St Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen

Gospel
Matthew 11:20-24
It will not go as hard with S***m on Judgement Day as with you

Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent.
‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on Judgement day with Tyre and Sidon as with you. And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be exalted as high as heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in S***m, it would have been standing yet. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard with the land of S***m on Judgement day as with you.’
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☀️ Looking for something to do with your little ones this afternoon?

Why not join us for our Babies & Toddlers Summer Meet-up today from 1:30pm–3:30pm in the Main Hall at St Mary's Cathedral.

Come along for a relaxed afternoon where little ones can play while parents, grandparents and carers enjoy a chat over a cuppa. It's a lovely opportunity to meet other young families in a friendly and welcoming environment.

💛 Everyone is welcome – you don't need to be a member of the parish or attend the church to join us.

📍 St Mary's Cathedral, Main Hall, Huntly Street, Aberdeen AB10 1SH

🕜 Today | 1:30pm–3:30pm

We'd love to see you there! Please feel free to invite any friends or family with babies and toddlers who might enjoy coming along. 👶🧸☕

Gospel
Matthew 13:1-23
A sower went out to sow

He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

'When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path. The one who received it on patches of rock is the man who hears the word and welcomes it at once with joy. But he has no root in him, he does not last; let some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, and he falls away at once. The one who received the seed in thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this world and the lure of riches choke the word and so he produces nothing. And the one who received the seed in rich soil is the man who hears the word and understands it; he is the one who yields a harvest and produces now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.’
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St Benedict (480 - 547)

— St Benedict hands his Rule to St Maurus, from a 12th-century manuscript in the British Library.

Benedict was born in Nursia, in Umbria, and studied in Rome; but he was unable to stomach the dissolute life of the city, and he became a solitary hermit at Subiaco. His reputation spread, and some monks asked him to be their abbot; but they did not like the discipline he imposed and tried to poison him.
Benedict organised various small communities of monks and nuns in various places, including the great monastery of Monte Cassino. He drew up a set of rules to guide the communal life of monasteries. Although this was not the first monastic rule ever, the Rule of St Benedict has proved so wise and balanced that it has served as the foundation of practically every attempt at communal living ever since – and not only in religious communities. The Rule of St Benedict recognises that people aim at perfection but often fall well short of it, and aims to be a “rule for beginners” in which even the least perfect and least able can grow in spiritual stature. To visit a Benedictine monastery of almost any kind is to find oneself spending time among a group of people who, by their strivings to live and grow together, have become more and more themselves, as God intended them, instead of being crushed into false uniformity by some idealistic and authoritarian regime.
For those of us in the world, too, the Rule of St Benedict has much to say: it drags our eyes up to the stars but keeps our feet firmly on the ground; it calls us to perfection but keeps us sane.
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Prayer to Our Lady of Aberdeen

Our Lady of Aberdeen, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, we thank you for your intercession on our behalf in the past. With renewed confidence we turn to you again, asking that you may through your Son, help to strengthen our faith and guide us in our resolve to carry out his will.

We commend to you our Holy Father, Pope Leo, and our Bishop,Hugh, and ask that you may look favourably upon their intentions.

We pray for all the needs of the Church; that you may bring about unity among men in the love of your Son.

Our Lady of Aberdeen, we pray for those who rule us, we pray for our neighbours, our families and ourselves that the peace of Christ may reign among us, always.

Our Lady of Aberdeen, Our Lady of Good Success, pray for us.
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Gospel
Matthew 9:32-37
The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
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Gospel
Matthew 11:25-30
You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
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Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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St. Mary's Cathedral Eucharistic Healing Night

🌟✨ Join Us for a Night of Healing! ✨🌟

🗓️ Saturday, 4th July
🕐 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

We're excited to extend a heartfelt invitation to our upcoming Healing Night at St. Mary's Cathedral! This is a special evening offering a space for anyone in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing.

Experience the power of worship, the uplifting message of the Word, and the transformative effects of prayer. Our dedicated prayer team, comprising both clergy and lay members, will be on hand to pray for each individual's specific needs.

We've been humbled by the testimonies from previous events, where individuals have encountered profound healing, including relief from arthritis, bladder issues, frozen shoulder pain, and many others.

Your story could be next!

Come and be part of this evening of faith, hope, and healing. Spread the word and bring along anyone who could benefit from this powerful encounter.

🙏🕊️

Radio Maria UK Now Broadcasting Across Scotland

Radio Maria UK, a Catholic radio station providing prayer, catechesis, music, and faith-filled conversation twenty-four hours a day, has launched a major new DAB signal reaching up to 70% of Scotland's population, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and the central belt.

Bishop John Keenan warmly welcomed the news, describing Catholic media as playing a vital role in fostering a culture rooted in the Gospel and drawing people closer to God.

Listeners across Scotland can now tune in on any DAB digital radio, through smart speakers by asking for "Radio Maria," or by downloading the free Radio Maria Play app on their phone or tablet.