28th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Friday, 17 October: Dana and Friends: ‘Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love’

On Friday, 17 October, we will welcome acclaimed Irish singer Dana for an evening of music and testimony in the Cathedral. Dana gained international fame as a teenager when she won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with “All Kinds of Everything”. She became a million-selling music artist, prolific broadcaster, and successful European politician. Dana’s Catholic faith has shaped her life. She will be joined by two other women whose faith in Christ has transformed their lives: Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. In 2014, both women made headlines when they gave up high-profile public careers to enter the religious life. Since then, the women have been on a remarkable, and quite unexpected, journey of faith, which has required of them a deep trust in God. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary, followed by music and testimony at 7:30pm. Entry is free with optional donation to help cover the event costs.

Register Children for Sacrament of Reconciliation Preparation

If you have a child in Primary 3 or above who has not yet made their First Confession, registration remains open until next Sunday 19th October. To register your child please visit www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation and fill in the details there. Classes for those who do not attend St Mary’s Primary School will resume on Sunday, 26th October at 9:30am at Ravelston.

First Holy Communion and Confirmation Registration

Registration is also open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation is at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in March for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

First Holy Communion: Classes begin 1 March 2026 (registration closes 5th April 2026): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Classes begin 15 March 2026 (registration closes 22nd March 2026): https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

Questions: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Those attending St Mary’s Primary School will do their sacramental preparation through the school and information will come from St Mary’s separately.

Daily Rosary for Peace During October

We will continue praying of the Rosary for peace during the weekdays of October, following on the Holy Father’s invitation for this Month of the Holy Rosary. Cathedral: Monday-Friday after the 10.00am Mass, at 12 noon, from 1:30 am onwards and Saturday at 5.15pm. St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: After the 6:00pm Mass, Monday-Friday. If you are able to lead the Rosary one day a week at St. Andrew’s, please e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or sign up on the sheets in the back of church.

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised over £350,000! With the Fund’s current project of the Cathedral’s essential roof works now well underway, we are incredibly grateful to you all for your support! So many of you have also elected to Gift Aid your donations, which allows us to claim a further amount for the Fund. Thank you all!

You can, of course, continue to support this project using our dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund which is in front of the passkeepers’ table. The contactless device is still set up for the Building Fund as is the cash donation box beside it. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are equally welcome. Other methods of giving to the Building Fund are set out below. Thank you for your support!

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made: by cash/cheque* sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

Donate to the Cathedral building fund here

Do please remember to Gift Aid it 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!

Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People

Attend the Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People, every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm, 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. Come and listen. Christ is risen! Inquiries: Ian at ijmcgoldrick@gmail.com

Parish Council Meeting this Week – Email Your Input

The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is this Wednesday, 15 October. Please e-mail the Parish Council at parishcouncil@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with your comments and suggestions for our parish.

An Evening of Formation for Catholic Men

An evening of formation for Catholic adult lay men will be held in the Ravelston rooms Wednesday, 29 October, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The group is inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, and it will focus on the teachings of the Catholic Church on the universal call to holiness and the Christian virtues applicable to the ordinary activities of lay faithful like family life, study and work. If you would like to attend please email Juan Pablo at juanpablo.andrader@gmail.com.

Young Adults Group Talk: ‘The Global Family’

The Young Adults Group is on a break this week, but will meet again on Tuesday, 21 October, resuming our series ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Bishop Brian McGee, “The Global Family.” All those ages 18-40 are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub. For details, email frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk.

‘Raise the Roof’ Fundraising: Quiz Night Tickets on Sale This Weekend

Tickets are on sale after Cathedral Masses this weekend for our next Quiz Night. The Summer is gone and we are kick starting our autumnal “raise the roof” fund raising efforts with this much-anticipated event in Coffee Saints on Friday 24th October 2025. The quiz, by popular request, will have earlier start of 6.30pm. As with previous quizzes, there will a veritable cornucopia of quiz rounds testing your general and specialist knowledge, along with spot prizes, a cash bar, festive snacks, and a cash prize for the winner. Teams are welcome (up to six per team) Tickets £10 per person, and will be on sale again 18th/19th October. Email deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to reserve tickets for payment on the night.

Catenians Meeting: Guest Speaker James Bee

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 15th October, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. The guest speaker this month will be James Bee, the professional football referee.

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 01555 728032 or look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/

Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon

The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 14th October at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the session time. Please come along and join us!

SSVP Polworth Barge Trip on the Union Canal for 60+

Society of St. Vincent de Paul invites those who are 60+ to join them for a barge trip with Polworth Parish Church along a stretch of the Union Canal on Wednesday 29th October at 1:30pm. Duration 2 hours. Places are very limited. To reserve a spot as soon as you can, please email ssvp.ae01.023@gmail.com by Thursday, 16th October. Polworth are currently exploring new options to install a wheelchair lift, however, the boat is not currently wheelchair accessible. Note: Pontoon is unstable, moves underfoot.

Save the Date: St Andrew’s Talk – Evangelising Online

Mark your diary for our next St. Andrew’s talk on Monday, 27 October, with Matt Meade, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese, who will speak on “The Church & the Digital World: Evangelising Online.” Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) after 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Tickets on Sale for Race Night at St. Andrew’s

Tickets are on sale after Mass today for the Race Night at St. Andrew’s, which will be after 6:00pm Mass on Friday, 31 October. Join us for a fun evening with the horses to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (to include light supper).

Parish Youth Group for All P3-P7s

Thanks to so many who attended our Youth Group last Sunday! We will meet next on Sunday, 2 November, 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.

Second Collection Next Weekend for World Mission Sunday

Next weekend will be a special collection for World Day of Prayer for the Missions (Mission Sunday). The theme this year is Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples, and Bolivia is the focus country for projects being supported by Missio Scotland. Donations also can be made online at missioscotland.com/donate

Sign Up for Cathedral Big Clean — Saturday 22 November

We are holding our next Cathedral Big Clean day on Saturday 22 November starting at 10.30am until the early afternoon and we need 25 volunteers to clean our beautiful Cathedral ahead of Advent and Christmas! Please email complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to sign up. Thank you in advance. Darlene

Fife Pilgrim Way Final Section: Ceres to St Andrews

In the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, join in walking the final section of the Fife Pilgrim Way on Saturday, 18 October, 11:00am. Meet in the beautiful village of Ceres at the Fife Folk Museum, High St, KY15 5NH for our walk up to picturesque St Andrews. Bring a packed lunch. No registration required. Distance: 10 miles, estimated 4-5 hours, plus breaks. Queries: Deacon Pat Carrigan, obl.columba@gmail.com

Interreligious Dialogue in a Time of Conflict

The Nostra Aetate 60th Anniversary Conference, ‘Interreligious Dialogue in a Time of Conflict,’ is Saturday, 18 October, 10am-4pm at the Conforti Institute, Calder Avenue, Coatbridge ML5 4JS. Nostra Aetate is the Vatican II document on the Church’s approach to non-Christian faiths. Speakers include Fr. John Gannon, long-time member of the Scottish Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious Dialogue; Dr. Alessandra Cecolin, history lecturer at Aberdeen University; Dr. Liam Waldron, member of the Council of Christians and Jews; and Mr. Brian Fitzpatrick, LLB, former Labour MSP who will provide insight into how government approaches issues such as the current crisis. Refreshments on arrival and lunch included. Cost, £10. To reserve your place, contact joseph.sikora@bcos.org.uk

Meet Catholic Families from Around Scotland at Family Conference

Come along and meet other Catholic families at the Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday, 25th October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St Bride's Centre, Coursington Road (opposite Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral), Motherwell ML1 1PP. The event will conclude with Mass at 4:00pm and the day features a keynote by internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick (live from the USA).

• 10:00am: Registration, 10:30am Opening Prayer & Welcome

• 11.00am: John & Angela Deighan will speak on overcoming pressures and challenges faced by families.

• 12.00pm: Chris Stefanick will speak on the vision of how ‘Home Church’ is a source of evangelisation.

• 1.00pm: Lunch – families to bring own (tea/coffee/juice/water available). Several cafes nearby.

• 2.00pm: Workshop/Group Discussions

• 3.30pm: Families gather before Mass,

• 4.00pm: Mass in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral (next to conference venue)

Activities for Children: Throughout the sessions, there will be supervised age-appropriate activities provided for children aged 3 years and over. For children aged below 3 years, an allocated space will be set aside for them to play in sight of their parents. Register for this free event at https://www.bcos.org.uk/NFC25

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women

Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all welcome to join us on Saturday, 25 October, 3:45pm-4:45pm in the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments, video input on Church teaching about “the communion of saints”, with discussion to follow. Come along and meet new friends in the faith! Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm at the convent with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Register by contacting edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

Conference on ‘The Psalms and a Life of Prayer’

Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB, a monk of Conception Abbey, Missouri, will lead day-long conferences

28th October (Stirling) and 29th October (Glasgow) on 'The Psalms and a Life of Prayer'. Abbot Gregory led the translation project to revise the Grail Psalms, creating the Abbey Psalter which is used in the new translation of the Lectionary for Mass.

Daytime events: Tuesday 28 October, 10:30am - 4:00pm, the University of Stirling, Stirling Court Hotel, Wallace Monument Main Room FK9 4LA;

Wednesday, 29 October, 10:30am - 4:00pm, Christ the King Church Hall, Glasgow, G44 5AP.

Cost £25 (includes lunch). Evening event: Singing the Psalms in the Liturgy, Christ the King Church Hall, 7:00pm. To register email liturgycommission@bcos.org.uk Event organised by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.

Teens Group for P7-S4 Welcomes New Members

St Columba’s Teens Group for P7-S4 welcomes new members: Wednesday, 29 October, 7:00pm-8:30pm, St Columba’s Halls, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN. Email teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk to sign up or come along on the night (with a parent/guardian to fill in a consent form)!

Job Opening: Administrator

The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint an Administrator (35 hours per week, £23,000 - £25,000 per annum) for a period of one year for maternity cover to provide administrative support to the Chancery and Catechetics departments at the Gillis Centre, EH9 1BB. Full job description at bit.ly/archadmin1. To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role to recruitment@staned.org.uk by Friday 24 October 2025.

Love, Human and Divine: Christian Traditions of Love and Friendship

On Saturday, 1 November, 10am-4pm, the University of Edinburgh hosts the Albertus/School of Divinity Conference with talks by Professor Jeremy Carrette, Dr Harriet Harris, Dr Sara Parvis and Dr Elizabeth Drummond Young, as well as discussion groups and a plenary session. Topics include ‘Mystical Love/Romantic Love,’ ‘Love and the University,’ ‘Revisiting Fergus Kerr OP on Charity as Friendship’ and ‘CS Lewis, Friendship and Faith.’ Lunch £10, payable on the day, or bring your own. The event is at Martin Hall, New College, Mound Place EH1 2LX. Register for this free event at https://bit.ly/Love-and-Friendship-1Nov25

Read the newsletter for 12 October (pdf)

27th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Enrolment Mass for First Reconciliation

Today is the enrolment Mass at 9:00am at the Cathedral and 10:30am at Ravelston for the children of our parish who will begin preparing to receive the sacrament of First Reconciliation in February. Please keep them, their families and their teacher in your prayers!

Day of Prayer for Peace 7th October 2025 – Light a Candle for Peace

The Bishops of Scotland invite all Catholics to keep Tuesday 7th October, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, as a day of prayer for peace in our world. All are invited to visit the Cathedral on 7th October, to pray for peace, especially in the presence of the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and to light a candle. Our world today is troubled by so many wars and conflicts; it is appropriate that we as Catholics pray individually and together on this day, for the Holy Land, Gaza and Israel. Pope Leo has also asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary during the month of October for peace in our world.

Holy Hour for Peace at the Cathedral on Tuesday 7th October at 7.00pm

Exposition, Adoration, Rosary, Litany, Benediction

God of peace and justice,

We pray for the people of the Holy Land:

Israeli and Palestinian, Jew, Christian and Muslim.

We pray for an end to acts of violence and terror.

We lift to you all who are fearful and hurting.

We ask for wisdom and compassion for those in leadership.

Above all, we ask that Jesus the Prince of Peace,

Establish lasting reconciliation and justice for the Holy Land and all nations. Amen.

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised over £346,200, including match funding of £50,000 from a generous benefactor to whom we are extremely grateful. With the Fund’s current project of the Cathedral’s essential roof works now well underway, we are incredibly grateful to you all for your support! So many of you have also elected to Gift Aid your donations, which allows us to claim a further amount for the Fund. Thank you all!

You can, of course, continue to support this project using our dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund which is in front of the passkeepers’ table. The contactless device is still set up for the Building Fund as is the cash donation box beside it. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are equally welcome. Other methods of giving to the Building Fund are set out below. Thank you for your support!

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made: through the 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’)

Donate to the Cathedral Building Fund

Register Children for Sacrament of Reconciliation Preparation

If you have a child in Primary 3 or above who has not yet made their First Confession, the registration for this remains open until Sunday 19th October. To register your child please visit the Cathedral website, www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation and fill in the details there. Classes for those who do not attend St Mary’s Primary School begin today, Sunday 5th October at 9:30am at Ravelston.

First Holy Communion and Confirmation Registration

Registration is also open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation is at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in March for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

Questions: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Those attending St Mary’s Primary School will do their sacramental preparation through the school and information will come from St Mary’s separately.

Young Adults Group Talk: ‘Faith & Politics: Engaging’

The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 7 October with a new series of talks on ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, “Faith & Politics: Engaging.” All those ages 18-40 are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub. Contact Fr. Robert Taylor for details frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Thank You from Society of St Vincent de Paul

Thank you to all who attended the SSVP Mass for the Sick on Saturday 27th Sept. This special Mass was made more significant as it fell on the feast of St Vincent de Paul. A huge thank you to Fr Jeremy. The current building work presented a few challenges but nothing to detract from the service and reception afterwards. Sincerely SSVP team.

Daily Rosary for Peace During October

We will continue praying of the Rosary for peace during the weekdays of October, following on the Holy Father’s invitation for this Month of the Holy Rosary. Cathedral: Each day Monday-Friday after the 10.00am Mass, at 12 noon and from 1:30 am onwards and on Saturday at 5.15pm. 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. If you are able to lead the Rosary one day a week at St. Andrew’s, please e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or sign up on the sheets in the back of church.

Webinar Ahead of Mass Lobby of Holyrood on Terminally Ill Adults Bill

In case you missed it, you can watch the very informative webinar hosted 30 September by Liam Gibson, Policy and Legal Officer for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), and Margaret Akers, Services Coordinator for SPUC, ahead of the Tuesday, 7 October mass lobby of Holyrood to lobby MSPs on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill. Hear discussion of the content of the bill, along with practical tips on how to lobby your MSPs. There is much useful content even if you aren’t able to make the lobby! View the webinar at https://bit.ly/SPUC-webinar-30Sept2025

Youth Group for P3-P7!

The Youth Group returns today, Sunday, 5th October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Bring 50p along for the tuck shop! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration nFee: £1.00.

Tomorrow: Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People

All are invited to attend the Neocatechumenal Way Catechesis for Adults & Young People beginning Monday, 6 October, every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm, 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. Come and listen. Christ is risen! Inquiries: Ian at ijmcgoldrick@gmail.com

Next Friday, 17 October: Dana and Friends: ‘Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love’

Next Friday, 17 October, we will welcome acclaimed Irish singer Dana for an evening of music and testimony in the Cathedral. Dana gained international fame as a teenager when she won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with “All Kinds of Everything”. She subsequently became a million-selling music artist, a prolific broadcaster, and a successful European politician. In the midst of this, Dana’s Catholic faith has shaped her life. On Friday 17 October, she will be joined by two other women whose faith in Christ has transformed their lives: Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. In 2014, both women made headlines when they gave up high profile public careers to enter the religious life. Since then, the women have been on a remarkable, and quite unexpected, journey of faith, which has required of them a deep trust in God. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary, followed by music and testimony at 7:30pm. Entry is free with optional donation to help cover the event costs.

An Evening of Formation for Catholic Men

Catholic professional men are invited to an evening of formation in the Ravelston rooms EH4 3DS Wednesday, 29 October, 6:30pm-7:30pm. Inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, the event will focus on Church teaching on the universal call to holiness and the Christian virtues applicable to the ordinary activities of lay faithful. If you would like to attend please email Juan Pablo at juanpablo.andrader@gmail.com

Save the Date: Race Night at St. Andrew’s

After 6:00pm Mass on Friday, 31 October, join us for Race Night at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, a fun evening with the horses to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (to include light supper). Mark your diary!

Sign Up for Cathedral Big Clean on Saturday 22 November

Our volunteer cleaners and Ephraim, our Sacristan, do a great job of keeping the Cathedral looking spic and span, but every so often it is helpful to have a deeper cleaner than they are able to manage with their limited time and manpower. To that end, we are holding our next Big Clean day on Saturday 22 November starting at 10.30am until the early afternoon. It is a great way to work off a few calories, meet others and do something for our community. To get around the jobs on the list, we need 25 volunteers and the more volunteers we get the quicker our tasks will be completed! If you felt able to volunteer your time and muscle, it would be great if you could sign up with me by emailing complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you in advance. Darlene

Quiz Night – ‘Raise the Roof’ Fundraising

The Summer is gone and we are kick starting our autumnal “raise the roof” fund raising efforts with a much anticipated quiz night in coffee saints Friday 24th October 2025. The quiz, by popular request will have earlier start of 6.30pm. As with previous quizzes, there will a veritable cornucopia of quiz rounds testing your general and specialist knowledge, along with spot prizes, a cash bar, festive snacks, and a cash prize for the winner. Teams are welcome (up to six per team) Team up before or on the night. Why not even go for glory with a solo admission? Tickets are a snip at only £10 per person and will go on sale after Cathedral Masses on Saturday- Sunday 11th/12th of October and again on the 18th/19th. Email deacon@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to reserve tickets for payment on the night. These tickets will be highly sought after, so to avoid disappointment get them early. Don’t delay, buy them today!

Ecclesiastical Students Fund Special Collection Today

There will be a special collection today in support of those studying for the priesthood. Please support this important fund for our seminarians, and remember our seminarians in your prayers.

Tuesday: Pray with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters Celebrating 75 Years

The Missionaries of Charity are celebrating 75 years of recognition as a Religious Congregation on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary this Tuesday, 7th October. Mass will be at 8:00am at their convent, 18 Hopetoun Crescent, Leith, Edinburgh, EH7 4AY, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 9:00am to 6:00pm with Benediction. We cordially invite you to come and spend some time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Rosary with us. You are free to come anytime, as the chapel will be open all day. The Missionaries of Charity were founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, India, on 7 October, 1950.

Next Saturday: Workshop for All RCIA Leaders

Leaders for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are invited by the Catechetics Commission for a morning workshop. The day will include Mass, spotlights on two programmes: St Teresa's, East Calder & Sacred Heart, Edinburgh, and tips for best-utilising technology and the internet. Date: Saturday 11 October 2025 9:15pm – 12:00pm Location: The Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Rd EH9 1BB. Register at bit.ly/rcialeaders

The Calix Society: Faith, Fellowship, and Sobriety in Christ

The Calix Society is an association of Catholic alcoholics who meet to grow in their relationship with God through prayer and meditation (Alcoholics Anonymous' 11th Step). It welcomes anyone who wishes to join in prayer and fellowship. Meetings are on Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00pm, starting 21 October at St Patrick's Church, The Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1TQ. For more information visit www.calixsociety.org

National Family Conference Celebrates Marriage and Family Life

The National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life BCOS, led by Bishop John Keenan, invites parish families to an Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday, 25th October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St Bride's Centre, Coursington Road (opposite Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral), Motherwell ML1 1PP. The event features a keynote by internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick (live from the USA), and celebrates marriage and family life with talks, prayer, and community. Register at https://www.bcos.org.uk/NFC25

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women

Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all welcome to join us on Saturday, 25 October, 3:45pm-4:45pm in the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments, video input on Church teaching about “the communion of saints”, with discussion to follow. Come along and meet new friends in the faith! Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm at the convent with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Register by contacting edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

Edinburgh Retreat for Young Women for Discerning Your Vocation

Young women discerning a call to the religious life, or who simply want to find out more, are invited to a weekend retreat led by Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO, Archdiocesan Director for Religious Vocations, Friday, 31 October to Sunday, 2 November, at The Convent, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. The weekend includes Holy Mass, a Holy Hour, praying the Divine Office, reflections, sharing and time for quiet discernment. To register for this free event please email Sr Mirjam at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

Edinburgh Interfaith Event: ‘Seeds of Peace & Hope’

The Edinburgh Interfaith Key Note Lecture & AGM 2025 takes place in Edinburgh City Chambers, EH1 1YJ, on Tuesday 28 October at 5:30pm-7:00pm. Keynote speaker for this free event is Adrian Cristea, PhD, who played a key role in establishing the first official Interfaith Forum in Ireland launched in January 2012 and led the process for developing the ‘Dublin City InterfaithCharter’. Topic is 'Seeds of Peace & Hope'. Register at https://bit.ly/EIA-lecture-28Oct2025

Read the newsletter for 5 October (pdf)

26th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Emergency Closing of the Octagon

As the roofing project continues, we have come across another issue that was not discovered in the initial survey. As the stonemasons were working on the copings at the top of the Octagon, it was discovered that the stonework was not properly attached to the building. The mortar has almost disintegrated behind the stones and they could easily have fallen onto the pavement outside the door. We are now in the process of evaluating all of the stonework above the Octagon, after which we will begin the process of reinforcing the stone slabs. As such, the Octagon door will remain closed until this has been completed and the main glass sliding doors will be used for entering and exiting the Cathedral. Over the weekend, there is access from Little King Street, but it is a narrow part of the ramp and, therefore, we ask that it be kept for buggies and those with limited mobility. For all others, please use the stairs at the front of the Cathedral. We apologise for the inconvenience but anticipate that the work will be completed in a relatively short amount of time.

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised over £346,200, including match funding of £50,000 from a generous benefactor to whom we are extremely grateful. With the Fund’s current project of the Cathedral’s essential roof works now well underway, we are incredibly grateful to you all for your support! So many of you have also elected to Gift Aid your donations, which allows us to claim a further amount for the Fund. Thank you all!

You can, of course, continue to support this project using our dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund which is in front of the passkeepers’ table. The contactless device is still set up for the Building Fund as is the cash donation box beside it. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are equally welcome. Other methods of giving to the Building Fund are set out below. Thank you for your support!

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made: through the 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’)

Donate to the Cathedral Building Fund here

Do please remember to Gift Aid it 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!

Young Adults Group Talk: ‘Faith & Politics: What the Church Teaches”

The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 30th September with a new series of talks on ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Councillor James Bundy, “Faith & Politics: What the Church Teaches.” All those ages 18-40 are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub. Contact Fr. Robert Taylor for details frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

St. Andrew’s Talk: ‘Called to Holiness’

Tomorrow, Monday, 29th September, Fr. Jeremy will speak at our next St. Andrew’s Talk on “Called to Holiness: Saints & Sanctity in Daily Life”. This series has the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

October: Month of the Holy Rosary

Why not try building a new prayer habit during the month of October — less phone time…in exchange for more praying of the Rosary! In his General Audience this past week on Wednesday, 24 September, Pope Leo XIV invited everyone to pray the Rosary daily for peace during the month of October.

Rosary at the Cathedral After Weekday Masses

Each day Monday-Friday at the Cathedral there are two opportunities to join in praying the Rosary. The first Rosary is at 12 noon and the second Rosary is from 1:30 pm onwards, both by Our Lady’s Altar. The first Wednesday of each month, please join in a Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to ask Our Lady’s intercession for our priests.

Rosary at Ravelston in October

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. If you are able to lead the Rosary one day a week at St. Andrew’s, please sign up on the sheets in the back of church or e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. Thank you!

Find a Rosary and booklets about praying the Rosary in our St Pauls Bookshop!

Learn more about the Rosary at https://www.theholyrosary.org/

St. Pauls Bookshop – New Weekday and Daily Missals

The new Weekday Missals and Daily Missals are in stock in St. Pauls Bookshop! Please make a note of this new schedule for the St Pauls Bookshop: From 6th October the shop will be open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00am-5:30pm, closed on Mondays.

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 for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist. Please note – Saturday 27th September, Adoration will end at 11.00am in order to allow for set up for the SSVP Mass for the Sick at 12noon.

“The devotion to the Eucharist is the most noble, because it has God as its object; it is the most profitable for salvation, because it gives us the Author of Grace; it is the sweetest, because the Lord is Sweetness Itself.” St. Pius X

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, 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.

Registration for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation is at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October.

First Reconciliation: A parents’ evening will be held on Monday, 29th September. Please check your emails for details. Registration closes on 19th October 2025.

• First Reconciliation is in the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

• First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

• Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

Masses of enrolment are on

• Sunday 8 February for First Reconciliation,

• Sunday, 1 March for First Holy Communion

• Sunday, 8 March for Confirmation

Those attending St Mary’s Primary School will do their sacramental preparation through the school and information will come from St Mary’s separately.

Questions: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Dates for Your Diary: Children's Sacramental Preparation Classes

ALL Classes take place at St Andrews, 77 Belford Road EH4 3DS

during school term times

First Reconciliation: 26 Oct 2025 – 1 Feb 2026: Sunday 9:30am – 10:15am

First Holy Communion: 1 March 2025 – 31 May 2026: Sunday 9:30am – 10:15am

Confirmation: 8 March 2026 – 24 May 2026: Sunday 4.30pm-5.30pm

Marriage Preparation Courses

The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday 22 November and Saturday 21 March, at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, with presentations by married couples. Register by emailing the parish office: cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Race Night at St. Andrew’s

After 6:00pm Mass on Friday, 31 October, join us for Race Night at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, a fun evening with the horses to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (to include light supper). Mark your diary!

Ecclesiastical Students Fund Special Collection Next Weekend

There will be a special collection next weekend in support of those studying for the priesthood. Please support this important fund for our seminarians and remember our seminarians in your prayers.

Youth Group for P3-P7 Begins Next Sunday!

The Youth Group will return next Sunday, 5th October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration Fee: £1.00.

Pray with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters Celebrating 75 Years

The Missionaries of Charity are celebrating 75 years of recognition as a Religious Congregation on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Tuesday, 7th October. Mass will be at 8:00am at their convent, 18 Hopetoun Crescent, Leith, Edinburgh, EH7 4AY, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 9:00am to 6:00pm with Benediction. We cordially invite you to come and spend some time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Rosary with us. You are free to come anytime, as the chapel will be open all day. The Missionaries of Charity were founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, India, on 7 October, 1950.

St Pier Giorgio Frassati Book tour

A book tour to celebrate the recent canonisation and the publication of 15 Days of Prayer with St Pier Giorgio Frassati (New City Press, 2025), visits St Albert’s Chaplaincy, 24 George Square, Edinburgh. EH8 9LD, on Friday 17 October, 5:15pm. Free event, all welcome. Enter from George Square Lane, between George Square and Middle Meadow Walk, and look along the wall for a sign for the Chaplaincy next to the entrance gate. Details at https://scotland.op.org/contact/

Ask MSPs to Vote No on Assisted Suicide Bill

Parliament is in Stage 2 of consideration of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, involving consideration of amendments put to the Health and Social Care Committee by MSPs, then at the next stage a vote will decide whether the Bill becomes law. We need just eight MSPs to switch their votes to defeat the Bill. Contact your local MSP(s) to talk to them about the dangers of the Bill and to urge them to vote against it at Stage 3 at https://www.writetothem.com/. If you would like to assist with discrete, focused lobbying work, along with a group of parishioners from other parishes across Scotland, contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. This lobbying project is being supported by CAAD (Campaign Against Assisted Dying) in collaboration with the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

40 Days for Life in Edinburgh: Sept 24 - Nov 2

40 Days for Life (https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/) is an inter-denominational, pro-life, faith-based effort made up of three key components: 1) prayer and fasting for 40 days for an end to abortion; 2) a 40-day peaceful prayer vigil just outside the buffer zone in Edinburgh, so it is completely legal and we have an excellent relationship with the police and 3) community outreach: taking a positive, upbeat pro-life message to others. To join us from now until November, email Mairi Lucas, edinburgh40days@gmail.com

National Family Conference Celebrates Marriage and Family Life

The National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life BCOS, led by Bishop John Keenan, invites parish families to an Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday, 25th October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St Bride's Centre, Coursington Road (opposite Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral), Motherwell ML1 1PP. The event features a keynote by internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick (live from the USA), and celebrates marriage and family life with talks, prayer, and community. Register at https://www.bcos.org.uk/NFC25

Edinburgh Retreat for Young Women for Discerning Your Vocation

Young women discerning a call to the religious life, or who simply want to find out more, are invited to a weekend retreat led by Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO, Archdiocesan Director for Religious Vocations, Friday, 31 October to Sunday, 2 November, at The Convent, 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. The weekend includes Holy Mass, a Holy Hour, praying the Divine Office, reflections, sharing and time for quiet discernment. To register for this free event please email Sr Mirjam at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women

Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all welcome to join us on Saturday, 25 October, 3:45pm-4:45pm in the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments, video input on Church teaching about “the communion of saints”, with discussion to follow. Come along and meet new friends in the faith! All welcome to join for Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Email: edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

The Way of St. Andrews Scottish Pilgrimage

Enjoy being a pilgrim in Scotland! Try one of the eight great pilgrim ways wending their way quietly through Scotland’s diverse and scenic landscape to St Andrews. Great trails, great scenery and a great opportunity for reflection. To plan your pilgrimage route and get more information please visit http://www.thewayofstandrews.com/

Read the newsletter for 27 September (pdf)

25th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Red Mass at Noon

His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass today 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 and also members of the Franco-British Lawyers Society from France and elsewhere in the UK visiting Edinburgh for their annual conference, as we mark the start of the new legal year.

Neil Beynon, RIP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Neil Beynon, Cathedral Organist from c.1980-c.2007. Neil was appointed under the late Mgr Patrick Joseph Grady, and worked with his successors, Mgr David Gemmell and Mgr Michael Reagan. Neil was a founding member of Terra Firma Chambers. May he rest in peace.

Archbishop Cushley’s 12th Anniversary of Ordination as a Bishop

Today is the 12th anniversary of Archbishop Leo’s ordination as a bishop, which was celebrated here in St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on 21 September 2013 when he was installed as the eighth Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh since the restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy in 1878. We offer our prayerful best wishes to you, Your Grace, on this special occasion and our thanks to you for your ministry.

Cathedral Roof Appeal Fund

We’ve now raised over £346,200, including match funding of £50,000 from a generous benefactor to whom we are extremely grateful. With the Fund’s current project of the Cathedral’s essential roof works now well underway, we are incredibly grateful to you all for your support! So many of you have also elected to Gift Aid your donations, which allows us to claim a further amount for the Fund. Thank you all!

You can, of course, continue to support this project using our dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund which is in front of the passkeepers’ table. The contactless device is still set up for the Building Fund as is the cash donation box beside it. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are equally welcome.

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made through the website, by bank transfer 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’

Donate to the Cathedral Building fund here

Thank you for your support!

Young Adults Group Talks on Tuesday

The Young Adults Group will meet again on Tuesday, 23rd September with a new series of talks on ‘Catholic Social Teaching from Leo XIII to Leo XIV.’ Join us for our talk by Anne-Marie Clements on ‘Living the Common Good.’ All those ages 18-40 are welcome to the weekly meetings. As usual, we meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees and for the talk at 7.30pm, followed by a short group discussion. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to meet up at a local pub.

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 for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, 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.

SSVP Mass for the Sick on Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul

At Noon on Saturday, 27 September, the memorial of St. Vincent de Paul, a Mass for the Sick will be held by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul here at the Cathedral.

Registration for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation is at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links. First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation; First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion; Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation. Questions: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Youth Group for P3-P7 Begins in October

The Youth Group will return on Sunday, 5th October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration or use the QR code. Fee: £1.00.

Next St. Andrew’s Talk: ‘Called to Holiness’

Save the date for our next St. Andrew’s Talk with Fr. Jeremy who will speak on Monday, 29th September

on “Called to Holiness: Saints & Sanctity in Daily Life”. This series has the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Save the Date: Race Night at St. Andrew’s

After 6:00pm Mass on Friday, 31 October, join us for the next event in our exciting social programme: Race Night at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Join us for a fun evening with the horses — to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (to include light supper). Mark your diary!

Edinburgh Street Pastors Recruitment Event on Wednesday

Are you interested in being part of an inter-denominational organisation which provides care and help to people in need on the streets of Edinburgh? Are you a Christian moved by the parable of the Good Samaritan and want to be that person who helps another? Edinburgh Street Pastors is recruiting volunteers now to be part of the growing work of sharing God’s love on the streets of Edinburgh. Learn about our work at a talk in the parish rooms at 63 York Place EH1 3JD on Wednesday 24th September@ 7.30pm. Our next training is planned for dates in the autumn. E-mail edinburgh@streetpastors.org.uk or call 07523 267906 for more details.

Dana and Friends: ‘Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love’ on Friday, 17 October

Next month we will welcome acclaimed Irish singer Dana for an evening of music and testimony in the Cathedral. Dana gained international fame as a teenager when she won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with “All Kinds of Everything”. She subsequently became a million-selling music artist, a prolific broadcaster, and a successful European politician. In the midst of this, Dana’s Catholic faith has shaped her life. On Friday 17 October, she will be joined by two other women whose faith in Christ has transformed their lives: Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. In 2014, both women made headlines when they gave up high profile public careers to enter the religious life. Since then, the women have been on a remarkable, and quite unexpected, journey of faith, which has required of them a deep trust in God. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Rosary, followed by music and testimony at 7:30pm. Entry is free with optional donation to help cover the event costs. Reserve your tickets here: https://bit.ly/Dana-and-Friends-17Oct25

St. Pauls Bookshop Hours

Please make a note of this new schedule for the St Pauls Bookshop: From October the shop will be open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00am-5:30pm, closed on Mondays.

Venerable Margaret Sinclair Centenary Pilgrimage Today

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place today Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Visit https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Teens Group for P7-S4 Welcomes New Members

St Columba’s Teens Group for those in P7-S4 welcomes new members from any school/parish, and will meet next on Wednesday, 24 September, 7:00pm-8:30pm at St Columba’s Halls, near the church at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Join us for games, prayer and learning about our faith! Email Elfreda at teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk to sign up or come along on the night (with a parent/guardian to fill in a consent form)! Meetings will continue the last Wednesday of each month.

Mary’s Meals Edinburgh Celebration: “On the Frontlines of Hunger”

For Mary’s Meals supporters based in and around Edinburgh, we would love to see you for an exclusive screening of “On the Frontlines of Hunger” on Thursday, 25 September, as we present our new documentary shining a light on the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia. Please be aware that although this is primarily a film about hope and resilience, some content could be upsetting and it has been rated 12A. Attendees are invited to arrive from 6:45pm for 7:00pm start, with the event concluding at 9:00pm, at Cornerstone Centre, St. John’s Church, Princes Street EH2 4BJ. Tea and coffee available. To reserve your free place, please email the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

40 Days for Life in Edinburgh: Sept 24 - Nov 2

40 Days for Life organises pro-life outreach that is prayerful and supportive of future mothers. 40 Days for Life is an inter-denominational, faith-based effort made up of three key components: 1) prayer and fasting—inviting people of faith to join together for 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion; 2) a 40-day peaceful prayer vigil outside Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Edinburgh EH3 9ES ; and 3) community outreach: taking a positive, upbeat pro-life message to as many as possible. To learn more about 40 Days for Life or sign up for prayer vigil hours during 24 September-2 November, visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/Edinburgh

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sessions Begin for Ages 3-9

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a catechetical programme aimed at fostering your child's vital relationship with God, is commencing again Friday 26 September at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Sessions are Fridays 1:30-3:00pm for 3-6 year-olds & Tuesdays 4:00-5:30pm for 6-9 year-olds. Contact brodie.douglas-young@staned.org.uk for more details. Give your child the space to pray, seek God, and wonder.

National Family Conference Celebrates Marriage and Family Life

The National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life BCOS, led by Bishop John Keenan, invites parish families to an Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday, 25th October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St. Bride’s Hall, Muir Street, Motherwell ML1 1PP. The event features a keynote by internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick (live from the USA), and celebrates marriage and family life with talks, prayer, and community. Register with VEmarriage@staned.org.uk, indicating your parish. Your space will be confirmed by 19 September — early registration ensures priority.

Craig Lodge – Mid-Week Living Waters Retreats

Craig Lodge House of Prayer is excited to offer a brand new way to experience our House of Prayer, through Living Water Retreats. We are walking in the footsteps of the early monasteries, living a simple life of prayer and work, worship and service, adoration and mission, ministry to the Lord, and ministry to the world around us. Join in our weekly rhythms of prayer and worship and receive ministry and hospitality. Retreats run from Tuesday lunchtime to Thursday lunchtime and include teachings, prayer, praise and worship, Mass, Adoration, prayers for healing and (usually) the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Questions: mail@craiglodge.org. Watch a short video about the retreats and book your place at https://www.craiglodge.org/events Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR.

Job Opening: National Director of Marriage, Family & Life

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland seeks a National Director of Marriage, Family & Life Office

(https://marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk/about-us/) The role is 15 hours per week, salary £11,746 per annum. For a full job description, email info@marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk Closing Date: 26 September 2025.

National Safeguarding Conference

The National Safeguarding Conference for all who have a Safeguarding role in Catholic Church settings in Scotland takes place at the University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre on Saturday 8 November at 10:00am-3:50pm. Register to attend in-person or on-line at http://bit.ly/4lZwirY Cost is £45.

Explore God’s Will for You: Discerning a Call to Religious Life

What is God’s will for you? Save the dates for our meetings for Catholic women who are discerning God’s call to religious life. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, Director for Religious Vocations, the meetings take place 4-7pm at St Columba’s Church, 9 Upper Gray Street. Meetings are planned for 2026 on Sundays: 25 January, 22 February, 29 March, 26 April, 10 May. To register or to find out more details, email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk

Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart Young Adults Ministry

The Young Adult Ministry at Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, Edinburgh EH3 9DJ, includes opportunities for worship, community, faith development, prayer and service of the poor. The Seven is the weekly Young Adult Mass at 19.00 on Sunday in the church, with a social gathering afterwards in the church narthex. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated 18.25-18.45 before The Seven. The First Sunday Circle is a month speaker-and-discussion series after The Seven, with the next talk on Sunday, 5 October by Fr. David Stewart, SJ, “Ignatius the Pilgrim – from Loyola to Rome.” For information on activities and to sign up for social media visit https://linktr.ee/edinburghjesuitchurch

Read the newsletter for 21 September (pdf)

23rd Sunday of The Year – Year C

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £341,870, including over £55,000 during the months of July and August this year which has been match funded with an additional £50,000 from a generous benefactor to whom we are extremely grateful. We have been truly overwhelmed at your generosity and would like to extend our sincere thanks to each and every one of you who has donated to the Building Fund over the summer months. With the Fund’s current project of the Cathedral’s essential roof works now well underway, we are incredibly grateful to you all for your support! So many of you have also elected to gift aid your donations, which allows us to claim a further amount for the Fund. Thank you all!

You can, of course, continue to support this project using our dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund which is in front of the passkeepers’ table. The contactless device is still set up for the Building Fund as is the cash donation box beside it. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are equally welcome. Other methods of giving to the Building Fund are set out below. Thank you for your support!

Donate to the Cathedral Building Fund here

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

• by bank transfer

• 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!

Relics of Carlo Acutis at the Cathedral from 13th-15th September

Today, in Rome, Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized by Pope Leo XIV and on Saturday at the 6:00pm Vigil Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo we will welcome the new saint’s relics to the Cathedral. The relics of this first millennial saint will be here from 13th-15th September along with an extensive display in the Octagon about the his life and his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world (www.miracolieucaristici.org). Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Schedule: Saturday, 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sunday, 14 September, Noon Mass; Monday, 15 September, 12:45pm Mass for Schools. BOOKSHOP: Our St. Pauls Bookshop has a variety of books about Blessed Carlo Acutis currently in stock, as well as prayer cards, medals, icons and keychains with his image. Stop in the shop today!

Canonization Mass: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis

Watch the Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV for the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis in St. Peter’s Square on https://ewtn.co.uk/live-tv/ (7am-Noon) or at https://bit.ly/Canonizations-7September25. Read about both Blesseds at https://piergiorgiofrassati.net/en/ and https://missions.ewtn.com/seasonsandfeastdays/blessedcarloacutis/

Parish BBQ St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

Join us today, Sunday, 7th September, at 1:30pm for our annual Parish Barbecue at St. Andrew's, Ravelston EH4 3DS. Tickets can be purchased on the day. Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. 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 all 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.

New Edinburgh Branch for Society for the Protection of Unborn Children

Join us in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston rooms on Wednesday, 10th September at 7:00pm for a meeting to establish a new Edinburgh Branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. All are warmly invited to attend. Come along to find out how you can help SPUC to build a culture of life locally and nationally. For further details, please contact Terry Graham, SPUC Youth & Grassroots Manager, on 07549 068226 or by email at terrygraham@spuc.org.uk To learn about SPUC visit https://spuc.org.uk/

Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links.

First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation. Questions: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

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 for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.

“How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment.” St. John Chrysostom

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, 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.

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins Next Week

If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through 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 Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Volunteer Appeal – Cathedral Flower Arranging Teams

As we are sure you have noticed, we always have a beautiful display of flowers in the cathedral. These displays are prepared by teams of volunteers who take it in turn to meet on a Friday or Saturday, once a month for each team, to arrange the flowers for the weekend Masses. Due to volunteers moving on, we are in urgent need of new volunteers to join our Saturday morning teams, although we would welcome volunteers for our Friday morning sessions as well. So, if you have an interest in displaying flowers for our cathedral then please consider volunteering for this ministry. Previous experience or skills in this area are welcomed but not required, because you can get guidance from an experienced team leader. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com telephone: 0131 553 1510.

Signing of the Saint Ninian Declaration and Symposium

The Saint Ninian Declaration will be signed in the Cathedral at 4:00pm on Tuesday, 16 September. It is a Declaration of friendship between the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church. The document will be signed by Archbishop Leo Cushley and Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The day will include a Symposium from 2:00pm in St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on the history of the relationship between the Catholic and Episcopal churches in Scotland, featuring academic experts. The speakers are:

• Gerry Carruthers, Francis Hutcheson Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow, who will be in the chair;

• Michael Russell, Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow and a former Cabinet Secretary for Education in the Scottish Government;

• Scott Spurlock, Professor of Scottish and Early Modern Christianities at the University of Glasgow and President of the Scottish Church History Society;

• Rev Canon Charlotte Methuen, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Glasgow and Scottish Episcopal Church Inter-Church Relations Convener.

After the signing of the Declaration, the Archbishop and the Primus will then move on to an Evensong service at 5:30pm at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, where the second signing will take place. “By deepening the friendship, we strengthen our common witness to the Gospel in a world that longs for hope and reconciliation,” said Archbishop Cushley.

Talk on Experiences of Walking the Camino

Join us after 6:00pm Mass on Wednesday, 17 September in the parish rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston to hear from parishioners who have walked the ancient pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago and have their own unique stories to share of this spiritual pilgrimage. See the beauty of the scenery in photos and a 25-minute film. Enjoy wine and cheese and have a chat with fellow parishioners. All welcome!

Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 17th September, 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 01555 728032 or look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/

Holy Hour for Vocations on Wednesday, 17 September, 7:00pm

As we mark Vocations Awareness Week, we will pray for more vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life during our Holy Hour for Vocations at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral on Wednesday, 17 September, 7:00pm. The Holy Hour will be led by Fr Nick Welsh, Vice Rector of the Scots College, Rome and will conclude with Benediction at 8pm. All are welcome!

Next St. Andrew’s Talk: ‘Called to Holiness’

Save the date for our next St. Andrew’s Talk with Fr. Jeremy who will speak on Monday, 29th September

on “Called to Holiness: Saints & Sanctity in Daily Life” after the 6pm Mass at Ravelston.

Save the Date: Red Mass

His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral, as members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together to mark the start of the new legal year.

Save the Date: Race Night at St. Andrew’s

After 6:00pm Mass on Friday, 31 October, join us for the next event in our exciting social programme: Race Night at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Join us for a fun evening with the horses — to raise funds for the parish project. Tickets £10 (to include light supper). Mark your diary!

Next Saturday: Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is next Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Ask Peers to Oppose Assisted Suicide Bill

The assisted suicide Bill can still be defeated. It will have its second reading in the House of Lords on Friday, 13th September. If it is to become law, the Bill must be supported by the Lords. It is critically important that Peers in the House of Lords be informed of many problems with the Bill and how introducing assisted suicide would put vulnerable people at risk. Use this simple tool to enter your post code and ask Peers to oppose the assisted suicide bill. It takes less than 30 seconds!: https://righttolife.org.uk/aspeers

National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth for Ages 18+

Youth ages 18+ are welcome to join our National Youth Pilgrimage in beautiful Perth on Saturday 20 September, meeting at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull, at 12:30pm. A full day of activities includes historic site visits, talks, and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley. To join fellow pilgrims travelling by train to Perth, please contact Sr Isabelle Dufaux FSO at youth.office@staned.org.uk

Venerable Margaret Sinclair Centenary Pilgrimage

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Visit https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Teens Group for P7-S4 Welcomes New Members

The St Columba’s Teens Group for those in P7-S4 welcomes new members from any school/parish and meets Wednesday, 24 September, 7:00pm-8:30pm at St Columba’s Halls, near the church at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh EH9 1SN. Email teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk to sign up or come along on the night (with a parent/guardian to fill in a consent form)!

Mary’s Meals Edinburgh Celebration: “On the Frontlines of Hunger”

For Mary’s Meals supporters based in and around Edinburgh, we would love to see you for an exclusive screening of “On the Frontlines of Hunger” on Thursday, 25 September, as we present our new documentary shining a light on the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia. Please be aware that although this is primarily a film about hope and resilience, some content could be upsetting and it has been rated 12A. Attendees are invited to arrive from 6:45pm for 7:00pm start, with the event concluding at 9:00pm, at Cornerstone Centre, St. John’s Church, Princes Street EH2 4BJ. Tea and coffee available. To reserve your free place, please email the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

National Family Conference Celebrates Marriage and Family Life

The National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life BCOS, led by Bishop John Keenan invites parish families to an Inaugural National Family Conference on Saturday, 25th October 2025, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at St. Bride’s Hall, Muir Street, Motherwell ML1 1PP. The event features a keynote by internationally acclaimed speaker Chris Stefanick (live from the USA), and celebrates marriage and family life with talks, prayer, and community. Register with VEmarriage@staned.org.uk indicating your parish. Your space will be confirmed by 19 September — early registration ensures priority.

Read the newsletter for 7th September (pdf)

22nd Sunday of the Year – Year C

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £285,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Click here to donate to the Cathedral Building Fund

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can also be made:

• by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

• By bank transfer

Please remember to Gift Aid it 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!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST – LAST CHANCE!

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in July/August up to £50,000. Today is the last chance to donate to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

Deadline Today: Pilgrims of Pentecost: Young Adults 2026 Rome Pilgrimage

Register by today, Sunday, 31 August, to join the Young Adult Pilgrimage 19-25th May 2026 to Rome for the great feast of Pentecost! The pilgrimage will include an audience with Pope Leo XIV, visit to the papal basilicas and Castel Gandolfo, a vigil at the Scots College and Mass in the Pantheon followed by the iconic petal drop. Deposit £500, total price approx £1,250. Accommodation is bed & breakfast. Register directly, e-mail tamara.tahhan@travelcounsellors.com

Parish Council Meeting this Week – Email Your Input

The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is this Thursday, 4 September. Please e-mail the Parish Council at parishcouncil@stmaryscathedral.co.uk with your comments and suggestions for our parish. The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 11 June are available on the noticeboard in the Octagon and on the parish website: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/parish-council-minutes Thank you!

Visit of Relics of Carlo Acutis at the Cathedral — Bookshop Items Available

The relics of soon-to-be-saint Blessed Carlo Acutis will visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025. Blessed Carlo will be the first millennial saint, who is also renowned for his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world www.miracolieucaristici.org. His canonisation is set for 7th September, meaning Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Schedule: Saturday, 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sunday, 14 September, Noon Mass; Monday, 15 September, 12:45pm Mass for Schools. BOOKSHOP: Our St. Pauls Bookshop has a variety of books about Blessed Carlo Acutis currently in stock, as well as prayer cards, medals, icons and keychains with his image. Stop in the shop today!

Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links.

First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

If you have questions or need any other information, contact Fr. Robert: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Fire Safety Awareness Training This Week

The Fire Safety training session is at Gillis on Thursday 4 September 2025 (available times are 10:00am, 2:00pm or 6:30pm) for all parish volunteers (including cleaners, pass keepers, etc). The sessions are for 2 hours. Visit https://bit.ly/FireSafety2025 for details and registration.

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

New Edinburgh Branch for Society for the Protection of Unborn Children

Join us in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston rooms on Wednesday, 10th September at 7:00pm for a meeting to establish a new Edinburgh Branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. All are warmly invited to attend. Come along to find out how you can help SPUC to build a culture of life locally and nationally. For further details, please contact Terry Graham, SPUC Youth & Grassroots Manager, on 07549 068226 or by email at terrygraham@spuc.org.uk To learn about SPUC visit

Volunteer Appeal – Cathedral Flower Arranging Teams

As we are sure you have noticed, we always have a beautiful display of flowers in the cathedral. These displays are prepared by teams of volunteers who take it in turn to meet on a Friday or Saturday, once a month for each team, to arrange the flowers for the weekend Masses. Due to volunteers moving on, we are in urgent need of new volunteers to join our Saturday morning teams, although we would welcome volunteers for our Friday morning sessions as well. So, if you have an interest in displaying flowers for our cathedral then please consider volunteering for this ministry. Previous experience or skills in this area are welcomed but not required, because you can get guidance from an experienced team leader. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com

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 for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.

“Communion with the crucified and Risen Lord is the never-ending source from which the Church draws unceasingly in order to live in freedom, to give of herself and to serve.” (St. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter, Veritatis Splendor)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, 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.

Tickets on Sale for Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

Tickets are on sale after 10:30am Mass at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston today for our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm, or to request tickets, email standrewsevents1901@gmail.com. Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale next weekend! 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 all stalls will be cash only on the day.*

BBQ Stall Donations: Books, Bric a Brac & Bottles for the Tombola

Donations for all these stalls can be left at the back of the church before Mass today or given to the BBQ reps who will be available to collect in donations after Mass until 12.30. Additionally, you can drop off donations with Marie or Pat at the church next Friday, 5th September between 10am and 12noon. We are especially looking for a selection of bottles for the tombola, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Please make sure to label your donations with the appropriate stall name. Donations of plants and cakes would also be most welcome and can be brought on the day of the BBQ. Thank you! Queries? Contact standrewsevents1901@gmail.com

Legion of Mary — Students and Professionals

The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics that gives service to the Church on a voluntary basis around the world. Under the powerful leadership and with the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, the members continue to form themselves with prayer and holiness, for service in the Church's work. The Legion of Mary operates in groups called a Praesidium. In Edinburgh, the Cathedral Praesidium bears the name "Our Lady Cause of Our Joy" and meets every Monday at 7:00pm, in 63 York Place, EH1 3JD. The group is a mix of male and female, students, professionals and others of diverse cultures from different countries. For more information, please contact Emmy—07879074240 or Rosa—07868842099

Seek the Plenary Indulgence in the Jubilee Year of Hope

All are encouraged to seek the Plenary Indulgence available during this Jubilee Year of Hope, a special year of grace occurring once every 25 years. A plenary indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven and can be gained by visiting the Jubilee Cross here St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, or Schoenstatt Retreat Centre, Glasgow G66 7AT (www.schoenstatt.co.uk) throughout this Holy Year with the following conditions: a detachment from sin; going to confession; receiving Holy Communion; praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. The decree for the indulgence also states that you can also receive an indulgence for the deceased: “the faithful who have carried out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in Purgatory, if they receive Holy Communion a second time that day, can obtain the plenary indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased (this must take place within a Eucharistic celebration).” The Jubilee Year will conclude on January 6, 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door in Rome. Read more about plenary indulgences https://bit.ly/Jubilee-Indulgence-How

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through 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 Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Red Mass

His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the Mass, marking the start of the new legal year.

Fife Pilgrim Way – 2nd Stage: St Margaret's Memorial Church, Dunfermline, to St Joseph's, Kelty

Join in the Fife Pilgrim Way walking in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims. The 2nd stage of the pilgrimage will be on Saturday, 6 September, from 11:00am walking from St. Margaret's Memorial Church, Dunfermline, to St Joseph's, Kelty. Bring a packed lunch. A great way to mark the Jubilee Year. No registration required. Distance: 8.5/9 miles and estimated time is 3-4 hours, plus breaks. Queries to Deacon Pat Carrigan at obl.columba@gmail.com. Full details about the next Saturdays of the walk are available at https://bit.ly/FifeWay-Saturdays

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine at 3:00pm. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Silent No More: A North Korean Christian Testimony

Hear the testimony of a Christian who escaped the brutal regime in North Korea. Aid to the Church in Need is sponsoring an event featuring Timothy Cho, a human rights activist who will share his testimony of a land where Christianity is outlawed and the faithful are driven underground. Join us Wednesday 10 September, St Joseph’s Church Hall, Clarkston, East Renfrewshire G76 7BT, 7pm – 9pm. Book at https://bit.ly/SilentNoMore-NorthKorea-10Sep25

National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth for Ages 18+

This takes place on Saturday 20 September, meeting at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull, at 12:30pm. A full day of activities includes historic site visits, talks, and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley. If you wish to join fellow pilgrims (18+) from the Archdiocese travelling by train to Perth from Stirling, Falkirk and Edinburgh please contact Sr Isabelle Dufaux FSO at youth.office@staned.org.uk

Venerable Margaret Sinclair Centenary Pilgrimage

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Details on Venerable Margaret Sinclair are available at https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Universalis App and Website - Pray with the Church

The Universalis App gives the readings at Mass for every day, past, present and future, and the entire Liturgy of the Hours: Morning, Mid-Morning, Midday, Afternoon, Evening and Night Prayer plus the Office of Readings. Get it for £9.99 from Google Play or the App Store. Optional add-on subscriptions let you sit back and listen, as well as read. For a preview, visit the Universalis website. See readings for today & a few days ahead https://universalis.com/mass.htm

Read the newsletter for 31st August (pdf)

21st Sunday of the Year – Year C

Cathedral Roof Appeal

We’ve now raised £260,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections

Blue Building Fund envelopes are available at the back of the church if you wish to Gift Aid your donation.

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Donations are gratefully received at any time, thank you for your support!

Click here to donate to the Cathedral building fund

You can donate on the 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’

• by bank transfer

• Please remember to add Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer.

Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST –

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

Join us onMonday, 25 August, for our first talk in our new series of St. Andrew’s Talks. Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” This series will have the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Relics of Soon-to-Be-Saint, Carlo Acutis, at the Cathedral

The relics of soon-to-be-saint Blessed Carlo Acutis will visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025. Blessed Carlo will be the first millennial saint, who is also renowned for his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world www.miracolieucaristici.org. His canonisation is set for 7th September, meaning Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Schedule: Saturday, 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sunday, 14 September, Noon Mass; Monday, 15 September, 12:45pm Mass for Schools. “Since he was a child … he had his gaze turned to Jesus. Love for the Eucharist was the foundation that kept alive his relationship with God. He often said, ‘The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.’” (Agostino Cardinal Vallini, homily at beatification of Carlo Acutis, 2020)

Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links.

First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

If you have questions or need any other information, contact Fr. Robert: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Training Session This Saturday for Mass Setup at Ravelston

St Josemaria Escriva once said “Have you ever thought how you would prepare to receive Our Lord if you could go to Communion only once in your life? We must be thankful to God that He makes it so easy for us to come to Him: but we should show our gratitude by preparing ourselves very well to receive Him.” As much as we must prepare ourselves, the church must also be prepared and we need help at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, to prepare Mass. We are urgently looking for people who can commit to attending the celebration of Mass (Sunday to Friday), to join the great team of existing sacristans, setting up the altar and taking care of the altar linens. Ravelston Masses are Sundays at 10:30am Mass and Monday to Friday at 6:00pm. If we have enough people, this can mean the undertaking will only be a few times per month and takes about 15 minutes. A training session will be held this Saturday 30th August at St Andrew’s Church from 10.30am until 11.30am which will provide all the information you need. If you might be interested in the training or have any questions, please just drop an email to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or call 0131 556 1798.

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 for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.

“For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:7-9)

Tickets on Sale for Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

Tickets are on sale after 10:30am Mass at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston today for our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm, or to request tickets, email standrewsevents1901@gmail.com. Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale next weekend! 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 all stalls will be cash only on the day.*

BBQ Stall Donations: Books, Bric a Brac & Bottles for the Tombola

From next weekend, donations for all these stalls can be left at the back of the church before Mass or given to the BBQ reps who will be available to collect in donations after Mass until 12.30. We are especially looking for a selection of bottles for the tombola, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Please make sure to label your donations with the appropriate stall name. Donations of plants and cakes would also be most welcome and can be brought on the day of the BBQ. Thank you! Queries? Contact standrewsevents1901@gmail.com

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Can You Lend a Hand in the Jubilee Year?

The support of our parishioners in this Jubilee Year is needed more than ever: Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Altar Servers, Passkeepers, Money counters, St. Andrew’s rooms team, Choir, Cleaners, Flower arrangers, Youth Group leaders and Events helpers. Please take one of the blue postcards, tick the boxes of areas where you can help, include your email address, fold the card and place it in the marked box at the back of church and we will be in touch! We ask that you prayerfully consider staying on as a parish volunteer even after the Jubilee Year concludes on 6 January 2026. Thank you!

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women Resumes

Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all welcome to join us next Saturday, 30 August, 3:45pm-4:45pm in the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments and a short video input from Bishop Robert Barron on the Mass, titled ‘Responding to God.’ We will have opportunity for discussion to follow. Participants are also welcome to join the Religious Sisters of Mercy at their convent for Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm. To register, email the Sisters at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children - New Edinburgh Branch

Join us in the St. Andrew’s, Ravelston rooms on Wednesday, 10th September at 7:00pm for a meeting to establish a new Edinburgh Branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. All are warmly invited to attend. Come along to find out how you can help SPUC to build a culture of life locally and nationally. For further details, please contact Terry Graham, SPUC Youth & Grassroots Manager, on 07549 068226 or by email at terrygraham@spuc.org.uk

Save the Date: Youth Group for P3-P7 Begins in October

The Youth Group will return on Sunday, 5th October from 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. All P3-P7’s are welcome! Parents please register children at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration Fee: £1.00.

Pilgrims of Pentecost: Young Adults 2026 Rome Pilgrimage

Join the Young Adult Pilgrimage 19-25th May 2026 to Rome for the great feast of Pentecost! The pilgrimage will include an audience with Pope Leo XIV, visit to the papal basilicas and Castel Gandolfo, a vigil at the Scots College and Mass in the Pantheon followed by the iconic petal drop. Register by next Sunday, 31 August 2025. Deposit £500, total price approx £1,250. Accommodation is bed & breakfast. Register directly, e-mail tamara.tahhan@travelcounsellors.com

Seek the Plenary Indulgence in the Jubilee Year of Hope

All are encouraged to seek the Plenary Indulgence available during this Jubilee Year of Hope, a special year of grace occurring once every 25 years. A plenary indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven and can be gained by visiting the Jubilee Cross here St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, or Schoenstatt Retreat Centre throughout this Holy Year with the following conditions: a detachment from sin; going to confession; receiving Holy Communion; praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. The decree for the indulgence also states that you can also receive an indulgence for the deceased: “the faithful who have carried out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in Purgatory, if they receive Holy Communion a second time that day, can obtain the plenary indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased (this must take place within a Eucharistic celebration).” The Jubilee Year will conclude on January 6, 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door in Rome. Read more about plenary indulgences https://bit.ly/Jubilee-Indulgence-How

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through 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 Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Walk the Fife Pilgrim Way in Six Saturdays!

Walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims on the Fife Pilgrim Way over six Saturdays, beginning 30 August. Meet at 11:00am at the Fife Pilgrim Way information board, Battery Rd, North Queensferry, walking to St Margaret's, Dunfermline. Bring a packed lunch. A great way to mark the Jubilee Year. No registration required. Distance: 8.5/9 miles and estimated time is 3-4 hours, plus breaks. Queries to Deacon Pat Carrigan at obl.columba@gmail.com. View the route at https://bit.ly/FifeWay-2025. Full details about the six Saturdays are available at https://bit.ly/FifeWay-Saturdays

Pilgrimage to Whithorn in Honour of St. Ninian

The National Pilgrimage to Whithorn in honour of St Ninian will take place on Sunday 31 August. Mass at St Ninian’s Cave will be celebrated at 4:00pm outdoors on the beach of Port Castle Bay at 4 pm and for those unable to walk to the shore, Mass will be at 4.45 pm in the Church of St Martin and St. Ninian (DG8 8PZ). Full details are available in the news section at https://rcdg.org.uk/

Peace with Creation Zoom Sessions

The national Care of Creation Office has organised a series of Zoom sessions with the theme Peace with Creation, 7:00pm-9:00pm each Thursday, beginning on 4 September. Each week features a guest speaker. Register at https://bit.ly/Peace-Creation-2025

Season of Creation Conference

The Bishops’ Office for Care of Creation invites you to its National Season of Creation Conference on Saturday 6 September 2025 in St. Margaret’s, Raploch, Stirling, FK9 4UA, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Special guest is Lorna Gold, the Executive Director of the global Laudato Si Movement. Registration and details at www.bcos.org.uk/scc25

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Shrine at 3:00pm. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth for Ages 18+

This takes place on Saturday 20 September, meeting at St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull, at 12:30pm. A full day of activities includes historic site visits, talks, and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley. If you wish to join fellow pilgrims (18+) from the Archdiocese travelling by train to Perth from Stirling, Falkirk and Edinburgh please contact Sr Isabelle Dufaux FSO at youth.office@staned.org.uk

Looking to Deepen Your Faith? Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Apply now to study an MA in Applied Catholic Theology in Scotland. Evening classes, in person and online, with support funding available. To speak to the Course Lead, Stephen Dolan, in person email: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk Details at bit.ly/catholictheology

Read the newsletter for 24th August (pdf)

20th Sunday of the Year

Registration Open for Children’s Sacramental Preparation

Registration is now open for catechism classes for children to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3), First Holy Communion (P4) and Confirmation (P7). Catechetical preparation will be provided both at St Mary’s Primary School and on Sundays at 9:30am at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning in October. To register your child, please visit the following links.

First Reconciliation: Registration closes on 19th October 2025. First Reconciliation takes places the week beginning 2nd February, https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sacrament-of-first-reconciliation

First Holy Communion: Registration closes on 5th April 2026. First Holy Communion takes place on 6/7th June 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/first-communion

Confirmation: Registration closes on 22nd March 2026. Confirmation takes place on 31st May 2026: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/confirmation

If you have questions or need any other information, contact Fr. Robert: frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

The Cathedral Roof Update

After close to two years of preparation, work has finally commenced! Our scaffolding is up and work on the roof of the chancel has begun and has already found additional issues that were unknown even with all the surveys done. These include defects around the lead hip flashings – at the join of the sloped roofs – which has allowed water ingress and decay to the timber sarking boards below. The existing slating around the chancel roof flashings are in poorer condition than expected, and investigations of the sarking will help better understand the additional repairs required. Work on the stonework is required to sections of above the chancel north elevation windows, with stone having been purchased for these repairs. Redundant metal fixings in the chancel stonework are corroding, causing damage to the surrounding stone. These will be removed, and the holes repointed with lime mortar. Also, a cracked pane of Georgian wired glazing to the rooflight above the Shrine of St Andrew is going to be replaced alongside the other glazing works. Thank you very much to all who have contributed to our Roof Appeal to raise £500,000. As you can see it is going to be needed as we continue with Phase 1 of this project. Many thanks again for all your generosity and support! – Darlene

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £260,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – The next summer collection for our Cathedral Building Fund is this weekend 16/17 August. Blue Building Fund envelopes are available at the back of the church if you wish to Gift Aid your donation.

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Click here to donate to the building fund

Donations are gratefully received at any time:

• by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). Cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

• by bank transfer

Please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer. Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

Appeal for Help to Set Up Mass in Ravelston — Training Session Offered

St Josemaria Escriva once said “Have you ever thought how you would prepare to receive Our Lord if you could go to Communion only once in your life? We must be thankful to God that He makes it so easy for us to come to Him: but we should show our gratitude by preparing ourselves very well to receive Him.” As much as we must prepare ourselves, the church must also be prepared and we need help at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, to prepare Mass. We are urgently looking for people who can commit to attending the celebration of Mass (Sunday to Friday), to join the great team of existing sacristans, setting up the altar and taking care of the altar linens. Ravelston Masses are Sundays at 10:30am Mass and Monday to Friday at 6:00pm. If we have enough people, this can mean the undertaking will only be a few times per month and takes about 15 minutes. A training session will be held on Saturday 30th August at St Andrew’s Church from 10.30am until 11.30am which will provide all the information you need. If you might be interested in the training or have any questions, please just drop an email to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or call 0131 556 1798.

Today: Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic

All are welcome to the Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic today, Sunday, 17 August, 1:00pm-3:00pm at St. Andrew's Church gardens and parish rooms, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Come along for good food, great fellowship and games for the children. Questions? Email edinburgh@fssp.org

Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting this Wednesday, 20th August, 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 look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/

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 for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.

“Jesus told us: ‘I am the way’ (Jn 14:6): it is He who accompanies us, leads us, strengthens us along the way. His Spirit opens our eyes and makes us see what we would not be able to understand by ourselves.” (Pope Leo XIV)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, 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.

Next Monday: St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

Mark your diary for the first talk in our new series of St. Andrew’s Talks. Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age” on Monday, 25 August. This series will have the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass. Following the talk, refreshments will be available. Open to all.

‘Catholic Conversations’ for Women Resumes

Come along Saturday, 30 August, 3:45pm-4:45pm to the St. Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, EH4 3DS) for refreshments, a short video input from Bishop Robert Barron on the Mass, titled ‘Responding to God,’ and a discussion to follow. Women who are recent converts, those considering Catholicism, and those desirous of faith-focused discussion all warmly welcome! Participants are also welcome to join the Religious Sisters of Mercy at their convent for Holy Hour with Adoration and chanted Vespers from 5:10pm. To register, email the Sisters at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

Save the Date: Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

All are welcome to our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm! Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale next weekend! 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 all stalls will be cash only on the day. **

BBQ Stall Donations: Books, Bric a Brac & Bottle Tombola

From next weekend, donations for all these stalls can be left at the back of the church before Mass or given to the BBQ reps who will be available to collect in donations after Mass until 12.30. Please make sure to label your donations with the appropriate stall name. Donations of plants and cakes would also be most welcome and can be brought on the day of the BBQ. Thank you! Queries? Contact standrewsevents1901@gmail.com

Relics of Soon-to-Be-Saint, Carlo Acutis, at the Cathedral

The relics of soon-to-be-saint, Blessed Carlo Acutis, known as the “Apostle of the Eucharist,” will visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025. His canonisation is set for 7th September, meaning Edinburgh will be one of the first places to welcome the new saint’s relics. Saturday 13 September, 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sun 14 Sep - Midday Mass; Mon 15 Sep - 12:45pm Mass for Schools. Carlo will be the first millennial saint, who is also renowned for his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles around the world www.miracolieucaristici.org/. “Since he was a child … he had his gaze turned to Jesus. Love for the Eucharist was the foundation that kept alive his relationship with God. He often said,

‘The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.’” (Agostino Cardinal Vallini, homily at beatification of Carlo Acutis, 2020)

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through 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 Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Ask Peers to Oppose Assisted Suicide Bill

The assisted suicide Bill can still be defeated. On 20 June, the bill passed its Third Reading House of Commons by only 23 votes. It is expected to return to Parliament on 12th September with further scrutiny and debate. If it is to become law, the Bill must be supported by the Lords. It is critically important that Peers in the House of Lords be informed of many problems with the Bill and how introducing assisted suicide would put vulnerable people at risk. Use this simple tool to enter your post code and ask Peers to oppose the assisted suicide bill. It takes less than 30 seconds!: https://righttolife.org.uk/aspeers

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

Our very popular Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Don’t miss this day of prayer, games, activities, learning and fun with old friends and new! This year we will be in the presence of a new saint of the Church - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! The day concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Pilgrimage Walk of Hope: See Where Mary’s Meals Began

Mary’s Meals warmly invites you to join their Pilgrimage Walk of Hope. This event will take place on Saturday 30 August from 10.30am to 3.45pm at Craig Lodge House of Prayer, Dalmally, Argyll PA33 1AR. In this Jubilee Year, join members of the Mary’s Meals team and supporters as we walk together, reflecting on stories of hope and praying for our mission. The day will include Mass and the opportunity to see The Shed where Mary’s Meals began. Book your place at: https://MMWalkOfHope.eventbrite.co.uk

National Pilgrimage to Whithorn

The National Pilgrimage to Whithorn in honour of St Ninian will take place on Sunday 31 August. Mass at St Ninian’s Cave will be celebrated at 4:00pm outdoors on the beach of Port Castle Bay at 4 pm and for those unable to walk to the shore, Mass will be at 4.45 pm in the Church of St Martin and St. Ninian (DG8 8PZ). Full details are available in the news section at https://rcdg.org.uk/

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Looking to Deepen Your Faith? Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Apply now to study an MA in Applied Catholic Theology in Scotland. Evening classes, in person and online, with support funding available. To speak to the Course Lead, Stephen Dolan, in person email: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology

Beginning Experience for Those Suffering Bereavement

Are you suffering grief, loss or loneliness following a bereavement. The Beginning Experience are holding a weekend away to support you in your loss either through divorce, separation or widowhood. It takes place from 26-28 September 2025 at Conforti Centre, Coatbridge. For details contact Maggie on 01389 751677 or email beginningexperiencescotland2@gmail.com Applications to be returned by 12 September 2025.

St. Michael’s Lent

St. Michael's Lent is a 40-day period of fasting observed in the Catholic Church, starting from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 and ending on Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, on September 29. This tradition, rooted in Franciscan spirituality, involves prayer, asceticism, and honouring both the Blessed Virgin and St. Michael. During this time participants are encouraged to fast or make daily sacrifices, pray daily (the Prayer to St. Michael and the Litany of St. Michael are recommended), and regular participation in Mass and Confession is encouraged. Learn more from EWTN UK at https://ewtn.co.uk/chpop-what-is-saint-michaels-lent-the-powerful-little-known-tradition-we-need-for-our-times/ The website of the Michaelite Fathers’ (an order founded in Poland in 1842) includes the Prayer to St. Michael and the Litany of St. Michael http://www.michaelites.ca/prayers.html.

Silent No More: A North Korean Christian Testimony

Hear the powerful testimony of a Christian who escaped the brutal regime in North Korea. Aid to the Church in Need is sponsoring an event featuring a North Korean defector sharing his remarkable story of survival, courage, and hope. Join us for this free event on Wednesday 10th September, St Joseph’s Church Hall, Clarkston, East Renfrewshire G76 7BT, 7pm – 9pm. Timothy Cho, a North Korean defector and human rights activist, will share his personal experience in a land where Christianity is outlawed and the faithful are driven underground. Book at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FDYV For more information, please contact the ACN Scotland office at scotland@acnuk.org or call 01698 337 470.

Read the newsletter for 17th August (pdf)

19th Sunday of the Year – Year C

Festival Mass

Today Sunday, 10 August: His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, celebrates the Festival Mass at Noon at the Cathedral. The Festival Mass is celebrated each year on the 2nd Sunday of August. We welcome dignitaries from across the city, including the Lord Provost and City Councillors, representatives of the Consular Corps in Edinburgh, the High Constables, and other guests. The Festival Mass comes at the start of the week where we celebrate the Cathedral’s patronal feast - the Assumption.

Friday is the Assumption and is a Holy Day of Obligation

This Friday, 15th August, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is our patronal feast. It is a Holy Day of Obligation meaning all Catholics are obliged to go to Mass. Masses in English will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 8am, 10:00am and 12:45pm, and at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston at 6:00pm. Polish Masses at the Cathedral will be at 11:15am and 6:00pm.

“The dogma of the Virgin Mary's Assumption into heaven is contained in the deposit of Christian faith entrusted to the Church.” (Pope Pius XII, Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, 1950)

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £248,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections – The next summer collection for our Cathedral Building Fund will be next weekend 16/17 August. There are some blue Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation at the back of the church.

We have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund. In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

Donate to the building fund here

• by cash/cheque* sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD) cheques should be made payable to ‘St Mary’s Cathedral’

• by bank transfer

Please remember to Gift Aid it if you can, if you are a UK taxpayer.

Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN AUGUST

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money! 

Young Adults: Lectio Divina on the Gospel for Solemnity of the Assumption

Young Adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us for a Lectio Divina on Luke 1:39:56, the Gospel for the Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we will celebrate on Friday, 15th August. Join us tomorrow, Monday, 11th August as we prepare for this great feast of Our Lady with a prayerful reading of the Gospel passage and take some time to reflect together on the Scripture reading. Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm, with a trip to pub thereafter.

Tuesday 12 August: “Faith in the Footlights” as part ofthe Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts

Musical theatre is often dismissed as trivial, shallow and essentially secular. Professor Ian Bradley challenges this, arguing in his book You’ve Got to Have a Dream that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”.

On Tuesday, 12 August at 7:30pm, join Professor Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual implications of some of our best-loved musicals. The concert is the fourth in our series of yearly partnerships with the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and follows the very successful sacred jazz event last summer. Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights

Appeal for Help to Set Up Mass in Ravelston — Training Session Offered

St Josemaria Escriva once said “Have you ever thought how you would prepare to receive Our Lord if you could go to Communion only once in your life? We must be thankful to God that He makes it so easy for us to come to Him: but we should show our gratitude by preparing ourselves very well to receive Him.” As much as we must prepare ourselves, the church must also be prepared and we need help at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, to prepare Mass. We are urgently looking for people who can commit to attending the celebration of Mass (Sunday to Friday), to join the great team of existing sacristans, setting up the altar and taking care of the altar linens. Ravelston Masses are Sundays at 10:30am Mass and Monday to Friday at 6:00pm. If we have enough people, this can mean the undertaking will only be a few times per month and takes about 15 minutes. A training session will be held on Saturday 30th August at St Andrew’s Church from 10.30am until 11.30am which will provide all the information you need. No booking is needed, please do come along.

Catenians Meeting for Catholic Men

The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 20th August, 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 look on https://thecatenians.com/become-a-member/

Book on Life Story of 'Hibs priest' Now Available in St Pauls Bookshop!

Visit the Cathedral’s St Pauls Bookshop today and pick up your copy of Edinburgh’s First Hibernian, beautifully illustrated with numerous colour photos, and impressively well-researched, the book tells the life story of the Edinburgh priest Fr. Edward Hannan who helped found Hibernian Football Club and served the poor and destitute in the city. Written by Mike Hennessy, a native of Edinburgh, the book is the first biography of Fr. Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh. While parish priest at St Patrick's, Cowgate EH1 1TQ, he worked tirelessly in Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime. Details about Fr. Hannan and the book are at https://stpatricksedinburgh.com/hibernian-fc-canon-hannan/ Get your copy of this amazing and inspiring book today! Hardcover £25. The bookshop is open 10:00am to 5:30pm, 7 days a week.

St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

A new series of St. Andrew’s Talks is set to begin this month, with the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass on Monday, 25 August for our first talk by Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, who will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” Refreshments will be available. Open to all.

Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration

Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the celebration of 10:00am Mass. Adoration is from 10:30am-12:00pm concluding with Benediction, with Confession available during that time. Come for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.

“The light of God’s face shines in all its beauty on the countenance of Jesus Christ, ‘the image of the invisible God’ (Col. 1:15)…the decisive answer to every one of man’s questions, his religious and moral questions in particular, is given by Jesus Christ, or rather is Jesus Christ himself…” (St. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, 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.

Marriage Preparation Courses

The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday, 16th August and Saturday, 22nd November, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

All are welcome to our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm! Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale soon! 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 all stalls will be cash only on the day.

Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic

All are welcome to the Edinburgh Latin Mass Community Summer Picnic next Sunday, 17 August, 1:00pm-3:00pm at St. Andrew's Church gardens and parish rooms, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Come along for good food, great fellowship and games for the children. Questions? Email edinburgh@fssp.org

Relics of Soon-to-Be-Saint, Carlo Acutis, at the Cathedral

The relics of Carlo Acutis visit the Archdiocese from 13-15 September 2025, by which time he will be a saint of the Church! His canonisation is set for 7th September. Schedule: Sat 13 Sep - 6:00pm Vigil Mass (Cathedral open until 8:00pm for veneration of the relics); Sun 14 Sep - Midday Mass; Mon 15 Sep - 12:45pm Mass for Schools.

Final Vows: Sr. Maria Guadalupe, RSM

Please keep in your prayers Sister Maria Guadalupe, RSM, who will make her Profession of Perpetual Vows as a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, USA, on Saturday, 16th August at 10:30am EST (3:30pm BST) at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, Michigan, USA. Watch via livestream at https://saginaw.org/cathedral-live Many of you will remember Sr. Maria Guadalupe from her service here in the Archdiocese during 2019. Earlier in the week, Sr. Miriam Ruth, RSM, will be one of several Sisters renewing their vows on Thursday, 14 August, as they continue their preparation to profess Perpetual Vows in the coming years. The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma (www.almamercy.org) are based at St Andrew's Convent in Ravelston, Edinburgh. Contact: edinburgh@almamercy.org

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you, or someone you know, would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through 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 Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Altar Servers' Day: Prayer, Games and Activities

The Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September 2025, 11:00am-3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. This year we will be in the presence of a saint - the relics of Carlo Acutis will be there! This is a day of faith, formation and fun, and concludes with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register with Fr Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Donate to African Missions

Next weekend the Archdiocese encourages us to donate to African Missions & Holy Places. It supports missionary work in Africa, including evangelisation, education, and healthcare initiatives. It also helps maintain Christian holy places in Jerusalem, which are important pilgrimage sites. Online donations via the Archdiocese can be made at bit.ly/missionsholyplaces

Looking to Deepen Your Faith? Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Apply now to study an MA in Applied Catholic Theology in Scotland. Evening classes, in person and online, with support funding available. To speak to the Course Lead, Stephen Dolan, in person email: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk Details at bit.ly/catholictheology

National Pilgrimage to Whithorn

The National Pilgrimage to Whithorn in honour of St Ninian will take place on Sunday 31 August. Mass at St Ninian’s Cave will be celebrated at 4:00pm outdoors on the beach of Port Castle Bay at 4 pm and for those unable to walk to the shore, Mass will be at 4.45 pm in the Church of St Martin and St. Further details are in the news section at https://rcdg.org.uk/

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival

An initiative of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation, the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival is from Sunday, 10 August to Saturday, 16 August 2025. Visit https://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/ for details.

Seoul World Youth Day 2027 - “Take courage!”

Join young Catholics from around the worlds, converging in faith for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul. Travel with the Archdiocese. Register your interest today at youth.office@staned.org.uk Learn more about the WYD event at https://wydseoul.org/en

Read the newsletter for 19th August (pdf)

18th Sunday of the Year – Year C

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FUND APPEAL

We’ve now raised £240,000 which is amazing! Thank you! Can you help us to reach our target of £500,000 for this round of works to the sacristy and chancel roofs and adjacent stonework?

Summer Second Collections

On weekends during the summer we will be taking a second collection for the building fund. The dates are this weekend and 16/17 August. There will be some Building Fund envelopes for you to use if you wish to Gift Aid your donation. You can pick these up at the back of the church.

This weekend, we have set up a dedicated point for donations to the Building Fund

In front of the passkeepers’ table, we have a new contactless device set up as well as a cash donation box. All donations made here during the month of August will be put towards the Building Fund to help towards the cost of the ongoing roof repair project. UK Sterling and foreign currency notes and coins are all welcome! Thank you for your support!

Donations are gratefully received at any time and can be made:

Donate to the building fund here

You can donate by cash/cheque sent to the Parish Office (61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD). or via bank transfer.

Do please remember to Gift Aid it if you are a UK taxpayer.

Gift Aid envelopes for the Building Fund are available at the back of the Church. Thank you!

MATCH FUNDING IN JULY AND AUGUST

We are so grateful to an extremely generous benefactor who has offered to match all money raised for the Cathedral roof in July and August up to £50,000. So do please give as generously as you can to the Summer Appeal and double your money!

Festival Mass Next Sunday

Next Sunday, 10 August: His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate the annual Festival Mass at Noon at the Cathedral. Join us at the start of the week of our Cathedral’s patronal feast - the Assumption, which falls on 15th August – during Edinburgh’s International Festival.

Tuesday 12 August: “Faith in the Footlights” as part ofthe Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts

Musical theatre is often dismissed as trivial, shallow and essentially secular. Professor Ian Bradley challenges this, arguing in his book You’ve Got to Have a Dream that “musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life and an encounter with God”. On Tuesday, 12 August at 7:30pm, join Professor Bradley and the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum for a special concert exploring the spiritual implications of some of our best-loved musicals. The concert is the fourth in our series of yearly partnerships with the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts, and follows the very successful sacred jazz event last summer. Tickets are £18 (£12 concession) and are available from the Fringe Box Office, Eventbrite, or on the door. Book here: https://bit.ly/FaithFootlights

Young Adults: Lectio Divina on the Gospel for Solemnity of the Assumption

Young Adults aged 18+ are welcome to join us for a Lectio Divina on Luke 1:39:56, the Gospel for the Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which we will celebrate on Friday, 15th August. Join us Monday, 11th August as we prepare for this great feast of Our Lady with a prayerful reading of the Gospel passage and take some time to reflect together on the Scripture reading. Doors open at 63 York Place at 7:00pm, with a trip to pub thereafter.

‘Jesus Prayer’ in the Cathedral

Over the last 34 weeks a small group of us have been meeting every Tuesday afternoon between 1 45pm and 2 15pm in front of St. Andrew's Altar to the right of the main sanctuary to pray the Jesus Prayer. This is a very ancient form of Contemplative intercessory Christian Prayer that has its roots in early Christian Monasticism and is centred around a simple phrase “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.” It is a great prayer of healing and reconciliation and is a very powerful prayer both in its depth and simplicity. Anyone wanting to explore this way of praying is very welcome. Please bring your Rosary beads with you to follow the Jesus Prayer.

Book on Life Story of 'Hibs priest' Now Available in St Pauls Bookshop!

Visit St Pauls Bookshop today and pick up your copy of Edinburgh’s First Hibernian, beautifully illustrated with numerous colour photos, and impressively well-researched, the book tells the life story of the Edinburgh priest Fr. Edward Hannan who helped found Hibernian Football Club and served the poor and destitute in the city. Written by Mike Hennessy, a native of Edinburgh, the book is the first biography of Fr. Hannan, who rose from poverty in rural Ireland to become one of the most influential figures in 19th-century Edinburgh. While parish priest at St Patrick's, Cowgate EH1 1TQ, he worked tirelessly in Old Town to provide Catholic boys with an education and a sense of fulfilment that could save them from falling into a life of crime. Details about Fr. Hannan and the book are at https://stpatricksedinburgh.com/hibernian-fc-canon-hannan/ Get your copy of this amazing and inspiring book today! Hardcover £25.

Welcome Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM

We welcome Sister Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM to the Religious Sisters of Mercy convent at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. In her service to the Archdiocese, Sister is the new Coordinator for SPRED (SPecial REligious Development), a Christian programme for children and adults with special needs. She is also Lay Minister Coordinator for Catholic schools. Sister professed Perpetual Vows in 2017. She has been a secondary school teacher, primary school headteacher, and bioethics educator in parishes and a health system. Raised Lutheran, she grew up with her four brothers and two sisters in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and she was received into the Catholic Church in 2004 in Washington, D.C.

St. Andrew’s Talks: ‘Faith in a Changing World’

A new series of St. Andrew’s Talks is set to begin in August, with the theme ‘Faith in a Changing World’, looking at how we as Catholics can live out our faith amidst the rapid changes in culture, technology and even Church environment. Join us in the Ravelston parish rooms (EH4 3DS) following 6:00pm Mass on Monday, 25 August for our first talk by Sr. Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM, who will speak on “Faith and Culture: Being Catholic in a Secular Age.” Refreshments will be available. Open to all.

First Wednesdays — Prayers for Priests

The first Wednesday of each month, after the 12:45pm Mass, please join in prayers near the Lady Altar, including a Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to ask Our Lady’s intercession for our priests. All are welcome to participate in the prayers on Wednesday, 6 August following 12:45pm Mass.

Saturday Morning Mass, Confession and Eucharistic Adoration

Weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held at the Cathedral on Saturday mornings, after the celebration of 10:00am Mass. Adoration is from 10:30am-12:00pm concluding with Benediction, with Confession available during that time. Come for 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more to adore the Lord Jesus, truly present for us in the Eucharist.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

St. Andrew’s, Ravelston: Wednesday Adoration, Confession and Mass

Especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, 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.

Marriage Preparation Courses

The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday, 16th August and Saturday, 22nd November, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston (EH4 3DS), with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Save the Date: Parish BBQ at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston

All are welcome to our annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday 7th September at 1:30pm! Enjoy BBQ treats and salads to suit (both meat and vegetarian options), all included in ticket price. Various soft drinks, tea and coffee. And for a small charge, a cheeky glass of wine! Tickets on sale soon! 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 all stalls will be cash only on the day. **

Hope Dawns: A Retreat to Prepare for Advent

Thanks to each of you who have expressed interest in our two-night Advent Retreat to be held 14th -16th November at the Schoenstatt Shrine near Milton of Campsie. The retreat, considering the Jubilee Year theme of Hope in Advent, will begin at 3pm on Friday, 14th November and conclude at 3pm on Sunday, 16th November. There will be daily Mass, talks during the day, private time for prayer and discussion with others or with a priest and all meals will be provided. Schoenstatt is a well-appointed house run by a welcoming community of religious sisters and staff (https://www.schoenstatt.co.uk). There is still time to let us know of your interest and whether you would like to join coach transport to and from Schoenstatt. To register, visit https://bit.ly/Schoenstatt-Advent2025 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk, call the office 0131 556 1798.

Want to Become Catholic? RCIA Begins in September

If you, or someone you know, would like to become Catholic, the way to do it is through 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 Tuesday, 16th September. Register by phone at 0131 556 1798 or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

Sea Sunday Thank You!

Stella Maris thanks the parish for its generosity on Sea Sunday 13 July and for the kindness shown to collectors.

Study Catholic Theology in Edinburgh

Registration is now open for the MA in Applied Catholic Theology at St Mary's University Scottish campus in Edinburgh. Details at bit.ly/catholictheology. Watch the preview webinar on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese. Queries: stephen.dolan@stmarys.ac.uk. Develop your theological literacy through the study of topics including biblical interpretation, Christian anthropology, the foundations of Christian spirituality, spiritual direction, Catholic social teaching and systematic theology.

National Pilgrimage to Carfin

The National Pilgrimage takes place at Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, on Sunday 7 September at 3:00pm. Archbishop Leo will be the principal celebrant and preacher. On this day Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, will be canonised so it is an ideal day for the Scottish Catholics to come together to celebrate. Learn more about Carfin Grotto at https://www.carfingrotto.org/ The grotto is in the Parish of St Francis Xavier in the village of Carfin, near Motherwell, ML1 5AJ.

Venerable Margaret Sinclair

The Centenary Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair will take place on Sunday 21 September from 12:30-6:00pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.30 Refreshments & sale of candles/goods; 1:30-2:30pm Holy Hour; 3:00-4:00pm Reflection; 4:30pm: Holy Mass concelebrated with Archbishop Leo. Confessions available all day. Details on Venerable Margaret Sinclair are available at https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

Save the Dates

• The Archdiocesan Day for Altar Servers is on Saturday 13 September at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Details to follow.

• The National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth is on Saturday 20 September. Details to follow.

• His Grace, the Archbishop, will celebrate the annual Red Mass at Noon on Sunday 21 September here at the Cathedral. The Mass will see members of Scotland’s legal fraternity come together for the for the Mass, marking the start of the new legal year.

• A relic of ‘God’s influencer’, Blessed Carlo Acutis who will be canonised by Pope Leo XIV on 7 September, will visit St Mary’s Cathedral from Saturday 13 to Monday 15 September. Save the dates!

‘So You Want to Be a Good Catholic Doctor?’

An Annual Intensive 2-Day National Catholic Medical Association UK Course will be offered Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Conference Centre, 51 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, London E11 2PR. The course is titled ‘Principles and Practical Guide to Functioning Ethically in an Increasingly Secular Healthcare Environment in the UK and Eire’ and is offered for medical students, doctors in training, senior doctors, and allied healthcare professionals. Speakers include experienced Catholic doctors, plus Bishop John Keenan of Paisley. Visit the Scottish Catholic Medical Association (SCMA) website: https://scottishcma.co.uk/home / to register.

Events at Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst College

What is God? Philosophical, Christian and Islamic Approaches

A course from 22-25 August 2025 in partnership with CEPHAS (https://cephas.org.uk/) will look at the nature and knowledge of God from a pre-religious, philosophical understanding, before comparing the Islamic concept of God with the Christian, leaning on St Thomas Aquinas’ elaboration of the Trinity and the Incarnation. For cost details (bursaries available) and booking visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/what-is-god/

Weekend Retreat: The Martyr-Saints of the North-West, 12 – 14 September 2025

Join us for this weekend studying some of the Reformation-era martyrs of the North-West region. Part-retreat, part-biographical, the weekend will be led by Mgr John Allen of Salford Diocese, who has recently published a history of the diocese with a foreword by Eamon Duffy. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-martyr-saints-of-the-north-west Single room: £230 p.p.

Twin room (sharing): £175 p.p. Costs include full board from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch inclusive. Non-residential (includes lunches and dinners): £115.

Both events are at Theodore House, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ, in the tranquil and beautiful surroundings. Contact: bookings@theodorehouse.com, 01254 827 084.

Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival

An initiative of the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Foundation, the Edinburgh Sacred Arts Festival is from Sunday, 10 August to Saturday, 16 August 2025. Visit https://www.edinburghsacredartsfestival.org/ for details and full programme.

Read the newsletter for 3rd August (pdf)