Winter Issue of Crux Magazine on Sale Today!
The new and exciting Winter issue of the Friends of the Cathedral’s Crux magazine is on sale after Masses today for just £5 per copy. Pick up a copy and read fascinating articles on the Gospel of Mark event with Professor Edwards, the parish retreat to beautiful St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull, and Fr. Robert’s look at the ins and outs of the liturgical year. Get a copy or more to share with family and friends. All proceeds support the Cathedral!
Next Weekend: Stella Maris Woolly Hat Appeal
Seafarers, men and women, come to our shores without warm clothing and welcome the gift of a woolly hat. The Stella Maris charitable organisation does its best to supply them but needs your help! If you can donate a woolly hat, either new or lightly used, Anne Marie Stephen will be in the Octagon to collect them after all Masses next weekend. Learn more about how Stella Maris supports seafarers, fishers, and their families in the UK and around the world at https://stellamaris.org.uk/
Parish Lenten Book Club
Join us for a Parish Lenten Reading Project! During the six weeks of Lent (14 Feb – 31 March) each one of us clergy will be leading an on-line reading group which will meet once every week during Lent to discuss our Parish Book – “The Path of Life” by Cyprian Smith OSB. If you would like to participate in this “Parish Book Club” for Lent then all you need to do is contact Darlene on data@stmaryscathedral.co.uk and she will send you the various days and times that the groups will be meeting. You then pick which group you would like to join, get hold of the book (which is available in St. Pauls Book Shop). I think this is a great idea!! It will give us all a simple, practical way to do something really good for Lent, it will draw us together as a parish and (hopefully) it will help us all to come closer to Christ. Why not think about it – and if you want to participate drop Darlene an email as soon as possible. Fr. Patrick
First Reconciliation on Tuesday, 7:00pm
Children of St. Mary’s Primary School will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Tuesday evening at the Cathedral at 7:00pm. Please keep them in your prayers!
Fr. James Cadman to Speak at the Young Adults on Tuesday at 7pm
Our series of talks on Christian Friendship in a secular world continues this week on Tuesday, 6 February when we welcome Fr. James Cadman who will speak on ‘Our Friendship with Jesus Christ.’ Come for teas and coffees at 7:00pm and then the talk at 7:30pm, and Night Prayer and pub discussion to conclude. All young adults aged 18-35 are welcome to join us.
Tickets on Sale Today! Adult Quiz Night Friday, 9th February
Tickets are on sale again today after the 9am and Noon Masses for our Adults Quiz Night in Coffee Saints this Friday 9th February at 7pm with a cash bar and nibbles provided. Tickets are £10 per person with all proceeds to Cathedral funds. Ticket sales are brisk, and you are advised to get your tickets at your earliest opportunity, either at the Masses above or by email at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Children’s Catechism for First Holy Communion
Classes in preparation for First Holy Communion are open to all children in Primary 4 and above who have received First Reconciliation and will begin on Sunday, 26 February. Prior registration is essential! Register online at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion. For more information contact the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 6th February at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60, if you’re thinking of coming along, please join us.
Catholic Men's Group Meeting
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to their next monthly meeting on Wednesday, 21 February at 7:00 p.m. in 63 York Place. The Association is an international body of Catholic laymen who meet to offer friendship and support to Catholic men at all stages of their lives. For more information contact John Russell at 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com Other meetings will be 20th March, 17th April, 15th May and 19th June.
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.
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.
First Reconciliation on Monday, 6:45pm
Children of St. Andrew’s, Ravelston will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time tomorrow evening at 6:45pm. Please keep them in your prayers!
Parish Youth Group
This Sunday is the final Youth Group meeting before a two week break over the mid-term school holidays. The group will resume on the 25th February at 6pm. Tonight, pre-empting the start of Lent a little, the group will be enjoying a pizza and film night. The group is open to P3 upwards.
Each Wednesday at St. Andrew’s 5:00pm Adoration and 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 with Confession available 5pm-5:45pm.
Burns Night
Thank you to everyone who turned out to support our joint Burns Supper with St Margaret’s, Davidson Mains. It was a great night enjoyed by all, with some great entertainment and delicious food. A very big thank you to everyone who helped organise it, especially Marie and Patricia at Davidson Mains. Next year is already being planned for Friday 25th January!
Parish Rooms Renovation
Thank you to everyone who took part in the voting for the renovation of the parish rooms, that concluded last weekend. We have a clear direction to proceed now and will report back with more details in due course along with plans for the work that will be undertaken in the course of the next few months.
Lourdes Mass 3pm Today at St. John’s, Corstorphine
The February Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place at 3pm today, Sunday 4 February, at St John the Baptist Church, 37 St Ninian’s Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 8AL. The Mass is organised by the Edinburgh Lourdes Pilgrimage team. Refreshments in hall afterwards. All welcome.
Online Bioethics Talks Begin on Monday
Starting tomorrow, Monday, 5 February, a seven-week series of online bioethical talks for university students in health and social care begins to discuss the Catholic response to ethical issues including conscience and conscientious objection, organ donation and brain death, IVF and reproductive technology, and much more. Talks are Mondays, 7pm-8pm on MS Teams. Register with King’s Catholic Chaplain for Guy’s Campus, Laurence Jasper, at laurence.jasper@kcl.ac.uk
Saturday Valentine's Day Mini-Retreat for Married & Engaged Couples
A Valentine's mini-retreat for married couples and those preparing for marriage will take place on Saturday 10 February, 2pm-5pm. The event will include talks, time for couples to talk, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and guided prayer with readings and prayers relevant to the vocation of marriage. Doors open from 1:30pm. Location is St Kentigern's, Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 7QR. Crèche available for children of primary school age and older. The event is organised by the Marriage & Families Commission of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. For more information, contact matthew.meade@staned.org.uk To register online for this FREE event please visit bit.ly/valretreat
World Day of the Sick – Sunday, 11 February
The World Day of the Sick on 11th February was introduced by Pope St John Paul II to help us remember to pray for all those who are ill and for their caregivers. He chose this day because it coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes being a place of pilgrimage renowned for healing. Please pray for the sick of our parish and the family members, friends and professionals who help them.
Youth 2000 Edinburgh Retreat for Young Adults
The ARISE retreat on Saturday 24 February, 9:00am-9:00pm is for 16-35 year-olds across Scotland to gather for a full day of faith, fun and friendship at St Albert’s Chaplaincy, George Square, Edinburgh. The day includes Mass, Adoration, talks, small group discussion, opportunities for Confession and more. Tickets are £15 which includes lunch & dinner. Questions? Contact events@youth2000.org Register online at https://www.youth2000.org/events/Edinburgh
Free Places at Pro-Life Youth Conference
SPUC's Youth Conference is a weekend which brings together 200 like-minded young pro-lifers to learn effective strategies and fuel your passion for defending the most vulnerable among us – unborn children and their mothers. The Conference runs 23-25 February at Yarnfield Park Training Centre in Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 0NL. The Archdiocese has five fully funded places available, including travel. To apply: https://bit.ly/youthconference24 or contact the Pro-Life Office: prolife@staned.org.uk
Archdiocesan Online Stations of the Cross
Join people across the Archdiocese each Monday throughout Lent for our annual Stations of the Cross. It takes place on Zoom at 7:45pm, beginning on 19 February, and lasts around 30 minutes. We will be praying for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Register at bit.ly/lentstations.
“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”
Is God Calling Me? Explore the Vocation to 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 next meeting takes place Sunday 25 February, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street. The series continues same time/venue: 17 Mar, 21 Apr, 12 May and 22 June. To register email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Remembering Service for Those Suffering Loss of a Child
A service for those who have suffered the loss of a child, from the beginning of pregnancy onwards, together with those who wish to come in love and support, to have time in quiet surroundings to fully recognise their loss and help with healing. Sunday 3 March, 5:00pm at St John the Baptist RC Church, 37 St Ninian’s Rd, Edinburgh, EH12 8AL. Ecumenical and open to all.
Archdiocesan Day for Catechists
If you are involved with RCIA, children’s liturgy, sacramental preparation or any other catechist role, register for the Archdiocesan Day for Catechists at Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, Saturday 9 March, 10:30am-3:00pm. In workshops and talks, we will highlight baptismal and sacramental preparation, children's liturgy, lesson plans and resources...and lots more! There will be a bookstand featuring titles for children & adults. Visit https://bit.ly/dayforcatechists
Jubilee 2025
The Holy Father has announced that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The theme is Pilgrims of Hope. For more information, visit the official website https://www.giubileo-2025.it/en. A Facebook page has been set up that will highlight resources and events in Scotland - search ‘Holy Year Scotland 2025’. To help us prepare, the Holy Father has established 2024 as a Year of Prayer dedicated “to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world”.