Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – Year C

Masses for the Faithful Departed This Week

Please mark your diary and 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 tomorrow, 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.

Cathedral Building Fund Appeal

We’ve now raised over £364,000 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 to the Cathedral Building fund here

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 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

Young Adults Group Talk: ‘Reality of Poverty’

The Young Adults Group will meet Tuesday, 11 November for a talk by the Missionaries of Charity on ‘Reality of Poverty.’ 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.

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.

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

Tomorrow: Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life

Please come along after 6:00pm Mass at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston tomorrow, 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.

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.

"The effect of our sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ is to change us into what we receive.” (St. Leo the Great)

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.

Wait List for Parish Pilgrimage: Italy 2026

There has been a high level of demand for our Parish Pilgrimage to Italy, departing 6th April 2026. We have reached capacity for this trip, but we are operating a waiting list. Based in Padua we will 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. If you would like to put your name on the waiting list, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners' Children

This weekend and next weekend we 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 is at the back of both churches before all Masses today and next weekend, Saturday 15th/Sunday 16th November. Please be as generous as you have been in past years. Many thanks in advance.

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.

Visiting People in Need - Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) Conferences (groups) respond to needs in their communities. This usually means visiting people in their homes, in hospital, hospices or in prison. For many people, this visit is all that they need. However, in meeting people in this way, SSVP volunteers get to know people. They may then go on and provide help or assistance in other ways. If you know anyone who would benefit from a visit, you should contact us either via the Cathedral office (cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk) or email ssvp.ae01.023@gmail.com Alternatively, you can come along to the Friendship Group Coffee afternoon at Coffee Saints each Tuesday from 2pm where you will be most welcome.

Last Call: 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

Cracovian Artists Concert for Polish Independence Day

In the Cathedral on Saturday, 15 November at 19.30 there will be a concert ‘Cracovian Artists for Independence Day’ performed by Witold Zalewski, organist at the Cathedral of Royal Wawel Castle in Cracow, who played at Masses celebrated by St Pope John Paul II during his pilgrimages to Poland. Prof Zalewski will be accompanied by Anna Sliwa, specialising in solo and chamber repertoire of pieces of early music, and Hanna Zalewska, a talented organ student. Thanks to financial support provided by the Polish Senate, this concert is free of charge, but booking is highly recommended: https://bit.ly/CracovianConcert-15Nov25

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.

Save the Date: 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.

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!

Rorate Masses – Volunteers Needed

The beautiful candlelit Rorate Masses will take place at the Cathedral on Thursdays 4th, 11th, and 18th December and Monday, 22nd December. The Masses start at 7pm and we are looking for volunteers to assist in preparing the Cathedral (laying out candles, welcoming people, etc) prior to the Masses and tidying up afterwards. You would need to be available from 6pm; if you can assist, then please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com or telephone 0131 553 1510 with a note of your availability by no later than Monday, 24 November.

Today: Day for the Poor Collection

Today, 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. Donate online at bit.ly/dayforpoor. Watch the 45 second video at bit.ly/mercycentre

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

Stage 2 of the assisted suicide bill is now underway and the Scottish Parliament is expected to hold a final vote later this year, which will decide whether assisted suicide becomes legal in Scotland. It is vital that we do all we can to persuade MSPs to vote against the Bill. For a briefing with eight reasons why assisted suicide should not be legalised and a link to contact your MSPs, visit https://rcpolitics.org/assisted-suicide/

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

Advent Rosary for Life

Mondays in Advent at 7:45pm to pray for unborn children, their mothers, and all pro-life intentions. Zoom sessions for the Rosary last about 30 minutes including a short reflection from a guest speaker with Deacon David Harper on 1 Dec, Diocese of Motherwell. Full list of speakers and registration at bit.ly/rosary25

Archdiocese WhatsApp Channel

The Archdiocese has launched a WhatsApp channel — a new and convenient way to stay informed and connected with the life of our Archdiocese. Join the channel at bit.ly/archwhatsapp

Read the newsletter for 8th November (pdf)