CATHEDRAL ROOF UPDATE AND FUNDRAISING
We are finally able to announce that the repairs to our Cathedral roof over Sacristy 1 have a start date of Monday, 7 July! Last year, the Cathedral commissioned a quinquennial survey to be done to provide an outline of all work that is needed inside and outside the Cathedral. The report was delivered to us in early Spring and has given us a breakdown of the severity of each issue as well as a timeline to fix it over the next five years, assuming funding is procured. The initial work on the roof over Sacristy 1 was going to start in June and last 12 weeks, however, after the survey was reviewed, we determined that we could combine Phase 1 with parts of Phase 2 over a period of 18 weeks making considerable savings on set up costs.
Our target for fundraising for these two phases of work is £500,000. That’s a lot of money but the good news is that from Advent 2023 to date together with some funds from previous general fundraising, we have already raised over £200,000! So, let’s keep at it
We will be collecting donations regularly through the summer months specifically for the Cathedral’s Building Fund, the main project for which, currently, is the repairs to the Cathedral roof. In addition to these collections, donations to the Cathedral Building Fund can be made at any time, either through our website:
Alternatively, you can donate by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you can, if you are a UK taxpayer. If you have any fundraising ideas for this project, please speak to Fr Jeremy or contact the Parish Office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Confirmation This Weekend
His Grace, Archbishop Leo, will celebrate the 9:00am Mass this morning during which the children of our parish will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Congratulations to the children on this special day and a big thank you to the teachers and parents for preparing them to receive the Holy Spirit in this sacrament. Please keep the children in your prayers!
Chapter Mass with Archbishop
On Tuesday, 10 June, His Grace, Archbishop Cushley will come to the Cathedral to celebrate Chapter Mass at 12:45pm together with the Chapter of Canons.
Parish Council Meeting this Week – Email Your Suggestions
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is this Wednesday, 11 June. Please e-mail the Parish Council at parishcouncil@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with your comments and suggestions for our parish. The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting for April are available on the noticeboard in the Octagon and on the parish website: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/parish-council-minutes
“St Mary's Voices”: A new name for the 9am choir
Each week singers of different backgrounds and abilities come together to form our all-ability 9am Sunday choir. Anyone who attends the 9am Mass will be familiar with the choir's distinctive sound, and will know how the ensemble has developed over the years. As part of this development, from now on the choir will be known as "St Marys Voices", in order to best reflect the unique nature of the group. Membership is open to all, and any wishing to join can contact Michael Ferguson at DirectorOfMusic@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, or speak to him after Mass.
Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration
In this month of the Sacred Heart, come along to Saturday morning Mass, with Confessions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for a time of peaceful prayer and quiet before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Saturday Mass is celebrated at 10:00am followed by a time of Adoration from 10:30am-12:00pm concluding with Benediction, with Confession available during that time. Come for 30 minutes, 1 hour…or more to adore the Lord Jesus, fully present for us in the Eucharist.
Sale of Crux Magazine Next Weekend
Pick up your copy of the new issue of Crux next weekend at only £5, with all proceeds going to our Cathedral! Crux is the magazine for all friends of the Cathedral where you can learn about the interesting stories affecting the life of our vibrant parish. In this issue, you can follow our Pilgrimage to Spain last October; hear from Dana, a winner of Eurovision; read about the time one of our parishioners met Pope Francis in Rome – and much more! In this bumper issue, we lead with Archbishop Cushley’s Requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the Cathedral. Friends receive every issue of Crux mailed directly to them before it is sold to the congregation. Join Friends for exclusive access to Crux and a programme of events at www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends
Save the Date: Quiz Night Friday, 4th July
Our quiz team has been busy and have prepared a popcorn-fuelled night of brainteasing revelry to be celebrated of Friday 4th of July from 6.30pm. There will be popcorn and Budweiser along with our usual selection of drinks from our ever-friendly quiz team behind the bar (Leo’s Lions). There will be a cash prize for the winning team and something for the runners up with all proceeds going to “Raise the Roof” of the Cathedral. Tickets will be £10 per head. You may form your own team (up to 8 persons) or join a team on the night. We will take email bookings at catherdralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with hard copy tickets being sold after the Masses over the last two weekends in June. If you would like to volunteer to help with the running of the event, please contact Deacon Peter at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
Thank You! ‘The Mass: A Window to Heaven’
Thank you to all who participated in our 6-week series of Bishop Barron’s videos on the Mass with our discussions and reflections together at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. If you would like to view the videos at home, visit https://videos.wordonfire.org/themassepisode1
Iona of the East: A Parish Pilgrimage
We now have more than 100 people who have registered so far for our Parish Pilgrimage to Inchcolm Abbey. There are only a handful of places available. Please register by Sunday, 15 June. We will visit the abbey on beautiful Inchcolm Island, standing in the Firth of Forth, on Saturday 30th August on the 1030 Maid of the Forth sailing from Hawes Pier in South Queensferry. We will celebrate Mass in the abbey and have time for lunch as well as exploration of the island, before returning to the mainland in the afternoon. Please make your own way to the pier for the ferry. Book at https://bit.ly/InchcolmPilgrimage25
Ticket prices include the return ferry ticket and admission to the island. Family ticket (including up to 3 children) is £65, adults £25, concessions (age 65+) £20 and additional children to the family ticket cost £5. Queries? cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Catechisms, Bibles and Children’s Books at St Pauls Bookshop
Try reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church this summer! Or, find your very own Bible, so you can take a few minutes every day to read the Scriptures and draw closer to the Lord and His infinite wisdom and love. Find both in the St Pauls Bookshop here at the Cathedral. The shop has plenty of gift ideas for loved ones and a range of Cathedral items for sale. You will find beautiful rosaries and many children’s books on Jesus and the saints, as well as statues and paintings of Jesus and Mary. Visit the second-hand bookshelf, too, and discover a treasure to enjoy for your spiritual reading this summer. Donations of used Catholic books in good condition are welcome! Open daily 10am-5pm. 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk
Calling all Trades!
The Cathedral is a complex building that requires a variety of trades to keep up with maintenance and repairs. We are always looking for businesses that can be called upon to assist us in this endeavour. If you are an owner or an employee of a company that specialises in plumbing, joinery, decorating, electrical or all of the above and would like to be considered for work here at the Cathedral, please contact Darlene Newman at complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Legion of Mary – Students & Professionals Group
The Legion of Mary is a lay association of Catholics which seeks to help its members grow in holiness through devotion to Our Lady and by carrying out works of mercy. All are welcome to join. Our presidium name is Our Lady Cause of our Joy. We meet every Monday at 7:00 pm at 63 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JD. We are a group of mixed male and female members, students and professionals and from different countries, cultures. For more information contact phone number: Monika – 07751213612, Emmy – 07879074240.
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites Catholic men to their meeting this Wednesday, 18 June, at 7:00p.m. in 63 York Place The Catenians are an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support. Contact 01555 728032 or https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
Urgent: Oppose the Assisted Suicide Bill
The Assisted Suicide Bill is set for a final debate and vote at Westminster on Friday 13 June. Please pray for wisdom and compassion in our society and to contact your MP to express your opposition to the bill. Your personal stories and concerns matter. Find your MP at https://writetothem.com
House of Hope - Open House
The House of Hope, which will provide services and a community of support for breast cancer patients in and around Edinburgh, is hosting an open house on Saturday, 14th June, from 1-4 PM at 490 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh EH11 3AF. Visit the new centre, chat over a cuppa and cake, and learn about the services to be offered. Please RSVP to erin@houseofhope.org.uk. Learn more at www.houseofhope.org.uk
Online Information Event: MA in Applied Catholic Theology
Interested in finding out more about the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh? An online information event takes place at 6:00pm on Tuesday 17 June where you can hear from staff and current students. Register at bit.ly/stmarysuni or email stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk
Corpus Christi Procession - Sunday 22 June
Archbishop Leo will lead the Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession from St Patrick’s Church, 30 Low Craigends, Kilsyth, Glasgow G65 0PF at 3:00pm on Sunday 22 June. This is a joyous occasion with the Blessed Sacrament being carried through the streets. First Holy Communicants in the Archdiocese are invited to take a special place in the procession wearing their formal clothes. Parking at the Church. Contact St Patrick's at or 01236 822136 to reserve disabled/minibus parking or to book a space on the free shuttle buses from Croy train station to the Church.
Jubilee Year Picnic for Families
Join families from across the Archdiocese for a Jubilee Year picnic on Saturday 28 June, 11:00am – 4:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. There will be spiritual talks on the theme of Hope and talks and games for children. Includes Rosary at The Grotto and concludes with Holy Mass in St Margaret's Chapel. At 4:00pm there is the chance to walk to the Jubilee Cross at St Mary's Cathedral (optional). Childcare provided. Register at bit.ly/archpicnic
Faith Movement Summer Session for Young Adults at Ampleforth Abbey
The Faith Movement is back at Ampleforth Abbey this summer for our 49th annual summer session from 28 July - 1 August 2025. The theme of our five-day Catholic conference for young adults is Christ: Our Eucharist, Earth's Light and Jubilee. Spend a week in beautiful York with other young adults aged 16-30 exploring the faith with a variety of social, spiritual and catechetical activities. The focus of the week will be the series of talks, each building on one another to develop a coherent, dynamic vision of the faith. Each day there will be Mass, Morning and Night prayer and, on one of the evenings, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions. There will also be plenty of time for recreation and socialising each night. Please register at www.faith.co.uk/events
‘Stories of Belief’ Exhibition in Edinburgh
As Edinburgh celebrates its 900th anniversary, take a journey through 900 years of faith and belief in an exciting audio-visual exhibition, sponsored by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, on display in June and July in three locations throughout the city. The National Shrine of St. Andrew at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral will be featured in the exhibition, with historical photos and copies of Vatican documents. The exhibit invites visitors to add their own stories, is free to enter and will be held 23rd June to 29th June – New College, University of Edinburgh EH1 2LX; 1st July-15th July – St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral EH12 5AW; 16th July – 23rd July –St James Quarter EH1 3AD. On the first date of each venue showing, the exhibition will open at midday, and on the last day of each venue showing, the exhibition will close at midday. More information at https://bit.ly/StoriesofBelief
Marriage, Family and Life
Support for engaged couples, married couples and families, and information on marriage counselling are available at https://marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk as well as the online Catholic Families for Life Newsletter.
Fertility Care Scotland
Fertility Care Scotland helps Scottish couples to follow a completely natural and safe method of family planning. Contact us at 0141 221 0858 or info@fertilitycare.org.uk. Information about free clinics across Scotland and other details are available at https://fertilitycare.org.uk
August: Monastic Experience Weekend for Men at Pluscarden Abbey
The community of Benedictine monks at Pluscarden offer a special opportunity for men to experience what monastic life is all about Friday 22nd-Monday 25th August. This opportunity is suitable for single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation. Participants will join the monks in their daily prayer and work. No charge for the weekend. Register at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/monastic-experience-weekend
Special Collection Next Weekend: Day for Life
The Day for Life is when we celebrate the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. It takes place on Sunday 15 June and a collection will be taken up at all Masses for the work of the apostolate of life. Learn more at https://archedinburgh.org/prolife/
This year’s theme is Hope Does Not Disappoint – Finding Meaning in Suffering and we are invited to pray for those who suffer and to remain with them, bearing witness to their unique and unrepeatable value. Thank you for your support!
Save the Date
The Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage Day is on Saturday 21 September 2025 at St Patrick’s in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. More details coming soon.
