Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

Red Mass at Noon this Sunday

His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the Red Mass at Noon today at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal profession come together to mark the start of the new Legal Year. This year, we are very pleased to welcome a group of American judges and lawyers who are visiting Scotland under the auspices of the American Inns of Court and who will be present.

Crux Magazine on Sale This Weekend

The latest edition of the Cathedral’s Crux magazine will be on sale after all Masses this weekend. At only £5, with all proceeds benefitting the Cathedral, this issue includes a very special feature on our upcoming series of talks on the Gospel of Mark with Professor Edwards, the memorable parish pilgrimage to Rome for the ordinations of Deacons Peter Shankland and Paul Henderson, the Friends of the Cathedral’s Garden Party with the Archbishop and much more! Join Friends of the Cathedral at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends

‘Searching for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark’ Watch the video…! 

In anticipation of the forthcoming ‘Searching for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark’ event, our own Michael Ferguson has produced a wonderful video.

Watch the film here and why not help us publicise the event by sending the link to a friend or relative who might be interested.

https://youtu.be/zNALK8pPxqs

Tickets are available at bit.ly/Jesus-in-GospelofMark There is a modest cost to attend the talks – 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.

Parish Retreat in Kinnoull This Weekend

25 of our fellow parishioners are attending our Parish Retreat this weekend run by Friends of the Cathedral at St. Mary’s Monastery in Kinnoull. Please pray that it will be a blessed and spiritually fruitful time for all!

Parish Youth Group Tonight at Ravelston

The Youth Group will returns tonight, 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.

Quiz Night Friday 29th September

Thanks to all who purchased tickets for our Parish Quiz Night coming up on Friday 29th September at 7pm. Tickets are now sold out! We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Young Adults Group on Tuesday at 7pm

The Young Adults Group will meet again from Tuesday, 26th September. Join us for a talk by Fr. Malcolm Hutchison on ‘The Development of Sacred Tradition in the Church Fathers.’ All those between the ages of 18-35 are welcome to the weekly meetings. 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!

Welcome to Those Being Received into the Church and Confirmed

At the 10am Mass on Saturday, 30 September, six people will be received into the Catholic Church and seven people will receive the sacrament of Confirmation, following their completion of the Summer Sacraments Class with Fr. Robert, Deacon Peter and seminarian Matthew McCafferty. Congratulations to each of them on this special day in their lives of faith. Please keep them in your prayers! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, contact the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to learn more.

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.

Catenian Association Meetings for Catholic Men

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to their next meeting on Wednesday, 18th October, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. The Association is an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support. For more information contact John Russell at 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com

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.

Open House & Holy Hour with the Sisters this sunday

Come and pray with the Sisters in celebration today at their Open House at 2:00pm to learn a little about their community, followed by Holy Hour with Vespers at 3:50pm. Today, 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 year they are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their community’s founding. To help with planning for this event, please RSVP: edinburgh@almamercy.org, 01313433380.

St Andrew’s Talk Tomorrow on ‘Angels and Archangels’

Join us tomorrow at 6:45pm in the Parish Rooms at Ravelston for our St. Andrew’s Talk with Fr Andrew Garden on “Angels and Archangels”, what they are, what their significance is in the faith and how we recognise them today. Come along for Mass at 6pm and then the talk, followed by some refreshments and a chance to discuss the subject.

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!

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Children Begins Monday

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.

Assisted Dying Forum on Wednesday, 27 September

The Assisted Dying Bill will go to the Scottish Parliament soon. To become better informed about this important issue, register for the Assisted Dying Form on Wednesday, 27 September 7:30pm-9:00pm at Barclay Viewforth Church, 1 Wrights Houses, Edinburgh EH10 4HR. This free event will have four speakers who will each present their side of the argument. Email your questions before the event to: questions@barclayviewforth.org.uk. For the Bill: Liam McArthur MSP and Fraser Sutherland (Humanism Scotland). Against the Bill: Dr Gillian Wright (Our Duty of Care); and Dr Gordon Macdonald (Care Not Killing). Entry will be by pre-booked ticket only. To register please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/assisted-dying-forum-tickets-694389867787

Our Lady of the Rosary: All Day Adoration with Missionaries of Charity

In celebration of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, on Saturday, 7th October, join the Missionaries of Charity Sisters for all-day Eucharistic Adoration in their chapel. Adoration begins at 9:00am and concludes just before 5:30pm with Benediction, immediately followed by Mass. All are welcome! Stop by the convent, just a 12-minute walk from the Cathedral, at 18 Hopetoun Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 4AY.

Make Your Voice Heard: Abortion Services Bill to Be Debated in Holyrood

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, tabled by Gillian MacKay MSP, will soon be debated in Holyrood. If the Bill is passed it will remove a lifeline for women who want to keep their babies but feel they have no other choice than abortion, and will introduce so-called buffer zones around abortion clinics, meaning that even silent prayer or witness would not be allowed. Anyone taking part in a pro-life vigil in Scotland would be subject to a six-month prison sentence for a first offence, and up to two years for subsequent breaches. Make your voice heard by contacting your Members of the Scottish Parliament. Use this easy webtool to email them: https://www.spuc.org.uk/nobufferzonesScotland

Free2Pray Webinar

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

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

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

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.
Read the newsletter for 24th September (pdf)