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
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!
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.
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
Portobello visit Wednesday, 10th August- meet at Beach House, 57 Bath Street 2.30 - 4pm, no pre booking required, this is a turn up event.
Rosslyn Chapel visit Thursday, 11th August- meet at Coffee Saints at 10.30am for 10.45am minibus departure. Returning around 2.30pm. Pre-Booking for this event is essential and on a first come, first served basis. If the places are all taken a reserve list will be compiled. If you miss out on this event you will have priority placing for further upcoming events. Contact Graham 07568 202 547 or graham@grassmarket.org
Cinema visit, next trip Wednesday 17th August, programme and time TBC
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.
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
Volunteers Needed for Cathedral Masses
Would you be interested in being a Eucharistic Minister or Lector at any of the masses? We are looking to add to our complement of volunteers. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the Cathedral Office.
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 on Sunday 7 August, and so there will be no choir at the 12pm Mass today. 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, Ravelston! 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!
Archdiocesan Altar Servers' Day
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.
Annual Justice & Peace Mass
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
My Faith & Scotland
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
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.
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/
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?
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 (Aug 7) 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 https://www.margaretsinclair.scot