Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

Quiz Night, Friday 29th September at 7pm

On Friday 29th September we will be having one of our very popular Parish Quiz Nights. The night will run from 7-10pm. There will be a bar, and nibbles will be 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 (cheap – Ed!) are on sale after Mass today. Numbers are limited – so snap them up quickly while still available!!!

The Cathedral Big Clean Saturday 30th September at 2pm

On Saturday 30th September we will be having another “Big Clean” in the Cathedral from 2-4pm. Jobs on the list including moving all the chairs to clean underneath them and wiping down the kneelers, cleaning behind the curtains in the Sanctuary and around the edges of the Cathedral where it is harder to get at. We need approximately 25 volunteers to complete the tasks within the time and so far we only have 5! This is something that you can do which really makes a difference. A gift of time – far more valuable than money. Please consider signing up after Mass or email me on complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins on Tuesday at 7pm

If you, or someone you know, would like to become Catholic, or simply learn more about the Catholic faith, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm at 61 York Place - beginning this Tuesday, 12th September. For more information and to register, call in the parish office at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.

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.

Young Adults Group begins again on Tuesday 19th September 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 at the back of the Church for more details!

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 Retreat at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull

Thank you to the parishioners who are attending the parish retreat that Friends of St Mary's Cathedral has organised at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull on Friday 22 - Sunday 24 September,. Please get in touch with ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or the Cathedral Office if you have not had confirmation of your place yet.

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.

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.

Cathedral Flower Arranging Team Seeking New Volunteers

We are always 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 at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com; or call her on 0131 553 1510.

Comings and Goings…

Matthew McCafferty, the seminarian who was in his summer placement here for the month of August, has returned to seminary in Rome. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues his studies. You may also have noticed a few new Sisters around. Sister Miriam Ruth, RSM is the new Catechetics Advisor for the Archdiocese, taking over from Sister Anna Marie McGuan. Sister Paul Miriam, RSM is a second-year novice and has been sent to assist Sister Miriam Ruth with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. They are both exited to serve the archdiocese. Sister Ilse, from the Netherlands, is a postulant with the community (one of a class of 11 postulants!) and will be traveling to the Motherhouse for her time there in preparation for entering the novitiate. Please pray for them and make sure to meet them!

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone that helped to make the annual summer BBQ such a wonderful event last weekend! We were very fortunate to have sunshine and clear blue skies all afternoon, as well as a great selection of books, bric-a-brac and plants, a tombola, a sweet stall and, of course, fabulous food! Particular thanks go to Phil for organising, John for endless barbecuing(!) and to all our volunteers who helped run the stalls as well as all those who brought salads, cakes and desserts! A great time was had by all! Although we have collected in the majority of monies that were taken on the day, we are still collating final expenses and hope to confirm final figures next weekend for what was definitely a most successful and enjoyable afternoon!

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!

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.

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.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Children Ages 3 to 9

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.

Read the newsletter for 10th September (pdf)