Happy Easter!
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Cathedral Team, I would like to wish you all a happy and truly blessed Easter. I hope that you will be able to celebrate with your loved ones and I would like to thank all those who have handed in cards and gifts to Cathedral House. We are very grateful indeed! Thank you all for participating so generously not just over the last week, but throughout the whole of Lent. I would like to thank especially all those who have worked so hard to make our celebrations so beautiful; the Servers, the Musicians, the Flower Arrangers, the Church Cleaners and the Passkeepers, and I would like to thank Fr. Jamie for coordinating the liturgies so well. It has been a wonderful Holy Week and we, the Cathedral clergy, wish you all a very Happy and Holy Easter. May the Risen Lord Bless You All,
Fr. Patrick
Easter Vigil Congratulations
Congratulations to all who will receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion or Confirmation at the Easter Vigil: eight people are to be Baptized and received into the Church: Joanna, Jooyong, Shirlee, Maylis, Matthew, Nilesh, Rowen and Jean; and a further eight people into the Church are to receive Holy Communion and be Confirmed: Susannah, Naomi, Sherisse, Merran, Tony, An, Sebastian and Cathie, and an additional nine people are to be Confirmed: Paul, Nyasha, Amelia, Jone, Zilvinas, Pamela, Joseph, Dario and Myron. This is the end of a long journey of faith for each of them. I know that you will make them very welcome as they make this step and I ask you to keep them all in your prayers as they participate in our parish community.
Feast of Divine Mercy: Sunday, 24 April
Join us for the Feast of Divine Mercy here in the Cathedral at 3:00pm on Sunday, 24th April, Divine Mercy Sunday, including a Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunity for Confession.
Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration
Why not 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. Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Job Opening: Bookshop Manager for St. Pauls Bookshop
An experienced and resourceful Bookshop Manager is sought to setup and manage the St. Pauls Bookshop adjacent to St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh. The role holder will have experience of retail and customer service and a knowledge of Christian literature. Strong communication skills, enthusiasm and initiative will also be key to developing this new venture. The role includes 35hrs per week (10am-6pm with 1hr unpaid for lunch) with flexibility of days available but to include Sunday working. Salary is £20,384. For a full job description, please visit https://bit.ly/STPB-Manager
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and suitability for the role to morag@forthhr.co.uk by 5pm, Monday 18th April 2022.
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, and anyone over 60 years of age is welcome! Next Wednesday cinema outing will be 27th April. Film and meeting time to be confirmed, with coffee afterwards at Coffee Saints. For more information contact Graham 07568 202 547 or graham@grassmarket.org
2022/23 Gift Aid Envelopes – Ready for Collection
The new 2022/23 Gift Aid envelope sets are now available for collection. If you haven’t already done so, please collect your named set from the back of the church. With the start of the new tax year, 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!
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
No Parish Café on Friday 22nd April
Please note there will be no Friday Parish Café this week. We will resume on Friday 29th April. Happy Easter!
SCIAF Ukraine Appeal
Please support SCIAF’s emergency appeal for Ukraine. 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/
Event for Married Couples – Sunday 8 May 3:00pm
The Archdiocese is hosting an afternoon retreat for married couples at 3pm Sunday 8 May at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. It will be led by Brian & Maureen Devine, a Catholic couple from England renowned throughout the UK for hosting inspiring retreats. Register for this free event at bit.ly/ArchEventbrite or register by phone at 07833 208 211.
Online Event via Zoom for Catholics in Health and Social Care on 14 May
If you work in health and social care and are interested in learning about the ethical challenges, register for Catholics in Health and Social Care. This Zoom event is ideal for those who missed the same event held recently at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. It takes place 11:30am-4:45pm on Saturday 14 May. Register: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2022/05/catholics-in-health-and-social-care
Wedding Anniversaries Mass – Wednesday 18 May 7:00pm
Archbishop Leo will celebrate a Mass for Married & Engaged Couples on Wednesday 18 May at 7:00pm at St Mary’s Cathedral. All married and engaged couples are welcome on the night but if you are celebrating a significant anniversary this year, or know couples who are, the Archbishop would like to send a personal invitation. Please submit the names, address and number of years being celebrated to Fr Jeremy Milne: vemarriage@staned.org.uk, 0131 334 1693.
Archdiocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 8 July – 15 July 2022
The Archdiocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage is back! Demand is expected to be high for this popular and life-enhancing trip, so booking now is recommended. It takes place from 8-15 July and will be led by Archbishop Cushley. All the details you need are a www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes22
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. The Scottish Catholic is the only publication dedicated to Scotland’s 600,000 Catholics. 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. Thank you! For more information, visit https://www.scottishcatholic.com/
40 Hours’ Devotion at St Mary & St David, Hawick
Each parish in the Archdiocese is having 40 hours of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament to help renew our Faith and love of Jesus Christ. It continues at St Mary & St David Hawick, from Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May. Full programme for the Archdiocese is at bit.ly/40hoursschedule. Find out more about Eucharistic Adoration: bit.ly/40HoursPlaylist
St. Gianna Beretta Molla Statue Unveiling at Carfin Grotto
A special event will be held Thursday 28 April at 7pm for the unveiling of a new statue of St. Gianna Beretta Molla at Scotland’s National Shrine, Carfin Grotto, 100 Newarthill Road, Motherwell, to ask Saint Gianna’s intercession for the pro-life movement in the UK. A Mass will be celebrated at 7:30pm in in St Francis Xavier, Carfin, followed by refreshments in Little Flower Hall. Saint Gianna was a 20th century wife, mother, and doctor, most often remembered for her sacrificial love for her unborn daughter. She is a patron for mothers, physicians, and the unborn. The event will also be livestreamed on the Carfin Grotto Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/carfingrotto/
ARCH (Abortion Recovery Care & Helpline)
If you or someone you know is in need of is counselling and supportive help after abortion and working towards finding peace again contact ARCH at 0345 603 8501 or visit https://www.archtrust.org.uk/
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.
Friday Breakfast and Cap Club: Life Skills, Job and Debt help
Mustard Seed Edinburgh hosts Friday Soul Food breakfast 10 - 11am at St Margaret’s Church, 170 Easter Road, followed by the CAP Club, providing Life Skills, Job Seeking and Debt help at 11.30am-1:00pm.
Everyone welcome! For more information please contact Mark Harris on 07519 268800, markharris@capuk.org or David Strang 07735 513536, davidstrang@capuk.org
Xavier Society for the Blind: Large Print Readings, Prayers
Do you know someone who would benefit from having readings, prayers and responses to Mass in Braille or large print? Visit Xavier Society for the Blind online at xaviersocietyfortheblind.org. It has provided free braille and audio materials to blind and visually impaired people worldwide since 1900. Email info@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
Apply Now: Craig Lodge Mission House for Ages 18-30
Are you aged 18-30? Do you want to deep dive into a relationship with Christ? Do you have a heart for Church renewal and for mission? Apply now to join the Craig Lodge Mission House this September. Our nine-month programme of prayer, community, mission, study, formation and worship set in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland seeks to form Spirit-filled evangelisers for the renewal of the Church; an academic year away towards a lifetime with the Lord. Apply online https://www.craiglodge.org/ministries/mission-house Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, PA33 1AR, 01838 200216, mail@craiglodge.org
Brecbannoch Pilgrimage from Oban to Iona: 11-13 June 2022
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
The Way of St. Andrews Pilgrimage
Support the revival of the ancient Scottish Pilgrimage to the town of St Andrews! Choose one of eight great pilgrim ways wending their way through Scotland’s scenic landscape to St Andrews. For maps and details, visit http://www.thewayofstandrews.com/
Gifts for First Holy Communion and Confirmation
A wide selection of gifts are available online through The Catholic Truth Society for special occasions such as First Holy Communion and Confirmation. To shop online, visit https://www.ctsbooks.org/. The Catholic Truth Society is a Catholic Charity publishing since 1868 and is one of the oldest and Catholic organisations existing today.
More Catholic gifts are available online through St. Paul Publications including rosaries, Bibles, CDs, DVDs and more at https://stpauls.org.uk/ or call 0207 828 5582.
Happy Easter to all!