The Solemnity of All Saints - Year C

Solemnity of All Saints

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. A number of relics of the saints from the Cathedral’s collection of relics are available for veneration at the St. Andrew’s Altar to the right of the sanctuary. All Saints, pray for us!

Masses for the Faithful Departed

Please mark your diary and prepare to join us to remember the Faithful Departed of our parish, especially those who have died this year. We will celebrate this Mass at St Andrew’s, Ravelston on Monday, 10th November at 6:00pm and at the Cathedral on Wednesday 12th November at 6:00pm.

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. You can take them throughout the month of November.

Bronze Plaque – Sleeping Jesus

A new bronze plaque has been installed for the Sleeping Jesus statue in front of the Cathedral. It reads: “This statue by Timothy Schmalz is inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The figure of Christ, resting on a bench, invites us to see Him in those who are homeless, hungry, or forgotten. As you stop here at St. Mary’s Cathedral, may this image stir compassion, and remind us that every act of kindness to those in need is an act of love for Christ himself.”

Young Adults Group Talk: ‘Work, Wages & Dignity of Labour’

The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 4 November, resuming our series ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Fr. Colm Martin on ‘Work, Wages & Dignity of Labour.’ 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.

Parish Youth Group! (P3-P7s)

Our Parish Youth Group will meet today, 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.

Cathedral Building 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.

Donate

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made: by cash/cheque* sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

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

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.

Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners' Children

This month, 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.

Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon

The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 5 November at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the session time. Please come along and join us!

Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration

Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after 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.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” (Col. 1:15)

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.

First Holy Communion and Confirmation Registration

Registration is 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.

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. 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.

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.

Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 19th November at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place The Catenians are an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men and their families at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/

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.

Thank You: Quiz Night

A big Cathedral ‘Thank You’ goes out from Deacon Peter and the quiz team to all of you who either attended in person or supported the quiz with donations last Friday. It was a resounding success and we made almost £830.00 for the ongoing roof repair work. The work above sacristy 1 continues and we will post another update on progress soon!

Parish Pilgrimage: Italy 2026

All good things come to those who wait… and we’ve been waiting a while to be able to confirm the next parish pilgrimage will be from the 6th April to the North of Italy. Based in Padua you’ll follow in the footsteps of St Anthony, visit Mantua and see places connected to St Aloysius. We’ll visit the UNESCO site in Ravenna and the unique, island city of Venice. Register your interest today! E-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Sign Up for Cathedral Big Clean — Saturday 22 November

Many helpers are needed for our next Cathedral Big Clean day on Saturday 22 November starting at 10.30am until the early afternoon. and we need 25 volunteers to clean our beautiful Cathedral ahead of Advent and Christmas! Please email complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or the sign-up sheets on the clipboards at the passkeepers’ table to register your interest. Thank you in advance. Darlene

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!

Save the Date: Charity Advent Tea at St. Andrew’s

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!

Memorial Mass – Neil Beynon, RIP

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Neil Beynon, RIP, on Saturday, 13 December, 10:00am. Neil died earlier this year and was Cathedral Organist from c.1980-c.2007. Neil was appointed under the late Mgr Patrick Joseph Grady, and worked with his successors, Mgr David Gemmell and Mgr Michael Reagan. Neil was a founding member of Terra Firma Chambers.

Bookshop: St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland Mugs and Prayer Cards

Our St. Pauls Bookshop has new mugs and prayer cards of St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Andrew the Apostle, beloved saints of special significance for our country! Stop in today for these and many other items for your home including crucifixes, beautiful images and statues of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints, Bibles, prayer books, children’s books, diaries, Mass cards and more!

All Souls’ Day Mass at Mount Vernon

Tomorrow, Monday, 3 November, Archbishop Cushley will offer Holy Mass at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Edinburgh for the repose of all the faithful departed who have died in the Archdiocese in the last year, especially those buried at Mount Vernon. The Mass will take place at 10:00am in Mount Vernon Cemetery Chapel, 49 Mount Vernon Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 6JG.

Diploma in Catechetics 2026: Places limited to 100 – Register Soon!

Explore the richness of the Catholic faith in 2026 by taking the Diploma in Catechetics. The popular course is run by the Archdiocese at 7:30pm each Thursday on Zoom, starting on 22 January. Its aim is to help you renew or initiate your understanding of the Catholic faith and through Jesus Christ, and share more deeply in the life of God. Be quick, places limited to 100. Cost £220. Registration and details at bit.ly/diploma2026

Next Weekend: Day for the Poor Collection

Next Sunday, 9 November is the annual special collection for World Day for the Poor. All funds will go to the Mercy Centre, run by the Sisters of Mercy at St Catharine's Convent of Mercy, Lauriston. Sr Aelred Timmins said: "Homeless people come here every day for food, sometimes for sleeping bags, most of all they're looking for friendship and a listening ear. Please keep us in your prayers, and we are grateful to anybody who is able to support the works of mercy in this house." Donate online at bit.ly/dayforpoor Watch the 45 second video at bit.ly/mercycentre

‘Called and Chosen’: Young Adults Winter Retreat at Stonyhurst

Come join the Faith Movement in Stonyhurst from 2-4 January 2026 for our retreat: Called and Chosen. Spend the time with other young adults, aged 16-30, in the tranquil setting of Stonyhurst College in Lancashire BB7 9PZ. We will be delving into the variety of ways God is calling us through vocation and lay ministry. Your day will consist of talks, community meals, daily Mass along with plenty of free time. In the evening, we will have the opportunity to socialise together along with the various priests and religious who will be attending. Please register at https://www.faith.org.uk/events. Additional questions can be sent to Angela Hughes at safeguarding@faith.co.uk

Read the newsletter for 2nd November (pdf)