Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council has been re-established and the first two meetings have taken place. The overall aim of the Council is to support the Parish Priest in fostering pastoral activity, identifying pastoral needs and evaluating pastoral programmes. In due course Minutes of each meeting will be posted on the Cathedral website, as well as on the Parish Noticeboard in the Octagon, together with a photoboard which will enable Parishioners to identify Council members. The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on 9th January and a separate e-mail address has been established (parishcouncil@stmarycathedral.co.uk) for parishioners to make suggestions for activities that they think the Council should undertake or to raise other matters that they wish the Council to consider. This is an opportunity for all parishioners to participate in the development of the Cathedral’s pastoral programme and all suggestions will be welcomed and reviewed.
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 12th, 19th December
7:00pm, Monday 23rd December
Rorate Mass (Ravelston)
6:00pm, Mondays 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.
Assisted Suicide Debate in Holyrood
In the recent Westminster debate on Assisted suicide the majority of Scottish MP’s voted against the bill – 17 voted for and 11 abstained or did not vote. Whilst it has been considered that the Westminster result would have an influence on the debate here, the recent batch of replies received from our MP’s reflect the importance of engaging elected representatives to make our views known on the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person. Next year the Scottish Parliament will debate and vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill which was introduced as a Members bill earlier this year. Now is the time to contact your MSP, you can find their details through the Parliament website, www.parliament.scot/msps. The result does not have to be the same in Holyrood as it was in Westminster.
Thank You Very Much!
To our parishioners at the Cathedral and St Andrew’s for the generous response to our request for Christmas gifts for the children of prisoners in Edinburgh (Saughton) Prison. The gifts are very much appreciated by the prisoners as it allows them to give their children a gift at Christmas. Your continued kindness and generosity is very much appreciated.
Christmas Mass times
The Mass Schedule over the Christmas period is now available through the website, Facebook page or by picking up a copy from the back of the churches. For Christmas, please note the following:
Christmas Eve
5.30pm for Carol Service followed by Vigil Mass – St Andrew’s Ravelston
6pm Vigil – St Mary’s Cathedral
9pm – Polish Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral
11.15pm for Carol Service and readings, followed by Midnight Mass
Christmas Day
10am Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral and St Andrew’s, Ravelston
12 Noon – Polish Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral
6pm – Polish Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral
Mass times will be as normal over the weekend of 28/29 December, including the Inauguration of the
Holy Year at the 12 Noon Mass on the 29th December by Archbishop Cushley.
New Years Day, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
9.30am Polish Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral
11am Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral and St Andrew’s, Ravelston
6pm Polish Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral
New Years Day is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Volunteers required for Christmas and New Year Masses
If you are a current registered volunteer and would like to assist with the Christmas or New Year Masses, please let us know about your availability. If you can help with any of the following Ministries – Reading, EMHC, Passkeeping, Welcoming, or Money collecting, please sign up on the sheets at the passkeepers’ table or contact Elizabeth Andrews at Elizabeth@rhandrews.plus.com
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!
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 During Advent
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 This Weekend
The new issue of the Cathedral’s 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!
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
Bacon Roll Fundraiser
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.
Coming back in the New Year
The Youth Group has now concluded for this year and will return on the first Sunday of February (2nd February) and thereafter on the 2nd March, 6th April and 4th May, between 2.30pm and 4pm. Please keep the dates in your diary! All P3-P7’s are welcome. The St Andrew’s Talks will resume on Monday 24th February with Peter Diamond talking about the work of Aid to the Church in Need as it supports the Catholic faithful and other Christians facing oppression, persecution or pastoral need. Learn more at https://acnuk.org/. All St Andrew’s Talks begin after the 6pm Mass in the Ravelston rooms.
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
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 or use the QR code. People of all denominations and faiths welcome. Questions? Contact Sr. Miram Ruth Ryan, RSM at srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk
Online Pro-Life Advent Rosary
The annual Advent Rosary continues on Zoom this Monday (9 Dec) at 7:45pm, with a reflection from Fr Peter Shankland (St Francis Xavier's, Falkirk). Join us to pray for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Register at bit.ly/adventrosary
Lourdes Carol Service
The annual Carol service organised by the Lourdes Hospitalité Committee takes place on Sunday 15 December 2024 at 3pm in St Margaret's Church, Davidsons Mains, Edinburgh. All welcome.
Mass for the Opening of the Jubilee Year
Archbishop Cushley will solemnly open the Jubilee Year 2025 for the Archdiocese with Holy Mass and the blessing of the Jubilee Cross at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, at midday on Sunday 29 December. Do come along and lend your prayers for the blessing of a fruitful Jubilee for the Archdiocese and the Parish. Jubilee Year activities will be the main focus of the activities of the new Cathedral Parish Council during the next twelve months and, in conjunction with the Archdiocese, work is under way to consider what the Parish will be able to do to support the objectives of the Jubilee Year. Follow 'Holy Year Scotland 2025' on Facebook and visit www.iubilaeum2025.va for more details about this special year.
Help After Abortion
Abortion Recovery Care & Helpline (ARCH) helps anyone struggling after an abortion with counselling and supportive help. All services are provided confidentially, compassionately, without judgement and free of charge. Call the UK Helpline: 0345 603 8501, 7pm-10pm daily & 9am-5pm Mon-Fri or email info@archtrust.org.uk
Feast of the Holy Innocents
Join Archbishop Cushley to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents at St Margaret’s Chapel at The Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB on Saturday 28 December. Complimentary refreshments and social afterwards. Register at bit.ly/prolifeevents or just come along on the day.