CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL
We’ve now raised £341,870, including over £55,000 during the months of July and August this year which has been match funded with an additional £50,000 from a generous benefactor to whom we are extremely grateful. We have been truly overwhelmed at your generosity and would like to extend our sincere thanks to each and every one of you who has donated to the Building Fund over the summer months. 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. Other methods of giving to the Building Fund are set out below. Thank you for your support!
Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:
• by bank transfer
• 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!
Relics of Carlo Acutis at the Cathedral from 13th-15th September
Today, in Rome, Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized by Pope Leo XIV and on Saturday at the 6:00pm Vigil Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo we will welcome the new saint’s relics to the Cathedral. The relics of this first millennial saint will be here from 13th-15th September along with an extensive display in the Octagon about the his life and his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world (www.miracolieucaristici.org). Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Schedule: Saturday, 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sunday, 14 September, Noon Mass; Monday, 15 September, 12:45pm Mass for Schools. BOOKSHOP: Our St. Pauls Bookshop has a variety of books about Blessed Carlo Acutis currently in stock, as well as prayer cards, medals, icons and keychains with his image. Stop in the shop today!
Canonization Mass: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis
Watch the Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV for the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis in St. Peter’s Square on https://ewtn.co.uk/live-tv/ (7am-Noon) or at https://bit.ly/Canonizations-7September25. Read about both Blesseds at https://piergiorgiofrassati.net/en/ and https://missions.ewtn.com/seasonsandfeastdays/blessedcarloacutis/
Parish BBQ St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
Join us today, Sunday, 7th September, at 1:30pm for our annual Parish Barbecue at St. Andrew's, Ravelston EH4 3DS. Tickets can be purchased on the day. Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee, and for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods. *Please note that all stalls will be cash only.* Donations of plants and cakes are most welcome and can be passed to the BBQ reps after mass today or brought to the BBQ this afternoon.
New Edinburgh Branch for Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
Join us in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston rooms on Wednesday, 10th September at 7:00pm for a meeting to establish a new Edinburgh Branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. All are warmly invited to attend. Come along to find out how you can help SPUC to build a culture of life locally and nationally. For further details, please contact Terry Graham, SPUC Youth & Grassroots Manager, on 07549 068226 or by email at terrygraham@spuc.org.uk To learn about SPUC visit https://spuc.org.uk/
Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation
Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both 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
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.
“How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment.” St. John Chrysostom
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.
Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins Next Week
If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Volunteer Appeal – Cathedral Flower Arranging Teams
As we are sure you have noticed, we always have a beautiful display of flowers in the cathedral. These displays are prepared by teams of volunteers who take it in turn to meet on a Friday or Saturday, once a month for each team, to arrange the flowers for the weekend Masses. Due to volunteers moving on, we are in urgent need of new volunteers to join our Saturday morning teams, although we would welcome volunteers for our Friday morning sessions as well. So, if you have an interest in displaying flowers for our cathedral then please consider volunteering for this ministry. Previous experience or skills in this area are welcomed but not required, because you can get guidance from an experienced team leader. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com telephone: 0131 553 1510.
Signing of the Saint Ninian Declaration and Symposium
The Saint Ninian Declaration will be signed in the Cathedral at 4:00pm on Tuesday, 16 September. It is a Declaration of friendship between the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church. The document will be signed by Archbishop Leo Cushley and Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The day will include a Symposium from 2:00pm in St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on the history of the relationship between the Catholic and Episcopal churches in Scotland, featuring academic experts. The speakers are:
Gerry Carruthers, Francis Hutcheson Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow, who will be in the chair;
Michael Russell, Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow and a former Cabinet Secretary for Education in the Scottish Government;
Scott Spurlock, Professor of Scottish and Early Modern Christianities at the University of Glasgow and President of the Scottish Church History Society;
Rev Canon Charlotte Methuen, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Glasgow and Scottish Episcopal Church Inter-Church Relations Convener.
After the signing of the Declaration, the Archbishop and the Primus will then move on to an Evensong service at 5:30pm at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, where the second signing will take place. “By deepening the friendship, we strengthen our common witness to the Gospel in a world that longs for hope and reconciliation,” said Archbishop Cushley.
Talk on Experiences of Walking the Camino
Join us after 6:00pm Mass on Wednesday, 17 September in the parish rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston to hear from parishioners who have walked the ancient pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago and have their own unique stories to share of this spiritual pilgrimage. See the beauty of the scenery in photos and a 25-minute film. Enjoy wine and cheese and have a chat with fellow parishioners. All welcome!
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 17th September, 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/
Holy Hour for Vocations on Wednesday, 17 September, 7:00pm
As we mark Vocations Awareness Week, we will pray for more vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life during our Holy Hour for Vocations at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on Wednesday, 17 September, 7:00pm. The Holy Hour will be led by Fr Nick Welsh, Vice Rector of the Scots College, Rome and will conclude with Benediction at 8pm. All are welcome!
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” after the 6pm Mass at Ravelston.
Save the Date: Red Mass
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral, as members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together to mark the start of the new legal year.
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!
Next Saturday: Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities
Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is next Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Ask Peers to Oppose Assisted Suicide Bill
The assisted suicide Bill can still be defeated. It will have its second reading in the House of Lords on Friday, 13th September. If it is to become law, the Bill must be supported by the Lords. It is critically important that Peers in the House of Lords be informed of many problems with the Bill and how introducing assisted suicide would put vulnerable people at risk. Use this simple tool to enter your post code and ask Peers to oppose the assisted suicide bill. It takes less than 30 seconds!: https://righttolife.org.uk/aspeers
National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth for Ages 18+
Youth ages 18+ are welcome to join our National Youth Pilgrimage in beautiful Perth on Saturday 20 September, meeting at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull, at 12:30pm. A full day of activities includes historic site visits, talks, and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley. To join fellow pilgrims travelling by train to Perth, please contact Sr Isabelle Dufaux FSO at youth.office@staned.org.uk
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Centenary Pilgrimage
The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on 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
The St Columba’s Teens Group for those in P7-S4 welcomes new members from any school/parish and meets Wednesday, 24 September, 7:00pm-8:30pm at St Columba’s Halls, near the church at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Email teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk to sign up or come along on the night (with a parent/guardian to fill in a consent form)!
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
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.