The 4th Sunday of the Year - Year A
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group meets today, 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.
Young Adults Group: ‘The Farewell Discourse’ in the Gospel of John
Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group which will on Tuesday, 3 February for our new series of talks ‘Come and See: Encounter Christ with the Beloved Disciple.’ Our speaker will be Fr. John Deighan, with a talk on the ‘The Farewell 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.
Blessing of Throats for Memorial of St. Blaise
The blessing of throats will take place at all Masses on Tuesday, 3rd February, the memorial of St. Blaise, a 4th-century bishop and martyr, associated with healing of throat ailments after he miraculously saved a child who was choking. The Church has long offered this special blessing, asking for protection from illnesses of the throat.
Adult Confirmation Classes Begin 23rd 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
Parish Lenten Book 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 for discussion and reflection, with options to meet in person at 11am at Cathedral House on Thursdays, 26 February, 5 March and 12 March, or online on Sundays at 7pm, 1 March, 8 March and 15 March. 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.
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.
“It was in His flesh that Christ walked among us and it is His flesh that He has given us to eat for our salvation; but no one eats of this flesh without having first adored it.” (St. Augustine)
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.
Marriage Preparation Courses
Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday 21 March and Saturday 30 May at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-4pm, with presentations by married couples. To register, email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral - Melanie McDonagh, Friday, 6th February, Coffee Saints, 7.30pm
We are delighted that the author and journalist Melanie McDonagh has agreed to be Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral's first speaker this year. Melanie was our first guest speaker in 2022 while she was researching her book. We are looking forward to finding out more about her research and the paths iconic cultural figures such as Oscar Wilde, Muriel Spark, Evelyn Waugh and Graham Greene took to convert to Catholicism. Melanie's book, Converts: From Oscar Wilde to Muriel Spark, Why So Many Became Catholic in the 20th Century, is available in St Paul's Bookshop. The invitation is extended to all, please RVSP to cathedralnews@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Happy Birthday to Susan!
Join us in celebrating a very special milestone—Susan Lonie, our beloved parishioner, turned 101 on Saturday, 31st January! With decades of devoted service to our Parish, including her work in RCIA, Susan has been a cornerstone of our community. She remains actively involved and keeps in touch with everything happening around her. She holds our clergy and parishioners in her daily prayers. Wishing you many joyful returns, dear Susan — from all of us who cherish you.
Monthly Enquirers Group
This monthly meeting is for adults who are at the early stage of enquiring about the Catholic faith. The first meeting will be on Thursday 19th February at 7.00-8.30pm at Cathedral House, 61 York Place, EH1 3JD. There will be some input on an aspect of the faith and plenty of opportunity for asking questions. Register your interest by email to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or feel free to turn up on the day if you wish. We welcome you.
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 at the following links:
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.
Burns Supper Thank You
Thank you to everyone who turned out to support our joint Burns Supper on Friday, 23rd January with St Margaret’s, Davidson’s Mains. It was a great night enjoyed by all, with some brilliant entertainment and delicious food. A very big thank you to everyone who helped organise it, especially Marie at St. Andrew’s and Patricia at Davidson’s Mains. Next year is already being planned.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 3 February at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the Friendship Group meet up. Please note that the discount is valid during the session time only, and other discounts are not applied during the session.
Online Sacramental Preparation for Children of School Age
We are 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. The course will be online every Friday afternoon at 2.30pm and 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 were unable to attend the registration day on Saturday, 31 January, please contact Deacon Peter at deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Tickets on Sale Today for Parish Quiz Night
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 this weekend (6pm Vigil, 9am and Noon) and again next weekend. 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. Come as a team or join one on the night and make new friends. Cash prize for the winner and a wee raffle of some very nice malt whisky!
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 18 February 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 contact John Russell on 01555 728032 or visit https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/
Cathedral Building Fund Appeal
We’ve now raised £390,000 for our Building Fund Appeal! With the Fund’s current project of the Cathedral’s essential roof works now nearing the end of the first phase of works, we are incredibly grateful to you all for your support! So many of you have also elected to Gift Aid your donations, which has significantly helped us in reaching this total. Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made through our website 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’)
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
Save the Date: St. Andrew’s Talk ‘I Believe in One God’
Thanks to so many who joined us for our first St. Andrew’s Talk of 2026 last week with Fr. Jeremy. Save the date for the next talk on ‘I Believe in One God’ on Monday, 23 February by Fr. Joshua. Our series of St Andrew’s Talks on the Nicene Creed and is held on the last Monday of each month (through May) in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston parish rooms after 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available.
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, 9 February, 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 chapel, 3DS. The next Holy Hour will be on Monday, 9 March and continuing each 2nd Monday of the month thereafter.
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
Remembering Service for Loss of a Child
For those who have suffered the loss of a child, from the beginning of pregnancy onwards, to have time in quiet surroundings to fully recognise their loss and help with healing. This service takes place at 5:00pm on Sunday 22 February 2026 in St John the Baptist RC Church, Corstorphine, 37 St Ninian’s Road, EH12 8AL.
An Evening of Formation for Catholic Men
An evening of formation for Catholic adult lay men will be held in the Ravelston rooms Wednesday, 25 February, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The group is inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, and it will focus on the teachings of the Catholic Church on the universal call to holiness and the Christian virtues applicable to the ordinary activities of lay faithful like family life, study and work. If you would like to attend please email Juan Pablo at juanpablo.andrader@gmail.com
Courageous Heart: A Day to Grow in Faith for High School Girls S3-S6
High School Girls in S3-S6 are invited to "Courageous Heart," a day to grow in faith and friendship on Saturday, 28 February 2026 from 10:00am-3:00pm. The day will consist of prayer, opportunity for Confession, Mass, lunch, a craft, and time with new friends. It is hosted at St. Andrew Catholic Church and Convent at 77 Belford Road in Edinburgh and is sponsored by the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Please RSVP and request parent permission form by emailing edinburgh@almamercy.org or phone 0131 343 3380 (landline) by 24th February.
'Going Deeper' Retreat for People New to the Catholic Faith
This residential retreat is designed for those who have been through RCIA (a programme which prepares people to become Roman Catholic). Take time to pause and reflect on your faith journey in the beautiful surroundings of Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery, Elgin. Arrivals from 5pm on Friday 1st May and leaving after 12:00 noon lunch on Sunday 3 May. We will explore some of the Ignatian (Jesuit) and Benedictine traditions of prayer, and share with one another about living a reflective life, as well as have periods of silence. Book online at https://www.iscglasgow.co.uk/pluscarden-2026 Questions? 0141 354 0077.
The retreat will be led by a team from the Ignatian Spirituality Centre, Glasgow. Suggested donation is £150 to cover food costs and a donation to be given to the Monastery.