Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – Year C
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.
Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made here 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’
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
St Andrew’s Talk Tomorrow– ‘Christ the King and the Kingdom of God’
Join us tomorrow, Monday, 24 November, in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston parish rooms after 6:00pm Mass for our St. Andrew’s talk with Fr. Robert who will speak on “Christ the King and the Kingdom of God.” Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.
Young Adults Group Talk: ‘Witnessing to Life & Mercy”
The Young Adults Group will meet Tuesday, 25 November for a talk by Sr. Andrea Fraile from the Sisters of the Gospel of Life on “Witnessing to Life & Mercy.” All ages 18-40 are welcome. Meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees, with the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. We conclude with Night Prayer and meet up at a local pub.
Archdiocesan Mass for Catholic Education
His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate the Archdiocesan Mass for Catholic school pupils and teachers in the Cathedral on Tuesday 25 November at 11:00am.
November Lists: Prayers for the Deceased
Please take a November List at the back of church to fill out with the names of friends and family members who have passed away and return it to the marked box at the Cathedral or St Andrew’s, Ravelston.
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.
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.
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.
St Andrew’s Day Breakfast at Ravelston – Sunday, 30th November
At Ravelston after Mass on St Andrew’s Day, Sunday, 30 November, join us for coffee and pastries on the feast of our patron. This will be informal and a good chance to chat to others. Look forward to seeing you. Just turn up - no charge, but donations welcome.
Masses for the Solemnity of St. Andrew on Monday, 1 December
We will celebrate the Solemnity of St. Andrew, our National Patron, on Monday, 1 December with the feast day this year transferred from 30th November (Sunday). The Apostle’s relics are preserved here in the National Shrine of St. Andrew. Masses at the Cathedral 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!
Tickets on Sale: Charity Advent Tea– Learn About Charities
Tickets are on sale today for a delicious Advent Tea on Saturday, 6 December, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, in the Parish Rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Join us to 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).
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.
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s on Sunday, 7th December
Our Parish Youth Group will meet next on Sunday, 7 December, 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.
Ravelston: Bacon Roll Morning and Youth Group Christmas Ornament Sales
On Sunday December 14th after Mass, bacon rolls will be on sale with donations going to The Grassmarket Project to feed the homeless and vulnerable at Christmas. Please come to support this worthy and needy cause. Also that morning, Youth Group Christmas ornaments will be on sale with proceeds going towards the Youth Group. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Legion of Mary – Mondays and Tuesdays
The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics that gives service to the Church on a voluntary basis around the world. Under the powerful leadership and with the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, the members continue to form themselves with prayer and holiness, for service in the Church's work. 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. 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
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; 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 in this newsletter. Please be available from 6pm; if you can assist, sign up on the sheets at the back of Church or contact Elizabeth at 0131 553 1510 or Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com with a note of your availability by no later than Monday, 24 November.
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: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion; Confirmation: 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.
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.
Children Invited to Help with Outdoor Christmas Crib at Ravelston
On Sunday, 7 December the Second Sunday of Advent, after the 10:30am Mass, children of the parish (and parents, too!) are invited to join us to set up our outdoor crib at St. Andrew's, Ravelston in preparation for Christmas. Then before the 6:00pm Rorate Mass on Monday, 8 December, we will have the blessing of the crib and children are invited to help us place the statues of Mary, Joseph, the shepherd and the empty manger as we look forward to Jesus' birth at Christmas.
Kathedral Knits on Sale from Next Sunday: All Proceeds Support Cathedral
Joanna Kopystynska’s beautiful, knitted goods for Christmas will be on sale on the following dates. The items are also available at www.kathedralknits.etsy.com. All proceeds go to support the parish!
Cathedral: First Sunday of Advent, 30th November, Third Sunday of Advent, 14th December, Fourth Sunday of Advent, 21st December and at Ravelston: Second Sunday of Advent, 7th December .
Special Collection for Catholic Education
This weekend there is a special collection for the work of the Scottish Catholic Education Service which promotes and supports Catholic Education in Scotland.
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. 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 and groups. The summit will include an inspiring testimony from a young leader from Poland; a talk on evangelisation; and workshop on intentional conversation as well as times for prayer and Adoration, and 4:30pm Mass. To register for the Summit, please contact amandahorzyk@outlook.com or +44 7743 706232 (WhatsApp).
Catholic Conversations for Women
All women are welcome to this event on Saturday, 29 November, 3:45pm-4:45pm in St Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS) for refreshments and faith-focused discussion. Holy Hour with Adoration & Vespers from 5:10pm with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Register at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.
Nativity Blessing & Carol Concert – City of Edinburgh
Archbishop Cushley joins religious leaders from across the city of Edinburgh for this annual event at Assembly Hall Courtyard on Mound Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2LU before a Blessing of the Nativity Scene on The Mound backed by music from the Salvation Army Band. Sunday 30 November, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
30 November: SCIAF Advent Carol Service
An Advent Carol Service, in partnership with Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF), takes place at Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, on the First Sunday of Advent, 30 November at 4:00pm. Readings and carols sung by the Edinburgh Jesuit Church Schola Cantorum.
CrossReach Christmas Carol Concert at P’s & G’s Church, Edinburgh
On Friday, 5 December from 7:00pm at St. Paul’s & St. George’s Church, 46 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3HU a joyful evening of carols and celebration will raise vital funds to support CrossReach, the social care outreach of the Church of Scotland including care and support for children, families, and elderly. Guests can also enjoy a Heart for Art exhibition, raffle with fantastic prizes, CrossReach Christmas card stall and warm festive refreshments. Tickets (booking fees not included): £14.95 (Adults), £9.95 (Children), £40 (Family) purchase at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/94771.
Advent Walking Retreat in Fife
An Advent Walking Retreat based on the Mass readings of the Second Sunday in Advent will be on Saturday 6th December from 11:00am. We will walk, talk, and meditate on the coming of Christmas, walking from Culross in Fife (birthplace of St Mungo) to the National Shrine of St Margaret in Dunfermline arriving by 4:00pm latest. Time for coffee, etc. before Holy Hour with Sacrament of Reconciliation and Adoration and Benediction, followed by 5:30pm Mass. Participants should be fit and able to complete the walk. Appropriate clothing should be worn and bring a torch due to time of sunset. To register for this free event email Deacon Pat Carrigan at obl.columba@gmail.com. Registration is needed for Health & Safety.
‘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. Register at https://www.faith.org.uk/events. Additional questions can be sent to Angela Hughes at safeguarding@faith.co.uk