What a Great week…!
Just a word of thanks to the hundreds of you who turned up every night last week to listen to Professor James Edwards taking us deeply into the New Testament and into the Gospel of Mark. It was a remarkable week and there was a remarkable response from all over the city, and beyond, to this initiative. Thanks to Professor James, who was both compelling and inspiring, and to all the many helpers who made the whole event go so smoothly. Please God, many of us will deepen in our relationship with the Lord Jesus as a result of these memorable evenings.
All Saints – Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation
This Wednesday, 1st November, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. This is a holiday of obligation in Scotland, meaning that Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on this day. Cathedral Masses will be at 8:00am, 10:00am and 12:45pm. An evening Mass will be celebrated in Ravelston at 6pm.
Sunday Noon Mass: Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate
At the 12 noon Mass today, we will receive 15 people into the order of Catechumens! Please pray for these friends as they journey towards full communion with the Catholic Church.
November Lists
During the month of November, we pray especially for the faithful departed. Please take a November List from the back of church to fill out with the names of those friends and family members who have passed away and return it to the Cathedral or St Andrew’s, Ravelston in the marked box found at the back of both churches. Please try and return them before the 1st of November, but you can take them throughout the month of November. You may email your list to cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Friends of the Cathedral Event with prof jamews edwards This Monday at 7.30pm in Coffee Saints
After his excellent series of talks on the Gospel of Mark, Prof James Edwards will speak to Friends of the Cathedral on the life and death of the German theologian, Ernst Lohmeyer. Prof Edwards is the author of Between the Swastika and the Sickle: The Life, Disappearance, and Execution of Ernst Lohmeyer which tells the moving story of Lohmeyer’s principled and courageous stand against both Nazism and Communism. Friends are asked to RSVP to book their place.
The event is also open to non-members and tickets can be obtained on a first-come-first-served basis by emailing: ppccathedral@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Young Adults Group Talk on Tuesday by Fr. Joseph McGill
This week, Fr. Joseph McGill will speak about ‘Continuing Catholic Tradition in Post-Reformation Scotland’ at our Young Adults Group. All those between the ages of 18-35 are welcome to the weekly meetings. We meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for tea and coffee followed by the talk and discussion at 7.30pm. Each session concludes with Night Prayer and the chance to socialise at a local pub. See the poster in the Octagon for more details!
Parish Youth Group Returns 5th November.
The Youth Group is on its holidays due to the Mid-Term break this weekend. It will return on Sunday 5th November at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. Children from P3 to P7 are welcome to join between 6 and 7.30pm for an evening of games, an opportunity to learn something about our faith, prayer and the tuck shop to finish things off. If you haven’t registered, please pick up an invitation card with the QR code or you can fill out a form on the night. There is a £1 registration for the whole year. We look forward to seeing you all back on Sunday 5th November.
Saturday Morning Eucharistic Adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a time for peaceful prayer and quiet before Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, every Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm Come for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour…. or more. Saturday Confessions are from 10:30am-12:00pm. "Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Saviour, the Lord and Master of everything that exists..." (CCC 2096)
Please RSVP for Mass for the Sick – Saturday, 11th November, 1:00pm
Mass will be celebrated for the sick of the parish on Saturday 11th November at 1pm. We ask that you please RSVP to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul attend the Mass and reception following, by emailing ssvp.ae01.023@gmail.com or phone 07541 552070, or speak to one of the SSVP members who will be available on the weekend of 4th/5th November after the 6pm Vigil Mass and Sunday 9am and 12:45pm Masses. Transport can be arranged for infirm parishioners wishing to attend, but we must be pre-notified at least 3 days prior to the Mass. Tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes will be served after the Mass, but you must prebook for the refreshments.
The Friendship Group (formerly ‘Over Sixties’)
The Over Sixties coffee afternoon have rebranded: Our new name is The Friendship Group and our new meeting time is Tuesdays at 2pm - 3.30pm in Coffee Saints. Please come along to meet old and new friends. All other details remain the same, including 20% discount on food and drink bought during the meeting time.
Marriage Preparation Courses
Our next Marriage Preparation courses are on Saturday 18th November 2023 and Saturday 2nd March 2024 at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, 10am-5pm, with presentations by married couples from the parish. Please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk to register.
Christmas Gift Collection
It’s that time of year again when parishioners of the Cathedral & St Andrew’s, Ravelston, donate gifts to be distributed to the children of the adults who are prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison at Christmas.
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. The box will be available at the Vigil Masses and the Sunday Masses over the weekends of Saturday 11th/Sunday 12th and Saturday 18th /Sunday 19th November. Please be as generous as you have been in past years.
Annual Mass Attendance Census
The Archdiocese’s Annual Mass Attendance Census will be taken next weekend Saturday, 4th November and Sunday, 5th November.
Rosary Before Mass During October
During the month of October, the rosary will begin at 5:30pm before Mass at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston, and on Wednesday will be prayed before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration. This is a beautiful and prayerful devotion to undertake during the month of Our Lady.
Each Wednesday 5.00pm Adoration & Confession
Stop in at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston on Wednesdays and spend some time with Jesus Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. Beginning from 5pm, we have Eucharistic Adoration, and a priest is available to hear Confessions, too. This is an opportunity to allow yourself some quiet, peaceful time to pray. Our Lord is waiting for you, so come and meet Him!
St Andrew’s Talk Tomorrow by Director of Catholic Parliamentary Office
Join us tomorrow Monday, 30th October, 6:45pm with Anthony Horan, the Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, to discuss the work of the office and the representation of our faith in the political forum. As always soup and sandwiches will be served after the talk.
All Saints Day: Relics in Convent
After 6pm Mass on the Solemnity of All Saints, Wednesday, 1 November, all are welcome to visit the St. Andrew’s Convent chapel to venerate the relics of St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Bede, St. Thérèse of Lisieux and several other saints.
Monthly 'Knit and Natter' on First Friday – 3rd November.
St Andrew’s has a 'knit and natter' afternoon on the first Friday of every month and the next will be on Friday 3rd November, 2:00pm-4:00pm in the parish rooms. There is no need to do any knitting!! All crafts are welcome, however, and if you would like to learn a craft, hopefully someone can help you!! Join us for a cup of tea! If you would like to be involved or learn more, contact Marie McQuillan marie.mcquillan@virgin.net or Pat Hernandez.
The Big Clean on Saturday, 4th November – Sign Up Today!
We need your help to get the Ravelston church and rooms ready for Advent and Christmas! The Big Clean is happening on Saturday, 4th November, 10:00am-4:00pm, so please come along and help with this annual 'deep clean' of our beautiful church and parish rooms. You can add your name to the sign-up sheet which is at the entrance to church today or email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Ravelston Pastoral Outreach
We are looking for some help in supporting those parishioners who are sick and housebound through a telephone apostolate. All that would be involved is a few minutes of your week to make a regular call to one or more parishioner who can no longer make it to Sunday Mass. If you’d like to support those parishioners who are prevented by illness or infirmity from coming to the celebration of Mass, please contact Fr Robert by calling the Cathedral Office or e-mailing frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
All Souls’ Day
Archbishop Cushley will offer Holy Mass for the repose of all the faithful departed who have died in the Archdiocese in the last year. It takes place on All Souls’ Day, Thursday 2 November at 10am in the Chapel at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 49 Mount Vernon Road, Edinburgh, EH16 6JG. All welcome.
Archdiocesan Youth Day on Saturday, 25th November
The Archdiocesan Youth Day will be a day of faith and fun for P4-P7s on Saturday 25 November, 10:30am to 3:30pm at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh. Join us as we come to know Jesus the King of the Universe and explore how we can prepare to meet our King this Christmas. We will have games, talks, sweets, Confessions, Mass and more! Speak to the parish priest to register.
Diploma in Catechetics 2024
Explore the richness and depth of our Catholic faith – all from home – with the Diploma in Catechetics from the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, led by Sr Miriam Ruth Ryan RSM. Tune in each Thursday at 7:30pm for an expert-led Zoom Webinar (or watch the recording at your convenience), and further enjoy guided readings, regular one-to-one support, and an in-person retreat. The Diploma in Catechetics begins on Thursday 25 January 2024. Concessions available. Registration and info at bit.ly/archdiploma2024 Questions? Email srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk
Job Opening: Administrator for Chancery and Catechetics Departments
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint an Administrator to provide support to the Chancery and Catechetics departments at the Gillis Centre, Edinburgh EH9 1BB. The role holder should have administrative experience, strong communication skills, good attention to detail, efficient IT skills and an ability to prioritise work, while supporting other team members as required. Salary £23,000 per annum, 35 hours per week. 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 8 November 2023. Interviews scheduled for Friday 17 November 2023. For details visit, https://archedinburgh.org/vacancy-administrator/