Palm Sunday Meditation on the Passion Narrative of St. John’s Gospel
Join Fr Patrick to meditate on the Passion of Christ as written in the Gospel of St John. This Zoom event takes place at 6:00pm on Palm Sunday (24 March) on Zoom. This is a good way to start Holy Week in a spirit of reflection and to discover some insights into Christ’s Passion. Register at https://bit.ly/passionevent2024
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/m
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.
Easter Postcards: Invite Others to Good Friday and Easter
Reach out to your neighbours, family and coworkers to come back to church this Holy Week and Easter. Take along some postcards from the back of church and give them to anyone you think might be interested in or just put them into the letter boxes of any people who may appreciate an invitation. At this most important time of the church year, we can all do more to reach out to people who have perhaps, for one reason or another, stopped coming to Mass and to invite them to return. Consider who you might be able to reach out to this year, pray for them and invite them!
Parish Youth Group (P3-P7) Sunday night!
The Youth Group will meet on Sunday 10th 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. We’ll meet again next Sunday, 17th March before the Easter break and then will resume on Sunday, 21st April.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 12th March at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60. Please come along and join us!
Dr Thomas Anderson 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, 12th March. Dr Thomas Anderson will speak on ‘What is Man? Faith and Medicine.’ Come for teas and coffees at 7:00pm and then the talk at 7:30pm, and Night Prayer and pub discussion to conclude.
Catholic Men’s Group Meeting
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to join them at its next regular meeting on Wednesday, 20th March, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. Why not come along for a friendly chat over a coffee and meet 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 more information contact John Russell at 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com.
Help Needed: Passkeepers for All Masses and 7:30pm EMHC and Readers
We need 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.
This Weekend: Special Collection for Papal & Episcopal Charities
This 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).
Rose Bouquets Sale to Support Cathedral After Masses Next Weekend
Beautiful rose bouquets will be on sale for a donation after all Masses next weekend to support the Cathedral. Give a gift of roses to someone you love and support the Cathedral. Thank you for your generosity!
Tuesday Evening Scripture Reflection Meeting for Women
All women in the parish very welcome to a special evening of Scripture reflection at the convent of the Religious Sisters of Mercy at St. Andrew's, Ravelston this Tuesday 12 March, beginning at 5:30pm with Vespers, followed by 6pm Mass at the church. Then after dinner there will be a time of reflection and discussion together on the Gospel of John reading for the upcoming Fifth Sunday of Lent: “Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.” (John 12:24) Please RSVP by Monday, 11 March at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 01313433380. Come along and join us for this Lenten Scripture reflection and discussion.
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!
Next Sunday: Easter Knitted Goods to Support the Parish
Easter-themed knitted gift items will be on sale next Sunday, 17th March after Mass. All the profits from sales are generously donated to the parish by Joanna Kopystynska. Knitted items are also available online at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathedralKnits Support the parish and give a lovely Easter gift!
Fundraising Run (or walk!) Sundays in Lent
We have completed the first 3 runs for our fundraising run/walk! Many thanks to all who have participated. 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! Please take a form at back of Church to enable us to claim Gift Aid, then give your form and money to Fergus or Caroline. Or you can pay direct into the Bank: St Andrews Church – account number 10402444 – sort 83-06-08 (ref SUNDAY RUN). Thank you for your support! Funds raised will be for the refurbishment of the parish rooms at St Andrews.
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
Monday in Lent: Pro-Life Stations of the Cross
Join the Pro-Life Stations of the Cross online every Monday in Lent at 7:45pm, praying for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. The schedule includes:
11-Mar-24 Fr James Cadman (SS Mary & David, Hawick)
18-Mar-24 Fr Michael Carrie (St Mungo’s, Alloa, Diocese of Dunkeld)
25-Mar-24 Archbishop Cushley
Register at https://bit.ly/lentstations
Webinar on Euthanasia: A Warning from Canada
A 30-minute Zoom webinar, ‘Euthanasia: A Warning from Canada’, will be held on Wednesday 13 March at 7:45pm, hosted by Care Not Killing Scotland in association with The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. The speaker is Alex Schadenberg, is one of the world’s premier opponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and producer of the documentary ‘The Euthanasia Deception.’ To register visit https://bit.ly/EuthanasiaWeb-13March24
Free All-Day Forum on Catholic Social Teaching and Poverty
A free event on Catholic Social Teaching and Poverty titled ‘Pathways of Hope’ takes place next 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 https://bit.ly/pathwaysofhopeevent
Job Vacancy: Chief Operating Officer
The Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint a Chief Operating Officer (COO). Reporting to a Board of Trustees, the COO is responsible for the overall leadership and line management of support services teams encompassing Finance, Safeguarding, Property (including Mount Vernon Cemetery), Health and Safety, Communications, Chancery and Education. An empathy for the work of the Catholic Church in Scotland is crucial. The role is based at the Archdiocesan Offices, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Applicants should submit a CV with a covering letter outlining their interest in and suitability for the role to recruitment@staned.org.uk. Enquiries can also be emailed to recruitment@staned.org.uk. Closing date: 5:00pm, Friday 22 March 2024. Details at https://archedinburgh.org/vacancy-chief-operating-officer/
Seeking God’s Will: Discerning a Call to Religious Life
What is God’s will for you? Could it be the religious life? Open your heart to God’s plan for your happiness! Next Sunday, 17 March women are invited to meet other women who are discerning God’s call to religious life. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, Director for Religious Vocations, the meeting takes place 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street. Refreshments served. To register, email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk