The Seventh Sunday of Easter - Year A
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
Rosary at the Cathedral and Ravelston in May
Each day Monday-Friday at the Cathedral during May join in praying the Rosary. The priest will lead a Rosary after the 10am Mass. Rosaries are also said at 12 noon and after 12.45pm Mass, at Our Lady’s Altar. 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. Thank you!
Cathedral Building Fund Appeal
I am very pleased to tell you that we have now reached our Phase 1 target of £500,000!
This is a fantastic achievement, and we are incredibly grateful for your support. With all of your donations and the gift aid rebates that we have been/will be able to claim on so many of these, our first target has now been met. There is more to do and information about the next phase of work will come in due course but for now, thank you all so much for helping us to maintain our beautiful Cathedral as a place of prayer and worship for many generations to come.
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, 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.
Stop press: Post budget News. No change to the provision which allows executors to change the will of a loved one who has recently deceased them and make a contribution to the Parish in their memory.
If you would like to explore this further, please contact our Finance officer, Caroline Reid, in the first instance at: finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Young Adults Group Concluding Talk, Sign-Up for Pentecost Vigil Mass
Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group for our concluding talk before the summer on Tuesday, 19th May by James MacInness on St. Ignatius of Antioch. 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. Sign up for the Pentecost Vigil Mass with Archbishop Cushley: 5:30pm Saturday, 23 May at St Andrew's Church, 77 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS. The afternoon will begin with a talk at 4:00pm by Fr. Daniel Magaji, then 4:45pm Eucharistic Adoration and opportunity for Confession, followed by Holy Mass with His Grace and a 6:30pm barbecue. Register at bit.ly/pentecost26.
Monthly Group for Those Enquiring About the Catholic Faith
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.
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 to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist. “God will not deny His mercy to anyone…God’s mercy will never be exhausted.” St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass
Every Wednesday evening at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting this Wednesday, 20th May, 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 look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
Mothers and Daughters May Crowning and Procession
Mothers and daughters of all ages are invited to join us for an afternoon to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, including a May Crowning and procession, Marian crafts and cookie decorating. Thanks to all who have registered so far to attend this event hosted by the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, on Saturday, 23 May, 1:00pm-3:30pm. The event is at St. Andrew's, 77 Belford Rd. Edinburgh, EH4 3DS. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 20th to edinburgh@almamercy.org.
Pentecost Vigil Mass on Saturday, 23 May
The Solemnity of Pentecost is second only to Easter in the Church’s celebration of Solemnities, and we invite all to join us for the Cathedral’s celebration of the special the liturgy for the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, 23 May, 6:00pm. This beautiful liturgy includes four Old Testament readings, from Genesis, Exodus, Ezekiel and Joel, plus their psalms, which teach us how the coming of the Holy Spirit was prefigured throughout the Old Testament. The New Testament reading is from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans and the reading from the Gospel of John. Come Holy Spirit!
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
Whatsoever You Do: Music for the Homeless Jesus, Monday, 17 August, 7:30pm
In this year's collaboration with the Festival of the Sacred Arts, the Cathedral's Schola Cantorum choir will present a concert inspired by the 'Homeless Jesus' sculpture recently installed outside the Cathedral. The music will explore the themes of homelessness, God's love for the poor, and the mercy of Christ. The performance will include Gavin Bryar's iconic piece "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet', which is rarely heard in live performance. The concert will also form part of a documentary film, which the Schola Cantorum is producing in collaboration with St Catherine's Convent of Mercy at Lauriston, the Grassmarket Community Project, and the Bethany Christian Trust, in partnership with Sacred Arts Festival. Please come along to lend your support. Tickets are £15 (£10 child) available here: https://bit.ly/WhatsoeverYouDo-17Aug2026 For members of the Cathedral community who want to attend both the 'Homeless Jesus' and 'A Summer in Paris' concerts (more details below), a combined ticket is available for the special price of £25: http:bit.ly/augustconcerts
A Summer in Paris: Festival Organ Recital by Tom Wilkinson, Friday 21 August at 7:30pm
This August, Cathedral organist Tom Wilkinson will present a special organ recital to raise money for the St Mary's Cathedral Roof Appeal. The programme will include popular French organ music such as Boëllmann Suite Gothique, Franck Chorale no. 3, Mulet Carillon-Sortie and Vierne Carillon de Westminster. Come along to hear the mighty Matthew Copley organ playing the style of music that it was particularly designed to play! Tickets are £15 (£10 child), which includes a glass of sparkling wine. Book online at https://bit.ly/SummerinParis-FestivalOrgan-2026 For members of the Cathedral community who want to attend both the 'A Summer in Paris' and 'Homeless Jesus' concerts (more details above), a combined ticket is available for the special price of £25: http:bit.ly/augustconcerts
The Society of St Vincent De Paul: Can You Help?
The parish Society of St Vincent de Paul is looking for Conference members to join them in their works. Our ongoing and expansion of works depends on volunteers. We also have a Treasurer and Secretary role opening for any suitable candidates Parishioners from St Mary’s Cathedral and Ravelston would be most welcome. Email us ssvp.ae01.023@gmail.com or pick up a flyer. Please note that the email address was incorrect on the flyer last week. Most flyers have been amended, the email on this notice is correct, Apologies for this error.
Polworth Barge Canal Trip with SSVP & Friendship Group Limited Slots Available
Polworth Church have recently purchased a barge and have kindly given us dates for a visit and barge trip along a very interesting stretch of the Union Canal. Two slots are available, one on Wednesday 17th & one on Thursday 18th June, at 13.30 -15.30 each of those days. Come along and join the Polworth Barge Canal Trip with SSVP and the Friendship Group. The trip will include light refreshments. There is no cost for the trip, but a donation to the barge project would be welcome. Reserve a spot as soon as you can stating your preferred date or if you are flexible. Email ssvp.ae01.023@gmail.com by 6th June to reserve your place. Polworth are currently exploring options to install a wheelchair lift, however, the boat is not currently wheelchair accessible. Please also note that the pontoon is unstable and does slightly move underfoot.
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.
A Mass for the 30th Anniversary of the death of Fr Norman Cooper – Wednesday 20 May - 7.00pm – St John’s, Portobello
A Mass open to anybody who wishes to celebrate the life of, and pray for, a fine and enthusiastic human being and priest at 7pm on Wednesday 20 May at St John’s, Portobello.
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. Care for the Family hosts ‘Left to Their Own Devices?’ an event for parents and carers on at St. Paul’s & St. George’s Church, 10 Broughton Street, Edinburgh on Wednesday, 20 May, 7:30pm-10pm. Cost £11; group of 3 or more, £8, two-for-one deal £5.50. Register at https://bit.ly/Tech-savvy-kids-CFF2026
Marian Procession to the Cathedral with the Missionaries of Charity
The Missionaries of Charity Sisters invite you to join them for a Marian Procession to the Cathedral on Saturday, 30 May, beginning at 3:00pm from the Missionaries of Charity Convent, 18 Hopetoun Crescent, EH7 4AY. The procession will walk a distance of about 1 kilometre with a statue of Our Lady to the Cathedral, where there will be a crowing of the statue and a brief time of prayer.
Churches Together Stockbridge & Comely Bank Pentecost Sunday Service
Parishioners at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston are welcome to attend the worship service on Pentecost Sunday, 24th May - 6.00pm at Stockbridge Parish Church, Saxe Coburg Street, EH3 5BN sponsored by Churches Together Stockbridge & Comely Bank. Representatives from Churches Together include those from Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal, Baptist, and Independent churches.
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. The roots of the pilgrimage date back to June 1250 when the relics of St. Margaret were translated to a new shrine in Dunfermline Abbey following her canonisation by Pope Innocent IV:
12:00pm: Angelus at St Margaret’s Cave, Chalmers Street Car Park, KY12 8DQ.
1:00pm: Prayer Service at St Margaret’s tomb at Dunfermline Abbey, KY12 7PE.
2:00pm: Procession from Louise Carnegie Memorial Gateway, Bridge Street (opp Seven Kings Pub), to St Margaret’s Memorial Church (Meet at 1:45pm).
3:00pm: Mass at St Margaret’s Memorial Church, East Port, celebrated by Archbishop Cushley and priests of the Archdiocese.
Faith Summer Session for Young Adults: Ampleforth Abbey, 27 July- 31 July
The Faith Movement is back at Ampleforth Abbey this summer for our annual Young Adults summer session from 27 July - 31 July 2026. Our Catholic conference for those aged 16-30 is on ‘Who Am I? Identity, Destiny and What it Means to Be Human’. Join with others in beautiful York exploring the faith, with social, spiritual and catechetical activities. Each day there will be Mass, Morning and Night prayer. There will also be plenty of time for recreation and socialising each night. Please register at www.faith.co.uk/events