“Lord, teach us to pray….”
Many people have spoken to me in recent months about prayer! Specifically, people often ask for guidance about how to pray. In response to these requests, and if you would like a little help especially in learning about silent prayer, I would like to invite you to join me in a short and simple 3-week mini-course on prayer. The course will happen on Zoom and will take place at 7pm on three consecutive Thursdays before the beginning of Lent: Thursday 25th January, Thursday 1st February, and Thursday 8th February. Each meeting will have a different theme and will build up week on week. Each meeting will last about an hour. If you would like to join – then just email Darlene on Data@stmaryscathedral.co.uk and she will send you the link, Fr. Patrick
2024 Archdiocesan Directories on Sale Today
Just what you have all been waiting for – the must-read book of 2024!!… Packed with information on parishes, schools, organisations and groups, the new edition of the Archdiocesan Directory is on sale after Masses for only £3.00 each. Get your copy today!
First Confession Rite of Illumination at Mass this Sunday
Today at Mass we welcome in a particular way the children who are preparing to make their First Confession in early February. They will participate in a brief Rite after the homily at the 9am Mass in the Cathedral and at 10.30am Mass in Ravelston. Please keep them, their parents and teachers in your prayers as the children prepare to meet Jesus in this beautiful sacrament of the Lord’s forgiveness.
Parish Youth Group (P3-P7) Returns
The Youth Group returns at St Andrew’s, Ravelston on Sunday. All P3-7's are welcome to join the group which meets between 6 and 7.30 at St Andrew's, Ravelston. As always come to learn about the faith, socialise and the tuck shop! There is a one off £1 registration fee for the year.
Young Adults Talks on Christian Friendship Begin Tuesday, 16 January
The Young Adults Group meeting will resume on the 16th January. The next session of talks will be on Christian Friendship in a secular world. Our first talk is with Fr Thomas Thérèse Merrion OP at 63 York Place from 7.30pm. The talk will be followed by Night Prayer and time to discuss in the pub.
Confirmation Classes and Parents’ Meeting
Remember there will be a short meeting next Monday, 22 January for the parents of those children who will be preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2024. The classes begin, for those who do not attend St Mary’s Primary School, on Sunday, 28 January at 5pm in the Parish Rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. Please keep an eye on your e-mails for the Zoom link to join the meeting.
Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a time for peaceful prayer and quiet before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, every Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm. Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm.
No Wednesday 10am Mass Until 13th March
Due to electrical circuit safety testing within the Cathedral, café and bookshop area, there will be no 10:00am Mass on Wednesdays until 13th March, except for Ash Wednesday on 14 February. Thank you for your understanding!
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon, Cinema Outing, Book Club
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon will resume as normal on Tuesday 16th January at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Come along and join us! Cinema Outing Wednesday 17th January, ‘One Life’, showing is at 1.30pm at Omni, Greenside. Meet upstairs at Omni five minutes before. Join us for our Book Club, 2.30pm Thursday 18th January at McDonald Road Library and the book for discussion is “Where the Crawdads Sing”. The new book to be reviewed will be issued on Thursday.
SSVP Burns Supper
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will host a Burns Supper in Coffee Saints café on Saturday 27th January, 1.30pm till 4pm. The event includes a piper, recitals, and traditional Burns Fayre. Contact Trish for details and tickets: 07716963215, cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Booking ends Tuesday 16th January.
2024 Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation courses will be in 2024 on the following Saturdays 2nd March, 1st June 24th August and 23rd November at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-5pm, with presentations by married couples from the parish. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Save the Date: Adult Quiz Night Friday, 9th February
Following the success of our “Starter for Ten” quiz night last September, our first parish social of 2024 will be another Adults Quiz Night in Coffee Saints on Friday 9th February at 7pm with a cash bar and nibbles will be provided. Tickets will be £10 per person with all proceeds to Cathedral funds. Our quizmaster has compiled cunning questions on categories including literature, film, science, history, music and more! Come as a team (up to a max of 6 persons) or play it solo and win undying glory. Tickets will be on sale after Sunday Masses next weekend (20th January) until the 3rd of February or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk for ticket reservations.
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.
Each Wednesday at St. Andrew’s 5:00pm Adoration & Confession
Don’t forget to make some time to come before Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, every Wednesday evening from 5pm. Confession is available, too. This is an opportunity to allow yourself some quiet, peaceful time to pray. Our Lord is waiting for you, so come and see Him!
Last Chance! Final Sale of Burns Supper Tickets Today
Today is the last chance to buy tickets for our Burns Supper with St Margaret’s, Davidson Mains on Friday 26th January in the Parish Hall at St Margaret’s. Tickets are £15 per person. This includes a 3-course meal, please bring your own bottle. There will be a small raffle and prizes are needed!!! If you are interested in donating a prize, please speak to Marie McQuillan.
Ravelston Parish Rooms Refurbishment Voting Slip
The parish rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston are due to be refurbished. Please complete a voting slip to provide your input on the refurbishment and return it to the back of church by Sunday 28 January.
Justice and Peace Scotland at February St. Andrew’s Talk
St Andrew’s Talks will resume on Monday 26th February when we’ll welcome Anne-Marie Clements, the Catholic Social Teaching Officer of Justice and Peace Scotland. Anne Marie will speak about the justice and peace work of the organisation. Learn more at https://www.justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk/
Catholic Networking Group, Ages 18-45 After Noon Mass Today
YOUCAN Scotland, a Catholic networking group for ages 18-45, is hosting a coffee/lunch after 12.00 Mass on Sunday 14th January at St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. Anyone interested can either meet at Mass or at Coffee Saints next to the Cathedral. Please contact Marie Mailley to confirm attendance, on 07963788087 or email travelmapisland34@hotmail.com
2024 Diploma in Catechetics Starts 25th January: Sign Up Today!
This coming year, why not make a resolution to learn more about your Catholic faith and discover its treasures? A wonderful way to do this would be sign up for the Archdiocesan Diploma in Catechetics. Sister Miriam Ruth Ryan, RSM 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. All sessions are recorded so you can watch at your convenience! The Diploma in Catechetics lasts one year, begins Thursday, 25th January 2024 at 7:30pm and costs £200. Bursaries are available. Registration is now open at bit.ly/archdiploma2024 Questions? Email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk
Archdiocesan Music Day: Calling All Singers and Musicians!
Come along to learn new music and deepen your musical knowledge and skills at the Archdiocesan Music Day on Saturday, 27 January 2024 at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. The event is for all who contribute to the liturgy in their parish through music and/or singing, as well as for anyone interested in finding out more about sacred music. Your expert guides for the day are the Cathedral’s own Director of Music, Michael Ferguson, and the Choral Director for the Diocese of Motherwell, James Greechan. If you play an instrument, bring it along (e.g., acoustic guitar, woodwind, strings). Free limited parking onsite. With sign-in from 10:00am on the day, the event begins at 10:30am and will conclude with a music-filled Mass in beautiful St. Margaret’s Chapel on-site at 2:00pm. Light lunch provided of sandwiches and fruit (veg options for sandwiches available). Please bring packed lunch if you have food allergies/intolerancies. Register today at https://bit.ly/musicday2024 It is a free event!
Job Vacancy: Archdiocesan Finance Officer
The Archdiocese is looking to recruit a Finance Officer (full-time). The role holder should have accountancy experience with relevant qualifications and training. For details and how to apply visit https://archedinburgh.org/vacancy-finance-officer/ Closing date is Friday 26 January.
Right to Life: Just Say ‘No’ to Extreme Abortion Amendments
Right To Life UK has launched a tool on its website that makes it easy for you to email your MP to ask them to oppose the two extreme abortion up-to-birth amendments and sign Early Day Motion 131 to stop abortion pills being sent out without an in-person medical appointment. Please visit https://righttolife.org.uk/abortionamendments to contact your MP now. It only takes 30 seconds.
Let Us Pray Scotland: Speak Out for Religious Freedom
As the Scottish Government launches a consultation on banning what it refers to as “conversion practices,” the Catholic Church has expressed serious concern at the nature and scope of any such legislation. Details at https://bit.ly/ConversionPracticeConsultation. Join over 2,000 others in signing a letter prepared by The Christian Institute to the Equalities Minister highlighting concerns that the bill threatens to criminalise aspects of the ordinary work of churches. Sign online at https://letuspray.uk/take-action/scotland. The Catholic Parliamentary Office will publish a guide on how to respond to the consultation, which closes on 2nd April, in due course.
Is God Calling Me?: Women’s Chat About Religious Life
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the first one takes place on Sunday 28 January, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street. The series continues same time/venue: 25 Feb, 17 Mar, 21 Apr, 12 May and 22 June. To register email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Colloquium: ‘The Role of Religious Experience In Interreligious Dialogue’
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Committee for Interreligious Dialogue hosts its Annual Colloquium Residential from Friday 23 February to Saturday 24 February 2024 at the Conforti Centre in Coatbridge For details visit https://www.interreligiousdialogue.org.uk/colloquium/
Order of Malta Fundraising Ball 20th April
The Order of Malta, the Catholic Church's largest and oldest charity, supports the disadvantaged in Scotland and 120 other countries. On Saturday 20th April, the Order will host a fundraising Ball at Prestonfield - dinner, reeling to the Infamous Grouse band, and opportunities to donate towards the work of volunteers in Edinburgh, Coatbridge and Falkirk, and Beregovo, Ukraine where the Order runs a centre for severely disabled children. See Chris Sibbald, Andrew Milligan or email antonia@philiphaugh.com for details.