The Newsletter for the 27th Sunday of the Year
Red Mass
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass on Sunday, 4 October at Noon here at the Cathedral. The Red Mass marks the beginning of the legal year in Scotland and we are pleased to 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.
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group is back! We will be meeting Sunday, 4 October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7s are welcome! Bring 50p along for the tuck shop! Registration forms for anyone new will be provided for parents on Sunday.
Young Adults’ Group (18-35) Tuesday
The next meeting of the Young Adults’ Group is Tuesday 6 October, continuing our series of talks on the seven Sacraments. Mgr Patrick Burke, a well known and sought after speaker, will be presenting on the Eucharist. For further details of the ongoing series, kindly see the poster at the back and join the WhatsApp channel using the QR Code on the poster. The Young Adults’ Group meets in 63 York Place (around the corner from the Cathedral) every Tuesday, it’s a great way to meet other young Catholics in the city, and to grow in knowledge and love of the faith. New members are very warmly welcome!
Young Adults’ Graduates (35+)
Those who are now graduating out of the Young Adults’ Group, or perhaps have never been a member but would like to meet other Catholics of a similar age, are invited to join an initial meet and greet at 61 York Place at 7pm tomorrow, Monday 5 October to discuss.
Rosary in October
Rosary at the Cathedral After Weekday Masses
Monday-Friday in October the Rosary will be prayed after the 10:00am Mass. We will also continue our regularly scheduled Rosary before the 12 noon Mass and at 1:30pm by Our Lady’s Altar.
Polish Rosary, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration
From Monday-Friday, the Polish community at the Cathedral will pray the Rosary at 5.40pm, followed by 6:00pm Polish Mass and then Eucharistic Adoration will be held from 6:30pm to 7:00pm
Rosary at Ravelston
We will pray the Rosary in October at St Andrew's, Ravelston after the 6:00pm Mass, Monday-Friday. We are in need of leaders for each weekday for the praying of the Rosary. To lead the Rosary one day a week at St. Andrew’s, please e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or sign up on the sheets in the back of church. Thank you!
Thank you: Society of St Vincent de Paul, Mass for the Sick
Many thanks to all who attended the SSVP Mass for the Sick on Saturday, 26 September. The spiritual and healing tone of this Mass brought a great deal of comfort to many. A huge thank you to all who helped and made it happen, you made it a wonderful experience for all. Grateful thanks, The SSVP family.
Sacramental Preparation for Children not in Catholic Education
Children who have been baptized but are not in Catholic education and are now at an age to make their sacraments are invited to collect an information letter and registration form from the Sacristy or the Parish Office. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to receive a form by email. Kindly complete the form and return it to the parish office directly. As children outside of Catholic education do not receive catechesis in school, the parish provides sacramental preparation classes at St Andrew’s Church in Ravelston, the details of which will be made available following registration. As a guide, Primary 3s are prepared for First Confession, Primary 4s for First Holy Communion, and Primary 7s for Confirmation.
Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People
Attend the Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People, every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm in 63 York Place EH1 3JD. Come and listen. Christ is risen! Inquiries: Ian at ijmcgoldrick@gmail.com
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 to adore the Lord Jesus, and be strengthened by His Real Presence in the Eucharist.
St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass
Every Wednesday evening at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass. In October, we will pray the Rosary after Mass Monday-Friday.
All Hallows E’en (well almost) Quiz night: Tickets on Sale Next Weekend
The final fundraising spectacular Quiz Night for this year will be held Friday 30th October. The evening will begin at 6.30pm sharp in Coffee Saints. All monies raised will go to the Cathedral building fund. Lucy, our resident quiz meister extraordinaire, will set her usual eclectic mix of music and general ignorance questions and there will be themed rounds featuring all of your favourite subjects. There will be prizes galore! Tickets will go on sale after the Vigil Mass next weekend, Saturday, 10th October. Get them while you can! These are priced at a very reasonable £10 per person and you may form teams of up to 6 persons or simply take a pot luck approach and join a team on the night! You can reserve tickets by emailing Deacon Peter (deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk) for collection at the event. Payment by cash or card.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday, 6 October 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.
Wednesday, 7th October, Missionaries of Charity, Day of Adoration
The Missionaries of Charity are holding a day of Eucharistic Adoration and praying of the Rosary ending with Benediction, from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Wednesday, 7th October at their convent at 18 Hopetoun Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 4AY, in thanksgiving for the establishment of the Missionaries of Charity. Please join in prayer for as much or little time as you can.
‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women on the Rosary
All women are invited to join ‘Catholic Conversations’ next Saturday, 17 October, 3:45pm-4:45pm in the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments and a short video with discussion, as we look at how the mysteries of the Rosary are rooted in Scripture. Participants are also welcome to join the Religious Sisters of Mercy at their convent for Holy Hour with Adoration, Rosary and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm. To register please emailedinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.
What’s On Formed
Enrich your knowledge of the Catholic faith with your free account on Formed.org. This week features “Divine Mercy with Fr. Michael Gaitley” (https://app.formed.org/app/collections/115561): Renowned speaker and author Fr. Gaitley tells of God's love and mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and the papacy of Pope St. John Paul II Also, “ Our Story: A Basic Introduction to the Bible for Catholics”: In a series of 5-minute video segments, get the Bible’s big picture and a uniquely Catholic approach to the Scriptures (https://app.formed.org/app/collections/121815). Just use the Search feature to find videos. Sign up for your free account at https://formed.org/signup, enter your email, name and phone number; and select name of parish “St Mary's Catholic Cathedral”. On your phone, download the Formed app at the App Store and login. Questions? Contact the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Religious Fundamentalism: What happens when the state and religion are formally linked?
Friday October 23rd at 6.30pm (Venue: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL) Tickets £10 to include a drink and time for discussion. Tickets from Eventbrite https://bit.ly/4izonDK or albertus.scot 'The Global rise of Christian Nationalism' Dr Naomi Haynes has a fascinating account of the first state to declare itself as a Christian nation. What are the implications of this? Her colleague, Dr Moyukh Chatterjee (both from the University of Edinburgh) moderates the event and will add his thoughts on religious nationalism in India. The event is organized by the Albertus Institute (albertus.scot) which promotes public discussion at the intersection of faith, ethics, science and other intellectual disciplines.
Catholic Medical Association for Students and Professionals
Catholic Medical Association is a Catholic community for healthcare students and professionals across Scotland, supporting encouraging and equipping them to live out our faith in medicine. Healthcare students, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and other healthcare professionals are welcome for faith and spiritual support, fellowship, events and opportunities to get involved. Contact Isla Tierney, medical student at University of Edinburgh, isla.tierney@icloud.com. Register your interest online at bit.ly/CMAScotland.
Feel Called to the Priesthood?
If you have been wondering whether God could be calling you to become a priest, you are not alone. If you are considering this call, take that step and get in touch today. Contact our Vocations Director at frpatrick.burke@staned.org.uk. Come and see where the Lord may be leading you.
Catholic Families Event: National Family Conference in Coatbridge, Catholic families across Scotland are invited to the National Family Conference on Saturday,
24 October, 2026 at St Augustine’s Parish Centre, 12 Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge, ML5 1DQ. The day is organised by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland’s Marriage, Family and Life Office and begins with registration (9.00-9.30) and includes talks for adults, children’s catechesis, Holy Mass, Adoration and a ceilidh afterwards! Book online: https://bit.ly/NationalFamilyConference-24Oct26. Contact Emma McGowan, emma.mcgowan@marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk.
Deepening Our Appreciation of the Eucharist
Over four Sunday afternoons you are invited to St Peter’s, 77 Falcon Avenue, EH10 4AN for a series on deepening our appreciation of the Eucharist. Discussion, reflection, prayer and worship for each session will be initiated by a short video from the Aquinas Institute. Join us Sunday 25th October 1pm - 3pm for “Is the Eucharist really food? What happens when you eat the body of Christ?” Other sessions will take place on 22nd November and 6th December. Each session is a standalone but builds to an overall teaching on the Eucharist. Email office.stpeteredinburgh@staned.org.uk if you wish to participate.
Edinburgh Street Pastors - Recruiting Now
Are you interested in being part of an 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? Edinburgh Street Pastors is recruiting volunteers now to be part of the growing work, sharing God’s love on the streets of Edinburgh. Our next training starts 23 October 2026 Want to know more? Then e-mail us: edinburgh@streetpastors.org.uk or call 07523 267906.
Celebrate with the Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, are celebrating 10 years in our Archdiocese. Join them Tuesday, 20 October, 6:30pm–8:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB for a short documentary about the Sisters and their community life, Q&A, pizza and conversation. Please register at bit.ly/dinnerdoc
Edinburgh Day for Life
SPUC Edinburgh West is holding its first Day for Life on Saturday 31 October, 9.30am–3.30pm, at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh EH9 1BB. Include talks from Dr Calum MacKellar, Margaret Akers and Chris McEleny. Register for this free event at bit.ly/dayforlife
Living Catholic Truth – A Resource from CTS
The Catholic Truth Society (CTS) publishes Living Catholic Truth, a free digital publication featuring articles and reflections on living the Catholic faith in everyday life. Hosted on Substack, it brings together contributions from a range of Catholic writers on faith, prayer and some of the challenges facing Catholics today. Read more and subscribe at https://livingcatholictruth.substack.com