Today

is the Solemnity of Ss Peter & Paul. There will be a Special Collection for Peter’s Pence after all Masses

Tea & Coffee in the Porch: Why not stay after Mass & have a chat with friends or make new ones? There will be tea & coffee provided in flasks in the porch after Mass. Please feel free to help yourself. If you wish to make a donation towards your drink, please place it in the big collection box in the porch.

Calendar

Polish Community: Mass in the Cathedral - Monday to Friday @ 6 pm, Saturday @ 9 am.

Sunday 6 July: There will be a Special Collection for Bread for the Poor, after all Masses.

First Reading: Acts 12:1-11; Psalm: Psalm 33;
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

Sometimes it is difficult to think of saints as real people, and imagine how they saw the world and their faith. Fortunately this is quite easy in the case of Peter and Paul. However we have to make adjustments for the time distance. We see their work after nearly 2000 years and realise they helped place the foundations of the Church. They saw life as we do, something being newmade all the time, without knowing what the future might hold. St Paul did not know his writings would be classed as ‘scripture’, St Peter did not know he would be described as ‘the first Pope’. What they did know was that they had been called personally by the Lord; Paul was called very dramatically, knocked off his horse. Both of them had done appalling things – Paul had helped stone St Stephen, Peter had betrayed Jesus in his hour of need. It seems that God chooses his enemies to be his greatest supporters. Is there hope for us?

Next Sunday’s Readings – 14th Sunday of the year (A)
First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10
Second Reading: Romans 8:9,11-13
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Sick:
Joan Alexa, Kathleen Anderson, Ann Bitchfield, Sr Agnes Bolan, Bill Boland, Marion Bowley, Eileen Conneely, Jim Docherty, Patsy Douglas, Sonia Drabek, Vicky Duffy, Renata Boldrini Filogoni, Mary Gallaher, Isa Gillon, Fr Denis Harlow, Jeannie Jenkinson, Canon Stephen Judge, Jill Laws, Stanley McKelvie, Bridie Mackie, Robert Mackie, Marion McClachlan, Colin McGinlay, Michael Nicholson, Fr John O’Brien, Patricia O’Brien, Colin Smith, Frances Verruchia, Mary Whosiskey, Mr Willis.

Please keep us up to date so that the info is accurate.

Please remember in your prayers those who have recently died:
Alison Dryden, James Duffy, Bro. John Martin McGowan OP, Gennaro D’Onofrio, Jane Williamson.

Offertory Collections - your donations make the life and work of the Parish possible.
Cathedral £1635.23 including £557.35 Gift Aid, Cathedral £56.91, Polish Community £353.58, Votive Candles £219.60, All Other Collections £330.05, Church Stall £87.55.

11:30 am Mass Readers and Eucharistic Ministers – Please collect new rota from the Sacristy.

The Swingle Singers ( the capella vocal supergroup) will be performing here on Tuesday 19 August.
There will be 8 of them plus one audio engineer & they are asking for help with accommodation, which can be difficult to find during August! If you live fairly near the Cathedral & can help, please speak to Simon Nieminski on 523 0106. Thank you!

Any requests for Baptismal Certificates, Letters of Freedom & enquiries about marriage & baptism must be made in writing or by e-mail, to the address at the top of the page.

ZAINTERESOWANYCH PRZYGOTOWANIEM DO SAKRAMENTÓW W JĘZYKU POLSKIM, A TAKŻE PRAGNĄCYCH SKORZYSTAĆ Z MOJEJ POSTŁUGI SAKRAMENTALNEJ W BIEŻĄCYM CZASIE SERDECZNIE ZAPRASZAM. W KAŻDĄ NIEDZIELĘ SPRAWUJĘ EUCHARYSTIĘ W KOŚCIELE SS NINIAN’S & TRIDUANA, Marionville Rd. (12.30). Fr Andrzej Jablonski, Telefon 07972 853 196, e-mail andja@go2.pl.

Cathedral Camps: welcomes all young people between the ages of 16-25 to volunteer at one week summer camps at the historic churches & cathedrals of Britain. Perhaps you have a personal or career interest in heritage conservation, or are doing a Duke of Edinburgh award? Maybe you like having fun & getting to know people from all over the world. All this is possible while making a difference to some of the most spectacular buildings in Britain. The camps run from Wed to Wed throughout July & Aug & cost £100 for a one week camp, including all food, accommodation & equipment. For more information & a list of this year’s venues, visit www.cathedralcamps.org.uk.

Every young person is special …some need extra special care. Could you help care for a disabled child? Carers are urgently need for: Specialist Disability Foster Care – caring full or part-time for children with complex needs & Share the Care – caring for disabled children with less complex needs for short, regular periods. If you think you can meet the special challenges that caring for a disabled child brings, get in touch today & make a difference. Phone 0800 174 833 or visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fostering

The Ignatian Spirituality Centre is based in the heart of Glasgow. It offers opportunities for people to reflect on the presence of God in their lives and respond to that presence. The centre is a work of the British Province of the Society of Jesus. The full programme for 2008 can be obtained by writing to the Secretary at 35 Scott St. Glasgow G3 6PE. www.iscglasgow.co.uk.

Toilets: Please use the Hall Complex facilities. Under no circumstances should any other toilets be used. Children must always be accompanied by their parents. The hall is CCTV protected.

Never leave your personal belongings unattended even when going for Communion!

Individually Guided Retreat – Tuesday 1 to Thursday 10 July: The retreats, open to people of all denominations, will be directed by members of the Ignation Spirituality Centre Team. Held at the Catholic House of Prayer on Iona. Half Board. Suggested Donation £445, but no one should feel excluded for financial reasons. Phone 354 0077 or visit www.iscglasgow.co.uk.

Nexus Coffee Night – Sunday 6 July @ 8:15 pm to 10 pm: Please join them at the coffee night where you can enjoy hot chocolate, coffee & cakes & meet other young adults from churches in & around Edinburgh. Bring your wallet, appetite & friends. www.the-lot.co.uk. …….I was a stranger and you invited me in. Matthew 25:35

Lourdes Pilgrimage – Friday 11 to Friday 18 July: Join the Archdioceses of St Andrews & Edinburgh in celebrating the 150th year of the Apparitions. Led by Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien. Booking forms available in the Porch, or contact Access Travel on 01942 888844. Sick & Disabled Pilgrims must apply to Hospital Booking Secretary, 61 Hailes Gdns, EH13 0JN on 441 1939.

The Life & Poetry of G.M. Hopkins – Friday 11 July to Friday 18 July: A 6-day retreat led by Fr William Hewett who will be taking you through the life & spirituality of Hopkins. You will use his poetry as a stimulous to prayer and writing. St Beuno’s, Tremeirchion, St Asaph, North Wales. Phone 01745 583444 or visit www.beunos.com.

Sea Sunday - 13 July: Seafarers are our nation’s lifeline, but they live hard and often lonely lives on our behalf to ensure that our daily needs are met. The Mission to Seafarers reaches out to them on behalf of the Church to offer them spiritual and practical support in some 230 ports around the world. www.missiontoseafarers.org

Individually Guided Retreat – Friday 1 to Sunday 10 August: Notre Dame Centre in Skelmorlie overlooking the beautiful Clyde Estuary. Suggested donation £336 (£240). Ignatian Spirituality Centre on 0141 354 0077 or www.iscglasgow.co.uk

Would the new Europe be better off jettisoning its religious past and welcoming the new atheism? – Saturday 9 August @ 11 am: A discussion between a scientist who thinks God is great and a cultural commentator who doesn't. In association with The Trinity Forum and the Fixed Point Foundation. Dr John Lennox, Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy and Chaplain at Green College Oxford. Christopher Hitchens, journalist, author, television commentator and one of the ‘New Atheists'. Moderated by James Naughtie, journalist, political commentator and presenter of BBC Radio 4's Today programme. £10. Usher Hall.

Latin Choral Vespers in the Cathedral – Saturday 16 & 23 August @ 4:30 to 5:45 pm. Followed by a recital on the new organ. Free admission.

Festival Mass – Sunday 17 August @ 11:30 am with Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien, in the Cathedral.

Changing Direction? – Monday 18 to Saturday 23 August: An affirming retreat for people in their 30s & 40s who wish to take time to consider the direction their life is going. Looking at relationships, spirituality & discernment. Eilish Curristin RMA,. Loyala Hall Jesuit Spirituality Centre, Prescot. Phone 0151 426 4137 or www.loyolahall.co.uk.

Swingle Singers at the Cathedral – Tuesday 19 August @ 7:30 to 9:30 pm: Tickets (£15 / £13 conc.) available from the Fringe Box Office or from the Cathedral. www.edfringe.com.

The Rock Trust Kilt Walk 2008 – Saturday 23 August @ 12 pm: 5 km sponsored walk with a difference where you can proudly wear your kilt along with hundreds of other kilted walkers. Starting & finishing at the Ross Theatre where there’s a host of entertainment planned. The Rock Trust works to provide opportunities for young vulnerable homeless and socially excluded people in the Lothians to develop the personal, social and practical skills, as well as a sense of self worth, necessary for independent adult life. For info or to register phone 557 4095 or visit www.kiltwalk.org.

Marriage: Couples who consider the Cathedral as their parish and are intending to be married, are asked to give at least 6 months notice. Please write or e-mail Nadia Alonzi, Parish Co-ordinator for an Enrolment for Marriage Preparation form.

Baptism: Parents wishing to have their child baptised should complete & return a Baptism form, which is available from Nadia Alonzi, Parish Co-ordinator. Please give 2 months notice for Baptism. You will be invited to attend the 2 Baptism sessions held in the Cathedral House. Information leaflets are in the Porch. The next session is on Sunday 7 September @ 3 to 4:30 pm.

Any requests to be included in the marriage or baptism programmes must be made in writing!

If you are Sick: Parishioners are asked to approach one of the priests to receive the Sacrament of the Sick before being admitted to hospital for treatment. If you are Housebound or are unable to come to Mass, the priests would be happy to visit you in your home.
Patients in hospital: If you know of a forthcoming visit to a hospital or infirmary involving serious illness or an operation, please let one of our priests know before you enter the hospital, so that he can give you the Sacrament of the Sick & any other sacraments before you go to the hospital.

SVDP Diary Dates:
Friday 29 August @ 1:30 – 3:30 pm – T Dance: Pilton.
Saturday 13 September – Visit to Carfin.

Cathedral Finances Contact Carol Ann Carvil on 523 0109
Gift aid offerings/donations can be taken out at anytime throughout the year. It is a valuable source of additional income to the Cathedral with no extra cost to parishioners.
Wills & Bequests: The Cathedral Parish has benefited greatly in the past from the thoughtfulness of both parishioners & non-parishioners who have nominated the Parish to receive funds from their Estate.

E-mail Messages: If you would like to go on to our emailing list for our monthly reflection, please send your details to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Newsletter: If you would like news of events in the newsletter, please contact Nadia Alonzi, Cathedral House or e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk by Tuesday afternoon for inclusion for the Sunday. We would appreciate any feedback & comments you have about the Newsletter.

Much of our time is spent in keeping people out.
We have private houses, private clubs, and so on.
Of course there are times when we need to be alone.
Yet there is a sense in which our size as human beings
can be measured by the circles we draw to take other people in:
the smaller the circle, the smaller the person.
A strong person isn’t afraid of people who are different.
A wise person welcomes them.
By shutting other people out we deny ourselves
the riches of other people’s experience.
We starve our minds, and harden our hearts.
In the beginning God gave the earth its shape.
He made it round. He included everybody.
So should we.

(Anon)

from Flor McCarthy, SDB, New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies. (YrA)