The Third Sunday of the Year - Year A
St Andrew’s Talks: Explaining the Faith Through the Nicene Creed
The new series of St Andrew’s Talks on the Nicene Creed begins tomorrow, 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.
Young Adults Group: Gospel of John ‘Bread of Life Discourse’
Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group which will on Tuesday, 27 January for our new series of talks ‘Come and See: Encounter Christ with the Beloved Disciple.’ Our speaker will be Fr. Andrew Garden, with a talk on the ‘Bread of Life Discourse’ of Jesus in the Gospel of John. 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.
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s Next Sunday, 1st February
Our Parish Youth Group will meet next on Sunday, 1 February, 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.
Adult Confirmation Classes Begin in February
This Lent, the Cathedral will run a six-week course for adults to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on Saturday 4th April. Classes start on Monday 23rd February at 7pm at Cathedral House, 61 York Place, and continue each week until Monday 30th March. The first and last meetings of the course are offered exclusively in-person, but the intervening meetings may be joined online for those living at distance. If you are interested and would like to register, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
New Crux Magazine on Sale
Pick up your copy of the latest issue of Crux, the magazine for all Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral, at only £5. Every penny supports our beloved Cathedral. It’s your window into the life, faith, and stories that make our parish so vibrant. What’s inside this issue?
Exclusive Interview: Fr. Ian Wilson, senior Scottish-born Augustinian, shares his thoughts on Pope Leo XIV and what his leadership means for the Church.
Pilgrimage Reflections: Journey with us to Inchcolm Island and discover the spiritual treasures of this sacred place.
Faith in Action: Inspiring stories of transformation and hope from members of our parish family.
Behind the Scenes: Learn about the vital Cathedral roof repairs and the dedicated team making it happen.
2026 Programme of Friends of the Cathedral Events
To join Friends of the Cathedral, visit www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends and enjoy excellent membership benefits, including Crux delivered to you!
Tickets on Sale Next Weekend for Quiz Night Extravaganza
The night out you’ve all been waiting for has arrived! The 1st quiz night extravaganza of 2026 will be held in Coffee Saints on the evening of Friday, 13th February at 7pm. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund of the cathedral as we bring the first massive phase of work to a close. Tickets (£10 per person) will be on sale after Mass on Saturday 31st at the vigil and on Sunday 1st February after the 9am and noon Masses and again the following week. By popular demand, tickets may also be reserved by emailing Deacon Peter at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk who will allocate your tickets which you can then pay for by bacs transfer or on the night by cash or card. You can come as a team or join one on the night and make new friends. There will be the usual cash prize for the winner and a wee raffle of some very nice malt whisky on the night!
Parish Lenten Read: The Practice of the Presence of God
Join us this Lent as we read Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God. We will meet over three weeks, both online and in person, for discussion and reflection. Pope Leo XIV has said that this book is “one of the texts that has most shaped my spiritual life.” He wrote the preface to a new Vatican edition of the book, explaining why it has been so important to him. He described it as simple but profound, written by a humble Carmelite lay brother who didn’t even use his last name, yet whose teaching on living in continual awareness of God is deeply spiritual. St. Paul’s Bookshop will be pre-ordering copies of the book or you can seek out your own copy. If you are interested in joining us and would like to pre-order a book, please email Darlene at newmdar@gmail.com by for more information.
Happy Birthday to Helen!
Congratulations and a very Happy Birthday to our beloved parishioner Helen McDonald who will celebrate her 104th Birthday on Thursday, 29th January. Many happy returns from all of us. Helen has been a committed Parishioner for decades and has been involved in many roles within the Parish. She is still very much part of the community and keeps up to date with everything that is happening. The parish and parishioners are always in her prayers.
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
Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass. All are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession.
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.
Online Sacramental Preparation for Children of School Age
We have recently conducted baptismal preparation courses for children of school age who are not in the Catholic school system or who for whatever reason have not received any of the sacraments of the Church. We are now offering the opportunity for any child over the age of 8 years who has been baptised but has not received the sacraments of Reconciliation or Holy Communion to register for a preparation course for each of the sacraments. A registration day will be held on Saturday 31st January in Cathedral House, 61 York Place, EH1 3JD, at 12.30 and parents and their children are asked to attend and complete a registration form for one or both of the sacraments. There will then follow a short presentation and the course will continue online on every Friday afternoon at 2.30pm. The course will run consecutively for 6 weeks or concurrently dependent on the number who register under each sacrament. Dates for each of the sacraments to be celebrated will be scheduled in due course. If you are unable to attend in person to register on 31 January, please contact Deacon Peter at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Stay up to Date with the Cathedral's Musical Life on Social Media
The musical life of St Mary's Catholic Cathedral continues to go from strength to strength, thanks to the support of the whole community. Follow the "Music at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral" on Facebook, Instagram, and X pages to stay up to date with the very latest news and information: https://linktr.ee/stmarysmusic
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
White Flower Appeal This Weekend
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will hold a White Flower Appeal after all Masses. The White Flower Appeal is dedicated to protecting unborn children and promoting the right to life in society. Visit https://spuc.org.uk/white-flower-2026/ for information
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. 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
Plenary Indulgence for the Year of St. Francis
Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Year of St Francis to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The year began 10th January by decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary and will continue until 10th January 2027. The faithful, by making a pilgrimage to a Franciscan church or shrine dedicated to St Francis anywhere in the world, may receive a Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions (Confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope). St Francis of Assisi Parish, 100 Auchenbothie Road, Port Glasgow PA14 6JD has first-class relics of St Francis in the sanctuary as part of the Year of St. Francis celebrations. Details available at https://saintfrancisportglasgow.co.uk/st-francis-jubilee-year.html and on the parish Facebook https://www.facebook.com/saintfrancisportglasgow You can find St. Francis of Assisi statues, prayer cards and books in our own St Pauls Bookshop!
EXPLORE: Women’s Vocations to 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. Join for talks, discussion, prayer and socialising. Meetings are the last Sunday of the month at St Columba's, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN , starting on 25th January. To register, email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Teens Group for P7-S4 at St. Columba’s Welcomes New Members
The St Columba’s Teens Group (P7-S4) welcomes new members from any school/parish and meets Wednesday, 28 January, 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)!
Valentine’s Afternoon Retreat for Couples
Love, responsibility, and the ‘law of the gift’ at the heart of marriage: Drawing on St John Paul II’s deeply insightful plays ‘The Jeweller’s Shop’ and ‘Radiation of Fatherhood’, this retreat explores these themes through dramatic excerpts, reflection, and personal testimony. Stephen and Rachel Callaghan will share how the wisdom of the Playwright-Pope has profoundly shaped their own journey as a married couple. Free event. Creche available. Registration is required for this event at St. Kentigern’s Church, 26-28 Parkgrove Avenue Edinburgh, EH4 7QR, 2pm-5pm on Saturday, 14 February. Register at bit.ly/archretreat26. If bringing children, please email to let us know at VEMarriage@staned.org.uk
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.
Catechists for Special Needs
SPRED (Special Religious Development) groups need more catechists! Your role will be share the Lord with adults with special needs at fortnightly term-time meetings. Catechists are trained by the Archdiocese and meet fortnightly for preparatory sessions. Interested? Contact Sr Mary Benedicta Maier RSM, SPRED Coordinator, at srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk to serve.
Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year
Try the Bible in a Year or Catechism of the Catholic Church in a Year programmes offered by Fr. Mike Schmitz. Through these podcasts, walk through the entire Bible or the entire Catechism in 365 episodes. Visit https://app.ascensionpress.com/podcasts/bible or https://ascensionpress.com/pages/catechisminayear
Family Week Retreats at Craig Lodge: Grow Closer to Jesus as a Family
Craig Lodge Family House of Prayer in Dalmally in the beauty of the Scottish highlands offers Family Week Retreats for families with children 16 and under. Activities are offered for the children, so parents can join in a time of reflection or simply have quiet time with the Lord. The retreat includes daily Mass, plenty of free time for families to enjoy this 'home from home’ surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains. Retreats are Monday-Friday, 9-13 February and 13-17 April. Accommodation and full board is £310 per adult, £110 per child (11-16s), donation for children 11 and younger. To book, visit https://www.craiglodge.org/ministries/families