10:00am Masses Cancelled This Week Monday-Friday
Please note that 10:00am Mass is cancelled this week, Monday 25 April – Friday 29 April. Contractors will be working in the Cathedral to upgrade the lighting between 8:30am to 12:30pm and from 2:00pm until 5:30pm each day. Thank you for your patience as we improve our Cathedral lighting.
Feast of Divine Mercy Holy Hour sunday at 3:00pm
Join us for the Feast of Divine Mercy here in the Cathedral at 3:00pm today, Divine Mercy Sunday, including a Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunity for Confession.
Eucharistic Adoration: Come and Pray in the Presence of the Risen Lord
“Christ has been raised from the dead, as the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.” (1 Cor 15:20)
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated every Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm in the Cathedral. In this holy Easter season, why not take some time for quiet, peaceful prayer before the Risen Jesus Christ in the Eucharist? Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more. You may want to read the Resurrection accounts in the Scriptures to draw near to God in prayer. Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Request Organ Recital – Sunday, 15 May
Put in your requests for our Request Organ Recital on 1.30pm, Sunday 15 May here at the Cathedral!
This is a chance to hear Tom Wilkinson (Cathedral Organist) perform your favourite organ piece on the mighty Cathedral organ. All requests - from classics such as Widor’s Toccata, to more obscure items - are welcome! Requests should be emailed to Tom Wilkinson (organist@stmaryscathedral.co.uk), ideally by Sunday 8 May. Admission free; retiring collection.
Visit Coffee Saints café and Support Edinburgh’s Most Vulnerable
Café Open 7 Days a Week 8:30am-5:00pm
Come and enjoy a coffee, breakfast or lunch at Coffee Saints café, in which all profits go to charity! The café is a partnership between the Cathedral and the Grassmarket Community Project, which supports Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens, including those dealing with homelessness, mental health problems, poverty and more. It is a totally unique café in the St. James’ Quarter where your purchase directly supports those in need! To see the full menu, visit https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/
Cathedral’s Over Sixties Club: Tuesday Coffee, Wednesday Cinema
The Wednesday cinema offering for the Over Sixties Club on 27th April is ‘Operation Mincemeat,’ and we will meet at Omni at 1:00pm. A theatre outing is planned for 4th May at the King’s Theatre, 2 Leven St, EH3 9LQ to see “A Murder is Announced.” As this is a ticketed event, anyone going will need to pre notify and names will be taken on Tuesday 26th April in Coffee Saints at the afternoon coffee from 2.30-4pm. You may also leave a message with Graham by Thursday 28th April on 07568 202547 or email graham@grassmarket.org
Information Technology (IT) Clinic: Last Thursday of the Month
Over Sixties Club offers an 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. Anyone is welcome to stop in for IT help at Coffee Saints on the last Thursday of the month. For more information or if you want to schedule IT help on any other Thursday, please 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. 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. 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
Our Lady of Fatima First Saturday Devotions – 7th May 9.30am
On Saturday, 7th May at 9:30am there will be devotions to Our Lady of Fatima here in the Cathedral, followed by 10:00am Mass. All are welcome!
First Holy Communion and Confirmation Classes Resume Sunday, 1st May
Catechism classes resume on Sunday 1st May for children preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. Please continue to pray for all the children of our parish in P4 and above preparing to receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday, 4th June here at St. Andrew’s, as well as our young people in P7 and above who will receive Confirmation on Sunday 15th May at the Cathedral.
Parish Café Reopens this Friday
Join us on Friday 29th April for our Friday Parish Café in the Parish Rooms from 10:00am to Noon. Best cakes and coffee in Edinburgh!
Volunteers Needed at St. Andrew’s! Many Roles Available!
Help is needed with cash counting, serving Sunday coffees/teas, teaching children’s catechesis, singing in the choir, serving as Eucharistic ministers, readers, passkeepers, sacristans, doing altar linens laundry, or church maintenance. Many of the roles are on a rota basis of every 6 to 8 weeks. Can you help? If interested, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Please do get in touch!
30-Minute Talks on the Trials and Triumphs of the Early Church
Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM will host a new series of 30 min talks on YouTube on the Acts of the Apostles exploring the trials and triumphs of the early Church. Watch on Mondays at 1:30pm from 2 May to 23 May at https://bit.ly/TalksonActs “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit….” (Acts 2:4)
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 for inspiring retreats. Register for this free event at bit.ly/ArchEventbrite or phone 07833 208 211.
Catholics in Health and Social Care: Zoom Event on 14 May
If you work in health and social care and are interested in exploring the unique contribution that faith makes to the health and social care sectors, joins others for a Zoom event 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 at www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes22 or take a registration form from the table in the Octagon as you enter the Cathedral.
The Scottish Catholic Magazine’s 22nd April Issue Now Available!
The Scottish Catholic magazine’s 22nd April issue 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/
The Universe Catholic Weekly offers FREE 4-week trial
The Universe Catholic Weekly has launched a new online newspaper. To order your FREE digital 4 weeks trial supply call Michelle on 0743 661 7650 or email: michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk. Receive the world’s leading Catholic newspaper directly to your inbox for 3 months for £20. To view a copy of the Friday 15th April edition visit https://universecatholicweekly.co.uk/DE/Universe-April-15.pdf and for more details visit https://universecatholicweekly.co.uk/
St. Gianna Beretta Molla Statue Unveiling at Carfin Grotto – 28 April
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. The event will also be livestreamed on the Carfin Grotto Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/carfingrotto/
Children’s Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-7)
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a program rooted in Scripture and the liturgy of the Church, is offered, free of charge, to children ages 3-7 at St. Columba’s Parish, 9 Upper Gray St, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Children from any parish are welcome to take part. Sessions for children ages 3-4 are held Tuesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and sessions for children ages 5-7 are held on Friday afternoons. Please contact Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM at SrAnna.Marie@staned.org.uk to register. For details on Level 1 (age 3-6) and Level 2 (age 6-9) please visit http://www.cgsuk.org/childspirituality
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
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.
Pray for Renewal of Faith in Scotland: Brecbannoch Pilgrimage, 11-13 June
The inaugural Brecbannoch Pilgrimage will take place 11-13 June 2022 to pray for the renewal of the faith in Scotland. The event is a 50-mile pilgrimage undertaken on foot from Oban to Iona. 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. View details and sign up at www.brecbannoch.org/sign-up
Read more in The Scottish Catholic https://www.scottishcatholic.com/young-scots-launch-post-pandemic-pilgrimage/
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/. More Catholic gifts are available online through Pauline Books and Media UK at https://www.paulineuk.org/ including Bibles, CDs, DVDs, rosaries and more. Other sources of Catholic gifts are St. Paul Publications at https://stpauls.org.uk/ and Piety Stall https://www.pietystall.co.uk/
Blairs Museum Exhibition: Stations of the Cross Engravings
A set of engravings of the Stations of the Cross by Czechoslovakian engraver Alois Petrak, from paintings by Joseph Ritter von Fuhrich, is now on display at the Blairs Museum, Blairs, South Deeside Road
Aberdeen, AB12 5YQ. Blairs Museum is housed in part of the former national junior seminary and offers a unique insight into Scotland’s Catholic history and heritage with spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years. More information available from Crux news at https://bit.ly/Crux-Blairs. The museum is open Saturdays between April and the end of September 10am-4pm, no appointment necessary. For directions and further details, visit https://www.schct.org.uk/visit/