Tonight: Study of the St. John Passion
As you know, I am doing a Zoom talk this evening about the Passion as recounted in St. John’s Gospel. John is by far the most subtle and deep of the evangelists and his account of the Passion is incredibly carefully and beautifully put together. It merits a special look and I assure you that if you are interested in the story of Jesus – you will not find this boring!! Why not join me at 6:00pm tonight? It will only take an hour and it will be a great way to prepare for Holy Week. Watch at home by registering at https://bit.ly/passionevent2024 Or if you would like to watch with other parishioners – come along to the Parish Rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Fr. Pat
Holy Week and Easter
This is the most sacred week of the year. On Tuesday at 7:00pm His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the Chrism Mass with priests from throughout the archdiocese. This is a beautiful Mass at which the oils that are used for the sacraments throughout the year are blessed and consecrated.
The Sacred Triduum begins on Thursday. While Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are not holy days of obligation, all are encouraged to attend these special liturgies in preparation for Easter.
On Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is at 7:00pm and is followed by a procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose, with watching until Night Prayer at 11:00pm.
Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence which means that all Catholics are obliged to abstain from meat, and all adults between 16 and 65 are obliged to fast. The Passion Liturgy will be held at 3:00pm and for those who cannot attend, there will be Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm.
On Holy Saturday His Grace will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass at 7:00pm and 19 catechumens and candidates will be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at this Mass.
Easter Sunday Masses will be celebrated at the usual Sunday Mass times. All Mass times are here.
We wish you all Blessed Holy Week!
Confessions
Remember that it is a Precept of the Church that all Catholics should go to confession at least once a year, at Easter or thereabouts. There will be additional priests available this week for Confessions Monday-Wednesday after the 12:45pm Mass and on Good Friday after the 3:00pm Passion Liturgy. Please note: No Saturday evening Confessions will be available on Holy Saturday.
Easter Knitted Goods to Support the Cathedral on Sale Today
Easter-themed knitted gift items are on sale today in the Octagon. All the profits from sales are generously donated to the parish by Joanna Kopystynska. Knitted items are also available online at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathedralKnits. Support the Cathedral and give a lovely Easter gift!
2024/25 Gift Aid Envelopes Available This Weekend
Weekly gift aid envelope sets for all current users are available for collection at the back of the church from this weekend. As you know, one-off gift aid envelopes are available for visitors to the Cathedral, but if you use these on a more regular basis (ie: more than a couple of times a year), please contact our Finance Officer, Caroline Reid, at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk She will be able to help you register for gift aid and allocate you your own personal set of gift aid envelopes to use whenever you visit. This will not only ensure we are able to include your donations in our gift aid rebate claim, but will also save you from having to complete the back of the envelope each time you give!
Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation courses will be on the following Saturdays: 1st June, 24th August and 23rd November. The courses are at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-5pm, with presentations by married couples from the parish. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
St. Pauls Bookshop: Easter Cards, First Communion & Confirmation Gifts
Send Easter greetings to family and friends with the beautiful selection of Easter cards at St Pauls Bookshop. Stop in today! The season of First Communions and Confirmations is coming up in the weeks ahead and you’ll find a wide variety of lovely gifts, books and cards for those you love who are receiving these sacraments. Contact 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk Please note Holy Week and Easter hours: Good Friday 29/3 – CLOSED; Holy Saturday 30/3 – 10am-4pm; Easter Sunday 31/3 – 10am-3pm; Normal hours resume Easter Monday, 1 April with the shop open daily 10am-5pm.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 26th March at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60. Please come along and join us!
Sir James MacMillan talk: “Chant, the Music of Faith, and Its Influence on the History of Music”, Tuesday 23 April, 7:30pm, in the Cathedral
Join Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral for a rare opportunity to hear insights from the Cathedral’s Patron of Music, Sir James MacMillan, one of the world’s most acclaimed composers, and one of the Church’s great musicians. All are welcome! You can book free tickets to attend this popular event here: https://bit.ly/StMarysM Friends of the Cathedral should have received an invitation and are to confirm by emailing ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
Holy Week and Easter at Ravelston
Palm Sunday, 24 March
10:30am
Tuesday, 26 March
No 6pm Mass
Holy Thursday, 28 March
No 6pm Mass
Good Friday, 29 March
3pm Passion Liturgy
Easter Sunday, 31 March
10:30am
Opportunity for Confession Before Easter
On Monday and Wednesday of this week, a priest will be hearing Confessions at Ravelston from 5:00pm-5:45pm. Take this opportunity to make a good Confession before Easter. If you haven’t been for a while, please take one of the ‘How to Go Confession’ cards at the back of church. Also, on Wednesday we have Eucharistic Adoration beginning at 5:00pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass, and immediately after Mass, we will pray the Stations of the Cross 6:30pm-7:00pm. Come and join us!
Final Fundraising Run Today
Thanks to all who have supported our fundraising run! At 11:30am today we will have our final fundraising run/walk from St. Andrew’s, Ravelston to St. Mary’s Cathedral and return (approx. 5 km). To sponsor us, please take a form at back of Church to enable us to claim Gift Aid, then give your form and money to Fergus or Caroline. Or you can pay direct to St Andrews Church – account number 10402444 – sort 83-06-08 (ref SUNDAY RUN).
Save the Dates: St. Andrew's Talks in April and May
The St Andrew’s Talks will return at the end of April. Darlene Newman will speak on 29th April about how liturgical reforms over the years have led to changes in church architecture -- for good or bad! The final talk will be 6th May when Anne-Marie Clements will join us for the delayed talk on the work of the Justice and Peace commission in Scotland. Talks begin at 6.45pm with refreshments available afterwards.
St. John’s Passion – 6pm Sunday in Ravelston Parish Rooms
The Alma Mercy Sisters invite anyone who would rather not navigate Zoom (!), or who would just like to watch with other parishioners – to come along to the parish rooms at 6pm this evening to watch Fr. Patrick’s presentation on St. John’s Passion. Or you can watch at home by registering at http://bit.ly/passionevent2024
Speak Out for Religious Freedom
Please respond today to the Scottish Government’s ‘Ending Conversion Practices’ Consultation. The Catholic Church has expressed serious concern at the nature and scope of any such legislation. Loving parental guidance and the day-to-day pastoral work of churches is at risk of being criminalised. The consultation closes on 2nd April. A full guide including tips on responding to the consultation is online at https://rcpolitics.org/conversion-practices/
Neocatechumenal Way Easter Vigil Mass
On Holy Saturday, the 30th of March, at 10:00pm, the Neocatechumenal community from the Cathedral will celebrate Easter Vigil in the Church Hall of St Margaret’s, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh EH4 5AD. We will celebrate the Easter Vigil like the early Church used to do - all through the night until the rising star appears in the sky - with songs and hymns. There will be two baptisms by immersion. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Alexander Mileto at 07424938885 or alexander.mileto@gmail.com
Cabrini Movie – Edinburgh Showings
The powerful new film about Italian missionary Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini is showing in Edinburgh during Holy Week at Vue Ocean Terminal EH6 6JJ: Mon. 25th March at 1.40pm; Tues. 26th March at 1.30pm; Wed. 27th March at 1.50pm; Thurs. 28th March at 2.40pm. In this compelling true story, Mother Cabrini, foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, travels to New York from Italy in 1889 where she convinced the hostile mayor to secure housing, healthcare and schooling for the city's destitute orphans. Book tickets online at https://bit.ly/CabriniMarch2024 (go to Quick Book at the bottom of the screen).
Funding Support to Study Theology
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding is available from April for all Scottish students taking the MA in Applied Catholic Theology course 2024/25 offered by St Mary’s University, Twickenham in partnership with the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh.
To register/enquire visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/applied-catholic-theology A webinar will be hosted by the Archdiocese on Wednesday 29 May (6-7pm) for prospective students. Details to follow shortly.
Summer Family Retreats at Craig Lodge House of Prayer, Dalmally
Families have always held a special place in the life of Craig Lodge and we love welcoming them into our House of Prayer. This summer, beginning 8-12 July, we are running 3 weeks for young families who want to equip themselves spiritually for ‘such a time as this’. There will be activities for children to allow parents to attend teachings on our identity as sons and daughters, on the importance of worship and the renewal of our minds. We will pray together, adore Jesus together, fellowship together and find refreshment and strength in the Lord. To book your place, visit https://www.craiglodge.org/events.
For more details, please contact mail@craiglodge.org 01838 200216, Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR.
Tickets Available for 20th April Order of Malta Charity Ball
All parishioners are invited to support the Order of Malta, one of the church's oldest, global charities, as it raises funds for projects in Ukraine and across Scotland. Details about a fund-raising Ball at Prestonfield House on 20th April are at https://www.orderofmaltascotlandball.co.uk/