Cathedral Roof Appeal
There has been a tremendous response to our roof appeal – so profound thanks. So far we have raised an incredible £5,000 and remember a very generous donor has offered to double everything that is given for this appeal. The second collection at all Masses today will be for the appeal. If you would like to donate online please visit https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/roof , or contact our Finance Office, finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Cathedral Calendars
As part of the Roof Appeal, we will be selling Cathedral Calendars after all Masses this weekend. These are really beautiful and are an IDEAL Christmas gift for that difficult aunt (!) – or for students to take home to their mums to show they have been at Mass!! Priced at only £10 they are a bargain and should be purchased quickly while stocks last…
Rorate Masses
Our beautiful Advent Rorate Masses continue this week on Monday at 7pm at Ravelston and on Thursday at 7pm at the Cathedral. These are candlelit Masses and are the perfect way to prepare spiritually for Christmas. The Cathedral bookshop will also stay open until 8pm on the evenings of the Rorate Masses at the Cathedral.
Extra Times for Confessions in Advent
Going to Confession is a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas. Two priests will be available for Confession on Saturday mornings from 10:30am until 12:00pm and extra time for Confession will be available on Sundays from 7:00pm. Make time to receive the Lord’s healing and forgiveness this Advent.
Volunteers required for Christmas and New Year Masses
We are looking for volunteers to assist at the Christmas Masses and the Mass on New Year’s Day. If you are able to help with any of the following Ministries – Reading, EMHC, Passkeeping, Welcoming or Money collecting, please sign up on the sheets at the passkeepers’ table or contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com
Kathedral Knits on Sale Today
Joanna Kopystynska’s beautiful, knitted goods will be on sale in the Octagon after all Masses today. The items are also available at www.kathedralknits.etsy.com
Thank You
Thank you very much to our parishioners at the Cathedral and St Andrew’s for the fantastic response to our request for Christmas gifts for the children of prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison. The gifts are very much appreciated by the prisoners as it allows them to give their children a gift at Christmas. Your continued kindness and generosity are very much appreciated.
Tonight is Last Youth Group Meeting Before Christmas
The Youth Group will have its last meeting before Christmas tonight at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. Children from P3 to P7 are welcome to join between 6 and 7.30pm for an evening of games, an opportunity to learn something about our faith, prayer and more! Pick up an invitation card with the QR code or you can fill out a form on the night. There is a £1 registration for the whole year. Come along!
2024 Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation courses will be in 2024 on the following Saturdays 2nd March, 1st June 24th August and 23rd November at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-5pm, with presentations by married couples from the parish. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Catenians Meeting
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to a meeting on Wednesday, 20th December, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. Informal chat to follow in a local pub. Join us! The Association is an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com
Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon
Last group meet up this year will be Tuesday 12th December, 2pm - 3.30pm. The group will resume as normal on Tuesday 9th January 2024. A huge thank you to the wonderful staff at Coffee Saints for making us feel welcome, see you all in the New Year.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society had the annual Christmas Mass and lunch 2nd December. The event was well attended and a wonderful lunch was had by all. Thank you to Fr Robert for leading a wonderful Mass. Thank you also to the Young Adult Group and The Legion of Mary for their wonderful support, help with the lunch and their amazing carol singing. If you or someone you know is an older member of the parish and would like to join in with the SSVP events, contact the Cathedral office or speak to a SSVP member when we resume collections in the New Year.
Volunteers Needed!
Cathedral Flower Arranging
We ask that you please consider volunteering to assist with arranging of flower displays around the Cathedral. We are very much in need of additional volunteers. Four two-person teams meet once every four weeks, mid-morning on a Friday. Lack of experience is not a barrier if you are interested, as one of the two-person team is an experienced volunteer. To join a team of flower arrangers, or find out more, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com
Cathedral Rorate Masses
Volunteers are needed to assist in preparing the Cathedral (laying out candles, welcoming people, etc) prior to the candlelit Rorate Masses and tidying up afterwards. The Rorate Masses will be celebrated on Thursdays 14th and 21st December. The Masses start at 7pm. You would need to be available from 6pm. If you can assist, then please e-mail Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com with a note of your availability.
Bacon Roll Donations
Thank you to all our generous parishioners who donated this weekend and to our great team of workers and cooks who made it a fun and successful morning. We raised just over £430 which will go to an Edinburgh based charitable organisation who feed the homeless all year round.
Helpers Needed: Setup and Cleanup for Ravelston Rorate Masses
Please consider helping us to setup and cleanup for the beautiful candlelit Rorate Masses at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, scheduled for 7pm on Monday 11th and 18th December. We need helpers for each Mass to set up the candles around the church and to tidy them up after the Mass! If you can assist for any of these Masses, please contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Become an Altar Server
We have a dedicated group of servers in St Andrew’s, but we are always looking for more to join our ranks. If you have made your First Holy Communion, please speak to Father Robert about serving at the altar during Mass. Adults as well as children are welcome!
Parish Project: Voting Slips Available
Please pick up your voting slip today for our Parish Project. Parish Project. As most of you will know, our current ‘Parish Project’ is the Rosminian Mission, Fr Binu’s seminary in India. It is, however, time for this to be reviewed such that either Fr Binu’s seminary will continue as our Parish Project for three more years (commencing 1st Jan 2024) or that another charity will take its place after the end of this year.
As before, the Parish Council would like the parish to vote on this and therefore, today, voting forms will again be handed out at Sunday Mass allowing you, our parishioners, to vote. Brief details of the charities that are listed on the voting forms are on the noticeboard in the Parish Rooms. Please do take this opportunity to cast your vote – a polling box will be at the back of the church in which to place your completed forms and votes will be counted over the coming days. Thank you!
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Day and Vigil Mass times for our parish and all churches in the Archdiocese can be viewed at www.archedinburgh.org/christmas-day-mass-times/
Diploma in Catechetics 2024
Explore the richness and depth of our Catholic faith – all from home – with the Diploma in Catechetics from the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, led by Sr Miriam Ruth Ryan RSM. Tune in each Thursday at 7:30pm for an expert-led Zoom Webinar (or watch the recording at your convenience), and further enjoy guided readings, regular one-to-one support, and an in-person retreat. The Diploma in Catechetics begins on Thursday 25 January 2024. Concessions available. Registration and info at bit.ly/archdiploma2024. Questions? Email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk
Faith Winter Conference for Young Adults: ‘The God Who Speaks’
This new year Fr. Robert will be taking a group of young adults to the Faith Winter Conference from Tuesday 2nd January to Thursday, 4th January. The conference will be held at the Emmaus Youth Village, Consett, and the theme is “The God Who Speaks: ‘This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.’” Fr. Patrick will also be going, as will Sr. Miriam Fidelis, RSM. The conference is open to anyone between the ages of 16 and 25 and attracts scores of young Catholics from all over Britain with a unique blend of catechetical, spiritual and social activities in a relaxed holiday atmosphere. The cost of the conference for students is £110. If you are interested – please speak to Fr. Robert or Fr. Patrick.
‘Buffer Zone’ Bill
A new bill proposes criminalising prayer and offers of help to women in designated ‘buffer zones’ around abortion centres in Scotland, including inside private homes within a 200m zone. Please respond to the government consultation which ends on 20 December at bit.ly/f2pshortsurvey. Please also write to your MSP to express your concerns. Visit https://rcpolitics.org/buffer-zones for more information on what you can do to stop this disproportionate and intolerant law being introduced, including help with responding to the consultation and writing to your MSP.
Donations for Holy Land
Archbishop Cushley is encouraging us to consider donating to Friends of the Holy Land in Advent. A donation page has been set up for the Archdiocese at bit.ly/archholyland. Find out more about its work at www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/about-us
Explore God’s Will: Vocation to the Religious Life
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will in monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the first one takes place on Sunday 28 January, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street. It is a chance to pray, share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and refreshments will be served. Meetings at same time/venue: 25 Feb, 17 Mar, 21 Apr, 12 May and 22 June. To register, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
St Pauls Bookshop
For Christmas gift ideas, cards, bibles, rosary beads, holy images calendars and lots more, visit St Pauls Bookshop at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh (beside John Lewis). It is open seven days a week from 10:00am to 5:00pm.