The Third Sunday of Easter - Year A
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,
21st April for a talk by Paulo Chiam on Fr Georges Lemaître & the Big Bang. 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.
Sunday 1:30pm: Request Organ Recital by Tom Wilkinson (Cathedral Organist)
Have you ever wondered how the Cathedral organ works? If so, this event is for you. Join us at 1.30pm Sunday 19 April for a Recital and Demonstration of the Organ by Cathedral Organist Tom Wilkinson, who will explain and demonstrate what the mighty machine can do. Duration: Approximately 1 hour. Programme includes: Saint Saens, Organ Symphony; Baby Shark; Beethoven, Ode to Joy; John Williams, Duel of the Fates (from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace by John Williams) ; Bach, Toccata in D minor; Vivaldi, Summer from The Seasons; Bach, Andante from Trio Sonata no 4 BWV 528; Neilsen, Little Prelude no. 2. 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
Tomorrow, 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.
Please Consider Volunteering to Help Keep Our Church Clean and Sparkling
Every Wednesday, the Cathedral cleaning team meet between 2pm – 4pm to clean the church. We are seeking to recruit more volunteers to join the team with a view to easing the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences. If you cannot attend every week, helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the group, or find out more, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com ; telephone: 0131 553 1510.
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.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 21 April at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. 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.
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
Bookshop: First Holy Communion & Confirmation Gifts
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
Monthly Enquirers Group
Join us on Thursday, 21st May 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: 18 June, 23 July and 20 August.
RSVP for 20 May 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.
After the service, you are warmly invited to stay for the photographic exhibition ‘50 Faces of the Holy Land’ commissioned by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, along with Q&A with Brendan Metcalfe, CEO, Friends of the Holy Land, offering an update on current conditions in the region. Refreshments served in the Octagon. Please RSVP to: cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Next Weekend: World Day of Prayer for Vocations Special Collection Ecclesiastical Students
World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood and religious life is on Sunday 26 April. There will be a special collection for Ecclesiastical students. Your donation helps cover tuition fees and living costs for seminarians. Matthew McCafferty, a seminarian for the Archdiocese, said: "Knowing that the faithful of the Archdiocese are supporting us—both spiritually and in practical ways—gives great encouragement. It’s a reminder that this vocation is something we share together as a Church.” Donations can also be made online at bit.ly/eccstudents25
St. Andrew’s Talk: ‘I Believe in the Holy Spirit...’
Join us next Monday, 27 April 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.
Crib Collection Thank You
A total of £5,412 was raised in crib collections over Advent for the Infant Welfare Centre in Jerusalem. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote to Archbishop Cushley to thank parishes. He said: "Your generosity is a concrete witness of the transforming power of love that Christ calls us to as members of His body, especially toward the most vulnerable in our society."
Cathedral Building Fund
Just £55,000 to go to reach our Phase 1 target of £500,000! The £445,100 we have raised over the last two and half years is a fantastic achievement and we are so grateful to you all for your support! Can you help us with a final push to reach our Phase 1 target? Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:through our website and by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’.
Remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer. Blue Building Fund envelopes are available at the back of the church if you wish to Gift Aid your cash or cheque donation. Thank you!
Leave a Legacy That Speaks of Your Faith
Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy for the Cathedral Parish? Perhaps a lasting legacy by contributing to a particular project, such as the Cathedral roof repairs, for example, or simply to be put towards wherever the need is greatest. Legacies can benefit the parish in so many ways, helping our churches to continue being a home of prayer and worship for future generations. Leaving a legacy can be arranged quickly and easily, it does not have to involve a lot of paperwork. The leaflet available at the back of the churches provides more details and if you would like to explore this further, please contact our Finance officer, Caroline Reid, in the first instance at: finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Pray, Reflect, Rejoice! Join the Edinburgh Seven Hills Pilgrimage
Join Fr. Jeremy and others from our parish and across the Archdiocese for our Seven Hills of Edinburgh Pilgrimage, starting from the Cathedral at 9:00am on Saturday, 13 June, with prayers and a reflection on one of the Seven Joys of Mary at each peak from Fr. Jeremy. The pilgrimage is approximately 26km, taking in Castle Hill, Costorphine Hill, Criaglochart Hill, Braid Hill, Blackford Hill, Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill. Details and registration at bit.ly/sevenhills26
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
Retreat for Women: Spiritual Exercis es of St. Ignatius of Loyola
A silent retreat for women following the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola is offered by the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word at the Benedictine Monastery, 5 Mackerston Place, Largs, KA30 8BY. Dates: 1st-4th May. Suggested donation £120. To register, contact Mother Ostrabrama, SSVM on WhatsApp 07717 793486, online https://bit.ly/IVESpiritualExercises-2026
Weekend Retreat on Relationships and the Call to Marriage
Singles, dating and engaged young adults who want to think more deeply about relationships and the call to marriage are invited to a weekend retreat at Theodore House, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ with tranquil and beautiful surroundings. Runs from 2nd May-3rd May, with the option of staying Friday night. Book online at https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/called-to-love/
“Discernment for Good and Wise Life Decisions, in the Ignatian Tradition”:A Retreat Day for Young Adults 20s & 30s
What does successful discernment – including vocational discernment – look like? Young Adults 20s & 30s are invited to a retreat day Saturday, 30 May, 10:00-16:00 with Fr. Roger Dawson, SJ, retreat director and clinical psychologist, at Edinburgh Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, 26 Lauriston St, EH3 9DJ. Theme: “Discernment for Good and Wise Life Decisions, in the Ignatian Tradition”. Cost: Only by donation on the day. To register, please email ejcyoungadults@jesuit.org.uk with the subject-line “30th May Retreat Day”.
Playlist for ‘What’s Happening At Mass’
View the playlist of videos of the talks from our recent Archdiocesan event 'What's Happening at Mass'. The purpose of the day was to help Catholics better understand what we are seeing at Mass and great opportunity to learn about the treasure of the Mass. Visit bit.ly/holymasstalks
Picnic and Vigil Mass for Families
Join families from around the Archdiocese at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB for a picnic at 1:00pm on Saturday 9 May, followed by a time of catechesis, games, a Rosary procession, and Vigil Mass at 4:00pm. Bring your own picnic. Tea/coffee & a dessert will be provided. The day is aimed especially at families with school-age children. Register at bit.ly/archpicnic26.
Camp Out for Hope with All-Night Prayer Vigil
Spend a night under the stars 8pm Saturday, 30th May – 8am Sunday, 31st May at Carfin Grotto, Motherwell, ML1 5AJ, in solidarity with our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Scotland invites you to pray at an all-night prayer vigil, learn more about ACN's work, and find out how you can make a real difference. Together, we can turn a night outside into a sign of faith, hope, and support. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up now at https://bit.ly/CampOutforHope26. Participants must be ages 16+ and are encouraged to fundraise, with £50 as a target.
Do You Speak Polish or Gaelic and is Faith Important to You?
Participants are needed for a research study by the University of Edinburgh on language & faith among Polish and/or Gaelic speakers in Scotland, looking at how language shapes our faith and values. Your participation helps fill an important gap in research on Polish and Gaelic communities living in Scotland. Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/PolishorGaelicstudy2026