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. 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
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.
Sacrament of Confession
In this grace-filled season of Lent, prepare for the Sacrament of Confession by making a good examination of conscience using the guide for “How to Go to Confession” available on the website or visit https://goodconfession.com/
Priests are available to hear confessions Monday-Friday after the 12:45pm Mass and Saturdays 10:30am-12Noon and 5:00-5:45pm.
Young Adults Group: This Tuesday at 7pm
The Young Adults Group meets again this Tuesday. Our guest speaker is Sr. Roseann Reddy who is the foundress of the Sisters of the Gospel of Life. She will talk about the document of Saint John Paul II which is the inspiration for her work. Sister is a great speaker! Make sure to come along! The talk will be at 63 York Place with doors opening at 7pm. 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!
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)! 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 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 at elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com.
Flowers: The flower arrangers meet regularly on a Friday afternoon to 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.
Cathedral’s Over Sixties Club: Tuesday Coffee, Wednesday Cinema
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 cinema visit is on Wednesday, 16 March for ‘The Duke,’ meeting time TBC. Join us for tea and coffee before the film. For more information contact Graham 07568 202 547 or graham@grassmarket.org
Information Technology Clinic
The Over Sixties Club offers a weekly Information Technology (IT) Clinic that can help you with your electronic devices, mobile phones, tablets, iPads and laptops. So far we’ve given help on how to operate an iPad and find apps and information, and provided security advice for laptops. Please note, there will be no IT clinic on Thursday 10th March, but we’ll be back on 17th March, 11.30am to 1.30pm. For more information contact Graham 07568 202 547 or graham@grassmarket.org
Duets Recital in the Cathedral — Saturday 19th March, 7:30pm
Schola Cantorum sopranos Lisa Johnston and Cassandra Humble return for the second in their series of short duet recitals on Saturday 19 March, 7:30pm. This time Lisa and Cassy will sing a 30-minute programme of French music, including duets by Massenet, Fauré, Chausson and Delibes. Entry is free, with donations towards the music at St Mary's Cathedral very welcome!
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 by married couples from the parish. To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Mother’s Day Breakfast at Coffee Saints
Coffee Saints is hosting a special Mother’s Day Breakfast on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th March. They will be serving between 8:30am-11:30am and the breakfast is £10 per person and includes a filled breakfast roll or pancake stack, selection of pastries and croissants, tea or coffee and fresh orange juice. Booking is essential and can be booked with a staff member in Coffee Saints or online at https://bit.ly/MarchCoffeeSaints
Afternoon Tea – 20% Discount in March
Coffee Saints are also still offering Afternoon Tea, with a menu including finger sandwiches of Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese, Egg & Cress, Smoked Cheese & Plum Chutney, and Ham with Dijon Mustard, plus four mini cakes or pastries per person and, of course, scones, jam & cream! In March, they are offering 20% off, so instead of £16 per person this will be £12.80 per person. But this must be booked with a staff member in person and paid for at the time of booking.
Sunday Eucharistic Adoration
Spend a little extra time with the Lord during Lent in Eucharistic Adoration at St Andrew's Church. The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma invite you to join them Sunday afternoons beginning 6th March, from 3:00-5:15pm. All are welcome to 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 Evening Prayer.
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 café (10am-Noon) has reopened with delicious home-baking. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat at either or both cafes!
SCIAF Ukraine Appeal
Support SCIAF’s emergency appeal for Ukraine. Donations can be made at https://www.sciaf.org.uk/
Monday YouTube Event: ‘Returning to Confession’
The Archdiocese is inviting Catholics to experience the healing embrace and forgiveness of Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance this Lent. Returning to Confession is a 45-minute event on YouTube led by Sr Anna Marie McGuan, RSM. Watch live this Monday (7 March) at 7:30pm at bit.ly/ArchYouTube No registration required. Don’t miss it!
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 14, 21, 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
Tuesday: Archbishop Leo to Pray Pro-Life Stations of the Cross
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, 7:45pm. Sign up to join on Zoom at https://archedinburgh.org/lent-register-now-for-pro-life-stations-of-the-cross/
Tuesday Webinar: Potential Future Impacts of Assisted Suicide Law
Deepen your understanding of the issues involved with assisted suicide, euthanasia and the potential future impacts of a change of the law in Scotland in ‘Holyrood Webinar 2 on Assisted Suicide,’ Tuesday 8th March, 6:30pm. To register, visit https://bit.ly/HolyroodWebinar2
Holy Hours, Retreat and Mass for Married and Engaged Couples
Married and engaged couples are invited to register for a variety of FREE upcoming events hosted by the Archdiocese in the lead up to the 10th World Meeting of Families (Rome 22-26 June 2022).
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.
Register for all events at bit.ly/ArchEventbrite (scroll down to select event).
Brecbannoch Pilgrimage from Oban to Iona
The inaugural Brecbannoch Pilgrimage will take place 11-13 June 2022. The Brecbannoch is a 50-mile pilgrimage undertaken on foot from Oban to Iona, with the special purpose of praying for the renewal of the faith in Scotland. Along the way, the relics of St Columba, St Andrew and St Margaret will be carried, invoking their protection over the Church in these isles. Sign up at: www.brecbannoch.org/sign-up
8:00am Weekday Mass During Lent at Sacred Heart, Lauriston
During the weekdays of Lent, 8:00am Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DJ. For more details visit, https://www.sacredheartedinburgh.org/