‘Searching for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark’
It is only two weeks now until our Gospel of Mark Event. If you haven’t yet booked you tickets - now is the time to do so!! Either just put “Searching for Jesus Eventbrite” into Google or follow the link at bit.ly/Jesus-in-GospelofMark.
And remember to forward the promotional video to anyone who you think might be interested: https://youtu.be/zNALK8pPxqs
Young Adults Group this Tuesday at 7pm with Fr. Matthew Jarvis, OP
‘Is Pagan Philosophy Part of Christian Tradition?’ Find out at this week’s Young Adults Group talk by Fr. Matthew Jarvis, OP. 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!
Youth Group Every Sunday at Ravelston
The Youth Group has returned! It meets every Sunday evening at St Andrew’s, Ravelston from 6 to 7.30pm. You can register today using the QR code on the postcards or posters dotted around the parish or by turning up on the night and filling in a form. It is a one off £1 registration fee for the year and every evening involves games, activities to learn about the faith before prayer to conclude the night. Don’t forget some spending money for the tuckshop too.
Thank You for Big Clean!
A massive thank you to all those who turned out last Saturday afternoon to help to deep clean the areas of the Cathedral which are difficult to do on a regular basis. I think the results of their efforts should have been obvious to anyone visiting the Cathedral this weekend. Every chair was polished, cobwebs were banished from windows and the kneelers were all washed and rubbed down amongst much else. We were at least 11 nationalities and ranged in age from 12 – 80 something. It was really uplifting to be part of such a cross section of our wonderfully diverse community joining together with a common aim. A special thank you to all the regular cleaning volunteers for coming in for a second time in a week to lead the efforts and organise us all. Alice
Catenian Association Meetings for Catholic Men on 18th October
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men, married or single, to their next meeting on Wednesday, 18th October, at 7.00 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. For more information contact John Russell at 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com.
First Reconciliation Classes Begin Today, Class Diary Dates
First Confession/ Reconciliation classes start today from 9:30am in the Parish Rooms at St Andrew’s, Ravelston. Mark your diary with class dates for the year.
All Classes take place at St Andrews, 77 Belford Road EH4 3DS during school term times
First Reconciliation 8 Oct 2023 – 4 Feb 2024 Sunday 9:30am – 10:15am
First Holy Communion 25 Feb 2024 – 2 June 2024 Sunday 9:30am – 10:15am
Confirmation 28 Jan 2024 – 12 May 2024 Sunday 5pm-6pm
Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon and Outing to Earl Haig Poppy Factory
Join us for the Over Sixties Coffee Afternoon on Tuesdays 2.30 pm till 4pm in Coffee Saints. All newcomers are very welcome! Also, we will have an outing to Earl Haig Poppy Factory on Wednesday 11 October 1.30-3pm, Logie Green Road, with coffee at a local café afterwards. If you’d like to come along contact Trish on 07716 963215 or sign up at the Coffee Afternoon.
Teams of Our Lady to Help Married Couples, Tuesday, 10th October
Teams of Our Lady is a worldwide lay movement within the Catholic Church that aims to help married couples grow in their love of Christ and each other, recognising that Christian marriage is a precious gift that we need to nurture. Teams consist of four to six couples and a spiritual counsellor, often a priest, who meet roughly once a month in each other's homes becoming, over time, a strong supportive group. If you would like to find out more there will be an open information evening on Tuesday 10 October, 6:30pm-7:30pm in Ss John Cantius & Nicholas church hall, Broxburn, EH52 5RJ
Fabric Update from Alice
Since I last wrote an update on fabric matters, glazing has featured quite large in my life with the return to site of the windows repaired thanks to your Lenten giving. The internal stained-glass window in the Octagon has been lit from behind so that it glows to match its pair, and some of you may also have noticed that the window featuring St Stanislaw Kostka in the left aisle of the Sanctuary has been repaired, and the saint has regained his feet after many years without them. This repair was carried out thanks to a substantial donation for this purpose, and we have also been the beneficiaries of another thoughtful gift in the shape of a wheelchair for use in the Cathedral. Both donors wish to remain anonymous, but we are most grateful for their great generosity. If you have used the Coffee Saints café toilets, you will have seen that the tidying up work to the taps and basin areas have been completed, and at York Place the roofs of 61 and 63 received an overhaul during August and early September. Although there is progress, my to do list of jobs large and small is sitting at around 125 items, so I anticipate remaining busy! Thank you for all your assistance in spotting things that need doing. – Alice
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the shared responsibility of everyone to ensure the safety and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is also about ensuring the safe behaviour of everyone who has a duty of care within our Catholic communities, whether they are ordained or lay, and whether they work in a paid or voluntary role. Safeguarding is not only a way to respond to harm, but must be proactive in the prevention of any form of abuse or harm. You can find more information on the posters in church, online (https://www.scssa.org.uk/Safeguarding) or contact Chris McCabe, Parish Safeguarding Convenor (Chris.McCabe@staned.org.uk, phone: 0131 556 1798). All volunteers must follow the approved recruitment process before they can start their volunteer role. If you have not completed and obtained written approval as part of your volunteer role, then please contact Chris McCabe. The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has a mandatory Reporting Policy which requires all safeguarding allegations to be reported to Police Scotland, whether the accused is alive or deceased.
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 Social Calendar
The parish’s social team met this past week and confirmed the following dates for upcoming events:
• St Andrew’s Supper on 30th November. To celebrate the National and Parish patron you’re invited to a celebratory supper in the parish rooms following 6pm Mass. More details soon!
• Christmas Eve Social on 24th December: Following Carols & Vigil Mass, all are welcome to the parish rooms for our Christmas Eve social.
• National Bard with Burns Supper on Friday 26th January, 2024: We are delighted to team up with St Margaret’s in Davidson’s Mains to celebrate this event.
• Afternoon Tea on Friday, 26th April – Join us for a lovely afternoon tea. More details to follow.
• Annual Parish Barbecue on Sunday, 1st September – Our parish BBQ gathering will be held in the grounds of St Andrew’s.
We look forward to seeing you at these various events. The social team are always looking for new volunteers to help support the social life of the parish! Please speak to Fr Robert if you’d like to help out. Keep an eye on the newsletter for additional social events during the course of the year.
St Andrew’s Talks
Our next talk will be on Monday, 30th October from 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.
Synod Prayer
Archbishop Cushley encourages us to pray for the success of the Synod of Bishops, which is taking place in Rome throughout October: We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
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.
Vocations Retreat
Thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Join other young women at a retreat in Edinburgh led by Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO, the Archdiocesan Director for Religious Vocations. It takes place from 3-5 November 2023 at St Columba’s, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH91SN. Email religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
Vocations Mass
The next Mass to pray for Vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Archdiocese is on Tuesday 31 October at 7pm at St Margaret’s, Drip Road, Raploch, Stirling, FK9 4UA.
Tea Dance at Coffee Saints
Coffee Saints is hosting a Tea Dance on Wednesday, 22 November, 2:00pm-5:00pm. Grab your dance partner and join in for cake, tea and dancing to some fantastic live music! Tickets at Coffee Saints, £15pp.