Habemus Papam! Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV
Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV, our Pope. May the Lord protect him and grant him length of days. May the Lord be his shield and deliver him from all harm, and may the Lord give him happiness and peace all the days of his life. Amen.
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 and remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer. With many thanks and every blessing.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations Today
World Day of Prayer for Vocations is today, Sunday 11 May. We pray especially for Matthew McCafferty and Kieran Burt who were ordained to the transitional diaconate on Saturday in Rome, and Gerard Holden who is continuing his studies as a seminarian. We also keep in our prayers Fr. Robert, Fr. Jeremy, Fr. John Peter, Fr. Jose, Sr. Miriam Fidelis, Sr. Miriam Ruth and all priests and religious in the Archdiocese who dedicate their lives to serving God and His people.
Parish Pastoral Council Meeting This Week
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is this Tuesday, 13 May. To contact the Parish Council with any comments or suggestions, please do email parishcouncil@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
Young Adults Group Next Series: ‘Figures of My Faith’
Our Young Adults Group meets on Tuesday 13th May for our next talk in the series, ‘Figures of My Faith’ - talks by young adults focusing on influential figures in their faith journeys. Olga Drewnowska will speak about St. Homobonus. 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.
Friendship Group for 60+: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 13 May at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints cafe. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the Friendship Group meet up. Please note that the discount is valid during the session time only, and other discounts are not applied during the session. Please come along and join us, we’d love to see you.
The Mass: A Window to Heaven
Join us Wednesday 14 May at Ravelston for our next meeting in our weekly series of viewing Bishop Barron’s videos on the Mass followed by discussion. This week’s video is “God Speaks Our Story.”
Fr. Jeremy will lead the session, which is open to all and a great way to learn more about the celebration central to our faith. We will meet in the rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston EH4 3DS following 5:00pm Adoration & Confessions and 6:00pm Mass – why not make some time to pray with Jesus in Adoration, before finding out more about the Mass? Watch the trailer at https://bit.ly/TheMass-Trailer. Refreshments will be served. To register, please email the office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Holy Hour & Reflection - 7:00pm Thursday: ‘Mary, Our Lady of Hope’
This Thursday at 7:00pm join us for the first of our two Marian Holy Hours in the Cathedral with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying of the Rosary and a reflection on Our Lady. Fr John Peter will speak on the theme of ‘Mary, Our Lady of Hope.’ Come and spend some time in prayer before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. All are invited to join us! Next Thursday 22nd May, Deacon Peter will speak on ‘The Theme of Hope in the Rosary’.
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.
‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women Continues
Come along Saturday, 17 May, 3:45pm-4:45pm to the St. Andrew’s parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments, a short input, and more conversation on the Mass. Recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all warmly welcome! Participants are also welcome to the convent Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm. To register, email the Religious Sisters of Mercy at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 21 May, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place The Catenians are an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men and their families at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
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
Mass for Married & Engaged Couples
The annual Archdiocesan Mass for Married Couples (and those preparing for marriage) takes place at 7:15pm on Tuesday 27 May at St Mary's Cathedral. Archbishop Cushley will be the principal celebrant and will give a blessing to couples.
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.
Special Collection: Ecclesiastical Students
A second collection will take place for Ecclesiastical Students at all Masses this weekend which helps cover tuition fees and living costs for our seminarians. You can also donate at bit.ly/eccstudents25
Ravelston Holy Rosary in May
Thanks to so many who have been joining us for our Holy Rosary prayed immediately after each 6pm Mass in St Andrews church Monday to Friday – 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. Please sign up at the back of church if you would like to help lead the praying of the Rosary.
‘Lives Worth Living’: Talk on Assisted Suicide Bills
Join us for a talk ‘Lives Worth Living’ on Monday 19th May, from 6:30pm, at the parish rooms of St Andrew's, Ravelston, with Margaret Akers of the Society for Protection of Unborn Children who will be speaking about the two assisted suicide bills currently going through the Westminster and Holyrood Parliaments. Both bills are very much live, and both can very much be defeated, if we take this opportunity to do something about them. Please do attend to hear what you can do to prevent assisted suicide becoming law. For more information, please contact williamcurrie@spuc.org.uk
Assisted Suicide: Critical Debate This Week
Bills will be debated and voted on at Holyrood and Westminster on 13 May (Holyrood) and 16 May (Westminster). Those who are ill or dying deserve special care and respect not killing. Assisted suicide consists of putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick or dying persons and would change the NHS. Please write to your MP and MSPs urgently. Please visit https://carenotkilling.scot/ to email your MSPs in a few easy clicks!
Children's Liturgy Workshop (New date)
Join the Catechetics Commission for the second Children’s Liturgy (CL) Catechist Workshop. The morning will begin with Mass and include a presentation on music & art and a time of discussion. It takes place on Saturday 17 May 2025 9:30am – 12:00pm at The Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Rd EH9 1BB. Register at bit.ly/childrensliturgy2. Contact srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk with any questions.