Archdiocesan Medal for Susan Lonie
Today at the Noon Mass His Grace, Archbishop Cushley will award parishioner Susan Lonie with the Archdiocesan Medal. Susan recently celebrated 100 years of living and much of that time has been spent giving dedicated service to the Cathedral parish in various ways, including with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and as a reader. On behalf of all of us, a very happy birthday Susan and thank you for your generous service to our parish!
World Day for Marriage
World Day for Marriage is today Sunday, 9 February and we pray particularly for all married couples, that God may daily give them the strength and energy to support one another and their families. We especially pray that those who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship may seek help, either from the diocesan marriage counsellor (marriage.counsellor@staned.org.uk) or from organisations such as Retrouvaille http://www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Friends of the Cathedral Event, Gordon MacDonald of Care Not Killing, Tuesday, 11th February
Friends of the Cathedral start their 2025 programme with a talk from Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, on the campaign against the assisted suicide private members’ bills that are proposed in the UK and Scottish parliaments. Gordon will talk about the work to oppose the bills and how we can help. We are encouraging all parishioners to attend this event on Tuesday, 11 February at 7:30pm in Coffee Saints. Please contact cathedralnews@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you would like to come along and find out more.
Young Adults Group
The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 11 February. Join us as Fr. Jonathan Whitworth speaks about ‘Hope: The Saintly Gift.’ All those aged 18+ are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub. Come along!
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 11 February at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the Friendship Group meet up.
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
February Book Club: ‘Unshakable Hope in the Midst of the Storm’
In the Jubilee Year of Hope why not join our special February Book Club as we read and discuss "Unshakeable Hope in the Midst of the Storm" by Fr John Riccardo. From the book publicity - Do you feel as though you’re in the midst of a storm? Your life, your children’s lives, and your country―they may cause you to feel like a storm is raging. In this powerful new book, Fr. John Riccardo breaks open the Scriptures to give us tangible hope for our lives. Discover how you can live with unshakeable hope today! To participate, please register by Friday 14th February, by e-mailing archivist@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, or online at https://bit.ly/Register-20Feb-BookClub or use the QR code. The book club will meet on Thursday 20th February with various times available during the day (10.30am, 3.00pm, 7.00pm), both in person and online. Order the book on Amazon at https://bit.ly/Unshakable-Hope-book.
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 19 February, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place The Catenians are an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men and their families at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
Registration Open: Children’s First Holy Communion & Confirmation
First Communion registration (P4): www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communio
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 will begin on Sunday, 9 March, 9:30am and Confirmation classes on Sunday, Sunday, 16 March, 4:30pm-5:30pm. For more details, please contact Fr. Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
From Pope Francis’ Message for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025
“By his perennial presence in the life of the pilgrim Church, the Holy Spirit illumines all believers with the light of hope. He keeps that light burning, like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives. Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love: ‘Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or the sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’ ( Rom 8:35.37-39). Here we see the reason why this hope perseveres in the midst of trials: founded on faith and nurtured by charity, it enables us to press forward in life. As Saint Augustine observes: ‘Whatever our state of life, we cannot live without these three dispositions of the soul, namely, to believe, to hope and to love.’
Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, Spes Non Confundit, 3
Jubilee Cross and Plenary Indulgence
The Jubilee Cross at the National Shrine of St Andrew here at the Cathedral is a destination and a focus for pilgrims in the Archdiocese and beyond during this Jubilee Year of Hope. The Holy See has granted permission for the Jubilee Cross to carry a plenary indulgence, which is 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.
Parish Photo Book - Thank You to Fr. Patrick
As a thank you to Fr. Patrick, a parish photo book featuring parishioners, events and pilgrimages has been prepared by one of our parishioners. Thank you to all who contributed! A copy of the book is at Ravelston and at the Cathedral. If you wish to see the book, contact the parish office at 0131 556 1798 or cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, or visit the rooms at Ravelston after 10:30am Sunday Mass.
Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass
“Stay with us.” (Luke 24:29) Our faith teaches us that Jesus Christ remains fully present to us in the Holy Eucharist. Come for silent prayer before our living Lord at Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston 5:00pm-5:45pm, with the Sacrament of Confession available during this time. The weekday Mass at 6:00pm follows Adoration
St. Andrew’s Talks: Aid to the Church in Need
The St Andrew’s Talks will resume on Monday 24th February 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. All St Andrew’s Talks begin after the 6pm Mass in the Ravelston rooms.
Next Saturday: Afternoon Retreat for Married and Engaged Couples
Married and engaged couples are invited to a retreat 2:00pm-5:00pm, Saturday, 15 February at St Kentigern’s Church, 26 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR, with time for reflection and prayer as a couple, before the Lord, and also to meet other couples over a cup of coffee. Speaker: Fr Andrew Garden (St David’s, Dalkeith). Register at bit.ly/valretreat25 or use the QR code. Crèche available for children of primary school age and older. If you are bringing a child please let us know. Contact Anna domesticchurchscotland@gmail.com
RETURN: A Day to Help You Get Back to Confession
If you have not been to confession for a while, want to learn more and go to confession, come to this event. The day includes talks, a how-to session, Q&A, prayer, and a chance to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It takes place from 10am-4pm on Saturday 8 March at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Register on Eventbrite at bit.ly/return2025 or use the QR code.
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
Job Vacancy: Parish Secretary, St. John the Baptist and St. Kentigern
The parish of St. John the Baptist and St. Kentigern in Edinburgh needs a Parish Secretary one or two days a week to help with administration of both churches. For details about this paid position, please contact Fr. Binu Palakapally, IC at office.ssjohnbandkentigern@staned.org.uk or phone 0131 334 1693 / 07451246228.
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. Email frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk by Tuesday, 18 February.
Request for Photos/Memories of Donegal People Who Worked in Scotland
Donegal County Council is seeking photographs of Donegal people at work in Scotland between 1940 and 1990 for an upcoming exhibition. Participants are encouraged to share images, stories, documents or objects that reflect the working lives of Donegal people in Scotland. For more information contact: donegalscotland@donegalcoco.ie or +353 74 916 3824. The exhibition will be launched in spring 2025.