The Fourth Sunday of Easter - Year A
World Day of Prayer for Vocations: Collection for Ecclesiastical Students
Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood and religious life. 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 tomorrow 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. Our final talk in the series will be on Monday, 25th May with Fr. Adrian Porter, S.J. who will speak on ‘I look forward to the Resurrection: Suffering, Hope & the Cross.’
Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration
Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the 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. “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” (John 6:55-56)
Thank You from Tom Wilkinson
A big thank you to all who submitted music requests for Tom Wilkinson's organ recital last Sunday, and to everyone who supported the event so generously. The concert raised £475, which will help to enable Tom to attend a special Bach conference in Leipzig this summer. Tom says, “I was thrilled to receive so many requests, and am even more thrilled by the generosity of those who came. My research trip to Leipzig is an invaluable opportunity for career development. Thank you very much indeed."
Young Adults Group: ‘Figures of My Faith’ Series of Talks
Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group on Tuesday, 28th April for a talk by Emma Atkin, Manager of our St Pauls Bookshop, on Fr. Gereon Goldmann, OFM, a German seminarian drafted into Hitler's SS at the onset of World War II, who tells his extraordinary story in the book ‘The Shadow of His Wings’. 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.
Special Piano Recital by Tom Wilkinson: Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 (excerpts)
At 7.30pm on Thursday 7 May, in 63 York Place, next door to Cathedral House, Cathedral Organist Tom Wilkinson will perform special piano recital. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier is one of the best-known collections in the history of Western music, but it only became famous around a century after it was written. This concert is a rare opportunity to hear sections played on a 19th-century Érard piano in the intimate setting of our Georgian music room. Tickets are £12 and include a pre-concert glass of wine. Proceeds will go towards enabling Tom to attend a special Bach conference in Leipzig. A limited number of tickets are available, so please purchase in advance via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/PianoRecital-7May26
Please Consider Volunteering: Keep Our Cathedral 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.
Next Sunday: 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.
Thank You: St. Andrew’s Lenten Run for Parish Project
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Lenten Run this year. I am very pleased to tell you that a total of £1,139.12 has been collected through sponsors and donations! We have added this to the collection taken on Easter Sunday (£488.94) and other Parish Project donations and have sent a total of £1,834.77 to the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. Thank you for your generosity!
Bookshop: First Holy Communion & Confirmation Gifts
Gifts for First Holy Communion and Confirmation are available at our St Pauls Bookshop here at the Cathedral, along with books for your spiritual reading, and religious statues, icons and crucifixes for your home. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, closed on Mondays. 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 28 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 22nd August, at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-4pm, with presentations by married couples. To register for the course, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Cathedral Roof Fund Appeal
Just £51,000 to go to reach our Phase 1 target of £500,000! The £449,156 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.by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’.
Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you can, 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
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.
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
Procession and May Crownings at Ravelston Sunday 3rd May
Join us next Sunday 3rd May before 10:30am Mass as we have a procession and May crownings of the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the garden (weather permitting) and in the church at Ravelston. It is a lovely way to honour our Blessed Mother as we approach the Marian month of May. Children are especially welcome!
Save the Dates: Events at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston for Parish Project
Please mark your diary for these events to fundraise for our Parish Project, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa: Friday, 22nd May, 7:00pm – Potluck Supper and Quiz Night; Friday, 18th September, 7:00pm – Race Night. Further information and tickets to follow closer to the dates.
Save the Date: Mothers and Daughters May Crowning and Procession
Mothers and daughters of all ages are invited by the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma for an afternoon to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary. Activities include a May Crowning and procession, Marian crafts and cookie decorating. The event is hosted on Saturday, 23rd May from 1:00-2:30pm at St. Andrew's, 77 Belford Rd. Edinburgh, EH4 3DS. Please RSVP by May 20th to edinburgh@almamercy.org.
EXPLORE: Women’s Vocations to Religious Life
This evening Sunday, 26 April, 4pm-7pm young women interested in finding out more about the religious life and exploring God's will are invited to the EXPLORE meeting for talks, discussion, prayer and socialising. The meeting will be at St Columba's, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. To register, email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk. The next meeting is Sunday, 10 May.
Retreat for Women: Spiritual Exercises 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”.
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, Saturday 9 May, followed by catechesis, games, a Rosary procession, and Vigil Mass at 4:00pm. Bring your own picnic. Tea/coffee & a dessert will be provided. Event for families with school-age children. Register at bit.ly/archpicnic26.
Young Adults Pentecost Vigil and BBQ
Join young adults from across the Archdiocese to celebrate Pentecost at St Andrew's Church,
77 Belford Road, Edinburgh. The event is Saturday 23 May, 4:00pm with a talk, Eucharistic Adoration and opportunity for Confession, Holy Mass and a barbecue. Organised by the Archdiocese, Edinburgh Jesuit Church, St Mary's Cathedral and St Albert's Chaplaincy. Register at bit.ly/pentecost26.
The Gillis Centre
The Archdiocese has announced that The Gillis Centre, which has long served as its administrative home, will be placed on the market for sale later this year. This follows a long process of review and time of reflection and discernment about how best to support the mission and future needs of the Archdiocese. The Gillis Centre holds a special place in the life of many, and Archbishop Cushley asks us to keep this transition in our prayers. The Curia team will continue their work there for now and will move to new premises in due course. Further information is available on the Archdiocesan website: archedinburgh.org/news