St Andrew’s Vigil and Feast Day at the Cathedral This Week
Join us to celebrate the feast day of our National Patron on Tuesday 29th November for the Vigil of the Feast of St. Andrew at the Cathedral. We will have 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.
Young Adults: Social After St. Andrew’s Vigil, Advent Talks
All young adults ages 18-35 are welcome to join us for a social in 63 York Place following the St. Andrew’s Vigil on Tuesday, 29th November. The following week our Young Adults Advent Talks – ‘Images of Advent’ – begin on Tuesday, 6 December with Fr. Albert Robertson, OP, on The Immaculate Conception. Then 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
All those in P3-S1 are invited to join our Parish Youth Group tonight at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston 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
St. Pauls Bookshop Now Open!
Our new St Pauls Bookshop is now open at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Hours are 10:00am to 5:30pm, including weekends (closed Mondays). Come and shop at the only Catholic bookshop in the East of Scotland. The shop offers a wide range of Christian literature, cards, religious objects, music, DVDs, visual resources, religious education materials and more. Find your perfect Christmas gift!
2023 Cathedral Diaries and Cathedral Schola CDs on Sale
Our 2023 Cathedral Diary is on sale after all Masses this weekend! This is a very special spiritual and practical gift for Christmas, with all the holy days marked. All proceeds support the Cathedral. Priced at a very reasonable £10 each. In addition, the CD With Angels and Archangels by the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum is also available for a special Advent price of £10. The CD includes music by Victoria and Palestrina, Lotti, Rheinberger, Duruflé, James MacMillan, and Michael Ferguson. Both can be purchased online at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/store
Kathedral Knits Christmas Gifts to Support the Cathedral
Knitted goods for Christmas are on sale after the Noon Mass today by 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. Sales will be held after the Noon Mass on 4 December, 11 December and 18 December.
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.
Outdoor Crib Blessing on Monday, 12th December
His Grace, the Archbishop, will be here on Monday, 12th December to celebrate the Rorate Mass at 7:00pm and then immediately following the Mass to bless our new outdoor Christmas crib. Mulled wine and mince pies will be on sale in Coffee Saints after the blessing. Plan to come along!
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, to serve as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Readers and taking up the collections. 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.
Crux Magazine of Friends of the Cathedral Available Today
Pick up your limited edition first issue copy of Crux today. At only £5, with all proceeds benefitting the Cathedral, enjoy articles and features written by Archbishop Cushley, Fr Jamie and some of our own pilgrims who journeyed to the Holy Land earlier this year. Crux is a must-read over the Christmas season for you and your family and the perfect keepsake for Cathedral visitors. Crux is the new magazine for all Friends of St Mary’s Cathedral, who receive this magazine straight their door. Join at https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/friends
Final Collection of Christmas Gifts for Prisoners’ Children
This is our last weekend for collection Christmas gifts for children of prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton). 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.
Over Sixties Club
All those 60 and over are welcome to join our Over Sixties Club. Upcoming events are Tuesday 29th November, 2.30 - 4pm Coffee Afternoon at Coffee Saints, Thursday 1st December 1.30pm, trip to Jonny Walker Experience, meet at 1:45 Princes Street (old House of Fraser at West End).
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 would like to extend our group, sharing friendship and faith in our community. For more information contact John Russell on 01555 728032, membership@thecatenians.com
First Saturday Devotions
Next Saturday, 3 December, 9:30am there will be devotions to Our Lady of Fatima here in the Cathedral, followed by 10:00am Mass. All are welcome!
Second Collection Today for Catholic Education
A second collection will be taken up today for the Scottish Catholic Education Service. Thank you!
Final Chance! Tickets for 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. Final chance!
Rorate Masses by Candlelight on Thursdays, Crib Blessing 15th 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! Mark your diary – on Thursday, 15th December there will be a blessing of our beautiful outdoor crib immediately following the Mass.
Helpers Needed for St. Andrew’s Rorate Masses
We are in need of several helpers for the 7:00pm Rorate Masses on Mondays, 8th, 15th and 22nd December to set up the many candles around the church for these beautiful Masses, welcome people who attend, as well as tidy up the candles after the Mass. Families are most welcome to come along as helpers! If you can assist for any of these Masses, then please sign up on the sheets at the back of church or contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk. If you can help before Mass, please be available from 6.15pm, or if you can help after Mass, please plan to stay until about 8:15pm.
St Andrew’s Talks: O Antiphons –Announcing the Long-Awaited Messiah
Our next talk in our St. Andrew's Talk series will be on Monday 5th December with Sister Miriam Fidelis, RSM on the beautiful ‘O Antiphons’ that are a prominent feature of the liturgy of the Church in the days closest to Christmas. After the talk there will be soup and sandwiches and a chance to discuss. Please RSVP at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk or phone 0131 556 1798 if you plan to attend!
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! Vegetarian option available.
Fabric Update: Side Gate
The side gate at Ravelston is fully functional again. This will only be open around Mass times. Thank you for your patience.
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 https://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 http://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 https://bit.ly/adventtalks22
Advent Rosary for Life
Wednesday, 30th November, 7.45pm online with Fr John Deighan, Parish Priest at SS John Cantius and Nicholas in Broxburn and also Vicar Episcopal for Education. Register: https://bit.ly/archrosary1
Explore God’s Will for You: Sunday Chats for Women on Religious Life
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young Catholic women to chat and explore God's will in five monthly get-togethers in Edinburgh. Led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the first one takes place on Sunday 29 January, 4-7pm at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street. It is a chance to pray, share and discuss in a relaxed environment, and refreshments will be served. The series continues on the last Sunday of each month at the same time/venue: 26 Feb, 26 Mar, 30 Apr, 28 May. To register or find out more, please email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk