Festival Mass on Sunday at Noon
His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, will celebrate the Festival Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday. The Lord Provost, members of Edinburgh City Council and other dignitaries will be present. Welcome to all joining us for this special Mass!
Memorial Mass for Joseph Gilhooley at Noon on Saturday 12th November
As many of you know, Joe Gilhooley dedicated almost his entire adult life to St Mary's Cathedral, serving for some 49 years as MC and sacristan before ill-health prevented him from continuing a few years back. Unfortunately, Joe died during the pandemic and because of the restrictions we were not able to pay him a fitting tribute at the time. In recognition, therefore, of his outstanding service to the Cathedral and in order to pray for the repose of his soul, His Grace the Archbishop will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Joseph here at the Cathedral at Noon on Saturday 12th November. During the Mass, the Archbishop will bless an altar crucifix that has been donated in his memory and will dedicate a plaque in his memory for the sacristy. This will be a lovely occasion and I know that many of you will want to be present to pay tribute to a man who played a huge part in the life of this Cathedral over so many decades.
Over Sixties Club: Minibus Trip to South Queensferry and more!
The parish’s Over Sixties Club has many activities planned! Come along and join us!
Tuesday 23rd August, Coffee Afternoon at Coffee Saints café, 2.30pm – 4:00pm
Thursday 25th August, minibus trip to South Queensferry, this is a limited numbers event, pre notification will be required. Call Trish on 07716963215 or sign up at the Coffee Afternoon on Tuesday. As normal, if the outing is oversubscribed you will get priority booking for the next event.
Thursday 25th August, Information Technology Clinic, 11:30am – 4:00pm at Coffee Saints.
Wednesday 31st August, Cinema Outing, programme to be confirmed.
Thursday 1st September, Book Club, 2:30pm – 4:00pm at Coffee Saints.
An Update from Alice – the Complex Manager
“I have now been working as the Cathedral Complex Manager for a number of months. During that time, I have met many of you who volunteer and I have discovered that there is plenty to keep me busy. I currently have a list of repair and maintenance jobs which is 83 items long! The things that need attention range from minor repairs to the imminent replacement of one or all of the Cathedral boilers.
The roof received an inspection at the end of June, with only minor damage located, however water ingress from the roof and especially to the rear of the main Sacristy remains an ongoing issue.
A skylight above the sacristy corridor will be replaced at the end of this month and the coping stones on the wall near the bookshop, which are badly cracked, will be replaced shortly. I have also had the control and ventilation systems for the boilers serviced for the first time in many years. The next urgent matter is a new area of damp in Sacristy 2, the cause of which requires further investigation but may be linked to the poor state of the stonework around some of the windows on Cathedral Lane.
If there are any other fabric issues you think I may not be aware of or am not addressing, please contact me on complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
With thanks again for your help to date, Alice”
Children’s Sacramental Preparation: Registration Opens 2nd September
As our children return to school, we’re getting ready for a new year of catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Registration will open on Friday, 2nd September. Watch this space for more details!
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!
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
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.
Congratulations to Mina Brown!
As a recognition of her outstanding service to the Church during a period of over 70 years, as our organist here at Ravelston (and elsewhere in the Archdiocese), His Grace, the Archbishop, will present Mina with the Archdiocesan Medal at Mass here on Sunday, 4th September. This will be a lovely occasion and will be followed (naturally) by a reception in the hall, so I am sure that many of you will want to be present and will join with me in thanking Mina for all of her service to our parish, especially for her generous sharing of her musical talents. Do try to come along to celebrate this special occasion.
Parish Barbecue Sunday 11th September – Tickets Available 28th August
The Parish Barbecue at St. Andrew’s will be on Sunday 11th September, starting at 1.30pm, rain, hail or shine! Tickets will be available from Sunday 28th August in the Parish Rooms after Mass and on the day itself. They cost £5 per person or £10 for a family. To get this off the ground in the short period of time we also need your help! If you can volunteer some time to help in the organisation and running of the day, then please contact any member of the Parish Council or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Archdiocese Mini-Pilgrimage to March for Life UK on 3rd September
The Archdiocese has a limited number of discounted return train tickets to the annual March for Life UK in London on Saturday 3rd September. CLOSING DATE is this Monday (22 August). Join our mini-Pilgrimage for Life from Edinburgh to King's Cross! We will leave Edinburgh by train at 6:24am on 3rd September. It's an early start but 'bacon rolls at Berwick' watching the East Coast roll by is a great way to start a day. We leave London at 6.00pm from Kings Cross returning to Edinburgh Waverley by 22:38. Concession fare £40 (Students/Unemployed), Discounted fare: £80. For more details and to book your seat visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/march-for-life-saturday-3rd-september-tickets-400651468327
Pro-Life Fringe: ‘Do I?’ Explores Coercion in Contemporary Culture
The pro-life play ‘Do I?’ explores the themes of relationships, coercion and the lack of morality in contemporary culture. The play invites audiences to reconsider cultural attitudes towards romantic expression in society today and revaluate/challenge mainstream views. 15-20 August and 22-27 August. Book here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/do-i
Retrouvaille: A Programme for Couples Struggling in their Marriages
Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme commencing with a Virtual weekend on 13 - 16 October 2022 or a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 24 - 26 February 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com. To learn more, visit http://www.retrouvaille.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 http://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
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/
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
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
OK Rehab: Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Edinburgh
OK Rehab specialises in local drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment via both inpatient and outpatient treatment providers. We also work with clinics that are able to facilitate treatment taking place in your own home for professional intervention and home detoxification. At OK Rehab, our aim is to help individuals break free from the shackles of addiction and find a treatment that’s ideally suited to them. Find out more about our service in Edinburgh by visiting https://www.okrehab.org/local-areas/drug-alcohol-rehab-edinburgh/ Contact number: 0800 326 5559, Email: info@okrehab.org
Bethany Christian Trust Job Opportunities – 26th August Closing Date
Bethany Christian Trust are currently recruiting for the next season at the Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre at the Haymarket Hub Hotel in the West End. They are searching for people who are passionate about helping those experiencing homelessness. Previous experience in this field is not essential as full training will be provided. Closing date is 26th of August, you can apply here: https://www.bethanychristiantrust.com/jobs-volunteering/jobs1/
The Scottish Catholic Magazine’s 19th August Issue Now Available!
The Scottish Catholic magazine’s 19th August 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/