Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy) - Year A
Hour of Mercy on Divine Mercy
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday and there will be a Holy Hour in the Cathedral at 3:00pm. Jesus said to Saint Faustina: ‘Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy’. The institution of the feast was inspired by a desire of Jesus which was conveyed by Sister Faustina. The Lord Jesus told her: ‘I want the first Sunday after Easter to be the Feast of Mercy… to be a refuge and sanctuary for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the depths of My mercy are open; I pour out a whole sea of graces on souls that approach the fount of My mercy.’ During the Holy Hour, in English and Polish, there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for confession. You are invited to join on this special day to experience the Divine Mercy of God.
Young Adults Group: ‘Figures of My Faith’ Series of Talks
Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group which will resume on Tuesday, 14th April for a new series of talks given by young adults, ‘Figures of My Faith,’ with the first talk by Denise Cariaga on Antoni Gaudi. Meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees, with the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. We conclude with Night Prayer and meet up at a local pub.
Monthly Meeting for Adults Enquiring About the Catholic Faith
Join us on Thursday, 16th April at 7:00pm for our monthly meeting for adults who are at the early stage of enquiring about the Catholic faith. We will meet 7.00-8.30pm at Cathedral House, 61 York Place, EH1 3JD with some input on an aspect of the faith and plenty of opportunity for asking questions. Register your interest by email to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or feel free to turn up on the day if you wish. Next meetings will be held on the following Thursdays: 21 May, 18 June, 23 July and 20 August.
Next Sunday, 1:30pm: Request Organ Recital by Tom Wilkinson (Cathedral Organist)
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, next Sunday
19 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. Please submit requests for pieces to be played by Sunday 12 April to organist@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Duration: Approximately 1 hour. Retiring collection in aid of Tom’s participation in an international conference on the music of J. S. Bach, in Leipzig, in Summer 2026.
Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral event God at work in and through Ukrainians worldwide
On Monday, 20 April, Fr Vasyl Kren will join Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral to talk about his homeland, Ukraine, and the experiences of Ukrainians at home and abroad since the outbreak of the war four years ago. The event is at 7.30pm in Coffee Saints. Please contact cathedralnews@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you are interested in coming.
Parish Council Meeting this Week – Email Your Input
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is this Wednesday, 15 April. Please e-mail the Parish Council at parishcouncil@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with your comments and suggestions for our parish.
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 15 April 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 contact John Russell on 01555 728032 or visit https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
2026/27 Gift Aid Envelope Sets Now Available for Collection
For those of you who currently use weekly Gift Aid envelopes to donate to the offertory collection, I am pleased to tell you that your new envelope sets for the 2026/27 tax year are now available for collection from the back of the Church.
Registering for Gift Aid
Gift Aid is a simple and effective way to maximise your donations to the Church at no additional cost to you. With a new tax year fast approaching, this is an ideal time to register for Gift Aid with the Parish, if you have not already done so. For more information, to request a registration form or to ask any questions you may have about donating to our Cathedral or St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston, please contact our Finance Officer, Caroline Reid, by email: finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Scottish Parliament Election Briefing Pack
Please take a copy of the Election Briefing Pack, available at the back of church, which includes a copy of the Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Scotland on the Scottish Parliament Election, Catechism teaching on key topics regarding Catholic Social Teaching, suggested questions for candidates and a prayer for the election. Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election on 7th May, all are encouraged to read the briefing pack and prayerfully prepare for voting, or visit https://rcpolitics.org/scottish-parliament-election-2026/ to review the material.
St. Andrew’s Talk: ‘I Believe in the Holy Spirit...’
Save the date for our next St. Andrew’s Talk on the Nicene Creed. Our speaker will be Fr. Binu Palakapally, IC, who will speak on ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit: The Church, Sacraments & Christian Life.’ The talk will be in the parish rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston after 6:00pm Mass on Monday, 27th April.
Save the Date: Ecumenical Service - Friends of the Holy Land
Join us at 7:00pm on Wednesday, 20 May at the Cathedral for an Ecumenical Service with sung Vespers, followed by a reception hosted by Friends of the Holy Land (www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk), an ecumenical Christian charity dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable Christian communities in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel, and Jordan, providing immediate relief and long-term practical support.
Marriage Preparation Course
A Marriage Preparation Course will be held on Saturday 30th May and the next is on Saturday 22nd August, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-4pm, with presentations by married couples. To register for the course, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group will meet on Sunday, 3 May and then on Sunday, 7 June, from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7s are welcome! Bring 50p along for the tuck shop! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration. Fee: £1.00.
Feel Called to the Priesthood?
If you have been wondering whether God could be calling you to become a priest, you are not alone. If you are considering this call, take that step and get in touch today. Contact our Vocations Director at frpatrick.burke@staned.org.uk. Come and see where the Lord may be leading you.
Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood
Please come along after 6:00pm Mass at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston on Monday, 13 April, 6:30pm-7:30pm to the convent of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, for Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood. Join us in the convent chapel, 77 Belford Road, Ravelston EH4 3DS. The next Holy Hour will be on Monday, 4 May and continuing each 2nd Monday of the month thereafter.
Talk on St John Henry Newman
All are welcome to a talk on St John Henry Newman at Mayfield Salisbury Church, 18 West Mayfield, Edinburgh EH9 1TQ on Thursday 16 April, 7:30pm-9:00pm from Monsignor Rod Strange, leading scholar of the life of the saint. Mgr Strange will explore the life and thought of St John Newman. Entrance by donation, £5 proposed. Event organised by the Edinburgh Circle of the Newman Association.
Catechist Formation: First Reconciliation
Join the Catechetics Commission on Saturday 18 April, 9:00am-12:30pm, for a morning focused on preparing children for the sacrament of reconciliation. Morning will include Mass, a testimony, and presentations on engaging children & parents. Location: the Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Rd, EH9 1BB. Register: https://bit.ly/3O4eC3z Let the little children come...for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven! (Matt. 19:14-15)
Christian Women's Craft Group
Christian women are invited to join a wonderful new craft group Saturday, 18th April, 1pm-3pm with crocheting, knitting, hand sewing and some nice chats. Tea/coffee, biscuits & buns available. If you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced or want to learn, please bring your crafts and come along to St Andrew’s Parish rooms 77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS. To register, please email christiancraftgroup@hotmail.com.
Catholic Conversations for Women
All women are welcome to this event with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma on Saturday, 18 April, 3:45pm-4:45pm in St Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS) for a faith-focused discussion on the gift of feminine genius. Join us for a Holy Hour following with Adoration & Vespers from 5:10pm. Save the date! Register at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.
Rosary and Pro-Life Chain Marking Anniversary of Abortion Act
On Saturday, 25 April, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will pray a Rosary and hold a Pro-Life Chain, marking the anniversary of the 1968 Abortion Act. 10am: Rosary for Life, Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston, EH3 9DJ: Led by Archbishop Cushley. 11am: SPUC’s Pro-Life Chain – meet on Lothian Road, by the Sheraton hotel 1.15pm: Refreshments and social - Sacred Heart Hall.
Order of Malta Ball in April to Support Charities in Scotland and Holy Land
Support the charitable work of the Order of Malta, one of the Catholic Church's oldest and largest charities, by attending their ball on Saturday 25 April 2026 at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh. The event raises funds for the Scottish Companions serving homeless and disabled across Scotland; Malteser International for displaced people in Lebanon; and Holy Family maternity hospital in Bethlehem. To donate an item or an experience for the Auctions, please email John at john@miers.net. Book online at https://www.orderofmaltaball.com/.
EXPLORE: Women’s Vocations to Religious Life
The Archdiocese is running a series of monthly EXPLORE meetings for young women interested in finding out more about the religious life and exploring God's will. Join for talks, discussion, prayer and socialising. Meetings are the last Sunday of the month at St Columba's, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. The next meetings are 4pm-7pm on Sunday, 26 April and Sunday, 10 May. To register, email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Volunteer to Support Adults with Special Needs in Edinburgh
Five new faithful adult volunteers are needed to commit to our George Square Thursday evening SPRED (Special Religious Development) group. The spiritual programme for adults with special needs fosters communion with Jesus Christ within the Catholic community of faith. Please contact Sister Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, at srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk if you are interested in learning about becoming a SPRED volunteer catechist for this Edinburgh group.
RCIA Follow-on Retreat Weekend
For those who have completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for becoming Catholic, a retreat is offered from 1st-3rd May to take time to pause and reflect on your faith journey after Easter in the beautiful surroundings of Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery in Elgin IV30 8UA. The Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glagsow hosts the retreat from Friday, 1st May to Sunday 3rd May with arrivals from 5pm on 1st May and leaving after 12:00 noon lunch on Sunday 3 May. The weekend will include opportunities to try different ways of praying, exploring some of the Ignatian (Jesuit) and Benedictine traditions, and sharing with others on living a reflective life. Enjoy time together as a group, as well as periods of silence and personal reflection. Suggested donation is £150 to include food costs and a donation to the Monastery. Book online at https://www.iscglasgow.co.uk/pluscarden-2026
Save the Date: Archdiocesan Annual St Margaret Pilgrimage
Join the Archdiocese’s St. Margaret Pilgrimage on Sunday, 14 June as we celebrate the life, virtue and holiness of St Margaret of Scotland, including a procession at 2:00pm to St Margaret’s Church, East Port, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 7JB (https://stmargaretsdunfermline.co.uk/), led by Archbishop Cushley with the relic of St Margaret. Timetable at: https://archedinburgh.org/event/the-margaret-pilgrimage-dunfermline/