‘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.
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.
Welcome to Those Received into the Church and Confirmed
Congratulations and welcome to those received and confirmed into the Catholic Church on Saturday, 30 September. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, contact the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to learn more.
Young Adults Group this Tuesday at 7pmwith Fr. Jamie McMorrin
This week the Young Adults Group welcomes back Fr. Jamie McMorrin who will speak on ‘The Benedict Option: Handing on the Faith in the Dark Ages’. All those between the ages of 18-35 are welcome to the weekly meetings. 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!
Youth Group Every Sunday at Ravelston
The Youth Group has returned! It meets every Sunday evening at St Andrew’s, Ravelston from 6 to 7.30pm. You can register today using the QR code on the postcards or posters dotted around the parish or by turning up on the night and filling in a form. It is a one off £1 registration fee for the year and every evening involves games, activities to learn about the faith before prayer to conclude the night. Don’t forget some spending money for the tuckshop too.
Crux Magazine on Sale This Weekend
The latest edition of the Cathedral’s Crux magazine will be on sale after all Masses this weekend. This issue includes features 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, and the Friends of the Cathedral’s Tea with the Archbishop and much more! Join the Friends at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends
Schola Cantorum at The Cumnock Tryst Festival next Sunday 8 October
Next Sunday 8 October, our Schola Cantorum will appear at Sir James MacMillan's The Cumnock Tryst international music festival at 11am Mass at St John’s Church, 92 Glaisnock Street KA18 1JU. All are welcome. Each year the opening service of the festival is hosted by a different denomination, and this year it is the turn of the Catholic Church to offer up its best! It is a great honour for our Schola Cantorum to have been invited by Sir James MacMillan, Director of The Cumnock Tryst and our Patron of Music, to be the choir for the opening Festival Mass. The octet will sing Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli and We shall walk through the valley arranged by Undine Smith Moore, which you can hear at this Sunday's 12pm Mass. (See https://www.thecumnocktryst.com/festival-mass for more details about the Festival Mass.) After the opening service, the Schola Cantorum will perform a programme of Scottish songs at the Festival Promenade Concert in the beautiful Dumfries House, including So Deep composed by MacMillan himself. (See https://www.thecumnocktryst.com/festival-promenade-concert for more details)
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.
First Reconciliation Classes Begin Sunday, 8th October
First Confession/ Reconciliation classes start on Sunday 8th Oct from 9:30am in the Parish Rooms at St Andrews. We look forward to meeting our new registrations there
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon and Outing to Earl Haig Poppy Factory
Join us for the Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon on Tuesdays 2.30 pm till 4pm in Coffee Saints. Also, we will have an outing to Earl Haig Poppy Factory on Wednesday 11 October 1.30-3pm, Logie Green Road. Please make it know at the Coffee Afternoon if you’d like to attend or call 07716 963215.
Catenian Association Meetings for Catholic Men on 18th October
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.
St. Pauls Bookshop Open 7 Days a Week, 10am-5pm
Our St. Pauls Bookshop is now open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm. Stop in any day to shop for Catholic Bibles, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a Daily Missal, books, holy cards, rosaries, medals, greeting cards, diaries, posters, statues and a variety of children’s Bibles and books! Contact edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk, 0131 510 4260, www.stpauls.org.uk
Rosary Before Mass During October
During the month of October, the rosary will begin at 5:30pm before Mass at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, and on Wednesday will be prayed before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration. This is a beautiful and prayerful devotion to undertake during the month of Our Lady.
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!
St Andrew’s Talks
Thanks to everyone who turned out for the latest St Andrew’s Talk on Monday night with Fr Andrew Garden. Our next talk will be on Monday, 30th October from 6.45pm with Anthony Horan, the Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, to discuss the work of the office and the representation of our faith in the political forum.
Ravelston Social Committee Meets on Wednesday, 4th October
The Social Committee will meet on Wednesday 4th October to plan the social events for the next year in St Andrew’s. Everyone who is interested in helping at these events are most welcome to meet with Fr Robert at the meeting, which will begin at 6.30pm in the parish rooms. If you can’t make it, but have an idea to put before the committee, please e-mail frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Monthly 'Knit and Natter' on First Friday
We are planning a 'knit and natter' afternoon on the first Friday of every month, starting this Friday 6th October, 2:00pm-4:00pm in the parish rooms at St Andrew’s. There is no need to do any knitting!! All crafts are welcome, however, and if you would like to learn a craft, hopefully someone can help you!! If you would like to be involved or learn more, contact Marie McQuillan (marie.mcquillan@virgin.net) or Pat Hernandez.
Ravelston Fabric Update
As part of our ongoing maintenance programme, the leak in the roof above the sanctuary has now been repaired; and the external window frames are in the process of being repainted, along with the entrance porch and sacristy. In approximately 6-8 weeks’ time, the new sanctuary curtains and associated changes should be ready to install, along with the new carpet. The sanctuary will then be a truly worthy home for the Lord. We are extremely grateful to the anonymous donor whose generosity has enabled these sanctuary improvements. Nearer the time, we will be looking for volunteers to assist with moving larger items off/on the carpeting – so watch this space!
Thank You from the Sisters!
Thank you to so many of you who joined us for our Open House and Holy Hour on our patronal Feast Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy 24th September. It was wonderful to welcome you at the start of our Jubilee Year. We have scheduled more Open Houses and Holy Hours including Saturday, 11 November, 4:15pm Open House, 5:10pm Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. To attend, RSVP at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380. Postcards are available at the back of church with details and future dates.
All-Day Adoration with Missionaries of Charity on Saturday, 7th October
In celebration of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, on Saturday 7th October, the Missionaries of Charity will have all-day Eucharistic Adoration in their chapel. This day is also a day of thanksgiving for the Missionaries of Charity - since on this day in 1950 the religious community was official established in the Archdiocese of Kolkata. 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.
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
Tea Dance at Coffee Saints
Coffee Saints is hosting a Tea Dance on Wednesday, 22 November, 2:00pm-5:00pm. Grab your dance partner and join in for cake, tea and dancing to some fantastic live music! Tickets at Coffee Saints, £15pp.
Explore Retreat for Women to Find Out More about Religious Life
The Archdiocese’s EXPLORE retreat is for women to learn more about a vocation to the religious life, Friday 3 to Sunday 5 November at St Columba's, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. Join other women to reflect and pray, led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO. Contact religiousvocations@staned.org.uk