Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Cathedral Team, I would like to wish you all a happy and truly blessed Easter. I hope that you will be able to celebrate with your loved ones. Thank you all for participating so generously not just over the last week, but throughout the whole of Lent. I would like to thank especially all those who have worked so hard to make our celebrations so beautiful; the Servers, the Musicians, the Flower Arrangers, the Church Cleaners and the Passkeepers, and I would like to thank Fr. Robert for coordinating the liturgies so well. It has been a wonderful Holy Week and we, the Cathedral clergy, wish you all a very Happy and Holy Easter. May the Risen Lord Bless You All, Fr. Patrick
Request Recital and Demonstration of the Organ by Cathedral Organist, Tom Wilkinson
Have you ever wondered how the Cathedral organ works? And do you have a favourite piece that you would like to hear played on the Cathedral organ? If so, this event is for you. Join us at 1.30pm, Sun 21 April for a Request Recital and Demonstration of the Organ by Cathedral Organist Tom Wilkinson who will explain and demonstrate what the mighty machine can do. A video link will enable you to see Tom’s fingers and feet in action. Please submit requests for pieces to be played by Sunday 14 April to organist@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Retiring collection in aid of Tom’s attendance at an international conference on the music of J. S. Bach, at which is presenting some of his research into the composer.
Sir James MacMillan talk: “Chant, the Music of Faith, and Its Influence on the History of Music”, Tuesday 23 April, 7:30pm, in the Cathedral
Join Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral for a rare opportunity to hear insights from the Cathedral’s Patron of Music, Sir James MacMillan, one of the world’s most acclaimed composers, and one of the Church’s great musicians. All are welcome! You can book free tickets to attend this popular event here: https://bit.ly/StMarysM
Friends of the Cathedral should have received an invitation and are to confirm by emailing ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
Feast of Divine Mercy Holy Hour
Join us for our celebration for Feast of Divine Mercy, in English and Polish, here in the Cathedral at 3:00pm on Sunday, 7th April, Divine Mercy Sunday, including a Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunity for Confession.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 2nd April at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60. Please come along and join us!
Recording of Talk on the Study of the St. John Passion
If you missed Fr. Patrick’s Zoom talk from Palm Sunday on the Passion as recounted in St. John’s Gospel, you can watch it online any time on the Archdiocese’s YouTube channel bit.ly/ArchYouTube. Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to request a copy of the handout used for the talk. John is by far the most subtle and deep of the evangelists and his account of the Passion is incredibly carefully and beautifully put together. Watch the video to learn more!
Young Adults Talks on the Prophets Begin Tuesday, 16 April
The Young Adults Group meeting will resume on the 16th April. The next session of talks will be on the importance of Prophets in the Faith. Our first talk is with Canon Luiz Ruscillo on the Prophet Isaiah at 63 York Place from 7.30pm. The talk will be followed by Night Prayer and time to discuss in the pub.
Catenians Meeting on Wednesday, 17th April at 7.00 p.m.
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to a meeting on Wednesday, 17th April, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. Informal chat to follow in a local pub. Join us! The Association is an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com.
Parish Youth Group (P3-P7) Returns Sunday, 21 April
The Youth Group is on break just now and will return on at St Andrew’s, Ravelston on Sunday, 21 April. All P3-7's are welcome to join the group which meets between 6 and 7.30 at St Andrew's, Ravelston. As always come to learn about the faith, socialise and the tuck shop! There is a one off £1 registration fee for the year.
Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation courses will be on the following Saturdays: 1st June, 24th August and 23rd November. The courses are 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: First Communion & Confirmation Gifts
The season of First Communions and Confirmations is coming up in the weeks ahead and you’ll find a wide variety of lovely gifts, books and cards in the St Pauls Bookshop for those you love who are receiving these sacraments. Contact 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk. Please note Easter Sunday hours: 10am-3pm. Normal hours resume Easter Monday, 1 April with the shop open daily 10am-5pm.
Save the Date: Organ Performance of L’Ascension
On the Solemnity of the Ascension, Thursday, 9 May, at 8:15pm Cathedral Organist Tom Wilkinson will perform L’Ascension (1934) a meditation on Christ’s Ascension, by arguably the greatest twentieth-century composer of organ music, Olivier Messiaen. Duration: 30 minutes. Retiring collection for Cathedral music.
Wednesday Adoration and Confession
Every Wednesday we have Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions 5:00pm-6:00pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass. Come and spend some quiet time in prayer with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and take the opportunity for Confession.
Paella Night at Ravelston
Join us for a delicious paella dinner on Saturday, 20 April at 6:00pm in the Parish Rooms to fundraise for the renovation of the parish rooms and enjoy a lovely evening with friends and family. Tickets on sale from this weekend at £5.00 per person. Bring your own bottle. Come along!
Save the Dates: St. Andrew's Talks in April and May
The St Andrew’s Talks will return at the end of April. Darlene Newman will speak on 29th April about how liturgical reforms over the years have led to changes in church architecture -- for good or bad! The final talk will be 27th May when Anne-Marie Clements will join us for the delayed talk on the work of the Justice and Peace commission in Scotland. Talks begin at 6.45pm with refreshments available afterwards.
Religious Sisters of Mercy 2024 Open Houses
The Religious Sisters of Mercy invite all to their next Open House on Saturday, 20th April at St. Andrew’s Convent, Ravelston. The Open House will begin at 4:15pm and will end with a Holy Hour and Vespers from 5:15pm-6:15pm. As part of their 50th Jubilee Year events – there will be further Open Houses on Saturdays: 11th May and 24th August. Everyone is most welcome to come along, to meet the Sisters, learn about their mission and work and pray with them. Please come along! RSVP either with an email to edinburgh@almamercy.org or by phoning on 0131 343 3380.
Speak Out for Religious Freedom
Please respond today to the Scottish Government’s ‘Ending Conversion Practices’ Consultation. The Catholic Church has expressed serious concern at the nature and scope of any such legislation. Loving parental guidance and the day-to-day pastoral work of churches is at risk of being criminalised. The consultation closes on 2nd April. A full guide including tips on responding to the consultation is online at https://rcpolitics.org/conversion-practices/
Act Now to Stop DIY Abortion Up to Birth
Diana Johnson MP has tabled an amendment (New Clause 1) to the Government’s Criminal Justice Bill, which is coming up for Report stage in Parliament in early March. This amendment seeks to change criminal law so that “no offence is committed by a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy” at any gestation. This means that a woman who induced her abortion at home using pills (or any other method) at any stage of pregnancy, including just before natural birth, would commit no offence. This is dangerous for women and lethal for unborn babies. Please contact your MP urgently, asking them to oppose this extreme and barbaric proposal at https://www.spuc.org.uk/abortionamendments. Please pray for the defeat of this amendment, for protection of unborn babies, and help and comfort for mothers in need.
Mass with the African & Caribbean Community
The monthly Mass with the African & Caribbean community takes place at St Cuthbert’s, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT, on Sunday 7 April at 2pm. All welcome.
Tickets Available for 20th April Order of Malta Charity Ball
All parishioners are invited to support the Order of Malta, one of the church's oldest, global charities, as it raises funds for projects in Ukraine and across Scotland. Details about a fund-raising Ball at Prestonfield House on 20th April are at https://www.orderofmaltascotlandball.co.uk/
Thank You from Archdiocesan SSVP President
“On behalf of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, I thank all parishes for their generosity in raising £17,673 in the Day of the Poor collection in November for the Fife Furniture Project. Your support will allow us to help many people across the Archdiocese. Thanks to Archbishop Cushley for allowing the project to be the beneficiary.” – Haydn Carr, SSVP President, Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh
Archdiocesan Event on Catholic Devotions: ‘Deeply Devoted’
Explore the rich history of Catholic Devotions at a special event on Saturday 27 April 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Deeply Devoted features inspiring talks and a free light lunch. Details and registration at https://bit.ly/deeplydevoted
Summer Family Retreats at Craig Lodge House of Prayer, Dalmally
Families have always held a special place in the life of Craig Lodge and we love welcoming them into our House of Prayer. This summer, beginning 8-12 July, we are running 3 weeks for young families who want to equip themselves spiritually. Activities for children allow parents to attend teachings on the importance of worship and the renewal of our minds. We will pray together, adore Jesus together, have fellowship together and find refreshment and strength in the Lord. To book your place, visit https://www.craiglodge.org/events For more details, please contact mail@craiglodge.org, 01838 200216, Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR.
Funding to Study Theology
SAAS funding is available from April for all Scottish students taking the MA in Applied Catholic Theology course 2024/25. The course is offered by St Mary’s University in partnership with the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. To register or enquire please visit
https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/applied-catholic-theology A webinar will be hosted by the Archdiocese on Wednesday 29 May (6-7pm) for prospective students. Details to follow.
Pro-Life Chain, Edinburgh
SPUC's Pro-Life Chain will be the main event of Edinburgh's Festival of Life on Saturday 27 April at 11:00am on Lothian Road. It will be preceded by the Rosary at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Church on Lauriston Street.