Message from Archbishop Leo
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and it is a day of fasting and abstinence to acknowledge our mortality and begin preparing ourselves spiritually for Easter. Lent is a time of prayer and penance and I encourage you to take the opportunity to go to Confession if you have not been for a while. It is there that we experience the loving mercy of God, who forgives our sins and offers us His grace as we look with hope to the joy of Easter when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. The Friday after Ash Wednesday is the Day of Prayer for Those who have Suffered Abuse, and we hold in prayer all those who have experienced abuse. I wish you all a prayerful and peaceful Lent.
Ash Wednesday Mass Times
Cathedral
8.00am Mass
10.00am Mass (school)
12.45pm Mass
6.00pm Mass (Polish)
7.30pm Mass
Ravelston
6.00pm Mass
Lenten Eucharistic Adoration and Stations of the Cross
Every Friday during Lent, Eucharistic Adoration will be held in the Cathedral from 10:30am-12:30pm, followed by the 12:45pm daily Mass and afterwards we will pray the Stations of the Cross.
Cathedral Lenten Appeal
As you know, in order to undertake the urgent and necessary repairs to the windows in the Cathedral, we will be trying to raise funds during Lent this year for the project. We will do this primarily through a weekly second collection at all Masses. I am delighted to inform you that a very generous donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) has undertaken to double any moneys that we can raise through this second collection. This is an enormous help, and we are very grateful. I also appealed to you to think about other possible fundraising ideas and, despite various people speaking to me about Quiz Nights or sales, as of yet I have not been overwhelmed with ideas and offers to organise!! Please do think about this – and in the meantime, please remember the second collection that we will begin next Sunday.
Spiritual Reading for Lent: St Pauls Bookshop
What are you reading this Lent? An excellent assortment of books for Lent on prayer, the Stations of the Cross, and spiritual meditations on the Passion of Christ are on sale now in St Pauls Bookshop. Stop in today and choose a book for enriching spiritual reading this Lent.
SCIAF Lenten Wee Box Appeal for Hungry in Zambia
This Lent, SCIAF’s Wee Box appeal is focusing on communities in Zambia where families are suffering from devastating hunger and need help. Your donations will give families the ability to grow their own food by providing the training and tools they need. Pick up your Wee Box at the back of church today. Visit ww.sciaf.org.uk for details.
Talk on Shroud of Turin — Monday 7:30pm
Henry James Creechan will speak on the Shroud of Turin tomorrow in Coffee Saints at 7:30pm in an event hosted by Friends of the Cathedral. Please RSVP to ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you wish to attend. The exhibition of a replica of the Shroud of Turin will remain in place at the St. Andrew’s Altar to 27th February. The Shroud has been a source of fascination since the 14th century. The exhibition and presentation offer both the opportunity to reflect on how early observers of the Shroud would have interpreted the cloth prior to the onset of science and how the Shroud has come under renewed scrutiny in modern times. For more information on the Shroud and its history, visit http://www.shroud.com
Archdiocesan YouTube Channel: Synod Informational Videos
What happened at the recent Continental Assembly of the Synod in Prague? And what happens next? Find out in a series of feedback videos on the Archdiocesan YouTube channel. See https://bit.ly/synodplaylist
Ecumenical Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine — Friday 7:00pm
His Grace, the Archbishop, and Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the Catholic Ukrainian Eparch in the UK, will lead an Ecumenical Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine on Friday, 24 February, 7:00pm here at the Cathedral. The prayer service is just one of several events taking place as part of Edinburgh's Ukraine Forever programme to commemorate the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the country. All are welcome!
Parents’ Meeting for First Holy Communion
This Monday parents are invited to online meetings ahead of the preparation for children making their First Holy Communion in June. Parents of those children who go to St Mary’s Primary School will receive details from the school on Monday for their meeting at 6.30pm. Those parents who have registered their children through St Andrew’s, Ravelston will already have details for the meeting on Monday at 7pm.
Adult Confirmation Classes Begin in March
This Lent, the Cathedral will run a course for adults to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on Saturday 8th April. Classes start on Wednesday 1st March at 7pm. If you are interested and would like to register, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Marriage Preparation Courses
Marriage Preparation courses will take place 10am-5pm on the following Saturdays: 20th May 2023, 2nd September 2023, 18th November 2023, 2nd March 2024 and 25th May 2024. The course includes presentations by married couples from the parish. Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Youth Group Returns Next Sunday
The Youth Group will return next Sunday 26th February between 6 and 7.30pm in the Parish Rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. Young people from P3 are welcome. The meetings will include games, discussions and activities to learn more about the faith, prayer and the tuck shop – so don’t forget spending money! The registration fee is just £1 on the first night for new registrations. Please pick up a registration form that can be found in the Cathedral or St Andrew’s or contact Fr Robert for more information.
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon, National Museum of Scotland Visit
The Over Sixties Club Coffee Afternoon will be on Tuesday 21st February at Coffee Saints, 2.30pm - 4pm.
Join us for a visit to National Museum of Scotland for Bernat Klein Design in Colour exhibition on Thursday 23rd February. Meet at 2pm in front of the museum, Chambers Street, EH1 1JF.
Day of Prayer for Those who have Suffered Abuse
All are invited to a time of Eucharistic Adoration on Friday, 24 February between 10.30 and 12.30 as the Church remembers and prays for those who have suffered any form of abuse. This annual day of prayer falls on the Friday after Ash Wednesday. Join us as we unite in prayer for those who have suffered abuse: Lord Jesus, we praise you for calling us to the service of others. We pray for a generosity of spirit to ensure the vulnerable are protected. We pray for a compassionate heart so that we will reach out to those who are wounded by abuse. We pray for courage and determination as we seek the safety of everyone in our parish communities. We dedicate ourselves to this work of service and pray that you will help us to do your will at all times and in all places. Amen.
Rite of Election at Noon Mass Next Sunday
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the Noon Mass next Sunday 26 February with the Rite of Election in which he will accept those preparing to be received into the Church at Easter. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
Adoration, Confession and Stations of the Cross
Draw closer to Christ in Lent! At St. Andrew’s on Wednesdays during Lent, beginning 1st March, we will have Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions 5:00pm-6:00pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass. We will pray the Stations of the Cross 6:30pm-7:00pm. Come and join us! You are also welcome to walk and pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross around the lovely garden path at Ravelston anytime.
Fundraising Run (Or Walk!) Sundays in Lent: Windows Appeal & SCIAF
All are welcome to join Fergus Christie for a charity run/walk starting at 11:30am from St. Andrew’s, Ravelston to St. Mary’s Cathedral and return (approx. 5 km) beginning next Sunday 26 February and continuing every Sunday during Lent. Funds raised will be donated to the Cathedral stained-glass window repair appeal & SCIAF. If you don’t want to take part, please consider donating/sponsoring. Any queries please contact Fergus Christie at Fergus.Christie@bckm.co.uk
World Day of Prayer Service on Friday 3 March
St. Andrew’s will host a World Day of Prayer service for the city centre group of churches on Friday 3rd March at 3:00pm followed by tea and home baking. All welcome!
St. Andrew’s Talk: Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
The next St Andrew's talk will be on Monday, 6 March with Penelope Blackwell from the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, better known as SCIAF, who will talk about the Lenten appeal and the work of the charity. To learn more, visit https://www.sciaf.org.uk
Lenten Online Talks: Jesus in the Servant Songs of Isaiah
Discover Jesus Christ in the Servant Songs of Isaiah with four online talks from the Archdiocese this Lent. The talks are hosted by Fr Jamie McMorrin of St Margaret’s, Davidson’s Mains, and Sr Anna Marie McGuan, RSM and take place at 7:30pm on Wednesday 1, 8, 15, 22 March. Register at https://bit.ly/lenttalks2023
Retreat for Lent at St. Kentigern’s
Save the date: A retreat takes place at St Kentigern’s Church, Parkgrove Avenue, Barnton, Edinburgh, from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 March. It is led by Fr Bart Parys, A Divine Word Missionary based in Ireland. The retreat is open to all to find time in Lent to draw closer to Jesus. No registration required. Details to follow soon.
Job Opening: Catholic Social Teaching Officer
The Justice & Peace Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is looking for a Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer. The position is full time and the salary is £32-36k, dependent upon experience. For full job description email jill.kent@justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk Closing date for applications is Friday 24 February.
Mass for Vocations at St. Albert’s Chaplaincy on 6th March
The Archdiocesan Mass for Vocations is a chance to pray that more young people answer God’s call to the priesthood and religious life. The next one takes place at 5:15pm on Monday 6 March at the St Albert’s Chaplaincy, 24 George Square, EH8 9LD, near the University of Edinburgh’s Main Library. Refreshments served after Mass.
Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine & Co. Mayo, Ireland in 18-22 April 2023
A pilgrimage to Knock Shrine is being organized in April for parishes in Scotland. It will include day trips to Westport, Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre & National Museum. Cost: £699.00 per person sharing. Contact Patricia 01268 762 278, 07740 175557 or knockpilgrimages@gmail.com
The Way of St. Andrews Scottish Pilgrimage
Enjoy being a pilgrim in Scotland! Try one of the eight great pilgrim ways wending their way quietly through Scotland’s diverse and scenic landscape to St Andrews. Great trails, great scenery and a great opportunity for reflection. To plan your pilgrimage route and get more information please visit http://www.thewayofstandrews.com/