Christmas Thank You!
Sincere thanks to everyone who made sure that the Christmas celebrations continued with their usual beauty and solemnity – even in spite of the last-minute quarantine of the Cathedral clergy! A special word of thanks to all those who cleaned and prepared the church, arranged the flowers, volunteered to read and assist in the distribution of Holy Communion. The pass-keepers ensured a warm (and safe!) welcome to all comers, the altar servers did their duties with their usual grace and decorum, while our wonderful singers and musicians gave the angelic chorus a ‘run for their money!’ Particular thanks to the Archbishop and visiting clergy, who came from near and far to ensure that the published Christmas Mass schedule was able to be fulfilled without change. Thank you!
The priests of Cathedral House missed you very much indeed over Christmas but are all safe and healthy, very grateful for all your gifts, cards and kindness and looking forward very much to wishing you a ‘Merry Christmas’ in person in the coming days!
New Year’s Resolution: Grow Deeper in Your Catholic Faith
This coming year, why not make a resolution to learn more about your Catholic faith? A wonderful way to do this would be sign up for the Archdiocesan Diploma in Catechetics. This course is back by popular demand after a successful first year which saw almost one-hundred and fifty people graduate. The brains behind the course is our very own Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM. She and a range of guest speakers bring you online lectures each Thursday, guided reading, one-to-one support, retreats and supplementary courses on Zoom and YouTube.
Still not sure? Here's what students from our 2021 session said about the course:
- “A life changer, I learnt so much and it really deepened my faith. I can’t recommend it enough.”
- “The diploma in catechetics is invaluable, there is no one who I wouldn't recommend this course to!”
- “Our faith explored. Go deeper with this highly enjoyable course.”
- “Inspirational. You won’t want to miss a session. Please give it a go - it’s a course for everyone.”
- “As a ‘cradle Catholic,’ this diploma helped to enable me to develop my Faith and deepen my understanding of scripture.”
- “Really enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone. The classes are made very welcoming and inspiring, by the wonderful speakers. The family of God has a whole new meaning now. Thank you to all involved.”
- "The speakers' commitment, knowledge and delivery of the Catholic faith has been illuminating and transformative throughout a period that has challenged many of us. Sincere thanks."
The Diploma in Catechetics lasts one year, begins in January 2022 and costs £200. Registration is now open at bit.ly/DiplomaCatechetics2022
Children’s Catechism Classes for First Communion and Confirmation
After a well-earned Christmas break, classes in preparation for First Confession resume next Sunday (9th January). Later in the New Year, we’ll be getting ready to start preparations for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. First Communion is open to all children in Primary 4 and above and will begin with a meeting for all parents on Monday 21st February. For children aged Primary 7 and above, there will be an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, with an introductory meeting for parents on Monday 24th January. Prior registration is essential! Please do so online here:
First Holy Communion: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion
Confirmation: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation
2022 Marriage Preparation Courses: 29th January, 10am – 5pm
We’ve received lots of happy news of couples in the parish getting engaged to be married over the Christmas period: prayers and congratulations to you all! To help to accompany them in their preparations for this important vocation, the Cathedral organises four courses each year, featuring presentations, testimonies and workshops led by married couples from the parish. The next course will take place on Saturday 29th January from 10am-5pm, with future courses running on the 18th of June and 27th of August. Although priority is given to Cathedral / Ravelston parishioners, this course is also open to people from other parishes and dioceses – feel free to spread the word! To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Don’t forget that to be married in a Catholic church (even outside of the parish) it’s essential that you let the parish office know that you’re getting married so that the necessary paperwork can be submitted in time (at least six months prior to the intended marriage date).
Parish Bible Study: Resumes Monday 17th January 2022, 7pm
After a long Christmas break, the online parish Bible Study will resume on Monday the 17th of January at 7pm. Each week, the group meets to discuss in advance the upcoming Sunday Scripture readings, to try to unpack their deeper meaning and reflect together on how these readings apply to our everyday lives. This year, as well as continuing these weekly meetings online, we’d like to start also organising monthly, in-person talks by invited speakers on different books or themes of the Bible. Watch this space for more details! To sign-up or to find out more, please email frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Young Adults Group: New Series of Talks for Spring 2022
The Cathedral Young Adults Group, which offers opportunities for young people aged between 18 and 35 to learn more about their faith and build strong friendships with other young Catholics in the city. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7pm at 63 York Place for a talk by an invited speaker, followed by conversation, prayer and a visit to one of the local pubs. This semester, the talks will focus on the life and thought of St John Paul II, beginning on Tuesday 18th January. Look out for more details in upcoming newsletters, as well as on the Facebook group
Graham Burnett: New Engagement Officer for Over 60s Community
Together with the Grassmarket Project, we are delighted to announce the appointment of a new ‘Engagement Officer’ for St Mary’s Coffee Saints café to work with the over 60’s community here. His name is Graham Burnett. His background is Occupational Therapy & from New Year onwards he will be based in Coffee Saints most days (times to be confirmed). He will be running small group activities & trips (Covid permitting). To contact Graham: graham@grassmarket.org 07568 202 547.
Free Disabled Parking 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. For those who have sent in their details, the Car Park will have free disabled parking on Sundays only 8:30am-1:30pm. Outside of those hours, normal parking fees will apply. Questions? Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Thirsting for God? RCIA Meetings Tuesdays 7pm at Cathedral House
Do you know someone not baptized or baptized in a non-Catholic Christian tradition, who is thirsting for what it means to become Catholic? Do you know someone already Catholic who hasn’t received Confirmation? The Cathedral’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) group is a place to ask questions and deepen your journey of faith in preparation for the sacraments of initiation. After Christmas, meetings will resume every Tuesday, 7:00pm-8:30pm at Cathedral House until to Easter, with a few sessions after Easter. To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
To find out more about the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith and making the journey to full communion with the Catholic Church, visit The Coming Home Network, https://chnetwork.org/
Donations via Postal Order
We have recently received donations via postal order in the offertory collection. While we are, of course, always very grateful for all donations we receive, please be aware that we are only able to cash postal orders where they are made out to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’. Postal orders made out to other names or other charities cannot be cashed by us without making special request to the Post Office in writing. If you wish to make a donation to a specific organization, please therefore send your payment directly to that organization to avoid unnecessary delays.
Fundraising Pledge Board for Donations to Rewire Parish Hous
The Ravelston Parish House and Rooms have an electrical circuit which is over 50 years old and which needs to be replaced urgently. The capacity of the circuit needs to be increased and we also need to install mains-wired interlinked smoke alarms (by Feb 2022). In summary, to avoid the accident which is waiting to happen and make the house and rooms safe and legally compliant we need to rewire. We have put out to tender and this will cost in the region of £19,000. We have created a pledge board to allow parishioners to donate towards a particular item. For details of how to donate and to view the pledge board, please see the parish noticeboard or contact finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Teas and Coffees: Coming Back Soon!
Because of the essential works taking place in the parish rooms, there will be no teas and coffees after Mass this Sunday 2nd January and next Sunday 9th of January at Ravelston. The Friday morning café also remains closed at this time. We look forward to these wonderful opportunities for building community resuming in the near future!
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3-7)
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered, free of charge, to children ages 3-7 at St. Columba’s Parish, 9 Upper Gray St, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Children from any parish are welcome to take part. This Montessori-based method of Catechesis focuses on the development of the child and the unique relationship children have with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Sessions for children ages 3-4 are held Tuesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and sessions for children ages 5-7 are held on Friday afternoons. Please contact Sister Anna Marie McGuan, RSM at SrAnna.Marie@staned.org.uk for more information or to register your child.
Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love: Monday, 10th January
There will be three talks explaining this important document, an apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis, beginning 10 January and led by Sr Anna Marie, the Archdiocese’s Catechetics Advisor, and Fr Nick Welsh, vice rector of the Scots College in Rome. Details to follow soon.
Day For Musicians and Singers: 22nd January
Music Day. This takes place on Saturday 22 January at the Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, 10:00am-3:30pm. The theme is Liturgical Music Making in a Post-Pandemic World. The day is open to everyone, especially those involved in leading and playing music, as well as singers. Details to follow soon.
