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, Sunday 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 today, Sunday 14 April, to organist@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Duration: Approximately 1 hour. Retiring collection in aid of Tom’s attendance at an international conference on the music of J. S. Bach, at which he 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!
Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration
Take some time for quiet, peaceful prayer before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist here at the Cathedral. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated after 10:00am Mass every Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm in the Cathedral. Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more. “We are members of one body, we have the one Head, we are steeped in one grace, we live on the one Bread, we tread the same path, we dwell in the same house.” (St Paulinus of Nola). Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm.
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)
The Youth Group returns with a change in time and venue – for one week! On Sunday 28th April we will join up with St Margaret’s, Davidson Mains for an afternoon of fun and learning about the faith! Come along to the Church Hall on Main Street, Davidson Mains from 12.30 – 4.30pm. More details to come next week!
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 16th April at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60. Please come along and join us!
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 The shop is 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-5:45pm, 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 after Mass at St. Andrew’s 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 Monday, 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 Monday, 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.
Next Saturday: Religious Sisters of Mercy Open House & Holy Hour
The Religious Sisters of Mercy invite all to their next Open House next 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. There will be further Open Houses on Saturdays: 11th May and 24th August. The Holy Father has granted that a plenary indulgence may be gained by praying in the Sisters’ chapel during this special Jubilee Year, with the usual conditions for an indulgence. 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.
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 on Thursday, 25 April, beginning at 5:30pm with Vespers, then 6pm Mass at the church, a light supper at the convent, followed by a time of reflection and discussion together on the Gospel of John reading for the upcoming Fifth Sunday of Easter: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:5) Please RSVP by Monday, 22 April at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 01313433380.
Mary’s Meals Founder Speaks on Ethiopia’s Extreme Food Crisis
Conflict, drought and displacement have created an escalating hunger crisis in Ethiopia. Currently 4.5 million people in Tigray need emergency food aid. Join Mary’s Meals Founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow for an online session where he will share more about this crisis and how you can help: Tuesday 16 April at 7pm. Register to attend at https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/charity-events
Mary’s Meals helps hungry children in some of the poorest countries in the world by providing meals to over 2.4 million children every day.
Newman Association Talks
The Edinburgh Circle of the Newman Association has two upcoming talks scheduled: Monday 15th April 2024 7.30pm-9.30pm, ‘The Bible: A Mosaic’ with Rev Dr Scott McKenna, Parish Minister for thirty years serving in Uddingston, Edinburgh and Ayr and the Spiritual Lead at the Ayrshire Hospice. The next talk will be Monday 6th May 7.30pm-9.30pm, ‘Paul’s Disciples and Their Changing View of Women,’ with Prof. Helen Bond, Professor of Christian Origins, at the School of Divinity in New College, Edinburgh University. All are welcome. A donation is requested to cover our costs. Both talks will be held at Mayfield Salisbury Church, 18, West Mayfield, Edinburgh EH9 1TQ. For information about joining the Newman Association, please email cindyhamilluk@yahoo.com
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/
Is God Calling You to Religious Life? Come Along for our Chat!
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women for prayer and discussion in monthly get-togethers led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO from 4pm-7pm at St Columba’s,
9 Upper Gray Street on the following Sundays: 21 Apr, 12 May and 22 June. To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk. Watch Sr. Mirjam’s short video, “'How do I discover God's plan for me?” at https://bit.ly/GodsCallforYou
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
Festival of Life and Pro-Life Chain
An opportunity to pray, witness and celebrate the goodness of all human life. Please join Fr Gerard Hatton in praying the rosary at Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston, EH3 9DJ at 10am on Saturday, 27th April and at the Pro-Life Chain at 11:00am-1:00pm on Lothian Road. Refreshments afterwards. Come along to witness to the sanctity of human life.
Synod Conversation: Role of the Laity in the Context of Our Archdiocese
The Archdiocesan Synodal Team invites you to Spiritual Conversation, an event at Ss John Cantius & Nicholas in Broxburn EH52 5RJ, on Saturday 4 May at 10:30-13:00. The theme is ‘The Role of the Laity in the Context of Our Archdiocese.’ To read the Event Guide and discussion questions, and to book your place, please visit https://bit.ly/archsynod
Mass for Married & Engaged Couples
The annual Mass for Married and Engaged Couples is at 7:15pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024 at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. Come and celebrate the gift of marriage, renew your commitment and receive God's blessing upon your love. Requests for special invitations for couples celebrating significant anniversaries can be made at vemarriage@staned.org.uk or by calling 0131 334 1693.
Assisted Pilgrims for Lourdes Pilgrimage in July
Do you know someone who is ill or infirm and would enjoy the opportunity to experience a life-changing trip to Lourdes? The Archdiocese is seeking Assisted Pilgrims to join them on the pilgrimage in July. They will receive 24hr support from the brilliant doctors, nurses and volunteers in the Medical/Helper Team and stay in specially equipped accommodation. It will be an unforgettable week with a full spiritual and social programme. Please contact Bernadette on 0131 441 1939 or visit www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes24
The Way of St. Andrews Scottish Pilgrimage
Enjoy being a pilgrim in Scotland! Try one of the eight great pilgrim ways wending their way quietly through Scotland’s diverse and scenic landscape to St Andrews. To plan your pilgrimage route and get more information please visit http://www.thewayofstandrews.com/
Webinar on MA in Theology Program
Join a webinar about the MA in Applied Catholic Theology course offered by St Mary’s University in partnership with the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. The webinar is Wednesday 29 May (6-7pm). To book, visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/applied-catholic-theology, scroll down to “Upcoming Event” and select Book Now. SAAS funding is available from April for all Scottish students taking the MA in Applied Catholic Theology course 2024-25.
Personal
Just to let you know that Fr. John Peter has returned to India where his father is critically ill. Please keep him and his family especially in your prayers.