The Newsletter for the 23rd Sunday of the Year
Young Adults’ Group (18-35): The Seven Sacraments
The Young Adults’ Group will resume on Tuesday 22 September for a new series of talks on the seven Sacraments. Meetings in 63 York Place (around the corner from the Cathedral) every Tuesday, with tea & coffee from 7pm, guest speakers at 7.30pm, and concluding with Night Prayer and a pub trip. The Young Adults’ Group is a great way to meet other young Catholics in the city, and to grow in knowledge and love of the faith, with some great speakers having agreed to join us over these coming weeks. A new WhatsApp channel will soon be available for all the latest news! Kindly note that the age limit for the Young Adults’ Group has been set at 35 to allow for more targeted content, but for those now ‘aging out’ of the young adults’ group, please see the notice below!
Young Adults’ Graduates (35+)
A new Cathedral initiative to meet a growing ‘gap in the market’. 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. Contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk for more information.
Sacramental Preparation for Children at St Mary’s Primary School
An information letter and registration forms will be distributed to classes at St Mary’s Primary School over the coming week to enroll for sacramental preparation for First Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Parents are asked to kindly complete the registration form and return it to their class teacher to be collected by the priest.
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 are available in the information letter. As a guide, Primary 3s are prepared for First Confession, Primary 4s for First Holy Communion, and Primary 7s for Confirmation.
School Mass on 8th September
The children from St. Mary’s Primary School will attend the Cathedral’s 10:00am Mass on Tuesday, 8th September, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. All are welcome to attend the Mass.
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.
Young Adults Bible Study
A group of young adults (18-35) is meeting on Saturdays at 1.00-2.15pm in 63 York Place to read and reflect on the Gospel of Mark. Meetings and the relevant chapter are on Saturday, September 12th(ch14), 19th(ch15), 26th (ch16). Come and see!
Society of St Vincent de Paul, Mass for the Sick
There will be a Mass for the sick on Saturday 26th September at 12:00pm. The SSVP will be delighted to welcome anyone who wishes to attend. If you know of someone who would like to attend and needs assstance in getting to the Cathedral please let us know. Email sspv.ae01.023@gmail.com or call Cathedral House with your contact details. Light refreshments will be available in the Octagon after Mass.
Open Doors Event at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
St Andrew’s, Raveslton is taking part in Edinburgh’s Open Doors event on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September. The church will open from 2.00-4.30pm each day. 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.
Ravelston: Three Volunteers Needed to Care for the Altar Linens Used at Mass
St Andrew's needs three more volunteers to join our helpers for the sacred linens rota. Volunteers take a turn every 4-6 weeks collecting, laundering, and ironing the previous weeks linens. Training will be provided - laundering and ironing can be done from your own home. In the celebration of Mass the priest uses three white linen cloths during the consecration of the Eucharist: the corporal for placing on the altar, the purificator for the chalice, and the finger towel for the washing of the hands. These are the sacred linens that need to be laundered and ironed each week. We really need your help with this most essential ministry. Please e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to volunteer or talk to one of the Sisters or Tina Frank.
Save the Date: St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Parishioners’ Meeting
This year, the annual meeting, at which the parishioners of St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, will have the opportunity to discuss with Father Jeremy and Father Joshua any issues, which particularly relate to the community at St. Andrew’s, 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!
Parish BBQ Today St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
Join us today, Sunday, 6th September, from 1:30pm for our annual Parish Barbecue at St. Andrew's, Ravelston EH4 3DS. If you haven’t already bought your ticket, please speak to Caroline Reid after mass today or on arrival. Enjoy BBQ treats (both meat and vegetarian options), various soft drinks, tea and coffee, and - for a small charge - a cheeky glass of wine! As always there will fun and games for children (of all ages!), as well as a range of stalls including tombola, plants, books, bric-a-brac and a host of freshly baked goods.Please note that the stalls will be cash only. Donations of plants and cakes are most welcome and can be passed to the BBQ reps after mass today or brought to the BBQ this afternoon.
Race Night Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets are still available for the Race Night at St Andrew’s Ravelston on Friday 18 September following 6pm mass (first race 7pm). Tickets are £10 available by cash or card. Light supper included but BYOB. Please also bring cash with you on the night for the betting and the usual second collection! Please see Emily, Fergus or Caroline for tickets.
Race Night Sponsoring
Thanks to everyone who has signed up to sponsor! We now have sponsors for all the races and horses! Any money still due needs to be paid asap please! Cash only. Anyone unable to come to the race night is welcome to make a donation if they wish. Please see Emily or Fergus, or alternatively you can place it into the parish project donation box at the back of the church.
Parish Pilgrimage to Holy Island – Lindisfarne Saturday 19 September
Tickets are going quickly for a special parish pilgrimage to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) on Saturday 19 September. We will leave Edinburgh by coach at 7.30am and return later that evening. The day will include the celebration of Holy Mass on the island, with an optional guided tour led by Sr Tessa from the local parish. The cost is just £10 towards travel. Come and spend a day exploring this historic centre of Christian faith, following in the footsteps of St Aidan and St Cuthbert, and sharing in the life and beauty of this remarkable holy place. Places are limited and time is short, so please register your interest with the parish office as soon as possible by using the QR code or completing the online registration form at https://bit.ly/Lindisfarne-Pilgrimage2026
Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September
If you would like to become Catholic, join our Cathedral RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) course. The group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm-8:30pm at 61 York Place from 15th September until just before Easter. For any questions or to register, please contact the Cathedral office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.
Crux Magazine on Sale Now!
The latest edition of Crux magazine will be available for purchase after masses this weekend. Inside you will get to learn more about our Cathedral curate, Fr. Joshua Moir, as he talks about the priesthood, ministry and Cathedral life. The magazine also contains additional articles on the pilgrimage trip to Italy this past spring and Brendan Metcalfe, CEO of Friends of the Holy Land, writes about their organisations mission and how you can help. There is more inside the magazine codon’t forget to purchase a copy for £5 to find out!
Stop Assisted Suicide - Postcards to MPs Available or Contact Via Website
The vote on assisted suicide is on 11 September. Not Dead Yet UK have provided postcards you can send to your MP to ask them to vote NO to assisted suicide in the vote in the House of Commons on 11 September. Please take action now - collect a red and white postcard, fill out your details, add a stamp and post it to your MP today! Or visit https://www.notdeadyetuk.org/ and enter your postcode to contact your MP.
Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 16 September at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. 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/
Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage with Archbishop Leo
The Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 20 September at St Patrick’s Church, The Cowgate, Edinburgh. It’s the annual event where we gather to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair, entombed in the Sacred Heart chapel at the church. Find out more about Margaret at www.margaretsinclair.scot. Follow 'St Patrick’s Church, Edinburgh' on Facebook for updates.
Schedule: 12:30pm: Refreshments and sales of goods; 1:30pm: Holy Hour and Benediction; 3:00pm: Reflection from Canon Jock Dalrymple; 4:30pm: Holy Mass – Principal Celebrant Archbishop Leo Cushley. Homilist Fr Michael John Galbraith.
National Youth Pilgrimage: Focus on Religious and Monastic Life
The National Youth Pilgrimage (for ages 18–35) will take place on Saturday 26 September at Pluscarden Abbey and will include a tour of the Abbey, a Q&A with the monks, talks on vocation, and a Vigil Mass with Archbishop Cushley. Coach travel from the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Suggested contribution: £10. To register and for more information, email youth.office@staned.org.uk
Volunteer to Support Children with Special Needs in Edinburgh
Three new adult volunteers are needed for the newly forming 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. Please 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.
Poverty in Scotland: Can We Do More?
Join us for a day of speakers, discussion and practical ideas on how our parishes can respond to poverty in Scotland. Speakers include Patricia McCartney, National President, Society of St Vincent de Paul and Peter Kelly, Chief Executive, Poverty Alliance. It's a chance to connect, share ideas, and spark change. Event organised by the Caritas, Justice & Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Saturday 3 October, 10:30am-4:00pm, Gillis Centre, Edinburgh. Tickets & info: bit.ly/povertyinscotland