Rite of Enrolment for Confirmation
Today at 9:00am Mass at the Cathedral and 10:30am Mass at Ravelston, we welcome the children who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as they are formally enrolled for the sacrament. Please keep them along with their families and teachers in your prayers.
Aid to the Church in Need Appeal
At all Cathedral Masses this weekend, we will have an Appeal from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Pontifical Foundation of the Catholic Church, whose mission is to bring aid to the Church in areas where Christians are suffering discrimination or persecution for the faith. A representative will speak at all Masses and special collection will be held to support of the work of ACN. Learn more at www.acnuk.org
Young Adults Group – Testimony of Hope
The Young Adults Group meets this week on Tuesday, 25 February for the final talk in the series of hope. Fr James Cadman will speak about Cardinal Van Thuan, a Vietnamese Cardinal who, at the invitation of Pope St John Paul II, gave the Spiritual Exercises for the Holy Father and the Vatican Curia in the last Jubilee Year. His lessons from that retreat, later compiled in the book, Testimony of Hope, is formed upon his own experience as a prisoner in his homeland for 13 years, nine of which were spent in solitary confinement. Through his incarceration he discovered our hope is Christ, the Hope of the World. The meeting begins with tea and coffee at 7:00pm, the talk from 7:30pm, Confessions, Night Prayer and then a visit to the pub.
Quiz Night Fundraiser with Indian Chicken Curry – Friday, 28th February
Tickets are on sale after all Masses this weekend for our “Raise the Roof” fundraising Quiz Night, 7:00pm-10:00pm, on Friday 28th February 2025 in Coffee Saints. Alternatively, you can email the office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to reserve your seat. You may pay by Bacs transfer (details will be provided). The Quiz Night will follow the same format as our last event — a fun-filled quiz with a fine Indian chicken curry during the intermission. Fr JP and his helpers will provide a tasty supper which will set you up for the 2nd half of the quiz. The bar will be open throughout. The price is £15.00 per person which will include entry, food and prizes for quiz winners! Don’t delay, do it today!
Thank You from Susan Lonie
I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Archbishop, Fr. Jeremy, Fr. Robert, my family and friends and all the parishioners of our Cathedral for the beautiful Mass celebrating my hundredth birthday. Your presence and support made this milestone truly unforgettable. I was so surprised and delighted to receive the Archdiocesan medal and Papal blessing. What an honour! Finally, I'd like to thank you all for your lovely cards, flowers and gifts. I was overwhelmed by your kind words and prayers and offer my own prayers in return
Susan
Adult Confirmation Classes Begin in March
This Lent, the Cathedral will run a six-week course for adults to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on Saturday 19th April. Classes start with an in-person meeting on Wednesday 12th March at 7pm at Cathedral House, 61 York Place. We will then have four on-line meetings before concluding with an in-person meeting again at Cathedral House on Wednesday 16th April at 7pm. If you are interested and would like to register, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Catholic Men's Formation Circle of Studies
A formation circle of studies for Catholic professional men will be held in the Ravelston rooms Wednesday, 26 February, from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm. The group is inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, and it will focus on the teachings of the Catholic Church on the universal call to holiness and the Christian virtues applicable to the ordinary activities of lay faithful. If you would like to attend please email Juan Pablo at juanpablo.andrader@gmail.com.
Registration Open: Children’s First Holy Communion & Confirmation
Registration is open for First Holy Communion classes and Confirmation classes. Please register online at
First Communion registration (P4): www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion
Confirmation registration (P7): www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation
If you have already registered, you do not need to re-register. All classes held at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS). First Holy Communion classes from Sunday, 9 March, 9:30am; Confirmation classes from Sunday, Sunday, 16 March, 4:30pm-5:30pm. Questions? Fr. Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Lenten Book Read: Faith, Hope & Charity
Join us reading Faith, Hope, & Charity by Cardinal Rainero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household, during Lent. Cardinal Cantalamessa uses a liturgical framework to lead us deeper into the practice of the theological virtues. Developing a series of sermons delivered in the presence of Pope John Paul II in 1992 and Pope Francis in 2022, Cardinal Cantalamessa opens up a spiritual journey to Bethlehem in short daily stretches in the footsteps of the Magi. This book will be available shortly in St. Paul’s Bookshop for purchase or you can order it online. We will be offering five sessions each week both online and in person lead by one of the Pastoral team at the Cathedral. Please use the link to register: https://bit.ly/LentBook2025
If you have any questions, please email archivist@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 25 February at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the Friendship Group meet up. Please note that the discount is valid during the session time only, and other discounts are not applied during the session. Please come along and join us, we’d love to see you.
From the Holy Father’s Message for the Jubilee Year of Hope
“In our fast-paced world, we are used to wanting everything now. We no longer have time simply to be with others; even families find it hard to get together and enjoy one another’s company. Patience has been put to flight by frenetic haste, and this has proved detrimental, since it leads to impatience, anxiety and even gratuitous violence, resulting in more unhappiness and self-centredness. …. Saint Paul often speaks of patience in the context of our need for perseverance and confident trust in God’s promises. Yet, before all else, he testifies to God’s own patience, as ‘the God of all patience and encouragement’
( Rom 15:5). (Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, Spes Non Confundit, 3)
The Jubilee Cross is at the National Shrine of St Andrew here at the Cathedral. The Holy See has granted permission for the Jubilee Cross to carry a plenary indulgence: a remission of the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven and can be gained by visiting the Jubilee Cross through this Holy Year with the following conditions: a detachment from sin, going to Confession, receiving Holy Communion and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. All are encouraged to visit the cross in this Jubilee Year. Prayer cards are available at the cross, as well as a QR code for ‘Click to Pray’ for the Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father, also available at https://clicktopray.org/
Marriage Preparation Courses
The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday 1st March and Saturday 31st May, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
St. Andrew’s Talk Tomorrow: Aid to the Church in Need
The St Andrew’s Talks will resume tomorrow, Monday 24th February, after 6:00pm Mass, in the parish rooms with Peter Diamond on the work of Aid to the Church in Need as it supports the Catholic faithful and other Christians facing oppression, persecution or pastoral need. Peter is the Community Fundraiser for Scotland for ACN and will speak about persecuted and forgotten Christians in the world. He will provide an update on some of the most troubling countries and how the faithful in Scotland can help. He will also discuss the charity's upcoming conference, ‘Courage to be Catholic’ to be held in Glasgow on 29th March — a unique event in the Scottish Catholic calendar not to be missed!
Parish Youth Group – Sunday 2nd March
The Youth Group will return on Sunday, 2nd March from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, and thereafter on 6th April and 4th May. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Grow in faith, have fun, make new friends!
Final Chance Today! Young Adults Holy Year Pilgrimage to Rome
Archbishop Cushley leads our Holy Year Pilgrimage to Rome for young adults (18+) which takes place 28 July to 4 August 2025. Cost £1,175 includes return flights from Edinburgh to Rome, coach transfers, bed and breakfast at Casa Santa Lucia and an opportunity to take part in the Jubilee for Young People programme, including attending Mass with the Holy Father. Limited single rooms available. The final deadline is today, Sunday, 23 February -- email frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk today to book your place!
Today: Scottish Catholic Medical Association Networking Meeting
All Catholic healthcare workers and students are invited to a networking meeting of the Scottish Catholic Medical Association in Glasgow, titled ‘Pilgrims of Hope in Healthcare – Jubilee Year 2025’, today Sunday, 23rd February from 3:00pm with afternoon tea followed by a 3:30pm presentation on hope and working in the health service in the Jubilee Year, with reflections from three clinicians. Location is Turnbull Hall, Catholic Chaplaincy, Glasgow University, 13-15 Southpark Terrace, Glasgow, G12 8LG. For further information, or to learn more, email scottishcma@gmail.com
RETURN: A Day to Help You Get Back to Confession
If you have not been to Confession for a while, this event is for you! Learn about Confession, sin and forgiveness; gain insights through a how-to session and have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation with several priests available to hear Confessions. The event is 10am-4pm, Saturday 8 March at The Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Register on Eventbrite at bit.ly/return2025
Ecumenical Event: Interreligious Dialogue and Catholic Peacebuilding
A special ecumenical event on interreligious dialogue and Catholic peacebuilding takes place at the Conforti Centre in Coatbridge on 7/8 March. The event is the annual Symposium of the Bishops' Committee for Interreligious Dialogue and features keynote speaker Martha Inés Romero, Secretary General of Pax Christi International. All welcome. There are 22 residential places available and 22 non-residential places available. Details and registration: https://www.interreligiousdialogue.org.uk/symposium-2025/
High School Pupils: Rise in Faith, Live in Hope
The Archdiocese invites high school pupils to 'Rise in Faith, Live in Hope' at St Francis Xavier's Church, Falkirk, (a short walk from the Grahamstown train station), 11am-3pm on Saturday 15 March. The event will provide encouragement and inspiration to help our young people grow in their faith amidst the challenges they face. Includes Mass with Archbishop Cushley. Register at bit.ly/archyouth
Remembering Service for Those who Have Lost a Child
A prayer service for those who have suffered the loss of a child, from the beginning of pregnancy onwards, will be held on Sunday 2 March 2025 at 5.00pm in St John the Baptist RC Church, Corstorphine, 37, St Ninian’s Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8AL. Ecumenical and open to all.
‘Courage to Be Catholic’ Conference in Glasgow
Seven fantastic speakers from home and abroad are coming to discuss the theme 'Courage to be Catholic' at the upcoming ‘Courage to Be Catholic’ Conference sponsored by Aid to the Church in Need on Saturday, 29th March, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 9:30am - 4:00pm:
William More, Manager of Operations in Scotland
Reverend Father Remigius Ihyula, Head of the Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace in the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria
Dr Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, Executive Director of Global Mission for Divine Renovation UK
Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria
John Pontifex, Head of Press and Public Affairs for ACN UK
Caroline Hull, National Director of ACN UK
Visit exhibitor stalls from all over Scotland, trading stalls, time for socialising and sharing. Mass at 5:00pm at St Aloysius to follow. Tickets: £25 Concession and £30 Adult; tea, coffee and lunch included. Register https://www.trybooking.com/uk/EHSR. Come along with Fr. Jeremy and our parish group. Discounted rate: £22.50 per person. Parish group registration: 0131 556 1798, cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Beginning Experience After Separation, Divorce or Widowhood
The loss of a loved one through separation, divorce or death is one of life’s most traumatic experiences and can result in unbearable feelings of grief or loneliness. The Beginning Experience, Scotland Team offers at weekend to experience God’s love and an opportunity to begin again, coming to terms with loss and grief. The next weekend will be Friday, 4th April-Sunday, 6th April at Conforti Centre, Coatbridge ML5 4JS. For details, phone Louise on 07926571004 or email louise398@gmail.com