Sixteenth Sunday of the Year
Your Cathedral Needs You!
The happy band of linen volunteers who wash and prepare the linen used in the celebration of our liturgies are in need of some willing helpers to join in with this task. It involves collecting the used linen on a Sunday and then taking it home, washing and ironing and then returning it by the following Saturday. Training will be provided and you will take a turn in the rota (so the more the merrier)! If you would like to join the “band of lineneers” then please contact Deacon Peter in the office at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Scam Emails
Several people have received scam emails in Fr Jeremy's name recently using an email address starting 'pastor'. Please be vigilant and do not respond to these emails.
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 in the Eucharist.
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.
What’s On Formed: ‘The Ulmas: A Blessed Family,’ St. Bridget of Sweden
Enrich your knowledge of the Catholic faith enjoying videos available with your free account on Formed.org. This week on Formed is ‘The Ulmas: A Blessed Family’ about the heroic Ulma family in Poland who gave their lives to save Jewish people, and were all Beatified in 2023 (https://app.formed.org/app/collections/1504007). The film shows the clash of two worlds - Nazi Germany and a Polish Catholic family. As the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden 23 July, watch ‘St. Bridget of Sweden’, a discussion on this medieval married whose visions greatly influenced Christian art (https://app.formed.org/app/videos/2760681). Use the Search feature to find videos. Sign up for a free account at https://formed.org/signup, 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? Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Save the Date: Festival Mass
Sunday, 16 August: His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate the annual Festival Mass at Noon at the Cathedral. Join us at the start of the week of our Cathedral’s patronal feast - the Assumption, which falls on 15th August – during Edinburgh’s International Festival.
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
Next Saturday: Christian Women’s Craft Group
Christian women are invited to join a craft group next 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.
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.
Jesus Prayer in the Cathedral
A small group of parishioners meet each Tuesday at 1:45pm in St Andrew's Aisle to pray the Jesus Prayer. This is a very ancient form of Christian Prayer that goes right back to the roots of early Christian monasticism. It centres around the praying of the phrase "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner," a prayer of contemplative intercession, healing, unity and reconciliation, for the healing of the Church, the world and all people. We welcome new members. You are invited to bring your Rosary beads with you to follow this prayer.
Ravelston Race Night: Sponsors needed!
We are looking for sponsors for 7 races and 56 horses ahead of the Race Night on Friday 18 September. Any race or horse you sponsor you get to name, so have one picked out! Races are £25 each, horses are £5 each. Cash only. Sponsors including the money and names for the races and horses need to be finalised by the end of August. Please see Emily to sign up or email Fergus at ferguschristie7@gmail.com.
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
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.
Faslane Christian Peace Witness Vigil
Join Justice & Peace Scotland at Faslane Naval Base on Saturday 1 August, 11:00am to 12:30pm for the annual Christian Peace Witness Vigil to pray and advocate for a world without nuclear weapons. A free bus service will depart from Waterloo Place outside Waverley Station, Edinburgh, at 8:15am. Reserve your space by emailing office@justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk
Altar Servers
The Annual Day for Altar Servers takes place on Saturday 5 September from 10:30am to 3:00pm at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. Please speak to Fr Joshua for details.
September March for Life in London – Big-Discount Travel Offer
Travel to the March for Life in London on Saturday, 5 September for just £40 return (usual full return fare is over £100). The March for Life is the UK's largest pro-life event, bringing together thousands of people for Mass, family and youth activities, and a peaceful march through central London. The Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office is offering a limited number of big-discount return train tickets to this year's event. The day includes 10:30am Mass at Westminster Cathedral, Pro-Life Youth and Family Summits (Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, SW1P 3NT) and the 1:30pm March for Life. Leave Edinburgh Waverley by LNER train 5:37am arriving at Kings Cross 9:50am. You will be responsible for your own travel between Kings Cross and the March locations so you must be confident travelling independently on the Transport for London network. 5:30pm LNER train departs Kings Cross, arriving Edinburgh at 9:39pm. To secure your discounted ticket visit bit.ly/archtravel. Full details about the March for Life at https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/2026-event-page/
Season of Creation Conference
A day of inspiration, reflection and practical action to celebrate the Season of Creation. Saturday 5 September 2026, 10:00am - 3:00pm, Eyre Hall, Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JY. The keynote speaker is Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement. Register: bit.ly/SeasonofCreation26
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage
This year's pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 20 September at St Patrick's Church in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. It's the annual opportunity to come together to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair, entombed in the Sacred Heart chapel at St Patrick's. Schedule: 12:30pm - Sale of candles & goods, refreshments; 1:30pm - Holy Hour (exposition and benediction); 3:00pm - Reflection from Canon Jock Dalrymple; 4:30pm - Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley (Homilist: Fr Michael John Galbraith).
Save the Date: National Youth Pilgrimage, Ages 18-35
The National Youth Pilgrimage (for ages 18–35) will take place on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Pluscarden Abbey. Set in the quiet of the Moray countryside, the Abbey is one of the most important monastic sites in Scotland, offering a place of prayer, silence, and spiritual renewal within the life of the Church. This year’s pilgrimage will focus on religious and monastic life and will include a tour of the Abbey, a Q&A with the monks, talks on vocation, and a Vigil Mass with Archbishop Cushley. Young adults are invited to travel with the Archdiocese. To register or enquire, please contact: youth.office@staned.org.uk.
World Youth Day 2027
World Youth Day takes place in Seoul, South Korea, from 1-9 August 2027. Young adults are invited to travel with the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh: Departure 1 August and return on 9 August 2027. For more information email youth.office@staned.org.uk
Plaque Unveiling for 150th Year of Hiberinian FC
On Thursday, 6 August 2026, Hibernian FC celebrates its 150th anniversary! The St Patrick's Branch will mark the occasion by unveiling a commemorative plaque as the grand finale to the celebrations. Come along to the Cowgate Entrance Gates of St. Patrick’s Church EH1 1TQ for the 7:00pm unveiling. The event will be preceded by a 5:00pm 90-minute walking tour of the surrounding streets and areas of interest to all Hiberinians. Contact 0131 556 1973, stpatricksparish@outlook.com. We hope Hibs FC players and staff will be present.
Craig Lodge – Mid-Week “Living Waters Retreats”
Pray mid-week at Craig Lodge House of Prayer in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. “Living Water Retreats” run Tuesday lunchtime to Thursday lunchtime with prayer of the Divine Office every morning and evening, praise and worship, Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and (usually) the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Questions: mail@craiglodge.org. Book a retreat and view a short video about the retreats at https://www.craiglodge.org/events. Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR.
Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts
Now in its 8th year, Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts is an integral part of the Fringe and brings churches, artists, performers and musicians together to contribute significantly to the cultural life of the city at Festival time. The 2026 Festival of the Sacred Arts runs from Sunday, 16 August to Saturday, 22 August. The week includes recitals, competition finals, poetry readings, drama and film screening and an art exhibition. In addition to the performance on Monday, 17 August here at our own Cathedral, the wide range of additional peformances includes O for a Thousand Tongues: Celebrating ‘The Musical Wesleys’ on Wednesday, 19th August 7:30pm, (Adult: £16.50, Child: £11.50) at Church of the Sacred Heart, Lauriston St EH3 9DJ, with the Sacred Arts Festival Singers and a brass ensemble from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. View the full Festival of the Sacred Arts programme and buy tickets at https://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/programme