Red Mass at Noon
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass today at Noon here at the Cathedral. We welcome Senators of the College of Justice, Sheriffs, representatives of the Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of Scotland, the Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet and other members of the Scottish legal community and also members of the Franco-British Lawyers Society from France and elsewhere in the UK visiting Edinburgh for their annual conference, as we mark the start of the new legal year.
Neil Beynon, RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Neil Beynon, Cathedral Organist from c.1980-c.2007. Neil was appointed under the late Mgr Patrick Joseph Grady, and worked with his successors, Mgr David Gemmell and Mgr Michael Reagan. Neil was a founding member of Terra Firma Chambers. May he rest in peace.
Archbishop Cushley’s 12th Anniversary of Ordination as a Bishop
Today is the 12th anniversary of Archbishop Leo’s ordination as a bishop, which was celebrated here in St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on 21 September 2013 when he was installed as the eighth Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh since the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy in 1878. We offer our prayerful best wishes to you, Your Grace, on this special occasion and our thanks to you for your ministry.
Cathedral Roof Appeal Fund
We’ve now raised over £346,200, including match funding of £50,000 from a generous benefactor to whom we are extremely grateful. 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!
You can, of course, continue to support this project using our dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund which is in front of the passkeepers’ table. The contactless device is still set up for the Building Fund as is the cash donation box beside it. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are equally welcome.
Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made through the website, by bank transfer 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’
Thank you for your support!
Young Adults Group Talks on Tuesday
The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 23rd September with a new series of talks on ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Anne-Marie Clements on ‘Living the Common Good.’ 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.
Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration
Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the 10:00am Mass. Adoration is from 10:30am-12:00pm concluding with Benediction, with Confession available during that time. Come for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.
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.
SSVP Mass for the Sick on Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul
At Noon on Saturday, 27 September, the memorial of St. Vincent de Paul, a Mass for the Sick will be held by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul here at the Cathedral.
Registration for Children’s Sacramental Preparation
Registration is open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), 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 October. To register your child, please visit the following links. First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation; First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion; Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation. Questions: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Save the Date: Youth Group for P3-P7 Begins in October
The Youth Group will return on Sunday, 5th October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration or use the QR code. Fee: £1.00.
Next St. Andrew’s Talk: ‘Called to Holiness’
Save the date for our next St. Andrew’s Talk with Fr. Jeremy who will speak on Monday, 29th September
on “Called to Holiness: Saints & Sanctity in Daily Life”. This series has the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.
Save the Date: Race Night at St. Andrew’s
After 6:00pm Mass on Friday, 31 October, join us for the next event in our exciting social programme: Race Night at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Join us for a fun evening with the horses — to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (to include light supper). Mark your diary!
Edinburgh Street Pastors Recruitment Event on Wednesday
Are you interested in being part of an inter-denominational organisation which provides care and help to people in need on the streets of Edinburgh? Are you a Christian moved by the parable of the Good Samaritan and want to be that person who helps another? Edinburgh Street Pastors is recruiting volunteers now to be part of the growing work of sharing God’s love on the streets of Edinburgh. Learn about our work at a talk in the parish rooms at 63 York Place EH1 3JD on Wednesday 24th September@ 7.30pm. Our next training is planned for dates in the autumn. E-mail edinburgh@streetpastors.org.uk or call 07523 267906 for more details.
Dana and Friends: ‘Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love’ on Friday, 17 October
Next month we will welcome acclaimed Irish singer Dana for an evening of music and testimony in the Cathedral. Dana gained international fame as a teenager when she won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with “All Kinds of Everything”. She subsequently became a million-selling music artist, a prolific broadcaster, and a successful European politician. In the midst of this, Dana’s Catholic faith has shaped her life. On Friday 17 October, she will be joined by two other women whose faith in Christ has transformed their lives: Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. In 2014, both women made headlines when they gave up high profile public careers to enter the religious life. Since then, the women have been on a remarkable, and quite unexpected, journey of faith, which has required of them a deep trust in God. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary, followed by music and testimony at 7:30pm. Entry is free with optional donation to help cover the event costs. Reserve your tickets here: https://bit.ly/Dana-and-Friends-17Oct25
St. Pauls Bookshop Hours
Please make a note of this new schedule for the St Pauls Bookshop: From October the shop will be open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00am-5:30pm, closed on Mondays.
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Centenary Pilgrimage Today
The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place today Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Visit https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/
Teens Group for P7-S4 Welcomes New Members
St Columba’s Teens Group for those in P7-S4 welcomes new members from any school/parish, and will meet next on Wednesday, 24 September, 7:00pm-8:30pm at St Columba’s Halls, near the church at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Join us for games, prayer and learning about our faith! Email Elfreda at teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk to sign up or come along on the night (with a parent/guardian to fill in a consent form)! Meetings will continue the last Wednesday of each month.
Mary’s Meals Edinburgh Celebration: “On the Frontlines of Hunger”
For Mary’s Meals supporters based in and around Edinburgh, we would love to see you for an exclusive screening of “On the Frontlines of Hunger” on Thursday, 25 September, as we present our new documentary shining a light on the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia. Please be aware that although this is primarily a film about hope and resilience, some content could be upsetting and it has been rated 12A. Attendees are invited to arrive from 6:45pm for 7:00pm start, with the event concluding at 9:00pm, at Cornerstone Centre, St. John’s Church, Princes Street EH2 4BJ. Tea and coffee available. To reserve your free place, please email the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
40 Days for Life in Edinburgh: Sept 24 - Nov 2
40 Days for Life organises pro-life outreach that is prayerful and supportive of future mothers. 40 Days for Life is an inter-denominational, faith-based effort made up of three key components: 1) prayer and fasting—inviting people of faith to join together for 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion; 2) a 40-day peaceful prayer vigil outside Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Edinburgh EH3 9ES ; and 3) community outreach: taking a positive, upbeat pro-life message to as many as possible. To learn more about 40 Days for Life or sign up for prayer vigil hours during 24 September-2 November, visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/Edinburgh
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sessions Begin for Ages 3-9
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a catechetical programme aimed at fostering your child's vital relationship with God, is commencing again Friday 26 September at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Sessions are Fridays 1:30-3:00pm for 3-6 year-olds & Tuesdays 4:00-5:30pm for 6-9 year-olds. Contact brodie.douglas-young@staned.org.uk for more details. Give your child the space to pray, seek God, and wonder.
National Family Conference Celebrates Marriage and Family Life
The National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life BCOS, led by Bishop John Keenan, invites parish families to an Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday, 25th October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St. Bride’s Hall, Muir Street, Motherwell ML1 1PP. The event features a keynote by internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick (live from the USA), and celebrates marriage and family life with talks, prayer, and community. Register with VEmarriage@staned.org.uk, indicating your parish. Your space will be confirmed by 19 September — early registration ensures priority.
Craig Lodge – Mid-Week Living Waters Retreats
Craig Lodge House of Prayer is excited to offer a brand new way to experience our House of Prayer, through Living Water Retreats. We are walking in the footsteps of the early monasteries, living a simple life of prayer and work, worship and service, adoration and mission, ministry to the Lord, and ministry to the world around us. Join in our weekly rhythms of prayer and worship and receive ministry and hospitality. Retreats run from Tuesday lunchtime to Thursday lunchtime and include teachings, prayer, praise and worship, Mass, Adoration, prayers for healing and (usually) the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Questions: mail@craiglodge.org. Watch a short video about the retreats and book your place at https://www.craiglodge.org/events Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR.
Job Opening: National Director of Marriage, Family & Life
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland seeks a National Director of Marriage, Family & Life Office
(https://marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk/about-us/) The role is 15 hours per week, salary £11,746 per annum. For a full job description, email info@marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk Closing Date: 26 September 2025.
National Safeguarding Conference
The National Safeguarding Conference for all who have a Safeguarding role in Catholic Church settings in Scotland takes place at the University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre on Saturday 8 November at 10:00am-3:50pm. Register to attend in-person or on-line at http://bit.ly/4lZwirY Cost is £45.
Explore God’s Will for You: Discerning a Call to Religious Life
What is God’s will for you? Save the dates for our meetings for Catholic women who are discerning God’s call to religious life. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, Director for Religious Vocations, the meetings take place 4-7pm at St Columba’s Church, 9 Upper Gray Street. Meetings are planned for 2026 on Sundays: 25 January, 22 February, 29 March, 26 April, 10 May. To register or to find out more details, email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart Young Adults Ministry
The Young Adult Ministry at Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, Edinburgh EH3 9DJ, includes opportunities for worship, community, faith development, prayer and service of the poor. The Seven is the weekly Young Adult Mass at 19.00 on Sunday in the church, with a social gathering afterwards in the church narthex. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated 18.25-18.45 before The Seven. The First Sunday Circle is a month speaker-and-discussion series after The Seven, with the next talk on Sunday, 5 October by Fr. David Stewart, SJ, “Ignatius the Pilgrim – from Loyola to Rome.” For information on activities and to sign up for social media visit https://linktr.ee/edinburghjesuitchurch