At the Easter Vigil this year we will receive ten people into the Church: Rowena, Jolanda, Carmen, Timothy, Justin, Tom, Laura, Jonathan, Elizabeth and John. This is the end of a long journey of faith for them and I ask you to keep them all in your prayers this week as they prepare to make this important step in their lives. I encourage you also to try to attend the Easter Vigil which is a beautiful celebration

Today at Mass we welcome the children of P4, who are preparing for their First Holy Communion this year, with their parents and families. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for this important event in their spiritual lives.

We need new catechists to join our Childrens classes in early September. Classes take place in this church 9:30-10:10am on Sunday mornings during school term. The more volunteers we have; the easier it is to job-share. As this role involves working with our P1-P7 children, who are at a vulnerable age, applicants will need to receive regulatory safeguarding (PVG) approval in advance of taking up the position. Therefore, we are seeking commitment now so that the safeguarding process can be completed with no last-minute rush. If you could help, please speak to Fr Jamie or Mary Buchan before or after mass. Thank you – we would love to hear from you!

There will be an important meeting for parents of children preparing to make their First Confessions this year. The meeting will be at 6.30pm in the Cathedral Café on Thursday 7th March.

Parents Meeting for P3 (First Confession) children on Thursday 7th March at 6.30pm in the Café. First Confessions will be on Thursday 14th March at 7pm in the Cathedral.

For many and various reasons, sometimes people never actually get confirmed. If you are an adult who has never been confirmed, the Cathedral will be running a course for you during Lent this year with a view to Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on 20th April. Meetings will take place on Monday nights at 7pm in the Cathedral House. If you would like to know more or register for the course, please e-mail Sr. Mary Simone: cathedralhouse.

We need new catechists to join our Childrens classes in early September. Classes take place in this church 9:30-10:10am on Sunday mornings during school term. The more volunteers we have; the easier it is to job-share. As this role involves working with our P1-P7 children, who are at a vulnerable age, applicants will need to receive regulatory safeguarding (PVG) approval in advance of taking up the position. Therefore, we are seeking commitment now so that the safeguarding process can be completed with no last-minute rush. If you could help, please speak to Fr Jamie or Mary Buchan before or after mass. Thank you – we would love to hear from you!

For many and various reasons, sometimes people never actually get confirmed. If you are an adult who has never been confirmed, the Cathedral will be running a course for you during Lent this year with a view to Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on 20th April. Meetings will take place on Monday nights at 7pm in the Cathedral House. If you would like to know more or register for the course, please e-mail Sr. Mary Simone: cathedralhouse.

For many and various reasons, sometimes people never actually get confirmed. If you are an adult who has never been confirmed, the Cathedral will be running a course for you during Lent this year with a view to Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on 20th April. Meetings will take place on Monday nights at 7pm in the Cathedral House. If you would like to know more or register for the course, please e-mail Sr. Mary Simone: cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.

Just to remind parents of children preparing for the sacraments this year, that there will be a service for the P3’s at Mass on 20th January and for the P4’s at Mass on 27th January. It is important that parents attend these Masses with their children.

For many and various reasons, sometimes people never actually get confirmed. If you are an adult who has never been confirmed, the Cathedral will be running a course for you during Lent this year with a view to Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on 20th April. Meetings will take place on Monday nights at 7pm in the Cathedral House. To register, e-mail: cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.

Today we will welcome the children of P4, together with their parents and families, for a short rite during Mass. I know that you will make them very welcome.

Next week at the 9am Mass at the Cathedral and at the 10.30am Mass at Ravelston we will welcome the children of the parish in P3 and P4 who are preparing for the sacraments.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will begin at the Cathedral on 18th September. The group meets every Tuesday from 7.00pm to 8:30pm. If you would like to sign up or just to receive more information about RCIA, please contact the Parish Office on cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

If you would like your child to receive the sacraments this year (P3 – First Confession, and P4 – First Holy Communion) please fill in a registration form and hand it in to the Parish Office asap. The first Parents meeting for P.3 parents will be at 6.30pm this Wednesday in the Cathedral Café.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will begin at the Cathedral on 18th September. The group meets every Tuesday from 7.00pm to 8:30pm. If you would like to sign up or just to receive more information about RCIA, please contact the Parish Office on cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

In order to improve and enrich our Children’s Liturgy across the Archdiocese and in order to share good practice, the Catechetics Commission has organized a Day for Children’s Liturgy Leaders on the 15th of September 2018, at the Gillis Centre (110 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB) from 11am – 3pm. If you would like to attend, please email childrensliturgyday@gmail.com and reserve a place.

Communion bread and wine

Please keep our P4 children in your prayers this week as they prepare to make their First Holy Communions next Saturday.

First confessions will now be celebrated on Thursday 19^th April at 7pm. If this presents any problems, please speak to Fr Patrick or Fr Nick.