Welcome Fr. Robert Taylor!
This week we welcome Fr. Robert, whom many of you already know, to his new assignment as Assistant Priest at the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. He was ordained to the priesthood in June 2021 and recently completed his studies in Rome. I know you will make him very welcome!
The ‘Schola Cantorum’ Sings MacMillan – MONday, 15th August at 7.30pm
Don’t miss the special recital by our own Cathedral Choir (the Schola Cantorum) with choral music composed by James MacMillan on Monday 15th August to mark the Cathedral's Patronal Feast of the Assumption. Sir James MacMillan is Scotland’s most distinguished composer. At the concert, Sir James will discuss the relation between faith and music with Michael Ferguson, Director of the Schola Cantorum. For details, visit http://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/festival-2022.html
Tickets are £15 and are available at the door or from the Fringe Box Office: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sacred-arts-festival-music-at-st-mary-s-catholic-cathedral
Join Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral now to attend the reception after the concert on 15th August!
It’s not too late to join Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral and receive member benefits at The Schola Cantorum sings the music of Sir James MacMillan on 15 August. Hurry to receive priority seating at the concert and entry to the drinks reception afterwards! You can join here https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends. If you have joined already (thank you!) but you have not received confirmation of your subscription, please email ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk and we will get in touch with you.
Over Sixties Club: Variety of Activities to Choose From
We are continuing and expanding activities for the Over Sixties Club:-
Coffee Afternoon on Tuesdays 2.30pm - 4pm, at Coffee Saints
Cinema outing every second week, next cinema trip is on Wednesday, 3rd August. We will be seeing Elvis and meeting upstairs at the Omni at 1:45 PM. Please note that this film is just under 3 hours long.
Book Club will meet up on the 4th August 2.30pm - 4pm, at Coffee Saints
Information Technology Clinic - last Thursday of the month, next session 25th August 11.30am - 1pm, at Coffee Saints.
2022 Marriage Preparation Course 27th August
Congratulations to all recently engaged couples in the parish! To help to accompany them in their preparations for this important vocation, the Cathedral organises four courses each year, featuring presentations, testimonies and workshops led by married couples from the parish. The next course will take place on Saturday 27th of August. Although priority is given to Cathedral / Ravelston parishioners, this course is also open to people from other parishes and dioceses – feel free to spread the word! To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
First Saturday Devotions
Next Saturday, 6 August at 9:30am there will be devotions to Our Lady of Fatima here in the Cathedral, followed by 10:00am Mass. All are welcome!
Legion of Mary – Students & Professionals Group
The Legion of Mary is a lay association of Catholics which seeks to help its members grow in holiness through devotion to Our Lady and by carrying out works of mercy. We meet every Monday at 7:00 pm at 63 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JD and are a group of mixed male and female members, students and professionals and from different countries, cultures. For more information contact Monika – 07751213612 or Atama – 07832903514.
Want to Become Catholic?
If you or someone you know would like to become Catholic, you can sign up to learn about the teachings of the Catholic Church in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter 2023. Invite a friend to join you! The Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) group meets between September and April each year. For more information, call the parish office at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Choir Rehearsals
The Schola Cantorum will have rehearsals this morning and on Sunday 7 August, and so there will be no choir at the 12pm Mass today or next week. The choir is preparing for the special concert of the music of Sir James MacMillan in the Cathedral on Monday 15 August.
Festival Mass – 21st August
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the Festival Mass at the Cathedral. Plan to join us for this Mass!
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!
Friday and Sunday Cafés in the Parish Rooms
Teas & coffees are available Sundays after 10:30am Mass - every Sunday! Additionally, the Friday cafe (10am-Noon) is available with delicious home-baking. Please join us for a cuppa and a chat at either or both cafes!
Pro-Life Play 8th August to 13th August at Edinburgh Fringe
As an Edinburgh Festival Fringe show this year, a pro-life play, ‘A Viking Summer’ will be performed from 8th August to 13th August, 7:00pm-8:30pm. The play follows the lives of several university women volunteering on the island of Iona for the summer, who have a summer romance with young men who are staying on the island. But when romance yields two unplanned pregnancies hard decisions must be made between ideals of youthful freedom and realities of adult responsibility. Tickets are priced £7, and £5 for concessions, available from the Edinburgh Fringe Office at https://bit.ly/VikingSummer. The play will be at Mannafields Christian School, Edinburgh EH7 6AE, with access via the car park and the entrance on Restalrig Road South, about 100 yards north of its junction with the A1. Walk through car park to school.
Children’s Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-7)
Nourish your child in the Catholic faith! The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a program rooted in Scripture and the liturgy of the Church, is offered, free of charge, at St. Columba’s Parish, 9 Upper Gray St, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Children from any parish are welcome to take part.
Tuesdays: 10:30am - 12:30pm, 3-4 year olds
Fridays: 1:00pm - 2:30pm, 5-6 year olds
Fridays: 3:00pm - 4:30pm, 6+ year olds
To register, please contact Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM at SrAnna.Marie@staned.org.uk
Study Theology at Edinburgh Campus of St. Mary’s University!
St. Mary’s University’s Edinburgh campus offers a Master’s programme in Applied Catholic Theology that provides a grounding in key aspects of Catholic theology while enabling students to apply that theology to the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world. Classes start in September! Studies include Scripture, Doctrine, Christian Spirituality, Catholic Social Teaching, and Ethics. In case you missed it, a 1-hour video is available at bit.ly/OpenEveningReplay of the 17 May Open Evening for the programme. Enjoy the flexibility of part-time courses on the evening and at weekends! For more information, visit www.stmarys.ac.uk/Edinburgh. Questions? Contact Susan Longhurst, Course Lead, susan.longhurst@stmarys.ac.uk, 07773 689535.
Free2Pray Online Session: Responding to Bill to Ban Public Prayers
The Scottish Parliament is considering a Bill which would ban peaceful prayers and offers of help near abortion clinics. Catholics concerned for freedom of speech and right of assembly are asked to respond to this proposed Bill. The Archdiocese is hosting an online session to help you do this. Free2Pray takes place on Zoom and lasts 30 mins. Register for Tuesday 2 August 7:45pm. Register at http://bit.ly/freetoprayaugust
Catholic Parliamentary Office Briefing on Abortion Bill
The Catholic Parliamentary Office has produced a two-page briefing on Gillian Mackay, MSP's proposal to introduce buffer zones around abortion facilities in Scotland. The briefing provides details on the proposal, highlights some concerns and shows how people can respond to the consultation, which closes on Thursday 11th August. Find it at https://rcpolitics.org/
National Pilgrimage for Young People Saturday 24 September
The National Pilgrimage for young people 16-30 takes place on Saturday 24 September in Dunkeld, Perthshire. Join young Catholics from across Scotland, along with priests and bishops, for this one-day pilgrimage. It includes walks to holy sites, talks and Holy Mass. A bus will leave from the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh at 9:30am (£10). To book your place email yi@staned.org.uk
The Way of St. Andrews Scottish Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage in Scotland? Try the “Little Camino”, as Scotland enjoys its long summer. Great trails, great scenery and a great opportunity for reflection. For details please visit http://www.thewayofstandrews.com/
The Scottish Catholic Magazine’s Latest Issue Now Available!
The Scottish Catholic magazine’s latest issue has arrived with news, opinions and features on Catholic life in Scotland. The Scottish Catholic is the only publication dedicated to Scotland’s 600,000 Catholics. For £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! To subscribe visit https://www.scottishcatholic.com/
Cathedral’s Coffee Saints Café: Support Edinburgh’s Most Vulnerable
Café Open 7 Days a Week 9:00am-4:00pm
Come and enjoy an iced tea or coffee, or a fruit cooler or smoothie, and a delicious breakfast or lunch at our 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. Purchases at this totally unique café in the St. James’ Quarter directly support those in need! To see the full menu, visit https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/
Feast of St Ignatius Loyola at Sacred Heart, Sunday, 31 July
The Jesuit-run parish of Sacred Heart, Lauriston, Edinburgh, will celebrate the Feast Day of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, on Sunday 31 July. They invite everyone, especially former students of Jesuit schools and universities, to the 7:00pm Mass that day and to witness the reconsecration of the church and their ministry to the Sacred Heart. There will be a glass of wine afterwards to celebrate.
40 Hours’ Devotion
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. This weekend (31 July) it takes place at Our Lady & St Bridget’s, West Calder. The following weekend it is at St Joseph’s in Peebles and The Sacred Heart, Lauriston, Edinburgh. See parish websites/social media for details. Find out more about Eucharistic Adoration: https://bit.ly/40HoursPlaylist
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage on 18th September
The national Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage is on Sunday 18 September. Find out more about this holy Edinburgh woman at http://www.margaretsinclair.scot