Cathedral Lenten Appeal
Dear Friends, Your generous response last week for the fourth week of our Lenten Appeal to repair the windows in the Cathedral raised an astounding £1,723.23 an amount which, as you know, will be doubled by a very generous benefactor. The current total for our Lenten Appeal is £6,708. So, with the help of our benefactor, we are even closer to our goal of £14,000 for the cost of the repairs. Thank you for your continued generosity!
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. Please use the white Gift Aid envelopes that we have put out at the back of the church to ensure that we can claim Gift Aid on your donation.
Parish Retreat 22-24 September 2023
St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull
For the first time in a very long time(!) we have decided to have a Parish retreat! The Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral have organised the retreat for the whole parish on 22-24 September this year in the idyllic St Mary’s Monastery in Kinnoull (near Perth). The theme of the retreat is Allowing Jesus to Love You, and it will be led by Fr Charlie Corrigan CSsR. Whether you have never been to a retreat or are an old hand – this will be a wonderful opportunity to spend time away to deepen your relationship with God - a perfect opportunity to nourish your spiritual faith in beautiful surroundings. Places are limited so please book now. The all-inclusive price is £200: book for it here: ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Complex Manager Report
A massive thank you to all those who kindly gave up time to take part in our statutory Fire Marshal training. Approximately 50 people answered the call and I am most grateful to them for their help in making the Cathedral a safer and more compliant place. The key lesson I took away from the training is that should the alarm go off, we should not assume it is a false alarm and wait for others to move, but should take the lead and encourage movement towards the exits. It is everyone’s responsibility to make the Cathedral a safer place. Thank you again and let us pray that we never have to carry out an evacuation for real. If you did take part, I will be in touch in due course with your certificate! - Alice
Digital Copies of the Newsletter
If you use ‘The Catholic App’, you can access the newsletter digitally. Find St Mary’s Cathedral or St Andrew’s, Ravelston, go to the news section and click on this weeks’ newsletter. You can also sign up for the newsletter to be e-mailed direct to your inbox via the Cathedral website.
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. John Deighan will speak on Psalm 130, fifth psalm in our series. In this Psalm, we hear a cry of mercy followed by a model expression of trust in God. 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.
Young Adults Sponsored Mountain Walk
Members of the Cathedral young adults group will be doing a sponsored climb of Schiehallion, the mountain that helped to weigh the world, the result of an interesting 18th century experiment. The group won’t be conducting any experiments on the climb but will bring with them any intentions you’d like to be prayed as the ascend around 700 metres of the Perthshire Munro on the 29th April to raise funds for the Cathedral Lenten appeal. You can donate now via the Cathedral Facebook page or by completing the sponsor forms available at the back of the church. There is also a box on the passkeepers table in the Cathedral for any prayer intentions.
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!
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon, Cinema Trip Planned
The Over Sixties Club Coffee Afternoon will be on Tuesday 28 March at Coffee Saints, 2.30pm - 4pm.
Wednesday 29th, cinema trip to see Allelujah, programme starts at 2pm, purchasing a ticket online is the cheapest way to see the film. If you are unable to access the online facility it can be done in the foyer ten minutes before the start time of the programme. Meet upstairs in Omni centre. Thursday 30th April, The Welcome Book Club meet at McDonald Road Library. Current read is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
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/.
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!
Easter Knitted Goods to Support Parish on Sale on Palm Sunday
Easter-themed knitted gift items will be on sale on Palm Sunday at the Cathedral. 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!
Holy Week at the Cathedral
Please refer to the posters at the entrance of the Cathedral or the Cathedral website for the times of all masses during Holy Week here
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.
Bacon Roll Fundraiser for SCIAF Today
Come and enjoy a late brunch, stay or take away, in the Parish Rooms at Ravelston after 10:30am Mass 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
Holy Week at Ravelston
Please refer to the posters at the entrance of the Church or the Cathedral website for the times of all masses during Holy Week here
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
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 today, 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 http://bit.ly/calledgifted2023. Queries? Email sranna.marie@staned.org.uk.
Safeguarding Training Induction Part 1
If you are in need of Safeguarding training (Part I) here are the available dates:
Online Training: Duration approx 90 mins, the available dates are:-
Wednesday 12th April at 7pm
Thursday 11th May at 7pm
To register, please email margaret.andow@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish and role.
Face-to-face Training: Duration approx 90 mins, venue Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, the available dates are:-
Monday 27th March at 7pm (NOT at Gillis - see below)
Friday 31st March at 1pm
Friday 28th April at 1pm
To register, please email elaine.anderson@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish and role.
Face-to-face Training: Duration approx 90 mins, venue St Cuthbert's Church, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT.
Monday 27th March at 7pm
To register, please email scott.mackenzie@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish and role.