First Sunday of Advent– Year C
Cathedral Building Fund Appeal
We’ve now raised over £368,000 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: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 Gift Aid it 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
Big Thank You for the Big Clean
A huge thank you on behalf of Deacon Peter and myself for all of the volunteers who came out to The Big Clean last Saturday at the Cathedral. We had 23 people of all ages dust, polish, mop and hoover their way around the entire sanctuary and nave to get it ready for Advent and Christmas. I hope you enjoy the results of their hard work. Just a reminder that if you are interested in helping our regular weekly cleaners, please let me know at complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. - Darlene
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 all. 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!
2026 Diaries on Sale
Our 2026 Cathedral diaries have arrived! Sales of the diaries will be after all masses for the next three weekends for only £10. A great gift for Christmas for all those who you hold dear. Each two page spread holds entries for the week. Each month starts with a photo of the Cathedral or St. Andrew’s Church. Get them while they last!
Gifts for Prisoners' Children: Thank you very much…
…to our parishioners at the Cathedral and St Andrew’s for the generous response to our request for Christmas gifts for the children of prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison. The gifts are very much appreciated by the prisoners as it allows them to give their children a gift at Christmas. Your continued kindness and generosity are very much appreciated.
Rehearsals and Nativity Show
This time of year the Cathedral hosts various rehearsals, so it is a bit busier outside of Mass times than usual. On Tuesday, 2 December at 11:30am there will be an organ practice ahead of the 12:45pm Canons Mass, and on Wednesday, 3 December and Thursday, 4 December from 10:50am-11:30am children from St. Mary’s Catholic School will have rehearsals for their Nativity Show. Our organ will be tuned in-between Mass times on Tuesday, 9 December. The school’s Nativity Show will be Wednesday, 10 December at 11:00am in the Cathedral, which you are welcome to attend, but please note, no photography permitted.
Volunteers Required for Christmas and New Year Masses
If you are a current registered volunteer and would like to assist with the Christmas or New Year Masses, please let us know about your availability. If you can help with any of the following Ministries – Reading, EMHC, Passkeeping, Welcoming, or Money collecting, please sign up on the sheets at the passkeepers’ table or contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com – telephone 0131 553 1510.
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.
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).
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 or use the QR code. 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!
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 Today: 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.
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, 8 December, 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, 12 January and continuing each 2nd Monday of the month thereafter.
Today: Nativity Blessing & Carol Concert – City of Edinburgh
Archbishop Cushley joins religious leaders from across the city of Edinburgh today, Sunday 30 November, 3:00pm to 5:00pm for an 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.
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.
Explore Meetings for Women Discerning the Religious Life
The Archdiocese is running a series of monthly EXPLORE meetings for young women interested in finding out more about the religious life and exploring God's will. Includes talks, discussion, prayer and socialising. It takes place on the last Sunday of the month at St Columba's, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN on 25 Jan, 22 Feb, 29 Mar, 26 April and 10 May 2026. To register, email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Early Bird Offer for the Order of Malta Ball
A ball to support the work in Scotland and the Holy Land of the Order of Malta, one of the Catholic church's oldest and largest charities, will take place on Saturday 25 April 2026. Early Bird tickets are on sale now - more information at www.orderofmaltaball.com, or email Andrew Milligan at andrewecclesia@outlook.com or ask Father Jeremy or John Miers.