Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

Friends of the Cathedral Seek the Meek: A Journalist on Reporting from the Holy Land

Tuesday, 23 July at 7.30pm in Coffee Saints

Nathan Jeffay is based in the Holy Land and is The Times of Israel's science and health correspondent.  He also writes for publications in Britain, the Unites States and Australia. He has an MA in Christian Theology from Cambridge and is a contributor to The Tablet.  He is visiting the UK in July to talk at in-person events and we are delighted that he has made time to make a special trip to Edinburgh to speak to Friends of the Cathedral on Tuesday, 23 July at 7:30pm in the Coffee Saints café. Come along to hear about Nathan’s experiences behind the headlines in the Holy Land, where he encounters people of all faiths and walks of life. Please reply to ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you wish to attend.

New Altar Servers Needed

If you have made your First Holy Communion and would like to be an altar server, please speak with Fr. Robert or email him at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk and he will let you know about the next opportunity to be trained as an altar server. Save the Date! On Saturday, 31 August, there will be a day of faith, fun and friendship at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh for altar servers from across the Archdiocese. Details to come!

Thank You!

Fr Paul Henderson wants to thank everyone for the incredible generosity he has received from so many in the parish in gifts and cards, which he says has been deeply touching. 

Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon 

The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 16 July 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!  

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

Second Collection Today for Sea Sunday

Today is Sea Sunday, when the Church prays for all those who earn their living from the sea and for their families. There will be a second collection after Mass for Stella Maris, the Church’s Maritime welfare agency. Anne Marie Stephen, a volunteer for Stella Maris, will give a short report at Masses on the work of this organisation. Learn more about Stella Maris at https://www.stellamaris.org.uk/

Crux Magazine on Sale Next Weekend

The latest edition of the Cathedral’s Crux magazine includes a fascinating interview with Fr. Vasyl Kren about his work as the Prison Chaplain at HMP Edinburgh and an absorbing article by Fr. Kevin Dow about his spiritual journey to becoming an army chaplain.  Next weekend, copies will be on sale (for £5 – cheap! – Ed) will be available to purchase after all Masses.

Pause for Sunday Teas & Coffees

Next Sunday, 21st July, will be the final teas and coffees in Ravelsotn for a while. They’ll be suspended as the Parish Rooms undergo a bit of a transformation. Stay tuned for the return date!

Next Sunday: Volunteers Needed for Furniture Moving

As the work takes place in the parish rooms, we need to move all of the furniture into the garage. If you are able to spare some time to help with this, please meet at St Andrew’s on Sunday 21 July from 2:00pm-3:00pm. God will reward you for your service!

Survey on Proposals to Legalise Assisted Suicide

Assisted Suicide Short Survey: The Scottish Parliament Health Committee is asking for your views on proposals to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland. It is vital that as many people as possible complete the short survey before it closes on 16th August. Full guidance, including a link to the survey, can be accessed at https://rcpolitics.org/assisted-suicide-committee-call-for-views

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Mass at Carfin Grotto

To mark World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2024, Holy Mass will be celebrated at the National Marian Shrine, Carfin, Motherwell, ML1 5AJ, on Sunday 28 July 2024 at 3:00pm. The Principal Celebrant will be Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference Marriage, Family and Life Commission. 

Read the newsletter for 14th July (pdf)