Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral Event
Scottish Prisons, Chaplains, Prisoners Week, and the Charter, 17th November 2025, 7.30pm, Coffee Saints
Scottish Prisoners Week is 16th-23rd November. Friends of the Cathedral is delighted to welcome Deacon Kenny McGeachie who will speak about the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the work of prison chaplains, and the Prisoners Week Charter, which was signed on behalf of this Cathedral by Archbishop Cushley and the Patron of Prisoners Week Scotland, Barbara Dickson, in 2021. There are a few places left on this talk for parishioners. Please contact cathedralnews@stmaryscathedral.co.uk if you wish to attend.
Young Adults Group Talk: ‘Human Dignity in Catholic Social Teaching’
The Young Adults Group will meet Tuesday, 18 November for a talk by Sr. Catherine Farrelly of the Sisters of the Gospel of Life on ‘Human Dignity in Catholic Social Teaching.’ All ages 18-40 are welcome. 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.
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 from the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)will speak at the Mass. Red Wednesday is an annual event organized ACN to raise awareness of the persecution of Christians worldwide. “Almost two-thirds of humanity — over 5.4 billion people — live in countries where serious religious freedom violations take place.” (2025 Religious Freedom Report, Aid to the Church in Need) Visit https://acninternational.org/religiousfreedomreport/
No Adoration or Confession Next Saturday
Due to the Big Clean being held on Saturday, 22 November after the 10.30am Mass, there will be no Adoration or Confession available. It's not too late to sign up to help clean, as many hands make light work! For more information or to sign up, please email Darlene Newman at complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or call Cathedral House at 0131 556 1798.
CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL
We’ve now raised over £365,000 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.
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
Feast of Christ the King Mass for Young Adults
Archbishop Cushley invites Young Adults across the Archdiocese for Mass on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 23 November at 7:00pm, in the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, 26 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh.
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.
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
Masses for the Solemnity of St. Andrew
On Monday, 1 December, we will celebrate the Solemnity of St. Andrew, our National Patron, whose feast day this year is transferred from 30th November (Sunday). The Apostle’s relics are preserved here in the National Shrine of St. Andrew. Masses will be at 10:00am and with His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, at 12:45pm. Public veneration of the relics following both Masses. At St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, Mass will be at 6:00pm. At the Cathedral at 7:00pm we will have a Holy Hour with sung Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration. Mark your diary for this Solemnity! St. Andrew the Apostle, pray for us!
Ravelston Community Meeting Thank You
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Community meeting at St Andrew’s on Thursday evening, despite the awful weather. The meeting presented the pastoral work done in St Andrew’s over the past 12 months, included a presentation on the finances and fabric situation and was a chance for Fr Jeremy to speak about the important role of St Andrew’s within the Cathedral parish. All of this work cannot continue without the incredible work of our volunteers who do so much in so many different ways. The next meeting will be September 2026, more details closer to the time.
Thank You: Race Night at St Andrews
We had a superb evening on 31st October for our Race Night and raised £1,185.67 - a fantastic amount! - for our parish project, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF). Thanks to all who helped to organise and in particular to Marie and Emily. Details of next year's project to be announced after Christmas.
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 for friendship and support. Contact John Russell 01555 728032 for details.
Final Weekend: Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners' Children
This weekend we conclude our 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 is at the back of both churches before all Masses today. Please be as generous as you have been in past years. Many thanks!
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.
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.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 18 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!
Vacancy: Cathedral Facilities Manager
St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral is seeking to appoint a Facilities Manager to manage the buildings, maintenance, and health and safety requirements of the Cathedral Complex, 35 hours per week, £30,000-£32,000 per annum dependent on experience. Visit https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/complex for job description. Application deadline: 28 November 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 9th December and Thursday 11th December 2025.
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!
Rorate Masses at the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
Our beautiful Rorate Masses begin the first week of Advent. The Mass is only lit by candles, representing Mary's role in bringing the Light of the World into the darkness of the world.
Rorate Masses (Cathedral)
7:00pm, Thursday 4th December – Celebrated by Archbishop Cushley
7:00pm - Thursdays 11th December & 18th December
7:00pm, Monday 22nd December
Rorate Mass (Ravelston)
6:00pm, Mondays, 1st, 8th and 15th December
The blessing of the Crib follows Mass on Monday, 8th December
Rorate Masses – Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to prepare the Cathedral for Rorate Masses (laying out candles, welcoming people, etc) and tidying up afterwards. See dates and times above. Please be available from 6pm; if you can assist, sign up on the sheets at the back of Church or contact Elizabeth at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com or telephone 0131 553 1510 with a note of your availability by no later than Monday, 24 November.
Mary’s Meals Christmas Concert
Join us here at the Cathedral ) for a Mary’s Meals Christmas Concert with Voices and Sister Sister choirs from North Berwick singing joyous carols and festive songs. Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate, a glass of mulled wine and mince pies. The event is Wednesday, 17th December, 7:00pm-9:00pm (doors open 6:30pm). Adult: £15, Child: £8, Family (2 adults and up to 4 children): £35. Book at https://bit.ly/MarysMeals-17Dec25Concert Mary’s Meals works in some of the world’s poorest countries, serving life-changing school meals to more than 3 million children.
Special Collection Next Weekend for Catholic Education
This week is Catholic Education Week. Next weekend there will be a special collection for the work of the Scottish Catholic Education Service which promotes and supports Catholic Education in Scotland. Want to become a Catholic school teacher? Visit https://sces.org.uk/becoming-a-teacher/
Tomorrow: How to use AI to Speak up for the Vulnerable
This beginner level webinar will show you how to use AI tools to find key pro-life points and express them naturally in your own tone of voice — helping you write to politicians with clarity and confidence. Monday 17 November, 7:45pm on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/prolifeai
Ask MSPs to Vote ‘No’ on Bill to Legalise Assisted Suicide
Parliament has rejected safeguards to help the most vulnerable live and is expected to hold a final vote later this year on a bill which will decide whether assisted suicide becomes legal in Scotland. Such a bill will undermine the right to life and put vulnerable people at risk of coming under pressure to end their lives prematurely. Please visit https://carenotkilling.scot/ to contact your MSP.
Victory: A Day to Explore the Gift of Confession
The Church instructs us to go to confession - Why? If you'd like to deepen your understanding of this limitless gift – and to prepare spiritually for Christmas – join the Archdiocese on Saturday 23 November, 10:00am-3:45pm at St Patrick's, 30 Low Craigends, Kilsyth, G65 0PF, for a day hosted by the Catechetics Commission - its first 'on the road' event. The day includes talks, testimony, and an opportunity for Confession. There is also Mass ahead of the day at 9:30am. Register on Eventbrite at bit.ly/returntoconfession
Diploma in Catechetics
Learn about the richness of the Catholic faith week by week in 2026 by taking the Diploma in Catechetics. The popular course is run by the Archdiocese and takes place at 7:30pm each Thursday on Zoom, starting on 22 January. Content includes: the nature of God, the human person, vocation, salvation history and more. Be quick, places limited to 100. Cost £220. For registration and details about bursaries, visit bit.ly/diploma2026
29th November: Young Adults Apostles Summit
Young Adult representatives, leaders and facilitators of 33+ Catholic initiatives in Edinburgh are invited to the Young Adults Apostles Summit on Saturday, 29th November 10:00-19:00 at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh EH9 1BB. It will be a time to recognise, connect, and celebrate what God has already started in our Catholic community. The event will be the launch of a new initiative called Our Open Doors (‘Thura’) to help young people discover and connect with Catholic activities, groups, and communities across Edinburgh and beyond. The summit will include an inspiring testimony from a young leader from Poland, reflecting on what it means to say “yes” to God’s plan and invitation; a talk on evangelisation; and workshop on intentional conversation as well as times for prayer and adoration. The day will conclude with Mass and an Apostolic Blessing, sending us forth with renewed zeal to carry the fire of God’s love back into our ministries, groups, and communities. We will have an evening celebration with pizza and fellowship. To register for the Summit or for more information, please contact amandahorzyk@outlook.com or +44 7743 706232 (WhatsApp).
Festive Stays for International Students
Could you lay an extra place at your table this Christmas for an international student? If you could offer friendship and host an overseas university student for a 3-night stay between 24th and 27th December 2025, drop us a line at host@eiluk.org. Learn more at https://eiluk.org Founded in 1936, the Experiment in International Living UK (EIL UK) is the UK’s oldest homestay organisation.