Palm Sunday of the Passion of The Lord – Year A

Cathedral Lenten Appeal

Dear Friends, Your generous response last week for the fifth week of our Lenten Appeal to repair the windows in the Cathedral raised an astounding £1,081.93 an amount which, as you know, will be doubled by a very generous benefactor. We are continuing our appeal for the next two weeks.

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.

Holy Week and Easter

This is the most sacred week of the year. While Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are not holy days of obligation, all are encouraged to attend these special liturgies in preparation for Easter. His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Tuesday at 7:00pm with priests from throughout the Archdiocese. On Holy Thursday, His Grace will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00pm followed by procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose, with watching until 11:00pm. Night Prayer will be celebrated at 11.00 p.m.

Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence which means that all Catholics are obliged to abstain from meat, and all adults between 16 and 65 are obliged to fast. The Passion Liturgy will be held at 3:00pm and for those who cannot attend, Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 7:00pm. 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.

There will be additional priests available this week for Confessions Monday-Wednesday after the 12:45pm Mass and on Good Friday after the 3:00pm Passion Liturgy. His Grace will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00pm on Holy Saturday and 34 catechumens and candidates will be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at this Mass. Easter Sunday Masses will be celebrated at the usual Sunday Mass times. Blessed Holy Week!

Sacrament of Confession

Times for Confession during Holy Week are printed on the front of this Newsletter and additional priests will be available at those times. The Archdiocese has put together a helpful guide about returning to Confession. Watch it at bit.ly/archconfessionvideo. Another resource is the `How to Go to Confession` sheets by the Confessionals, also available on this website.

Easter Postcards

We really do have Postcards this week (!) 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 on Sale Today

Our wonderful Joanna Kopystynska has spent the last 3 months knitting Easter-themed gift items!! They will be on sale after all Masses today. All the profits from sales are generously donated to the parish. See also at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathedralKnits Support the parish and give a lovely Easter gift!

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.

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

Young Adults Group Upcoming Events

The Young Adults Group is now on its Easter break; however it will return on Tuesday 18th April with a talk from Sr Angela Marie OP who is based in Elgin. She’ll talk about one of the psalms of praise and thanksgiving starting at 7.30pm. Enjoy the break! Upcoming events for the Young Adults group include an Afternoon of Recollection at St Albert’s Chaplaincy on Saturday 27th May. During the summer the Young Adults will also be visiting places with significance for the faith in Scotland, day trips will include Melrose and Abbotsford House on the 24th of June and St Andrews on Saturday 19th August. These trips will be by train so will include lots of walking. All young adults aged 18-35 are welcome to join the group, please contact Fr Robert for more information, frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk

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 Upcoming Events

The Youth Group has concluded for the Easter holidays. It will return on the 7th May at 6pm in St Andrew’s, Ravelston. Don’t miss information about the Youth Group Day out in June, details coming soon!

Toilets

Please note that toilet facilities are available between Coffee Saints and the Bookshop during their opening hours (0900-1700). Toilets are available, outside those times, in John Lewis and within the St James Quarter. Please do not enter the sacristy during Mass.

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 and Book Group

The Over Sixties Club Coffee Afternoon will be on Tuesday 4 April at Coffee Saints, 2.30pm - 4pm.

Please note last week’s date had an error and the next Welcome book group is on Thursday 20th April, 2.30 - 4pm at McDonald Road Library.

Wednesdays: Sacrament of Confession, Adoration, Mass & Stations

Continue your preparations for Easter with the final Wednesday evening of Eucharistic Adoration from 5:00pm - the Sacrament of Confession is also from 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. A beautiful chance to prepare and walk with Christ in Holy Week.

Bacon Roll Fundraiser for SCIAF last Sunday

I am very pleased to tell you that the Bacon Roll Fundraiser for SCIAF held after mass last Sunday raised a total of £389.44! This amount has now been sent to SCIAF, the official relief and development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland. Thank you for your support!

Sunday Fun Run – Final Week 2nd April 2023

We have completed the first 5 runs / walks. The last one is today (more to follow) Many thanks to all who have participated .We are now looking to collect sponsorships monies. There is a form at back of the Church to enable us to claim Gift Aid .Could you give the form and money to Fergus or Caroline Reid on Sunday (or as soon as possible). You can also donate by BACS – please contact Caroline Reid at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk for details. Many thanks for your support.

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

Archdiocesan Stations of the Cross

Start Holy Week by joining people across the Archdiocese for Stations of the Cross. It takes place on Zoom on Monday 3 April at 7:45pm and is a chance to pray for all pro-life intentions. Includes a reflection from Archbishop Leo. Register at https://bit.ly/stations2023

Christian Meditation (in person and online)

Lent is a time to grow in prayer, and Easter a time to rejoice in the Lord. Experience how Christian Meditation with others leads you on this journey. We meditate in person at 63 York Place, Edinburgh EH3 5AD, on Fridays at 7.30 p.m. Afterwards you are welcome for refreshments and to socialize. On Wednesdays at 7 p.m. we meditate online on Zoom, and you can join from anywhere. The up-to-date schedule is here: https://www.meetup.com/Christian-Meditation-Group/events/ Contact info - mobile: 0771 777 2614 Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1cuO5QJ

Neocathecumenal Vigil Mass

On Holy Saturday, the 8th of April, at 11:00pm, the Neocathecumenal community from the Cathedral will celebrate Easter Vigil in the Church Hall of St John the Baptist. We will celebrate the Easter Vigil like the Early Church used to do - all through the night until the rising star appears in the sky - with songs and hymns. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Alexander Mileto at 07424938885

Address: St John the Baptist, Church Hall, 37 St Ninian's Road, Edinburgh EH12 8AL

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:-

  • Friday 28th April at 1pm

To register, please email elaine.anderson@staned.org.uk providing details of your name, parish and role.

Read the newsletter for 2nd April (pdf)