Confirmations Congratulations!
We welcome His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, and extend our prayers and congratulations to all the children from the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston who are receiving sacrament of Confirmation at the 9:00am Mass today. Very special thanks to Fr. Robert and to the catechists, teachers and parents who helped prepare the children for this special day. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit they receive, may they follow Christ faithfully and serve Him generously through the Church.
Concluding Holy Hour for May This Wednesday, 7:00pm
Join us for our concluding Holy Hour for May with the Rosary in the Cathedral 7:00pm-8:00pm Wednesday 24th May. Come and spend some time in prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and in praying the Rosary in this month of May dedicated to Our Lady. We will pray the Mysteries of Light and hear a reflection by Deacon Tom McEvoy from Sacred Heart, Midlothian. All are invited!
‘Figures of My Faith’ Young Adults Talk on Tuesday: St. Joan of Arc
We will welcome Emma Atkin, Manager of our St. Pauls Bookshop, for a talk on St. Joan of Arc for the final talk in our ‘Figures of My Faith’ series for Young Adults this Tuesday, 23 May. All ages 18-35 are welcome to join us for teas & coffees from 7:00pm in 63 York Place, followed by the talk at 7:30pm. Then we will go to the Cathedral for a time of prayer with opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, concluding with Night Prayer, then time to visit and discuss in a local pub. Come along and join us!
Youth Group Meets Tonight! Day Trip to Carfin & Strathclyde June 10th
All children Primary 3 – S1 are invited to our Youth Group at 6pm tonight in the parish rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Please pick up a registration form today at the back of church for any first-time registrations. This month we are learning about Mary, the mother of God, and getting ready for our Day Trip on Saturday 10th June to Carfin Grotto and Strathclyde Park! See the posters to scan the QR code to register. Contact Fr. Robert with any questions, frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk.
Parent & Baby Group: Meet at Coffee Saints, Wednesday after 10am Mass
Are you a new parent looking to meet fellow Catholic parents? We are forming a group for fellow Catholic parents to socialise and share our faith. For our first meeting, we will attend the 10am Mass on Wednesday 24 May, followed by coffee and a chat at Coffee Saints next door. All parents and babies welcome, particularly those on maternity or paternity leave. If you would like to be involved, but are unable to join us this Wednesday, please email Angus Hawkins angus.f.hawkins@gmail.com or Antonia Shack afmshack@gmail.com
All Married and Engaged Couples Invited to 31 May Mass with Archbishop
On Wednesday 31 May at 7:15pm the Archbishop will celebrate a special Mass for all Married and Engaged Couples at the Cathedral. No registration required. After the Mass there will be a celebratory reception in Coffee Saints to which everyone attending the Mass is invited. If you are celebrating a significant anniversary this year, or know couples who are, do let us know so that we can send a personal invitation. Please submit names, address and number of years being celebrated to Fr Jeremy Milne, vemarriage@staned.org.uk, 0131 334 1693.
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon & Cinema Trip
Our over Sixties Club Coffee Afternoon will be Tuesday 23 May, 2.30pm - 4pm at Coffee Saints. Wednesday 24th May we will have a Cinema Trip. The film is “Book Club: The Next Chapter,” billed as a scenic romp through Italy, and the showing is 12.35pm. Meet upstairs at Omni. If you cannot book online, arrive 10mins before the start time to enable an online booking to be completed.
Summer Volunteers Needed! Cathedral Cleaning and Flower Arranging
Summer holidays will mean fewer volunteers are available, and so we really need your help -- please consider donating your time to help keep our Cathedral clean and beautiful in the summer months. Even if you cannot attend every week, helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated! Please contact Elizabeth Andrews, Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com to let her know how you can help. Thank you!
Friends of the Cathedral Garden Party, 10th June, 1-4pm
Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral have a limited number of tickets for their garden party at the Archbishop’s residence on 10th June, 1-4pm. Tickets for this popular event are available to non-members at the price of £20 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to come and join in the fun, please contact ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk as soon as possible. Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral who have already RSVP’d (thank you!) need not reply to this notice.
Parish Retreat 22-24 September 2023 at St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull
For the first time in a very long time, we will 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
New Books and First Holy Communion Gifts at St. Pauls Bookshop
Visit our St Pauls Bookshop for beautiful gifts for First Holy Communion. Also the shop has a new stock of some Catholic classics like Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila and The Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius Loyola, as well new biographies of various saints. Come along and shop the big selection! Also, your donations of used Catholic books in good condition are welcome – just drop them off with the Manager, Emma Atkin. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm (closed Mondays), 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk
2023 Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation course will be Saturday 2nd September at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-5pm, with presentations by married couples from the parish. The last course for this year will be on Saturday 18th November. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register for either date.
Rosary After Weekday Masses, Adoration & Confession Wednesdays
All are invited to join in praying the Rosary immediately after 6pm weekday Masses at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston this month. Also, on Wednesday evenings we will have Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions, beginning at 5:00pm and concluding at 5:45pm, with Mass at 6:00pm.
Ravelston Afternoon Tea on Friday, 9 June from 2pm-4pm
Come along and enjoy an afternoon tea in the parish rooms at Ravelston! Bring your friends and make new ones at our Afternoon Tea, 2pm-4pm on Friday 9th June. Tickets: Adults £5.00, Children £2.50. Tickets available from Pat Hernandez at the end of Mass or phone on 0131 332 1249.
Preparing for Pentecost: Tuesday 7:30pm Online Talk on the Holy Trinity
If you missed the last session of the ‘Prepare for Pentecost’ six-week series, you can watch it on the YouTube Channel of the Archdiocese at http://bit.ly/ArchYouTube Join the talks on Tuesdays at 7:30pm (1 hour) with Sister Anna Marie McGuan RSM and Fr Kevin Douglas as they look at the Holy Trinity through the writings of St Thomas Aquinas. Register at http://bit.ly/prepareforpentecost
Corpus Christi Procession in Falkirk – 11th June
Celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi with Archbishop Cushley who will lead a Corpus Christi procession through Falkirk town centre at 2:30pm on Sunday 11 June. The procession will head to St Francis Xavier’s Church for Benediction followed by refreshments in the church hall. Altar Servers can wear their altar robes, those who have recently received First Holy Communion wear their dresses/suits.
St Margaret’s Pilgrimage to Dunfermline – 18th June
St Margaret’s 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. Ecumenical service at 12:30pm in Dunfermline Abbey, followed by prayers at the tomb of St Margaret.
Archdiocesan 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 https://www.edinburgh-lourdes.com or email edinburghlourdes@gmail.com
Discerning a Call to be a Religious Sister?
Join other young Catholic women next Sunday, 28 May, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN to explore God's will as we chat about discerning a call to be a religious Sister. 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. Contact Sr. Mirjam for more information at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk. See vocations information at https://archedinburgh.org/vocations/
Holy Cross Academy Former Pupils Reunion
If you or your friends would like a reunion with other former pupils of Holy Cross Academy then please send your name and the years when you started and left Holy Cross Academy to Michael Balfour at mjbgen19@gmail.com or telephone 07484 620 635 by 30 June 2023. We aim to reply by 31 July 2023.
Pregnancy Help
Do you know anyone who may need help during pregnancy? SHE Pregnancy Care gives support and confidence to expectant mothers. Text / WhatsApp: 0752 648 0578 or email: office@stantonscotland.org
Pentecost Weekend Stronghold Festival for Ages 16-35
Stronghold Festival is a four-day event Friday 26 May-Monday 29 May open to all young people aged 16-35 who want to draw deeper into relationship with God the Father through his Son Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Centred on praise, worship, adoration, inspiring talks, and time for building friendships and fellowship, this is a unique opportunity to dive deep into the beauty and fullness of the Catholic faith! The festival is hosted by Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer, nestled in the beautiful highlands of Dalmally in Argyll, Scotland. Cost is £100 and includes full event access, a spot on the camping field, and food and drink for four days. To book your ticket, visit https://www.strongholdfestival.com
Family Week Summer Retreats for Young Families at Craig Lodge
Draw close to Jesus as a family and be refreshed! Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer in Dalmally offers Family Week Summer Retreats for young families (children 16 and under). Morning and evening activities will be available for the children so that parents can join in a time of reflection or simply have some quiet time with the Lord. Mass will be celebrated daily and the days will include plenty of free time for families to enjoy this 'home from home' in the Scottish highlands. Dates are 3-7 July, 17-21 July and
31 July -4 August. The all-inclusive cost for a family week is £250 per adult, £100 per child (11-16s), donation for children 11 and younger. For details and to book, visit https://www.craiglodge.org/events
Bursary Boost for St. Mary’s University Theology Students
A generous donation has led to the launch of a new bursary that will support students of a Catholic theology course in Edinburgh. The Erroll Bursary Fund will contribute £500 towards fees on the two-year Master’s Degree in Theology at St Mary's University's Gillis Centre Campus. The University itself will match each successful bursary application with a further £500. The MA in Applied Catholic Theology is a partnership between St Mary's University, Twickenham, and the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. To apply for the course visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/edinburgh/about.aspx or contact Susan Longhurst, Course Lead, susan.longhurst@stmarys.ac.uk, 07773 689535.
Pray in May with Mary’s Meals
In the month of May dedicated to Our Lady, international aid charity Mary’s Meals invites you to pray for its important work to feed hungry children. The charity’s mission – carried out in Our Lady’s name – is to serve nutritious school meals in the world’s poorest countries. Mary’s Meals’ work began with prayer, and it is thanks to the power of prayer that it has grown from feeding just 200 children in Malawi in 2002 to feeding more than 2.4 million children in 18 countries today. Visit https://www.marysmeals.org.uk to see all the ways you can support this mission.