Sunday Noon Mass: Rite of Acceptance into the Catechumenate
At the 12 noon Mass today Sunday, 25 October, we will receive people into the Order of Catechumens, the first rite of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process for those who are unbaptised. We will also welcome adults who are preparing for full Communion with the Catholic Church through Confirmation. Please pray for these friends as they journey towards the Sacraments of Initiation.
Rite of Enrolment for Children’s Sacraments
Today at the Cathedral 9:00am Mass and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10:30am Mass we will have the Rite of Enrolment for children preparing to receive the sacraments. Please keep the children in your prayers.
Divine Mercy Hour
You are invited to join us for a special Divine Mercy Hour at St Mary’s Cathedral with Father Piotr Prusakiewicz on Sunday, 25 October at 2:00pm. The programme will include: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a spiritual talk by Father Piotr, prayer for healing, blessing with the Blessed Sacrament and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Come and experience the boundless mercy of Jesus through prayer, reflection and Eucharistic Adoration. Everyone is warmly welcome!
St Andrew's Talk Tomorrow: ‘The Vatican and the Tomb of the Apostle Peter’
Join us for the first talk in our new 'Places of Pilgrimage' series of St. Andrew’s Talks tomorrow, Monday, 26 October. Fr. Joshua will speak on 'The Vatican, and the Tomb of the Apostle Peter' in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) after 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.
Young Adults’ Group (18-35)
The Young Adults’ Group resumes Tuesday 27 October with Fr. Nick Welsh who will be presenting on the sacrament of Marriage as we continue our series of talks on the seven Sacraments. 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!
A Golden Age Resounding: Schola Cantorum brings to life the music of Arthur Oldham, Friday 20th November
On Friday 20th November at 7:30pm the Schola Cantorum will perform a special concert featuring the music of Arthur Oldham, the Cathedral’s renowned choirmaster from 1956-71. Marking the centenary of his birth, the concert is the culmination of a special project to bring to life Oldham’s music housed in the cathedral archives. The Schola Cantorum will sing music by Oldham that was last heard in a musical golden age at St Mary’s that is still remembered today. The choir will also perform pieces from its own, present era, bringing the two ages of music-making together in a celebration of Oldham’s musical legacy, and the Cathedral’s continuing musical flourishing. The concert will help raise money for a new CD recording of the Schola Cantorum. Tickets are £12 (£10 under 18 concession), available via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/GoldenAge-20Nov26
Ravelston Hours
Fr. Joshua will be in the parish rooms at Ravelston on the last Friday of the month, 30th October, from 2pm until 5pm should anyone like to meet with him.
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.
Rosary at the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s Ravelston
Monday-Friday in October the Rosary is prayed after the 10:00am Mass. We are continuing our regularly scheduled Rosary before the 12 noon Mass and at 1:30pm by Our Lady’s Altar. From Monday-Friday, the Polish community at the Cathedral is praying the Rosary at 5.40pm, followed by 6:00pm Polish Mass and Eucharistic Adoration from 6:30pm to 6:45pm. We are praying the Rosary at St Andrew's, Ravelston after the 6:00pm Mass, Monday-Friday. Leaders of the Rosary are needed for each weekday. To lead the Rosary, please e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or sign up on the sheets in the back of church. Thank you!
All Hallows E’en (well almost) Quiz night: Tickets on Sale Today
The final fundraising spectacular Quiz Night for this year will be this 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 Masses this weekend. 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.
November Lists
In November, we pray especially for the faithful departed. Please take a November List from the back of church to fill out with the names of friends and family members who have passed away and return it to the Cathedral or St Andrew’s, Ravelston in the marked box found at the back of either church. Please try and return them before Sunday, 1st November, but you can take them throughout the month of November.
Christmas Gift Collection
This month the parish will have the annual collection of donated gifts for the children of the adults who are prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison at Christmas. Please donate gifts that are new and wrapped in Christmas gift wrap, including a label stating the age of the child and if the gift is suitable for a boy or a girl. Gifts for children from 11 years upwards are most appreciated. A collection box will be at the back of both churches before all Masses over the weekends of Saturday 7th/Sunday 8th November and Saturday 14th/Sunday 15th November. Please be as generous as you have been in past years. Many thanks in advance.
Donating Electronically
For another, cash-less, option to donate to the weekly offertory, use https://bit.ly/Donate-StMarysCathedral You can also add Gift Aid to make your donation go even further. Thank you!
Tax deductible donations for US Citizens
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is pleased to confirm that we have partnered with the Chapel & York US Foundation to accept donations for our benefit. This partnership allows us to save on the costs required to operate our own dedicated entity while still providing you the opportunity to support the Archdiocese with tax-effective donations in the United States, meaning your gift stretches further, allowing us to accomplish even more. For details of how to make a US-tax deductible donation through the Chapel & York US Foundation, please contact our Finance Officer, Caroline Reid, at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Parish Youth Group for All P3s-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group will meet on Sunday, 1st November, from 2.30-4pm at St Andrews Ravelston. All P3s-P7s are welcome. Please bring 50p along for the tuckshop. We will be doing All Saints crafts.
Marriage Preparation Course
The next parish Marriage Preparation Course is on Saturday 21st November at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-4pm, with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
St. Andrew’s Night Dinner - Friday 27th November
Join us on Friday, 27th November at 7:00pm for the St. Andrew’s Night Dinner in the parish rooms at Ravelston EH4 3DS. As you may know, we are celebrating the 125th Anniversary of our wonderful parish. Information on the history of the church is contained in the pamphlet available at the back of the church. The parish began in late 1901 /early 1902 and to mark this occasion we are organising a number of events. This first event is a steak pie dinner; not a fundraising event, just a celebratory meal. Please save the date. Tickets will be £10 each and on sale in the next couple of weeks. Information on further events will follow.
Bookshop – Job Vacancy
Role: Bookshop Manager, ST PAULS Bookshop, 2B Little King Street, EH1 3AR. Hours: 35 hours per week; working hours from 10am to 5.30pm (flexibility of working days by arrangement). Please apply to edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk or ask in the bookshop for a job description. Closing date for applications is Saturday, 31st October.
Annual Mass Attendance Census This Weekend
This weekend, the Archdiocese’s Annual Mass Attendance Census will be taken.
Requesting Mass Intentions
“Having a Mass said” for others is an ancient practice in the Church. It is also a form of almsgiving. Book an intention online at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/intentions or use the Mass Intention envelopes at the back of church and place in the Sunday collection (or hand to one of the priests). Thank you!
St Aloysius’ College, Glasgow – Open Morning and Academic Scholarships
St Aloysius’ College, Glasgow, Scotland’s Jesuit school, invites prospective families to its Open Morning on Saturday 14 November 2026, with school tours running from 10.30am. This is an opportunity to discover more about the College’s Catholic and Jesuit tradition, academic excellence and the wide range of opportunities available to pupils. The College is also welcoming applications for its Ignatian Academic Excellence Scholarship for pupils entering S1 in August 2027. Scholarships offer up to 50% remission of annual tuition fees, from S1 through to S6, for pupils demonstrating outstanding academic potential, intellectual curiosity, integrity and a commitment to contributing positively to their school community. Applications close Thursday 31 December 2026. Families interested in visiting the College or learning more about the scholarship are warmly encouraged to contact St Aloysius’ College for information: admissions@staloysius.org, 0141 332 3190.
An Evening of Formation for Catholic Men
An evening of formation for Catholic adult lay men will be in the Ravelston rooms Wednesday, 28 October, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The group is inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, focuses on the teachings of the Catholic Church on the universal call to holiness and the Christian virtues applicable to ordinary activities of lay faithful like family life, study and work. Email Juan Pablo at juanpablo.andrader@gmail.com to attend.
SPUC Annual Candlelight Procession
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) Scotland’s annual Candlelight Procession takes place in Glasgow on Thursday 29 October to pray for the protection of unborn life. The evening begins with the Rosary at the Mercat Building, Glasgow Cross, at 6:30pm, followed by the Candlelight Procession at 7:00pm and Mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral at 7:30pm. All are welcome.
Edinburgh Day for Life
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (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
Mass for the Faithful Departed at Mount Vernon Cemetery
Archbishop Cushley will offer Holy Mass for the repose of all the faithful departed who have died in the Archdiocese in the last year, especially those buried at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Edinburgh. This will take place on All Souls’ Day, Monday 2 November, at 10:00am, Cemetery Chapel at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 49 Mount Vernon Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 6JG.
Retreat in Daily Life XII: Pray Daily/Meet Weekly
Edinburgh Jesuit Church invites you to explore the profound presence of God in every aspect of your life. through prayer, meditation and reflection in “Retreat in Daily Life XII.” Opening Session: 8 Nov, 5.30pm, Closing Session: 6 Dec, 5.30pm. Pray Daily/Meet Weekly. Cost: £60, Concessions: £30. Contact: ejcretreats@jesuit.org.uk. To apply visit https://bit.ly/RetreatEJC-NovDec2026
Save the Date: Little Liturgies
An evening presentation from The Mark 10 Mission on Little Liturgies will take place in the Archdiocese on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. The event will be of interest to anyone involved in teaching the liturgy to children. Learn more at https://www.themark10mission.co.uk/the-little-liturgies. Details coming soon!
Thinking About Religious Life? Women’s Retreat Day
Are you a young woman thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Come to Explore, a retreat day to reflect upon and explore God’s will for you. It takes place on 10:00am-7:00pm Saturday 14 November, at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. Includes Mass, reflections, prayer, a holy hour, and a chance to socialise over pizza. To register email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Thank You: Religious Sisters of Mercy Anniversary
Thank you to all who attended the Religious Sisters of Mercy event on 20th October for the Sisters’ 10th year in the Archdiocese. To watch the documentary, visit www.almamercy.org and scroll to the documentary link.