Lighting Upgrade Continues, 10:00am Masses Cancelled
Thank you for your continued patience as we upgrade the lighting in the Cathedral. The contractors will take up the work again this week, so please note that the 10:00am Mass is cancelled for the coming week.
Mark Your Diary for the Queen’s Jubilee Celebration
As you know, this year is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee marking her 70-year reign. We will be celebrating the Jubilee with a special Mass at Noon on Sunday 5th June followed by a champagne (!) reception to toast to Her Majesty on the steps of the Cathedral. Please plan to join us for this special celebration!
Thanks for Supporting Cathedral with Kathedral Knits Gifts
Special thanks to Joanna Kopystynska, our wonderful parishioner who knits such beautiful gifts for her Kathedral Knits online shop, and to all who purchased knitted gifts for Easter! A total of over £700 were raised for the Cathedral through the sales! Thank you to all! Shop anytime for beautiful knitted goods from £10 at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathedralKnits
Request Organ Recital – Sunday, 15 May
Requests are coming in thick and fast for the Organ Recital, 1.30pm, Sunday 15 May, here at the Cathedral. Thank you very much to everyone who has so far requested a piece. 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.
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
Cathedral’s Over Sixties Club: Wednesday Visit to King’s Theatre
Thank you for the wonderful response to the theatre outing planned for 4th May at the King’s Theatre, 2 Leven St, EH3 9LQ for the Cathedral’s Over Sixties Club to see “A Murder is Announced.” For those who have signed up for this ticketed event we will meet outside the King’s Theatre on Wednesday 4th May, no later than 2.15, curtain up at 2.30pm. Please note there will be no Tuesday coffee afternoon on 10th May.
Information Technology (IT) Clinic: Thursday, 26th May
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 11.30am - 1pm, this month that’s 26th May. 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 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
Thank You for Support of SCIAF Ukraine Appeal
Thank you to all who supported the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) Ukraine Appeal with the purchase of Easter decorations sold in the Octagon during the Sundays before Easter. The proceeds of £1,040 were received by SCIAF. Please continue to 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/
Green Foliage Needed for Cathedral Flower Arrangements
Do you have a garden with lovely green foliage you would be willing to donate for the Cathedral flower arrangements? Fresh, hardy green foliage to last a couple of weeks is needed, such as copper beech, weeping beech, ruscus, bergania, ivy or ferns. Can you help? Please contact the Cathedral office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or 0131 556 1798. Thank you!
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!
Sunday and Friday Parish Cafés – All welcome!
Join us for teas & coffees on Sundays after 10:30am Mass in the Parish Rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston! Additionally, we have a the Friday Café (10am-Noon) with delicious home-baking. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat at either or both cafes!
30-Minute Live Talks on Early Church from Monday 2 May
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)
Retreat for Married Couples with Brian & Maureen Devine – 8th May
The Archdiocese is hosting an afternoon retreat for married couples at 3pm-5:30pm 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. Read Brian & Maureen's inspiring story at bit.ly/brianmaureenstory Register for this FREE event at bit.ly/ArchEventbrite or phone 07833 208 211.
“This retreat can be likened to a watering hole for the marriage journey. It’s a place of refreshment, but it can also be more serious as watering holes can also save lives!” – Brian Devine
Benefit Concert for Ukraine at St Mary’s on Palmerston - 8th May
A choir of 90 voices from all over Scotland who have kindly volunteered their services and the Orchestra of the Canongait will perform a Concert for Ukraine including Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man, Bruch: Kol Nidrei (Cello - Lindsay Martindale), Williams: Theme from “Schindler’s List” and Beethoven: Symphony No.9 which culminates in the instantly recognisable 'Ode to Joy.' Cost is £15.00 (under 18s free). Tickets via Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/5n7kxeza or available on the door. All proceeds will go to Disasters Emergency Committee for Ukraine. The concert lasts around 90 minutes.
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.
Online Open Evening for MA in Applied Catholic Theology
The MA in Applied Catholic Theology is being offered by St Mary’s University in partnership with the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh, beginning in September. The course provides a thorough grounding in key aspects of Catholic theology and develops the key skills to apply that theology to the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world. Enjoy the flexibility of part-time courses on the evening and at weekends, allowing you to fit your studies around your existing work and personal commitments. Find out more at the online Open Evening on Tuesday 17 May, 6-7pm. Register at bit.ly/smu_openevening
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. It is at St Margaret’s in Dunfermline the following weekend. Full programme for the Archdiocese is at bit.ly/40hoursschedule Find out more about Eucharistic Adoration: bit.ly/40HoursPlaylist
Mass for Vocations at St. David’s, Dalkeith – Monday, May 2
The monthly Mass for Vocations takes place at 6:30pm on Monday 2 May at St David’s Church, 41 Eskbank Road, Dalkeith. Please pray that more young people respond to God’s call to the priesthood and religious life in our Archdiocese.
African & Caribbean Mass Next Sunday at St. Patrick’s
This month’s African & Caribbean Mass takes place at 1pm on Sunday 1 May in St Patrick’s, Cowgate, Edinburgh. All welcome!
Job Openings: Director of Safeguarding and Head of Safeguarding Training
The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency is looking to appoint a Director of Safeguarding and a Head of Safeguarding Training. Details at https://www.scsafeguarding.org.uk/News/Vacancies
Stronghold Festival for Ages 16-35: Pentecost Weekend 2–5 June
Craig Lodge announces its annual Stronghold Festival from 2nd-5th June, open to all young people aged 16-35. The event over Pentecost Weekend is a four-day celebration of God's love centred on praise, worship, adoration, inspiring talks, and time for building friendships and fellowship in the beautiful landscape of the Scottish Highlands. Your ticket includes event access, a spot on the camping field, and food and drink for four days. (Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Advance tickets available for £120. Learn more about the festival and other aspects of Stronghold's ministry at www.strongholdfestival.com Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, PA33 1AR, 01838 200216, mail@craiglodge.org
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/
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/
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
Retreats Available at Pluscarden Abbey in Elgin
Why not plan a time of prayerful retreat at beautiful, historic Pluscarden Abbey? You can participate in the monastic life of prayer, reading and work. Reservations available for individuals or groups. For details and online booking visit https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/retreats
Bible in a Year Podcast
In The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing thoughtful commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. To sign up to listen to each 20-25 minute episode, visit https://bibleinayear.fireside.fm/ Why not try it?
Aquinas 101: Short Videos on the Truths of the Catholic Faith
Aquinas 101 is a project of the Thomistic Institute that seeks to promote Catholic truth through short, engaging video lessons. To receive video lessons, short readings, and podcasts in your inbox, all for FREE, sign up at https://aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org/