Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Searching for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark 

As you all know, at the end of next month (23-27th October) Professor James Edwards will be visiting the parish to help us to get to know Jesus better, specifically through the Gospel of Mark. This will be a unique opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading biblical scholars in a mini-course which will run from 7pm-9pm each evening Monday to Friday. The event begins 23rd October. Tickets and details are available at  bit.ly/Jesus-in-GospelofMark. 

In order to prepare for this important event, each one of you has been given a prayer card today and I am asking you to join us (the Cathedral clergy) in praying each day for the success of this event – that many people will take this valuable opportunity to sit with the Lord and get to know Him better.

Please think about joining in in this event (you don’t have to come to the whole thing – although it will undoubtedly be better if you do!) and please think about spreading the word and inviting any friends or family who might be interested.

There is a modest cost for this event – but if there is anyone out there who would like to come but cannot afford it – a generous benefactor has offered to subsidise anyone who needs help. All you need to do is speak to me (Fr. Pat) or write to me at the Cathedral House address and I will arrange for you to receive tickets.

This is a big initiative – please help to make it a success by joining in and by spreading the word. 

10am Mass Resumes This Week, Blessing of Window on Thursday 

The 10am Mass will resume this week. Please join us for the 10am Mass on Thursday when we will have the blessing of the newly repaired St. Stanisław Kostka window. 

Young Adults Group Begins Again on Tuesday at 7pm

The Young Adults Group will meet again from Tuesday, 19th September. All those between the ages of 18-35 are welcome to the weekly meetings, where we will be learning about “Sacred Tradition”. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for tea and coffee followed by the talk and discussion at 7.30pm. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to socialise at a local pub. See the poster in the Octagon for more details!

Quiz Night Friday 29th September at 7pm 

Our Parish Quiz Night is coming up on Friday 29th September. The night will run from 7-10pm and will include a bar, with nibbles provided. Come as a team (up to a max of 6 persons) or play it solo and win undying glory! There will be an amazing prize for the winner/team.

Tickets priced £10 are on sale today after the 9 am and noon Masses. Any other requests for tickets should be made directly to Deacon Peter Traynor at Deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Marriage Preparation Courses

Our next Marriage Preparation courses are on Saturday 18th November 2023 and Saturday 2nd March 2024 at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-5pm, with presentations by married couples from the parish. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register. 

Children’s Sacramental Preparation: Registration Open

We are registering children now for catechism classes in preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and at 9:30am Sundays at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning Sunday, 8th October.  Please visit the following links for registration:

Those who have registered will be contacted from mid-September with details about the next step.

Red Mass at Noon on Sunday, 24 September 

His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 24 September at St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the Mass, marking the start of the new Legal Year.   

Parish Youth Group Sunday 24th September at Ravelston

The Youth Group will return from Sunday 24th September in the Parish Rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. All those in Primary 3-S1 are welcome! The Youth Group meets from 6pm until 7.30 and includes a mixture of some games and activities, learning more about the faith, a time of prayer and the tuckshop! Register for the new session for just £1 per child and don’t forget spending money for the tuckshop. Please pick up one of the cards with a QR code to register after Mass today or see the poster for more details.

St Andrew’s Talks

Thank you to everyone who turned out for the first in the new series of St Andrew’s Talks. The next one will be given by Fr Andrew Garden on 25th September in the Parish Rooms. At that time in the liturgical year of the Church we celebrate angels – both arch and guardian. Fr Andrew will, therefore, be talking “Angels and Archangels”, what they are, what their significance is in the faith and how we recognise them today. Join us for Mass at 6pm on Monday 25th September and then the talk starting at 6.45pm, followed by some refreshments and a chance to discuss the subject.

Open House & Holy Hour with the Sisters: Sunday, 24 September

Come and pray with the Sisters in celebration! On Sunday 24 September the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan celebrate the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, the patroness of their community. This is a very special feast day for the Sisters, since this year they are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the founding of their community (1st September 2023-1st September 2024). The Holy Father has granted the opportunity for a Plenary Indulgence for anyone who prays in one of the Sisters’ chapels and fulfils the usual requirements. Come for the Open House at 2:00pm to talk with the Sisters, see the convent, and learn a little about their community, followed by Holy Hour with Vespers at 3:50pm. To help with planning for this event, please RSVP: edinburgh@almamercy.org, 01313433380.

Each Wednesday 5.00pm Adoration & Confession

Stop in at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston on Wednesdays and spend some time with Jesus Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. Beginning from 5pm, we have Eucharistic Adoration, and a priest is available to hear Confessions, too. This is an opportunity to allow yourself some quiet, peaceful time to pray. Our Lord is waiting for you, so come and meet Him!

 Ravelston Summer BBQ 2023 

Following our most successful summer BBQ on 3rd September, we have now collated all the ticket monies and proceeds from sales on the day, as well as any expenses and can confirm that a net total of £1,424 was raised!  This is a fantastic achievement and huge thanks once again to all involved. 

Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage Today at St. Patrick’s

The 2023 National Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair is today (Sunday 17 September) at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12:30-1:50pm Refreshments and sale of candles & goods; 2:00pm Holy Hour with Rosary, Confession, Silence, Hymns & Benediction; 3:00pm Reflection & Novena Prayers; 3:30pm break for refreshments and sale of candles & holy items; 4:30pm Holy Mass.

SCIAF Event on Catholic Social Teaching in Action

Mark Booker from SCIAF hosts a two-part workshop on 21 and 28 September, 7-9pm at Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. It is titled ‘Catholic Social Teaching in Action: The SCIAF Approach’. It will highlight the charity’s work and how Catholic Social Teaching can be put into action in the light of the Gospel. Register at ejcyoungadults@jesuit.org.uk.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Children Begins 25th September 

Children grow in love for Jesus, the Good Shepherd, through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program in a child-friendly space called an atrium. By developing their relationship with God through works that include guided, hands-on activities, children learn about how much God loves them. Free of charge at Iona Atrium, Gillis Centre, 100 Strathhearn Road, Edinburgh EH9 1BB. Children from any parish welcome! Sessions begin for 3-4 year olds on Monday, 25 September, 10:00am - 12:00pm, and for 5-6 year olds on Friday, 29 September: 1:00pm - 2:30pm, 6-9 year olds at 3:00pm - 4:30pm.  To register, please contact Sister Miriam Ruth Ryan, RSM at SrMiriam.Ruth@staned.org.uk, 07933928211.

Retreat in Daily Life

Fr David Stewart SJ leads a four-week Retreat in Daily Life from 1 October to 5 November. You can make this individually guided retreat without leaving your home, just attend the welcome gathering at the start, and a similar shared closing at the end at Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. For an application pack and more details email ejcretreats@jesuit.org.uk

Mass for Young Adults

A Mass for Young Adults takes place each Sunday at 7pm at Sacred Heart Church in Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. The new Young Adults Ministry programme for 2023-24 is available at the Church or via ejcyoungadults@jesuit.org.uk.

Free2Pray Webinar – Make Your Voice Heard 

The Scottish Parliament is considering a proposed Bill to ban peaceful prayers and offers of help near abortion clinics in Scotland. Join a webinar titled ‘Free2Pray’ to find out what you can do to make your voice heard. It takes place on Tuesday 3 October at 7:45pm and is organised by the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office. Register at bit.ly/free2pray

A View from Within: Life Inside Scotland’s Prisons

Those with experience of what life is like inside Scotland’s prisons – including prison chaplains – share their stories at this free event to mark Prisoners’ Week. It takes place on Saturday 7 October from 10:00am- 3:30pm at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Details and registration at bit.ly/aviewfromwithin

Information Meeting on Teams of Our Lady to Help Married Couples 

Teams of Our Lady is a worldwide lay movement within the Catholic Church that aims to help married couples grow in their love of Christ and each other, recognising that Christian marriage is a precious gift that we need to nurture. Teams consist of four to six couples and a spiritual counsellor, often a priest, who meet roughly once a month in each other's homes becoming, over time, a strong supportive group. If you would like to find out more there will be an open information evening on Tuesday 10 October, 6:30pm-7:30pm in Ss John Cantius & Nicholas church hall, Broxburn, EH52 5RJ.

Praying for Life: 40 Days for Life Edinburgh 

Pray for an end to abortion with 40 Days for Life between 27th September and 5th November on the public right-of-way outside the Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Chalmers Street, Edinburgh. For more information, contact edinburgh40days@gmail.com or to sign up for prayer vigil hours visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/Edinburgh.

Pregnancy Support 

Help is available to women with unplanned pregnancies, or women who have had an abortion.  Connect with free and confidential resources including Stanton Healthcare (https://www.stantonscotland.org/), St. Margaret’s Children & Family Care Society (https://stmargaretsadoption.org.uk/), or Abortion Recovery Care & Helpline (https://www.archtrust.org.uk/)