Young Adults Talk Series - St Mary's Cathedral

The Lenten talk series for St Mary's Cathedral's Young Adults Group.
We take a look at some of St Paul's writings and the teachings contained within them. This final talk is led by Archbishop Leo Cushley who will discuss Phillipians 2: 6-11.
Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm. Talk begins at 7:30pm and is followed by some time for private prayer and confessions then Night Prayer, finishing for 9:00pm.
No registration required. Further info: frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk

Young Adults Talk Series - St Mary's Cathedral

The Lenten talk series for St Mary's Cathedral's Young Adults Group.
We take a look at some of St Paul's writings and the teachings contained within them. Talk led by Fr Jamie McMorrin, of St Margaret's Parish in Edinburgh, who will discuss Ephesian 6: 10-20.
Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm. Talk begins at 7:30pm and is followed by some time for private prayer and confessions then Night Prayer, finishing for 9:00pm.
No registration required. Further inf0: frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk

Young Adults Talk Series - St Mary's Cathedral

The Lenten talk series for St Mary's Cathedral's Young Adults Group. We take a look at some of St Paul's writings and the teachings contained within them. Talk led by Fr Joshua Moir of St Patrick's in Kilsyth, who will discuss St Paul's epistle to Philemon. Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm. Talk begins at 7:30pm and is followed by some time for private prayer and confessions then Night Prayer, finishing for 9:00pm. No registration required. Further info: frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk

Pro-Life Reflection: Fr Paul Henderson

Fr Paul Henderson reflects on the importance of hope to Christians, amidst continuing secular attacks on life.

Fr Paul is an assistant priest at Ss John Cantius & Nicholas in Broxburn.

His reflection concluded the national online Stations of the Cross, held each Monday in Lent at 7:45pm (register here).

WATCH: Guidance on returning to Confession

Need help returning to Confession this Lent?

We have compiled recordings from our event 'RETURN' which took place at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday.

You can watch them below or on our YouTube playlist.

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How Confession Shaped my Life

Sian Jones, a parishioner at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh, gives her testimony on how confession shaped her life.

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What is Forgiveness? What is Confession?

Sr Miriam Ruth Ryan RSM delves into the concept of forgiveness, the key compnent of Confession. Sr Miriam Ruth is the Catechetics Advisor for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

What is Sin? Why do we Sin?

Fr Kevin Douglas breaks down what we mean by sin and why we sin, despite our best efforts not to. Watch below or on YouTube.

What is your Conscience? Why Examine it?

Christine Clarke, a member of the Archdiocesan Catechetics Commission, looks at examining our conscience, using prayer and reflection to gain clarity in making good moral decisions. Watch below or on YouTube.

What is Free Choice?

Fr Joshua Moir, of St Patrick's in Kilsyth, look at our capacity to choose to follow God and love him. Watch below or on YouTube.

Helping you to holiness in Lent

The holy season of Lent begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday (5 March). It is a time we use the spiritual weapons of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Here are some suggestions for helping you towards holiness as we prepare for Easter...

Go to Mass on Ash Wednesday
Ashes will be distributed at all Masses at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh. Archbishop Cushley will be the principal celebrant at the 10:00am Mass at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh. There are also Masses at 8:00am, 10:00am (School Mass), 6:00pm (Polish) and 7.30pm.

Go to Confession
Prepare for Holy Week and Easter by going to confession. As Pope Francis said in 2015: "There are people who are afraid to go to confession, forgetting that they will not encounter a severe judge there, but the immensely merciful Father." Use the Archdiocesan Directory to find parish Confession times.

Help getting back to Confession
Not been to Confession for a while? Find out more about the Sacrament of Confession (and have the chance to go to Confession) at our event this Saturday 8 March, 10am-4pm, at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. Register here.

Support the WEE BOX campaign
Thousands of people in Columbia need your help right now. By ordering a WEE BOX and collecting your loose change, you have the power to make a huge difference. Find out more here.

Pray the Stations of the Cross
Join Catholics from across Scotland online each Monday in Lent for Stations of the Cross. Begins at 7:45pm on Monday 10 March and includes a reflection from Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen Diocese. Register at bit.ly/Stations25

Take the Temperance Pledge
The Pioneer Association has a Short-Term Pledge for adults over the age of eighteen years to give up alcohol during Lent. This abstinence is spiritually motivated, being undertaken out of love of God as exemplified in the Heart of Christ. Find out more here.

Join a World Day of Prayer service
The World Day of Prayer is celebrated on Friday 7 March and is this year led by women in The Cook Islands with the theme 'I made you wonderful'. Ecumenical prayer services are taking place across the Archdiocese. To find out where services are taking place please visit www.wdpscotland.org.uk or click here.

Pray for survivors of abuse
The Bishops Conference of Scotland has designated the first Friday of Lent as a Day of Prayer for Those who have Suffered Abuse.

Support your child in Lent
If you have children in High School encourage them to attend 'Rise in Faith, Live in Hope'. The event will provide inspiration and encouragement for young Catholics across the Archdiocese. The day will take place on Saturday 15th March 2025 at St Francis Xavier's Catholic Church, Hope Street, Falkirk. Register here.

Go on Pilgrimage
The Edinburgh Seven Hills Pilgrimage is on Saturday 5th April. Taking in the summits of Arthur's Seat, Blackford Hill, the Braids, Easter Craiglockhart Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Castle Rock and Carlton Hill, the whole route is around 27km starting and finishing at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Whether you want to join us for the whole event or meet the group along the way, this is a perfect opportunity to offer Lenten penance, pray for the city of Edinburgh and conclude with worship together at the 6:00pm Vigil Mass and prayers at the Jubilee Cross at the Cathedral. More details to be confirmed soon, but register your interest now at bit.ly/sevenhillsapril

 

'We pray for a fuller cherishing of life'

Bishop Hugh Gilbert highlighted how the battle to "cherish life" continues in society.

He gave this pro-life reflection at the Stations of the Cross, which is held each Monday in Lent at 7:45pm (register here).

He said: "Despite huge challenges surgeons and doctors, health professionals of all kinds, carers and so forth are cherishing life. Thank God for this.

"But here's the strange contradiction: the erosion of this culture of care at the two ends of life.

"Hence abortion, hence the imminent threat of assisted suicide, and these are dire and dark things.

"So my thanks to all of you for carrying the torch for life."

Bishop Hugh Gilbert is a Benedictine monk and the Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen.

Archbishop: Go to Confession in Lent

If you have not been to confession for a while and want to learn more and go to confession, come along to RETURN, a special Lent event.

Archbishop Leo Cushley said: "Lent is a special time when we're reflecting upon our sins and doing penances and getting ready for Easter, purifying ourselves.

"If it's been a while since you've been to confession this event will help you reflect upon the importance of confession and you can take up the opportunity to get back to this very important, very beautiful sacrament which reconciles us with God and with his mercy and love.

"I hope that as many of you as possible will take this great opportunity."

The day includes talks, a how-to session, Q&A, prayer, and a chance to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sian Jones, a parishioner at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh, will give a testimony on her remarkable experience of Confession.

Register here.

RETURN is on from 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday 8 March at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. (You can join us from 9:30am for tea/coffee). Event organised by the Catechetics Commission of The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.  Free parking, free light lunch. Questions? Email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk

 

Parish launches Lent book club

A Lent book club has been launched at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Edinburgh.

Everyone is invited to take part in the sessions held each Monday, either in person (at 1:00pm) or online (at 7:00pm) led by parish priest Fr Adrian Porter SJ.

The featured book is Pondering and Praying Vatican II by Archbishop John Wilson (main picture), of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

Fr Adrian said: "Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to revisit the four key documents of the Second Vatican Council during this Jubilee Year of 2025.

"These constitutions reshaped the Catholic Church in the mid-twentieth century and their implications are still being worked out in the life of the Church today.

"Everyone is invited to join us for one or more of the sessions."

To get the Zoom link for the 7:00pm session please email ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk. The book is available for purchase online or in the parish bookshop.

About Pondering and Praying Vatican II

 

Lent Stations of the Cross (Zoom)

Pray the Stations of the Cross each Monday evening in Lent with people from across Scotland.

We will be praying for the unborn, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Includes brief reflection from a member of the clergy each week. To take part, please register here.

Dates

  • Monday 10 March - 7:45pm
  • Monday 17 March - 7:45pm
  • Monday 24 March - 7:45pm
  • Monday 31 March - 7:45pm
  • Monday 7 April - 7:45pm
  • Monday 14 April - 7:45pm

Event organised by the Marriage, Family & Life Office of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.