November Lists
Although we remember the faithful departed at every Mass, during the month of November, following the feast of All Souls on the 2nd November, we have a tradition of praying in a particular way for our deceased relatives, friends and fellow parishioners. You’ll find purple sheets at the back of the church on which you can write the names of anyone whom you would like to be remembered in this way. These will be compiled into a book of remembrance which will be placed before the altar throughout the coming month. Hand in your ‘November Lists’ to 61 York Place, pass them to the priest at the end of Mass or fill in a form online: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/november-list
A Huge Thank You Our Volunteer Stewards!
Sincere thanks to our wonderful stewards who over these past 18 months of the Covid pandemic have given so much of their time to allow the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s to remain open and safe places for people to come together for prayer. Thanks for your dedicated service!
All Souls Day Mass at Mount Vernon Cemetery – 2nd November
Archbishop Cushley will offer Holy Mass for the repose of all the faithful departed who have died in the Archdiocese in the last year, especially those buried at Mount Vernon Cemetery. This will take place on All Souls’ Day, Tuesday 2 November, at 10am in the Cemetery Chapel. All welcome!
A Cathedral Diary for 2022 – Give the Perfect Gift and Support the Cathedral!
Need the perfect Christmas gift that also supports the Cathedral? The solution to all your shopping problems is the 2022 Cathedral Diary! Last year’s diary sold out in one week (!) and we have produced another beautiful Cathedral Diary for this coming year. It features lovely artwork and meditations for the various seasons of the year. The diary is thoughtful and meaningful present which anyone would be pleased to receive. Priced at a very reasonable £10 each, we are offering two diaries – in a pre-Christmas exclusive offer -- for only £20. Hurry while stocks last! All proceeds support the Cathedral.
Soup Kitchen for the Homeless at Coffee Saints – Sign-up to Volunteer
In cooperation with Grassmarket Community Project we have a soup kitchen for the homeless every Tuesday 5:00pm-6:30pm at Coffee Saints. This is a fantastic new initiative in the Cathedral parish. Can you help? Volunteers do not need to commit to every week, but will need to complete basic training before going on the rota. Anyone interested should contact kevin@grassmarket.org
Rite of the Signing with the Cross – Sunday, 7th November
Next Sunday, 7th November we celebrate the Rite of the Signing with the Cross of those children preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in February. Please keep them in your prayers throughout these coming months!
Young Adults’ Group – This Tuesday at 7pm
‘Bringing Others to the Lord’
This week is the final Young Adults Group talk in our series on the basics of the Christian life. Our guest speaker is our very own Sr. Anna Marie McGuan, RSM, the Archdiocese's Catechetics Advisor. She will talk about ‘Bringing Others to the Lord’ and how we can become missionary disciples in our every day lives. The talk begins at 7.30pm at 63 York Place (teas and coffees available from 7pm) and will be followed by group discussion, night prayer and then the pub. Future events are already in the pipeline – watch this space!
Christmas Gift Collection for Prisoners’ Children – 13/14 and 20/21 November
We will be collecting Christmas gifts for children of prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison. We ask that the gifts are new, wrapped in Christmas gift wrap, and with a label attached stating whether the gift is suitable for a boy or a girl and the age of the child. Gifts for older children from 11 years upwards would be most appreciated. There will be a collection box at the back of both churches before all Masses for the depositing of gifts over the weekends of Saturday 13th/Sunday 14th and Saturday 20th /Sunday 21st November. Please be as generous as you have been in past years. Many thanks in advance!
First Saturday Devotions
Next Saturday, 6th November, 9:30am there will be devotions to Our Lady of Fatima here in the Cathedral, followed by 10:00am Mass. All are welcome!
Mary’s Meals Speaker at 6-7 November Masses
A volunteer from the charity Mary’s Meals will be speaking at all Masses in the Cathedral next weekend, giving an update on their work providing school meals to children living in poverty around the world. There will be a collection following Mass if you would like to make a donation to this important cause.
Prisoners’ Week Launch Service – 22 November
A prayer service with Archbishop Cushley for the Prisoners’ Week 2021 launch takes place at 7pm on Monday 22 November at St Mary’s Cathedral, followed by refreshments in the Coffee Saints café. The goal of Prisoners’ Week is to encourage support for the over 7,000 incarcerated persons in Scotland, for their families and those affected by crime in our nation.
More information at www.prisonersweek.org.uk. Booking is needed for this event, so please register at http://www.prisonersweek.org.uk/events. A welcome video by Archbishop Cushley is at https://www.prisonersweek.org.uk/blog/launch-service-invitation
Cathedral 40 Hours Devotion Begins 28 November, 12:00pm Mass
The Cathedral parish are the first in the Archdiocese to begin this devotion, following the call of the Archbishop to put the Eucharist back at the very centre of our Catholic lives. The Blessed Sacrament will be solemnly exposed after the noon Mass and, over the next three days, there will be opportunities for private prayer, as well as Holy Hours with hymns and meditations. There will also be a stall with the opportunity to buy votive candles, prayer books and catechetical materials. We’ll be looking for extra volunteers to help organise all of this, as well as people to commit to spending time ‘watching’ with the Lord in prayer. More details to follow!
Date for Your Diary – St. Andrew’s Volunteer Training – 4th November
On Thursday 4th of November at 7pm we will meet in the parish rooms with those who currently serving as Communion Ministers, Readers and Passkeepers / Stewards. We will reflect together on the importance of these ministries and to give some refresher training as we return to normal parish life, as well as welcoming new volunteers. If you’re interested, please speak to Fergus or to Fr Jamie after Mass.
Sunday Café in Parish Rooms After 10:30am Mass
Please join us for a cuppa and a chat after Sunday Mass in the parish rooms, with some delicious teas & coffees!
Join us for the Friday Morning Cafe at St. Andrew’s
Our Friday café continues this coming Friday from 10am until 12noon. Come along and join us!
Dementia: Hope on a Difficult Journey – Saturday, 6th November
An event for those supporting friends or family with dementia will be held at the Gillis Centre, Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, from 2-4pm on Saturday 6 November. A talk will be led by Dr Adrian Treloar, and there will be a chance to share experiences before a time of prayer in St Margaret’s Chapel, onsite. Light refreshments will be served. The event is organised by the Archdiocesan Marriage & Families Commission. Register at bit.ly/DementiaEvent2021
COP26 – Mass in Glasgow 7th November
The Bishops of Scotland will celebrate Mass during COP26 at St Aloysius’ Church, Rose Street, Glasgow, on Sunday 7 November at 1pm. The Mass is for delegates, visitors to Glasgow and all the Faithful of Scotland. Register to attend at https://mediades.co.uk/cop26/
8th November 6:30pm Vocations Mass at St Albert’s Chaplaincy
Is God calling you to serve the Church as a Priest, Deacon, religious Sister or Brother? Come to the Vocations Mass, 8th November, 6:30pm at St. Albert’s Chaplaincy, University of Edinburgh. Fr. Andrew Garden, Vocations Director, will celebrate the Mass. For information, email vocations@staned.org.uk.
Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate information is at https://archedinburgh.org/vocations/ For women discerning religious life, contact Sr. Mirjam Hugens, FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk or to learn more about religious life visit https://www.ukvocation.org/religious-life
Thomistic Institute: ‘We Don’t Do Truth’ (Professor John Rist): 9 November
The Thomistic Institute at the University of Edinburgh have invited Professor John Rist, Professor Emeritus from the University of Toronto, to speak on the title ‘We Don’t Do Truth’, addressing the issues of truth and relativism in the modern world. The lecture will take place at the Gillis centre and will begin at 6pm. To attend, register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-dont-do-truth-tickets-189801731087
World Day of the Poor – 14th November
Sunday 14 November is World Day of the Poor, initiated by Pope Francis in 2017 with the theme “let us love, not with words but with deeds.” In our Archdiocese the Society of St Vincent de Paul has been carrying out this mission since 1845. This year the Caritas, Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese wish to use the Special Collection to be taken that weekend to support two SSVP projects; The Furniture Project based in Dunfermline and the Caravan Project based in Port Seton.
The Scottish Catholic Magazine’s Second Edition
The Scottish Catholic magazine’s second edition has arrived. For just £2 pick up your copy on the table in the Octagon while supplies last! Please put monies in the box at the pillar after you enter the Cathedral. You may also wish to subscribe at https://www.scottishcatholic.com/product/print-subscription/ (due to postage costs this is a little more expensive than getting it in the parish!)
‘Beautifully Told’ – New Podcast by Catholic Truth Society
Listen to the new Catholic Truth Society podcast ‘Beautifully Told’, during your morning commute, as you cook dinner, or while out for a walk. ‘Beautifully Told’ is an honest conversation between two Catholic friends about the important issues of life and faith. Listen to Episode 1 “How to Pray the Rosary Every Day” at https://anchor.fm/beautifully-told. Episode 2 to be released 1st November!