“Festival Mass” Sunday at Noon
To celebrate the opening of Edinburgh International Festival the 12noon Mass will be our Annual Festival Mass. We are particularly delighted that this year the new Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, will be the principal celebrant at the Mass. We are also delighted to welcome this year Bishops John Armes and Kevin Pearson, the Episcopalian Bishops of Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively. They will be joined by the Lord Provost, members of Edinburgh City Council, and members of the Consular Corps - accompanied as ever by the High Constables of Edinburgh. I know that you will make them all very welcome.
Paul Mealor Concert – Tomorrow at 7.30pm
The renowned composer Paul Mealor will join us at the Cathedral tomorrow evening for a special performance of his music by our Schola Cantorum. As one of the world’s most performed living composers, Paul will talk to director of music Michael Ferguson about the sources of inspiration for his music, and the process of composing his works. It’ll be a unique opportunity to hear not only Paul’s stunning choral music, but also from the man himself — not to be missed! Tickets £16 (under 16s £5) available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door.
Tuesday is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
This Tuesday, 15th August, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is our patronal feast. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses in English will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 8am, 10:00am, 12:45pm and 7:30pm.
No 10:00am Mass Except Tuesday and Saturday This Week
Due to priests on holiday, there will be no 10:00am Mass this week except on Tuesday and Saturday. Thank you for your understanding!
Welcome Seminarian Matthew McCafferty
We welcome seminarian Matthew McCafferty who will be helping us at the Cathedral and Ravelston for the next month. Matthew has completed his fourth year of seminary studies at the Scots College in Rome and is from St. Mary’s Parish, Bathgate. I know you will make him feel very welcome!
Young Adults Pilgrimage to St Andrews Next Saturday
The next Young Adults pilgrimage will be to St Andrews next Saturday 19 August. This trip will again be by train. Meet at Edinburgh Waverley outside WHSmith at 0915 for the train departing at 0930. We will walk to the ruins of the Cathedral where will celebrate Mass. Then, after lunch and a chance to explore the town some more we will return for the train back to Edinburgh, returning to Waverley for 1725. For more details e-mail frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Cathedral Organ Recital with Nicholas Wearne
Join us on Saturday 19 August at 7:30pm here in the Cathedral for an Organ Recital by international recitalist Nicholas Wearne. Admission free, retiring collection. He will play music by Max Reger and Organ Music of the Victorian era. Nicholas Wearne is a prize-winning organ recitalist who has performed in venues which include Suntory Hall, Tokyo; St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York; and at Cathedrals in Berlin, Canterbury and Washington. He combines his playing career with being Senior Tutor in Organ Studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and he received the Poul Ruders Prize at the Odense International Organ Competition.
2023 Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation courses are Saturday 2nd September and Saturday 18th November at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-5pm, with presentations by married couples from the parish. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Summer Sacraments Classes for Adults Begin Wednesday
Are you an adult who has not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation, or have you been baptised but have not received First Confession, First Holy Communion or Confirmation in the Catholic Church? Consider joining us this August for our sacraments course for adults. Meetings will be held weekly in Cathedral House on Wednesdays at 7:00pm from 16th August to 27th September (Zoom meetings on 30th August and 20th September). Those participating will be prepared to receive the sacraments they need. Adult Confirmation will take place at Mass on Saturday, 30th September at 10am Mass in the Cathedral. To register or for more information, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
‘Searching for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark’
With Professor James Edwards, 23-27th October
Get to know Jesus better in our mini-course on the Gospel of Mark! The event will be 7pm-9pm in the Cathedral from 23rd October to 27th October. If you haven’t signed up yet – why not think about it? Register on Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/Jesus-in-GospelofMark. Learn more about it in a 30-minute preview with Fr. Patrick and Sr. Anna Marie on the Archdiocese’s YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/PreviewGospelofMark.
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon, “Freedom Walk” Fringe Event, Book Club
Come along and join the “Over Sixties Group” for our Coffee Afternoon in Coffee Saints on Tuesday 15th August, 2:30pm-4pm. Also, we have reserved tickets for a Fringe event, Thursday 24th August: The “Freedom Walk” is a tour around the Pleasance area in Old Town. The walk starts at 2.30pm lasting around an hour. This event will be preceded by an afternoon tea at 1pm. Total cost is £7 per person (if cost presents a problem let us know). To book a space call Trish on 07716963215 or come along to the Coffee Afternoon and let Trish know in person. We also invite you to join our Welcome Book Club, Thursday 17th Augus at MacDonald Road Library, starts 3pm.
Save the Date: Big Clean on Saturday 30 September
Our volunteer cleaners and Marcin, our Sacristan, do a great job of keeping the Cathedral looking spic and span, but every so often it is helpful to have a deeper cleaner than they are able to manage with their limited time and manpower. To that end, we are holding our next big clean day on Saturday 30th September from 2 – 4 pm. It is a great way to work off a few calories, meet others and do something for our community. To get around the jobs on the list, we need 25 volunteers. If you felt able to volunteer your time and muscle it would be great if you could sign up with me by emailing complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you in advance. Alice
Cathedral Flower Arranging Team
To ease the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences, we are looking to recruit more volunteers to join our flower arranging teams. There are currently four teams, who meet mid-morning on a Friday and each team is led by an experienced volunteer, so lack of experience is not a barrier if you are interested in providing this ministry. If you would like to join team of flower arrangers, or find out more, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com
Altar Servers Day in Edinburgh
The annual Altar Servers Day will be on Saturday 16th September at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh between 10.30 and 2pm. The day will include games, activities and faith formation as well as the awarding of the certificates and medals to new members of the Guild of St Cuthbert. It is a fun way to learn more about serving on the altar during Mass and so, if you have made your First Holy Communion and would like to find out more about what a server does, please speak to Fr Robert for more information or to get a registration form. You can e-mail frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Second Collection Next Week for African Missions
There will be a second collection next weekend for the African Missions and Holy Places. Thank you for your support of these missions.
Each Wednesday 5.00pm Adoration & Confession
Make some time to come before Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, every Wednesday evening from 5pm. Confession is available too. This is an opportunity to allow yourself some quiet, peaceful time to pray. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament can take many forms, you might want to pray the rosary or read and meditate on Scripture, it can even just be a brief visit as you pass by. Our Lord is waiting for you, so come and see Him!
BBQ Stall Donations Needed: Book, plant, bric a brac & bottle tombola
For our Parish Barbecue on Sunday 3 September, we are looking for donations for our book stall, plant stall, bric a brac stall and bottle tombola. On the day itself, donations of cakes of all kinds for those who want a slice with a cuppa would be most welcome. Donations can be left in the parish room before or after Mass. Alternately speak to Phil, or email philg0dfrey@hotmail.com to arrange collection.......and remember...save the date! Please note: Barbecue starting time will now be 1:30pm, not 12:30pm.
Save the Date: St. Andrew’s Talks Restart in August
The popular St Andrew’s Talks will return in August. The talks will be moving to the last Monday of every month and the first one, on 28th August will be entitled, ‘Roamin’ Catholics’. The talk will be by Fr Robert and Matthew McCafferty, a seminarian for the archdiocese, and will look back on the Rome pilgrimage from June of this year, with a recap of the places we visited and an insight into some of the other treasures of the Eternal City. Come to Mass at 6pm and then join the talk from 6.45 in the Parish Rooms. Soup and sandwiches will follow afterwards when you can discuss and share your own memories.
Debate and Vote for Rights for Church Representatives Set for 31 August
Councillors are reporting that they have received a lot of our campaign postcards and letters regarding this issue. As you know, Edinburgh City Council is considering a proposal to remove voting rights of Church Representatives on its Education, Children and Families Committee. If passed, it means school reps won’t have a say in decisions affecting faith schools. The debate and vote are now set for 31 August, so there is still time to contact your councillor to help ensure the Church has a voice in Catholic schools. Please send one of the postcards available at the back of the church. Find your councillor: https://www.writetothem.com/.
Study Theology in Edinburgh
The MA in Applied Catholic Theology is offered by St Mary’s University in Scotland and begins in September 2023. The course provides a thorough grounding in key aspects of Catholic theology and develops the skills to apply that theology to the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world. A generous donation has led to the launch of a new bursary that will contribute £500 towards fees on the two-year Master’s Degree. The University itself will match each successful bursary application with a further £500. 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.
Young Adult Catholics Pilgrimage to Iona, 15 to 18 September
Don’t miss a chance to visit the Hebrides, a beautiful island group off the west coast of Scotland, with YouCAN UK, a religious group for practicing young Catholic adults in the UK, from 15 to 18 September. Departing from Oban, the pilgrimage includes accommodation at Craignure Bunkhouse in Mull, a day visit to Iona, reflections on Celtic Saints, prayer and fellowship. The price is for £150 full board. To book email rina@youngadultcatholicnetwork.uk. For more information visit https://youngcatholicadultnetwork.uk/.
Day for Christians in Health and Social Care – Saturday 2nd September
Join us for a day of reflection and professional development organised by St Mary’s University and the Christian Medical Fellowship. Titled ‘Christians in Health and Social Care: Ethics and Practice’ the event will be held on Saturday, 2 September beginning at 10:00am at Eyre Hall, Archdiocese of Glasgow, 196 Clyde Street, Glasgow G1 4JY. A number of speakers will cover topics such as freedom of conscience; caring for ourselves and our relationship with God; and our vocation to care. There is a small charge of £20, with lunch and refreshments included. For further details and to register, please visit: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2023/09/christians-health-and-social-care-glasgow.