22nd Sunday of the Year – Year C

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £285,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Click here to donate to the Cathedral Building Fund

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can also be made:

• by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

• By bank transfer

Please remember to Gift Aid it 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!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST – LAST CHANCE!

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in July/August up to £50,000. Today is the last chance to donate to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

Deadline Today: Pilgrims of Pentecost: Young Adults 2026 Rome Pilgrimage

Register by today, Sunday, 31 August, to join the Young Adult Pilgrimage 19-25th May 2026 to Rome for the great feast of Pentecost! The pilgrimage will include an audience with Pope Leo XIV, visit to the papal basilicas and Castel Gandolfo, a vigil at the Scots College and Mass in the Pantheon followed by the iconic petal drop. Deposit £500, total price approx £1,250. Accommodation is bed & breakfast. Register directly, e-mail tamara.tahhan@travelcounsellors.com

Parish Council Meeting this Week – Email Your Input

The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is this Thursday, 4 September. Please e-mail the Parish Council at parishcouncil@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with your comments and suggestions for our parish. The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 11 June are available on the noticeboard in the Octagon and on the parish website: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/parish-council-minutes Thank you!

Visit of Relics of Carlo Acutis at the Cathedral — Bookshop Items Available

The relics of soon-to-be-saint Blessed Carlo Acutis will visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025. Blessed Carlo will be the first millennial saint, who is also renowned for his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world www.miracolieucaristici.org. His canonisation is set for 7th September, meaning Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Schedule: Saturday, 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sunday, 14 September, Noon Mass; Monday, 15 September, 12:45pm Mass for Schools. BOOKSHOP: Our St. Pauls Bookshop has a variety of books about Blessed Carlo Acutis currently in stock, as well as prayer cards, medals, icons and keychains with his image. Stop in the shop today!

Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links.

First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

If you have questions or need any other information, contact Fr. Robert: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Fire Safety Awareness Training This Week

The Fire Safety training session is at Gillis on Thursday 4 September 2025 (available times are 10:00am, 2:00pm or 6:30pm) for all parish volunteers (including cleaners, pass keepers, etc). The sessions are for 2 hours. Visit https://bit.ly/FireSafety2025 for details and registration.

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

New Edinburgh Branch for Society for the Protection of Unborn Children

Join us in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston rooms on Wednesday, 10th September at 7:00pm for a meeting to establish a new Edinburgh Branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. All are warmly invited to attend. Come along to find out how you can help SPUC to build a culture of life locally and nationally. For further details, please contact Terry Graham, SPUC Youth & Grassroots Manager, on 07549 068226 or by email at terrygraham@spuc.org.uk To learn about SPUC visit

Volunteer Appeal – Cathedral Flower Arranging Teams

As we are sure you have noticed, we always have a beautiful display of flowers in the cathedral. These displays are prepared by teams of volunteers who take it in turn to meet on a Friday or Saturday, once a month for each team, to arrange the flowers for the weekend Masses. Due to volunteers moving on, we are in urgent need of new volunteers to join our Saturday morning teams, although we would welcome volunteers for our Friday morning sessions as well. So, if you have an interest in displaying flowers for our cathedral then please consider volunteering for this ministry. Previous experience or skills in this area are welcomed but not required, because you can get guidance from an experienced team leader. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com

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.

“Communion with the crucified and Risen Lord is the never-ending source from which the Church draws unceasingly in order to live in freedom, to give of herself and to serve.” (St. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter, Veritatis Splendor)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, all are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.

Tickets on Sale for Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

Tickets are on sale after 10:30am Mass at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston today for our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm, or to request tickets, email standrewsevents1901@gmail.com. Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale next weekend! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods. *Please note that all stalls will be cash only on the day.*

BBQ Stall Donations: Books, Bric a Brac & Bottles for the Tombola

Donations for all these stalls can be left at the back of the church before Mass today or given to the BBQ reps who will be available to collect in donations after Mass until 12.30. Additionally, you can drop off donations with Marie or Pat at the church next Friday, 5th September between 10am and 12noon. We are especially looking for a selection of bottles for the tombola, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Please make sure to label your donations with the appropriate stall name. Donations of plants and cakes would also be most welcome and can be brought on the day of the BBQ. Thank you! Queries? Contact standrewsevents1901@gmail.com

Legion of Mary — Students and Professionals

The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics that gives service to the Church on a voluntary basis around the world. Under the powerful leadership and with the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, the members continue to form themselves with prayer and holiness, for service in the Church's work. The Legion of Mary operates in groups called a Praesidium. In Edinburgh, the Cathedral Praesidium bears the name "Our Lady Cause of Our Joy" and meets every Monday at 7:00pm, in 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. The group is a mix of male and female, students, professionals and others of diverse cultures from different countries. For more information, please contact Emmy—07879074240 or Rosa—07868842099

Seek the Plenary Indulgence in the Jubilee Year of Hope

All are encouraged to seek the Plenary Indulgence available during this Jubilee Year of Hope, a special year of grace occurring once every 25 years. A plenary indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven and can be gained by visiting the Jubilee Cross here St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, or Schoenstatt Retreat Centre, Glasgow G66 7AT (www.schoenstatt.co.uk) throughout this Holy Year with the following conditions: a detachment from sin; going to confession; receiving Holy Communion; praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. The decree for the indulgence also states that you can also receive an indulgence for the deceased: “the faithful who have carried out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in Purgatory, if they receive Holy Communion a second time that day, can obtain the plenary indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased (this must take place within a Eucharistic celebration).” The Jubilee Year will conclude on January 6, 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door in Rome. Read more about plenary indulgences https://bit.ly/Jubilee-Indulgence-How

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Red Mass

His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the Mass, marking the start of the new legal year.

Fife Pilgrim Way – 2nd Stage: St Margaret's Memorial Church, Dunfermline, to St Joseph's, Kelty

Join in the Fife Pilgrim Way walking in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims. The 2nd stage of the pilgrimage will be on Saturday, 6 September, from 11:00am walking from St. Margaret's Memorial Church, Dunfermline, to St Joseph's, Kelty. Bring a packed lunch. A great way to mark the Jubilee Year. No registration required. Distance: 8.5/9 miles and estimated time is 3-4 hours, plus breaks. Queries to Deacon Pat Carrigan at obl.columba@gmail.com. Full details about the next Saturdays of the walk are available at https://bit.ly/FifeWay-Saturdays

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine at 3:00pm. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Silent No More: A North Korean Christian Testimony

Hear the testimony of a Christian who escaped the brutal regime in North Korea. Aid to the Church in Need is sponsoring an event featuring Timothy Cho, a human rights activist who will share his testimony of a land where Christianity is outlawed and the faithful are driven underground. Join us Wednesday 10 September, St Joseph’s Church Hall, Clarkston, East Renfrewshire G76 7BT, 7pm – 9pm. Book at https://bit.ly/SilentNoMore-NorthKorea-10Sep25

National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth for Ages 18+

This takes place on Saturday 20 September, meeting at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull, at 12:30pm. A full day of activities includes historic site visits, talks, and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley. If you wish to join fellow pilgrims (18+) from the Archdiocese travelling by train to Perth from Stirling, Falkirk and Edinburgh please contact Sr Isabelle Dufaux FSO at youth.office@staned.org.uk

Venerable Margaret Sinclair Centenary Pilgrimage

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Details on Venerable Margaret Sinclair are available at https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Universalis App and Website - Pray with the Church

The Universalis App gives the readings at Mass for every day, past, present and future, and the entire Liturgy of the Hours: Morning, Mid-Morning, Midday, Afternoon, Evening and Night Prayer plus the Office of Readings. Get it for £9.99 from Google Play or the App Store. Optional add-on subscriptions let you sit back and listen, as well as read. For a preview, visit the Universalis website. See readings for today & a few days ahead https://universalis.com/mass.htm

Read the newsletter for 31st August (pdf)

21st Sunday of the Year – Year C

Cathedral Roof Appeal

We’ve now raised £260,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections

Blue Building Fund envelopes are available at the back of the church if you wish to Gift Aid your donation.

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Donations are gratefully received at any time, thank you for your support!

Click here to donate to the Cathedral building fund

You can donate on the 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’

• by bank transfer

• Please remember to add Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer.

Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST –

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

Join us onMonday, 25 August, for our first talk in our new series of St. Andrew’s Talks. Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” This series will have the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Relics of Soon-to-Be-Saint, Carlo Acutis, at the Cathedral

The relics of soon-to-be-saint Blessed Carlo Acutis will visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025. Blessed Carlo will be the first millennial saint, who is also renowned for his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world www.miracolieucaristici.org. His canonisation is set for 7th September, meaning Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Schedule: Saturday, 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sunday, 14 September, Noon Mass; Monday, 15 September, 12:45pm Mass for Schools. “Since he was a child … he had his gaze turned to Jesus. Love for the Eucharist was the foundation that kept alive his relationship with God. He often said, ‘The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.’” (Agostino Cardinal Vallini, homily at beatification of Carlo Acutis, 2020)

Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links.

First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

If you have questions or need any other information, contact Fr. Robert: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Training Session This Saturday for Mass Setup at Ravelston

St Josemaria Escriva once said “Have you ever thought how you would prepare to receive Our Lord if you could go to Communion only once in your life? We must be thankful to God that He makes it so easy for us to come to Him: but we should show our gratitude by preparing ourselves very well to receive Him.” As much as we must prepare ourselves, the church must also be prepared and we need help at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, to prepare Mass. We are urgently looking for people who can commit to attending the celebration of Mass (Sunday to Friday), to join the great team of existing sacristans, setting up the altar and taking care of the altar linens. Ravelston Masses are Sundays at 10:30am Mass and Monday to Friday at 6:00pm. If we have enough people, this can mean the undertaking will only be a few times per month and takes about 15 minutes. A training session will be held this Saturday 30th August at St Andrew’s Church from 10.30am until 11.30am which will provide all the information you need. If you might be interested in the training or have any questions, please just drop an email to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or call 0131 556 1798.

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 none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:7-9)

Tickets on Sale for Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

Tickets are on sale after 10:30am Mass at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston today for our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm, or to request tickets, email standrewsevents1901@gmail.com. Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale next weekend! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods. *Please note that all stalls will be cash only on the day.*

BBQ Stall Donations: Books, Bric a Brac & Bottles for the Tombola

From next weekend, donations for all these stalls can be left at the back of the church before Mass or given to the BBQ reps who will be available to collect in donations after Mass until 12.30. We are especially looking for a selection of bottles for the tombola, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Please make sure to label your donations with the appropriate stall name. Donations of plants and cakes would also be most welcome and can be brought on the day of the BBQ. Thank you! Queries? Contact standrewsevents1901@gmail.com

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Can You Lend a Hand in the Jubilee Year?

The support of our parishioners in this Jubilee Year is needed more than ever: Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Altar Servers, Passkeepers, Money counters, St. Andrew’s rooms team, Choir, Cleaners, Flower arrangers, Youth Group leaders and Events helpers. Please take one of the blue postcards, tick the boxes of areas where you can help, include your email address, fold the card and place it in the marked box at the back of church and we will be in touch! We ask that you prayerfully consider staying on as a parish volunteer even after the Jubilee Year concludes on 6 January 2026. Thank you!

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women Resumes

Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all welcome to join us next Saturday, 30 August, 3:45pm-4:45pm in the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments and a short video input from Bishop Robert Barron on the Mass, titled ‘Responding to God.’ We will have opportunity for discussion to follow. Participants are also welcome to join the Religious Sisters of Mercy at their convent for Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm. To register, email the Sisters at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children - New Edinburgh Branch

Join us in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston rooms on Wednesday, 10th September at 7:00pm for a meeting to establish a new Edinburgh Branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. All are warmly invited to attend. Come along to find out how you can help SPUC to build a culture of life locally and nationally. For further details, please contact Terry Graham, SPUC Youth & Grassroots Manager, on 07549 068226 or by email at terrygraham@spuc.org.uk

Save the Date: Youth Group for P3-P7 Begins in October

The Youth Group will return on Sunday, 5th October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration Fee: £1.00.

Pilgrims of Pentecost: Young Adults 2026 Rome Pilgrimage

Join the Young Adult Pilgrimage 19-25th May 2026 to Rome for the great feast of Pentecost! The pilgrimage will include an audience with Pope Leo XIV, visit to the papal basilicas and Castel Gandolfo, a vigil at the Scots College and Mass in the Pantheon followed by the iconic petal drop. Register by next Sunday, 31 August 2025. Deposit £500, total price approx £1,250. Accommodation is bed & breakfast. Register directly, e-mail tamara.tahhan@travelcounsellors.com

Seek the Plenary Indulgence in the Jubilee Year of Hope

All are encouraged to seek the Plenary Indulgence available during this Jubilee Year of Hope, a special year of grace occurring once every 25 years. A plenary indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven and can be gained by visiting the Jubilee Cross here St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, or Schoenstatt Retreat Centre throughout this Holy Year with the following conditions: a detachment from sin; going to confession; receiving Holy Communion; praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. The decree for the indulgence also states that you can also receive an indulgence for the deceased: “the faithful who have carried out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in Purgatory, if they receive Holy Communion a second time that day, can obtain the plenary indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased (this must take place within a Eucharistic celebration).” The Jubilee Year will conclude on January 6, 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door in Rome. Read more about plenary indulgences https://bit.ly/Jubilee-Indulgence-How

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Walk the Fife Pilgrim Way in Six Saturdays!

Walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims on the Fife Pilgrim Way over six Saturdays, beginning 30 August. Meet at 11:00am at the Fife Pilgrim Way information board, Battery Rd, North Queensferry, walking to St Margaret's, Dunfermline. Bring a packed lunch. A great way to mark the Jubilee Year. No registration required. Distance: 8.5/9 miles and estimated time is 3-4 hours, plus breaks. Queries to Deacon Pat Carrigan at obl.columba@gmail.com. View the route at https://bit.ly/FifeWay-2025. Full details about the six Saturdays are available at https://bit.ly/FifeWay-Saturdays

Pilgrimage to Whithorn in Honour of St. Ninian

The National Pilgrimage to Whithorn in honour of St Ninian will take place on Sunday 31 August. Mass at St Ninian’s Cave will be celebrated at 4:00pm outdoors on the beach of Port Castle Bay at 4 pm and for those unable to walk to the shore, Mass will be at 4.45 pm in the Church of St Martin and St. Ninian (DG8 8PZ). Full details are available in the news section at https://rcdg.org.uk/

Peace with Creation Zoom Sessions

The national Care of Creation Office has organised a series of Zoom sessions with the theme Peace with Creation, 7:00pm-9:00pm each Thursday, beginning on 4 September. Each week features a guest speaker. Register at https://bit.ly/Peace-Creation-2025

Season of Creation Conference

The Bishops’ Office for Care of Creation invites you to its National Season of Creation Conference on Saturday 6 September 2025 in St. Margaret’s, Raploch, Stirling, FK9 4UA, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Special guest is Lorna Gold, the Executive Director of the global Laudato Si Movement. Registration and details at www.bcos.org.uk/scc25

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine at 3:00pm. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth for Ages 18+

This takes place on Saturday 20 September, meeting at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull, at 12:30pm. A full day of activities includes historic site visits, talks, and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley. If you wish to join fellow pilgrims (18+) from the Archdiocese travelling by train to Perth from Stirling, Falkirk and Edinburgh please contact Sr Isabelle Dufaux FSO at youth.office@staned.org.uk

Looking to Deepen Your Faith? Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Apply now to study an MA in Applied Catholic Theology in Scotland. Evening classes, in person and online, with support funding available. To speak to the Course Lead, Stephen Dolan, in person email: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk Details at bit.ly/catholictheology

Read the newsletter for 24th August (pdf)

20th Sunday of the Year

Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links.

First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

If you have questions or need any other information, contact Fr. Robert: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

The Cathedral Roof Update

After close to two years of preparation, work has finally commenced! Our scaffolding is up and work on the roof of the chancel has begun and has already found additional issues that were unknown even with all the surveys done. These include defects around the lead hip flashings – at the join of the sloped roofs – which has allowed water ingress and decay to the timber sarking boards below. The existing slating around the chancel roof flashings are in poorer condition than expected, and investigations of the sarking will help better understand the additional repairs required. Work on the stonework is required to sections of above the chancel north elevation windows, with stone having been purchased for these repairs. Redundant metal fixings in the chancel stonework are corroding, causing damage to the surrounding stone. These will be removed, and the holes repointed with lime mortar. Also, a cracked pane of Georgian wired glazing to the rooflight above the Shrine of St Andrew is going to be replaced alongside the other glazing works. Thank you very much to all who have contributed to our Roof Appeal to raise £500,000. As you can see it is going to be needed as we continue with Phase 1 of this project. Many thanks again for all your generosity and support! – Darlene

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £260,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – The next summer collection for our Cathedral Building Fund is this weekend 16/17 August. Blue Building Fund envelopes are available at the back of the church if you wish to Gift Aid your donation.

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Click here to donate to the building fund

Donations are gratefully received at any time:

• by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

• by bank transfer

Please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer. Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

Appeal for Help to Set Up Mass in Ravelston — Training Session Offered

St Josemaria Escriva once said “Have you ever thought how you would prepare to receive Our Lord if you could go to Communion only once in your life? We must be thankful to God that He makes it so easy for us to come to Him: but we should show our gratitude by preparing ourselves very well to receive Him.” As much as we must prepare ourselves, the church must also be prepared and we need help at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, to prepare Mass. We are urgently looking for people who can commit to attending the celebration of Mass (Sunday to Friday), to join the great team of existing sacristans, setting up the altar and taking care of the altar linens. Ravelston Masses are Sundays at 10:30am Mass and Monday to Friday at 6:00pm. If we have enough people, this can mean the undertaking will only be a few times per month and takes about 15 minutes. A training session will be held on Saturday 30th August at St Andrew’s Church from 10.30am until 11.30am which will provide all the information you need. If you might be interested in the training or have any questions, please just drop an email to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or call 0131 556 1798.

Today: Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic

All are welcome to the Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic today, Sunday, 17 August, 1:00pm-3:00pm at St. Andrew's Church gardens and parish rooms, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Come along for good food, great fellowship and games for the children. Questions? Email edinburgh@fssp.org

Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting this Wednesday, 20th August, 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/

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.

“Jesus told us: ‘I am the way’ (Jn 14:6): it is He who accompanies us, leads us, strengthens us along the way. His Spirit opens our eyes and makes us see what we would not be able to understand by ourselves.” (Pope Leo XIV)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, all are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.

Next Monday: St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

Mark your diary for the first talk in our new series of St. Andrew’s Talks. Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age” on Monday, 25 August. This series will have the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women Resumes

Come along Saturday, 30 August, 3:45pm-4:45pm to the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments, a short video input from Bishop Robert Barron on the Mass, titled ‘Responding to God,’ and a discussion to follow. Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all warmly welcome! Participants are also welcome to join the Religious Sisters of Mercy at their convent for Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm. To register, email the Sisters at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

Save the Date: Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

All are welcome to our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm! Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale next weekend! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods. ** Please note that all stalls will be cash only on the day. **

BBQ Stall Donations: Books, Bric a Brac & Bottle Tombola

From next weekend, donations for all these stalls can be left at the back of the church before Mass or given to the BBQ reps who will be available to collect in donations after Mass until 12.30. Please make sure to label your donations with the appropriate stall name. Donations of plants and cakes would also be most welcome and can be brought on the day of the BBQ. Thank you! Queries? Contact standrewsevents1901@gmail.com

Relics of Soon-to-Be-Saint, Carlo Acutis, at the Cathedral

The relics of soon-to-be-saint, Blessed Carlo Acutis, known as the “Apostle of the Eucharist,” will visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025. His canonisation is set for 7th September, meaning Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Saturday 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sun 14 Sep - Midday Mass; Mon 15 Sep - 12:45pm Mass for Schools. Carlo will be the first millennial saint, who is also renowned for his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world www.miracolieucaristici.org/. “Since he was a child … he had his gaze turned to Jesus. Love for the Eucharist was the foundation that kept alive his relationship with God. He often said,

‘The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.’” (Agostino Cardinal Vallini, homily at beatification of Carlo Acutis, 2020)

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Ask Peers to Oppose Assisted Suicide Bill

The assisted suicide Bill can still be defeated. On 20 June, the bill passed its Third Reading House of Commons by only 23 votes. It is expected to return to Parliament on 12th September with further scrutiny and debate. If it is to become law, the Bill must be supported by the Lords. It is critically important that Peers in the House of Lords be informed of many problems with the Bill and how introducing assisted suicide would put vulnerable people at risk. Use this simple tool to enter your post code and ask Peers to oppose the assisted suicide bill. It takes less than 30 seconds!: https://righttolife.org.uk/aspeers

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Pilgrimage Walk of Hope: See Where Mary’s Meals Began

Mary’s Meals warmly invites you to join their Pilgrimage Walk of Hope. This event will take place on Saturday 30 August from 10.30am to 3.45pm at Craig Lodge House of Prayer, Dalmally, Argyll PA33 1AR. In this Jubilee Year, join members of the Mary’s Meals team and supporters as we walk together, reflecting on stories of hope and praying for our mission. The day will include Mass and the opportunity to see The Shed where Mary’s Meals began. Book your place at: https://MMWalkOfHope.eventbrite.co.uk

National Pilgrimage to Whithorn

The National Pilgrimage to Whithorn in honour of St Ninian will take place on Sunday 31 August. Mass at St Ninian’s Cave will be celebrated at 4:00pm outdoors on the beach of Port Castle Bay at 4 pm and for those unable to walk to the shore, Mass will be at 4.45 pm in the Church of St Martin and St. Ninian (DG8 8PZ). Full details are available in the news section at https://rcdg.org.uk/

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Looking to Deepen Your Faith? Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Apply now to study an MA in Applied Catholic Theology in Scotland. Evening classes, in person and online, with support funding available. To speak to the Course Lead, Stephen Dolan, in person email: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology

Beginning Experience for Those Suffering Bereavement

Are you suffering grief, loss or loneliness following a bereavement. The Beginning Experience are holding a weekend away to support you in your loss either through divorce, separation or widowhood. It takes place from 26-28 September 2025 at Conforti Centre, Coatbridge. For details contact Maggie on 01389 751677 or email beginningexperiencescotland2@gmail.com Applications to be returned by 12 September 2025.

St. Michael’s Lent

St. Michael's Lent is a 40-day period of fasting observed in the Catholic Church, starting from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 and ending on Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, on September 29. This tradition, rooted in Franciscan spirituality, involves prayer, asceticism, and honouring both the Blessed Virgin and St. Michael. During this time participants are encouraged to fast or make daily sacrifices, pray daily (the Prayer to St. Michael and the Litany of St. Michael are recommended), and regular participation in Mass and Confession is encouraged. Learn more from EWTN UK at https://ewtn.co.uk/chpop-what-is-saint-michaels-lent-the-powerful-little-known-tradition-we-need-for-our-times/ The website of the Michaelite Fathers’ (an order founded in Poland in 1842) includes the Prayer to St. Michael and the Litany of St. Michael http://www.michaelites.ca/prayers.html.

Silent No More: A North Korean Christian Testimony

Hear the powerful testimony of a Christian who escaped the brutal regime in North Korea. Aid to the Church in Need is sponsoring an event featuring a North Korean defector sharing his remarkable story of survival, courage, and hope. Join us for this free event on Wednesday 10th September, St Joseph’s Church Hall, Clarkston, East Renfrewshire G76 7BT, 7pm – 9pm. Timothy Cho, a North Korean defector and human rights activist, will share his personal experience in a land where Christianity is outlawed and the faithful are driven underground. Book at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FDYV For more information, please contact the ACN Scotland office at scotland@acnuk.org or call 01698 337 470.

Read the newsletter for 17th August (pdf)

19th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Festival Mass

Today Sunday, 10 August: His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, celebrates the Festival Mass at Noon at the Cathedral. The Festival Mass is celebrated each year on the 2nd Sunday of August. We welcome dignitaries from across the city, including the Lord Provost and City Councillors, representatives of the Consular Corps in Edinburgh, the High Constables, and other guests. The Festival Mass comes at the start of the week where we celebrate the Cathedral’s patronal feast - the Assumption.

Friday is the Assumption and is a Holy Day of Obligation

This Friday, 15th August, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is our patronal feast. It is a Holy Day of Obligation meaning all Catholics are obliged to go to Mass. Masses in English will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 8am, 10:00am and 12:45pm, and at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston at 6:00pm. Polish Masses at the Cathedral will be at 11:15am and 6:00pm.

“The dogma of the Virgin Mary's Assumption into heaven is contained in the deposit of Christian faith entrusted to the Church.” (Pope Pius XII, Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, 1950)

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £248,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – The next summer collection for our Cathedral Building Fund will be next weekend 16/17 August. There are some blue Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation at the back of the church.

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

Donate to the building fund here

• by cash/cheque* sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD) cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

• by bank transfer

Please remember to Gift Aid it if you can, if you are a UK taxpayer.

Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money! 

Young Adults: Lectio Divina on the Gospel for Solemnity of the Assumption

Young Adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us for a Lectio Divina on Luke 1:39:56, the Gospel for the Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we will celebrate on Friday, 15th August. Join us tomorrow, Monday, 11th August as we prepare for this great feast of Our Lady with a prayerful reading of the Gospel passage and take some time to reflect together on the Scripture reading. Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm, with a trip to pub thereafter.

Tuesday 12 August: “Faith in the Footlights” as part ofthe Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts

Musical theatre is often dismissed as trivial, shallow and essentially secular. Professor Ian Bradley challenges this, arguing in his book You’ve Got to Have a Dream that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”.

On Tuesday, 12 August at 7:30pm, join Professor Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual implications of some of our best-loved musicals. The concert is the fourth in our series of yearly partnerships with the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and follows the very successful sacred jazz event last summer. Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights

Appeal for Help to Set Up Mass in Ravelston — Training Session Offered

St Josemaria Escriva once said “Have you ever thought how you would prepare to receive Our Lord if you could go to Communion only once in your life? We must be thankful to God that He makes it so easy for us to come to Him: but we should show our gratitude by preparing ourselves very well to receive Him.” As much as we must prepare ourselves, the church must also be prepared and we need help at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, to prepare Mass. We are urgently looking for people who can commit to attending the celebration of Mass (Sunday to Friday), to join the great team of existing sacristans, setting up the altar and taking care of the altar linens. Ravelston Masses are Sundays at 10:30am Mass and Monday to Friday at 6:00pm. If we have enough people, this can mean the undertaking will only be a few times per month and takes about 15 minutes. A training session will be held on Saturday 30th August at St Andrew’s Church from 10.30am until 11.30am which will provide all the information you need. No booking is needed, please do come along.

Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 20th August, 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/

Book on Life Story of 'Hibs priest' Now Available in St Pauls Bookshop!

Visit the Cathedral’s St Pauls Bookshop today and pick up your copy of Edinburgh’s First Hibernian, beautifully illustrated with numerous colour photos, and impressively well-researched, the book tells the life story of the Edinburgh priest Fr. Edward Hannan who helped found Hibernian Football Club and served the poor and destitute in the city. Written by Mike Hennessy, a native of Edinburgh, the book is the first biography of Fr. Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh. While parish priest at St Patrick's, Cowgate EH1 1TQ, he worked tirelessly in Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime. Details about Fr. Hannan and the book are at https://stpatricksedinburgh.com/hibernian-fc-canon-hannan/ Get your copy of this amazing and inspiring book today! Hardcover £25. The bookshop is open 10:00am to 5:30pm, 7 days a week.

St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

A new series of St. Andrew’s Talks is set to begin this month, with the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass on Monday, 25 August for our first talk by Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, who will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” Refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration

Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the celebration of 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.

“The light of God’s face shines in all its beauty on the countenance of Jesus Christ, ‘the image of the invisible God’ (Col. 1:15)…the decisive answer to every one of man’s questions, his religious and moral questions in particular, is given by Jesus Christ, or rather is Jesus Christ himself…” (St. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, all are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.

Marriage Preparation Courses

The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday, 16th August and Saturday, 22nd November, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

All are welcome to our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm! Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale soon! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods. Please note that all stalls will be cash only on the day.

Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic

All are welcome to the Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic next Sunday, 17 August, 1:00pm-3:00pm at St. Andrew's Church gardens and parish rooms, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Come along for good food, great fellowship and games for the children. Questions? Email edinburgh@fssp.org

Relics of Soon-to-Be-Saint, Carlo Acutis, at the Cathedral

The relics of Carlo Acutis visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025, by which time he will be a saint of the Church! His canonisation is set for 7th September. Schedule: Sat 13 Sep - 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sun 14 Sep - Midday Mass; Mon 15 Sep - 12:45pm Mass for Schools.

Final Vows: Sr. Maria Guadalupe, RSM

Please keep in your prayers Sister Maria Guadalupe, RSM, who will make her Profession of Perpetual Vows as a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, USA, on Saturday, 16th August at 10:30am EST (3:30pm BST) at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Watch via livestream at https://saginaw.org/cathedral-live Many of you will remember Sr. Maria Guadalupe from her service here in the Archdiocese during 2019. Earlier in the week, Sr. Miriam Ruth, RSM, will be one of several Sisters renewing their vows on Thursday, 14 August, as they continue their preparation to profess Perpetual Vows in the coming years. The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma (www.almamercy.org) are based at St Andrew's Convent in Ravelston, Edinburgh. Contact: edinburgh@almamercy.org

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you, or someone you know, would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

The Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. This year we will be in the presence of a saint - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! This is a day of faith, formation and fun, and concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Donate to African Missions

Next weekend the Archdiocese encourages us to donate to African Missions & Holy Places. It supports missionary work in Africa, including evangelisation, education, and healthcare initiatives. It also helps maintain Christian holy places in Jerusalem, which are important pilgrimage sites. Online donations via the Archdiocese can be made at bit.ly/missionsholyplaces

Looking to Deepen Your Faith? Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Apply now to study an MA in Applied Catholic Theology in Scotland. Evening classes, in person and online, with support funding available. To speak to the Course Lead, Stephen Dolan, in person email: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk Details at bit.ly/catholictheology

National Pilgrimage to Whithorn

The National Pilgrimage to Whithorn in honour of St Ninian will take place on Sunday 31 August. Mass at St Ninian’s Cave will be celebrated at 4:00pm outdoors on the beach of Port Castle Bay at 4 pm and for those unable to walk to the shore, Mass will be at 4.45 pm in the Church of St Martin and St. Further details are in the news section at https://rcdg.org.uk/

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival

An initiative of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation, the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival is from Sunday, 10 August to Saturday, 16 August 2025. Visit https://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/ for details.

Seoul World Youth Day 2027 - “Take courage!”

Join young Catholics from around the worlds, converging in faith for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul. Travel with the Archdiocese. Register your interest today at youth.office@staned.org.uk Learn more about the WYD event at https://wydseoul.org/en

Read the newsletter for 19th August (pdf)

18th Sunday of the Year – Year C

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £240,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections

On weekends during the summer we will be taking a second collection for the building fund. The dates are this weekend and 16/17 August. There will be some Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation. You can pick these up at the back of the church.

This weekend, we have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund

In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

Donate to the building fund here

You can donate by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). or via bank transfer.

Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer.

Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN JULY AND AUGUST

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in July and August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

Festival Mass Next Sunday

Next Sunday, 10 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.

Tuesday 12 August: “Faith in the Footlights” as part ofthe Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts

Musical theatre is often dismissed as trivial, shallow and essentially secular. Professor Ian Bradley challenges this, arguing in his book You’ve Got to Have a Dream that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”. On Tuesday, 12 August at 7:30pm, join Professor Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual implications of some of our best-loved musicals. The concert is the fourth in our series of yearly partnerships with the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and follows the very successful sacred jazz event last summer. Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights

Young Adults: Lectio Divina on the Gospel for Solemnity of the Assumption

Young Adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us for a Lectio Divina on Luke 1:39:56, the Gospel for the Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we will celebrate on Friday, 15th August. Join us Monday, 11th August as we prepare for this great feast of Our Lady with a prayerful reading of the Gospel passage and take some time to reflect together on the Scripture reading. Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm, with a trip to pub thereafter.

‘Jesus Prayer’ in the Cathedral

Over the last 34 weeks a small group of us have been meeting every Tuesday afternoon between 1 45pm and 2 15pm in front of St. Andrew's Altar to the right of the main sanctuary to pray the Jesus Prayer. This is a very ancient form of Contemplative intercessory Christian Prayer that has its roots in early Christian Monasticism and is centred around a simple phrase “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.” It is a great prayer of healing and reconciliation and is a very powerful prayer both in its depth and simplicity. Anyone wanting to explore this way of praying is very welcome. Please bring your Rosary beads with you to follow the Jesus Prayer.

Book on Life Story of 'Hibs priest' Now Available in St Pauls Bookshop!

Visit St Pauls Bookshop today and pick up your copy of Edinburgh’s First Hibernian, beautifully illustrated with numerous colour photos, and impressively well-researched, the book tells the life story of the Edinburgh priest Fr. Edward Hannan who helped found Hibernian Football Club and served the poor and destitute in the city. Written by Mike Hennessy, a native of Edinburgh, the book is the first biography of Fr. Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh. While parish priest at St Patrick's, Cowgate EH1 1TQ, he worked tirelessly in Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime. Details about Fr. Hannan and the book are at https://stpatricksedinburgh.com/hibernian-fc-canon-hannan/ Get your copy of this amazing and inspiring book today! Hardcover £25.

Welcome Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM

We welcome Sister Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM to the Religious Sisters of Mercy convent at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. In her service to the Archdiocese, Sister is the new Coordinator for SPRED (SPecial REligious Development), a Christian programme for children and adults with special needs. She is also Lay Minister Coordinator for Catholic schools. Sister professed Perpetual Vows in 2017. She has been a secondary school teacher, primary school headteacher, and bioethics educator in parishes and a health system. Raised Lutheran, she grew up with her four brothers and two sisters in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and she was received into the Catholic Church in 2004 in Washington, D.C.

St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

A new series of St. Andrew’s Talks is set to begin in August, with the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass on Monday, 25 August for our first talk by Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, who will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” Refreshments will be available. Open to all.

First Wednesdays — Prayers for Priests

The first Wednesday of each month, 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 on Wednesday, 6 August following 12:45pm Mass.

Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration

Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the celebration of 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.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, all are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.

Marriage Preparation Courses

The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday, 16th August and Saturday, 22nd November, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

All are welcome to our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm! Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale soon! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods. ** Please note that all stalls will be cash only on the day. **

Hope Dawns: A Retreat to Prepare for Advent

Thanks to each of you who have expressed interest in our two-night Advent Retreat to be held 14th -16th November at the Schoenstatt Shrine near Milton of Campsie. The retreat, considering the Jubilee Year theme of Hope in Advent, will begin at 3pm on Friday, 14th November and conclude at 3pm on Sunday, 16th November. There will be daily Mass, talks during the day, private time for prayer and discussion with others or with a priest and all meals will be provided. Schoenstatt is a well-appointed house run by a welcoming community of religious sisters and staff (https://www.schoenstatt.co.uk). There is still time to let us know of your interest and whether you would like to join coach transport to and from Schoenstatt. To register, visit https://bit.ly/Schoenstatt-Advent2025 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, call the office 0131 556 1798.

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you, or someone you know, would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Sea Sunday Thank You!

Stella Maris thanks the parish for its generosity on Sea Sunday 13 July and for the kindness shown to collectors.

Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Registration is now open for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology. Watch the preview webinar on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese. Queries: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk. Develop your theological literacy through the study of topics including biblical interpretation, Christian anthropology, the foundations of Christian spirituality, spiritual direction, Catholic social teaching and systematic theology.

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. On this day Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, will be canonised so it is an ideal day for the Scottish Catholics to come together to celebrate. Learn more about Carfin Grotto at https://www.carfingrotto.org/ The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Venerable Margaret Sinclair

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Details on Venerable Margaret Sinclair are available at https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Save the Dates

• The Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Details to follow.

• The National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth is on Saturday 20 September. Details to follow.

• His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the for the Mass, marking the start of the new legal year.

• A relic of ‘God’s influencer’, Blessed Carlo Acutis who will be canonised by Pope Leo XIV on 7 September, will visit St Mary’s Cathedral from Saturday 13 to Monday 15 September. Save the dates!

‘So You Want to Be a Good Catholic Doctor?’

An Annual Intensive 2-Day National Catholic Medical Association UK Course will be offered Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Conference Centre, 51 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, London E11 2PR. The course is titled ‘Principles and Practical Guide to Functioning Ethically in an Increasingly Secular Healthcare Environment in the UK and Eire’ and is offered for medical students, doctors in training, senior doctors, and allied healthcare professionals. Speakers include experienced Catholic doctors, plus Bishop John Keenan of Paisley. Visit the Scottish Catholic Medical Association (SCMA) website: https://scottishcma.co.uk/home / to register.

Events at Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst College

What is God? Philosophical, Christian and Islamic Approaches

A course from 22-25 August 2025 in partnership with CEPHAS (https://cephas.org.uk/) will look at the nature and knowledge of God from a pre-religious, philosophical understanding, before comparing the Islamic concept of God with the Christian, leaning on St Thomas Aquinas’ elaboration of the Trinity and the Incarnation. For cost details (bursaries available) and booking visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/what-is-god/

Weekend Retreat: The Martyr-Saints of the North-West, 12 – 14 September 2025

Join us for this weekend studying some of the Reformation-era martyrs of the North-West region. Part-retreat, part-biographical, the weekend will be led by Mgr John Allen of Salford Diocese, who has recently published a history of the diocese with a foreword by Eamon Duffy. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-martyr-saints-of-the-north-west Single room: £230 p.p.

Twin room (sharing): £175 p.p. Costs include full board from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch inclusive. Non-residential (includes lunches and dinners): £115.

Both events are at Theodore House, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ, in the tranquil and beautiful surroundings. Contact: bookings@theodorehouse.com, 01254 827 084.

Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival

An initiative of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation, the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival is from Sunday, 10 August to Saturday, 16 August 2025. Visit https://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/ for details and full programme.

Read the newsletter for 3rd August (pdf)

17th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Thank You from Archbishop Cushley

Dear friends, I was very touched by your presence and prayers last Sunday as I celebrated my 40 years of priesthood with you. A particular word of thanks to Michael and Tom and our wonderful choir. You were all superb as always. The flowers beautified the cathedral, and my family and friends were warmly welcomed by you all. Finally, let me thank all of you who left many cards and gifts for me. It was very thoughtful, and I am very grateful for your graciousness and generosity. Thank you and God bless you! +Leo

Cathedral Building Fund Appeal

We’ve now raised £240,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – On weekends during the summer we will be taking a second collection for the building fund. The dates are 2/3 August and 16/17 August. There will be some Building Fund envelopes for you to use if can Gift Aid your donation; pick these up at the back of the church.

Click here to donate to the Cathedral Building Fund

• by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD).

Do please remember to Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer.

Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church.

Match funding in July and August

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in July and August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money, thank you!

Young Adults: Lectio Divina on the Gospel for Solemnity of the Assumption

Young Adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us for a Lectio Divina on Luke 1:39:56, the Gospel for the Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we will celebrate on Friday, 15th August. Join us Monday, 11th August as we prepare for this great feast of Our Lady with a prayerful reading of the Gospel passage and take some time to reflect together on the Scripture reading. Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm, with a trip to pub thereafter.

St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

A new series of St. Andrew’s Talks is set to begin in August, with the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6pm Mass on Monday, 25 August for our first talk by Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, who will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” Refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration

Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the celebration of 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 me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge...” (Psalm 73:28)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, all are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.

Cathedral Featured in Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail Guide’

The Cathedral is among 10 churches included in the new ‘Ecumenical Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail Guide’. Visit https://edinburgh.anglican.org/churches-walking-trail/ for a map and https://archedinburgh.org/historic-churches-walking-trail-unveiled/ for details and list of the churches. Some copies of the trail leaflet are available at the back of church.

Marriage Preparation Courses

The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday, 16th August and Saturday, 22nd November, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

First Wednesdays — Prayers for Priests

The first Wednesday of each month, 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 on Wednesday, 6 August February following 12:45pm Mass.

Festival Mass

Sunday, 10 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.

Tuesday 12 August: “Faith in the Footlights” as part ofthe Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts

Musical theatre is often dismissed as trivial, shallow and essentially secular. Professor Ian Bradley challenges this, arguing in his book You’ve Got to Have a Dream that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”. On 12 August at 7:30pm, join Professor Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual implications of some of our best-loved musicals. The concert is the fourth in our series of yearly partnerships with the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and follows the very successful sacred jazz event last summer. Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights

Hope Dawns: A Retreat to Prepare for Advent

Thanks to so many who have expressed interest in our two-night Advent Retreat to be held 14th -16th November at the Schoenstatt Shrine near Milton of Campsie. The retreat, considering the Jubilee Year theme of Hope in Advent, will begin at 3pm on Friday, 14th November and conclude at 3pm on Sunday, 16th November. There will be various talks during the day, private time for prayer and discussion with others or with a priest and all meals will be provided for the duration. There will be the celebration of Mass every day, too. The retreat centre at Schoenstatt is a well-appointed house run by a welcoming community of religious sisters and staff (https://www.schoenstatt.co.uk). If you would like to attend, there is still time to let us know of your interest and if would require coach transport to and from Schoenstatt. To register, visit https://bit.ly/Schoenstatt-Advent2025 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk call the office 0131 556 1798.

Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon

The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesdays 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the session time. Please come along and join us!

Mass at Carfin for World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly

To celebrate World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly today, join Bishop John Keenan at 3:00pm for Mass at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Taylor Avenue, Carfin, ML1 5AJ. The Holy Father’s message for this day calls us to treasure the gift of grandparents and the elderly:

“How often our grandparents have been for us examples of faith and devotion, civic virtue and social commitment, memory and perseverance amid trials! The precious legacy that they have handed down to us with hope and love will always be a source of gratitude and a summons to perseverance.” (Pope Leo XIV)

Practical Advice on Parenting and Family Life

Mike and Alicia Hernon, Catholic parents of 10 and grandparents to 8, empower parents to embrace their sacred calling as the primary educators of their children. Their podcast – now one of the top podcasts in the world for Catholic parents – is available at https://messyfamilyproject.org/podcasts/ or on Apple Podcasts. Visit https://messyfamilyproject.org/ for a wide selection of free resources and courses with practical advice and insights for parents, plus courses for couples and families. Videos on parenting and family life available at https://www.youtube.com/c/MessyFamilyProject

Postcards: Join the Fight Back – Every Life Matters

Pick up a postcard at the back of church from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children to get your Action Pack with details about what you can do to help defend life at this critical time: in the space of one week in June 2025, MPs voted to allow women to abort their baby up to birth for any reason. Life is under attack at every stage. But we must work to build culture of life, because every life matters.

Book on Life Story of 'Hibs priest' Set for Launch

Our St Pauls Bookshop will soon have copies of the life story of the Edinburgh priest who helped found Hibernian FC and served the poor and destitute in the city. The new book titled Edinburgh’s First Hibernian, written by Mike Hennessy, a native of Edinburgh, will be released Wednesday, 6 August and is the first biography of Fr. Edward Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh. While parish priest at St Patrick's, Cowgate, he worked tirelessly in Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime. The book can be bought online at Thirsty Books, https://www.thirstybooks.com/bookshop/edinburghs-first-hibernian Signed copies will be available from St Patrick's Church, which will receive proceeds from sales.

Polish Memorials Conservation Programme, Summer 2025

Please note that a team of Polish conservationists together with Polish scouts training in conservation will work within Mount Vernon Cemetery 7th-16th August on Polish memorials throughout the cemetery. This may include cleaning, re-erecting and re-gilding. If you do not wish your family memorial to be included in the programme please contact cemetery manager, Anna Kulwicka, on 0131 623 8906 by 6th August, 2025.

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. On this day Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, will be canonised so it is an ideal day for the Scottish Catholics to come together to celebrate. Learn more about Carfin Grotto at https://www.carfingrotto.org/ The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Save the Dates

• The Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Details to follow.

• The National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth is on Saturday 20 September. Details to follow.

• His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the for the Mass, marking the start of the new legal year.

• A relic of ‘God’s influencer’, Blessed Carlo Acutis who will be canonised by Pope Leo XIV on 7 September, will visit St Mary’s Cathedral from Saturday 13 to Monday 15 September. Save the dates!

Venerable Margaret Sinclair

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Details on Venerable Margaret Sinclair are available at https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Are You a Catechist?

Learn about events and resources and collaborate with the Archdiocesan Catechetics Commission by registering for the Catechist Contact List. Go to bit.ly/archcatechists. This is for anyone involved in teaching the faith - such as RCIA, Children's Liturgy, First Holy Communion, Marriage prep, SPRED etc.

Pregnancy Support

There are a number of free and confidential resources available to women with unplanned pregnancies, or women who have had an abortion. Consider connecting with St. Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society (https://stmargaretsadoption.org.uk/), or Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline https://www.archtrust.org.uk/ The Alma Mater Fund provides financial grants to pregnant students facing difficulties at universities https://spuc.org.uk/support-hub/alma-mater/

Hope and Healing After Abortion: Rachel's Vineyard

Rachel's Vineyard is healing ministry that offers a safe place to renew and rebuild your life after experiencing the trauma of abortion. Retreat weekends offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgemental environment where women and men can deal with painful post-abortive emotions. A Glasgow area retreat will be held 27-29 October 2025. Contact rachel@rachelsvineyard.org.uk to get more information on Rachel's Vineyard and any upcoming retreats or visit https://www.rachelsvineyard.org.uk

Catholic Parliamentary Office Updates

The Catholic Parliamentary Office is an agency of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and promotes Catholic Social Teaching in the public square, engaging with the work of Parliament and Government to ensure that the Church’s voice is heard on relevant issues. To receive updates on this important work, sign up at https://rcpolitics.org/ or follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rcpolitics

Read the newsletter for 27th July (pdf)

The 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year C

Archbishop Leo Cushley’s 40th Anniversary of Priesthood

His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, will celebrate the Noon Mass today in thanksgiving for his 40th anniversary of priesthood. We offer our prayers and congratulations on this significant anniversary! The Archbishop was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Motherwell on 7 July, 1985. After serving as a priest for several years he was invited to join the diplomatic service of the Holy See. He has worked in Burundi, Portugal, South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana. He was First Secretary for the Holy See’s Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2004 to 2007. From 2009 to 2013 he served in the Vatican and was head of the English-language section of the Secretariat of State. He was installed as the 8th Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in 2013.

Cathedral Building Fund

We’ve raised £225,000 so far which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – On weekends during the summer we will be taking a second collection for the building fund. The dates are this weekend, 2/3 August and 16/17 August. There will be some Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation. You can pick these up at the back of the church.

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

Donate to the Cathedral Building Fund here

You can donate by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD).

Do please remember to Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer.

Match funding in July and August

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in July and August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

Marriage Preparation Courses

The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday, 16th August and Saturday, 22nd November, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration

Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, immediately after the celebration of 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.

“If you seek an example of charity, greater love no man hath than that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 25:13), and this Christ did on the cross.” (St. Thomas Aquinas)

Legion of Mary – Students & Professionals Group

The Legion of Mary is a lay association of Catholics which seeks to help its members grow in holiness through devotion to Our Lady and by carrying out works of mercy. All are welcome to join. Our presidium name is Our Lady Cause of our Joy. We meet every Monday at 7:00 pm at 63 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JD. We are a group of mixed male and female members, students and professionals and from different countries, cultures. For more information contact phone number: Monika – 07751213612, Emmy – 07879074240.

Tuesday 12 August: “Faith in the Footlights” as part ofthe Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts

Musical theatre is often dismissed as trivial, shallow and essentially secular. Professor Ian Bradley challenges this, arguing in his book You’ve Got to Have a Dream that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”. On 12 August at 7:30pm, join Professor Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual implications of some of our best-loved musicals. The concert is the fourth in our series of yearly partnerships with the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and follows the very successful sacred jazz event last summer. Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights

Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon

The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesdays 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the session time. Please come along and join us!

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, all are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.

Hope Dawns: A Retreat to Prepare for Advent

Thanks to so many who have expressed interest in our two-night Advent Retreat to be held 14th -16th November at the Schoenstatt Shrine near Milton of Campsie. The retreat, considering the Jubilee Year theme of Hope in Advent, will begin at 3pm on Friday, 14th November and conclude at 3pm on Sunday, 16th November. The retreat centre at Schoenstatt is a well-appointed house run by a welcoming community of religious sisters and staff https://www.schoenstatt.co.uk) If you would like to attend, there is still time to let us know of your interest and if would require coach transport to and from Schoenstatt. To register, visit https://bit.ly/Schoenstatt-Advent2025 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk call the office 0131 556 1798

St Pauls Bookshop: Bibles, Children’s Books, Rosaries, Cards and More!

Visit our St. Pauls Bookshop for Bibles, a wide variety of books on the saints and various spiritual classics, beautiful rosaries, holy cards, many children’s books on Jesus and the saints, as well as statues and paintings of Jesus and Mary. Visit the second-hand bookshelf, too. Donations of used Catholic books in good condition are welcome! Framed photos of Pope Leo XIV, A4 (£18.50) & A3 (£29.95). Open daily 10am-5pm. 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk

Save the Date: Festival Mass

Sunday, 10 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.

Disabled Parking for Blue Badge Holders

If you have a Blue Badge for disabled parking, drive to Mass and would like to use the St. James’ Car Park for Sunday morning Mass at the Cathedral, please fill out a form at the back of Church and return it to the Office, or email your name, contact details, parking permit number, expiry date and car registration number to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk The Car Park offers free disabled parking on Sundays, 8:30am-1:30pm. Outside of those hours, normal parking fees will apply.

Weekly Cathedral and Monthly Archdiocesan Updates By E-Mail

Cathedral News: Receive the Cathedral newsletter straight into your inbox! Stay in touch with the Cathedral through the weekly e-newsletter. Sign up at the ‘Stay in Touch’ section on the bottom of any page of www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk, or bookmark this page in your browser Archdiocesan News: For a monthly e-mail update from the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, subscribe at https://archedinburgh.org/news-events (scroll to bottom of page).

Book on Life Story of 'Hibs priest' Set for Launch

The life story of the Edinburgh priest who helped found Hibernian FC and who served the poor and destitute in the city will be released 6 August. Edinburgh’s First Hibernian by Mike Hennessy, a native of Edinburgh, is the first biography of Fr. Edward Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh. While parish priest at St Patrick's in the Cowgate, he worked tirelessly in the medieval Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime. The book can be bought online at Thirsty Books, https://www.thirstybooks.com/bookshop/edinburghs-first-hibernian Signed copies will be available from St Patrick's Church in The Cowgate, which will receive proceeds from those sales.

Polish Memorials Conservation Programme, Summer 2025

Please note that a team of Polish conservationists together with Polish scouts training in conservation will work within Mount Vernon Cemetery 7th-16th August on Polish memorials throughout the cemetery. This may include cleaning, re-erecting and re-gilding. If you do not wish your family memorial to be included in the programme please contact cemetery manager, Anna Kulwicka, on 0131 623 8906 by 6th August, 2025.

Postcards: Join the Fight Back – Every Life Matters

Pick up a postcard at the back of church from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children to get your Action Pack with details about what you can do to help defend life at this critical time: in the space of one week in June 2025, MPs voted to allow women to abort their baby up to birth for any reason. Life is under attack at every stage. But we must work to build culture of life, because every life matters.

Launch of ‘Ecumenical Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail Guide’

A walk is planned around all the 10 participating churches for a new ‘Ecumenical Edinburgh City Centre Historic Churches Walking Trail Guide’, including St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. The walk will be launched on Thursday, 24th July with a group leaving from St Giles' Cathedral, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, at 10.30am to walk the trail and drop off leaflets including the trail guide at each of the churches if open, ending at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, EH12 5AW. Come along to St. Giles for 10:30am, Thursday, 24th if you would like to join the walk, estimated at approximately 2 hours.

World Day for Grandparents & the Elderly

To celebrate this day, the National Marriage, Family and Life Commission of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland invites everyone to St Francis Xavier’s Church, Taylor Avenue, Carfin, ML1 5AJ, for Mass with Bishop John Keenan at 3:00pm on Sunday 27 July.

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal Celebrant and Preacher. On this day Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, will be canonised so it is an ideal day for the Scottish Catholics to come together to celebrate. Learn more about Carfin Grotto at https://www.carfingrotto.org/ The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Save the Dates

• The Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Details to follow.

• The National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth is on Saturday 20 September. Details to follow.

• His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the for the Mass, marking the start of the new legal year.

• A relic of ‘God’s influencer’, Blessed Carlo Acutis who will be canonised by Pope Leo XIV on 7 September, will visit St Mary’s Cathedral from Saturday 13 to Monday 15 September. Save the dates!

Are You a Catechist?

Learn about events and resources and collaborate with the Archdiocesan Catechetics Commission by registering for the Catechist Contact List. Go to bit.ly/archcatechists. This is for anyone involved in teaching the faith - such as RCIA, Children's Liturgy, First Holy Communion, Marriage prep, SPRED etc.

Venerable Margaret Sinclair

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Details on Venerable Margaret Sinclair are available at https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Registration is now open for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology. Watch the preview webinar on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese. Queries: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk. Develop your theological literacy through the study of topics including biblical interpretation, Christian anthropology, the foundations of Christian spirituality, spiritual direction, Catholic social teaching and systematic theology.

Visit Coffee Saints Café Today!

Our very popular Coffee Saints café is a social enterprise partnership between the Cathedral and the Grassmarket Community Project. This means that every time you make a purchase at Coffee Saints you support some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people. Browse the menu at https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/. The café is open 7 days a week 8:30am-4:00pm! You can book online through itison for a cake, brunch or tea for two at https://bit.ly/CoffeeSaintsDeals

Read the newsletter for 20th July (pdf)

Fourteenth Sunday of the Year - Year C

Cathedral Building Fund Appeal

We’ve raised £225,000 so far which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – On four weekends during the summer we will be taking a second collection for the building fund. The dates are 5/6 July, 19/20 July, 2/3 August and 16/17 August. There will be some Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation. You can pick these up at the back of the church.

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

• through our website: www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/donate

• by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD).

Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer.

Fundraising Team – If you have any fundraising ideas for this project or you think you could help us to coordinate our fundraising campaign by joining the team, please do let us know. Speak to one of the clergy after Mass or contact the office cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

We would love to hear from you!

Hope Dawns: A Retreat to Prepare for Advent.

You are invited to join our two-night advent retreat from the 14-16th November at the Schoenstatt Shrine near Milton of Campsie. The retreat, considering the Jubilee Year theme of Hope in Advent, will begin at 3pm on Friday and conclude at 3pm on Sunday 16th November. The retreat centre at Schoenstatt is a well-appointed house run by a welcoming community of religious sisters and staff. At this point we are looking to hear from you if you are interested in joining the retreat and if so, whether you would require coach transport to and from Schoenstatt. You can register by emailing cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, calling the office 0131 556 1798

St Pauls Bookshop: Pope Leo XIV Framed Photos, Cathedral Gifts

Visit our St. Pauls Bookshop for framed photos of Pope Leo XIV, A4 (£18.50) & A3 (£29.95). Pick up a Cathedral notebook, water bottle or notecards or a copy of the History of the Cathedral, Little Ireland and books on Venerable Margaret Sinclair or the Song of the Poor about Fr. Tommy Greenan. Visit the second-hand bookshelf and discover a treasure to enjoy for your spiritual reading this summer. Donations of used Catholic books in good condition are welcome! Open daily 10am-5pm. Contact the shop at 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk

Save the Date: Archbishop Leo's 40th Anniversary of Priesthood

Join us on Sunday, 20th July at Noon Mass celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, as we pray with him in thanksgiving for his 40th anniversary of priesthood, with a reception to follow in Coffee Saints. Please mark your diary for this special occasion as we celebrate the Lord's blessings in the priestly life and ministry of the shepherd of our Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Save the Date: Festival Mass

Sunday, 10 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.

Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament offers us a time for peaceful prayer and quiet before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. You are welcome to join us every Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm for this beautiful time of adoration. Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm. Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, fully present for us in the Eucharist.

“The Lord, having loved those who were his own, loved them to the end....In order to leave them a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover, he instituted the Eucharist as the memorial of his death and Resurrection....” (CCC 1337)

Mass Intentions

“Having a Mass said” for others is an ancient practice in the Church. A Mass can be offered for a specific intention, such as for the death anniversary of a family member or friend, for a wedding anniversary, for someone who is sick or another special intention. The offering of Mass in this way is a beautiful act of prayer that expresses our communion with others, living and dead, asking that the infinite grace of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice be applied to their particular needs. It is also a form of almsgiving in that offerings (donations) for Mass intentions are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priests. Intentions for the current week are already published in the newsletter, so please remember to make requests for Mass dates with at least 2 weeks’ notice. You may use the Mass Intention envelopes at the back of church (place in the Sunday collection or hand to one of the priests) or online at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/intentions and bank details will be sent to you.

Sea Sunday

Next Sunday, 13th July, is Sea Sunday, on which the church remembers all those whose living comes from the sea. There will be a short talk from Anne Marie and a retiral collection for the work of Stella Maris, the official maritime charity of the Catholic church.

Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Registration is now open for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology. Watch the preview webinar on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese. Queries: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk

Scottish Polish Cultural Association Concert The Warsaw Concerto

The Scottish Polish Cultural Association is honoured to host for the third time Steinway Artist, Rafael A. Luszczewski, who will perform "The Warsaw Concerto" in his own arrangement for piano solo. Rafael is a superb Polish pianist, regarded as one of the best interpreters of Chopin’s works. The concert is on Saturday 13th July at 7pm. It is limited to 40 seats only so please book early. You will be treated to a fantastic musical performance in the beautiful intimate surroundings of the Edinburgh Society of Musicians in Edinburgh, a rare appearance of Rafael Luszczewski in Scotland. Tickets only £15.00 per person (including a glass of wine)Book online at www.scotpoles.co.uk

Faith Movement Summer Session for Young Adults at Ampleforth Abbey

The Faith Movement is back at Ampleforth Abbey this summer for our 49th annual summer session from 28 July - 1 August 2025. The theme of our five-day Catholic conference for young adults is Christ: Our Eucharist, Earth's Light and Jubilee. Spend a week in beautiful York with other young adults aged 16-30 exploring the faith with a variety of social, spiritual and catechetical activities. The focus of the week will be the series of talks, each building on one another to develop a coherent, dynamic vision of the faith. Each day there will be Mass, Morning and Night prayer and, on one of the evenings, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions. There will also be plenty of time for recreation and socialising each night. Please register at www.faith.co.uk/events

‘Stories of Belief’ Exhibition in Edinburgh

As Edinburgh celebrates its 900th anniversary, take a journey through 900 years of faith and belief in an exciting audio-visual exhibition, sponsored by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, on display in June and July in three locations throughout the city. The National Shrine of St. Andrew at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral will be featured in the exhibition, with historical photos and copies of Vatican documents. The exhibit invites visitors to add their own stories, is free to enter and will be held 23rd June to 29th June – New College, University of Edinburgh EH1 2LX; 1st July-15th July – St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral EH12 5AW; 16th July – 23rd July –St James Quarter EH1 3AD. On the first date of each venue showing, the exhibition will open at midday, and on the last day of each venue showing, the exhibition will close at midday. More information at https://bit.ly/StoriesofBelief

August: Monastic Experience Weekend for Men at Pluscarden Abbey

The community of Benedictine monks at Pluscarden offer a special opportunity for men to experience what monastic life is all about Friday 22nd-Monday 25th August. This opportunity is suitable for single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation. Participants will join the monks in their daily prayer and work. No charge for the weekend. Register at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/monastic-experience-weekend

Pray Daily with the Monks of Pluscarden Abbey

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey welcome you to join with them in prayer on livestream. Tune in daily to pray at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/live

A timetable of the monks’ scheduled prayers each day is at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/services. Prayer texts are available online: https://universalis.com/. Pluscarden Abbey is a Catholic Benedictine monastery near Elgin, Scotland.

Church Representative for City of Edinburgh Council

The Archdiocese is seeking to appoint an individual to represent the views of Roman Catholic Churches in Education to the Local Councils on their behalf for a fixed three year term. This is a supported voluntary role, any travel expenses occurred in the role are reimbursed by the Archdiocese. For further information please speak to one of the clergy after mass or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Parish Communicators

The Archdiocese is hosting a webinar for those who are involved with parish communications (such as Facebook and newsletters). It takes place on Saturday 19 July, 10:00am-11:00am. The session will give tips and guidance on parish social media and more. Register at bit.ly/parishcomms

Save the Date

The Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage Day is on Saturday 21 September 2025 at St Patricks in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. More details coming soon.

Carmelite Pilgrimage in October

The Carmelites in London are offering a 7-day pilgrimage to Spain ‘Walk in St. Teresa's Footsteps’ from 10th – 16th October 2025, led by Fr Matt Blake, OCD and Fr Kelvin Ekhoegbe, OCD. Join in this adventure with St Teresa in her transformative journey of the soul to God through prayer. Walk in her footsteps as she lived and taught. To book and to see full details visit https://www.carmelite.uk.net/pilgrimage/avila-retreat-pilgrimage-2025/

Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts - "Faith in the Footlights": a special concert by the Schola Cantorum on Tuesday 12 August at 7:30pm

Join renowned author Ian Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual resonances of musical theatre. In this groundbreaking event, Professor Bradley will uncover some of the spiritual implications of our much-loved musical shows, while the Schola Cantorum will bring the music to life in performance! The evening is part of the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and will include music from The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and much more. It’s one for all the family, but be prepared: you will never hear these musical shows in quite the same way again! Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights

Shalom World  Free Catholic Movies, News, Shows and More

Shalom World is a Catholic, commercial-free, 24/7, HD family entertainment channel. “Change what you watch and watch the world change!” https://www.shalomworld.org/

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is the shared responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is also about ensuring the safe behaviour of everyone who has a duty of care within our Catholic communities, whether they are ordained or lay, and whether they work in a paid or voluntary role. Safeguarding is not only a way to respond to harm but must be proactive in the prevention of any form of abuse or harm. You can find more information on the posters at church, online (https://www.scssa.org.uk/Safeguarding) or contact Chris McCabe or Elizabeth Andrews, Parish Safeguarding Convenors (Chris.McCabe@staned.org.uk, Elizabeth.Andrews@staned.org.uk, phone: 0131 556 1798). All volunteers must follow the approved recruitment process before they can start their volunteer role. If you have not completed and obtained written approval as part of your volunteer role then please contact Chris McCabe or Elizabeth Andrews. The Bishop’s Conference of Scotland has a mandatory Reporting Policy which requires all safeguarding allegations to be reported to Police Scotland, whether the accused is alive or deceased.

Read the newsletter for 6th July (pdf)

Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul – Year C

Sale of Crux Magazine Today

Pick up your copy of the new issue of Crux today at only £5, with all proceeds going to our Cathedral! Crux is the magazine for all friends of the Cathedral where you can learn about the interesting stories affecting the life of our vibrant parish. In this issue, you can follow our Pilgrimage to Spain last October; hear from Dana, a winner of Eurovision; read about the time one of our parishioners met Pope Francis in Rome – and much more! In this bumper issue, we lead with Archbishop Cushley’s Requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the Cathedral. Friends receive every issue of Crux mailed directly to them. Join Friends at www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve raised £225,000 so far which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – On four weekends during the summer we will be taking a second collection for the building fund. The dates are 5/6 July, 19/20 July, 2/3 August and 16/17 August. There will be some Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation. You can pick these up at the back of the church.

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

• through our website: www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/donate

• by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD).

Remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer.

Fundraising Team – If you have any fundraising ideas for this project or you think you could help us to coordinate our fundraising campaign by joining the team, please do let us know. Speak to one of the clergy after Mass or contact the office cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk We would love to hear from you!

Save the Date: Quiz Night Friday, 4th July

Our quiz team has been busy and have prepared a popcorn-fuelled night of brainteasing revelry to be celebrated of Friday 4th of July from 6.30pm. There will be popcorn and Budweiser along with our usual selection of drinks from our ever-friendly quiz team behind the bar (Leo’s Lions). There will be a cash prize for the winning team and something for the runners up with all proceeds going to “Raise the Roof” of the Cathedral. Tickets will be £10 per head. You may form your own team (up to 6 persons) or join a team on the night. We will take email bookings at catherdralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with hard copy tickets being sold after the Masses over the last two weekends in June. If you would like to volunteer to help with the running of the event, please contact Deacon Peter at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!

St Pauls Bookshop: Pope Leo XIV Framed Photos, Cathedral Gifts

Visit our St. Pauls Bookshop for framed photos of Pope Leo XIV, A4 (£18.50) & A3 (£29.95). Pick up a Cathedral notebook, water bottle or notecards or a copy of the History of the Cathedral, Little Ireland and books on Venerable Margaret Sinclair or the Song of the Poor about Fr. Tommy Greenan. Visit the second-hand bookshelf and discover a treasure to enjoy for your spiritual reading this summer. Donations of used Catholic books in good condition are welcome! Open daily 10am-5pm. Contact the shop at 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk

Save the Date: Archbishop Leo's 40th Anniversary of Priesthood

Join us on Sunday, 20th July at Noon Mass celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, as we pray with him in thanksgiving for his 40th anniversary of priesthood, with a reception to follow in Coffee Saints. Please mark your diary for this special occasion as we celebrate the Lord's blessings in the priestly life and ministry of the shepherd of our Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Save the Date: Festival Mass

Sunday, 10 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.

Special Collection, Peter's Pence

The Vatican is encouraging Catholics to participate in today's special collection to support the Holy Father in his mission at the service of the universal Church. Your contribution is an expression of support for the needs of the Catholic Church around the world and the charitable works it carries out.

Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament offers us a time for peaceful prayer and quiet before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. You are welcome to join us every Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm for this beautiful time of adoration. Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm. Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, fully present for us in the Eucharist.

“The Lord, having loved those who were his own, loved them to the end....In order to leave them a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover, he instituted the Eucharist as the memorial of his death and Resurrection....” (CCC 1337)

Mass Intentions

“Having a Mass said” for others is an ancient practice in the Church. A Mass can be offered for a specific intention, such as for the death anniversary of a family member or friend, for a wedding anniversary, for someone who is sick or another special intention. The offering of Mass in this way is a beautiful act of prayer that expresses our communion with others, living and dead, asking that the infinite grace of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice be applied to their particular needs. It is also a form of almsgiving in that offerings (donations) for Mass intentions are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priests. Intentions for the current week are already published in the newsletter, so please remember to make requests for Mass dates with at least 2 weeks’ notice. You may use the Mass Intention envelopes at the back of church (place in the Sunday collection or hand to one of the priests) or online at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/intentions and bank details will be sent to you.

Talk on Blessed Antonio Rosmini: Priest, Philosopher & Prophet

Talk by Fr Antonio Bellsito IC at St Kentigern's Church, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR, on Tuesday 1 July at 6:00pm. Mass will follow the talk. Refreshments served.

Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Registration is now open for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology. Watch the preview webinar on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese. Queries: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk

Scottish Polish Cultural Association Concert The Warsaw Concerto

The Scottish Polish Cultural Association is honoured to host for the third time Steinway Artist, Rafael A. Luszczewski, who will perform "The Warsaw Concerto" in his own arrangement for piano solo. Rafael is a superb Polish pianist, regarded as one of the best interpreters of Chopin’s works. The concert is on Saturday 13th July at 7pm. It is limited to 40 seats only so please book early. You will be treated to a fantastic musical performance in the beautiful intimate surroundings of the Edinburgh Society of Musicians in Edinburgh, a rare appearance of Rafael Luszczewski in Scotland. Tickets only £15.00 per person (including a glass of wine)B ook online at www.scotpoles.co.uk

Faith Movement Summer Session for Young Adults at Ampleforth Abbey

The Faith Movement is back at Ampleforth Abbey this summer for our 49th annual summer session from 28 July - 1 August 2025. The theme of our five-day Catholic conference for young adults is Christ: Our Eucharist, Earth's Light and Jubilee. Spend a week in beautiful York with other young adults aged 16-30 exploring the faith with a variety of social, spiritual and catechetical activities. The focus of the week will be the series of talks, each building on one another to develop a coherent, dynamic vision of the faith. Each day there will be Mass, Morning and Night prayer and, on one of the evenings, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions. There will also be plenty of time for recreation and socialising each night. Please register at www.faith.co.uk/events

‘Stories of Belief’ Exhibition in Edinburgh

As Edinburgh celebrates its 900th anniversary, take a journey through 900 years of faith and belief in an exciting audio-visual exhibition, sponsored by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, on display in June and July in three locations throughout the city. The National Shrine of St. Andrew at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral will be featured in the exhibition, with historical photos and copies of Vatican documents. The exhibit invites visitors to add their own stories, is free to enter and will be held 23rd June to 29th June – New College, University of Edinburgh EH1 2LX; 1st July-15th July – St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral EH12 5AW; 16th July – 23rd July –St James Quarter EH1 3AD. On the first date of each venue showing, the exhibition will open at midday, and on the last day of each venue showing, the exhibition will close at midday. More information at https://bit.ly/StoriesofBelief

August: Monastic Experience Weekend for Men at Pluscarden Abbey

The community of Benedictine monks at Pluscarden offer a special opportunity for men to experience what monastic life is all about Friday 22nd-Monday 25th August. This opportunity is suitable for single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation. Participants will join the monks in their daily prayer and work. No charge for the weekend. Register at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/monastic-experience-weekend

Pray Daily with the Monks of Pluscarden Abbey

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey welcome you to join with them in prayer on livestream. Tune in daily to pray at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/live A timetable of the monks’ scheduled prayers each day is at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/services Prayer texts are available online: https://universalis.com/. Pluscarden Abbey is a Catholic Benedictine monastery near Elgin, Scotland.

Church Representative for City of Edinburgh Council

The Archdiocese is seeking to appoint an individual to represent the views of Roman Catholic Churches in Education to the Local Councils on their behalf for a fixed three year term. This is a supported voluntary role, any travel expenses occurred in the role are reimbursed by the Archdiocese. For further information please speak to one of the clergy after mass or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Parish Communicators

The Archdiocese is hosting a webinar for those who are involved with parish communications (such as Facebook and newsletters). It takes place on Saturday 19 July, 10:00am-11:00am. The session will give tips and guidance on parish social media and more. Register at bit.ly/parishcomms

Save the Date

The Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage Day is on Saturday 21 September 2025 at St Patricks in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. More details coming soon.

Carmelite Pilgrimage in October

The Carmelites in London are offering a 7-day pilgrimage to Spain ‘Walk in St. Teresa's Footsteps’ from 10th – 16th October 2025, led by Fr Matt Blake, OCD and Fr Kelvin Ekhoegbe, OCD. Join in this adventure with St Teresa in her transformative journey of the soul to God through prayer. Walk in her footsteps as she lived and taught. To book and to see full details visit https://www.carmelite.uk.net/pilgrimage/avila-retreat-pilgrimage-2025/

Shalom World Free Catholic Movies, News, Shows and More

Shalom World is a Catholic, commercial-free, 24/7, HD family entertainment channel. “Change what you watch and watch the world change!” https://www.shalomworld.org/

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is the shared responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is also about ensuring the safe behaviour of everyone who has a duty of care within our Catholic communities, whether they are ordained or lay, and whether they work in a paid or voluntary role. Safeguarding is not only a way to respond to harm but must be proactive in the prevention of any form of abuse or harm. You can find more information on the posters at church, online (https://www.scssa.org.uk/Safeguarding) or contact Chris McCabe or Elizabeth Andrews, Parish Safeguarding Convenors (Chris.McCabe@staned.org.uk, Elizabeth.Andrews@staned.org.uk phone: 0131 556 1798). All volunteers must follow the approved recruitment process before they can start their volunteer role. If you have not completed and obtained written approval as part of your volunteer role then please contact Chris McCabe or Elizabeth Andrews. The Bishop’s Conference of Scotland has a mandatory Reporting Policy which requires all safeguarding allegations to be reported to Police Scotland, whether the accused is alive or deceased.

Read the newsletter for 29th June (pdf)

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Year C

Sale of Crux Magazine

Pick up your copy of the new issue of Crux today at only £5, with all proceeds going to our Cathedral! Crux is the magazine for all friends of the Cathedral where you can learn about the interesting stories affecting the life of our vibrant parish. In this issue, you can follow our Pilgrimage to Spain last October; hear from Dana, a winner of Eurovision; read about the time one of our parishioners met Pope Francis in Rome – and much more! In this bumper issue, we lead with Archbishop Cushley’s Requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the Cathedral. Friends receive every issue of Crux mailed directly to them. Join Friends at www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends

CATHEDRAL ROOF UPDATE AND FUNDRAISING

We are finally able to announce that the repairs to our Cathedral roof over Sacristy 1 have a start date of Monday, 7 July! The initial work on the roof over Sacristy 1 was going to start in June and last 12 weeks, however, after the survey was reviewed, we determined that we could combine Phase 1 with parts of Phase 2 over a period of 18 weeks making considerable savings on set up costs.

Our target for fundraising for these two phases of work is £500,000. That’s a lot of money but the good news is that from Advent 2023 to date together with some funds from previous general fundraising, we have already raised over £200,000! Thank you so much for your generous support.

We will be collecting donations regularly through the summer months specifically for the Cathedral’s Building Fund, the main project for which, currently, is the repairs to the Cathedral roof. In addition to these collections, donations to the Cathedral Building Fund can be made at any time, through our website.

Donate here

You can also donate by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer. If you have any fundraising ideas for this project, please speak to Fr Jeremy or contact the Parish Office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Fundraising Team: If you think you could help us to coordinate our fundraising campaign by joining the team, please do let us know. Speak to one of the clergy after Mass or contact the office. We would love to hear from you!

Welcome to the Cathedral!

The Cathedral is always delighted to welcome visitors from around the world, but this week, we have a particular word of welcome to extend to Jacob Miller. Jacob is a seminarian for the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, and is studying for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He has just concluded his first year there and as first year seminarians from the ‘NAC’ don’t return home during their first summer, he has come to St Mary’s Cathedral for some pastoral experience – as well as cooler weather.

Congratulations!

A special word to all the children who make their First Holy Communion this weekend. Altogether nearly 50 children received the Sacrament for the first time surrounded by their friends and family at St Andrew’s on Saturday and today with the parish community looking on, during the 9am Mass at the Cathedral. It is a significant day for them but also a beautiful reminder for us, celebrating the first time we received the sacrament which is the source and summit of the Christian life, and on this weekend – the Body and Blood of Jesus. Many congratulations also to Li and Celia who were baptised and received the bread of heaven for the first time at the vigil Mass last night. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Save the Date: Quiz Night Friday, 4th July

Our quiz team has been busy and have prepared a popcorn-fuelled night of brainteasing revelry to be celebrated of Friday 4th of July from 6.30pm. There will be popcorn and Budweiser along with our usual selection of drinks from our ever-friendly quiz team behind the bar (Leo’s Lions). There will be a cash prize for the winning team and something for the runners up with all proceeds going to “Raise the Roof” of the Cathedral. Tickets will be £10 per head. You may form your own team (up to 6 persons) or join a team on the night. We will take email bookings at catherdralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with hard copy tickets being sold after the Masses over the last two weekends in June. If you would like to volunteer to help with the running of the event, please contact Deacon Peter at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!

Calling all Trades!

The Cathedral is a complex building that requires a variety of trades to keep up with maintenance and repairs. We are always looking for businesses that can be called upon to assist us in this endeavour. If you are an owner or an employee of a company that specialises in plumbing, joinery, decorating, electrical or all of the above and would like to be considered for work here at the Cathedral, please contact Darlene Newman at complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.

St Pauls Bookshop: Pope Leo XIV Framed Photos, Cathedral Gifts

Visit our St. Pauls Bookshop for framed photos of Pope Leo XIV, A4 (£18.50) & A3 (£29.95). Pick up a Cathedral notebook, water bottle or notecards or a copy of the History of the Cathedral, Little Ireland and books on Venerable Margaret Sinclair or the Song of the Poor about Fr. Tommy Greenan. Visit the second-hand bookshelf and discover a treasure to enjoy for your spiritual reading this summer. Donations of used Catholic books in good condition are welcome! Open daily 10am-5pm. Contact the shop at 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk.

Save the Date: Archbishop Leo's 40th Anniversary of Priesthood

Join us on Sunday, 20th July at Noon Mass celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, as we pray with him in thanksgiving for his 40th anniversary of priesthood, with a reception to follow in Coffee Saints. Please mark your diary for this special occasion as we celebrate the Lord's blessings in the priestly life and ministry of the shepherd of our Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Save the Date: Festival Mass

Sunday, 10 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.

Special Collection – Next Sunday!

A special collection will be taken next week for Peter’s Pence. Peter's Pence is a financial offering made by Catholics worldwide to the Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church, to support the Pope's charitable works and the needs of the universal Church

Talk on Blessed Antonio Rosmini: Priest, Philosopher & Prophet

Talk by Fr Antonio Bellsito IC at St Kentigern's Church, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 7QR, on Tuesday 1 July at 6:00pm. Mass will follow the talk. Refreshments served.

Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Registration is now open for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology. Watch the preview webinar on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese. Queries: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac. uk

Retreat Christian Heritage Centre: Unveiled Faces: Healing & Transformation with the Saints, 27 – 29 June 2025

A weekend led by Fr Emmanuel Mansford, CFR contemplating the healing and transformational work of grace in the ordinary and imperfect lives of the saints. In the light of their example, the retreat will offer an opportunity to reflect on and to seek healing for the wounds in our own lives.

For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/unveiled-faces/

Corpus Christi Procession - Sunday 22 June

Archbishop Leo will lead the Archdiocesan Corpus Christi Procession from St Patrick’s Church, 30 Low Craigends, Kilsyth, Glasgow G65 0PF at 3:00pm on Sunday 22 June. This is a joyous occasion with the Blessed Sacrament being carried through the streets.

First Holy Communicants in the Archdiocese are invited to take a special place in the procession wearing their formal clothes. Parking at the Church.

Free shuttle bus from Croy train station to the Church - email priest.stpatrickskilsyth@staned.org.uk or 01236 822136 to book. Details at https://archedinburgh.org/news-events/

Scottish Polish Cultural Association Concert: The Warsaw Concerto

The Scottish Polish Cultural Association is honoured to host for the third time Steinway Artist, Rafael A. Luszczewski, who will perform "The Warsaw Concerto" in his own arrangement for piano solo. Rafael is a superb Polish pianist, regarded as one of the best interpreters of Chopin’s works. The concert will be limited to 40 seats only so please book early. You will be treated to a fantastic musical performance in the beautiful intimate surroundings of the Edinburgh Society of Musicians in Edinburgh, a rare appearance of Rafael Luszczewski in Scotland. Tickets only £15.00 per person (including a glass of wine)Book online at www.scotpoles.co.uk

Jubilee Year Picnic for Families

Join families from across the Archdiocese for a Jubilee Year picnic on Saturday 28 June, 11:00am – 4:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. There will be spiritual talks on the theme of Hope and talks and games for children. Includes Rosary at The Grotto and concludes with Holy Mass in St Margaret's Chapel. At 4:00pmthere is the chance to walk to the Jubilee Cross at St Mary's Cathedral (optional). Childcare provided. Register at bit.ly/archpicnic

Volunteers Needed: The Marriage & Families Commission is requesting volunteers to help at the picnic. Please contact Fr Benedict Iwatt at VEmarriage@staned.org.uk if you would like to volunteer. Thank you!

Faith Movement Summer Session for Young Adults at Ampleforth Abbey

The Faith Movement is back at Ampleforth Abbey this summer for our 49th annual summer session from 28 July - 1 August 2025. The theme of our five-day Catholic conference for young adults is Christ: Our Eucharist, Earth's Light and Jubilee. Spend a week in beautiful York with other young adults aged 16-30 exploring the faith with a variety of social, spiritual and catechetical activities. The focus of the week will be the series of talks, each building on one another to develop a coherent, dynamic vision of the faith. Each day there will be Mass, Morning and Night prayer and, on one of the evenings, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions. There will also be plenty of time for recreation and socialising each night. Please register at www.faith.co.uk/events

‘Stories of Belief’ Exhibition in Edinburgh

As Edinburgh celebrates its 900th anniversary, take a journey through 900 years of faith and belief in an exciting audio-visual exhibition, sponsored by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, on display in June and July in three locations throughout the city. The National Shrine of St. Andrew at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral will be featured in the exhibition, with historical photos and copies of Vatican documents. The exhibit invites visitors to add their own stories, is free to enter and will be held 23rd June to 29th June – New College, University of Edinburgh EH1 2LX; 1st July-15th July – St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral EH12 5AW; 16th July – 23rd July –St James Quarter EH1 3AD. On the first date of each venue showing, the exhibition will open at midday, and on the last day of each venue showing, the exhibition will close at midday. More information at https://bit.ly/StoriesofBelief.

August: Monastic Experience Weekend for Men at Pluscarden Abbey

The community of Benedictine monks at Pluscarden offer a special opportunity for men to experience what monastic life is all about Friday 22nd-Monday 25th August. This opportunity is suitable for single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation. Participants will join the monks in their daily prayer and work. No charge for the weekend. Register at https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/monastic-experience-weekend

Church Representative For City of Edinburgh Councilcx

The Archdiocese is seeking to appoint an individual to represent the views of Roman Catholic Churches in Education to the Local Councils on their behalf for a fixed three year term. This is a supported voluntary role, any travel expenses occurred in the role are reimbursed by the Archdiocese. For further information please speak to one of the clergy after mass or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Parish Communicators

The Archdiocese is hosting a webinar for those who are involved with parish communications (such as Facebook and newsletters). It takes place on Saturday 19 July, 10:00am-11:00am. The session will give tips and guidance on parish social media and more. Register at bit.ly/parishcomms

Save the Date

The Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage Day is on Saturday 21 September 2025 at St Patricks in The Cowgate, Edinburgh. More details coming soon.

Carmelite Pilgrimage in October

The Carmelites in London are offering a 7-day pilgrimage to Spain ‘Walk in St. Teresa's Footsteps’ from 10th – 16th October 2025, led by Fr Matt Blake, OCD and Fr Kelvin Ekhoegbe, OCD. Join in this adventure with St Teresa in her transformative journey of the soul to God through prayer. Walk in her footsteps as she lived and taught. To book and to see full details visit https://www.carmelite.uk.net/pilgrimage/avila-retreat-pilgrimage-2025/

Read the newsletter for 22nd June (pdf)