The Second Sunday of Lent - Year A
Assisted Suicide Final Vote: How to Contact MSPs
With Scottish Parliament’s final debate and vote on proposed assisted suicide legislation expected in mid-March, all are urged read the Scottish Bishops Pastoral Letter (pdf) and to write to your MSPs today using Care Not Killing’s online email tool at https://carenotkilling.scot
Be sure to read the email carefully before sending it to ensure you are happy with the wording. Please remember to always be courteous and respectful when engaging with your MSPs. Many resources are also online from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s Lives Worth Living website: https://spuc.org.uk/campaign/livesworthliving/
LENT AT ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL & ST. ANDREW’S, RAVELSTON
Confession at St. Mary’s Cathedral
Weekdays
Monday - Friday 1.15-2.00pm
Monday – Friday 5.00-5.45pm (Polish)
Saturdays
Saturday 10:30-12:00pm & 5-5.45pm
Saturday 8.00-9.00am (Polish)
Confession at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
Wednesdays 5.00-5.45pm
Eucharistic Adoration
Fridays (Lent only) 10:30am-12:30pm
Please sign up for Friday morning Adoration on the sheets at the passkeepers’ table. It is essential that we have people present in the Cathedral during this period of Adoration.
Devotions at St. Mary’s Cathedral
Saturdays (following 10:00am Mass)
10:30am-12:00pm, concluding with Benediction
Stations of the Cross
Fridays during Lent 1:15-1:45pm
Fridays during Lent 6:00pm (Polish)
Devotions at St. Andrew's, Ravelston
Eucharistic Adoration
Wednesdays 5:00pm-5:45pm
Stations of the Cross
Fridays during Lent 6:30-7:00pm
Polish Lenten Retreat at the Cathedral (Sunday 22 March – Wednesday 25 March)
Begins Sunday, 22 March at Masses (10:30am and 6:00pm) and continues each evening with 5:00pm Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions, followed by 7:00pm Mass and meditation.
No Flowers in Church During Lent
Please do not bring flowers to the Church during Lent. The practice of the Church during Lent is to remove all flowers since this is a penitential season. The exceptions are Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent), Solemnities and Feasts. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
8:00am Weekday Masses at Cathedral During Lent
Start your day with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and be open to receiving God’s grace during this holy season of Lent as we approach Holy Week and Easter. An additional Mass is celebrated at the Cathedral during Lent at 8:00am each weekday, Monday to Friday. The 10am and 12:45pm Masses remain as normal.
St. Andrew’s Lenten Run for Parish Project
Join us every Sunday of Lent for our Lenten Run from St Andrew’s, Ravelston to the Cathedral and back - approx 5 km - from 11.30am. The run will raise funds for the Parish Project, Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. See Fergus Christie for details or email ferguschristie7@gmail.com
Young Adults Talk: “Who is God & Can I Really Know Him?”
Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group on Tuesday, 3 March for a talk on “Who is God & Can I Really Know Him?” by Sr. Miriam Ruth Ryan, RSM, Director of Catechetics for the Archdiocese. 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.
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group meets Sunday, 1 March 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.
Monthly Enquirers Group
This monthly meeting is for adults who are at the early stage of enquiring about the Catholic faith. The next meeting will be on Thursday 19th March 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.
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 3 March 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.
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). Those attending St Mary’s Primary School will do their sacramental preparation through the school and information will come from St Mary’s separately. For all other pupils, at St. Andrew’s Church, Ravelston preparation classes for First Holy Communion begin on Sunday, 1st March at 9:30am and classes for Confirmation begin on Sunday, 15th March at 4;30pm. 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? Contact Fr. Joshua at frjoshua@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Books for Lenten Reading at St Pauls Bookshop
Read a new spiritual book for Lent or pray the Stations of the Cross from St. Pauls Bookshop. Find a variety of titles including Take Up Your Cross and Follow, The Way of the Cross with St. Paul, Christ's Seven Words from the Cross and more. Visit the second-hand bookshelf, too, and discover a treasure to enjoy for your spiritual reading. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, closed on Mondays. 0131 510 4260, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk
Cathedral Building Fund Appeal
I am very pleased to announce that we have now raised just over £413,500 for our Building Fund Appeal! This is a fantastic achievement and we are so 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
Pray the Pro-Life Stations of the Cross Online
The Archdiocese hosts online Stations of the Cross each Monday in Lent. On Monday 2 March at 7:45pm the event will feature a reflection from Fr Andrew Harding of the Diocese of Nottingham. The annual online Stations of the Cross is to pray for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Register at bit.ly/stations26
Event: A Day to Learn About ‘What’s Happening at Mass’
Spaces are going fast! Please sign up soon if you would like to attend the upcoming event to learn about ‘What’s Happening at Mass.’ The day takes place at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, on Saturday 14 March, from 9:30am-4:00pm. Anyone who wants to better understand what's happening at Mass is warmly invited to this free event. This day is a great opportunity for someone not Catholic, but interested in the faith or with a Catholic spouse or children.
Morning Talks:
Archbishop Leo Cushley: What am I seeing? The Articles of the Altar
Fr Andrew Garden: What am I hearing? The Eucharistic Prayer
Testimony: Grace Robertson
12:00 PM Mass
Light Lunch (provided)
Afternoon Talks:
Fr Jamie McMorrin: What am I saying? The Mystery of Faith (We proclaim....)
Fr Kevin Douglas: What am I doing? The Sacrifice of the Mass
Sr. Miriam Ruth Ryan, RSM: 5 Tips for praying the Mass
Register and view the full agenda at: bit.ly/archmass
Feel Called to the Priesthood?
If you’re wondering whether God could be calling you to become a priest, you are not alone. Take that next step and get in touch today. Contact our Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh at frpatrick.burke@staned.org.uk Come and see where the Lord may be leading you.
SCIAF Lenten Wee Boxes for Ethiopia: Share Water. Share Hope.
Please pick up a Wee Box at the back of church and support the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s Wee Box Appeal this Lent, which is for communities in Ethiopia where women, girls and boys walk for hours under the scorching sun just to find water. Just £40 gives people access to clean water for drinking, sanitation and improved hygiene. Use the Wee Box or donate online at https://www.sciaf.org.uk/donate
Spiritual Exercises Retreats Following the Method of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Silent retreats following the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola are offered by the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word at the Benedictine Monastery, 5 Mackerston Place, Largs, KA30 8BY. Retreat for Men: 12th-15th March, Retreat for Women: 1st-4th May. Suggested donation £120. To register, contact Mother Ostrabrama, SSVM on WhatsApp 07717 793486, online https://bit.ly/IVESpiritualExercises-2026
NEW DATE: Legion of Mary of the Edinburgh Curia Annual Acies Feast
Please note the NEW DATE for the Legion of Mary of the Edinburgh Curia annual Acies Feast, which will be on Sunday, 22 March, 2026 at 3:00pm at St. Andrew's Church, Ravelston, Edinburgh EH4 3DS. The Legionaries will renew their fidelity to Our Lady. Msgr. Jeremy Milne, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh, will address the Legionaries. All the Legionaries and Auxiliaries are most welcome to join the occasion. All welcome to teas and coffees in parish rooms following. Kindly use public parking, as on-site parking is limited.
Cyrenians Celebration of Culture and Food
Come along and celebrate culture and connection with food, music and stories at the Cyrenians Celebration of Culture and Food on Monday, 9 March, 3:00pm-7:00pm at Cyrenians Cook School, 66–68 Jane Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5HG. Share your favourite traditions and home-cooking through recipes, song and dance. Drop in anytime for this FREE event. Families welcome! Questions: LauraMulcahy@cyrenians.scot 07912539141. The Cyrenians work to address homelessness effectively throughout Scotland.
Schola Cantorum's Emily Zehetmayr is Raising Money for LandAid
On Thursday 5 March the Schola Cantorum's Emily Zehetmayr will take part in the LandAid SleepOut. Emily will join others to spend a night sleeping outdoors to raise vital funds for young people without a place to call home. In 2023/24, nearly 118,000 young people approached their local council because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness. LandAid brings the property industry together to fund charities providing safe accommodation and mental health support. Donate: https://join.landaid.org/fundraisers/EmilyZehetmayr
Parish Appealers Needed to Speak about Persecuted Christians
Aid to the Church in Need is looking to recruit two Parish Appealers in Edinburgh who will speak at parish Masses about the plight of persecuted Christians around the world. Appealers receive £250 per weekend appeal, plus full training and support. To apply or learn more, please contact scotland@acnuk.org
Guest Speaker: Dr Calum MacKellar, Scottish Council on Human Bioethics
The next meeting of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s Edinburgh West Branch will be on Wednesday, 11 March at 7:00pm in the parish rooms at St. Andrew's, Ravelston, with guest speaker Dr Calum MacKellar from the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics to give us a talk on the Dangers of the New Eugenics. The talk is open to everyone. Meeting on a monthly basis, the Branch presents the opportunity to be with likeminded pro-lifers. For details contact Sam Ho, at marcolino_ho@hotmail.com
Catechists for Special Needs
SPRED (Special Religious Development) groups need more catechists! Your role will be share the Lord with adults with special needs at fortnightly term-time meetings. Catechists are trained by the Archdiocese and meet fortnightly for preparatory sessions. Interested? Contact Sr Mary Benedicta Maier RSM, SPRED Coordinator, at srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk to serve.