All are welcome!
9:30am Friday Stations of the Cross at Ravelston
On Fridays in Lent, join us at 9:30am in the church for Stations of the Cross. We will gather afterwards for our Friday Café (10am-Noon) in the Parish Rooms. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat with new friends and old!
SCIAF Ukraine Appeal
As well as your prayers, please consider supporting SCIAF’s emergency appeal for Ukraine, if you are able. Donations can be made at https://www.sciaf.org.uk/ To find out how the Catholic Church is helping those in Ukraine see https://www.caritas.org/
Anton and Angela Collela on Faith and Marriage: Sunday 3rd April
A Holy Hour for married and engaged couples takes place on Sunday 3 April at 4:00pm at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. It features a testimony from Anton and Angela Collela on the pivotal role their Catholic faith has played in their 34 years of marriage. Anton is a well-known figure in the business world as the globetrotting chief executive of Moore Global, one of the world's leading accountancy firms. He is also chairman of the executive board of the Scottish Catholic Education Service. He is a respected public speaker and often gives talks on leadership in business. Register at bit.ly/ArchEventbrite. For information visit, https://archedinburgh.org/event-anton-and-angela-share-insights-from-a-catholic-marriage/ or contact 0131 623 8900, VEmarriage@staned.org.uk
Monday Talks: A Saint’s Guide to Making the Most of Lent
The Archdiocese is hosting Lent with St Paul – a Saint’s guide to making the most of Lent. It’s a 30-minute talk at 7:30pm on 28 March and 4 April. Fr Andrews Garden (St David’s, Dalkeith) explores insights and advice from St Paul to help us prepare for Easter. No need to register. Watch live on the YouTube Channel of the Archdiocese at bit.ly/ArchYouTube
Pro-Life Stations of the Cross with Fr. Michael John Galbraith
Register to join Fr Michael John Galbraith (St James’ Parish in St Andrews) on Zoom to pray the Stations of Cross for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions on Tuesday 29 March, 7:45pm. Sign up to join on Zoom at https://archedinburgh.org/lent-register-now-for-pro-life-stations-of-the-cross/
Bethany Christian Trust — Volunteering Opportunities
Bridge to Freedom: Christian Community-based Addiction Recovery
We are looking for volunteers to support the running of Bridge to Freedom, which is a Christian community-based recovery group for people who are suffering from substance addiction and are looking to establish abstinence. We run weekly 2-hour groups across Edinburgh (Moredun, Gorebridge, Leith). Volunteers are required to help at the group by providing a listening ear and encouragement, as well as helping practically at the venue with setting up rooms and providing refreshments.
Passing the Baton: Help Former Homeless Reconnect to Community
We are looking for volunteers to join our befriending service ‘Passing the Baton’ for those who have been homeless previously, or are at risk of homelessness now. Volunteers develop a companionship level relationship with their befriendee (we match male-male and female-female) and help them reconnect back into the community by taking them out and introducing them to social groups and activities in their area. Volunteers are usually in touch with their befriendee around 1.5-2 hours every week or fortnight, over a period of 6-12 months.
To volunteer, please email volunteers@bethanychristiantrust.com, call 07884 537231 or visit www.bethanychristiantrust.com
Bethany Christian Trust is a national charity whose mission is to relieve the suffering and meet the long-term needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Scotland.
The Margaret Sinclair Story: Tuesday 29th March
The online Premiere of The Margaret Sinclair Story will be broadcast live on Tuesday 29 March at 7.00pm The Story of Venerable Margaret Sinclair, from Edinburgh, is vividly brought to life in this docu-drama. Watch live at https://youtu.be/7LYFhRoRPz8
After the premiere, Rachel (who plays Margaret in the film) and director Stephen Callaghan will host a public Zoom chat from 8:00pm at https://zoom.us/j/96814393754
Archdiocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 8 July – 15 July 2022
The Archdiocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage will take place 8-15 July and will be led by Archbishop Cushley Take a booking form in the Octagon or visit: https://www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes22
African & Caribbean Mass at St. Patrick’s Sunday 3 April
The monthly African & Caribbean Mass takes place at 1:00pm in St Patrick’s, Cowgate, Edinburgh on Sunday 3 April. It will be concelebrated by several of our African clergy and all are welcome!
Mass for Vocations 5 April in SS John Cantius and Nicholas, Broxburn
Pray that more young people respond to God’s call to the priesthood and religious life at the monthly Archdiocesan Mass for Vocations. It takes place on Tuesday 5 April at 6:30pm in SS John Cantius and Nicholas, 34 West Main Street, Broxburn, West Lothian, EH52 5RJ.
Mass Intentions
If you would like to request a Mass intention, please complete an envelope in the back of church and leave it in the box by the pillar as you enter the church, or you may request one through our website at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/intentions
The Scottish Catholic Magazine
The Scottish Catholic magazine’s latest edition has arrived with news, opinions and features on Catholic life in Scotland. A new edition is printed every two weeks. For just £2 pick up your copy on the table in the Octagon while supplies last! Please put monies in the box at the pillar after you enter the Cathedral. You may also wish to subscribe at https://www.scottishcatholic.com/product/print-subscription/ (due to postage costs this is a little more expensive than getting it in the parish!)
Free Catholic Movies, News, Shows and More
Shalom World is a Catholic, commercial-free, 24/7, HD family entertainment channel. “Change what you watch and watch the world change!” https://www.shalomworld.org/
14 May & 16 May-20 May: Christian Aid Sale of Books and Collectibles
The annual Christian Aid Appeal book sale with collectables will be held at St. Andrew’s and St. George’s West Church, 13 George Street, EH2 2PA on Saturday, 14 May and Monday 16 May to Friday 20 May. If you wish to donate any items to the sale, they may be brought to the church 9am-9pm from Monday 2 May to Wednesday 11 May (excluding Sunday 8 May). Donated items will also be received 9am-5pm on Saturday 7 May. Items accepted include books, tablecloths, bed linens, toys, games, stamps, postcards, and more. Questions? Please contact Joan Dryburgh at 01383860153. Christian Aid gives relief to the poorest people of the world. Visit https://www.christianaid.org.uk/
Special Collection this Weekend for SCIAF
There will be a special collection this weekend for Episcopal Charities including SCIAF, the official aid and international development charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland.