The Newsletter for the 26th Sunday of the Year - Year A
Open Doors Event at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
St Andrew’s, Ravelston is taking part in Edinburgh’s Open Doors event today Sunday 27 September. The church will be open from 2.00-4.30pm. If you have not visited or know friends and neighbours who might be interested in seeing this attractive church, all are welcome. This marks the start of the celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the founding of St Andrew’s.
Wednesday: St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Parishioners’ Meeting
Join us on for the annual meeting of St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, which will be an opportunity to discuss with Father Jeremy and Father Joshua any issues which particularly relate to the community at St. Andrew’s. The meeting will take place in the Parish Rooms on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at 6.45pm - do make a note in your diaries and come along!
Red Mass Next Sunday
His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass next Sunday, 4 October at Noon here at the Cathedral. We 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.
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 or e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk sign up on the sheets in the back of church. Thank you!
Young Adults’ Group (18-35) Tuesday
The Young Adults’ Group resumed last Tuesday with great success! Next meeting is Tuesday 29 September, continuing our series of talks on the seven Sacraments. Sr Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma will be presenting on the Sacrament of Confirmation. For further details of the ongoing series, kindly see the poster at the back and join the new 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 on Monday 5 October to discuss.
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
Race Night Thank You!
Thank you to all who helped prepare this, organising, setting up and providing food. Thank you also to all who attended and gave very generously. It was a very enjoyable evening and is now becoming one of our annual events. We raised £1,200 which will go to our parish project.
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 for us 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. Come and adore our Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Arthur Oldham Project: Call for Former Choir Members of St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary's Catholic Cathedral is undertaking a new project about the music of Arthur Oldham, the Cathedral's renowned choirmaster from 1956-71. To mark the centenary of his birth, the project will bring to life Oldham's music housed in the Cathedral archive, including a special concert on 20 November and a new CD recording by the Schola Cantorum in the new year. The project is supported by a funded internship made possible by the Scottish Graduate School of Arts and Humanities (SGSAH). The team is keen to speak to former choristers who were part of Arthur Oldham's choir at St Mary's Cathedral, and who are willing to share their memories. Please contact Cameron Shippee at ArthurOldhamProject@gmail.com for more information.
Two Volunteers Needed to Set Up for Mass in Ravelston: Training Session Offered
Two volunteer sacristans are needed at St Andrew’s, Ravelston to prepare the altar for Mass both on Sundays and during the week Monday-Friday, usually once a month on Sundays and once a week Monday-Friday. We are looking for new members for the team of existing volunteers to set up the altar before Mass with the Missal, chalice, cruets, lavabo bowl, altar linens and to set the Lectionary for the readings. Learn about this ministry by attending one-on-one training with another sacristan. Ravelston Masses are Sundays at 10:30am Mass and Monday to Friday at 6:00pm. Speak with Fergus, Kate or Tina, or contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Thank You: Fr John Peter’s 50th Birthday Indian Fundraising Night
I am delighted to share with you that the Indian Night on 28th August hosted by Fr John Peter both to mark his 50th birthday and to raise funds for the Cathedral Building Fund, raised a fantastic £980.00! This was a wonderful evening and we are most grateful to Fr John Peter and his team of cooks who made this evening such a success! Thank you!
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, 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
In October, the month of the Rosary, all women are invited to join ‘Catholic Conversations’ on 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.
Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s
Our Parish Youth Group is back! We will be meeting on 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! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration or use the QR code. Fee: £1.00.
Poverty in Scotland: Can We Do More?
An event to dive into the reality of poverty in Scotland. You'll hear from a range of speakers working on the frontline, discuss what’s being done and explore ways we can do more to help. It takes place on Saturday 3 October, 10:30am-4:00pm at, The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Register now at bit.ly/povertyinscotland
Six Volunteers Needed to Support Children's Catechesis!
Children naturally want to learn about God. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a programme for children 3-9 to help them encounter God and is focused on Jesus and the sacraments. Weekly sessions are run by trained catechists, who foster a prayerful, independent environment for a larger group of children and then present aspects of our faith one-to-one or in smaller groups. 2-3 volunteers needed to maintain the Edinburgh atrium & 3-4 volunteers needed to expand to a new location or session times. Training begins in mid-October (it is spread over three long weekends)! To see a CGS atrium in action and/or to learn more email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk
P1 Admissions: Open Day for Primary Schools
The annual open day for primaries across the City of Edinburgh is on Wednesday 4 November. Visit the school you would like your child to attend. For Catholic primary school, you should ensure they have been Baptised prior to enrolment as a Baptismal certificate may be required. Visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/catchmentmaps
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 at the next session on 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.
EXPLORE Retreat for Young Women: Thinking about religious life?
Young women interested in learning more about religious life are invited to a retreat day from 10am-7:00pm on Saturday, 14 November including Holy Mass, reflection, prayer, Holy Hour, socializing and pizza. To register, please email Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk Read interviews of young women from our Archdiocese who have recently entered religious life at https://archedinburgh.org/news