The Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul - Year A
Requiem Mass for Rev Allan Ocdenaria RIP
The Requiem Mass for Fr Allan Ocdenaria is at midday on Tuesday 30 June here in St Mary’s Cathedral, thereafter 2:00pm Committal Service at Warriston Crematorium. Remains to be received at the Cathedral at 6:00pm on Monday 29 June. Please keep the family in your prayers. May he rest in peace.
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, and be strengthened by His Real Presence for us in the Eucharist. “A soul that is united to God must be prepared for great and hard-fought battles….One thing alone sustains me and that is Holy Communion.” St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass
Every Wednesday evening at St. Andrew’s, Ravelstona we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.
Wednesday 1 July, Choral Mass and Concert: Choir of St Mary's Cathedral Choir, Sydney
On Wednesday 1 July we will be joined by the renowned choir from St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, as part of their European tour. The choir is made up of boy and girl choristers and professional adult lay clerks. The ensemble has received international acclaim as Australia's first and oldest existing Catholic choir. As part of the visit, there will be two events:
A special sung Mass at 12:45pm in the Cathedral, where the choir will sing music by Widor, James MacMillan, and Colin Mawby.
A concert at 7:30pm featuring music by Palestrina, Poulenc, MacMillan and a world premiere by Australian composer Brooke Shelley. Entry to the concert is free with retiring collection in support of the ongoing musical life of our Cathedral.
What’s On Formed: Heart of Prayer, Daily Reflections, Symbolon for Teens
Enrich your knowledge of the Catholic faith enjoying videos available with your free account on Formed.org. Watch ‘Heart of Prayer’ (https://app.formed.org/app/collections/1473553) with Bishop Andrew Cozzens, an 8-part series revealing the beauty and transcendence of a prayer life, drawing from from Scripture and the saints offering guidance that is practical and down-to-earth — ‘Prayer is not optional….prayer is essential!’ Formed also offers short Daily Reflections videos for your daily inspiration on the Mass readings each day, under 10 minutes (https://app.formed.org/app/collections/121221) For teenagers, ‘Symbolon for Teens’ offers the 'big picture' of the Catholic Faith with the Creed as our guide, bringing together some of the most trusted Catholic teachers in the world (https://app.formed.org/app/collections/748875). Sign up for your free account at https://formed.org/signup, just enter your email, name and phone number; and select name of parish “St Mary's Catholic Cathedral”. On your phone, download the Formed app at the App Store and login. Questions? Contact the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Discover Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) with Sr Miriam Ruth, RSM
Learn about this programme focused on Jesus and the sacraments wherein children listen, wonder, and talk to God. Sessions are for current parish volunteers, parents, clergy, or anyone else interested. 2pm on Tuesday 7 July at 100 Strathearn Rd EH91BB or online at 700pm. Register at https://bit.ly/Goodshepherd1
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/augustconcerts1
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
Ordination of Rev Matthew McCafferty
The priestly ordination of Rev Matthew McCafferty takes place at 7:00pm on Friday 3 July at St Mary's, 9 Livery Street, Bathgate, EH48 4HS. Many of you will remember Deacon Matthew who served his summer placement here in 2023. Please keep him in your prayers as he prepares for ordination to the priesthood.
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
Marriage Preparation Course
The next parish Marriage Preparation Course is on Saturday 22nd August at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-4pm, with presentations by married couples. Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Christian Women’s Craft Group
Christian women are invited to join a craft group Saturday, 25th July, 1pm-3pm with crocheting, knitting, hand sewing and some nice chats. Tea/coffee, biscuits & buns available. 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. The next date will be Saturday, 29th August.
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. If you would like to explore this further, please contact our Finance officer, Caroline Reid, in the first instance at: finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Order of Malta Volunteer Opportunity
Do you have events management or fundraising skills? Each year, a very successful charity ball is arranged in Edinburgh to support the Order of Malta’s humanitarian projects in Scotland and the Holy Land. The organising committee is looking for anyone in the cathedral community with fundraising or events management experience, especially managing and improving a website or creating and printing posters and programmes. If you are interested, please contact Andrew Milligan at andrewecclesia@outlook.com
Discussion on Pope’s Encyclial Magnifica Humanitas
As artificial intelligence advances, the Pope’s new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas urges us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological innovation. Fr Patrick Akunne, OP, will lead part two of a two-session discussion on the encyclical on Tuesday 30th June from 6.15pm to 7.30pm in the Garden Room at St. Albert’s Catholic Chaplaincy. Entrance to the Garden Room is behind 24 George Square, EH8 9LD. Level access is from George Square Lane which is behind 23 and 24 George Square and beside Middle Meadow Walk. Drinks available, donation to the Albertus Institute by cash/card welcome.
Visit of relics of St Gerard Majella
The relics of St Gerard Majella will be at St Patrick's Church, The Cowgate, Edinburgh, on Saturday 18 July. Entrance of the relics at 10:00am with devotions and talk, Exposition of Blessed Sacrament at 11:30am. Mass at 12:30pm followed by blessing with the relics.
Faith Summer 2026 for Young Adults: Ampleforth Abbey, 27 July- 31 July
The Faith Movement is back at Ampleforth Abbey this summer for our annual summer session from 27 July - 31 July 2026. Our Catholic conference for young adults aged 16-30 is on ‘Who Am I? Identity, Destiny and What it Means to Be Human’. 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 or use the QR code.
Brecbannoch Pilgrimage 2026
A pilgrimage to pray for the renewal of the Faith in Scotland, from 31 July to 3 August, with a walk across the Isle of Mull, returning the relics of St Columba to Iona. Discounts are available for students and under-22s, and under-5s go free. Visit brecbannoch.co.uk
Vocations Weekend
Come and share in the life of the Cistercian Monks at Sancta Maria Abbey, East Lothian from Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August 2026. Join other single men under the age of 55 for prayers, reading, meditation, lectures and walk in a majectic rural setting. For more information or to register please email whitecastle200@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01620 830 223.
Catholic Medical Association
Join the Catholic Medical Association! Whether you are a doctor, nurse, student, or allied professional, join us to grow in fellowship, prayer and formation. For more information & upcoming events, visit:https://catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk
Family Holiday Activities
You never know how the British weather will go! Will it rain? Will it shine? Either way, there is plenty going on across the city this summer holidays for the whole family to enjoy. You can find a list of free and low-cost activities to do during the summer holidays on the Family Holiday Activities webpage of the City of Edinburgh Council Support for Families website: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/familyholidayactivities
Upcoming Retreat Opportunities: Scotland & England
Are you looking to step away from the busyness of daily life and deepen your relationship with God? A variety of wonderful Catholic retreat options are available across the UK to suit your spiritual needs. From the traditional Benedictine monastic rhythm at Pluscarden Abbey in Moray and Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire, to the peaceful woodland sanctuaries of St Mary's in Kinnoull and Minsteracres in County Durham, there is a space for everyone. Whether you desire a structured, guided Ignatian retreat, a silent Trappist experience, or simply a few days of private prayer and reflection, these holy sites warmly welcome pilgrims. Space fills up quickly, so please visit the respective abbey and retreat centre websites directly to view their current schedules and book your stay.