2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) – Year B

Feast of Divine Mercy Holy Hour Today at 3:00pm

Join us for our celebration for Feast of Divine Mercy, in English and Polish, here in the Cathedral at 3:00pm today Sunday, 7th April, Divine Mercy Sunday, including a Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunity for Confession.

Request Recital and Demonstration of the Organ by Cathedral Organist, Tom Wilkinson

Have you ever wondered how the Cathedral organ works? And do you have a favourite piece that you would like to hear played on the Cathedral organ? If so, this event is for you. Join us at 1.30pm, Sunday 21 April for a Request Recital and Demonstration of the Organ by Cathedral Organist Tom Wilkinson who will explain and demonstrate what the mighty machine can do. A video link will enable you to see Tom’s fingers and feet in action. Please submit requests for pieces to be played by Sunday 14 April to organist@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Duration: Approximately 1 hour. Retiring collection in aid of Tom’s attendance at an international conference on the music of J. S. Bach, at which is presenting some of his research into the composer.

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

Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon

The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 9th April at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60. Please come along and join us!

Holy Sepulchre Investiture Mass on Saturday, 13th April

His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, will celebrate the Investiture Mass for the new members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre here in the Cathedral on Saturday, 13th April at 1:00pm.

Young Adults Talks on the Prophets Begin Tuesday, 16 April

The Young Adults Group meeting will resume on the 16th April. The next session of talks will be on the importance of Prophets in the Faith. Our first talk is with Canon Luiz Ruscillo on the Prophet Isaiah at 63 York Place from 7.30pm. The talk will be followed by Night Prayer and time to discuss in the pub.

Catenians Meeting on Wednesday, 17th April at 7.00 p.m.

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to a meeting on Wednesday, 17th April, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. Informal chat to follow in a local pub. Join us! The Association is an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com

Parish Youth Group (P3-P7) Returns Sunday, 21 April

The Youth Group is on break just now and will return on at St Andrew’s, Ravelston on Sunday, 21 April. 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.

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: First Communion & Confirmation Gifts

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 in the St Pauls Bookshop for those you love who are receiving these sacraments. Contact 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk The shop is open daily 10am-5pm.

Save the Date: Organ Performance of L’Ascension

On the Solemnity of the Ascension, Thursday, 9 May, at 8:15pm Cathedral Organist Tom Wilkinson will perform L’Ascension (1934) a meditation on Christ’s Ascension, by arguably the greatest twentieth-century composer of organ music, Olivier Messiaen. Duration: 30 minutes. Retiring collection for Cathedral music.

Wednesday Adoration and Confession

Every Wednesday we have Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions 5:00pm-6:00pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass. Come and spend some quiet time in prayer with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and take the opportunity for Confession.

Paella Night at Ravelston

Join us for a delicious paella dinner on Saturday, 20 April at 6:00pm in the Parish Rooms to fundraise for the renovation of the parish rooms and enjoy a lovely evening with friends and family. Tickets on sale after Mass at St. Andrew’s from this weekend at £5.00 per person. Bring your own bottle. Come along!

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 27th 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.

Religious Sisters of Mercy 2024 Open Houses

The Religious Sisters of Mercy invite all to their next Open House on Saturday, 20th April 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: 11th May and 24th August. The Holy Father has granted that a plenary indulgence may be gained by praying in the Sisters’ chapel during this special Jubilee Year, with the usual conditions for an indulgence. Everyone is most welcome to come along, to meet the Sisters, learn about their mission and work and pray with them. Please come along! RSVP either with an email to edinburgh@almamercy.org or by phoning on 0131 343 3380.

Mass Today with the African & Caribbean Community

The monthly Mass with the African & Caribbean community takes place at St Cuthbert’s, 104 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1PT, today, Sunday 7 April at 2pm. All welcome.

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/

Is God Calling You to Religious Life? Come Along for our Chat!

Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women for prayer and discussion in monthly get-togethers led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO from 4pm-7pm at St Columba’s,

9 Upper Gray Street on the following Sundays: 21 Apr, 12 May and 22 June. To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk. Watch Sr. Mirjam’s short video, “'How do I discover God's plan for me?” at https://bit.ly/GodsCallforYou

Archdiocesan Event on Catholic Devotions: ‘Deeply Devoted’

Explore the rich history of Catholic Devotions at a special event on Saturday 27 April 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Deeply Devoted features inspiring talks and a free light lunch. Details and registration at https://bit.ly/deeplydevoted

Webinar on MA in Theology Programme

Join a webinar about the MA in Applied Catholic Theology course offered by St Mary’s University in partnership with the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. The webinar is Wednesday 29 May (6-7pm). To book, visit https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/applied-catholic-theology scroll down to “Upcoming Event” and select Book Now. SAAS funding is available from April for all Scottish students taking the MA in Applied Catholic Theology course 2024/25.

Read the newsletter for 7th April (pdf)