Visit of Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will be at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh this evening, Sunday 1st December. His Eminence will preach at the 7:30pm Mass that will be presided at by Archbishop Cushley. All are welcome. This is an opportunity to hear something of the experience of the Church and wider community in the midst of the terrible war in the Holy Land and to express solidarity with all those who are suffering there.
Youth Group!
The next Youth Group event is Sunday, 1 December. Children from Primary 3 upwards are welcome to join us at St Andrew’s, Ravelston from 2.30pm – 4:00pm. New members are very welcome! Register at https://bit.ly/ParishYouthGroup-Registration or use the QR code. The new registration fee is £1.00. The afternoon has lots of fun activities, time to learn more of our faith and to make new friends, too. Don’t forget the spending money for the tuckshop! Questions? Contact Fr. Robert at frrobert@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Chapter Mass with Archbishop
On Tuesday, 3 December, His Grace, Archbishop Cushley will come to the Cathedral to celebrate Chapter Mass at 12:45pm together with the Chapter of Canons.
Prayers for Priests
The first Wednesday of each month, after the 12:45pm Mass, please join in prayers near the Lady Altar, including a Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to ask Our Lady’s intercession for our priests. All are welcome to participate in the prayers on Wednesday 4 December following 12:45pm Mass.
Rorate Masses at the Cathedral and St. Andrew’s, Ravelston
Our beautiful Rorate Masses begin the first week of Advent. These are candlelit Masses and are the perfect way to prepare spiritually for Christmas.
Rorate Mass (Cathedral)
7:00pm, Thursdays 5th*, 12th, 19th December
7:00pm, Monday 23rd December
*Outdoor crib blessing following Rorate Mass on Thursday, 5th December.
Rorate Mass (Ravelston)
6:00pm, Mondays 2nd, 9th, 16th December
The Cathedral bookshop will also stay open until 8:00pm on the evenings of the Cathedral Rorate Masses.
Rorate Masses – Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to assist in preparing the Cathedral (laying out candles, welcoming people, etc) prior to the Rorate Masses and tidying up afterwards. You would need to be available from 6:00pm; if you can assist, then please contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com with a note of your availability.
Outdoor Nativity Blessings by Archbishop
Archbishop Cushley will bless the Nativity Scene at Mound Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2LU, at 3:00pm today, Sunday, 1 December. Then on Thursday, 5 December, at the end of the 7:00pm Rorate Mass at the Cathedral, the Archbishop will bless our outdoor crib at the top of the Cathedral steps. Do come along!
Catenians Meeting
The Catenian Association invites all Catholic men to their regular meeting on Wednesday, 11th December, at 7.00 p.m. in 63 York Place. The Catenians are an international body of Catholic laymen who meet once a month and offer friendship and support to Catholic men and their families at all stages of their lives. For information 01555 728032 or membership@thecatenians.com
Bookshop – Christmas Crib Sets, Cards and More!
Advent begins next Sunday. As we prepare our hearts and homes for the celebration of Christ’s birth, the St Pauls Bookshop is preparing, as well, with a beautiful selection of Christmas crib sets, gifts, Christmas cards, calendars and much more. A great selection of Bibles for adults and children are in stock, as well as rosaries, icons, holy images, statues and classic spiritual reading and prayer books. Hours: 10:00am to 5:30pm, 7 days a week, edinburgh@stpauls.org.uk 0131 510 4260.
Kathedral Knits on Sale Next Sunday
Joanna Kopystynska’s beautiful, knitted goods will be on sale in the Octagon after the 9:00am and Noon Masses today, as well as Sunday 15th December and Sunday 22nd December. The items are also available at www.kathedralknits.etsy.com
Crux Magazine on Sale Next Weekend
The new issue of the Cathedrals’ Crux magazine will be on sale next weekend – a bargain at just £5 per copy! The perfect gift for Christmas! Articles include an interview with Fr. Jeremy, a look back at events of 2024, a feature on the Cathedral archives and more!
January Big Clean
Please save the date of Saturday, 18 January, 12:00pm-4:00pm for our annual Big Clean of the Cathedral. If you would like to volunteer, please email Darlene at complexmanager@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you!
Fabric Update
We have now accepted a quote for the repair of the roof of Sacristy 1 and hope that the work will commence as soon as possible in the new year. Unfortunately, the cost is much higher than was originally thought. It will cost £260,000. The good news is that due to the amazing efforts and generosity of so many people we have raised £160,000 towards this. That’s very well done and a huge thank you to you all! We await the results of the survey of the rest of the complex rooves to see the scale of the works required there before we consider a fresh fundraising campaign.
Children to Help with the Manger
Before Mass in Ravelston on Sunday, the children are invited to help us place the statues of Mary, Joseph, the shepherd and the empty manger in the crib. Adults and children will be singing “Away in the Manger.”
Helpers Needed: Setup and Cleanup for Ravelston Rorate Masses
Please consider helping us to setup and cleanup for the beautiful candlelit Rorate Masses at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston beginning tomorrow at 6:00pm, and then each Monday until 16th December. We need helpers for each Mass to set up the candles around the church and to tidy them up after the Mass! If you can assist for any of these Masses, please contact cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Ravelston: Kathedral Knits on Sale
Joanna Kopystynska’s beautiful, knitted goods for Christmas will be on sale at Ravelston after Mass next Sunday. The items are also available at www.kathedralknits.etsy.com All proceeds go to support the parish.
Message from Caroline: Indian Night Fundraiser
I am very pleased to tell you that the recent Indian Night at Ravelston raised almost £350.00. We are therefore arranging to send £175.00 each to our current Parish Projects (Edinburgh Direct Aid and Fr Binu’s seminary in India). Thank you to all who attended and a particular thank you to all those who helped cook and organise this wonderful evening. Edinburgh Direct Aid and Fr Binu’s seminary will remain our Parish Projects until the end of December 2024. From 1st January 2025, we will begin a five-year period of one-year projects starting with SCIAF. Therefore, if you would still like to contribute to our current Projects, please donate on or before 31st December 2024. You can leave cash donations in ‘Jessie’s Box’ at the back of the church, or send a donation to the parish office. If you would like to donate by BACS, please contact Caroline Reid at finance@stmaryscathedral.co.uk Thank you for your support!
Bacon Roll Fundraiser Next Sunday
Come along to our bacon roll morning on Sunday, 8 December after 10:30am Mass in aid of the Sisters of Mercy homeless project at St. Catherine's Convent, Lauriston Gardens. Please support this effort for a vulnerable group of people.
St. Andrew’s Talks Return in February
Thank you to all who attended Fr. Andrew Garden’s talk on the Gospel of Luke last week. Our St Andrew’s Talks will return on Monday, 24 February with a talk by Peter Diamond, Community Fundraiser for Scotland for the charity Aid to the Church in Need, which supports the Catholic faithful and other Christians facing oppression, persecution or pastoral need. Learn more at https://acnuk.org/
The talk will be in the parish rooms after the 6pm Mass.
Wednesday Start of Advent Zoom Series on the New Lectionary
The translation of the Bible we hear at Mass is changing. Are you intrigued to find out more about what's new and why? Join Fr Jamie McMorrin in 45-minute sessions on Zoom over three weeks in December, exploring some practical examples of key words and phrases to listen out for in the Sunday Mass readings. The talks are at 7:00pm on Wednesdays: 4, 11 and 18 December. Register at bit.ly/lectionaryadvent
Cyrenians Syrian Supper Club
Local charity Cyrenians will be hosting a Syrian Supper Club in Coffee Saints, 2a Little King Street at 7pm on Thursday 5th December. This regular community event offers the opportunity to try delicious Syrian food and all money raised through ticket sales supports Cyrenians work to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness. Tickets are £35 (£17.50 children) and can be purchased online at www.cyrenians.scot/events.
Diploma in Catechetics 2025 – Holy Year Discount
Join the 500+ people who have taken the Diploma in Catechetics course since it began in 2021. As 2025 is a Holy Year, the cost is reduced from £200 to £125. Register today for this systematic and rich walk through the Catholic faith. Details and registration available at bit.ly/diploma2025
People of all denominations and faiths welcome. Questions? Contact Sr. Miram Ruth Ryan, RSM at srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk .
Polish Christmas Carols and Folk Dances
The Scottish Polish Cultural Association presents Christmas Carols and Polish Folk Dances performed by Parzenica, a Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, on Sunday 8th December 2024 at 16:00, Morningside United Church at Bruntsfield, 15 Chamberlain Rd, Edinburgh, EH10 4DH. Tickets: £5.00, children £3.00 (under 16 years). Mulled wine and mince pies included in the price. Purchase tickets at https://www.scotpoles.co.uk/christmas-carols-concert-2024/