Young Adults Group Returns
The Young Adults Group will meet again from Tuesday, 13th September. All those between the ages of 18-35 are welcome to the weekly meetings, where we will be exploring the Creed. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for the talk at 7.30pm and a short group discussion. Each talk will be followed with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up for a drink. We look forward to seeing you there!
Talk on the Parish Holy Land Pilgrimage, Tuesday, 13th September, 7:30pm
The Religious Sisters of Mercy, based at St Andrew's, Ravelston, accompanied the Cathedral pilgrimage to the Holy Land this summer. We are delighted that Sr Mary Pierre, RSM, Sr Miriam Fidelis, RSM and Sr Anna Marie, RSM will give a talk open to the whole parish about the pilgrimage on Tuesday, 13th September, 7:30pm, in Coffee Saints. To be sure of your place, please RSVP by Sunday, 11th September to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or call the office. The pilgrimage was a wonderful spiritual experience and was blessed with the Sisters’ companionship, knowledge and good humour. Join us for the talk as they take us on a journey back to the Holy Land, with insights, anecdotes, and pictures from the trip. There will be a chance to socialise with the pilgrims afterwards.
Join the Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral Today!
Become a Friend of the Cathedral and you will be helping to ensure the future of our Cathedral and of our community. Our joint membership offer of £30 per month has been so popular that we are offering it permanently. Join here to access a super programme of events and to receive Crux, the new Cathedral magazine, straight to your door.
Children’s Sacramental Preparation: Registration Opens 2nd September
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. To register your child for these sacraments please visit the Cathedral website from the 2nd September where all the information will be available.
Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration
Take some time for quiet, peaceful prayer before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist here at the Cathedral. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated every Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm in the Cathedral. Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more. You may want to pray the Rosary or read the Scriptures, mediating on the readings for Sunday Mass. Saturday morning Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Over Sixties Club: Coffee Afternoon and Cinema Outing
Don’t miss the upcoming Over Sixties Club activities! Come along and join us!
Tuesday 30th August, Coffee Afternoon at Coffee Saints café, 2.30pm – 4:00pm
Wednesday 31st August, Cinema Outing, ‘Where the Crawdads Sing.’ Meet 1pm upstairs at Omni cinema.
Thursday 1st September, Book Club, 2:30pm – 4:00pm at Coffee Saints. Graham will not be there to facilitate, self administered meet up should still go.
Thursday 29th September 11.00 - 1.30pm – IT Clinic: this clinic may be the last for a while, so get your IT problems seen to.
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 for our weekly meetings to learn about the teachings of the Catholic Church. Meetings begin in September. For more information, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or call the parish office at 0131 556 1798.
First Aid Session for All Cathedral Volunteers Saturday, 3 September
Thanks to all volunteers who attended our First Aid class last week! We are running another First Aid class 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 Saturday, September 3, 2:00pm-4:00pm. The course will cover some basic First Aid skills. If you are interested in attending, please contact Alice Harrison, Complex Manager at complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with a note of whether you have any previous First Aid experience.
Memorial Mass for Joseph Gilhooley at Noon on Saturday 12th November
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Joseph Gilhooley 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. As many of you know, Joe dedicated almost his entire adult life to St Mary's Cathedral, serving for nearly 50 years as MC and sacristan.
Red Mass at Noon on Sunday, 18 September
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 18 September at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the Mass, marking the start of the new Legal Year. The Red Mass dates back to the 13th century and gains its name from the robes worn by Scots judges, a colour adopted in symbolism of the tongues of fire that descended on the Apostles at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
Next Sunday - Congratulations to Mina Brown!
His Grace, the Archbishop, will present Mina Brown with the Archdiocesan Medal next Sunday at the 10:30am Mass, in 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). Do plan to join us for this special occasion, followed by a reception in the hall.
Parish BBQ Sunday 11th September – Tickets Available, Volunteers Needed!
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 today in the Parish Rooms after Mass and on the day itself: £5 per person or £10 for a family. We need your help to get this off the ground in the short period of time! 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
Ravelston BBQ Donations Needed: Raffle Bottle Stall and More!
Kate and Robbie will be running their Raffle Bottle Stall again at the Parish Barbecue. Donations of anything in a bottle would be gratefully received: wine, whisky, sauce, jam and more. Please bring your bottle to the parish rooms by Sunday 4th September. At the BBQ, draw a number and win anything from a bottle of sauce to a bottle of whisky! Questions? Ask Kate or Robbie, or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Superb Bric-a-Brac Stall
Also, in advance of 11th September, please bring along 'top quality' donations for our exquisite Bric-a-brac stall. For example, children's jigsaws or games, jewellery, crystal, handbags, golf clubs, etc
… and Yummy Cakes!
On the day itself, donations of cakes of all kinds for sale on a stall or for consumption with a cuppa would be most welcome! Thank you.
Still Time to Apply for MA in Applied Catholic Theology!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology! It 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. Teaching is flexible and the programme is suitable for graduates of most academic disciplines. Find out more at https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/edinburgh
Safeguarding Training
All parish volunteers who work with children and/or protected adults require annual safeguarding training. This is provided by the Archdiocese and available courses can be found in the safeguarding section of the Archdiocesan website: https://www.archedinburgh.org
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
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Children Growing in Love for Jesus
In a child-friendly space called an atrium, children grow in love for Jesus, the Good Shepherd, through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. By developing their relationship with God through works that include guided, hands-on activities, children learn about the Bible, the Mass and the Holy Eucharist. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 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
Want to learn more? An informative 5-minute video about one Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is available at Eternal Word Television Network: https://bit.ly/CGS-EWTN
Today: 40 Hours’ Devotion at St. Joseph’s, Bonnybridge
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 (28 August) it’s on at St Joseph’s, Bonnybridge, while the following weekend it’s at St Michael’s, Linlithgow. See parish websites/social media for details. Find out more about Eucharistic Adoration: http://bit.ly/40HoursPlaylist
Annual Caritas, Justice & Peace Mass on 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, 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, 10 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 http://bit.ly/myfaithscotland
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage
The national Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage is on Sunday 18 September at St. Patrick’s Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh Eh1 1NA. It starts at 2pm and concludes with Mass at 4:30pm. This will be an afternoon of quiet reflection and prayer for the beatification of Margaret Sinclair. Find out more about this holy Edinburgh woman at http://www.margaretsinclair.scot
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
Relics of St Bernadette to Carfin Grotto: Archdiocesan Day 29 September
The relics of St Bernadette will come to Carfin Grotto, St Francis Xavier's Church, Taylor Avenue, Carfin ML1 5AJ from 24 September to 1 October. The relics are touring the UK and arrive at Carfin Grotto on 10:30am on 24 September. The Archdiocesan Day is being held there on Thursday 29 September and it includes a Mass for schools at 1:00pm, celebrated by Archbishop Cushley, a torchlight procession at 8pm, and Mass at 9pm. All welcome! In 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, France. Visit https://archedinburgh.org/relics-of-st-bernadette-at-carfin/ for more details.
Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is on from 1 September to 4 October. This year’s theme is ‘Listening to the voice of creation’. Find out more at https://seasonofcreation.org/
Please consider reading Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si,’ on caring for our common home – it is freely available online by searching ‘Laudato Si’.