This Thursday is a Holy Day of Obligation
This Thursday is the Solemnity of the Ascension and is a holy day of obligation. Masses will be celebrated at the Cathedral at 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:45pm and 7:30pm. Polish Masses will be at 9:00am and 6:00pm.
Pentecost Novena Prayer
It is a vert ancient tradition among Catholics to pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the 9 days between the Ascension and Pentecost! Why not think about praying this Novena either by yourself or with your family this year. Goodness knows the world needs an outpouring of the Spirit at this time:
Lord Jesus Christ
Who, before ascending into heaven promised to send the Holy Spirit to finish your work in the souls of your Apostles and Disciples deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of your grace and your love.
Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world
and aspire only to the things that are eternal,
the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of your divine truth,
the Spirit of Counsel that I may choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven,
the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with you and that I may overcome with courage
all the obstacles that encounter in life,
the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect,
the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable,
the Spirit of Fear of the Lord that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God,
and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of your true disciples and animate me in all things with your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Congratulations! Seminarians Peter and Paul Receive Ministry of Acolyte
Two of the seminarians from our parish, Peter Shankland and Paul Henderson, received the Ministry of Acolyte at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome this week. Please pray for Peter and Paul as they continue their studies for the priesthood.
Queen’s Jubilee Celebration – Sunday 5th June at Noon
On Sunday 5th June, His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate a special Mass of Thanksgiving at Noon on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. This will be a delightful and joyful celebration and will finish with a champagne reception after the Mass. If you can make it – do come along to toast the queen on this historic occasion.
Cathedral’s Over Sixties Club: Tuesday Coffee, Wednesday Cinema
The next cinema outing for the over 60’s will be to see ‘Benediction,’ 12 pm for 12.15 showing, Wednesday 25th May. Meet upstairs at Omni Centre, Greenside Row, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA. Coffee afternoon on Tuesday from 2.30-4pm for coffee, and anyone over 60 years of age is welcome! Please note Coffee Saints now closes at 4pm sharp.
Information Technology (IT) Clinic: Thursday, 26th May
The Over Sixties Club offers an Information Technology (IT) Clinic that can help you with your mobile phones and laptops. Stop in for IT help at Coffee Saints 11.30am - 1pm, Thursday 26th May.
Cathedral Cleaning Volunteers Needed!
The Cathedral cleaning team meet every Wednesday afternoon between 2pm – 4pm to clean the church. We are seeking to recruit more volunteers to join the group with a view to easing the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences. If you cannot attend every week, helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the group, or find out more, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com
First Saturday Devotions
On Saturday, 4th May, 9:30am all are welcome for Our Lady of Fatima devotions before 10:00am Mass.
Parish Volunteers – Online Safeguarding Training, Friday 20th May
Safeguarding Training currently only needs to be done by volunteers who are in a regulated role requiring a Protecting Vulnerable Group form. Induction Part 1 must be completed before Induction Part 2 is done. (Induction Part 2 should be completed approx. 18 months after Induction Part 1 has been done). Both Part 1 and Part 2 are approximately 90 minutes each. Part 1: Safeguarding Induction Training, Friday 20th May at 7:00pm with Margaret Andow. To register, email margaret_andow@outlook.com, providing details of your name, parish and role.
Free Mobility Services Available from St. James Quarter Car Park
Guest Mobility Services located on Level B2 of the St. James Quarter Car Park offers mobility equipment free of charge with no deposit required. The mobility fleet includes scooters, specialist bariatric scooters, powered wheelchairs, as well as devices for families including single and double push chairs. The equipment can be used at the Cathedral or anywhere around the city centre of Edinburgh. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm and Sunday 10am-6pm. Booking is available either online at https://stjamesquarter.com/guest-mobility or by calling 07898 740288. For those attending 9:00am Sunday Mass, with two weeks’ notice arrangements can be made for staffing and mobility equipment by 8:30am on a Sunday morning. They’ll even arrange to meet you at your bus stop with mobility equipment!
2022 Marriage Preparation Course 27th August
The next Marriage Preparation course will take place on Saturday, 27th of August. The course includes presentations by married couples from the parish. To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
10:00am Mass on Ascension Thursday, 26 May – No evening Mass
Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am at Ravelston on Thursday, 26 May for the Solemnity of the Ascension, a holy day of obligation. Please note there will be no 6pm Mass that day.
Evening Prayer in Church Friday 27 May, 5:30pm
The Religious Sisters of Mercy will lead Vespers, or Evening Prayer, in St Andrew’s, Ravelston, at 5:30 pm Friday 27 May before the 6 pm Mass. Come a little early to join in celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours, the prayer of the Church for the worship of God and the sanctification of the day and all our activities.
Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa Appeal Next Sunday
We look forward to welcoming Sr. Ann McAllister, FMSA to Ravelston next Sunday, when she will make an appeal to support the work of her religious community, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. Thank you in advance for your generous response to this appeal!
CTS Bookrack and The Scottish Catholic
Our Catholic Truth Society (CTS) bookrack is available near the church entrance with a variety of booklets for purchase, including children’s books on the Rosary and Bible! Prices displayed on the back of each booklet. The latest issue of The Scottish Catholic magazine is available from the table at the back for just £2.00 per copy. Please place all payments in the wooden box above the table. Thank you!
Monday 23 May at 1:30pm: Live Talk on the Early Church
Did you see the first live talks on the Acts of the Apostles by Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM? Sister is hosting a series of 30 minute talks exploring the trials and triumphs of the early Church! Watch on live Mondays at 1:30pm or view the recording at https://bit.ly/ArchYouTube
The last talk will be tomorrow at 1:30pm. Don’t miss it!
Apply by Friday 27 May – Manager Opening 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, Friday 27th May 2022.
Next Sunday! Italian Mass & May Procession: St. Mary’s Monastery
A Mass in Italian will be celebrated at 3pm on Sunday 29 May at St Mary’ Monastery in Hatton Road, Kinnoull, Perth, followed by a May Procession in the grounds of the Monastery. If you want to attend, please contact Pierluigi Carena pcarena750@dundeeschools.scot. Learn more about the monastery at https://www.kinnoullmonastery.co.uk/
Corpus Christi Procession in Falkirk – Sunday 19 June, 3:00pm
As part of the Eucharistic renewal in the Archdiocese this liturgical year you are invited to take part in a Corpus Christi procession, led by Archbishop Cushley, at St Francis Xavier’s, Hope Street, Falkirk FK1 5AT on Sunday 19 June at 3:00pm. Gather at the Bandstand in High Street before processing to St Francis Xavier’s Parish (around 20 min walk).
Family Afternoon, Saturday 25 June: ‘The Eucharist: Source of Family Love’
A Family Afternoon at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, takes place on Saturday 25 June, 2.00pm-5.00pm. It will include separate sessions for adults, children and teens, focusing on ‘The Eucharist: Source of Family Love’, family prayer time in St Margaret’s Chapel and family games! Don’t miss this event for all families, which coincides with the 10th World Meeting of Families taking place in Rome. Register your family today at bit.ly/archfamilyday
PVG Volunteers Needed for Family Afternoon
Volunteers with PVG membership are needed for work with children during the Family Afternoon on Sat 25th June, at the Gillis Centre. The children's groups will run for an hour 2.15-3.15pm and will be led by the Servidora Sisters. Volunteers will help support the Sisters in the children’s groups on the day and occupy any under-fives. If you have PVG membership and would like to volunteer, please contact our parish Safeguarding Officer, Chris McCabe, Chris.McCabe@staned.org.uk
Video: Open Evening for MA Theology Course
St Mary's University, Twickenham, invites you to study the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at the Gillis Centre Campus in Edinburgh this September. In a video of the online open evening 17 May, you can hear what's involved, how it's taught and the support you'll receive. Watch it on YouTube where video is divided into chapters https://archedinburgh.org/study-theology-in-edinburgh-with-st-marys-university/
Gifts for First Holy Communion and Confirmation
A wide selection of gifts is available online through The Catholic Truth Society for special occasions such as First Holy Communion and Confirmation: https://www.ctsbooks.org/
More Catholic gifts are available online through Pauline Books and Media UK at https://www.paulineuk.org/ Other sources of Catholic gifts are St. Paul Publications at https://stpauls.org.uk/ and Piety Stall https://www.pietystall.co.uk/
Religious cards are also available at https://www.religiouscards.co.uk/