Easter Postcards
Holy Week and Easter are coming soon, which is a good time of year to reach out to people who have perhaps, for one reason or another, stopped coming to Mass and to invite them to return to church. For precisely this reason last year we initiated a “Postcard Campaign” – in which we asked you to take a bundle of postcards and either give them to any friends you might know who have stopped coming to Mass – or just to put them into the letter boxes of any people who think might be interested. Because it went so well last year, we have done the same again this year, so please pick up a postcard at the back of church and think about who you might be able to reach out to this year!
10am Wednesday Mass Resumes This Week
The testing of the electrical circuit boards in the Cathedral is now complete and the 10am Mass on Wednesday will resume as of this week.
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.
Palm Sunday Meditation on the Passion Narrative of St. John’s Gospel
Save the date for Fr. Patrick’s Holy Week reflection on the incredible and moving Passion Narrative of St. John’s Gospel. It will be on Zoom at 6pm on Palm Sunday, 24th March. Details to come!
Holy Week and Easter at the Cathedral
Sunday 24 March: Palm Sunday
6.00pm (Vigil Mass on Saturday)
9.00am, 12 Noon and 7.30pm
Polish: 10.30am and 6.00pm
Tuesday 26 March: Chrism Mass
9.00am (Polish)
10.00am & 12.45pm
No 6 pm Mass
7.00pm: Chrism Mass
The Sacred Triduum
Thursday 28 March: Maundy Thursday
No 6 pm Mass
7.00pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper
followed by watching at the Altar of Repose and Night Prayer at 11.00pm
Friday 29 March: Good Friday
3.00pm: Passion Liturgy
5.00pm: Passion Liturgy (Polish)
7.00pm: Stations of the Cross
Saturday 30 March: Holy Saturday
Polish Food Blessing: 12Noon, 3.00pm and 5.00pm
Easter Vigil
7.00pm: Easter Vigil Mass (Saturday)
Easter Sunday
9.00am, 12 Noon and 7.30pm
Polish: 10.30am and 6:00pm
Confessions during Holy Week at the cathedral:
Monday to Wednesday from 1.15pm onwards
Between 5.00pm and 6.00 pm (Polish)
Holy Thursday from 1.15pm onwards
Following the Passion Liturgy on Good Friday to 7.00pm
Holy Saturday morning from 10.00am-12 Noon
Please note: There will be no afternoon or evening Confessions on Holy Saturday 30 March.
Parish Youth Group (P3-P7) on Sumday
The Youth Group will meet on Sunday 3rd March, 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.
Bishop John Keenan 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. Bishop John Keenan of Paisley will speak on ‘What is Man? Faith and Reason.’ Come for teas and coffees at 7:00pm and then the talk at 7:30pm, and Night Prayer and pub discussion to conclude.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon & Cinema Outing
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 5th March at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60. Please come along and join us! The cinema outing on Wednesday 6th March is 'Wicked Little Letters' showing at 11.45am. The film is rated 15 and contains some adult themes. Meet upstairs at Omni, Greenside 5 minutes before. Cheapest way to book is online, 8 seats reserved via online, text if you’d like to reserve one. 07541 552070
Calling All Singers: Open Rehearsal of the 9am Sunday Choir 13th March
The 9am Sunday choir is looking for new members. If you are interested in joining this friendly group, or if you are simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes, you are warmly invited to an open rehearsal on Wednesday 13th March at 7.00pm in the Cathedral. Why not come along and give it a try!
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
Want to Grow in Love and Service of God? Join the Team of Altar Servers
Serving at the Altar is an important and worthy way of helping the Parish and a great way to grow in your love and service of God and the Church. All of you who have made your First Holy Communion and 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.
Message from our Finance Officer
Firstly, a huge thank you to all of you who have chosen to gift aid donations to the parish! Many of you are registered for gift aid with the Cathedral and make a regular donation via standing order or use weekly gift aid envelopes when contributing to the offertory collections. Several of you also use the ‘one-off’ gift aid envelopes that are available at the back of the Church. This is a great way to show us that you would like us to include your donation in our annual gift aid rebate claim. However, HMRC advise that these envelopes are intended for donations that are more ‘one-off’ in nature – for example, people visiting Edinburgh, rather than regular parishioners. Registering for gift aid does not mean that you need to change the amount you give or how often you give, but it does help ensure that we can claim the gift aid rebate on donations that you do make, after the end of the tax year. To find out more or to request a gift aid registration form, please contact Caroline Reid at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
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!
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!
Holy Week and Easter at Ravelston
Palm Sunday, 24 March
10:30am
Tuesday, 26 March
No 6pm Mass
Holy Thursday, 28 March
No 6pm Mass
Good Friday, 29 March
3pm Passion Liturgy
Easter Sunday, 31 March
10:30am
Confessions During Holy Week:
Monday-Wednesday from 5.00pm
Next Saturday: 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 next 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 or call 01313433380.
Bacon Roll Fundraiser Rescheduled to Sunday, 5th May
Our Bacon Roll Fundraiser for the parish rooms renovation is now rescheduled for Sunday 5th May. Please do plan to come along and enjoy a delicious late brunch, stay or take away, in the Parish Rooms at Ravelston after 10:30am Mass. Any donation on the day will be appreciated!
Pro-Life Stations of the Cross
Every Monday in Lent at 7:45pm, praying for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. This Monday (4 March) includes a reflection from Fr Jonathan Whitworth of the Diocese of Paisley. Register at https://bit.ly/lentstations
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
Pathways of Hope: Forum on Catholic Social Teaching and Poverty
A free event on Catholic Social Teaching and Poverty titled ‘Pathways of Hope’ takes place on Saturday 16 March 10:30am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Come along and learn about Catholic Social Teaching, poverty and its causes, structures and effects; and how to take action on poverty and injustice. See the schedule and register at bit.ly/pathwaysofhopeevent
Catholic Families for Life
The latest issue of newsletter from the Bishops’ Commission for Marriage, Family & Life can be downloaded from 1st March at https://marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk at News & Events.
Coffee Saints Afternoon Tea for Mother’s Day!
How are you celebrating your MUM this Mother’s Day? On Saturday 9 March or Sunday 10 March, treat her to a delicious afternoon tea at Coffee Saints, with a glass of bubbles, freshly cut finger sandwiches, choice of homemade cakes, macarons & scones served with jam & cream, breakfast & fruit teas, and a gift for mum! Just £21.95 per person, with a minimum of two people. Book online at https://coffee-saints.resos.com/
Next Weekend: Special Collection for Papal & Episcopal Charities
Next weekend at the end of all Masses there will be a special collection for Papal & Episcopal Charities including the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF).