Lenten Appeal: Cathedral Windows Repairs
My Dear Friends – As part of our on-going maintenance of this beautiful and historic building, last year we commissioned a “health report” of the fabric of the Cathedral. This was conducted by Adams Napier – a firm of conservation specialists. Their report has guided much of our fabric work over the last year. One of the more serious problems that Adams Napier drew our attention to was the state of disrepair of some of our windows. Following up on this, late last year, we commissioned a more specific review of the windows which identified multiple issues where the lead frames of our windows have buckled over time and the stability of the glass within the windows has been compromised. Two of the leaded lights at the clerestory level on the Lady Chapel side of the Cathedral and a large window on the St Andrew’s Chapel side of the Sanctuary are in a particularly poor condition and need immediate attention! Longer term it is likely that more work will be required elsewhere, but as a first step there is an urgent need to repair and restore these three windows. The cost of the repairs will be £10,500, however the enormous cost of scaffolding means that the final cost will be more in the region of £14,000. The work will take place over 6-8 weeks beginning sometime in April.
Unfortunately, this work simply must be done – for safety reasons alone – and so I am turning to you to ask for your help in facing this problem. My idea is that, this year, we will run our own Lenten Campaign to raise the money for the repair of our windows. Primarily my idea is that we will have a special second collection each week of Lent specifically for this purpose.
I am aware that all of us are feeling the pinch these days with rising energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis – but there is really no alternative for us here but to try to raise the money for this repair work. If you can think of any fundraising activities that we might be able to run over this period to raise funds – please contact me or one of the members of the parish council. But as a first step – if you are able to – please help us by contributing to the Window Fund during Lent. Fr. Patrick
Adult Confirmation Classes Begin in March
This Lent, the Cathedral run a course for adults 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
Children’s Catechism for First Holy Communion
Classes in preparation for First Holy Communion are open to all children in Primary 4 and above who have received First Reconciliation and will begin on Sunday, 26 February. Prior registration is essential! First Holy Communion: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion
No Tuesday Young Adults Group Talk This Week
Our Young Adults talk will not be held this week due to the First Reconciliation scheduled for Tuesday evening, but will resume next Tuesday, 14 February with Fr. Scott Deeley who will conclude our series of talks on the Liturgy with his talk on the Eucharist.
Youth Group
The Youth Group will return on 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 includes 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 Club Coffee Afternoon
The Over Sixties Club Coffee Afternoon will be on Tuesday 7 February at Coffee Saints, 2.30pm - 4pm.
Come along and see what all of the fun is about with a lovely group of people!
Calling All Singers! Open Rehearsal of 9am Sunday Choir This Wednesday
The 9am Sunday choir is looking for new members. If you are interested in joining this friendly group, or if you are simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes, you are warmly invited to an open rehearsal this Wednesday 8th February at 7pm in the Cathedral. Why not come along and give it a try!
Message from Alice: Huge Thank You ‘Big Cathedral Clean’ Volunteers!
We had a great turnout to help to clean the Cathedral last Saturday, 28th January and I am immensely grateful to all those who came to help! In a very short space of time, they made very light work of the list of jobs we had for them and the results of their efforts are really visible. The kneelers have been transformed by a good scrub and look new again. The woodwork everywhere has been cleaned and polished, the cobwebs and dust are banished from behind the Sanctuary curtains and the edges of the Cathedral and the pipework, floors, chairs and confessionals were washed and hoovered, amongst much else. A huge thank you, too, to the regular volunteer cleaners who turned out for the second time in a week to lead the teams. Special thanks from me to Maria James for all her assistance in organising the day.
Catenians Meeting, Wednesday, 15th February, at 7.00 p.m.
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to a meeting on Wednesday, 15th February, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. The Association is an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men at all stages of their lives. For more information contact John Russell at 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com
St Pauls Bookshop: New and Second-Hand Catholic Books
A wide range of beautiful new Bibles, Christian classics, spirituality books and prayer books are available at the Cathedral’s St Pauls Bookshop. You can also find a variety of children’s Bibles, books about the Mass, prayer books and colouring books. A selection of second-hand Catholic books are also on sale for a discounted cost. Do you have second-hand Catholic books to share? The bookshop welcomes donations of used Catholic books in good condition – just drop them off with the bookshop Manager during normal business hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5:00pm (closed Mondays). If you have questions, please contact the shop at https://edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk or 01315104250.
No 10am Mass This Week
As you know, two of our priests are away (Fr. Jose in India and Fr. Ajeesh in Jersey looking after a sick priest from his congregation). This week there will be no 10am Mass. Thank you for your understanding.
Ecumenical Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine
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. Save the date and join us praying for peace.
Holy Hour Today at 2:00pm
All are invited to our Sunday Holy Hour at 2:00pm — a quiet, prayerful way to spend the Lord’s day at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston with an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Holy Hour will conclude with Benediction at 3pm. Please do make some time to be with Jesus Christ in this beautiful time of prayer. We will have a Holy Hour ever Sunday afternoon up to and including 19th February. Do join us!
First Reconciliation on Monday, 7:00pm
Children of St. Andrew’s, Ravelston will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time tomorrow evening at 7:00pm. Please keep them in your prayers!
Happy Birthdays!
Our centenarian-plus parishioner Helen MacDonald turned 101 on Sunday 29 January – belated Happy Birthday, Helen! Today, best wishes to Mina Brown who is 90 years young! Happy Birthday, Mina!
Burns Night is Back at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston!
By popular demand, we will have a Burns Night on Friday 17th February, 6.30 for 7pm in the Ravelston parish rooms. Tickets are available from today priced at £15 to include bubbly on arrival and wine / soft drinks with your meal. If you would like to volunteer to pipe the haggis in and give the traditional address, or if you’d rather toast the lassies, or reply on their behalf, give the immortal memory, or even recite a poem then please speak with Judy or Marie (0131 332 6028)
St. Andrew’s Talk in March: Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
The next St Andrew's talk will be on Monday, 6 March with Penelope Blackwell from SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund) who will talk about the Lenten appeal and the work of the charity.
Message from Archbishop Leo Cushley
My Dear Friends, World Day for the Sick is on Saturday 11 February. In light of the Church’s synodal journey, Pope Francis invites us to reflect “that it is especially through the experience of vulnerability and illness that we can learn to walk together according to the style of God, which is closeness, compassion, and tenderness.” The day is also the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes so we ask for her intercession in giving comfort and peace to the sick and ill in our parishes
Holy Hour with Archbishop at Gillis Centre, Sunday, 12th Feb., 6:00pm
"I invite all the faithful to come and pray with me before Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament." + Leo
Join Archbishop Cushley for Eucharistic Adoration at 6pm on Sunday 12 February at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, to pray for “insight, courage and joy in our mission,” as part of the Synod 2023. The next Holy Hour will take place on Sunday 12 March.
Half-Day Valentine’s Retreat for Married Couples: Responding with Joy
A free half-day retreat offers couples a chance to reflect on their love and commitment to each other, to God and to their community. It will be led by Annette and Paul O’Beirne, of Equipes Notre-Dame (Teams of Our Lady), which supports married couples in their vocation. They will share some of the stories and tools gathered over their 42 years together. The retreat will be 2-5pm, Saturday 11 February at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Reserve your spot at http://bit.ly/valentineretreat
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 http://bit.ly/lenttalks2023
Petition to Stop the Introduction of Abortion up to Birth
In 2021, abortion campaigners brought forward an amendment to a Government Bill that would have introduced abortion on demand, for any reason, up to birth (including sex-selective abortion). This amendment did not go to a vote and pass, but the abortion lobby is expected to make another attempt to introduce this extreme abortion law change shortly. This would be the single biggest change to abortion legislation since 1967 and would introduce one of the most extreme abortion laws in the world. Right To Life UK is running a petition to ask the Prime Minister to do everything in his power to stop the introduction of abortion up to birth. Please visit https://righttolife.org.uk/signthepetitiontorishi to add your name to the petition.
Thinking About Becoming a Religious Sister? Come Along for our Chat!
Is God calling you to serve the Church as a religious Sister? Join other young Catholic women on Sunday, 26 February, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN to explore God's will as we chat in five monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh. The meetings will be led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, director for religious vocations in the Archdiocese. Share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and enjoy refreshments. The series continues on the last Sunday of each month. Contact Sr. Mirjam for more information at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk