Cathedral Lenten Appeal
Dear Friends, Your generous response last week for the third week of our Lenten Appeal to repair the windows in the Cathedral raised a remarkable…£1,126.03 …an amount which, as you know, will be doubled by a very generous benefactor. The current total for our Lenten Appeal is £4,984.77. So with the help of our benefactor, we are more than halfway to our goal of £14,000 for the cost of the repairs. Thank you so much!
Remember if you are a UK taxpayer, you should be eligible to Gift Aid any amounts that you give to this appeal. A supply of Gift Aid envelopes are available at the back of the church.
Sacrament of Confession in Lent
Please take the time in Lent to go to Confession to help you prepare for Easter. Remember that it is a Precept of the Church that all Catholics should go to Confession at least once a year, at Easter or thereabouts. Priests are available to hear confessions Monday-Friday after the 12:45pm Mass and Saturdays 10:30am-12Noon and 5:00-5:45pm.
Friday Eucharistic Adoration, Confession 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. The sacrament of Confession is also available after the 12:45 pm Mass.
Young Adults Group Talk on ‘Christ’s Prayerbook’ Tuesday at 7pm
Join us this Tuesday for our Young Adults talks on ‘Christ’s Prayerbook.’ Fr. Kevin Douglas will speak on Psalm 102, fourth psalm in our series. In this Psalm, we hear the cry of one who is afflicted, yet has great confidence in the Lord’s saving help! All young adults aged 18-35 are welcome to join us in 63 York Place. We start at 7pm with teas and coffees, the talk will begin at 7.30pm and will be followed by Night Prayer and Confessions in the Cathedral, before a time to discuss in the pub.
Youth Group on Sunday night!
The Youth Group meets this evening from 6pm to 7.30pm in the Parish Rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. All young people from P3 are welcome! We will have games, and activities to learn more about the faith! 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.
2023/24 Gift Aid Envelopes Ready for Collection
The new 2023/24 Gift Aid envelope sets are now available for collection from the back of the church from this weekend. With the new tax year approaching, this is also an ideal time to consider registering for Gift Aid with the parish if you have not already done so. For more information, please contact our finance officer, Caroline Reid, at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
Fire Marshal Training This Week
Thank you to all of you who have kindly said that you will take part in Fire Marshal training this week. I am very grateful and I look forward to seeing you in 63 York Place, either on Tuesday 21st, 9.30am-12Noon or on Wednesday 22nd, 7:00pm-9:00pm. Alice: complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Toilet Works
Works are planned to the Ladies toilets at Coffee Saints on Monday and Tuesday (20th/21st), with possible disruption to their usage also possible on Wednesday (22nd) next week. During this period Ladies are requested to use the disabled toilet. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon, Cinema Trip Planned
The Over Sixties Club Coffee Afternoon will be on Tuesday 21 March at Coffee Saints, 2.30pm - 4pm.
Advance notice of cinema trip Wednesday 29th March: Film is ‘Allelujah,’ time to be confirmed.
Children’s Bibles, Books on the Mass, Saints & More
St Pauls Bookshop has a wide selection of children’s books, from Bibles to books on prayer and the Rosary, the Mass, the sacraments, the saints, and the Church year. You can also find beautiful gifts and greeting cards for First Holy Communion. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm (closed Mondays).
SCIAF Lenten Wee Box Appeal for Hungry in Zambia
SCIAF’s Wee Box appeal this Lent is for communities in Zambia where families are suffering from devastating hunger. Your donations help provide families training and tools to grow food. Pick up a Wee Box today at the back of church, or donate at https://www.sciaf.org.uk/
Holy Week at the Cathedral
Sunday 2nd April: Palm Sunday
6.00pm (Vigil Mass on Saturday)
9.00am, 12 Noon and 7.30pm
Polish: 10.30am and 6.00pm
Tuesday 4th April: Chrism Mass
9.00am (Polish)
10.00am
12.45pm
6.00pm (Polish): Cancelled
7.00pm: Chrism Mass
Thursday 6th April: Maundy Thursday
6.00pm (Polish): Cancelled
7.00pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Friday 7th April: Good Friday
3.00pm: Passion Liturgy
5.00pm: Passion Liturgy (Polish)
7.00pm: Stations of the Cross
Saturday 8th April: Holy Saturday
Polish Food Blessing:
12Noon, 3.00pm and 5.00pm
8.00pm: Easter Vigil Mass
Sunday 9th April: Easter Sunday
9.00am, 12 Noon and 7.30pm
Polish: 10.30am and 6:00pm
Confessions during Holy Week:
After 12.45pm Mass, Monday-Wednesday
Easter Postcards
Each parish has received a delivery of postcards from the Archdiocese to invite those who are away from the Church or who haven't attended in a while to come to church during Holy Week and Easter. Please pick up a postcard at the back of church to share with someone who may not have been to Mass in a while and who may appreciate an invite to Mass during this most important time in the Church year!
Wednesdays Sacrament of Confession, Adoration, Mass & Stations
Wednesday evenings in Lent at St. Andrew’s are a great way to prepare for Easter: Eucharistic Adoration begins at 5:00pm and the Sacrament of Confession is available 5:00pm-5:45pm. Then Mass is celebrated at 6:00pm and immediately following we pray the Stations of the Cross, 6:30pm-7:00pm. Don’t miss this spiritual opportunity as we draw nearer to Holy Week and Easter.
Easter Knitted Goods to Support Parish on Sale
Easter-themed knitted gift items will be on sale today after Mass. All the profits from sales are generously donated to the parish by Joanna Kopystynska. Knitted items are also available online at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathedralKnits Support the parish and give a lovely Easter gift!
Bacon Roll Fundraiser for SCIAF on Next Sunday, 26 March Holy Week at Ravelston
Palm Sunday, 2nd April
10:30am
Tuesday, 4th April
6pm Mass cancelled
Holy Thursday, 6th April
6pm Mass cancelled
Good Friday, 7th April
3pm Passion Liturgy
Easter Sunday, 9th April
10:30am
Come and enjoy a late brunch, stay or take away, in the Parish Rooms at Ravelston after 10:30am Mass next Sunday, 26 March at our Bacon Roll Fundraiser for SCIAF, the official relief and development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland. SCIAF helps people in the world's poorest places end poverty and recover from disasters. Any donation on the day will be appreciated! Vegetarian option available.
Fundraising Run (or walk!) Sundays in Lent
Thanks to all who have participated in our run/walk so far! We have now successfully completed 3 runs / walks! That’s halfway! It has been great fun and not too energetic, so as the weather improves, think about joining in. At 11:30am today and every Sunday in Lent we will run/walk from St. Andrew’s, Ravelston to St. Mary’s Cathedral and return (approx. 5 km). Funds raised are being donated to the Cathedral stained-glass window repair appeal & SCIAF. Please consider sponsoring us. Speak to Fergus or Caroline to make donation and set up Gift Aid, or contact Fergus.Christie@bckm.co.uk
Concluding Online Lenten Talk on Jesus in the Servant Songs of Isaiah
Join Fr Jamie McMorrin of St Margaret’s, Davidson’s Mains, and Sr Anna Marie McGuan, RSM as they host the concluding talk in their series of Lenten talks on the talks on Jesus Christ in the Servant Songs of Isaiah. The talk will be at 7:30pm, Wednesday 22 March. Videos posted after the talks at https://bit.ly/ArchYouTube
Register at bit.ly/lenttalks2023. Booklets with Isaiah readings are available near the church entrance.
Next Weekend: Encountering Jesus Retreat at St. Kentigern’s
An Encountering Jesus Retreat led by Fr Bart Parys, a Divine Word Missionary based in Ireland, will be at St Kentigern’s Church, Parkgrove Avenue, Barnton, Edinburgh during 24-26 March. It is designed as a three-day retreat, but no requirement to come to all three days if you can't make it! Come for private prayer, fellowship, an opportunity to listen to testimonies and participate in the Eucharist: Friday 24 March 7:30pm - 8:30pm; Saturday 25 March 10:00am - 3:00pm (Bring packed lunch - teas/coffees and biscuits served); Sunday 26 March 9:30am - 11:00am. No registration required.
Talk by Archbishop Leo: Palm Sunday & the Passion in Matthew’s Gospel
Archbishop Leo hosts a talk about Palm Sunday and the Passion in St. Matthew’s Gospel on Monday 27 March at 7:30pm. It is for those who want to better understand the background to the liturgy and prepare for the day. Register for this Zoom talk at https://bit.ly/palmsundaytalk
Survey on Religion in the Workplace
A new inquiry has been launched by the UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights into human rights at work and part of the inquiry is considering freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of expression in the workplace. The Catholic Union invites you to complete a brief online survey on religion in the workplace. The closing date is 20 March and the survey takes less than 2 minutes to complete. Visit https://bit.ly/RELIGIONATWORK
Responses will form the basis of its written evidence to the inquiry. The Catholic Union (www.catholicunion.org.uk) is dedicated to the defence of Catholic values in Parliament and public life.
Explore God’s Will for You: Sunday Chats for Women on Religious Life
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will in five monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the next one takes place on Sunday 26 March, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street. To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Called & Gifted Workshop: Discover Your Unique Purpose in Life
You have received gifts in Baptism and Confirmation through which God intends His love to reach others. Identify your charisms (spiritual gifts) and discern God’s call through the Called and Gifted Workshop. We will learn about the ancient teachings of the Church on how the charisms of the Holy Spirit work in your life and in the life of your parish community, and we will delve into the signs and characteristics of the most common charisms of the Holy Spirit. The workshop is hosted by the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre (100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh) in collaboration with the St Catherine of Siena Institute and takes place on Saturday 20 May from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Cost is £25 and includes materials, online access, and lunch. Details & registration at https://bit.ly/calledgifted2023 Queries? Email sranna.marie@staned.org.uk