CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL
We’ve now raised £240,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?
Summer Second Collections
On weekends during the summer we will be taking a second collection for the building fund. The dates are this weekend and 16/17 August. There will be some Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation. You can pick these up at the back of the church.
This weekend, we have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund
In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!
Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:
You can donate by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). or via bank transfer.
Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer.
Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!
MATCH FUNDING IN JULY AND AUGUST
We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in July and August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!
Festival Mass Next Sunday
Next Sunday, 10 August: His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate the annual Festival Mass at Noon at the Cathedral. Join us at the start of the week of our Cathedral’s patronal feast - the Assumption, which falls on 15th August – during Edinburgh’s International Festival.
Tuesday 12 August: “Faith in the Footlights” as part ofthe Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts
Musical theatre is often dismissed as trivial, shallow and essentially secular. Professor Ian Bradley challenges this, arguing in his book You’ve Got to Have a Dream that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”. On Tuesday, 12 August at 7:30pm, join Professor Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual implications of some of our best-loved musicals. The concert is the fourth in our series of yearly partnerships with the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and follows the very successful sacred jazz event last summer. Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights
Young Adults: Lectio Divina on the Gospel for Solemnity of the Assumption
Young Adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us for a Lectio Divina on Luke 1:39:56, the Gospel for the Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we will celebrate on Friday, 15th August. Join us Monday, 11th August as we prepare for this great feast of Our Lady with a prayerful reading of the Gospel passage and take some time to reflect together on the Scripture reading. Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm, with a trip to pub thereafter.
‘Jesus Prayer’ in the Cathedral
Over the last 34 weeks a small group of us have been meeting every Tuesday afternoon between 1 45pm and 2 15pm in front of St. Andrew's Altar to the right of the main sanctuary to pray the Jesus Prayer. This is a very ancient form of Contemplative intercessory Christian Prayer that has its roots in early Christian Monasticism and is centred around a simple phrase “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.” It is a great prayer of healing and reconciliation and is a very powerful prayer both in its depth and simplicity. Anyone wanting to explore this way of praying is very welcome. Please bring your Rosary beads with you to follow the Jesus Prayer.
Book on Life Story of 'Hibs priest' Now Available in St Pauls Bookshop!
Visit St Pauls Bookshop today and pick up your copy of Edinburgh’s First Hibernian, beautifully illustrated with numerous colour photos, and impressively well-researched, the book tells the life story of the Edinburgh priest Fr. Edward Hannan who helped found Hibernian Football Club and served the poor and destitute in the city. Written by Mike Hennessy, a native of Edinburgh, the book is the first biography of Fr. Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh. While parish priest at St Patrick's, Cowgate EH1 1TQ, he worked tirelessly in Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime. Details about Fr. Hannan and the book are at https://stpatricksedinburgh.com/hibernian-fc-canon-hannan/ Get your copy of this amazing and inspiring book today! Hardcover £25.
Welcome Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM
We welcome Sister Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM to the Religious Sisters of Mercy convent at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. In her service to the Archdiocese, Sister is the new Coordinator for SPRED (SPecial REligious Development), a Christian programme for children and adults with special needs. She is also Lay Minister Coordinator for Catholic schools. Sister professed Perpetual Vows in 2017. She has been a secondary school teacher, primary school headteacher, and bioethics educator in parishes and a health system. Raised Lutheran, she grew up with her four brothers and two sisters in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and she was received into the Catholic Church in 2004 in Washington, D.C.
St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’
A new series of St. Andrew’s Talks is set to begin in August, with the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass on Monday, 25 August for our first talk by Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, who will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” Refreshments will be available. Open to all.
First Wednesdays — Prayers for Priests
The first Wednesday of each month, after the 12:45pm Mass, please join in prayers near the Lady Altar, including a Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to ask Our Lady’s intercession for our priests. All are welcome to participate in the prayers on Wednesday, 6 August following 12:45pm Mass.
Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration
Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the celebration of 10:00am Mass. Adoration is from 10:30am-12:00pm concluding with Benediction, with Confession available during that time. Come for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass
Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, all are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.
Marriage Preparation Courses
The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday, 16th August and Saturday, 22nd November, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Save the Date: Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
All are welcome to our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm! Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale soon! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods. ** Please note that all stalls will be cash only on the day. **
Hope Dawns: A Retreat to Prepare for Advent
Thanks to each of you who have expressed interest in our two-night Advent Retreat to be held 14th -16th November at the Schoenstatt Shrine near Milton of Campsie. The retreat, considering the Jubilee Year theme of Hope in Advent, will begin at 3pm on Friday, 14th November and conclude at 3pm on Sunday, 16th November. There will be daily Mass, talks during the day, private time for prayer and discussion with others or with a priest and all meals will be provided. Schoenstatt is a well-appointed house run by a welcoming community of religious sisters and staff (https://www.schoenstatt.co.uk). There is still time to let us know of your interest and whether you would like to join coach transport to and from Schoenstatt. To register, visit https://bit.ly/Schoenstatt-Advent2025 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, call the office 0131 556 1798.
Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September
If you, or someone you know, would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Sea Sunday Thank You!
Stella Maris thanks the parish for its generosity on Sea Sunday 13 July and for the kindness shown to collectors.
Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh
Registration is now open for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology. Watch the preview webinar on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese. Queries: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk. Develop your theological literacy through the study of topics including biblical interpretation, Christian anthropology, the foundations of Christian spirituality, spiritual direction, Catholic social teaching and systematic theology.
National Pilgrimage to Carfin
The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. On this day Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, will be canonised so it is an ideal day for the Scottish Catholics to come together to celebrate. Learn more about Carfin Grotto at https://www.carfingrotto.org/ The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.
Venerable Margaret Sinclair
The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Details on Venerable Margaret Sinclair are available at https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/
Save the Dates
The Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Details to follow.
The National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth is on Saturday 20 September. Details to follow.
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the for the Mass, marking the start of the new legal year.
A relic of ‘God’s influencer’, Blessed Carlo Acutis who will be canonised by Pope Leo XIV on 7 September, will visit St Mary’s Cathedral from Saturday 13 to Monday 15 September. Save the dates!
‘So You Want to Be a Good Catholic Doctor?’
An Annual Intensive 2-Day National Catholic Medical Association UK Course will be offered Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Conference Centre, 51 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, London E11 2PR. The course is titled ‘Principles and Practical Guide to Functioning Ethically in an Increasingly Secular Healthcare Environment in the UK and Eire’ and is offered for medical students, doctors in training, senior doctors, and allied healthcare professionals. Speakers include experienced Catholic doctors, plus Bishop John Keenan of Paisley. Visit the Scottish Catholic Medical Association (SCMA) website: https://scottishcma.co.uk/home / to register.
Events at Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst College
What is God? Philosophical, Christian and Islamic Approaches
A course from 22-25 August 2025 in partnership with CEPHAS (https://cephas.org.uk/) will look at the nature and knowledge of God from a pre-religious, philosophical understanding, before comparing the Islamic concept of God with the Christian, leaning on St Thomas Aquinas’ elaboration of the Trinity and the Incarnation. For cost details (bursaries available) and booking visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/what-is-god/
Weekend Retreat: The Martyr-Saints of the North-West, 12 – 14 September 2025
Join us for this weekend studying some of the Reformation-era martyrs of the North-West region. Part-retreat, part-biographical, the weekend will be led by Mgr John Allen of Salford Diocese, who has recently published a history of the diocese with a foreword by Eamon Duffy. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-martyr-saints-of-the-north-west Single room: £230 p.p.
Twin room (sharing): £175 p.p. Costs include full board from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch inclusive. Non-residential (includes lunches and dinners): £115.
Both events are at Theodore House, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ, in the tranquil and beautiful surroundings. Contact: bookings@theodorehouse.com, 01254 827 084.
Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival
An initiative of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation, the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival is from Sunday, 10 August to Saturday, 16 August 2025. Visit https://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/ for details and full programme.