29th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Leave a Legacy That Speaks of Your Faith

Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy for the Cathedral Parish? Perhaps a lasting legacy by contributing to a particular project, such as the Cathedral roof repairs, for example, or simply to be put towards wherever the need is greatest. Legacies can benefit the parish in so many ways, helping our churches to continue being a home of prayer and worship for future generations. Leaving a legacy can be arranged quickly and easily, it does not have to involve a lot of paperwork. The leaflet enclosed with this week’s newsletter and available at the back of the churches provides more details and if you would like to explore this further, please contact our Finance officer, Caroline Reid, in the first instance at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made: through our 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’. Please remember to Gift Aid it if you can, 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!

Donate to the cathedral building fund here

Next Sunday Noon Mass: Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate

At the 12 noon Mass next Sunday, we will receive people into the order of Catechumens, the first rite of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process for those who are unbaptised. Please pray for these friends as they journey towards baptism.

November Lists

In November, we pray especially for the faithful departed. Please take a November List from the back of church to fill out with the names of friends and family members who have passed away and return it to the Cathedral or St Andrew’s, Ravelston in the marked box found at the back of either church. Please try and return them before the 1st of November, but you can take them throughout the month of November.

Daily Rosary for Peace During October

We will continue praying of the Rosary for peace during the weekdays of October, following on the Holy Father’s invitation for this Month of the Holy Rosary. Cathedral: Monday-Friday after the 10.00am Mass, at 12 noon, from 1:30 am onwards and Saturday at 5.15pm. St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: After the 6:00pm Mass, Monday-Friday. If you are able to lead the Rosary one day a week at St. Andrew’s, please e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or sign up on the sheets in the back of church.

Young Adults Group Talk: ‘The Global Family’

The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 21 October, resuming our series ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Bishop Brian McGee, “The Global Family.” All those ages 18-40 are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub.

An Evening of Formation for Catholic Men

An evening of formation for Catholic adult lay men will be held in the Ravelston rooms Wednesday, 29 October, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The group is inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, and it will focus on the teachings of the Catholic Church on the universal call to holiness and the Christian virtues applicable to the ordinary activities of lay faithful like family life, study and work. If you would like to attend please email Juan Pablo at juanpablo.andrader@gmail.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. Adore the Lord Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” John 15:9-10

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.

‘Raise the Roof’ Fundraising: Quiz Night Tickets on Sale This Weekend

Tickets are on sale after Cathedral Masses this weekend for our next Quiz Night. The Summer is gone and we are kick starting our autumnal “raise the roof” fund raising efforts with this much-anticipated event in Coffee Saints on Friday 24th October 2025. The quiz, by popular request, will have earlier start of 6.30pm. As with previous quizzes, there will a veritable cornucopia of rounds testing your general and specialist knowledge, along with spot prizes, a cash bar, festive snacks, and a cash prize for the winner. Teams are welcome (up to six per team) Tickets £10 per person. Email deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to reserve tickets for payment on the night.

Legion of Mary – Mondays and Tuesdays

The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics who are interested in growing in devotion to Our Lady, and meet weekly for prayer and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion are very welcome to come along to a meeting to learn more, but must apply for membership and are obliged to do at least an hour of service a week including visits to the homebound, sick and elderly. Visit https://legionofmary.ie/ to learn more about Legion of Mary.

Monday Evenings

The “Our Lady Cause of Our Joy” Praesidium is a group of male and female, students, professionals and others of diverse cultures from different countries and meets on Mondays at 7:00pm, at 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. We. For more information, please contact Emmy-- 07879074240, Rosa—07868842099.

Tuesday Mornings

The “Our Lady of Confidence” Praesidium meets on Tuesdays at 11:00am in 63 York Place EH1 3 JD. To learn more, please contact Ian Ferri at mriferri@blueyonder.co.uk

Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People

Attend the Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People, every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm, 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. Come and listen. Christ is risen! Inquiries: Ian at ijmcgoldrick@gmail.com

Register Children for Sacrament of Reconciliation Preparation

If you have a child in Primary 3 or above who has not yet made their First Confession, registration remains open until next Sunday 19th October. To register your child please visit www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation and fill in the details there. Classes for those who do not attend St Mary’s Primary School will resume on Sunday, 26th October at 9:30am at Ravelston.

First Holy Communion and Confirmation Registration

Registration is also open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation is at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in March for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Questions: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Those attending St Mary’s Primary School will do their sacramental preparation through the school and information will come from St Mary’s separately.

Save the Date: St Andrew’s Talk – Evangelising Online

Mark your diary for our next St. Andrew’s talk on Monday, 27 October, with Matt Meade, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese, who will speak on “The Church & the Digital World: Evangelising Online.” Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) after 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Tickets on Sale for Race Night at St. Andrew’s

Tickets on sale after Mass today for the Race Night at St. Andrew’s, on Friday, 31 October after 6pm Mass. Join us for a fun evening with the horses to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10(to include light supper).

Second Collection This Weekend for World Mission Sunday

This weekend will be a special collection for World Day of Prayer for the Missions (Mission Sunday). The theme this year is Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples, and Bolivia is the focus country for projects being supported by Missio Scotland. Donations also can be made online at missioscotland.com/donate

Annual Mass Attendance Census Next Weekend

The Archdiocese’s Annual Mass Attendance Census will be taken next weekend 25th/26th October.

Save the Date: Charity Advent Tea at St. Andrew’s – Learn About Charities

Join us for a delicious Advent Tea on Saturday, 6 December, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, in the Parish Rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, and learn about various charities for the homeless from a few members of our parish, who will each introduce a different charity they are supporting. Come along and learn how you can help the homeless, too. Tickets £10 (which will be passed on to the charities concerned). Mark your diary!

Justice & Peace: Scotland Demands Better March and Rally

Justice & Peace Scotland stands alongside over 200 organisations and faith groups for the ‘Scotland Demands Better March in Edinburgh. The event will call for fair jobs and wages, and decent social security.. The march will set off from the Scottish Parliament on Saturday, 25 October at 11:00am, travel up the Royal Mile to The Meadows, and conclude with a family-friendly rally of music, speeches, and community spirit. Look out for the J&P Scotland banner and placards at the meeting. Meet at the visitors' entrance at the Scottish Parliament Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP.

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women

Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all welcome to join us Saturday, 25 October, 3:45pm-4:45pm in the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments, video input on Church teaching about “the communion of saints”, with discussion to follow. Holy Hour with Adoration & Vespers 5:10pm at the convent with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Register by contacting edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

Job Opening: Administrator

The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint an Administrator (35 hours per week, £23,000 - £25,000 per annum) for a period of one year for maternity cover to provide administrative support to the Chancery and Catechetics departments at the Gillis Centre, EH9 1BB. Full job description at bit.ly/archadmin1. To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role to recruitment@staned.org.uk by Friday 24 October 2025.

Candlelight Procession to Remember Lives Lost to Abortion Since 1967

Please attend Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s Candlelight Procession in Glasgow to remember the lives lost to abortion since the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act. The procession will be at 6:30pm, Thursday, 30 October, from John Street at Glasgow City Chambers to St. Andrew's Cathedral, with Rosary in the Cathedral at 7:00pm followed by 7:30pm Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Paul Denney.

Conference on ‘The Psalms and a Life of Prayer’

Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB, a monk of Conception Abbey, Missouri, will lead day-long conferences open to the clergy and the laity on 28th October (Stirling) and 29th October (Glasgow) on 'The Psalms and a Life of Prayer'. Abbot Gregory led the translation project to revise the Grail Psalms, creating the Abbey Psalter which is used in the new translation of the Lectionary for Mass. Daytime events: Tuesday 28 October, 10:30am - 4:00pm, the University of Stirling, Stirling Court Hotel, Wallace Monument Main Room FK9 4LA; Wednesday, 29 October, 10:30am - 4:00pm, Christ the King Church Hall, Glasgow, G44 5AP. Cost £25 (payable on the day, includes lunch). Content includes: The Revised Grail (Abbey) Psalms: its creation and the use of Psalmody in the liturgy in general; yhe use of Psalmody in the Mass and the Responsorial Psalm (include Entrance and Communion antiphons).; preaching on the Psalms; the Psalter and a life of prayer. Evening event: Singing the Psalms in the Liturgy, Christ the King Church Hall, 7:00pm. To register email liturgycommission@bcos.org.uk Event organised by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.

Edinburgh Retreat for Young Women for Discerning Your Vocation

Young women discerning a call to the religious life, or who simply want to find out more, are invited to a weekend retreat led by Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO, Archdiocesan Director for Religious Vocations, Friday, 31 October to Sunday, 2 November, at The Convent, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. The weekend includes Holy Mass, a Holy Hour, praying the Divine Office, reflections, sharing and time for quiet discernment. To register for this free event please email Sr Mirjam at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

Read the newsletter for 19th October (pdf)