Parents’ Meeting for First Reconciliation, Monday, 26 September
A parents’ meeting for those whose children are preparing for First Reconciliation (P3 and above) will be held on Monday, 26 September. The meeting will on Microsoft Teams at 6.30pm (Cathedral) and 7.00pm (Ravelston). To attend please register at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation
If you have already registered, you will receive the Microsoft Teams link by email. For more information, please email frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk
Children’s Sacramental Preparation: Registration Open!
Registration is now open for sacramental preparation classes for 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 online, visit the following links:
First Reconciliation (P3 and above): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation
First Holy Communion (P4 and above): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion
Confirmation (P7 and above): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-confirmation
First Reconciliation class starts on Sunday 9th October 2022, First Holy Communion class starts on Sunday 26 February 2023 and Confirmation class starts on 29 January 2023. Please spread the word!
Training and Refresher for New Readers and Eucharistic Ministers
Following our appeal for new Readers and Eucharistic Ministers, all new and old volunteers in these ministries are invited to a training and refresher:
Readers: Wednesday, 12th October, 7:00pm or Saturday, 15th October, 12:00pm
Eucharistic Ministers: Thursday, 6th October, 7:00pm or Saturday, 8th October, 3:00pm
You only need to come to one of these dates, but please do come along when free to 63 York Place. If you can't make either, please speak to Fr Robert or one of the coordinators for each ministry.
Young Adults: ‘I Believe in Jesus Christ, Born of the Virgin Mary’
Last week’s Young Adults Group was another great evening with our talk and discussion together. Thanks to all who joined us! This week, on Tuesday, 26 September, Sr. Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, will continue our series on The Creed with her talk on “I believe Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.” Sr. Anna Marie is the Archdiocesan Advisor on Catechetics, who is based at St Andrew's Convent in Edinburgh. We will meet at 63 York Place at 7pm for teas/coffees followed by the talk at 7:30pm and a short group discussion. The evening concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up for a drink.
Open Rehearsal of the 9am Sunday Choir, Wed 28th September at 7:30pm
Please join members of the 9am Sunday choir for an open rehearsal on Wednesday 28th September from 7:30pm to 9pm in the Cathedral. If you've ever been curious about what goes on behind the scenes of this friendly group, then please come along. There's no obligation to join, but the group is looking for new singers and so now is your chance to get involved!
Extra or Broken Rosaries Collected for Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Do you have any extra or broken rosaries to donate? Please turn them in at the parish office, 61 York Place, and Deacon Peter will repair them as needed and bring them to the patients he visits at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Thank you for your contributions of rosaries for this important ministry to the sick.
2022-2023 Marriage Preparation Courses
The next Marriage Preparation courses will take place 10am-5pm on Saturday, 19th November, 2022; Saturday, 28th January, 2023; and Saturday, 20th May, 2023. The course includes presentations by married couples from the parish. To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral
Melanie McDonagh to speak on “Famous Catholic Converts” on Friday, 14th October
We are delighted that Melanie McDonagh, the art critic of The Evening Standard and Spectator columnist, is coming to speak to the Friends of St Mary's Cathedral on Friday, 14th October in Coffee Saints at 7.30pm. Friends who wish to attend this event need to RSVP to ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
This event is free for Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral. Join today at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends to attend this and other events in our super autumn/winter 2022 programme. By joining, you will be helping to ensure the future of our Cathedral and of our community. You will also receive Crux, the new Cathedral magazine, straight to your door.
Over Sixties Club - Cinema Trip and Book Club
Coffee Afternoon, Tuesday 27th Sept 2.30 - 4pm, Coffee Saints
Cinema trip, Wednesday 28Th Sept, “Ticket to Paradise.” Meet 12.10 pm upstairs at Omni.
IT Clinic, Thursday 29th September, 11.30 - 1pm Coffee Saints
Book Club, Thursday 29th sept, 2.30 - 4pm Coffee Saints
If you need any further information, contact Graham on 07568 202546.
Our Lady of Fatima First Saturday Devotions – 1st October 9:30am
On Saturday, 1st October at 9:30am there will be devotions to Our Lady of Fatima here in the Cathedral, followed by 10:00am Mass. All are welcome!
St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘What Happens at Mass’, Monday, 3 October
Our St. Andrew’s Talks series begins Monday, 3 October. Fr. Robert will speak on ‘What Happens at Mass’ at 6.45pm, followed by tea and coffee and a discussion in the Parish Rooms. Mark your diary!
Parish Community and Social Committee Volunteers Needed
Do have some suggestions to share for parish community activities and are willing to volunteer to help get them going? Following Fr Robert's request for Community and Social Committee volunteers last Sunday, please do get in touch with Fr Robert frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk, Cathedral Office or any member of the Parish Council. We look forward to hearing from you!
Ravelston Fabric Update
Over the next two weeks, there are two key fabric installations scheduled at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston: a new, hand-made canopy above the tabernacle, combined with upgrades to the lighting throughout the church. These projects started many months ago and the results are affordable, properly designed solutions which will make lasting improvements to our beautiful building. Both changes are thanks to one parishioner who made a very generous donation for investment in the church. Thank you for your patience during this installation period.
Relics of St. Bernadette at Carfin Grotto Until 1 October
The relics of St. Bernadette are at Carfin Grotto, Scotland's National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, from 24 September to 1 October. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858 in Lourdes, France. All are welcome to attend the Archdiocesan Day at Carfin Grotto on Thursday 29 September, including a Mass for schools at 1pm celebrated by Archbishop Cushley, a torchlight procession at 8pm, and Mass at 9pm. For more information, visit https://www.carfingrotto.org/ Carfin Grotto is located in the village of Carfin, on the outskirts of Motherwell, at St Francis Xavier's Church, Carfin, ML1 5AJ.
Webinar on Seafarer Abandonment and Role of Stella Maris in Support
Thank you for your recent generous support for seafarers and fishers on Sea Sunday. As a follow up, Catholic charity Stella Maris invites you to join a webinar on Tuesday 27th September 7.30pm to 9pm to learn about the issue of seafarer abandonment. In recent months, crews have been stranded without wages or basic necessities, far from home, for months on end. Learn how donations to Stella Maris like yours support those in crisis. Please register in advance https://www.stellamaris.org.uk/abandonment
Day for Readers and Those Wishing to Reflect on the Gospel of St. John
Do you read the Word of God at Mass? A Day for Readers takes place at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, 11am – 3pm on Saturday 8 October. It is also for anyone who wants to come and reflect on the Gospel of St John. Fr Andrew Garden of St David’s in Dalkeith will be the main speaker and there will be practical sessions. The day concludes with Mass at 2:15pm. A light lunch and refreshments will be available. Register at https://bit.ly/readersevent
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Children Ages 3 to 6
Children grow in love for Jesus, the Good Shepherd, through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program in a child-friendly space called an atrium. By developing their relationship with God through works that include guided, hands-on activities, children learn about how much God loves them. Free of charge at St. Columba’s Parish, 9 Upper Gray St, Edinburgh EH9 1SN, children from any parish are welcome! Sessions begin for 3-4 year olds on Tuesday, 13 September, 10:30am - 12:30pm, and for 5-6 year olds on Friday, 16 September: 1:00pm - 2:30pm, 6+year olds at 3:00pm - 4:30pm. To register, please contact Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM at SrAnna.Marie@staned.org.uk
Praying for Life: 40 Days for Life Edinburgh
Pray for an end to abortion with 40 Days for Life between 28th September and 6th November on the public right-of-way outside the Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Chalmers Street, Edinburgh. For more information, please contact edinburgh40days@gmail.com or visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/Edinburgh
Retrouvaille: A Programme for Couples Struggling in their Marriages
Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their 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 https://www.retrouvaille.org.uk