Cathedral – Job Vacancy
Role: Sacristan/Caretaker, 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. Please contact the Cathedral Office (cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk) for a job description. 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
Young Adults’ Group (18-35)
The Young Adults’ Group meets on Tuesday 10 November with Fr. Brendan Gerard, FSSP who will be presenting on the sacrament of Anointing 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 the faith!
Forming a Generation: An Evening on Sharing the Catholic Faith with Children and Teens
On Wednesday 11 November St Mary's Catholic Cathedral is hosting Greg Finn from Mark 10 Mission, Georgia Ferrer from Alpha, and others to reflect on what children and teens need at each stage of their faith journey. The night includes two talks, prayer, and Eucharistic Adoration. Registration appreciate, but you can also just come along. Doors 6:15pm, talks begins 6:45pm, event ends 8:30pm. Registration: https://www.themark10mission.co.uk/forming-a-generation
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.
A Golden Age Resounding: Schola Cantorum brings to life the music of Arthur Oldham, 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.
Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration
Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after 10:00am Mass. Adoration is from 10:30am-12:00pm concluding with Benediction, with Confession available. Adore the Lord Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist. “In the Blessed Sacrament a heavenly school is open to me, with the best teacher one can possibly imagine…Jesus Christ himself.” St. John XXIII
St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass
All are encouraged to come for Eucharistic Adoration and begin a regular practice of coming to Confession. Every Wednesday at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston we have Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions 5:00pm-5:45pm, followed by 6:00pm Mass.
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.
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 at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston.
This Weekend and Next: Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners’ Children
This weekend and next weekend (14th/15th November) 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. Please be as generous as you have been in past years. Many thanks in advance.
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.
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 is “The Afterlife, Eternal Rest: Episode 2”: This session looks at the truth about what awaits the human person on the other side of death. What are heaven, hell, and purgatory? (https://app.formed.org/app/videos/2414299?cid=770630) Visit EternalRest.org for practical resources, including 60+ videos of experts answering common questions about end-of-life medical care, funerals, grief, and more. 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!
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 what promises to be an inspiring concert!
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
Job Vacancy: Support & Property Administrator
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is recruiting a Support & Property Administrator. The role provides administrative support across property management, facilities and health & safety, as well as assisting with the day-to-day running of the Curia and The Gillis Centre. Applicants should have strong administrative and organisational skills, good IT proficiency (particularly Microsoft Office) and excellent communication skills. The role is permanent, full time (35 hours) and the pay is circa £26k depending on experience. The job description is at bit.ly/administrator26. Closing date: Tuesday, 24 November 2026.
Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood
Please come along after 6:00pm Mass at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston on Monday, 9 November, at 6:30pm to the convent of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, for a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood. Join us in the convent chapel, 77 Belford Road, Ravelston EH4 3DS.
Sacred Heart Church SCIAF Remembrance Mass
A Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) Remembrance Mass will be celebrated at 12.30pm on Saturday 14 November at Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston Street, Edinburgh. The Mass will provide an opportunity to remember and give thanks for all SCIAF supporters who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. Everyone is warmly welcome. Teas and coffees will be served after Mass.
From Drop-Off to Discipleship: A Proven Model for Family Faith Formation
For many parishes, faith formation has traditionally meant parents dropping their children off for class each week. But what might change if parents became active participants in their children’s formation? Join an online webinar on Wednesday, November 11 at 18:00 GMT (12:00 PM CT) for “From Drop-Off to Discipleship: A Proven Model for Family Faith Formation,” a webinar exploring how one U.S. parish (Saint Mark Catholic Church in Fallston, Maryland) has made that transition. Barbara Austin and Veronica Lavenberg will share the family faith formation model that has transformed their parish, offering practical insight into how you can:
Move from a traditional drop-off model to a family-centered approach. Use Formed.org to build a sustainable, year-round curriculum. Encourage and equip parents in their role as the primary educators of their children in the faith. Inspire conversations about the faith through a simple, repeatable session format. Register for the webinar at https://bit.ly/Drop-Off-to-Discipleship
Retreat Day for Married Couples: “Come apart and rest a while…”
Married couples are invited to a retreat on Saturday, 14 November, 10:30am to 15:00 at St. Andrew’s Parish rooms, Ravelston EH4 3DS. The day will include times for reflection as a couple and with others, music, prayer, brief input about Teams of Our Lady around the world, a bring-and-share lunch and a closing silent prayer. To find out more, contact Fr. Jeremy Milne, frjeremy.milne@staned.org.uk. Please bring your own lunch – drinks provided. Teams of Our Lady(teamsgb.org.uk) is a Christian movement focused on married spirituality, helping couples deepen their sacramental marriage and grow in faith together.
Thinking About Religious Life? Women’s Retreat Next Saturday
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: 10:00am-7:00pm next Saturday 14 November, at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. 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
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. Scholarships offer up to 50% remission of annual tuition fees, from S1 through to S6, for pupils demonstrating outstanding academic potential. Applications close Thursday 31 December 2026. Contact admissions@staloysius.org, 0141 332 3190.
Volunteer to Support Children with Special Needs in Edinburgh
Three new adult volunteers are needed for the new Children SPRED (Special Religious Development) group meeting at George Square in Edinburgh on Fridays from 3pm-4pm. The spiritual programme for children with special needs fosters communion with Jesus Christ within the Catholic community of faith. Contact Sister Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM (srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk) if interested in learning about becoming a SPRED volunteer catechist for this new Edinburgh children's group. Training and formation are provided!
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.
Tech Volunteer Required for Catechetics Commission
Are you comfortable livestreaming, recording, and uploading videos to YouTube and doing simple video editing? The Catechetics Commission of the Archdiocese wants you to assist with posting content online for occasional Saturday events. Email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk to learn more about this role.