Sixteenth Sunday of the Year - Year B

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

On 25th July the universal Church celebrates the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly at which we are all invited to celebrate and give thanks for the role and contribution of grandparents and older people to their families and our parishes. All are encouraged to make a visit to the elderly living alone in the community following whatever covid guidelines are in place in your area at that time.

Covid Update

The First Minister announced last week that all of Scotland will move to Level 0 on Monday 19 July. So from that date we can move to one metre of physical distancing instead of two metres. This means that from next Sunday Mass we will be able to sing again (albeit with masks on!). It also means that we will reduce Sunday Masses at Ravelston from 3 Masses to 2 (9.30 and 10.30). Maximum attendance at weddings and funerals will rise also rise to 200. Unfortunately, the other remain:

·      Face coverings must still be worn inside church, unless exempt.

·      Names and telephone numbers of those attending church must still be taken.

·      Sanitiser should still be made available for parishioners.

 Congratulations to Fr. Martin Eckersley!

You will be pleased to know that Fr Martin Eckersley was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday at the Cathedral.  From 4 September, he will be assistant priest at St Francis Xavier’s in Falkirk. Fr Robert Taylor, who as you know was also recently ordained, will return in the autumn to Rome to complete his regular course of studies. 

 Safeguarding Webinar

The Bishops of Scotland invite clergy, religious, church employees and volunteers across Scotland to a national safeguarding webinar at 11am on Saturday 2 October. It will be a chance to find out more about the safeguarding document In Gods Image v2 and reflect upon on its implications for your safeguarding role in the Church. The link to register is: bit.ly/3gQRdPu

Assistance Requested

The Parish Office has been informed that there is a parishioner, living in the Hillside area of Edinburgh, who needs help walking or being driven to the Sunday 12 noon Mass, together with a guide dog. This parishioner does have a blue disabled badge, and so free car parking in a disabled space in St James Quarter car park is available for the duration of the Mass. If anyone is able to assist in this on a fortnightly or monthly basis, please could they contact Cathedral House with their details . Many thanks!

Sr Miriam Fidelis Reed

Please keep in your prayers Sr Miriam, our Parish Secretary, who takes her Final Vows for the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, USA, on 16th August. You can participate via live stream at https//wwww.saginaw.org/cathedral-live.

Applications Open! St. Mary’s University, Edinburgh Campus: Post-Graduate Part-Time Degrees - Study Flexibly While You Work

Apply to study at St Mary’s University’s new Edinburgh campus at the Gillis Centre from this September on postgraduate part-time MA degrees in education or theology. 

MA Applied Catholic Theology

MA Catholic School Leadership

MA Education: Leading Innovation and Change

MA Education: Pedagogy

MA Education: Religious Education

To apply, visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/edinburgh. Hear more about the courses at bit.ly/OpenEveningReplay. Enjoy the flexibility of part-time courses on the evening and at weekends, allowing you to fit your studies around your existing work and personal commitments. Student testimonials acclaim university faculty support as “outstanding” and “above and beyond”! Questions? Contact Marianne Rozario, marianne.rozario@stmarys.ac.uk.

Interested in Becoming Catholic? Sign up for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

If you or someone you know would like to become Catholic, you can sign up to learn about the teachings of the Catholic Church in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter 2022. Invite a friend to join you!  The Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) group meets between September and April each year. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Music for the 12noon Mass at the Cathedral

Byrd Mass for Three Voices

Fauré Cantique de Jean Racine

Organ voluntary: Vierne Carillon du Longpont

 Weekly Cathedral and Monthly Archdiocesan Updates By E-Mail

Receive the Cathedral newsletter straight into your inbox! Stay in touch with the Cathedral through the weekly e-newsletter. Sign up at the ‘Stay in Touch’ section on the bottom of any page of www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk. To receive a monthly e-mail update from the Archdiocese, subscribe at https://archedinburgh.org/news-events (scroll to bottom of page). 

Grassmarket Project - New Café

Today at all Ravelston Sunday Masses, representatives from the Grassmarket Community Project (GCP) will speak about the new Coffee Saints opening in the Cathedral Hall in late summer. This is an ecumenical project between the Cathedral and Greyfriar’s Kirk – and will be the only social enterprise café of its kind in this otherwise commercial area. The representatives will be available after all Masses next weekend to answer questions about this exciting development in our parish! 

Read the newsletter for 18th July (pdf)

Fifteenth Sunday Of The Year – Year B

Sea Sunday

Today is Sea Sunday, when the Church remembers all those who earn their living from the sea and their families. There will be a second collection after Mass for Stella Maris, the Church’s Maritime welfare agency, which supports seafarers both spiritually and practically through its network of chaplains and volunteers. Anne Marie Stephen, a volunteer for Stella Maris will give a short report at Masses on the work of this organisation.

Congratulations to Father Martin Eckersley

All the best to Father Martin Eckersley from Jedburgh, who was ordained a priest for this Archdiocese here in the Cathedral on Saturday. Today, Father Martin will celebrate his first Mass in his home parish in Jedburgh. Thanks to those who remembered Father Martin in their prayers and helped to make this Ordination a beautiful event, even amidst the current restrictions! A particular thank you to our team of volunteers! If you think that God may be calling you to the priesthood or religious life, you can contact Fr. Andrew Garden, the Archdiocesan Vocations Director on 0131 6634286 or vocations@staned.org.uk, or Sr. Mirjam Hugens, on 0131 6238902, religiousvocations@staned.org.uk.

Assistance Requested

The Parish Office has been informed that there is a parishioner, living in the Hillside area of Edinburgh, who needs help walking or being driven to the Sunday 12 noon Mass, together with a guide dog. This parishioner does have a blue disabled badge, and so free car parking in a disabled space in St James Quarter car park is available for the duration of the Mass. If anyone is able to assist in this on a fortnightly or monthly basis, please could they contact Cathedral House with their details . Many thanks!

Applications Open! St. Mary’s University, Edinburgh Campus: Post-Graduate Part-Time Degrees  Study Flexibly While You Work

APPLICATIONS OPEN: Apply to study at St Mary’s University’s new Edinburgh campus at the Gillis Centre from this September on postgraduate part-time MA degrees in education or theology.

MA Applied Catholic Theology
MA Catholic School Leadership
MA Education: Leading Innovation and Change
MA Education: Pedagogy
MA Education: Religious Education

To apply, visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/edinburgh

Hear more about the courses at bit.ly/OpenEveningReplay. Enjoy the flexibility of part-time courses on the evening and at weekends, allowing you to fit your studies around your existing work and personal commitments. Student testimonials acclaim university faculty support as “outstanding” and “above and beyond”! Questions? Contact Marianne Rozario, marianne.rozario@stmarys.ac.uk

Interested in Becoming Catholic? Sign up for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

If you or someone you know would like to become Catholic, you can sign up to learn about the teachings of the Catholic Church in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter 2022. Invite a friend to join you! The Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) group meets between September and April each year. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Married Couples: Grow in Catholic Faith with Teams of Our Lady

Want to enrich your married spirituality with Jesus Christ and meet others to build friendships? Join the Teams of Our Lady, an international lay movement to enrich married spirituality and make good marriages better. Couple meet up to ten times a year, share a meal, prayer time and discussions on living out their sacramental marriage. For more information on how to join, contact Fr Jeremy Milne, vemarriage@staned.org.uk 0131 623 8900 or visit https://teamsgb.org.uk/

Eucharistic Adoration: Silent Prayer Before Jesus Christ

“I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.” (John 6:51)

Saturdays 10:30am-12:00pm: Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions

Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more….for some time of silent prayer before the Risen Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated every Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm. Come and pray! Priests are also available to hear Confessions from 10:30am-12:00pm. “To celebrate the Eucharist, we need first to recognize our thirst for God, to sense our need for him, to long for his presence and love, to realize that we cannot go it alone, but need the Food and Drink of eternal life to sustain us on our journey.” Pope Francis, 2021 Corpus Christi homily

Forty Hours: Save the Date!

As the Archbishop announced in his recent pastoral letter, each parish will host an extended period of Eucharistic Adoration during the coming year to help us to appreciate the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives. The Cathedral Forty Hours will begin on the first Sunday of Advent (28th November). Watch this space for details of this celebration and resources on how to prepare.

Music for the 12noon Mass at the Cathedral

Langlais Missa in simplicitate

Ferguson Ave Maria

Schubert Psalm 23

Organ voluntary: Langlais Hymne d'action de grâce 'Te Deum’

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 17th-18th July

Booking will open on Monday, 12th July for Masses for next weekend of 17th-18th July. Reserve seats at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com

For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

Weekly Cathedral and Monthly Archdiocesan Updates By E-Mail

Receive the Cathedral newsletter straight into your inbox! Stay in touch with the Cathedral through the weekly e-newsletter. Sign up at the ‘Stay in Touch’ section on the bottom of any page of this website. To receive a monthly e-mail update from the Archdiocese, subscribe at https://archedinburgh.org/news-events

Read the newsletter for 11th July (pdf)

Thirteenth Sunday Of The Year – Year B

Holiday of Obligation: Tuesday, 29th June

This coming Tuesday, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. This is a holiday of obligation in Scotland, meaning that Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on this day. Masses will be at 10:00am and 12:45pm in the Cathedral, and at 6:00pm in Ravelston.

“Conversation on Prayer” - This Wednesday at 7pm

Before we all settle into the long and lazy days of summer (!) I thought it might be a good idea for us to think a little about our spiritual lives. So, I will be holding a “conversation on prayer” by Zoom at 7pm this Wednesday. Those who participated in the Seminar on Prayer earlier this year will be there – but even if you didn’t manage along but are nevertheless interested in learning more about spirituality – this would be a good place to start. If you would like to come along contact Darlene on Data@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Collection for Fr. Jinse

As announced last week, there will be a collection at the end of Mass today for a presentation to Fr. Jinse. He has, as you know, been working here for three years and will eb leaving us at the end of July. I know you will want to thank him for all he has done while here in the parish.

Deacon Robert Taylor ‘s Priesthood Ordination on Tuesday, 29th in Galashiels

Please remember in your prayers Deacon Robert Taylor (who ministered here last summer) who will be ordained as a priest for our Archdiocese this coming Tuesday on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Ordination will be celebrated at 7:00pm in Galashiels at the Parish of Our Lady & St Andrew. If you think that God may be calling you to the priesthood or religious life, you can contact Fr. Andrew Garden, the Archdiocesan Vocations Director on 0131 6634286 or vocations@staned.org.uk or Sr. Mirjam Hugens, on 0131 6238902, religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

Non-Violence: Responding to the Cry of the Earth

Pax Christi will host a Zoom event ‘Non-Violence: Responding to the Cry of the Earth’ on Monday 5th July, 7:00pm and features a variety of speakers. To register: https://tinyurl.com/NonviolenceJuly

Want to Become Catholic? Sign Up Now for RCIA to Start in September

Now is a great time to sign up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)! The RCIA group meets between September and April each year and is for non-Catholic adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 3rd-4th July

Booking will open on Monday, 28th June for Masses for next weekend of 3rd-4th July. Reserve seats at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com. For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

Music for the 12noon Mass at the Cathedral

Byrd Mass for Four Voices
Bruckner Locus iste
Ellers Go ye now in peace
Organ voluntary: Gabriel Pierné Prélude, Op. 29/1

Job Advertisement: Director of Scotland’s Churches Trust

An Edinburgh based job opportunity, Scotland’s Churches Trust, a non-denominational Charitable Trust that supports places of worship in Scotland is seeking a Director. Currently, the Trust assists approximately 1300 churches in Scotland. Subject to experience, the salary for this role is in the region of £26,000. The position requires 20 hours work per week. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in places of worship in Scotland and have significant knowledge of IT, including social-media and Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. Apply with CV, covering letter outlining relevant skills and names of 2 referees to Dr Brian Fraser brian.fraser67@gmail.com 07710 480875. Closing Date: 1 September 2021.

There will be a second collection next week for “Peter’s Pence”

Read the newsletter for 27th June (pdf)

Twelfth Sunday Of The Year – Year B

Farewell to Fr. Jinse!

After nearly three very happy years here, we were sad to learn that Fr. Jinse will be leaving us at the end of July. He has been re-assigned to a parish in England and will be replaced by another priest who will be ministering to the Syro-Malabar community here in Edinburgh. Fr. Jinse has been a great house-mate for us, (another wonderful cook!), and has been an incredible help here in the parish saying Masses and hearing Confessions. He is away on a (well-earned) break this week and so (while he is away) we will have a collection for him at the end of all our Masses next weekend. This has been a difficult time for our Indian priests – who have not been able to return home for nearly two years and who are naturally very concerned about their families. I know that we will want to show our appreciation for all that Fr. Jinse has done for us over the last three years.

Cathedral Home Visits

The Cathedral priests will be visiting the sick and housebound during the coming week. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a visit to receive the Sacraments or just to have a chat, please ask them to get in touch with the parish office (0131 5561798) or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Chrism Mass Tuesday, 22nd June, 7:00pm – No 6:00pm Ravelston Mass

The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Cushley on Tuesday, 22nd June, 7:00pm at the Cathedral. Archbishop Cushley will consecrate the Sacred Chrism and bless the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, and the priests of the Archdiocese will renew the promises they made at their ordination to serve God and His people. To attend the Mass, please book a seat at bit.ly/ChrismCathedral2021 and select “General Admission” to reserve tickets or by call the Parish Office at 0131 556 1798. Please note there will be no 6pm Mass at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston that evening.

“Children's Anxiety and the Pandemic: How to help your child journey from fear to peace” Free Webinar Monday, 21st June 7:30pm

Parents of primary school children can receive practical and prayerful advice on helping their child deal with anxiety brought on by the pandemic during a free, one-hour webinar on Monday, 21st June, 7:30pm led by Catholic educator Angela Dodds. To register, please visit http://bit.ly/ChildrensAnxiety

The event will cover:

• Common reasons/symptoms of child anxiety

• Practical strategies for parents

• Catholic prayer and spirituality for children

Angela, a parishioner at St Cuthbert's in Melrose, has 20 years’ experience working with primary children as a teacher and headteacher. She has been helping children and families through the pandemic with 1:1 coaching and support for emotional and academic issues. More info: www.thetendertutor.org

Deacon Bobby Taylor ‘s Priesthood Ordination on Tuesday, 29th in Galashiels

Please remember in your prayers Deacon Bobby Taylor (who ministered here last summer) who will be ordained as a priest for our Archdiocese on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Tuesday, 29th June, 7:00pm in Galashiels at the Parish of Our Lady & St Andrew. If you think that God may be calling you to the priesthood or religious life, you can contact Fr. Andrew Garden, the Archdiocesan Vocations Director on 0131 6634286 or vocations@staned.org.uk, or Sr. Mirjam Hugens, on 0131 6238902, religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

Want to Become Catholic? Sign Up Now for RCIA to Start in September

Now is a great time to sign up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)! The RCIA group meets between September and April each year and is for non-Catholic adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Offer for Free Disabled Parking from Sunday, 27th June in St. James Centre Car Park

If you have a disabled badge, drive to Mass and would like to use the St. James’ Car Park in the future, please fill out a form at the back of Church and return it to the Office, with the following: name, phone number, email address, parking permit number, expiry date and car registration number. For those who have sent in their details, the Car Park will have free disabled parking from Sunday, 27th June, 8:30am-1:30pm. Outside of those hours, normal parking fees will apply. Details will be provided to those who have requested disabled parking.

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 26th-27th June

Booking will open on Monday, 14th June for Masses for next weekend of 26th-27th June. Reserve seats at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com. For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

Monica Davidson RIP

Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Monica Davidson – one of our oldest and most committed parishioners who died peacefully last week. Monica’s body will be received into the Cathedral at 7pm on Tuesday 29th June and her Requiem will be on Wednesday, 30th June, at 12:45pm.

No 6pm Mass at Ravelston on Tuesday, 22nd June

Please note that due to the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral on Tuesday, 22nd June with Archbishop Cushley, there will be no 6pm Mass at Ravelston that evening.

Read the newsletter for 20th June (pdf)

Eleventh Sunday Of The Year – Year B

Grassmarket Project - New Café

Next week at all Masses, representatives from the Grassmarket Community Project (GCP) will speak about the new Coffee Saints opening in the Cathedral Hall in late summer. This is an ecumenical project between the Cathedral and Greyfriar’s Kirk – and will be the only social enterprise café of its kind in this otherwise commercial area. The representatives will be available after all Masses next weekend to answer questions about this exciting development in our parish!

Church Cleaning Volunteers

The Cathedral cleaning team meet every Wednesday afternoon between 2pm – 5pm to clean the church. We are seeking to recruit more volunteers to join the group with a view to easing the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences. Even 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

GIFT AID Envelopes 2021/22

There are still some Gift Aid envelopes for 2021/22 waiting for collection from the back of the Church. These will be available for collection until the end of June. We also have additional sets of envelopes available for any parishioners who are UK taxpayers and would like any donations they make to be Gift Aided. Please email finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to find out more.

Have You or Someone You Know Thought About Becoming Catholic?

Now is a great time to sign up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)! The RCIA group meets between September and April each year and is for non-Catholic adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Offer for Free Disabled Parking in St. James Centre Car Park

If you have a disabled badge and drive to Mass and would like to use the St. James’ Car Park in the future, please fill out one of the forms and return it to the Office, with the following information: name, phone number, email address, parking permit number, expiry date and car registration number.

Silent Prayer Before the Jesus in the Holy Eucharist

"Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give…” (John 14:27)

Saturdays 10:30am-12:00pm: Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is celebrated every Saturday 10:30am-12:00pm in the Cathedral. Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more….for some time of silent prayer before Jesus in Blessed Sacrament, which is nothing less than a close, private conversation with a living person who is the risen Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus chose the desert as a place to pray in solitude. He fought temptation, the temptations of the devil himself and taught us how to pray. Come and pray! Priests are also available to hear Confessions from 10:30am-12:00pm.

40 Hours Devotion Coming in Advent 2021, Beginning Sunday 28th November!

Mark your diary! Beginning on the First Sunday of Advent 2021, 28th November, Archbishop Cushley is to relaunch the "simple and beautiful tradition" of 40 hours' Devotion, which recalls the period of 40 hours from the time of our Lord’s death on the cross until His Resurrection. This time of solemn adoration will see each parish in the Archdiocese have 40 hours of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament so people can come together to pray in silence before the Lord. A new video on 40 Hours is at bit.ly/ArchYouTube

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 19th-20th June

Booking will open on Monday, 14th June for Masses for next weekend of 19th-20th June. Reserve seats at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com. For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

St. Mary’s University, Edinburgh Campus: Study Flexibly While You Work, Outstanding Faculty Support!

From September 2021, St Mary’s University in Twickenham, a leading Catholic university in the UK is opening a new Edinburgh campus at the Gillis Centre, offering MA degree programs in Education and Theology. Enjoy the flexibility of part-time courses on the evening and at weekends, allowing you to fit your studies around your existing work and personal commitments. Student testimonials acclaim university faculty support as “outstanding” and “above and beyond”! A one-hour informational video is at bit.ly/OpenEveningReplay

Questions? Contact Marianne Rozario, marianne.rozario@stmarys.ac.uk, or visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/edinburgh

MA Applied Catholic Theology

MA Catholic School Leadership

MA Education: Leading Innovation and Change

MA Education: Pedagogy

MA Education: Religious Education

The Stafford Centre Seeks Walking Group and Creative Group Volunteers

The Stafford Centre on Broughton Street, a community resource for people experiencing mental health difficulties. seeks a Walking Group Volunteer and Creative Group Volunteer. To find out more or arrange an informal chat, please contact Alexis Robertson Cumming, acumming@supportinmindscotland.org.uk

The newsletter for 13th June (pdf)

Solemnity Of The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ – Year B

First Holy Communions

Congratulations to all the children who received their First Holy Communion at Masses on Saturday, 5th June at the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston! A big thank you to the catechists, teachers and parents who helped prepare them to receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for the first time!

Monday, 7 June, 7:30pm Webinar: ‘Mental Health and the Pandemic’

An online seminar hosted by the Archdiocese will be held, titled ‘Mental Health and the Pandemic: How can we respond?’ on Monday 7 June, 7:30-8:30pm. The Zoom webinar features Fr Tony Lappin, Priest at St. Joseph’s, Peebles/Innerleithen and Psychotherapist, and Professor John Crichton, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland. Register now at bit.ly/MentalHealth_Webinar

Countdown to Ordination Video: Deacon Bobby Taylor and Deacon Martin Eckersley

Watch Deacon Bobby and Deacon Martin share their thoughts on vocational discernment, seminary life and the countdown to Ordination to the Priesthood in a 5-minute video from the Archdiocesan Communications Office: bit.ly/ArchYouTube

Please keep both men in your prayers: Deacon Bobby will be ordained on 29th June and Deacon Martin on 10th July!

Married Couples: Grow in Catholic Faith with Teams of Our Lady

Want to enrich your married spirituality with Jesus Christ and meet others to build friendships? Join the Teams of Our Lady, an international lay movement to enrich married spirituality and make good marriages better. A group of five couples and a priest began meeting in Edinburgh in 2019. New couples are welcome to join this group or a future new group. Couple meet up to ten times a year, share a meal, prayer time and discussions on living out their sacramental marriage. For more information on how to join, contact Fr Jeremy Milne, vemarriage@staned.org.uk, 0131 623 8900 or visit https://teamsgb.org.uk/

19th-20th June Grassmarket Representatives to Speak at Masses about New Café

Representatives of Grassmarket Community Project will be at Cathedral Masses during the weekend of 19th-20th June to speak about the new Coffee Saints café opening in the Cathedral Hall in late summer. They will be available to provide information and answer questions. Come and hear about the new café – a really exciting new development in the Cathedral parish!

New Evening and Weekend Courses at Edinburgh Campus of St. Mary’s University!

In case you missed it, a 1-hour video is available at bit.ly/OpenEveningReplay of the 2nd June Open Evening for the Edinburgh Campus of St. Mary’s University, featuring Q&A with course leaders and student testimonials on the MA courses in Theology and Education beginning from September 2021! The part-time MA courses will enable you to study flexibly in the evening and at weekends, to fit your studies around your existing work and personal commitments. Questions? E-mail Marianne Rozario at marianne.rozario@stmarys.ac.uk or visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/edinburgh

Offer for Free Disabled Parking in St. James Centre Car Park

If you have a disabled badge and drive to Mass, please fill out one of the forms at the back of the Church and return it to the Cathedral Office, or contact the parish office with the following information: name, phone number, email address, parking permit number, expiry date and car registration number. This will help us to gather information needed for the limited number of free disabled parking places on Sunday mornings that will be made available for the Cathedral at the Edinburgh St. James Car Park. Parish office can be reached at 0131 556 1798, cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Want to Enter the Catholic Church? Sign up for RCIA!

Have you or someone you know thought about becoming Catholic? Now is a great time to sign up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)! The RCIA group meets between September and April each year and is for non-Catholic adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 12th-13th June

Booking will open on Monday, 7th June for Masses for next weekend of 12th-13th June. Reserve seats at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com. For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

Weekly Cathedral and Monthly Archdiocesan Updates By E-Mail

Cathedral News: Receive the Cathedral newsletter straight into your inbox! Stay in touch with the Cathedral through the weekly e-newsletter. Sign up at the ‘Stay in Touch’ section on the bottom of any page of www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk, or bookmark the Newsletter in your browser at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/news

Archdiocesan News: For a monthly e-mail update from the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, subscribe at https://archedinburgh.org/news-events (bottom of page). The June update is available at bit.ly/June_Arch_update

From 11th June: Mustard Seed’s Weekly Café with Life Skills and Job Club Discussions

A Weekly Friday Café will begin Friday, 11th June at Mustard Seed Edinburgh, 170 Easter Road, EH7 5QE to offer a light breakfast, discussions about life skills and job searching, followed by lunch and a chat over topics discussed. Course discussions will be tailored to those who come along each week. Breakfast, 10am-11am, Course Discussions, 11am - 12pm: Lunch, 12.00-1.00pm. For more information, contact David Strang, 0735 513536, davidstrang@capuk.org or visit https://capuk.org/scotland

Meal Makers Appeal for New Diners 55+

As lockdown restrictions ease, Meal Makers is seeking new Diners, aged 55+ across all areas of Edinburgh, particularly in the postcodes: EH3, EH6, EH9, EH10, EH11. To refer someone, visit https://www.mealmakers.org.uk/Home/SuggestDiner

Meal Makers is all about “helping older people to eat well, age well and live well independently at home for as long as they wish.” The organization connects people who love cooking with an older neighbour who would appreciate a freshly prepared meal and a friendly chat. For more information, contact hello@mealmakers.org.uk, 0800 783 7770

The newsletter for 6 June 2021 9 (pdf)

Solemnity Of The Most Holy Trinity – Year B

First Holy Communion Masses Next Saturday 11:00am and 12:00pm

Please remember in your prayers the children from the Cathedral parish who will receive their First Holy Communion at Masses next Sunday at 11:00am and 12:00pm. As they receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for the first time, may they come to love Him and grow in their relationship with Our Lord, who is truly present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist.

No Confessions Next Saturday Morning

Please note that because of the First Communion Masses (see above) there will be no 10am Mass, no Eucharistic adoration and no Confessions next Saturday. Normal service will resume the following weekend – thank you for your understanding!

Ravelston Home Visits

The Cathedral priests will be visiting the sick and housebound of Ravelston during the coming week. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a visit to receive the Sacraments or just to have a chat, please ask them to get in touch with the parish office (0131 5561798) or email Fr Jamie: frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Day of Life Second Collection Today to Help Unborn Children and Their Mothers

A special collection to help pregnancy support projects in our Archdiocese and across Scotland will be held today. Women in the most deprived areas of Scotland have abortion rates twice as high as those in wealthy areas. Your support will make a difference to unborn children and their mothers. As well as the parish collection, you can also donate online at http://bit.ly/DayforLifeCollection2021

St. James Centre Car Park  Offer for Free Disabled Parking

An arrangement for a limited number of free disabled parking places on Sunday mornings is in place for the Cathedral with the Edinburgh St. James Car Park. If you have a disabled badge and drive to Mass, please fill out one of the forms at the back of the Church and return it to the Cathedral Office as soon as possible. For a temporary pass for disabled parking, contact the parish office at 0131 556 1798, cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Want to Deepen Your Knowledge of the Faith? Intellectually curious?

Attend the St. Mary’s Edinburgh Campus Postgraduate Online Open Evening!

Wednesday, 2 June, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Professors from St. Mary’s University, Twickenham will present information on Zoom in about the five exciting new Master’s Degree programs in education and theology beginning this Autumn at the university’s new Edinburgh campus at the Gillis Centre. To register, visit bit.ly/OurOpenEvening

Speakers:

Dr Jacob Phillips, Director of the Institute of Theology and Liberal Arts

Associate Professor John Lydon, Programme Director, MA Catholic School Leadership

Dr Mary Mihovilovic, Programme Director, MA Education

Unable to attend? You are welcome to email marianne.rozario@stmarys.ac.uk with your questions or for more information visit stmarys.ac.uk/Edinburgh

Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Or do you know someone who is?

If you or someone you know are interested in becoming Catholic, or if you know anyone who might be interested in the Church, why not sign up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)? This group – which meets between September and April each year – is for non-Catholic adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. No commitment is made until fairly late in the annual process – so all non-Catholics who just want to know more about the Church are welcome. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 5th-6th June

Booking will open on Monday, 31st May for Masses for next weekend of 5th-6th June. Reserve seats at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com. For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

Read the newsletter for 30th May (pdf)

Solemnity Of Pentecost – Year B

Welcome to Deacon Josh!

Deacon Josh has arrived from Rome and will be with us for the whole summer. I know you will make him very welcome.

Eucharistic Ministers

As we take the first steps back to normality with fewer Masses and larger congregations, it is becoming clear that the priests will need assistance from Eucharistic Ministers for distribution of Holy Communion at Masses. With this in mind we ask that our registered Eucharistic Ministers be prepared to help with the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass, if asked. If assistance is needed, the priest will call for one or more Ministers to come forward. Be prepared!

Parish Bible Study – Mondays at 7.00pm on Zoom

Fr. Jamie is continuing his excellent weekly bible study. The many people who attend this find it really useful. If you haven’t tried it yet – why not sign up? To receive the Zoom link, just email: frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Why not take this opportunity to learn more about the scriptures?

Young Adults Group - Tuesdays at 7.30pm

On the Tuesdays of May, the Cathedral YAG will meet each week for a Holy Hour with guided meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary. All young adults aged 18-35 are invited and after the Holy Hour they will (as ever) withdraw to the Pub! (“thirst after righteousness…” Ed!)

Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Or do you know someone who is?

If you or someone you know are interested in becoming Catholic, or if you know anyone who might be interested in the Church, why not sign up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)? This group – which meets between September and April each year – is for non-Catholic adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. No commitment is made until fairly late in the annual process – so all non-Catholics who just want to know more about the Church are welcome. For more information, call parish office at 0131 556 1798 or cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Offer for Free Disabled Parking in Edinburgh St. James Centre Car Park

The Cathedral has made an arrangement with the Edinburgh St. James Car Park for free disabled parking on Sunday mornings. If you have a disabled badge and drive to Mass, please fill out one of the forms at the back of the Church and return it to the Cathedral Office as soon as possible. For a temporary pass for disabled parking, contact the parish office at 0131 556 1798, cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 29th-30th May

Booking will open on Monday, 24th May for Masses for next weekend of 29th-30th May. Reserve seats at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com. For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

Marriage Preparation Course

Are you planning to get married next year? Please contact Fr Jamie frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk as soon as possible to make arrangements for Marriage Preparation. The Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation Course for May is now fully booked, but we will offer our own, regular parish-based course on Saturday, 28th August and Saturday, 27th November.

Day of Life Second Collection Next Sunday, 31st May

A special collection to help pregnancy support projects in our Archdiocese and across Scotland will be held next Sunday, 31st May. Women in the most deprived areas of Scotland have abortion rates twice as high as those in wealthy areas. Your support will make a difference to unborn children and their mothers. As well as the parish collection, you can also donate online at http://bit.ly/DayforLifeCollection2021

Register for Online Open Evening at St Mary’s University Edinburgh Campus

Wednesday, 2 June, 6-7pm

Register to attend an online open evening (Zoom) to hear about courses from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, which will be taught at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh this Autumn for five Master’s Degree programs:

MA Applied Catholic Theology

MA Catholic School Leadership

MA Education: Leading Innovation and Change

MA Education: Pedagogy

MA Education: Religious Education

The Open Evening takes place 6-7pm, Wednesday 2 June. Register at bit.ly/OurOpenEvening. For more information about courses visit stmarys.ac.uk/Edinburgh

25th May: 'Ecological Conversion Co-operation between the UK & the Vatican'

Ambassador Sally Axworthy MBE, British Ambassador to the Holy See, will speak on 'Ecological Conversion Co-operation between the UK & the Vatican' Tuesday 25th, May at 7.00pm on Zoom. Join at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2365092814 or Meeting ID: 236 509 2814.

Mental Health and the Pandemic: How can we respond?’ Monday, 7 June

An online seminar hosted by the Archdiocese will be held, titled ‘Mental Health and the Pandemic: How can we respond?’ on Monday 7 June, 7:30-8:30pm. The Zoom webinar features Fr Tony Lappin, Priest at St. Joseph’s, Peebles/Innerleithen and Psychotherapist, and Professor John Crichton, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland. Register now at bit.ly/MentalHealth_Webinar

Music for the 12noon Mass at the Cathedral

Veni Creator Spiritus

Come Down O Love Divine

Organ voluntary: J.S. Bach Fantasia super 'Komm, Heiliger Geist' BWV 651

Read the newsletter for 23 May (pdf)

Seventh Sunday Of Easter– Year B

Congratulations to All of Our Confirmandi!

This afternoon, Sunday, 16th May Archbishop Cushley will confirm 22 young people at the Cathedral! Please pray for all of our Confirmandi that they will serve the Church with all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit given by the Lord in this sacrament.

Archbishop Cushley confirmed 13 young people at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston on Saturday, 15th May – a very special day for them and our parish! We are very proud of our young people and ask your prayers for them. May the Holy Spirit strengthen them to serve the Church generously and faithfully! Thank you to Fr. Jamie and Sr. Anna Marie, RSM for teaching the online Confirmation course this year!

Deacon Joshua Moir Arrives Monday, 17th May for Summer Placement

We look forward to welcoming Deacon Joshua Moir, a seminarian in Rome studying for our Archdiocese, on Monday, 17th May for his summer placement in our parish. He and three other seminarians were ordained Deacons on Sunday, 2nd May by Archbishop Arthur Roche in the Scots College Chapel in Rome. I know you will make him very welcome!

Offer for Free Disabled Parking in Edinburgh St. James Centre Car Park

With the new on-street parking charge, the Cathedral has made an arrangement with the Edinburgh St. James Car Park for free disabled parking on Sunday mornings when the centre opens in late June. However ,we must have your contact details if you wish to have a disabled parking permit. If you have a disabled badge and drive to Mass, it is imperative that you fill out one of the forms at the back of the Church and return it to the Cathedral Office as soon as possible. The Car Park has been very accommodating, and we need to use these spaces. For a temporary pass for disabled parking, contact the parish office at 0131 556 1798, cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Parish Bible Study – Mondays at 7.00pm on Zoom

There is still more space available for those who would like to join our weekly Parish Bible Study! To sign up and receive the Zoom link, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Each week, you will receive a short and accessible commentary for the coming Sunday’s Gospel in preparation for the Bible study, The meetings involve discussion, prayer and reflection, and are online on Zoom at 7pm every Monday.

Young Adults Group - Tuesdays at 7.30pm

For the Tuesdays of May, there will be a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration for young people, with guided meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary. This Tuesday, we'll pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. The Holy Hour will conclude with Benediction and a trip to the pub (weather permitting!). Come along and meet Deacon Joshua as he begins serving at the parish for the summer! All young adults aged 18-35 will be very welcome.

Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Or do you know someone who is?

If you or someone you know are interested in becoming Catholic consider signing up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) group for adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, with a view to becoming members of the Church. For more information, contact the parish office at 0131 556 1798 or cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Booking for Sunday Masses, Weekend of 22nd-23rd May: Solemnity of Pentecost

Booking for will open on Monday, 17th May for Masses for the Solemnity of Pentecost for the weekend of 22nd-23rd May at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve or by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.” For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750, jfe1@mac.com

For Polish Mass booking, please visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

Marriage Preparation Course

Are you planning to get married next year? Please contact Fr Jamie (frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk) as soon as possible to make arrangements for Marriage Preparation. The Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation Course for May is now fully booked, but we will offer our own, regular parish-based course on Saturday, 28th August and Saturday, 27th November.

Register for Online Open Evening at St Mary’s University Edinburgh Campus, Wednesday, 2 June, 6-7pm

Do you want to deepen your knowledge of education and the Catholic faith? Are you a teacher, an aspiring school leader or simply intellectually curious? Register to attend an online open evening (Zoom) to hear about courses from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, which will be taught at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh this Autumn. The Open Evening takes place 6-7pm, Wednesday 2 June. Register at bit.ly/OurOpenEvening For more information about courses visit stmarys.ac.uk/Edinburgh

Novena to Mark 1500th Anniversary of St. Columba’s Birth

A Novena and Litany to mark the 1500th anniversary of St Columba’s birth has been composed by Fr Ross Crichton, a priest based in the Western Isles. It is published in a 40-page, trilingual edition in English, Scots Gaelic and Irish: https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/novena-to-st-columba/

Music for the 12noon Mass at the Cathedral

Handel 'O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion' from Messiah

Organ voluntary: J.S. Bach Prelude in E-flat BWV 552i

Read the newsletter for 16th May (pdf)

Sixth Sunday Of Easter– Year B

Return to Normal Sunday Mass Schedule as of Next Weekend!

We will be back to our normal Mass schedule from next weekend 15th-16th May. The normal Sunday Mass times are 6:00pm (Vigil), 9:00am, 10.30am (Polish), 12noon, 6:00pm (Polish) and 7:30pm.

Pray for Young People to be Confirmed Next Sunday, 16th May

Young people in our Cathedral parish will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next Sunday afternoon. Archbishop Cushley will administer the sacrament to them following their completion of a time of spiritual preparation and study. Please pray for them that they will “share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of Catholic Church, 1294).

In St Andrew’s, Ravelston, please pray for all the young people who have taken part in our first ever online Confirmation course with Sister Anna Marie and Fr Jamie. Archbishop Cushley will confirm them at St. Andrew’s next Saturday morning. May each of them be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and be strengthened in the service of the Church!

Congratulations Deacon Joshua Moir!

Congratulations to Deacon Joshua Moir, 27, a seminarian in Rome studying for our Archdiocese, who was ordained Deacon on Sunday last by Archbishop Arthur Roche in the Scots College Chapel, Rome. God willing, he will be ordained a priest next year. Deacon Joshua will be arriving here at the Cathedral for a summer placement on Monday, 17th May! We look forwarding to welcoming him next week!

Booking for Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Thursday, 13th May and Sunday Masses for Weekend of 15th-16th May

Thursday, 13th May is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. In ordinary times, this feast would be a holiday of obligation – please make every attempt to attend Mass, if you can. In addition to our usual Mass times of 10am, 12:45 and 6pm (Ravelston), there will be an additional 7pm at the Cathedral. To save time at the door, please book online in advance in the usual way (https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/reserve). If you need to cancel a booking for a Mass, you can do so from your email receipt. Scroll to the bottom and click on “View and manage your order online.”

Bookings may also be done by calling the parish office, 0131 556 1798. For Extraordinary Form (Old Rite) liturgies, contact Fr. John Emerson, 0131 332 3750 or jfe1@mac.com. For Polish Mass booking, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/polishcatholicchurchedinburgh

In St Andrew’s, Ravelston, Please pray for all the young people who have taken part in our first ever online Confirmation course with Sister Anna Marie and Fr Jamie. Archbishop Cushley will confirm them at St. Andrew’s next Saturday morning. May each of them be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and be strengthened in the service of the Church!

Parish Bible Study – Mondays at 7.00pm on Zoom

Our Parish Bible Study resumed last Monday – it was great to see some new faces and old friends! Still space for more: email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to sign up. Each week, you will receive a short and accessible commentary for the coming Sunday’s Gospel in preparation for the Bible study, which takes place online on Zoom at 7pm every Monday and involves discussion, prayer and reflection. Do join!

Young Adults Group - Tuesdays at 7.30pm

For the Tuesdays of May, there will be a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration for young people, with guided meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary. This Tuesday, we'll pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. The Holy Hour will conclude with Benediction and a trip to the pub (weather permitting!). All young adults aged 18-35 will be very welcome.

Degrees in Theology or Education at St. Mary's University Edinburgh

This September, St Mary’s University in Twickenham, a leading Catholic university in the UK, will open a campus at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh in conjunction with the Archdiocese. This is an excellent opportunity with post-graduate MA courses in Theology and Education offered, giving you the flexibility to study in the evening and at weekends. Register at www.stmarys.ac.uk/edinburgh

Marriage Preparation

Are you planning to get married next year? Please contact Fr Jamie (frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk) as soon as possible to make arrangements for Marriage Preparation. The Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation Course for May is now fully booked, but we hope to run our own, regular parish-based courses after the summer.

Special Collection Next Sunday, 16th May for World Communications Day

Next Sunday, 16th May, the Catholic Church celebrates World Communications day in which we highlight the importance of communications media in spreading the Good News of the Gospel. There will be a second collection to support the Church’s communications work in Scotland.

Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Or do you know someone who is?

It was great to welcome 16 adults into the fulness of the Catholic faith last Sunday at Mass. If you – or someone you know – was inspired by their example, this would be a great time to sign up for the Cathedral’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) group, for adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, with a view to becoming members of the Church. For more information, contact the parish office at 0131 556 1798 or cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Laudato Si’ Event Monday, 24th May, 7pm: `Everything and Everyone is Connected’

Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) and Justice & Peace Scotland host an online event titled ‘Everything and Everyone is Connected’ at 7pm on Monday 24 May, “an evening of reflection on Laudato Si’ and the climate crisis”. Laudato Si’ Week takes place 16-24 May as part of the anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home.

Sign Petition to Protect Freedom to Pray

City of Edinburgh Council is petitioning COSLA, the Scottish local authorities’ organisation, in favour of ‘buffer zones’ at all Scottish abortion facilities. It means peaceful pro-life prayer vigils, a lifeline to vulnerable women considering abortion, are under threat. To protect the freedom to pray you can sign the SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) online petition: https://citizengo.org/en-gb/201800-protect-freedom-pray-scotland It takes 30 seconds!

Many Options Available to Support St. Mary’s Cathedral

Contactless: We now have two contactless donation devices in the Cathedral, which you may prefer to use instead of handling notes and loose change at this time.

Gift Aid: Gift Aid is another way of raising money for the parish. It is a government-led initiative whereby UK taxpayers may register for gift aid with the Cathedral and/or with St Andrew’s such that the Government will give an additional 25% of the value of donations made during the year to the charity, at no additional cost to the donor. Many of you are already registered, but if not, do contact our finance officer, Caroline on finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you are interested.

Online: The Cathedral website also has a ‘donate’ button on our website which has the added advantage of allowing you to ‘gift aid’ any donations you make at the time that you make them.

Music for the 12noon Mass at the Cathedral

Schubert Ave Maria

This Joyful Eastertide

Organ voluntary: Herbert Howells Paean

Read the newsletter for 9th May (pdf)