The Most Spiritual of the Arts: The ‘Schola Cantorum’ Sings MacMillan – this Monday at 7.30pm
A final reminder that our Cathedral Choir (the Schola Cantorum) will perform a special concert of choral music composed by Sir James MacMillan this Monday 15th August to celebrate the Cathedral's Patronal Feast of the Assumption. Sir James will be with us at the Cathedral, and during the concert he will discuss how his Catholic faith has shaped his music.
The concert is part of the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and will include works such as the Strathclyde Motets, Hymn to the Blessed Sacrament, and Ave Maris Stella. You can hear the choir performing a preview of James MacMillan's Ave Maria at the 12 noon Mass this Sunday 14th August!
Tickets are £15 and are available at the door or f
All proceeds from the concert will go directly towards supporting the future musical life of St Mary's Cathedral. At the event you can purchase a copy of the debut CD recording of the Schola Cantorum, With Angels and Archangels, for £12.99 or purchase online from the Cathedral store.
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. Friends must RSVP their attendance at the concert and reception to ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
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 visit, next trip Wednesday 17th August, ‘Nope’ – meeting at Omni upstairs at 1.45pm.
Book Club will meet up on Thursday 18th August, 2.30 - 4pm at Coffee Saints
Information Technology Clinic - last Thursday of the month, next session 25th August 11.30am - 1pm, at Coffee Saints.
First Aid Session for All Cathedral Volunteers
We are planning to run a couple of First Aid classes for passkeepers, cleaners, flower arrangers, and members of any other ministry. The course, which is not certificated, will be held in 63 York Place on the following dates:
Tuesday, 23 August from 7pm – 9pm
Saturday, 3 September from 2pm – 4pm
The course will cover some basic First Aid skills, such as actions in an emergency, calling for help, emergency life support, and use of a defibrillator. There will also be a short session covering the emergency evacuation procedures for the cathedral. If you are interested in attending, please contact Alice Harrison, Complex Manager at complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with a note of your preferred date, and whether you have any previous First Aid experience.
Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors Needed for Cathedral Masses
Would you be interested in being a Eucharistic Minister or Lector at any of the Cathedral Masses? We are looking to add to our complement of volunteers. If you are interested or would like more information about being a Eucharistic Minister or Lector, please contact the Cathedral Office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
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
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
Festival Mass – 12noon next Sunday 21st August
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the Festival Mass at the Cathedral. The Lord Provost and members of Edinburgh City Council will join us for the Mass and the choir will provide the music. It is always a lovely occasion – do come and join us.
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.
Pregnancy Support
There are a number of free, confidential, and non-judgemental resources available to women with unplanned pregnancies, or women who have had an abortion. To find out more, consider connecting with Stanton Healthcare (https://www.stantonscotland.org/), St. Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society (https://stmargaretsadoption.org.uk/ ), or Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline (https://www.archtrust.org.uk/ )
Archdiocesan Altar Servers' Day, Saturday, 3rd September
The Archdiocesan Altar Servers' Day is on Saturday, 3 September at the Gillis Centre. If you are interested in joining the group of servers in the Cathedral or St Andrew’s, this is a great opportunity to find out more about serving at Mass. Registration is at 10:30am and the day will feature games and workshops. It will conclude with Mass celebrated by the Archbishop at 2pm. He will present medals to new members of the Guild of St Cuthbert. If you would like to attend, please contact Fr. Robert or the Cathedral Office to register your interest at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Annual Justice & Peace Mass, Monday, 5 September
This takes place at 7pm on Monday 5 September at St Columba’s, Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh. The lead celebrant is Canon Brian Gowans, the Vicar Episcopal for the Archdiocese’s Caritas Justice & Peace Commission and there will be a homily from Fr David Stewart SJ. Buffet and refreshment served in hall after. Register at https://bit.ly/caritasmass
Conversation: Christian and Muslim Speakers, Saturday, 10th September
Is Scotland a tolerant country for people of faith? Take part in an in-depth conversation on the experience of Christians and Muslims, with guest speakers outlining obstacles and opportunities. This event takes place at the parish hall of St John Cantius & Nicholas, Main Street, Broxburn, on Saturday 10 September, from 11am to 3pm. Register at https://bit.ly/myfaithscotland
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.
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/
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/
Bethany Christian Volunteer Opportunities
Anne Hope House Gardener
We are looking for a female volunteer gardener to help us maintain the lovely garden at Anne Hope House, our twelve bed residential unit for females coming out of a situation of homelessness who are seeking to make positive changes in their lives. Tasks include seed sowing, planting out, pruning, watering and weeding. Days/hours flexible depending on your schedule.
Care Van Volunteer
The Care Van, which Bethany runs in partnership with Edinburgh City Mission, is an all year round service that provides anyone struggling on the streets with hot drinks and food — and we need your help to continue serving those experiencing homelessness in the city. Do you have a few hours to spare over lunchtime between Monday and Friday to help out?
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
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
Doctor, Nurse, or Generally Interested in Bioethics?
Want to read good, short explanations of various issues in medicine? Visit the Educational Resources page for ‘Bioethics in Brief’ at https://www.bioethics.org.uk/, the new website of The Anscombe Bioethics Centre. An Oxford-based research institute, the Centre serves the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Established in 1977, the Centre promotes the study of Catholic bioethics in service of the common good by engaging with moral questions arising from clinical practice and biomedical research. The Centre fosters dialogue among established and emerging scholars from different religious and philosophical backgrounds and frequently publishes academic books or articles. Subscribe to its monthly digest for the latest news, events, and accessible briefings on moral matters in medicine at https://bit.ly/ABC-Subscribe
Shalom World Free Catholic Movies, News, Shows and More
Shalom World is a Catholic, commercial-free, 24/7, HD family entertainment channel. “Change what you watch and watch the world change!” https://www.shalomworld.org/