Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - Year A
Welcome Fr Joshua!
We welcome Fr. Joshua Moir to his new assignment as Assistant Priest at the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. He was ordained to the priesthood in June 2022 and served most recently as Assistant Priest at St. Patrick’s, Kilsyth. I know you will make him very welcome!
Thank you!
On behalf of all the Cathedral clergy and staff, I would like to thank you for all the lovely cards and gifts that we received over the Christmas period. You are so kind and generous and it is very much appreciated! God bless you. Fr Jeremy
Cathedral Building Fund Appeal
We’ve now raised £385,000 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. Do please remember to 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. Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:
through our website
by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’)
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 Archdiocesan Directories on Sale
The 2026 Archdiocesan Directories are on sale after Masses this weekend. They include up-to-date Mass times from across the city, a Liturgical Calendar, a list of the Holy Days of Obligation, contact details for parishes and Catholic schools, and more! Pick up your copy today for just £3.00!
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.
“The Eucharist is truly a glimpse of heaven appearing on earth.” Saint John Paul II
St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass
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. For helpful resources on preparing to make a good confession, visit https://goodconfession.com/ or the parish website at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confession
Catenians Meetings for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their next meeting on Wednesday, 14 January at 7.00 p.m. at The HillCroft Hotel, Whitburn. 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 contact John Russell on 01555 728032 or visit https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Meetings at Ravelston
The SPUC Edinburgh West Branch has recently launched and is looking for new members! The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 14 January at 7:00pm in the parish rooms at St. Andrew's, Ravelston. The Branch exists to implement the pro-life campaigns of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) at the local level. Meeting on a monthly basis, the Branch also presents the opportunity to be with likeminded pro-lifers. If you want to see what you can do to help protect unborn children, then please contact Branch Chair, Sam Ho, at marcolino_ho@hotmail.com
Young Adults Group Talks
The Young Adults Group will meet next on Tuesday, 20 January for our new series of talks ‘Come and See: Encounter Christ with the Beloved Disciple.’ Our first speaker will be Fr. Jamie McMorrin, with a talk on ‘The Woman at the Well.’ All ages 18-40 are welcome. Meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees, with the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. We conclude with Night Prayer and meet up at a local pub.
Online Sacramental Preparation for Unbaptised Children of School Age
If you are residing within the parish of St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral & St. Andrew's, Ravelston and have children of school age in need of sacramental preparation who have either not been baptised or are not in Catholic schools and have therefore missed preparation to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion or Confirmation, contact Deacon Peter Traynor at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register. Classes are online on Fridays from 1:30pm beginning 16 January.
2026 First Holy Communion and Confirmation Registration
Registration is open for catechism classes for baptised children who have received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation is at St Mary’s Primary School and beginning in March on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Please register children online:
First Holy Communion: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion
Confirmation: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation
Questions: cathedralhouse@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.
St Andrew’s Talks: Explaining the Faith Through the Nicene Creed
The new series of St Andrew’s Talks on the Nicene Creed begins on Monday, 26th January in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston parish rooms after 6:00pm Mass. Join us as Fr. Jeremy gives the first talk in the series, ‘I Believe: The Nicene Creed.’ Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all. Talks will be held on the last Monday of each month through May.
Catholic Conversations for Women
All women are welcome to this event with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma on Saturday, 31 January, 3:45pm-4:45pm in St Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS) for refreshments and faith-focused discussion on preparing for Lent. A Holy Hour will follow with Adoration & Vespers from 5:10pm in St. Andrew's Convent. Register at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.
Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday 21st March and Saturday 30th May at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-4pm, with presentations by married couples. To register or for more details, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Legion of Mary – Mondays and Tuesdays
The Legion of Mary is an international association of Catholics that gives service to the Church on a voluntary basis. Under the powerful leadership and with the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, the members continue to form themselves with prayer and holiness, for service in the Church's work. Monday Evenings: The “Our Lady Cause of Our Joy” Praesidium is a group of male and female, students, professionals and others of diverse cultures from different countries and meets on Mondays at 7:00pm, at 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. For more information, please contact Emmy 07879074240, Rosa 07868842099. Tuesday Mornings: The “Our Lady of Confidence” Praesidium meets on Tuesdays at 11:00am in 63 York Place EH1 3 JD. To learn more, please contact Ian Ferri at mriferri@blueyonder.co.uk
Knitted Goods Sales Thank You
A big thank you to everyone who supported the knitted goods stalls at both the Cathedral and Ravelston during Advent. Special thanks to Joanna Kopystinska and her family for all their hard work and for donating the proceeds of nearly £1,700 from their Kathedral Knits sales to the Building Fund appeal and, additionally, to Anne Macauley for donating proceeds of £500 from her knitwear sales. Thank you all!
Coffee Saints Café
Coffee Saints café on Little King Street is a social enterprise partnership between the Cathedral and the Grassmarket Community Project. When you purchase at Coffee Saints you support some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people. Open 8:30am-4:00pm. Book a table at https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/
Coffee Saints Parishioner Discount Card
Did you know Coffee Saints café offers a Cathedral/St. Andrew's parishioner discount of 10%? Please note that since 1st January 2026, a new Parishioner Discount Card has been required to continue to receive these benefits. You may start receiving your discount by letting the staff know at the time of checkout that you need to replace your current card. If you use the café’s Coffee Loyalty scheme, you cannot do so while using the Parishioner Discount Card. Thank you for supporting Coffee Saints!
Job Vacancy: Support & Property Administrator
The Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint an Administrator to provide support to the Property Director and general administrative support within the Archdiocesan offices at the Gillis Centre, EH9 1BB, 35 hours, £23K-£25K. Job description at bit.ly/adminarchdiocese. To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role to recruitment@staned.org.uk by Friday 23 January 2026.
Diploma in Catechetics 2026
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. Content includes: the nature of God, the human person, vocation, salvation history, the Scriptures, Redemption, sacraments, and grace. Cost £220. Parishioners of St Mary’s Cathedral & St Andrew’s, Ravelston, can apply to the Cathedral for a bursary which covers 50 per cent of the course cost. Email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk for details. Register at bit.ly/diploma2026. Watch this short video on the Diploma at bit.ly/diplomareel
Tomorrow: Silent Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life
After 6:00pm Mass at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston on Monday, 12 January, please come along for a silent Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life from 6:45pm-7:45pm at the convent of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Join us in the convent chapel next to the church, 77 Belford Road, EH4 3DS. In February, the Holy Hour will be on Monday, 9 February and continuing each 2nd Monday of the month thereafter.
Family Ceilidh Fundraiser
Families are welcome to come along to the Family Ceilidh on Saturday, 24 January at 7:00pm at St. Columba’s Church, 9 Upper Gray Street. Ticket price includes live music. Not included in ticket price: drinks and snacks available for purchase on the night by cash or card. All under 18s must have one adult in their party to attend. All funds raised will be used by the Parent Council of St. Thomas of Aquin’s Catholic High School to support the school. Child, £5; Adult, £10, Family, £20. Visit https://www.goodhub.com/go/stthomasceilidh2026 to purchase tickets.
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, 28 January, 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.
Explore: Women’s Vocations to the Religious Life
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will for you. Monthly gatherings will be hosted by the Archdiocese at St Columba’s Church, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. The first one takes place from 4pm to 7pm on Sunday 25 January 2026. Involves prayer and discussion in a relaxed setting. To register, email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
SPRED: Special Religious Education
SPRED is a spiritual programme for children and adults with special needs. Groups are held across the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh. Contact Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, at srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk to discuss how your child can benefit from joining a SPRED group.
Retrouvaille Programme in February: A Lifeline for Troubled Marriages
Retrouvaille is a Peer-to-Peer ministry where couples who have had conflicts in their marriage show other couples tools that improved their communication and healed their relationship. Retrouvaille England and Wales offers a Virtual Programme on Zoom 12th-15th February 2026. To register and for more details please visit https://retrouvaille.org.uk/ Call or email in confidence and without obligation. Tel: 07887 296983, info@retrouvaille.org.uk
Order of Malta Ball in April to Support Charities in Scotland and Holy Land
Early bird tickets are on sale now for a ball to support the charitable work of the Order of Malta, one of the Catholic church's oldest and largest charities, on Saturday 25 April 2026 at at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh. The event raises funds for the Scottish Companions serving homeless and disabled across Scotland; Malteser International, helping displaced people in Lebanon; and Holy Family maternity hospital in Bethlehem. Meet new friends and enjoy a three-course dinner with wine, a raffle and auction with fabulous prizes, and reeling with the Infamous Grouse Band. Book online at www.orderofmaltaball.com or email Andrew Milligan at andrewecclesia@outlook.com, or ask Father Jeremy or John Miers.