Cathedral Job Vacancy
Role: Sacristan/Cleaner, St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral. Hours: 30 hours per week; working hours between 8.00am and 2.30pm Monday – Friday. Salary: £13.45 per hour. Job description available at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/vacancy or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Applications in writing with CV to Alex Mileto, Cathedral Facilities Manager, Cathedral House, 61 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JD (complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk). Closing date: Friday 20th November 2026
Pray for Persecuted Christians: Red Wednesday Mass, 18th November
Archbishop Leo Cushley will celebrate Mass at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 18 November at 7:00pm to mark Red Wednesday, an annual initiative organised by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The Mass will be an opportunity to pray for Christians around the world who face persecution and discrimination because of their faith.
Memorial Masses in November
Memorial Masses will be celebrated in a special way for the deceased of the parish on Thursday, 19 November, 6:00pm at the Cathedral and on Monday, 23 November, 6:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston.
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.
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. The Schola Cantorum will sing music by Oldham 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). Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/GoldenAge-20Nov26.
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. We are celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the erection of the Parish of St Andrew and opening of the church. Information on the history of the church is in the pamphlet at the back of the church. The parish was established in late 1901 and the church opened in 1902. The steak pie dinner (BYOB) for St. Andrew’s Night is the first in a series of events; not a fundraising event. Tickets now on sale, £10 each.
St Andrew's Talk : ‘Pilgrimage to Lourdes’
Join us for our next talk in the 'Places of Pilgrimage' series of St. Andrew’s Talks on Monday, 30 November.
Fr. Jeremy will speak about pilgrimage to Lourdes in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) after 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.
Mass with Archbishop Leo for the Solemnity of St. Andrew
On Monday, 30 November, at 12:45pm, His Grace, Archbishop Leo Cushley, will celebrate Mass for the Solemnity of St. Andrew, our National Patron. The Apostle’s relics are preserved here in the National Shrine of St. Andrew. Public veneration of the relics will follow the 12:45pm Mass. Mark your diary for this Solemnity! St. Andrew the Apostle, pray for us!
Final Weekend: Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners’ Children
This is our final weekend for 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. Please be as generous as you have been in past years. Many thanks in advance.
Rosary at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston in November
We are praying the Rosary every week day at St Andrews during November after 6:00pm Mass. Please join us.
What’s On Formed
Enrich your knowledge of the Catholic faith with your free account on Formed.org. This week on Formed “The Hour of Our Death | Eternal Rest | Episode 3” The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments of the Church. This session, we discover the role of this sacramental anointing in the spiritual struggle during serious illness, the final stages of our temporal life, and the hour of our death. (https://app.formed.org/app/videos/2414300/) 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.
Cathedral Rorate Masses – Volunteers Needed
Throughout Advent, the Church traditionally celebrates Masses in darkness, lit only by candlelight, as we await the coming of the Light of the World and seek to honour his Mother. The Masses are a truly beautiful tradition of our faith, and a very moving way to enter the spirituality of the Advent season. Rorate Masses will take place at the Cathedral at 7:00pm on the Thursdays of Advent (3rd, 10th, and 17th December) and again on Monday, 21st December. Mass by candlelight requires a lot of help, and so we are looking for volunteers to assist in preparing the Cathedral (laying out candles, welcoming people, etc) prior to the Masses, and to tidy up afterwards. You would need to be available from 6pm. If you can assist, then please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com or telephone 0131 553 1510 with a note of your availability by no later than Monday, 23 November, or sign up on the sheets at the passkeepers’ table.
Ravelston Rorate Masses
Rorate Masses at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston will be celebrated at 7:00pm on Monday 30 November, Monday 7 December, and Monday 14 December. Please join us!
St. Andrew’s, Ravelston Bacon Roll Morning, Sunday, 6 December
On Sunday, 6th December after 10:30am Mass at Ravelston, bacon rolls will be on sale in the parish rooms with donations going to a local homeless charity. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Mary’s Meals Christmas Concert
Join Mary’s Meals for a lively Christmas concert here at the Cathedral on Wednesday, 16 December, 7:00pm featuring the Voices Choir and Sister Sister Choir. Also, Magnus Macfarlane-Barrow, founder and CEO of Mary’s Meals, will share wonderful stories from some of the 16 countries in which Mary's Meals makes a world of difference to children living in poverty. Tickets £10 - £16.96, book online at https://bit.ly/MarysMeals-2026-ChristmasConcert. Ticket price includes a cup of hot chocolate or non-alcoholic mulled wine.
Saturday, 19 December 2026, 7.30pm, Organ recital: Olivier Messiaen, La Nativité du Seigneur (The Birth of the Lord) Free admission; retiring collection
La Nativité du Seigneur is an awe-inspiring exploration of Jesus’ Incarnation, written in Grenoble when Messiaen was just twenty-six. The composer acknowledged that the music is inspired by the majestic French Alps, as well as the stained glass windows of medieval cathedrals. In this performance, each one of the nine movements is performed by a student or staff member from the University of St Andrews. Join us for an inspiring concert!
Save the Date: Monthly Enquirers Group About the Catholic Faith
Join us on Thursday, 21 January at 7:00pm for our next series of monthly meetings for adults who are at the early stage of enquiring about the Catholic faith. We will meet 7.00-8.30pm at Cathedral House, 61 York Place, EH1 3JD with 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.
Special Collection Next Weekend: Catholic Education Week
The annual special collection for Catholic Education Week is after Masses next weekend 21/22 November. The Archdiocesan Catholic Education Week Mass is at 11:00am on Thursday 26 November celebrated by
His Grace, Archbishop Cushley here at the Cathedral. This year’s theme is “Know God, Love God, Serve God.” The Cathedral will welcome pupils and school staff from across the Archdiocese for the Mass.
Job Vacancy: Support & Property Administrator
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is recruiting a Support & Property Administrator. The role is permanent, full time (35 hours). £26k depending on experience. The job description is at bit.ly/administrator26. Closing date: Tuesday, 24 November 2026.
Draft Conversion Practices Bill – Call for Evidence by 16th November
The Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office has published a guide to help you respond to the UK Parliament’s call for evidence on the Draft Conversion Practices Bill. The proposed legislation currently applies only to England and Wales, but may influence future legislation in Scotland. Deadline: 5:00pm, Monday 16 November 2026. Guide available online at bit.ly/conversionbill and you can make your submission at bit.ly/uksubmission.
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.
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 18 November 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/
Meeting of Edinburgh Branch of Scottish Catholic Medical Association
The inaugural meeting of the Edinburgh Branch of the Scottish Catholic Medical Association (SCMA) is Friday 20th November, 7:30pm in the foyer of St. Patrick’s Church, Cowgate. Healthcare students, doctors, nurses and allied health professionals are welcome. SCMA is a community for healthcare students and professionals across Scotland. Contact Isla Tierney, isla.tierney@icloud.com.
GodTalk: The Book of Job
The seminar on the Book of Job led by Fr Adrian Porter SJ explores this Scripture in which is found the greatest poetry and the most challenging theology of the Hebrew Bible. No prior knowledge is assumed but GodTalk aims to go beyond the basics. Next meetings Tuesdays, 24 November and 1 December at 7:00pm at Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston in the Small Hall. Details at https://edinburghjesuit.org.uk/noticeboard
Albertus Institute – November Events
Making Good Citizens, Monday, November 23, 6.30pm: Explore how a UK-wide project in schools promotes high quality public discussion. Learn about The Ethics Cup with Dr Ben Sachs-Cobbe and colleagues. Science and Religion: Lived and Imagined Realities, Saturday November 28 10.30 -2.30pm:
Both events in Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL. Register for these Albertus Institute events and view details at https://www.albertus.scot/the-future-of-humanity.
Young Adults Mass with Archbishop Cushley on Feast of Christ the King
The Archdiocesan annual Mass for young adults takes place on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday, 22 November, at 7:00pm in Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. Celebrant: Archbishop Cushley. Social afterwards.
Yearly Formation Morning for RCIA leaders
All RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) leaders and those who assist them are invited to the yearly formation morning hosted by the Catechetics Commission at the Gillis Centre (100 Strathearn Rd EH9 1BB) on Saturday 12 December 2026. The day will include opportunity for Confession, Mass, and inputs on the divinity and humanity of Jesus from Fr Andrew Garden. Register at bit.ly/rciaevent