Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide
In response to a bill recently published in the Scottish Parliament to legalise assisted suicide for those aged 16 and over, the Bishops of Scotland have written a pastoral letter on assisted suicide urging the Catholic community to contact their MSPs to urge them improve palliative care and reject the proposed bill promoting assisted suicide. Please take a copy of the pastoral letter at the back of church and contact your MSP today. Just visit https://rcpolitics.org/assistedsuicide to copy and paste the email/letter template or write a personal letter and then send it to all of your MSPs at https://www.writetothem.com/
Get to Know the Society of St Vincent de Paul
The parish Society of St Vincent de Paul will tell us about their work and the many ways you can contribute to the service of the SSVP at the end of all Cathedral Masses this weekend. Following the Masses, please do visit their stand in the Octagon to speak to SSVP members to ask questions and find out how to join. SSVP will visit St Andrew’s in Ravelston on a future date.
Parish Youth Group Afternoon of Faith and Fun Today 2pm-4pm
All young people P3-P7 are very welcome to attend our Youth Group afternoon of faith and fun today, Sunday 28th April between 2pm and 4pm. Our parish group will host the group from St Margaret's, Davidson's Mains at St Andrew's, Ravelston, 77 Belford Road, EH4 3DS. Please note the change in time for the Youth Group meeting. The afternoon will be full of fun activities including games, baking, sports and more, as well as a visit to the Religious Sisters of Mercy in their convent. Refreshments will be available throughout the day. During May, the group will meet on the 5th and 19th May before our final meeting on the 2nd June — all of those at the usual time 6:00pm-7.30pm.
Saturday Morning Mass, Adoration and Confession
In this Eastertide season, take some time for quiet, peaceful prayer before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist here at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings. Come for 10:00am Mass, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm, with Confessions from 10:30am-12:00pm. “Gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him, as you desire to imitate Him. If you suffer with Him, you shall rejoice with Him…love Him totally, who gave Himself totally for your love.” (St. Clare of Assisi)
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 30 April at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the session time. Please come along and join us!
Young Adults Talk on the Prophet Jeremiah by Peter Forster
Peter Forster will speak about the prophet Jeremiah in our next Young Adults Talk this Tuesday, 30 April. Join us from 7:00pm for teas/coffees in 63 York Place followed by the talk at 7.30pm. We will conclude with Night Prayer and time to discuss in the pub. All young adults age 17-35 are welcome!
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.
Catenians Meeting
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to a meeting on Wednesday, 15th May, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. 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
A Treasury of Spiritual Reading at St. Pauls Bookshop
Delve into the treasury of Catholic classics at St. Pauls Bookshop with a brilliant array of books on Catholic spirituality, the lives of the saints, Church history, fundamentals of Catholic theology, and a huge selection of children’s books on the saints, prayer and colouring/activity books, too. Get ready for Our Lady’s month of May with books on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary. Browse the great second-hand books section and a variety of lovely First Communion and Confirmation gifts. Stop in today! The shop is open daily 10am-5pm. Contact 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk
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.
Visit Coffee Saints Café Today – All Day Brunch!
Stop in today to our very popular Coffee Saints café, which is a social enterprise partnership between the Cathedral and the Grassmarket Community Project. This means that every time you make a purchase at Coffee Saints you support some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people. Browse the full menu, including All Day Brunch, at https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/ and kids’ meals, too! Of course, there are coffees, teas, as well as delicious cakes and pastries. The café is open 7 days a week 9:00am-4:00pm!
Thank You: Sir James MacMillan Talk
Many thanks to all who attended the Friends of the Cathedral talk with Sir James MacMillan on Tuesday night. It was wonderful to see cathedral parishioners and people from churches across Edinburgh and the Archdiocese hear Sir James MacMillan, the Cathedral’s patron of music, talk about the development of sacred music in the church. Friends of the Cathedral has a packed programme of events for the rest of the year. If you are interested in joining, please visit: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends
St. Andrew's Talk Tomorrow: Church Architecture
The St Andrew’s Talks will return tomorrow. Darlene Newman will speak on 29th April about how liturgical reforms over the years have led to changes in church architecture. 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.
Wednesday Adoration and Confession
Every Wednesday we have Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions 5:00pm-6:00pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass at Ravelston. Come and spend some quiet time in prayer with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and take the opportunity for Confession.
Procession and May Crownings at Ravelston Next Sunday, 5th May
Join us Sunday 5th May before 10:30am Mass as we have a procession and May crownings of the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the garden (weather permitting) and in the church at Ravelston.
Bacon Roll Morning Next Sunday
After Mass next Sunday morning, 5th May, you are welcome to the parish rooms for a bacon roll with your tea or coffee. All funds raised are going towards the parish rooms renovations.
Paella Night Thank You
A big thank you for the Paella night, which raised a total of £327.82 for the parish rooms renovations. Specific thanks to Alejando, Ana, Alejandra and Ignacio for all their hard work and delicious paella dinner – and of course everyone who turned out for it. The event was a great success! We’re looking forward to the next themed night!
Just Say ‘No’ to Making Silent Prayer a Criminal Offence
On Tuesday, 30 April, MSPs will debate and vote on the general principles of the “Safe Access Zones” Bill which will make silent prayer a criminal offence near abortion clinics and, potentially, GPs, chemists and counselling services, anywhere in Scotland. You have time to contact your MSPs before this vote.
Visit https://www.writetothem.com to contact all of your MSPs and ask them not to criminalise silent prayer by voting against the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.
Youth Day for P4-P7: A Day with Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Parents! If you have a child(ren) aged P4-P7 why not sign them up for A Day with Mary at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, on Saturday 11 May 2024? It takes place from 11:00am to 3:00pm and is a chance for children to learn more about the Blessed Virgin in her month of May, while enjoying games and activities with kids from across the Archdiocese. Please register online at
https://bit.ly/daywithmary2024
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.’ Schedule of the day includes 10:30am Holy Mass, a presentation on ‘Synod 2023-24: Where are we now?’, an opportunity to meet Fr. John Deighan and the Synod team, spiritual conversation in groups and sharing the fruits of the conversations. To read the Event Guide and discussion questions and to book your place please visit https://bit.ly/archsynod
Webinar on MA in Theology Programme
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.
Save the Date: Mass at the Cathedral 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. Please contact Bernadette on 0131 441 1939 or visit www.edinburgh-lourdes.com/lourdes24
Five-Day Summer Session for Young Adults: ‘Reasons for Believing’
All Catholics ages 16-30·are invited to the Faith Summer Session, ‘Reasons for Believing’, at Ampleforth Abbey, York, Monday, 29 July-Friday, 2 August 2024. The focus of the week will be a series of talks, each building on one another to develop a coherent, dynamic vision of the faith. The event includes daily Mass, morning and night prayer, Adoration and Confession, plus social activities including a Ceilidh and a quiz night! Cost: £180 / Concessions: £160. Registration deadline is 2 July 2024. To book your place, use the QR code or visit https://www.faith.org.uk/events See Fr. Robert for more details.
Rachel's Vineyard Retreat in June
A retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held 26-28 June 2024 (mid-week) in the Glasgow Area. These confidential, supportive retreats are for anyone who has been affected by their own or someone else’s abortion experience. Participants who have often experienced deep anger towards themselves or others, experience forgiveness; peace is found and a sense of hope and meaning for the future is discovered. For more information please call or email Sr. Andrea at 07816 942 824 or sisterandrea@rachelsvineyard.org.uk. More details at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org.uk.
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. From 8-12 July we are running 3 weeks for young families. We will pray together, adore Jesus together and have fellowship together. To book your place and to learn more details, visit https://www.craiglodge.org/events Adults and over 16s: £270; aged 11-16: £100; under 11: donation.
All meals included. For more details, please contact mail@craiglodge.org, 01838 200216, Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR.