The 40 Hours Devotion, 28th-30th November, Watching with the Lord
We need at least 2 people per hour to be present before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the celebration of 40 Hours. Please take a moment to look at the lists in the back of the Church and prayerfully consider signing up to pray for an hour before Jesus.
Votive Candles for 40 Hours
As in previous years, we are offering three-day candles that can be dedicated to a specific prayer intention. These candles will burn continuously before the Blessed Sacrament during the three days of prayer. If you would like to dedicate a candle, they can be purchased at the back of the Church for £3 each.
Video: ‘Jesus in the Eucharist and You’– Monday, 21st November
Watch the third Archdiocesan video in the series titled ‘Jesus in the Eucharist and You’ on the Archdiocesan YouTube channel bit.ly/ArchYouTube on Monday, 21st November at 7:30pm.
40 Hours Devotion Schedule
Sunday, 28th November
1pm-4pm Eucharistic Adoration
4pm-5pm, guided Holy Hour with Fr. Scott Deeley
Monday, 29th November
10:30am – 7pm Eucharistic Adoration
7pm-8pm, guided Holy Hour with Msgr. Andrew McFadden
Tuesday, 30th November – Solemnity of St. Andrew
10:30am – 7pm Eucharistic Adoration
7pm-8pm, guided Holy Hour with Archbishop Cushley
Please note that the Masses on 29th-30th will be 9am (Polish), 10:00am and 12:45pm. From November 2021 to November 2022 the 40 Hours Devotion will be celebrated at parishes throughout the Archdiocese.
Next Sunday: Kathedral Knits Christmas Gifts to Support the Cathedral
Beginning next Sunday morning, 28th November, knitted goods for Christmas will be available for sale in the Octagon until after Noon Mass by our own wonderful parishioner Joanna Kopystynska. The items are also available at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KathedralKnits All the profits from these sales are generously donated by Joanna to the Cathedral.
Nativity Blessing & Carol Service – Sunday, 28th November
Archbishop Cushley will bless the Nativity Scene at the Nativity Blessing & Carol Service, which takes place in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh at 3pm on Sunday 28 November. All welcome to attend and sing carols with St Columba’s Choir and the Salvation Army Brass Band.
Prisoners’ Week Prayer Service with Archbishop Cushley – Monday, 22nd November
A prayer service with Archbishop Cushley for the launch of Prisoners’ Week 2021 will take place at 7pm on Monday 22 November at the 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. Booking is needed for this event, so please register at http://www.prisonersweek.org.uk/events
Please note there will be no 6:00pm Polish Mass that evening; Polish Mass will be at 9:00am that day instead.
Young Adults Group with Archbishop Cushley – Tuesday, 23rd November, 7pm
Don't forget that this Tuesday at 7pm, the Young Adults Group are honoured to have a visit from the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Archbishop Leo Cushley. The Archbishop is looking forward to meeting the group and will speak on the title 'St Andrew: Disciple, Apostle, Patron.' As always, there will be a chance to chat over tea and coffee before the talk and to enjoy some stronger refreshments afterwards! It would be great to see you all there!
Fire Safety Training for Cathedral Volunteers – Saturday, 27th November
Fire safety training is now scheduled for 10:00 on Saturday 27th of November for all passkeeping volunteers. Please contact the parish office at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or 0131 556 1798 to confirm you will attend. Thank you!
Parish Synod Meeting – Thursday, 2nd December
Parishes are being encouraged to host 'spiritual conversations' so people can contribute their voice to the Synod 2021-2023. Herewith advance notice that the meeting for our parish will be on Thursday, 2nd December, 7pm in 63 York Place.
Volunteers Needed for All Cathedral Weekend Masses
Volunteers are needed to assist at each weekend Mass at the Cathedral to help with welcoming, handing out newsletters, signposting to toilet facilities, arranging people to help with the collection, special collections and arranging people to bring up the offertory gifts. We need three volunteers to serve at each Mass. To volunteer, please e-mail Elizabeth Andrews, elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com who will be in contact with you to provide further details and answer any questions. Thank you!
Rosary for Life on Zoom – Every Tuesday in Advent, 7:45pm
Join Priests of the Archdiocese online to pray the Rosary for pro-life intentions. Every Tuesday in Advent. 7.45pm on Zoom. Register at https://bit.ly/RosaryEvents (scroll down to events).
Marriage Preparation Course
Are you planning to get married next year? Please contact Fr Jamie as soon as possible to make arrangements for Marriage Preparation. While the Cathedral’s Marriage Preparation course for November is already fully booked, places are still available for the course to be held on Saturday, 29th January. Email Fr. Jamie to sign up, frjamie@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Legion of Mary – Tuesdays at 11am
The parish Legion of Mary group meets on Tuesdays at 11:00am in 63 York Place. Please come along and join us! The Legion of Mary seeks to help its members grow in holiness through devotion to Our Lady.
Cathedral Chandelier Project
As you will recall, unforeseen difficulties were encountered when the chandelier repair works were undertaken earlier this year. As the works commenced, it soon became apparent that installation of the proposed winch system was going to be more complex than the contractors had envisaged and so work stopped to review the best way forward. Our then Complex Manager, Andy Hilton, was deeply involved in the project, having taken charge of it from the outset, but as you know, he died tragically and very suddenly at the beginning of August. Consequently, this project had to be temporarily put on hold while Cathedral staff and clergy endeavoured to manage all of the day-to-day maintenance and repair issues that Andy had managed so capably up to that point. We appreciate that a few months have passed since the initial works commenced but thank you for your patience and understanding. We hope that we will soon be in a position to take this project forward once more.
Children Invited to Help Assemble Parish Manger in St Andrew’s, Ravelston – 11th December
On Saturday, 11 December 9:00am-10:00am, children are invited to help set up our parish manger for the St Andrew’s, Ravelston garden Nativity Scene. The manger is constructed from flat-pack and will be great fun to assemble as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus! All helpers can enjoy a hot chocolate drink!
Blessing of the Manger Before 10:30am Mass – 12th December
St Andrew’s will celebrate the blessing of the parish Nativity Scene on Sunday, 12 December at approximately 10:15am, immediately after catechism class and before 10:30am Mass. All children and parishioners are invited!
Webinar for Red Wednesday: Stop Persecution of Christians, 24th November
Watch the Red Wednesday Webinar on 24th November 7:30pm for the people of Scotland to stand together and shine a spotlight on the persecution of Christians and other faith minorities. The event will be livestreamed from Scottish Parliament and hosted by John Mason MSP. Aid to the Church in Need’s John Newton will present the ‘Hear Her Cries’ report, highlighting exploitation of Christian and other faith minority women and girls. Sign up for the webinar at https://acnuk.org/redwednesday-events/
Jesus, the Coming King: Mid-Teens Advent Weekend, 3rd–5th December
A weekend retreat for mid teens in S2, S3 & S4 will be held at Craig Lodge with an Advent theme from Friday, 3rd December to Sunday, 5th December. This will be a weekend of teaching, prayer, Mass and some fun activities, all with the aim of bringing about new encounters with Jesus, the Coming King! To book, please email mail@craiglodge.org
For more information visit, https://www.craiglodge.org/events/the-coming-king Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA33 1AR, T: +44(0)1838 200216.
Annual Mass Attendance Census
The Archdiocese’s Annual Mass Attendance Census will be taken next weekend Saturday, 27th November and Sunday, 28th November.
Funeral of Daisy Sanderson
The funeral of the late Daisy Sanderson, who used to read at the 12.45pm Mass, will take place at St Margaret Mary's Church, Granton, on Wednesday 24th November at 10am. May she rest in peace!
Special Collection this Weekend for Catholic Education
I’m afraid there is (yet) another special collection this week for Scottish Catholic Education Service. Thank you!