Sunday Noon Mass: Rite of Acceptance
At the 12 noon Mass today, we will celebrate a Rite of Acceptance for members of the RCIA group (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) who are going forward with their preparation to be baptised, confirmed andreceived into full communion with the Church. Those who are to be baptised are accepted into the Order of Catechumens and others are accepted as Candidates for Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. Please remember them in your prayers.
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.
Young Adults Group Talk: ‘The International Church’
The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 28 October, resuming our series ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Mark Booker of Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, on ‘The International Church.’ 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.
Friends of the Cathedral Event, Thursday, 30th October
Join Friends of the Cathedral for Catholics, War and Britain's Armed Forces from 1914 to the Present, on Thursday, 30 October 2025, 7.30pm in Coffee Saints. Canon Professor Michael Snape will travel from Durham University, where he is Professor of Anglican Studies, to talk about the history of Catholics in the armed forces from the First World War to the present day. This talk is a must for all who have an interest in history and Catholicism and, as Remembrance Day approaches next month, serves as a reminder of those who gave their lives for our country. Email cathedralnews@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you wish to attend, thank you.
Cathedral Building Fund Appeal
We’ve now raised over £350,000 for our Building Fund Appeal! With the Fund’s current project of the Cathedral’s essential roof works now well underway, we are incredibly grateful to you all for your support! So many of you have also elected to Gift Aid your donations, which allows us to claim a further amount for the Fund. Thank you all.
Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:
through our website: www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/donate
by cash/cheque* sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD (Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’)
Do 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!
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 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
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group will meet next on Sunday, 2 November, from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7s are welcome! Bring 50p along for the tuck shop! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration. Fee: £1.00.
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 pm 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.
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 family life, study and work. If you would like to attend, please email Juan Pablo at: juanpablo.andrader@gmail.com.
Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People
Attend the Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People, every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm in the Cathedral. Come and listen. Christ is risen! Inquiries: Ian at ijmcgoldrick@gmail.com.
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.
Tickets on Sale for Race Night at St. Andrew’s
Tickets on sale after Mass today for the Race Night at St. Andrew’s, Friday, 31 October after 6pm Mass. Join us for a fun evening with the horses to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (includes light supper).
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.
First Holy Communion: Classes begin 1 March 2026 (registration closes 5th April 2026): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion;
Confirmation: Classes begin 15 March 2026 (registration closes 22nd March 2026): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/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.
St Andrew’s Talk Tomorrow– Evangelising Online
Join us tomorrow, Monday, 27 October, for our St. Andrew’s talk 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.
Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners' Children
In November, the parish will have the annual collection of donated gifts for the children of the adults who are prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison at Christmas. Please donate gifts that are new and wrapped in Christmas gift wrap, including a label stating the age of the child and if the gift is suitable for a boy or a girl. Gifts for children from 11 years upwards are most appreciated. A collection box will be at the back of both churches before all Masses over the weekends of Saturday 8th/Sunday 9th November and Saturday 15th/Sunday 16th November. Please be as generous as you have been in past years. Many thanks in advance.
Please Consider Volunteering to Help Keep Our Churches Clean and Sparkling
Cathedral cleaning: Every Wednesday, the Cathedral cleaning team meet between 2pm – 4pm to clean the church. We are seeking to recruit more volunteers to join the team with a view to easing the burden of the current volunteers and to cover holidays/other absences. If you cannot attend every week, helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the group, or find out more, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com ; telephone: 0131 553 1510. St. Andrew’s cleaning: At St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, if you are interested in being part of a team of volunteer cleaners for our lovely church, please contact the office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Thanks in advance for giving of your time and energy to keep our churches clean!
Ravelston Community Meeting: Thursday, 13th November
You are invited to a meeting in the rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston to hear about the work that is ongoing in the church from pastoral to fabric. The meeting follows on from 6:00pm Mass on Thursday, 13th November and will start at 6.30pm. Refreshments will be available.
Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life
Please come along after 6:00pm Mass at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston on Monday, 10 November, 6:45pm-7:45pm to the convent of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, for a silent Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life for the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh. Join us in the convent chapel, 77 Belford Road, Ravelston EH4 3DS. In December, the Holy Hour will be on Monday, 8 December and continuing each 2nd Monday of the month thereafter.
Cathedral Red Wednesday Mass for Persecuted Christians
On Red Wednesday, 19th November, His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate Mass at 7:00pm at the Cathedral to pray for Christians across the world who suffer for their faith. William More, Manager of Operations in Scotland for Aid to the Church in Need, will speak at the Mass.
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!
Annual Mass Attendance Census This Weekend
The Archdiocese’s Annual Mass Attendance Census will be taken this weekend.
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'. 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: Revised Grail (Abbey) Psalms: its creation and the use of Psalmody in the liturgy in general; use of Psalmody in the Mass and the Responsorial Psalm (include Entrance and Communion antiphons); and 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.
Teens Group for P7-S4 Welcomes New Members
St Columba’s Teens Group for those in P7-S4 welcomes new members from any school/parish, and will meet next on Wednesday, 29 October, 7:00pm-8:30pm at St Columba’s Halls, near the church at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Join us for games, prayer and learning about our faith! Email Elfreda at teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk to sign up or come along on the night (with a parent/guardian to fill in a consent form)! Meetings are on the last Wednesday of each month (no meeting in December).
Edinburgh Retreat for Young Women for Discerning Your Vocation
Young women discerning a call to the religious life 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. To register for this free event please email Sr Mirjam at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Training to Teach Natural Family Planning – God’s Way – Nature’s Way
The Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Fertility Regulation is a successful family planning method for couples having difficulty conceiving. Trained volunteers are needed to share this knowledge with others. Apply for our online Teacher Training Course to become an accredited teacher today! For details, contact Fertility Care Scotland Limited at info@fertilitycare.co.uk or visit https://fertilitycare.org.uk/training/
Safe Families UK: Edinburgh and Lothians Vision Event
ome for Good (https://homeforgood.org.uk) and Safe Families UK (https://safefamilies.uk/) hope for a society where no family feels alone. We believe the Church is central to this vision. Join us at the ‘Edinburgh and Lothians Vision Event’ on Wednesday, 29 October, 7:30pm-9:00pm, King’s Church Edinburgh, 104 Gilmore Place Edinburgh EH3 9PL to hear from local authority and social work on needs within Edinburgh and the Lothians for children and families and how you can help. Register at https://bit.ly/ELVision29Oct25.
Free Online English for Employment Programme
Improve your English writing and speaking skills combined with employability skills in the FREE Online English for Employment Programme sponsored by LINKnet. Closing date: 21 Nov 2025. For details on the course, contact Afaf on linknet2@linknetmentoring.com , 0131 2614463. Eligibility details at https://bit.ly/LINKnet-English-Online-2025.
Ignatian Spiritual Exercises: Men’s Retreat, 4-9 & 11-16 February 2026
A fantastic opportunity at The Christian Heritage Centre, Stonyhurst, in Clitheroe, England to experience St Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises in a 5-day, shortened form, 4-9 February or 11-16 February. The retreat will be guided by the monastic community of St Joseph’s Abbey, Flavigny (France) established in 1988 and entrusted with a specific apostolate of preaching spiritual retreats for men. The retreat is open to men in all states of life and is a silent retreat (with the exception of one-to-one meetings with the retreat guides). Register at https://bit.ly/Ignatian-Retreat-Feb2026. Single room (en-suite): £560 p.p. If you unable to pay full cost, contact events@christianheritagecentre.com to discuss subsidies.