Christmas Thank You!
Sincere (and somewhat belated!) thanks also to everyone who helped to make our parish Christmas celebrations so beautiful! 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 welcome to all, the altar servers did their duties with grace and decorum, while our wonderful singers and musicians sounded so lovely at our carols service and Masses. The Cathedral Pastoral Team are very grateful for all your gifts, cards and kindness during the Christmas season and wish you a blessed New Year!
Parish Roof Appeal
I am delighted to let you all know that, although the exact figure has yet to be finalised, the Advent Roof Appeal incredibly raised over £27,000! This is a huge testament to your generosity and to the value you place on this Cathedral as a place of peace and prayer in the centre of Edinburgh. As you know, this amount will now be match funded by a very generous benefactor, and so I am delighted to let you know that we are now in a position to go ahead with the replacement of the roof of Sacristy One. Thank you so much to all of you who contributed so generously.
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.
Parish Youth Group (P3-P7) Returns Sunday, 14 January
The Youth Group returns on at St Andrew’s, Ravelston on Sunday, 14 January. 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.
Confirmation Classes and Parents’ Meeting
Remember there will be a short meeting on 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.
No Wednesday 10am Mass until March
Due to electrical circuit safety testing within the Cathedral, café and bookshop area, there will be no 10:00am Mass on Wednesdays until March, except for Ash Wednesday on 14 February. Thank you for your understanding!
Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon will resume as normal on Tuesday 9th January 2024. A huge thank you to the wonderful staff at Coffee Saints for making us feel welcome, see you all in the New Year.
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.
Children’s Catechism Classes: Dates for your 2024 Diary
For children registered for First Reconciliation in 2024:
Sunday, 7 Jan - First Reconciliation Classes at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston recommence
Sunday, 14 Jan - Rite of Illumination: 9am Mass (Cathedral)
10:30am Mass (St. Andrew’s, Ravelston)
Monday, 29 Jan, 7pm - Final Parents Meeting on Zoom
Sacrament of First Reconciliation services:
Monday, 5 Feb after 6pm evening Mass (St Andrew’s, Ravelston)
Tuesday, 6 Feb at 6pm (Cathedral)
For children registered for First Holy Communion in 2024:
Monday, 19 Feb, 7pm - Initial Parents Meeting on Zoom
Sunday, 25 Feb, 9:30am - First Holy Communion Classes start at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
Enrolment Mass: 9am Mass (Cathedral)
10:30am Mass (St. Andrew’s, Ravelston)
Sacrament of First Holy Communion Masses:
Saturday, 8 June - 11:00am Mass, St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
Sunday, 9 June - 11:00am Mass, Cathedral
St. Pauls Bookshop in the New Year: Calendars and more!
Start your New Year off with a 2024 calendar from the St Pauls Bookshop or pick up a copy of the monthly publication Magnificat with daily and Sunday Mass readings. Browse a full selection of Catholic children’s books, gifts for First Holy Communion, Mass cards, Bibles, rosaries, religious art and more! Hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm, including weekends. Contact 0131 510 4260 or edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk, or visit www.stpauls.org.uk
Burns Supper Tickets on Sale
St Andrew’s, Ravelston is delighted to team up with St Margaret’s, Davidson Mains to host the Burns Supper on Friday 26th January in the Parish Hall at St Margaret’s. Tickets will be available today at £15 per person. This includes a 3-course meal, please bring your own bottle. As this is a joint effort with the parish at Davidson Mains we are looking for some volunteers to toast the haggis and other Burnsian activities. If you are interested in taking part, please speak to Marie McQuillan over the next weeks.
RAVELSTON Parish Rooms Refurbishment Voting Slip
The parish rooms are due to be refurbished and you are asked to complete a voting slip to provide your input on the refurbishment. Please take a slip home with you after Mass 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 to St Andrew’s. Anne Marie will speak about the work of Justice and Peace as well as address specific issues that Justice and Peace are dealing with.
“Cor ad Cor” Meeting for Women Thursday 11 January at 5.30pm
All women in the parish are invited to a special evening of reflection with the Religious Sisters of Mercy at St. Andrew's, Ravelston on Thursday 11 January. The evening will begin at 5:30pm with Vespers, followed by Mass. Then after dinner together there will be a time of reflection on the Gospel reading for the following Sunday. All women are welcome and if you would like to come, please RSVP by Monday, 8 January at edinburgh@almamercy.org.
Religious Sisters of Mercy 2024 Open Houses
The Religious Sisters of Mercy will have their first Open House of 2024 on Saturday 13 January, at St. Andrew’s Convent, Ravelston. The Open House will begin at 4:15pm and will end with a Holy Hour and Vespers from 5:15pm-6:15pm. As part of their 50th Jubilee Year events – there will be further Open Houses on Saturdays: 9th March, 20th April, 11th May and 24th August. Everyone is most welcome to come along, to meet the Sisters, learn about their mission and work and pray together with them. Please come along!! RSVP either with an email to edinburgh@almamercy.org or by phoning on 0131 343 3380.
New Year’s Resolution: Discover the Treasures of Your Catholic Faith!
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 https://bit.ly/archdiploma2024 Questions? Email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk
Here's what Diploma participants 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!”
“I recommend this course to anyone who will listen; it has given me a thirst for knowledge and, hopefully, has made me a better person.”
“Our faith explored. Go deeper with this highly enjoyable course.”
“The Diploma in Catechetics really stirred up my faith and has given me a thirst to delve even deeper into the riches of our beautiful catechism.”
“Inspirational. You won’t want to miss a session. Please give it a go - it’s a course for everyone.”
YOUCAN Scotland Catholic Networking Group, Ages 18-45
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.
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 in monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh. 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. It is a chance to pray, share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and refreshments will be served. The series continues same time/venue: 25 Feb, 17 Mar, 21 Apr, 12 May and 22 June. To register email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Archdiocesan Music Day
The Archdiocesan Music Day is on Saturday 27 January 2024 at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. It is for those 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. Details to follow soon.
Valentine’s Retreat for Married and Engaged Couples
The Archdiocesan Valentine’s Retreat for Married and engaged couples will take place at St Kentigern’s Church, Parkgrove Avenue, Barnton, Edinburgh, on Saturday 10 February 2024. Details to follow soon.
Bible in a Year Podcast
In The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing thoughtful commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. To sign up to listen to each 20-25 minute episode, visit https://media.ascensionpress.com/all-bible-in-a-year-episodes/ Why not try it?