Ask Your MP to Support the Abortion Time Limit Reduction Amendment
An amendment to the Abortion Act is currently before Parliament to reduce our abortion time limit from 24 weeks to 22 weeks. This is a reasonable and winnable proposal which is supported by medical science and common sense. Please use the postcard in this newsletter or take one from the back of church to mail to your MP to support an amendment. Research indicates that a significant number of babies born at 22 or 23 weeks can now survive outside the womb, leaving a contradiction in our abortion law. Take action: Collect a postcard today from the back of the church and post it to your MP urgently in support of this amendment!
Lent 2024
Friday Eucharistic Adoration and Stations of the Cross
Every Friday morning during Lent, Eucharistic Adoration will be held in the Cathedral from 10:30am-12:30pm, followed by the 12:45pm daily Mass and afterwards we will pray the Stations of the Cross.
Sacrament of Confession in Lent
Please take the time in Lent to go to Confession to help you prepare for Easter. Remember that it is a Precept of the Church that all Catholics should go to Confession at least once a year, at Easter or thereabouts. Priests are available to hear confessions Monday-Friday after the 12:45pm Mass and Saturdays 10:30am-12Noon and 5:00-5:45pm. ‘How to Go to Confession’ cards are available by the Confessionals or at https://bit.ly/HowtogotoConfession. For further information on the Sacrament of Confession, visit https://goodconfession.com/
Rite of Enrolment for First Holy Communion
Today at 9am Mass at the Cathedral and 10:30am Mass at Ravelston, we welcome the children who are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion (along with their families) as they are formally enrolled for the sacrament. Please keep them in your prayers.
Parish Youth Group (P3-P7) Returns
The Youth Group returns on Sunday 25 February, at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-7's are welcome to join the group which meets 6:00pm-7:30pm in the parish rooms. Come along to learn about the faith, play games and meet new friends! There is a one off £1 registration fee for the year.
Fr. Gerard Hatton to Speak at the Young Adults on Tuesday at 7pm
All young adults ages 18-35 are welcome to come along to our Young Adults talk on Tuesday, 27th February. We will welcome Fr. Gerard Hatton who will speak on ‘What is Man? The Problem of Sin.’ Come for teas and coffees at 7:00pm and then the talk at 7:30pm, and Night Prayer and pub discussion to conclude.
Help Needed: Passkeepers for All Masses and 7:30pm EMHC and Readers
We are in need of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Readers for 7:30pm Sunday Mass, and passkeepers for all Masses to help greet people. If you can help, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com
Why not be an Altar Server?
Serving at the Altar is an important and worthy way of helping the Parish. All of you who have made your First Holy Communion and who can still walk and talk (!) are eligible to take up this venerable ministry!! Why not think about joining the team of Altar servers here at the Cathedral? If you would like to know more, speak to Fr. Robert or Wojtek.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 27th February at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60. Please come along and join us!
Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Stations of the Cross
Every Wednesday we have Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions 5:00pm-6:00pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass. Immediately after Mass, we will pray the Stations of the Cross 6:30pm-7:00pm. Come and join us!
St. Andrew’s Talk! Join Us for Justice and Peace Scotland
Join us tomorrow, Monday 26th February, for our next St Andrew’s Talk in the Parish Rooms from 6.45pm. Anne-Marie Clements, the Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer for Justice and Peace Scotland will speak about the work of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Commission and how it is all underpinned by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. This is a great opportunity to find out more about how we can enact the words of Pope St Paul VI, “If you want peace, work for justice”. The talk will be followed by some light refreshments.
Fundraising Run (or walk!) Sundays in Lent
At 11:30am today and every Sunday in Lent we will have a fundraising run/walk from St. Andrew’s, Ravelston to St. Mary’s Cathedral and return (approx. 5 km). Think about sponsoring us! Funds raised will be for the refurbishment of the parish rooms at St Andrews. Details of how to sponsor will follow. As the weather improves and spring days draw nearer, come along and join in!
St. Andrew’s Convent: Open House & Holy Hour
All mothers and daughters are especially welcome to come to the Open House and Holy Hour with the Religious Sisters of Mercy on Saturday, 9 March at St. Andrew’s Convent, Ravelston! The Open House with teas and coffees is from 4:15pm and Holy Hour 5:15pm-6:15pm with Vespers. This is the Sisters’ community’s 50th Jubilee Year and the Holy Father has granted the opportunity for a Plenary Indulgence for anyone who prays in one of the Sisters’ chapels during the year and fulfils the usual requirements. Please RSVP to edinburgh@almamercy.org 01313433380.
Scripture Reflection Meeting for Women
All women in the parish are invited to a special evening of Scripture reflection with the Religious Sisters of Mercy at St. Andrew's, Ravelston on Tuesday 12 March. The evening will begin at 5:30pm with Vespers, followed by Mass. Then after dinner together there will be a time of reflection on the Gospel reading for the following Sunday. All women are welcome and if you would like to come, please RSVP by Monday, 11 March at edinburgh@almamercy.org
Bacon Roll Fundraiser on Laetare Sunday/Mother’s Day
Come and enjoy a late brunch, stay or take away, in the Parish Rooms at Ravelston after 10:30am Mass on Laetare Sunday/Mother’s Day, Sunday, 10 March at our bacon roll fundraiser for the parish rooms renovation. Any donation on the day will be appreciated!
Sr. Roseann Reddy Reflection on Pro-Life Stations of the Cross
Om Monday at 7:45pm on Zoom, Sister Roseann Reddy, a Sister of the Gospel of Life, will offer a reflection during the Archdiocese’s online Pro-Life Stations of the Cross. Every Monday in Lent, join the Pro-Life Stations of the Cross praying for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Please be sure to sign up at https://bit.ly/lentstations
Lent Video Reflections
Join Canon Hugh White each week in Lent as he reflects on the ‘Challenge of the Gospel’, in weekly videos posted each Monday on the Archdiocesan YouTube channel: bit.ly/ArchYouTube
This Evening: Explore the Vocation to Religious Life
Is God calling you to be a religious Sister? Come along this evening, Sunday 25 February, for a chat about women’s religious life. At this meeting, young Catholic women have an opportunity to chat and explore God's will for their vocation to serve the Church. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the meeting takes place 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street. To register, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Job Vacancy: Estates Surveyor
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint an Estates Surveyor to support the Director of Property in all aspects of property management, development, letting, acquisitions, and sales of property. The role holder should have significant property related experience and ideally be RICS qualified. Salary: £31.5-35K dependent on qualifications/experience. To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role to recruitment@staned.org.uk by Friday 1 March 2024.
World Day of Prayer Service
A World Day of Prayer service will be held Friday, 1 March, 11:30am-12:30pm at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh. The programme was written by an ecumenical group of Christian Palestinian women with the theme “I beg you… bear with one another in love,” from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-3. The service will be followed by refreshments in Walpole Hall, where Palestinian handcrafts will be on sale from the Edinburgh shop Hadeel http://www.hadeel.org
Archdiocesan Day for Catechists
If you are involved with RCIA, children’s liturgy, sacramental preparation or any other catechist role, register for the Archdiocesan Day for Catechists at Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, Saturday 9 March, 10:30am-3:00pm. In workshops and talks, we will highlight baptismal and sacramental preparation, children's liturgy, lesson plans and resources...and lots more! There will be a bookstand featuring titles for children & adults. Visit https://bit.ly/dayforcatechists
Called to be Saints - Youth Day for S1-S4
A day of inspiration, friendship and prayer for S1-S4 pupils that asks the question 'what does it to be a saint in the modern world?' Run by Fr Robert Taylor and Fr Martin Eckersley, it features talks from guests including Judith Ralston, BBC Scotland weather presenter. It takes place on Saturday 23 March, midday to 4:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, EH9 1BB. Register at http://bit.ly/calledtobesaints
Remembering Service for Those Suffering Loss of a Child
A service for those who have suffered the loss of a child, from the beginning of pregnancy onwards, together with those who wish to come in love and support, to have time in quiet surroundings to fully recognise their loss and help with healing. Sunday 3 March, 5:00pm at St John the Baptist RC Church, 37 St Ninian’s Rd, Edinburgh, EH12 8AL. Ecumenical and open to all.
June 2024 Brecbannoch Pilgrimage: Walk from Oban to Iona Abbey
This year's, Brecbannoch Pilgrimage, a walking pilgrimage from Oban to Iona Abbey is 7 to 10 June 2024. The purpose of the pilgrimage is to pray and do penance for the evangelisation of Scotland and for the sanctity of her priests. Pilgrims will walk for 3 days, carrying the relics of St Columba across the Isles, until they reach Iona Abbey, where Holy Mass and a Solemn Procession will take place on the Solemnity of St Columba. Booking online at https://www.brecbannoch.org/ Deadline is 29 February 2024.
Catholic Union General Election Survey 2024
The Catholic Union urges Catholics across the country to have their say on what matters most to them ahead of the next General Election, expected later this year. The Catholic Union has launched a new survey seeking people’s views on the policy areas where Catholic voices are most needed. The results will inform the Catholic Union’s interventions in the election campaign, including publication of a “Catholic Manifesto” to be sent out to candidates ahead of polling day. To complete the online, anonymous survey, please visit https://bit.ly/CU2024election-survey It takes 2 minutes!
“And finally Esther…”
That dates me, doesn’t it? Just to say that I have been doing some work on the Passion narrative in St. John’s Gospel (which is just incredible…) and I thought I would offer to share this with you as a kind of Holy Week Meditation – just if you are interested and would like to understand it more. I am going to do it as a Zoom at 6pm on Palm Sunday (24th March). So just to give you advance warning and an opportunity to put it in your diaries. I think you will find it as incredible (and as moving) as I have…Fr. Pat