Requiem Mass for Pope Francis
The Archdiocesan Requiem Mass for Pope Francis takes place at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Monday (28 April) at 12:45pm. Everyone is warmly invited to attend and pray together for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father. The prayer station in the porch will stay in place for the official period of mourning, the Novemdiales (‘Nine Days’). This runs from the day of the Funeral on and so the final day will be Sunday 4th May.
Slovenian Choir to Sing at Mass and in Concert Today
The Cantate Domino vocal group from Kočevje, Slovenia, will sing at the 12noon Mass on Sunday, 27th April, whilst the Schola Cantorum is on its Easter break. At 1:30pm, the group will offer a short free concert of traditional sacred music and folk songs, sung in Slovenian, Latin and English. This repertoire spans music from Slovenian renaissance composer Jacobus Gallus to modern compositions by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In honour of the Cathedral’s patron, the concert will include songs dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Divine Mercy Sunday Holy Hour
Today is Divine Mercy and at 3:00pm the Cathedral will have Holy Hour in English and Polish. Come for Adoration and an opportunity for confession.
Young Adults Group Next Series: ‘Figures of My Faith’
Our Young Adults Group next series of talks begins Tuesday 29th April, ‘Figures of My Faith’ - talks by young adults focusing on influential figures in their faith journeys. Grace Robertson & Alison Fernandes will speak about Pope Saint John Paul’s letter to women. All those aged 18+ are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm, Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub.
Mary’s Meals, Friends of the Cathedral event, 29th April, 7.30pm
We are delighted that Friends of the Cathedral will host Sally Davidson from Mary’s Meals Tuesday, 29th April in Coffee Saints at 7:30pm. Hear Sally tell us about how Mary’s Meals came to feed nutritious meals to more than 2.6 million children each day in some of the world’s poorest countries. Please contact cathedralnews@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you would like to come along to find out about Mary’s Meals inspiring story, all are welcome.
Cathedral Roof Appeal
Our beautiful Cathedral is facing a considerable challenge. Substantial works are urgently required to repair leaking roofs in the short term and to bring the buildings up to good condition over the next five years. If you are able to help with any donation to the roof appeal, large or small, we will be most grateful. Visit bit.ly/RoofAppeal25
Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer. With many thanks and every blessing. Happy Eastertide!
The Mass:A Window to Heaven
Starting on Wednesday, 30th April and running through the Easter season, the parish will be hosting a weekly series of Bishop Barron’s videos on the Mass. These sessions are open to all and a great way to learn more about the celebration central to our faith. The events will be hosted in the rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston following 5:00pm Adoration & Confessions and 6:00pm Mass on a Wednesday evening – so why not make some time to pray with Jesus, before finding out more about the Mass? Watch the trailer at https://bit.ly/TheMass-Trailer Join Fr. Robert for our first video, “A Privileged Encounter,” and discussion. Refreshments will be served. To register, please email the office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Schola Cantorum Gala Fundraising Concert on Wednesday, 30 April
As the culmination of their Rome fundraising campaign, the Schola Cantorum will perform a gala fundraising concert in the Cathedral on Wednesday 30 April at 7:30pm. The evening will include excerpts from Handel's Messiah, a preview of the music the choir will sing in Rome, plus other beautiful music from the Schola Cantorum's choral repertoire. The concert will include an interval reception in the octagon with prosecco. Tickets are £10 on Eventbrite or on the door. All proceeds will go towards supporting the choir's singing at diaconate ordinations in Rome in May 2025. Book here: https://bit.ly/ScholaGala25
Youth Group Next Sunday
Youth Group (P3-P7) returns next Sunday, 4th May from 2:30pm-4:00pm, St. Andrew’s, Ravelston.. Join us for fun activities and learn about our faith! Register at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration Cost £1.
Celebration of Fr Tommy Greenan
The story of the Edinburgh priest who served the poor in war-torn El Salvador will be shared at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Thursday 8 May at 7:30pm. Speakers will share their memories of Fr Tommy Greenan and tell the story of how his acclaimed book The Song of the Poor came to be published following his death. The book will be available for purchase at the event. No registration required. All welcome.
Paella Night at the Cathedral
Join us for a delicious paella dinner on Friday 9th May at 6:30pm in Coffee Saints, to fundraise for the ongoing roof project, not to mention the chance to enjoy a lovely evening with friends and family. Tickets will be on sale (cash/card) after the Cathedral Masses and on the following weekend. Reservations will also be possible by email to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Prices are £10 per person or £25 for a family of four. Cash bar available. Come along!
Children's Summer Course for Sacramental Preparation
If you have children of school age in need of sacramental preparation who have either not been baptised or are not in Catholic schools and have therefore missed preparation to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation or Holy Communion/ Confirmation, please contact the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Depending on the level of interest, we may be able to offer a summer course on Saturday afternoons for children in need of sacramental preparation. If you have questions, please let us know.
Marriage Preparation Courses
The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday 31st May and Saturday, 23rd August, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS). Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Iona of the East: A Parish Pilgrimage
You don’t have to travel great distances to go on pilgrimage, especially when so many places with great history in the faith exist on your doorstep. Inchcolm island, standing in the Firth of Forth, has historical connections to the faith with St Columba reported to have visited in the 6th century, hence the name. The abbey was established in the 13th century and now it serves as a peaceful place of pilgrimage. The parish pilgrimage will travel to the island on Saturday 30th August on the 1030 sailing from South Queensferry. We will celebrate Mass in the abbey and have time for lunch as well as an exploration of the island, before returning to the mainland in the afternoon.
Please plan to make your own way to the pier for the ferry. Book your place by visiting https://bit.ly/InchcolmPilgrimage25. Ticket prices include the return ferry ticket and admission to the island. Family ticket (including up to 3 children) is £65, adults £25, concessions £20 and additional children cost £5. Questions? Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Can You Lend a Hand in the Jubilee Year?
The support of our parishioners in this Jubilee Year is needed more than ever: Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Altar Servers, Passkeepers, Catechists, Money counters, St. Andrew’s rooms team, Choir, Cleaners, Flower arrangers, Youth Group leaders and Events helpers. Please take one of the blue postcards, tick the boxes of areas where you can help, include your email address, fold the card and place it in the marked box at the back of church and we will be in touch! Thank you in advance for your help!
St. Andrew Talk: Our Lady in May
Join us tomorrow 28th April for our St. Andrew’s Talk on ‘Marian Devotions: Celebrating Our Lady in May’ with Sr Karin and Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, after 6:00pm Mass, with discussion and refreshments.
Ravelston Holy Rosary in May
To celebrate May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, there will be a Holy Rosary prayed immediately after each 6pm weekday Mass in St Andrews church – everyone is invited to join this powerful family prayer. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, those who do not know the Rosary or have not prayed the Rosary for a long time are especially welcome. Rosary beads will be provided if needed.
Bacon Roll Morning on 4 May
We will have a bacon roll morning in aid of SCIAF on Sunday 4th May. Save the date!
Save the Date: Afternoon Tea for VE Day 80th Anniversary
Join us on Saturday, 10 May, 2pm-4pm for Afternoon Tea and children’s activities in celebration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), in the Ravelston rooms. Tickets on sale next weekend.
Learn About the Papacy & Conclave: Teens Group P7-S4 this Wednesday
St Columba’s teens group for those in P7-S4 will meet again 7:00pm-8:30pm on Wednesday 30th April at St Columba’s Halls, Upper Gray Street EH9 1SN. As well as our usual games and snacks, we will be learning more about the papacy and the upcoming conclave, as well as a short time of prayer for Pope Francis and the Church. New members (from any school/parish) will be warmly welcomed! To sign up or come along on the night email teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk (with a parent/guardian to fill in a consent form!)