Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year B

'An Evening of Summer Music' this Wednesday at 7pm

This Wednesday the Catheral Choir will perform Vivaldi's famous Gloria in D, accompanied by a chamber orchestra followed by a reception in the Octagon. Tickets are £10 (including prosecco) and are available from Eventbrite or on the door. Book at https://bit.ly/CathedralSummerMusic2024
Tickets will also be sold after Masses this weekend.

Ordinations Next Saturday

Next Saturday, 29th June, Archbishop Cushley will ordain Deacons Peter Shankland and Paul Henderson to the sacred priesthood. The mass will be at 12noon in the Cathedral and will be attended by priests and people from around the Archdiocese. As both Peter and Paul are former Cathedral parishioners – it would be good for as many of us as possible to attend the ordination to pray for them and to show them our support. Please make every effort to attend.

Adoration and Holy Hours in Preparation for the Ordinations

In preparation for the ordinations, this coming Thursday (27th June) and Friday (28th June) we will have some extended time of Eucharistic Adoration, praying for Peter and Paul and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Adoration will run from the end of the daily lunchtime Mass –1.15pm until 8pm – with a Holy Hour from 7pm, led by the two men being ordained.

Note the Changes in the Mass Schedule This Week

Due to the Summer Music Concert and the Eucharistic Adoration next week, the 6pm Polish mass on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be held at 9.00am. And there is no 10am Mass at the Cathedral on Saturday.

Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon

The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 18 June 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!

Marathon T-Shirts

Thank you to all those who purchased a replica Marathon runners T-shirt to support the fundraising efforts of the Young Adults. The T-Shirts are now available to collect, please speak to Fr Robert after Mass this weekend. Alternatively, you can come to Cathedral House during the week to collect between 9am-3pm. Those who have left details will be contacted during the week. Thanks again for the support in raising nearly £9,000 for the roof fund.

Consider Volunteering To Help Keep Our Church Clean And Sparkling

Every Wednesday, the Cathedral cleaning team meet between 2pm – 4pm to clean the church. We are seeking to recruit more volunteers to join the team with a view to easing the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences. If you cannot attend every week, helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the group, or find out more, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com

Save the Date: Festival Mass

Please note that His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate the annual Festival Mass on Sunday, 11 August at Noon at the Cathedral.

Swing with the Spirit: Sacred Jazz with the Schola Cantorum on Monday 12 August at 7:30pm

As part of this year's Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, the Schola Cantorum choir will perform an innovative concert of sacred jazz music in the Cathedral. The performance will feature Scottish jazz legend Richard Michael, and young jazz pianist Ben Shankland, winner of the BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2023. Music will include Bob Chilcot’s 'A Little Jazz Mass' and Richard Michael’s swinging 'Jubilate Deo' and 'Te Deum'. Save the date for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening! Tickets are available now from Eventbrite or at the door: https://bit.ly/SacredJazz2024

Don’t forget to Visit Coffee Saints Café Today – All Day Brunch!

Our very popular Coffee Saints café 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/

Disabled Parking for Blue Badge Holders

If you have a Blue Badge for disabled parking, drive to Mass and would like to use the St. James’ Car Park for Sunday morning Mass, please fill out a form at the back of Church and return it to the Office, with your name, phone number, email address, parking permit number, expiry date and car registration number or email your details to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. The Car Park offers free disabled parking on Sundays, 8:30am-1:30pm. Outside of those hours, normal parking fees will apply.

Memorial Mass for Peter MacLaren at 12noon on Tuesday

Please note that there will be a Requiem Mass at 12noon on Tuesday 25th June for Peter MacLaren – who was as you all know a faithful member of our community here at Ravelston. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Parish Rooms, and Marie would like to invite anyone who knew Peter to attend both the Mass and the Reception. There will be no 6pm Mass in Ravelston on Tuesday.

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.

Volunteers Needed for Ravelston Parish Barbecue!

Please consider volunteering for the annual St Andrews parish barbecue on Sunday September 1st at 1:30pm. We will have games for kids, a book stall, plant stall, bric a brac stall and bottle tombola. Helpers for various jobs are needed including organisation, setup and clean up. Add your name and contact details to the list at the back of church or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

General Election

The Bishops of Scotland have published a letter ahead of the General Election on 4 July. It highlights issues to help Catholics reflect on how they will vote. Please pick up a copy from the back of the Church. There is also a copy of questions for candidates. Visit the website of the Catholic Parliamentary Office for more information and resources: https://rcpolitics.org/general-election-2024

“God’s Mercy and Yours” Conference Hosted by Edinburgh Dominicans

The Edinburgh Friars are holding a conference, “God’s Mercy and Yours”, on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th June at Assembly Hall, Mound Place Edinburgh EH1 2LU. The conference seeks to explore the theme of mercy. Full details of talks and speakers are at https://scotland.op.org/gods-mercy-and-yours This is a public event and there is no charge. However, because of catering, we ask that, if you wish to eat or drink either on Friday or Saturday, you book online.

African & Caribbean Community

The next Mass with the African & Caribbean community in the Archdiocese is at St Cuthbert’s Church, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT at 2pm on Sunday 7 July.

Columba Trust

The Columba Trust provides funding to organisations and individuals to support projects which promote the Roman Catholic faith, its ministry and values. The deadline for applications this year is 31 July 2024.

Further details about the Trust and how to apply for a grant can be found at: https://columbatrust.org.uk/

SCIAF School Volunteers

SCIAF is looking for volunteers to support its work in schools across the Archdiocese. You’ll receive training, travel expenses and a fulfilling role that uses your gifts to serve God and others. To find out more email schools@sciaf.org.uk

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, visit https://www.faith.org.uk/event 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

August: Monastic Experience Weekend for Men at Pluscarden Abbey

The community of Benedictine monks at Pluscarden offer a special opportunity for men to experience what monastic life is all about Friday 16th-Monday 19th August. This opportunity is suitable for single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation. Participants will join the monks in their daily prayer and work. The event may be of assistance in the process of discerning one's vocation in life. There will be no charge for the weekend. Register at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/monastic-experience-weekend

Be a Mentor with LINKnet

We all have expertise in one field or another and may be able to help someone. Be a Mentor! LINKnet in Edinburgh can connect you with someone in need of mentoring to find a job or educational opportunities, grow in personal development or gain English language skills. As a mentor, you will meet or talk online with your mentee once a week for 1 to 2 hours for about three to four months. To help, please e-mail Afaf at Linknet2@linknetmentoring.com by email with your phone number. For details visit https://www.linknetmentoring.com/

Second Collections

Please note that there is a second collection today for both the Apostolate of Life and the Apostolate of Communications. And there is another next week for Peter’s Pence.

Read the newsletter for 23rd June (pdf)