Enrolment Mass for First Reconciliation
Today is the enrolment Mass at 9:00am at the Cathedral and 10:30am at Ravelston for the children of our parish who will begin preparing to receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation in February. Please keep them, their families and their teacher in your prayers!
Day of Prayer for Peace 7th October 2025 – Light a Candle for Peace
The Bishops of Scotland invite all Catholics to keep Tuesday 7th October, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, as a day of prayer for peace in our world. All are invited to visit the Cathedral on 7th October, to pray for peace, especially in the presence of the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and to light a candle. Our world today is troubled by so many wars and conflicts; it is appropriate that we as Catholics pray individually and together on this day, for the Holy Land, Gaza and Israel. Pope Leo has also asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary during the month of October for peace in our world.
Holy Hour for Peace at the Cathedral on Tuesday 7th October at 7.00pm
Exposition, Adoration, Rosary, Litany, Benediction
God of peace and justice,
We pray for the people of the Holy Land:
Israeli and Palestinian, Jew, Christian and Muslim.
We pray for an end to acts of violence and terror.
We lift to you all who are fearful and hurting.
We ask for wisdom and compassion for those in leadership.
Above all, we ask that Jesus the Prince of Peace,
Establish lasting reconciliation and justice for the Holy Land and all nations. Amen.
CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL
We’ve now raised over £346,200, including match funding of £50,000 from a generous benefactor to whom we are extremely grateful. 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!
You can, of course, continue to support this project using our dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund which is in front of the passkeepers’ table. The contactless device is still set up for the Building Fund as is the cash donation box beside it. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are equally welcome. Other methods of giving to the Building Fund are set out below. Thank you for your support!
Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made: through the 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’)
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, the registration for this remains open until Sunday 19th October. To register your child please visit the Cathedral website, 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 begin today, Sunday 5th 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.
First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion
Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 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.
Young Adults Group Talk: ‘Faith & Politics: Engaging’
The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 7 October with a new series of talks on ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, “Faith & Politics: Engaging.” 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. Contact Fr. Robert Taylor for details frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Thank You from Society of St Vincent de Paul
Thank you to all who attended the SSVP Mass for the Sick on Saturday 27th Sept. This special Mass was made more significant as it fell on the feast of St Vincent de Paul. A huge thank you to Fr Jeremy. The current building work presented a few challenges but nothing to detract from the service and reception afterwards. Sincerely SSVP team.
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: Each day Monday-Friday after the 10.00am Mass, at 12 noon and from 1:30 am onwards and on Saturday at 5.15pm. St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: After the 6:00pm Mass, Monday-Friday. We are in need of leaders for each weekday for the praying of the Rosary. 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.
Webinar Ahead of Mass Lobby of Holyrood on Terminally Ill Adults Bill
In case you missed it, you can watch the very informative webinar hosted 30 September by Liam Gibson, Policy and Legal Officer for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), and Margaret Akers, Services Coordinator for SPUC, ahead of the Tuesday, 7 October mass lobby of Holyrood to lobby MSPs on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill. Hear discussion of the content of the bill, along with practical tips on how to lobby your MSPs. There is much useful content even if you aren’t able to make the lobby! View the webinar at https://bit.ly/SPUC-webinar-30Sept2025
Youth Group for P3-P7!
The Youth Group returns today, Sunday, 5th October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Bring 50p along for the tuck shop! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration nFee: £1.00.
Tomorrow: Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People
All are invited to attend the Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People beginning Monday, 6 October, every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm, 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. Come and listen. Christ is risen! Inquiries: Ian at ijmcgoldrick@gmail.com
Next Friday, 17 October: Dana and Friends: ‘Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love’
Next Friday, 17 October, we will welcome acclaimed Irish singer Dana for an evening of music and testimony in the Cathedral. Dana gained international fame as a teenager when she won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with “All Kinds of Everything”. She subsequently became a million-selling music artist, a prolific broadcaster, and a successful European politician. In the midst of this, Dana’s Catholic faith has shaped her life. On Friday 17 October, she will be joined by two other women whose faith in Christ has transformed their lives: Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. In 2014, both women made headlines when they gave up high profile public careers to enter the religious life. Since then, the women have been on a remarkable, and quite unexpected, journey of faith, which has required of them a deep trust in God. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary, followed by music and testimony at 7:30pm. Entry is free with optional donation to help cover the event costs.
An Evening of Formation for Catholic Men
Catholic professional men are invited to an evening of formation in the Ravelston rooms EH4 3DS Wednesday, 29 October, 6:30pm-7:30pm. Inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, the event will focus on Church teaching on the universal call to holiness and the Christian virtues applicable to the ordinary activities of lay faithful. If you would like to attend please email Juan Pablo at juanpablo.andrader@gmail.com
Save the Date: Race Night at St. Andrew’s
After 6:00pm Mass on Friday, 31 October, join us for Race Night at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, a fun evening with the horses to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (to include light supper). Mark your diary!
Sign Up for Cathedral Big Clean on Saturday 22 November
Our volunteer cleaners and Ephraim, our Sacristan, do a great job of keeping the Cathedral looking spic and span, but every so often it is helpful to have a deeper cleaner than they are able to manage with their limited time and manpower. To that end, we are holding our next Big Clean day on Saturday 22 November starting at 10.30am until the early afternoon. It is a great way to work off a few calories, meet others and do something for our community. To get around the jobs on the list, we need 25 volunteers and the more volunteers we get the quicker our tasks will be completed! If you felt able to volunteer your time and muscle, it would be great if you could sign up with me by emailing complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you in advance. Darlene
Quiz Night – ‘Raise the Roof’ Fundraising
The Summer is gone and we are kick starting our autumnal “raise the roof” fund raising efforts with a much anticipated quiz night in coffee saints 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 quiz 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) Team up before or on the night. Why not even go for glory with a solo admission? Tickets are a snip at only £10 per person and will go on sale after Cathedral Masses on Saturday- Sunday 11th/12th of October and again on the 18th/19th. Email deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to reserve tickets for payment on the night. These tickets will be highly sought after, so to avoid disappointment get them early. Don’t delay, buy them today!
Ecclesiastical Students Fund Special Collection Today
There will be a special collection today in support of those studying for the priesthood. Please support this important fund for our seminarians, and remember our seminarians in your prayers.
Tuesday: Pray with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters Celebrating 75 Years
The Missionaries of Charity are celebrating 75 years of recognition as a Religious Congregation on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary this Tuesday, 7th October. Mass will be at 8:00am at their convent, 18 Hopetoun Crescent, Leith, Edinburgh, EH7 4AY, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 9:00am to 6:00pm with Benediction. We cordially invite you to come and spend some time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Rosary with us. You are free to come anytime, as the chapel will be open all day. The Missionaries of Charity were founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, India, on 7 October, 1950.
Next Saturday: Workshop for All RCIA Leaders
Leaders for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are invited by the Catechetics Commission for a morning workshop. The day will include Mass, spotlights on two programmes: St Teresa's, East Calder & Sacred Heart, Edinburgh, and tips for best-utilising technology and the internet. Date: Saturday 11 October 2025 9:15pm – 12:00pm Location: The Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Rd EH9 1BB. Register at bit.ly/rcialeaders
The Calix Society: Faith, Fellowship, and Sobriety in Christ
The Calix Society is an association of Catholic alcoholics who meet to grow in their relationship with God through prayer and meditation (Alcoholics Anonymous' 11th Step). It welcomes anyone who wishes to join in prayer and fellowship. Meetings are on Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00pm, starting 21 October at St Patrick's Church, The Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1TQ. For more information visit www.calixsociety.org
National Family Conference Celebrates Marriage and Family Life
The National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life BCOS, led by Bishop John Keenan, invites parish families to an Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday, 25th October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St Bride's Centre, Coursington Road (opposite Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral), Motherwell ML1 1PP. The event features a keynote by internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick (live from the USA), and celebrates marriage and family life with talks, prayer, and community. Register at https://www.bcos.org.uk/NFC25
‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women
Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all welcome to join us on 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. Come along and meet new friends in the faith! Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm at the convent with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Register by contacting edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.
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
Edinburgh Interfaith Event: ‘Seeds of Peace & Hope’
The Edinburgh Interfaith Key Note Lecture & AGM 2025 takes place in Edinburgh City Chambers, EH1 1YJ, on Tuesday 28 October at 5:30pm-7:00pm. Keynote speaker for this free event is Adrian Cristea, PhD, who played a key role in establishing the first official Interfaith Forum in Ireland launched in January 2012 and led the process for developing the ‘Dublin City InterfaithCharter’. Topic is 'Seeds of Peace & Hope'. Register at https://bit.ly/EIA-lecture-28Oct2025