St. Pauls Bookshop Grand Opening next Saturday!
Our new St Pauls Bookshop will open here at St. Mary’s Cathedral this Saturday, 26 November. Come and shop at the only Catholic bookshop in the East of Scotland which will offer a wide range of Christian literature, cards, religious objects, music, DVDs, visual resources, religious education materials and more. Buy the perfect Christmas gift! Hours are 10:00am to 5:30pm, including weekends (closed Mondays). Thank you to Fr. Baji and Fr. Shinto of the Society of St Paul for all their hard work!
Young Adults Talk: ‘I Believe in the Life of the World to Come’
The final talk of our Young Adults series on the Creed will be this Tuesday, 22nd November. All those age 18-35 are very welcome. Our speaker will be Fr. Andrew Garden on ‘I Believe in the Life of the World to Come.’ We’ll meet 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees followed by the talk at 7:30pm and a short group discussion. After Night Prayer in the Cathedral, we will gather at a local pub for some refreshment.
Young Adults Advent Talks: ‘Images of Advent’
Our Young Adults Advent Talks – ‘Images of Advent’ – begin Tuesday, 6 December with Fr. Albert Robertson, OP, on The Immaculate Conception. On 13 December, we will have a talk on ‘John the Baptist’ by Fr. Robert and a concluding talk on 20 December by His Grace, Archbishop Cushley, ‘The Annunciation’. As always, after Night Prayer in the Cathedral we will gather at a local pub for some refreshment.
Parish Youth Group Meets Tonight
Thanks to so many who joined us last week for our Youth Group visit to St. Margaret’s, Davidson’s Mains last Sunday! All those in P4-P7 are invited to join us between 6 & 7.30pm to meet new friends, play, and learn about our Catholic faith! Don’t forget some spending money for the tuck shop! The evening begins at 6pm. Any questions, please speak to Fr. Robert or email frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk
Advent Faith Sharing Group
We are holding a small Faith Sharing Group to help us prepare for Christmas at 63 York Place on the five Saturdays before Christmas. The group will meet on Saturdays 12:30pm-2:00pm to pray together and share our Faith journey in the light of scripture readings. If interested, please contact Lis at ejherschan@aol.com
St Andrew’s Vigil and Feast Day at the Cathedral
Join us to celebrate the feast day of our National Patron next week! On Tuesday 29th November for the Vigil of the Feast of St. Andrew at the Cathedral there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 7pm which will conclude with Evening Prayer I of the feast at 8pm and Benediction. All are welcome. On the Feast Day itself, Wednesday 30th November, Archbishop Leo Cushley will celebrate 12.45pm Mass.
2023 Cathedral Diaries on Sale Next Weekend
Our 2023 Cathedral Diary will be on sale next weekend after Masses! This is a very special spiritual and practical gift for Christmas, with all the holy days marked, and prayers and quotes from saints included in each month. All proceeds support the Cathedral. Priced at a very reasonable £10 each.
Kathedral Knits Christmas Gifts to Support the Cathedral
Knitted goods for Christmas will be available for sale after the Noon Mass next Sunday by our own wonderful parishioner Joanna Kopystynska. The items are also available at www.kathedralknits.etsy.com
All the profits from these sales are generously donated by Joanna to the Cathedral. In addition to next Sunday, sales will be held on 4 December, 11 December and 18 December.
Thank You from Fr. Jamie and Fr. John Peter
“Thank you so much for the wonderful send-off last Friday - it was lovely to be back at the Cathedral and see so many familiar faces. Thank you for your cards and kind words and for all the happy memories I take with me. Thank you in particular for the extremely generous gift. It's my intention to have a Marian vestment made which will help me to remember with sincere gratitude my time at the Cathedral and all of you. Thank you!” Fr. Jamie
“Dear All, Thanks for a lovely evening. I sincerely thank Monsignor Patrick Burke and team for arranging this wonderful surprise party and farewell gift. I have enjoyed my time at this great company – such a wonderful group of people of St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Andrew’s Ravelston. I will miss you terribly and thank you for the period we were together and ask you to keep praying for me as am praying for you. With gratitude,” Fr John Peter
Volunteers Needed: Flower Arrangers and Cleaners
We are looking to recruit more volunteers to join our flower arranging teams. There are currently four teams, who meet either mid-morning/early afternoon on a Friday and each team is led by an experienced volunteer, so lack of experience is not a barrier! In addition, we are looking for more cleaning team members for our Cathedral. The cleaning team meet every Wednesday afternoon between 2pm – 4pm to clean our lovely Cathedral. If you cannot attend every week, helping once or twice per month would be greatly appreciated! To find out more about volunteering as a flower arranger or cleaning team member, please contact Elizabeth Andrews at elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com or sign up on the clipboards at the back of church this weekend.
Rorate Masses by Candlelight on Mondays: 5th, 12th, 19th December
We will have our beautiful and popular candlelit Rorate Masses at the Cathedral on Monday nights at 7:00pm on 5th, 12th and 19th December. The Mass is celebrated accompanied by flickering candlelight in an otherwise dark church with beautiful music to help us lift up our hearts to God. These are lovely occasions – do bring your children and come along to prepare well for Christmas.
Helpers Needed: Rorate Masses & Christmas Masses
The Cathedral is in need of helpers for the 7:00pm Rorate Masses (5th, 12th and 19th December) to assist in preparing the Cathedral (laying out candles, welcoming people, etc) prior to the Masses and tidying up afterwards. You would need to be available from 6.15pm. Helpers are also needed for our Christmas Masses, to welcome people, assist with Communion, Reading and Money collecting. If you can assist for any of these Masses, then please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com or sign up on the sheets at the back of the Cathedral.
Christmas Gifts for Prisoners’ Children – Last Collection is Next Weekend
We are collecting Christmas gifts for children of prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison this weekend and next weekend, which will be our last collection. We ask that 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. A collection box will be at the back of both churches both this weekend and Saturday 26th /Sunday 27th November.
Coffee Saints Receives “One to Watch” Scottish Social Enterprise Award
Earlier this month, Coffee Saints won the "One to Watch" at the Scottish Social Enterprise Awards. Catherine Jones, Social Enterprise Director also picked up the award for "Social Enterprise Champion." As Scottish award winner for the one to watch, Coffee Saints has gone through to the UK finals on 8th December in London. Visit the award-winning Coffee Saints! You can book online through itison for a Coffee & Traybake or Brunch for two or an Afternoon Tea at https://bit.ly/CoffeeSaintsDeals
Over Sixties Club: Coffee Afternoon, Cinema Outing and Book Club
We warmly welcome anyone 60 and over to join us in our Over Sixties Club. This week’s events are:
Coffee Afternoon at Coffee Saints Tuesday 22nd November, 2.30 - 4pm
Cinema Outing, Wednesday 23rd November. Meet upstairs at Omni Centre at 1.10pm for `The Banshees of Imisherin’
Book Club, Thursday 24th November, 2.30 - 4pm at Coffee Saints
SSVP Christmas Mass and Lunch – RSVP by Thursday, 24 November
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) Christmas Mass and lunch preparations are well underway.
If anyone who comes to the Over Sixties Club events would like to attend the 12Noon SSVP Mass and lunch following in Coffee Saints on Saturday, 3 December, please contact Trish on 07716963215 to get details and a sign up form. All forms must be received by Thursday 24th November.
Catholic Men: Catenians’ Membership Meeting on 21st December
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to a Membership meeting Wednesday 21st December, from 7.00 p.m.-9.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. The Association is an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men at all stages of their lives. We welcome visitors to come along and join us at our meetings and take part in our informal chat with Members and visitors alike. We would like to extend our group, sharing friendship and faith in our community. You can look us up on https://www.thecatenians.com/ for more information contact John Russell on 01555 728032 or email John at membership@thecatenians.com
Parish Mass and Supper for Feast of St Andrew at Ravelston
Come and join us for a St Andrew’s supper on the feast day of the parish patron, Wednesday 30th November in the parish rooms at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston. Celebrate this important day in the calendar of our community and country with Mass at 6pm and then join for supper at 7pm. Supper will be a sit-down meal. Bring a bottle! So we can cater correctly, please pick up your tickets after Mass this weekend.
Rorate Masses by Candlelight: Thursdays, 8th, 15th and 22nd December
We will have our beautiful and popular candlelit Rorate Masses on Thursdays at 7pm at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston on 8th, 15th and 22nd December. The Rorate Mass originated during the course of the Middle Ages as one of the various popular Advent devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Do come along and bring your children to these beautiful liturgies of Advent!
Bacon Roll Charity on Sunday 4 December
Come and enjoy a late brunch, stay or take away, in the Parish Rooms at Ravelston after 10:30am Mass on Sunday, 4 December at our Bacon Roll Charity for Kindred, a charity that helps families who have a child with complex needs. Any donation on the day will be appreciated!
Ravelston Friday Café Paused
Our weekly café on Fridays is now taking a break. Thanks to all who have attended over the past months.
Sunday Holy Hours with Archbishop Cushley
Join Archbishop Cushley for Eucharistic Adoration at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, to pray for “insight, courage and joy in our mission,” as part of the Synod 2023. It takes place at 6pm on the following Sundays: 18 Dec, 8 Jan, 12 Feb, 12 Mar. No registration required, just turn up and pray.
Light from Light: Choral Music for Advent by Candlelight
This December be uplifted with a candlelit Advent music concert from our own Schola Cantorum of St. Mary’s Cathedral at one of three upcoming concerts in the Archdiocese:
St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk on Wednesday 7 December
St Patrick's in Kilsyth on Saturday 10 December
St Margaret's in Dunfermline on Friday 16 December
All concerts 8pm. Pay at the door on the night or get your £5 ticket (family ticket £10) at bit.ly/3T7wRRY
‘Entering Advent with Isaiah’ with Fr Jamie McMorrin
Join an online talk titled ‘Entering Advent with Isaiah’ with Fr Jamie McMorrin of St Margaret’s in Davidson’s Mains on Monday 28 November at 7:30pm-8:30pm. Register now at bit.ly/enteradvent
Advent Talks with Sr. Anna Marie McGuan, RSM
Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM will give a series of Advent talks at 7:30pm on Monday 5, 12, and 19 December. No registration required, just join any of the talks at bit.ly/adventtalks22
Second Collection Next Weekend for Catholic Education
A second collection will be taken up for the Scottish Catholic Education Service next weekend.