The Second Sunday of Advent - Year A
Fabric Update – Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
The moment we have all been waiting for – the actual repair of our precious Sacristy 1 roof – finally began in November. Once the slates were removed and the condition of the roof could be determined in earnest, the bad news started to roll in. The roof was in much worse condition than expected as one of the workmen put their foot through the rotting wood while inspecting it! It is no wonder we have been living with buckets every time the skies opened. Scheduled work needed to be reevaluated considering the poor condition of our roof. After that was finished, we were given the amount that is above and beyond our contract to properly fix the roof. The preliminary estimate on the additional costs to fix the roof have increased the total sum of the project by £32,000. That will bring the total Phase 1 Works cost to £378,000 (excl fees and VAT – gross = £515,000). However, there is a bit of a silver lining in that one section of the roof is in quite good condition and didn’t require any additional works. We are also investing in insulating Sacristy 1 since we have had to rebuild the roof completely. It is currently projected that the roof works will be completed week commencing 19 January 2026. There are some photos arranged in the Octagon and at Ravelston to show you the progress of the roof rebuild and for you to look at the extent of the damage found. Thank you again for your generous donations to our Cathedral Building Fund which has allowed this project to be completed.
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
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!
Rehearsals and Nativity Show
We are coming into a season of much activity in the Cathedral. There will a Nativity Show rehearsal on Monday, 7 December at 1.30pm. 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. We are also going to be hosting an organ concert featuring Anna Lapwood on Friday, 12 December. She will be practicing during the day in between masses on Thursday, 11 December and Friday, 12 December.
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.
St Andrew’s Talks 2026
The new series of St Andrew’s Talks will begin on Monday 26th January and for this series, we’d like to give you the opportunity to ask some questions in the Faith. If you have any burning questions that you’d like to explore in more detail then please complete anonymously a slip that you’ll find at the back of St Andrew’s, Ravelston and the Cathedral and pop it in the box. You have until the end of Advent to enter those questions. The new series of talks will be announced at the start of January.
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.
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. The next Parish Youth Group meeting is 1 February 2026.
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 - Thursdays 11th December & 18th December; 7:00pm, Monday 22nd December
Rorate Mass (Ravelston)
6:00pm, Mondays, 8th and 15th December
Blessing of the Crib follows Mass on Monday, 8th December
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: 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.
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.
Catholic Families for Life
The latest Catholic Families for Life Newsletter from the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life is now available at www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk
Diploma in Catechetics
Explore the richness of the Catholic faith 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. Cost £220. Register at bit.ly/diploma2026. Watch this short video on the Diploma at bit.ly/diplomareel
Advent Rosary for Life
Join us this Monday at 7:45pm as we continue our Advent Rosary for Life series. We will pray for unborn children, their mothers, and all pro-life intentions. Includes reflection from Isabel Vaughan-Spruce (March for Life UK). Register at bit.ly/rosary25
Christmas Carol Service
St Margaret's Church, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh, EH4 5AD will be having at Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 7 December at 3:00pm. This is being organised by the Archdiocesan Lourdes Committee.
Stella Maris Carol Service
Join Archbishop Cushley for an evening of carols, readings and celebration, followed by refreshments. Wednesday 17 December at 7:00pm, followed by reception. St Mary’s Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6AW. Please RSVP to info@stellamarismail.org
Motherwell Cathedral Junior Choir at the 12 noon Mass next week
Next Sunday 14 December we will welcome the junior choir from Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral in the Diocese of Motherwell. The children will join the Schola Cantorum to sing at the 12 noon Mass, with music including Mass of St Joseph by Daniel Justin, and Anima Christi by Marco Frisina.