First Sunday Of Advent - Year A

Advent 2019

Advent is once again upon us. This Sunday we begin our annual period of preparation for the great feast of Christmas. Although it is difficult to be recollected during this period, the Church asks us to try. We do this by trying to set aside a little more time for prayer and spiritual reading, by trying to get to Mass more often and especially by going to confession in preparation for the great feast. Please think today about how you and your family are going to prepare spiritually for Christmas this year.

Special Candlelit Rorate Masses

Ravelston- every Monday at 7pm – The Cathedral – Every Thursday at 7pm

This week we will begin our beautiful and popular candlelit Advent Masses. They will be in Ravelston on Monday nights at 7pm and in the Cathedral on Thursday nights at 7pm. These are lovely occasions – do bring your children and come along to prepare well for Christmas.

Ordination to the Priesthood – Next Sunday at 12 noon

On Sunday 8th December during the 12noon Mass the Archbishop will ordain David Edwardson (a former Anglican clergyman) to the priesthood. Obviously, all parishioners are warmly invited to the ordination.

Archbishop’s Advent Catechesis

The Archbishop is again inviting all young Adults in the Archdiocese to join him at 5pm on the Sundays of Advent at the Gillis Centre. The theme this year is about getting to know ‘The Real Jesus’. All young adults aged 16-30 are welcome.

New Newsletter Format

The newsletter has a new format that combines St Mary’s Cathedral and St Andrew’s, Ravelston parish news and contains the readings and the hymns for the Sunday Mass. We hope you like it!

Download the newsletter for the 1st December (doc)

Download the newsletter for the 1st December (pdf)

Solemnity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe – Year C

Advent Begins Next Sunday!

Beginning on Thursday the 5th December, we will have our beautiful and popular candlelit masses every Thursday of Advent at 7pm. These are lovely occasions – do put them in your diary now and come along to prepare well for Christmas. The Rorate Masses in St Andrew’s Ravelston are on Mondays at 7pm.

St. Andrews Day – 30th November

The Archbishop will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral at 10am in honour of our National Patron. All are welcome!

Ordination to the Priesthood – 8th December at 12 noon

On Sunday 8th December during the 12 noon Mass the Archbishop will ordain David Edwardson (a former Anglican clergyman) to the priesthood. Obviously, all parishioners are warmly invited to the ordination.

Collection of Christmas Gifts for Prisoners’ Children

If you would like to donate gifts for children of prisoners in Edinburgh Prison, please wrap a new gift in Christmas Gift wrap and put on a label stating if the gift is suitable for a boy or a girl and for what age of the child. Gifts for older children from 11 years onwards would be most appreciated.

Scots College Magazine

The annual ‘Scots College Magazine’ is for sale in the porch. A bargain at only £5, which supports the College!

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for the 24th November (doc)

Download the newsletter for the 24th November (pdf)

28th Sunday of the Year - Year C

Young Adults Group – Tuesday 7pm

This Tuesday, Fr Patrick will lead the Young Adults’ Group in ‘A Meditation on John 6’, exploring what this key passage of St John’s Gospel can teach us about the Church’s Eucharistic faith. It should be a great night! Don’t forget also that this will be one of the last chances to buy tickets for the Italian Night on 22nd October.

New Parish Youth Group – Sunday 27th October 6pm

We’re putting the finishing touches on plans for our new parish youth group and will be ready to start after the October holidays, on Sunday 27th October at 6pm at Ravelston! Speak to Fr Jamie for more information.

Register Your Child for St Mary’s RC Primary School

If your child will be five years of age before 28th February 2021, he or she is due to start school in August 2020. Parents who wish to enroll their child in St Mary’s RC Primary are asked to attend (if possible) the drop-in enrolment sessions at 9.45am-10.30am on Wednesday the 6th November and Thursday the 7th November. You will need to bring your child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate, council tax letter/book, a utility bill (gas, electricity, passport) and your passport/work permit/visa if you are not from the EEC. For questions or concerns, please contact the Head Teacher Mrs Nicola Kehoe on 0131 556 7128.

Cathedral Team for Sleep in the Park

To raise more funds to reduce homelessness in Scotland, Social Bite, the Edinburgh-based charity, have organised a Sleep Out in Princes Street Gardens (Sleep in the Park) during the night of Saturday 7th December. The Cathedral is planning to have its own team – please speak to James Walker if you would like to join in or email him at cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for the 13th October (doc)

Download the newsletter for the 13th October (pdf)

27th Sunday of the Year - Year C

New Parish Youth Group – Sunday 27th October 6pm

Calling all P4s-P7s! The long-awaited parish youth group will begin on Sunday 27th October at 6pm at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, and will meet weekly until Christmas. Each evening will involve prayers, a short talk, games, activities, a tuck shop and loads of fun, finishing at 7.30pm. More information and parental consent forms available from Fr Patrick or Fr Jamie. Please encourage your children to take part in this very worthwhile new initiative! 

“Your Marriage is Your Vocation” – Day at Gillis on the Sacrament of Marriage

On Saturday the 26th October there will be an afternoon for married couples at the Gillis Centre from 2-5pm, focusing on the beauty and challenge of marriage and family life in the 21st century. The speakers are Bishop John Wilson of Southwark and Mary Kileen from the Maryvale Institute, who together will lead a day reflecting on Pope Francis’ encyclical Amoris Laetitia. Book your place on Eventbrite or by calling 0131 623 8900.

Barbara Dickson Lunch & Cathedral Wine Tasting

Just a sincere word of thanks to Valerie Ball for organising and to Barbara Dickson for speaking so fascinatingly at the lunch on Monday which was a tremendous success; and to Darlene and the Social Committee for the excellent wine tasting on Friday evening which was not only great fun but also very informative. The next Social event in the Cathedral Calendar will be the Ceilidh – watch this space of details.

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for the 6th October (doc)

Download the newsletter for the 6th October (pdf)

26th Sunday of the Year - Year C

Enrolment Mass for P3 & P4 Children - 9am Mass

This week at the 9am Mass we welcome all the children preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and First Confession, together with their teachers and their families. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to take these important next steps in their journey of faith.

Visiting Choir at the 12 noon Mass

Then at the 12noon Mass we welcome the Jugend Kathedral Chor from the Cathedral of Fulda in Germany. The 75-strong (!) youth choir will sing at Mass and then will perform a short concert of choral music immediately after. This concert is free and will last about 20 mins – you are all warmly invited to stay and enjoy the music.

Young Adults Group – Tuesday 7pm

Following on from a very successful opening talk last week, the Young Adults’ Group series of talks on the Eucharist continues this Tuesday with a talk from Canon Luiz Ruscillo. Fr Luiz is a priest of the Diocese of Lancaster. Before he begins a sabbatical in the Holy Land, he will speak to us about how the Eucharist was foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Tea and coffee available from 7pm, with the talk beginning promptly (!) at 7.30pm. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Barbara Dickson Lunch

For those who have purchased tickets for the lunch with Barbara Dickson on Monday the 30th September, please arrive at the New Club (86 Princes Street) at 12.30pm for lunch at 1pm. Men should wear a jacket and tie (and remember - jeans are not permitted!)

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for the 29th September (doc)

Download the newsletter for the 29th September (pdf)

23rd Sunday of the Year - Year C

The Relics of St Therese of Lisieux

We are delighted to welcome the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux to the Cathedral this weekend. The Archbishop will celebrate Pontifical Mass at 12noon today in honor of St. Therese and then he will again preside at Mass on Monday with school children from all over the city before the Relics depart. If you have a special prayer intention why not bring it to St Therese this afternoon when there will be quiet veneration of the relics from 2pm-5.30pm! Souvenirs and books are available to buy in the Octagon after all Masses, and free prayer cards.

P3 Parents’ Meeting - Thursday 12th September at 6.30pm

This Thursday there will be a short but very important Parents’ Meeting for the children preparing to receive First Confession (P3) this year. The Parents’ Meeting for First Holy Communion (P4) will be on Thursday the 26th September. Both start at 6.30pm in the Cathedral Café.

Children’s Catechism Classes at St Andrew’s, Ravelston

The Sunday catechism classes for children in P1-P7 start today in Ravelston. If your child does not attend a Catholic school and you would like them to attend classes to prepare to receive their First Reconciliation or First Holy Communion, please come along to next week’s class at 9.30am, followed by Mass at 10.30am.

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for 8th September 2019 (doc)

Download the newsletter for 8th September 2019 (pdf)

22nd Sunday of the Year - Year C

Relics of St Thérèse – Next Weekend

The Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux are coming to the Cathedral next weekend. The Archbishop will lead a Holy Hour of prayer, hymns and reflections at 7.30pm on Saturday 7th and will celebrate the Noon Mass on Sunday 8th. Huge crowds gathered in Motherwell diocese over the past few days to welcome the relics to Scotland, it would be great if she got the same reception in Edinburgh!

Diaconate Ordination - Next Saturday

Also on Saturday, the Archbishop will ordain Eddie White and David Edwardson as deacons for the Archdiocese here in the Cathedral on Saturday the 7th September at 12noon. This is an important moment in the lives of these men and their families, and a great sign of hope for the Church. All are welcome to participate in this joyous occasion!

Mary’s Meals Textile Collection – 29th September

Volunteers from Mary’s Meals will be visiting the Cathedral on the weekend of the 28th & 29th September to collect any of your unwanted textiles. Mary’s Meals works to provide a daily meal in school for some of the world’s poorest children, reaching more than 1.5 million children every school day in 18 countries. You can assist them by donating any unwanted clothing (including belts/bags/shoes) or household textiles (including curtains/bedding/soft toys) – but no duvets or pillows! A few bin bags filled with textiles could generate enough funds to feed a child for an entire school year. Please note: The van will collect textiles after the Sunday morning Masses only!

They will also be selling raffle tickets for their Annual Draw after all the Masses that weekend. Tickets cost £1 each. Thanks in advance for your generous support of this excellent charity!

Social Events

Tickets for lunch with Barbara Dickson on 30th September are selling fast. Tickets for the Cathedral’s first wine-tasting night on 4th October will be on sale next weekend. Find out more on the events page.

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for 1st September 2019 (doc)

Download the newsletter for 1st September 2019 (pdf)

21st Sunday of the Year - Year C

Sacramental Preparation for Children

We’re getting ready to begin our preparations for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation (P3) and First Holy Communion (P4). If you’d like your children to receive these Sacraments, please pick up a registration form after Mass. There will be an initial Parents Meeting on Thursday 12th September for P3 parents, and Thursday 26th September for P4 parents. These are short but essential meetings. Both start at 6.30pm in the Cathedral Café. Please put the dates in your diaries and let other parents of the class know if they are not here.

Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Or do you know someone who is?

The Cathedral’s RCIA group meets on a Tuesday evening from September to May. It is for adults who are interested in understanding more about the Catholic faith, with a view to becoming members of the Church. Those who attend have an opportunity to explore the Catholic faith with others and to meet and talk to Catholics about their beliefs. The group helps give an understanding of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity and the teaching of the Church. It’s a very supportive place for people to come together on a faith journey. Starting on 24th September, the group meets every Tuesday evening from 7.00-8.30pm.  Call the Cathedral Office for more details or to register interest.

Save the Date!

Our ever-innovative Social Committee have organized a Cathedral Wine Tasting!! The evening, on Friday 4th October, will be hosted by Lewis Renton of L’Art du Vin. The theme will be “A Tour of France: All you have ever wanted to know about French wine but were afraid to ask!” Tickets will be £20, limited to 40 people and go on sale the weekend of the 13th September.

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for 25th August 2019 (doc)

Download the newsletter for 25th August 2019 (pdf)

20th Sunday of the Year - Year C

Festival Mass Today

Today at the 12 noon Mass we welcome Cardinal Nichols, the Lord Provost and members of the City Council and Diplomatic Corps, as well as James MacMillan – the renowned composer. We are also delighted that The Sixteen will be singing at this Mass. I know you will make them very welcome.

Disabled Parking

We are currently in discussion with the Council about the provision of Disabled Parking for Mass goers. If you have a disabled badge and you use your car to come to Mass, it is imperative that you fill out one of the forms at the back of the Church and return it to the Cathedral Office as soon as possible.

Catholic Voting Rights on the Education Committee

This Thursday the City of Edinburgh Council will vote on the Green Party motion to remove the right to vote from the Church Representative on the Education Committee. The Church will be making a special deputation before the Council asking them to vote against this motion. There will also be a small peaceful demonstration outside the Council Chamber. If you would like to join this demonstration, please contact Prof. Tom Gallagher at T.G.Gallagher@bradford.ac.uk

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for 18th August 2019 (doc)

Download the newsletter for 18th August 2019 (pdf)

16th Sunday of the Year - Year C

Sunday Parking Charges

Edinburgh City Council is currently discussing the proposal to introduce Sunday parking charges in the city. This move could potentially have a devastating effect on the life and viability of the city centre churches. Specifically, it could have a terrible effect on our Cathedral. If you didn’t fill in a form last week, would you please take a couple of minutes to fill one in today and hand it back before you leave Church. You can also on our website: www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/sunday-parking

Disabled Parking

On a related issue – the Council is also planning to drastically reduce the amount of Disabled Parking around the Cathedral (to two spaces!). One of their proposals has been that parking might be provided for the disabled in the new car park under the new shopping centre (on a permit basis). If you have a disabled badge and would like to be considered in the future for a Parking Permit (for attending Mass) could you please put your name on the lists at the back of the Church.

Players wanted for Cathedral football team.

For the last five years our team have been competing in the Edinburgh Churches league. The team train on Wednesday nights at 7pm and our games kick off at 10am on Saturdays. If you are over 18 and would like to play 11-a-side, please see the newsletter for who to contact.

List of Volunteers

We have decided to try to build up a database of people who are willing to help out at events at the Cathedral on an occasional basis. If you do not have the time to sit on committees etc. but would be willing to help out from time to time at Cathedral social events or big occasions, could you please put your name and contact details on the forms at the back of the Church. The idea is that, when we have a big event on at the Cathedral and have to have people to help with handing out drinks or setting up the Hall. we would send round an email asking the people on our Volunteers list if they are free and can volunteer for that event. Do please give it a thought – it would really help!

Cathedral Fabric

The floor didn’t get finished last week after all. The contractor has had some problems, but we live in hope that this will be finished soon. More work is being done on the roof of Cathedral House, hence the scaffolding. And we are currently putting a lot of energy into the renewal of our Fire Plan.

God bless you all,

Fr Patrick, Fr Jamie, Sr. Mary Simone and Deacon Peter

Download the newsletter for 21st July 2019 (doc)

Download the newsletter for 21st July 2019 (pdf)