Young Adults ‘Christ’s Prayerbook’ Series Final Talk on Tuesday
The Young Adults Group final talk in our series on Christ’s Prayerbook will be with Fr. Ross Campbell on Tuesday. Join us in 63 York Place for tea and coffee at 7pm, 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.
Upcoming Events for Young Adults
Sponsored Mountain Walk Next Saturday
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 bring with them any intentions you’d like to be prayed as they ascend 700 metres of the Perthshire Munro on Saturday, 29 April to raise funds for the Cathedral Windows Appeal. Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/YAG-SchiehallionClimb or by completing the sponsor forms at the back of the church.
Day of Recollection, Trips to Melrose & Abbotsford, St. Andrews
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 Abbey and Abbotsford House on the 24th of June and St Andrews on Saturday 19th August. These trips will be by train and will include lots of walking. All young adults aged 18-35 are welcome! Contact Fr Robert at frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk
Organ Recital sundday at 1:30pm: Bach, Mendelssohn and More
Tom Wilkinson, Cathedral Organist, will host an organ recital on Sunday 23 April, 1:30pm to feature magnificent pieces including Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor BWV 582 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Sonata in A Op. 65 No. 3 – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), Four Chorale preludes – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), Prelude and Fugue in D minor – Clara Schumann (1819-1896) and Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H – Franz Liszt (1811-1886). Admission free, retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music.
‘Bach in the 19th Century’ with Musical Examples, Monday 7:30pm
Today, Johann Sebastian Bach is commonly regarded as one of the greatest composers of in the history of Western music. It was in the nineteenth century – the age of Brahms, Liszt and Mendelssohn – that he came to be regarded as such. Join us for a talk on ‘Bach in the 19th Century’ at 7.30pm in the Cathedral, Monday 24 April, hosted by Friends of the Cathedral. Tom Wilkinson, Cathedral Organist, will explore the huge impact Bach’s music had on 19th-century German composers. Musical examples will illustrate the talk, offering an opportunity to hear a powerful repertoire played on our magnificent Cathedral organ. Please email ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you would like to come. Thank you!
Marian Holy Hours in May on Wednesday Evenings
Join us for Marian Holy Hours during the first four weeks of May at the Cathedral, beginning Wednesday 3 May from 7pm to 8pm, with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying of the Rosary, a reflection and concluding with Benediction.
Easter Knits Sales Thank You!
Thanks to all who so generously supported the sale of the beautiful Easter knitted gifts by our parishioner Joanna Kopystynska. Nearly £900 was raised from the sales, with all proceeds going to the parish.
Youth Group Returns 7th May, Day Trip Planned for June
The Youth Group returns on the 7th May at 6pm. Please pick up a registration form today for any first-time registrations. During May we will be learning about Mary and then, the final event before the summer will be on 10th June, when the Youth Group will travel to Carfin Grotto and Strathclyde Park for some activities. See the poster for more details on that!
Parish Retreat 22-24 September 2023 at 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. Places are limited so please book now. The all-inclusive price is £200 (this includes a £50 non-returnable deposit): book for it here: ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon and More!
Over Sixties Club Coffee Afternoon, Tuesday 25 April, 2.30pm - 4pm: Join us at Coffee Saints café to meet up with old friends and new. Newcomers are always very welcome!
Theatre Outing, Wednesday 26th April, 2.30pm: Trip to see ‘Mousetrap’ at Playhouse Theatre. Tickets have been purchased for everyone who expressed an interest. If you'd like to be placed on a wait list for tickets, let Trish know at 07716963215. We will meet at Coffee Saints and set off from there at 2pm.
Thursday 18th May 2.30pm - 4pm: Next Welcome book group meet up at McDonald Road Library. Current book is Love is Blind by William Boyd. Collect your copy from the library.
Kaffe Fassett exhibition at Dovecot Studio, date to be confirmed. Stay tuned for more information soon!
Schola Cantorum Fundraising Concert Friday, 19 May
Join the Cathedral's flagship choir for a concert of beautiful music in support of the music at St Mary's Cathedral on Friday 19 May at 7:30pm. Come along to hear some of the highlights of the choir's choral repertoire, plus Handel Coronation Anthems, African American spirituals, and more. With a prosecco bar and choir-themed fundraising auction at the interval, it's an event not to be missed! Tickets are £10 / £8 (concessions), available from Eventbrite or at the door: https://bit.ly/ScholaCantorum19May2023
St Pauls Bookshop: First Communion Gifts & New Cathedral Notecards
A lovely assortment of First Holy Communion gifts are available in our St Pauls Bookshop, including crucifixes, rosaries, First Communion medals, children’s Bibles, prayerbooks, bookmarks, plaques, icons, statues, posters and more. Stop in and find a special gift for First Holy Communion.
Also, beautiful new Cathedral notecards are on sale now for just £2.99 for 6 cards and envelopes. The cards feature the painting surmounting the sanctuary arch of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Pieta statue, Our Lady’s Altar, the icon at St. Andrew’s Altar, and stained glass windows of the Cathedral. Bookshop hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm (closed Mondays), 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk
Joseph Gillespie R.I.P. and Bernadette Philipsz, R.I.P.
With sadness we announce the death of parishioner Joe Gillespie who passed away recently. Many of you will remember Joe who was prepared for the sacraments at Ravelston and who, with the support of our parish community, made several trips to Lourdes. He is survived by his siblings, Sheila, Susan, Roseann and John. Please pray for the happy repose of his soul and for the consolation of all those who mourn for him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory! His body will be received here at St. Andrew’s Church on Wednesday, 26 April at 4:00pm and the Funeral Mass will be here on Thursday, 27 April at 11:30am.
Also, parishioner Bernadette Philipsz passed away last week. Funeral details will be announced soon. Please keep both of the departed and their families in your prayers.
Procession and May Crownings at Ravelston Next Sunday
Join us next Sunday before 10:30am Mass as we have a procession and May crownings of the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the garden (weather permitting) and in the church at Ravelston. It is a lovely way to honour our Blessed Mother as we approach the Marian month of May. Children are especially welcome!
St. Andrew Talk on 1st May with Fr. Garden
The final St Andrews Talk of this year will take place on Monday 1st May, starting at 6.45pm in the Parish Rooms at Ravelston. The talk will be on the Gospel of Matthew and will be given by Fr Andrew Garden. The talk follows Mass and will be followed by soup and sandwiches.
Tickets on Sale for 7th May Coronation Lunch Party at Ravelston
Tickets for the parish coronation lunch on Sunday, 7th May will be on sale from today. The cost of a single ticket will be £5 and £10 for a family ticket. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Parish Youth Group. The event will include children's activities. If you are able to help with the event, please text or phone Judy Sutherland on 07841 419240. Thank you!
World Day of Prayer for Vocations Next Sunday
Next Sunday 30 April is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Please pray that more men and women answer God’s call to the priesthood and the religious life. Keep in your prayers the seminarians from the Archdiocese: Peter Shankland and Paul Henderson (Beda College, Rome), Gerard Holden and Matthew McCafferty (Scots College, Rome) and Matthew Frankland (Royal Scots College, Salamanca). If you feel called to the priesthood or religious life, have a chat with our vocations director Father Andrew Garden on 0131 663 4286 (vocations@staned.org.uk) or Sister Mirjam Hugens, director for Religious Vocations, on 0131 623 8902 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.
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, 30 April, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN to explore God's will as we chat in monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh. The meetings are led by Sr Mirjam Hugens, FSO, director for religious vocations in the Archdiocese. Contact Sr. Mirjam at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Six-Week Online Talk: What We Believe About the Holy Trinity
Join this six-week online talk series to prepare and learn more about two major feasts at the end of Eastertide: Pentecost and Holy Trinity Sunday. Led by Sister Anna Marie McGuan RSM and Fr Kevin Douglas, it will take a closer look at what we believe about the Holy Trinity based on the writings of St Thomas Aquinas. Begins on Tuesday 2 May at 7:30pm (1 hour). Register at http://bit.ly/prepareforpentecost
Mass in May for Married & Engaged Couples
Archbishop Leo Cushley will celebrate Mass for Married and Engaged Couples here at the Cathedral at 7:15pm on Wednesday 31 May. Reception in Coffee Saints afterwards. Submit names, address and number of years being celebrated to vemarriage@staned.org.uk, or phone 0131 334 1693.
Save the Date: St Margaret’s Pilgrimage, Sunday 18 June, 2023
St Margaret Pilgrimage returns to Dunfermline on Sunday 18 June. Mass is at 2:30pm in St Margaret’s Memorial Church in East Port, with Archbishop Cushley as principal celebrant. Prior to that there is an ecumenical service at 12:30pm in Dunfermline Abbey. Mark your diary!
Lourdes Pilgrimage in July
There’s still time to book your place on the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, which takes place from 7-14 July. Everyone is welcome, and those with disabilities/medical issues are especially invited. For full details visit www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/ or email edinburghlourdes@gmail.com