The Fifth Sunday of Easter. - Year A
Rosary at the Cathedral in May
Each day Monday-Friday at the Cathedral during May there are opportunities to join in praying the Rosary. The priest will lead a Rosary after the 10am Mass each day. Rosaries are also said at 12 noon and after 12.45pm Mass, at Our Lady’s Altar.
Rosary at Ravelston in May
We will pray the Rosary in May at St Andrew's, Ravelston after the 6:00pm Mass, Monday-Friday. We are in need of leaders for each weekday for the praying of the Rosary. If you are able to lead the Rosary one day a week at St. Andrew’s, please sign up on the sheets in the back of church or e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Thank you!
Find a Rosary and information about praying the Rosary in our St Pauls Bookshop!
Learn more about the Rosary at https://www.theholyrosary.org/
Parish Youth Group Today for All P3-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group meets today Sunday, 3 May from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7s are welcome to come along for faith, fun and opportunities to meet new friends! Bring 50p along for the tuck shop! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration. Fee: £1.00. Our last meeting before the summer break is on Sunday, 7 June.
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, 5th May for a talk by Williams Nobout on St. Claude de la Colombière, S.J. 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.
20th May Sung Vespers 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
Scottish Parliament Election
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has a new online election tool for the Scottish Parliament election this week on 7th May. You can find out about candidates and see their position on key life issues. It is designed to make election information clearer and easier to access than ever before. Visit https://spuc.org.uk/ The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have prepared an Election Briefing Pack, available at the back of church, which includes a copy of the Pastoral Letter from the bishops, Catechism teaching on key topics regarding Catholic Social Teaching, suggested questions for candidates and a prayer for the election. Please take a copy with you or view online at https://rcpolitics.org/scottish-parliament-election-2026/.
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. “When we partake of Jesus, the living and true Bread, we live for him.” Pope Leo XIV
First Wednesday: Prayers for Priests
This week on First Wednesday, 6 May, we will have our Prayers for Priests 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 for Priests each First Wednesday of the month.
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.
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. 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
Cathedral Building Fund Appeal
Just £48,000 to go to reach our Phase 1 target of £500,000! The £452,000 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 or 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
Music Afternoon Thank You
The Society of St Vincent de Paul held a Music Afternoon and Tea on Saturday 25th April. A huge thank you to the singers, quiz masters, helpers, Grassmarket Community Project for the food and to all those who attended. It was a delightful afternoon. Our next event will be a Mass for the Sick in September, and a notification will be in the Newsletter in good time. Thank you. Trish O’Neil
SPUC Meeting at Ravelston: Guest Speaker Dr. Dermot Grenham
The next meeting of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s (SPUC) Edinburgh West Branch is Wednesday, 13 May, 7:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston rooms. Guest speaker Dr. Dermot Grenham from the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics will speak on over/under-population in relation to life issues.
Christian Women's Craft Group
Christian women are invited to a craft group Saturday, 16 May, 1pm-3pm with crocheting, knitting, hand sewing and some nice chats. Tea/coffee, biscuits & buns available. Bring your crafts and come along to
St Andrew’s Parish rooms 77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS. Register by email at christiancraftgroup@hotmail.com.
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.
Please Consider Volunteering: Keep Our Cathedral Clean and Sparkling
Every Wednesday, the Cathedral volunteer cleaning team meet between 2pm – 4pm to clean the church. Please consider joining the team with a view to easing the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences. Helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated. To join the group, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com ; telephone: 0131 553 1510.
Bookshop: First Holy Communion & Confirmation Gifts
Gifts for First Holy Communion and Confirmation are available at our St Pauls Bookshop here at the Cathedral. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, closed Mondays. 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 5 May 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.
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
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.
Tax Deductible Donations for US Citizens
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is pleased to confirm that we have partnered with the Chapel & York US Foundation to accept donations for our benefit. This partnership allows us to save on the costs required to operate our own dedicated entity while still providing you the opportunity to support the Archdiocese with tax-effective donations in the United States, meaning your gift stretches further, allowing us to accomplish even more.For details of how to make a US-tax deductible donation through the Chapel & York US Foundation, please contact our Finance Officer, Caroline Reid, at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Next Saturday: 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 Mass and BBQ with Archbishop Cushley
Join young adults from across the Archdiocese to celebrate Pentecost at St Andrew's Church,
77 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS on Saturday 23 May, 4:00pm with a talk by Fr. Daniel Magaji, 4:45pm Eucharistic Adoration and opportunity for Confession, 5:30pm Holy Mass with His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, and a 6:30pm barbecue. Organised by the Archdiocese, Edinburgh Jesuit Church, St Mary's Cathedral and St Albert's Chaplaincy. Register at bit.ly/pentecost26.
Left to Their Own Devices?: Tech-savvy Kids and How to Raise Them
Our kids are facing a whole new level of complexity as they grow up in a turbulent digital world. It’s never too late to establish healthy digital boundaries with your children – whatever their age. Care for the Family hosts ‘Left to Their Own Devices?’ an event for parents and carers on Wednesday, 20 May, 7:30pm-10pm at St. Paul’s & St. George’s Church, 10 Broughton Street, Edinburgh. Topics include what our children might be exposed to online, who they might be speaking to and how they behave, how the digital world impacts brain development, and more. Cost £6. Register at https://bit.ly/Tech-savvy-kids-CFF2026
Edinburgh Half Marathon Fundraising
One of our parishioners, Francesca O’Neil, is running her first ever half marathon on Sunday 24th May. She, along with her colleagues at St Ninian’s Primary School are raising money for the Edinburgh Marathon's official charity, which this year is The Sick Kids Hospital. Any donation to this cause would be greatly appreciated: https://bit.ly/St-Ninian-Marathon-fundraiser2026
Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession
The Archdiocesan Corpus Christi procession, led by Archbishop Cushley, will take place from Our Lady & St Andrew's, Stirling Street, Galashiels, at 3:00pm on Sunday 7 June 2026. Afterwards there will be Benediction in the Church followed by refreshments in the presbytery garden. This annual a beautiful, public celebration of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Mark your diary and come along!
‘Whatsoever You Do: Music for the Homeless Jesus,’ 17 August, 7:30pm
For the Festival of the Sacred Arts, the Cathedral Schola Cantorum will perform a programme of choral music in ‘Whatsoever You Do: Music for the Homeless Jesus,’ Monday, 17 August, 7:30pm at the Cathedral. The event takes its inspiration from the Homeless Jesus bronze sculpture outside the Cathedral, by Timothy Schmalz. "Tickets are £15 (£10 child): https://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/programme