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 by placing it in the marked box found at the back of either church. Please try and return them before the 1st of November, but you can take them throughout the month of November.
Masses for the Faithful Departed
Please mark your diary and prepare to join us to remember the Faithful Departed of our parish, especially those who have died this year. We will celebrate this Mass at the Cathedral on Wednesday 13th November at 7:00pm and at St Andrew’s, Ravelston on Monday 18th November at 6:00pm. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
Fundraising and Fabric Update
Thank you to everyone who came to the Barbara Dickson concert on 3 October in support of fundraising efforts for our Cathedral roof. We were able to raise £8820.82. As we are coming into our colder and darker season, we are working on improving the lighting in the Cathedral by replacing the burnt out bulbs peppered throughout the Sanctuary and Nave. Lighting outside the Cathedral is also compromised with the ground lights and timer currently offline, but the flood lights will be working. This lighting issue is being investigated and will hopefully be repaired shortly. We will also be able to start the repair on our broken stained-glass window in the Sanctuary at the beginning of November. The church heating system is getting its annual check-up, too, at the beginning of the month, so we pray nothing new will need to be addressed. The ever-present and abundant buckets in Sacristy 1 will be around a bit longer as the tendering process for the new sacristy roof is winding down. The bids have been received and are now being reviewed by the Archdiocese. Our hope would be that work can begin in earnest after the New Year and wrap up before Easter. Speaking of new roofs, Cathedral House and our adjacent properties will be getting a new roof after many years of leaks and patch jobs. The funding for this has come from our reserves and will not be taken from the monies collected in our "Raise the Roof" campaign. Scaffolding will be going up in the near future for approximately 10 weeks. - Darlene & Deacon Peter
New Sacristan
We recently appointed a new sacristan at the Cathedral to fill the gap left after the departure of Marcin. Already a regular Mass-goer at the Cathedral, Ephraim Eze took up his post at the start of October and will be working 4 days a week to maintain the Cathedral grounds, prepare for daily Mass and ensure the Cathedral continues to be a clean, welcoming place for parishioners and visitors alike. Welcome Ephraim!
Friendship Group: Coffee Afternoon
The Friendship Group Coffee Afternoon is on Tuesday 22nd October at 2:00pm-3:30pm in Coffee Saints. Open to all over 60; enjoy a 20% discount during the session time. Please come along and join us!
Register with Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Thank you to all who signed up to our events programme for parishioners 65 years and over. Please pick up a registration form, available at the back of church. Once completed please give your form to an SSVP member or hand it into Cathedral House. The events are great fun! You or a friend will thoroughly enjoy them. Our next event is the ever-popular Christmas lunch on Saturday, 7 December.
Marriage Preparation Courses
The next parish Marriage Preparation Courses are Saturday 23rd November and then Saturday 1st March, both at St Andrew’s, Ravelston, with presentations by married couples. To register, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Second Collection for Missio Scotland This Weekend
A special collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend to mark World Day of Prayer for the Missions. Funds raised will go to Missio Scotland, the Pope’s charity for world mission, for this year’s efforts to assist with the needs in Cameroon. Please take a Missio magazine to learn more about the works of the organisation which helps support Catholic projects and people in need across the world.
SSVP Recruitment Appeal Today
A representative from the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be making an appeal for new members at Ravelston today, Sunday, 20th October. This will be an opportunity to learn about the work of SSVP in our parish and how you can sign up to participate. If you would like to get in contact with SSVP to volunteer, please email cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Rosary in October
During the month of October, we will pray the Rosary after the 6:00pm Mass, Monday-Friday, in St Andrew's, Ravelston. Come along to Mass and join in this beautiful devotion for the month. We are in need of another volunteer to help with this. If you are able to help once or twice, please e-mail cathedralhouse@stmaryscathedral.co.uk
Each Wednesday 5.00pm Adoration & Confession
Stop in at St. Andrew’s, Ravelston on Wednesdays and spend some time with Jesus Our Lord during Eucharistic Adoration. Beginning from 5:00pm, we have Adoration, and a priest is available to hear Confessions until 5:45pm. Our Lord is waiting for you, so come and meet Him!
Workshop on the Psalms and the New Lectionary
From Advent 2024, a new translation of the psalms used at Mass will be introduced. Join Fr Adrian Porter, SJ to learn the history of the psalms in Christian worship and explore best methods to recite and sing them at a FREE workshop for readers, cantors and anyone with an interest in the psalms. The event takes place 2:30pm-5:00pm on Saturday 26 October at Sacred Heart Church, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DJ. Register at bit.ly/psalmsevent
All Souls’ Day Mass with Archbishop at Mount Vernon
Archbishop Cushley will offer Holy Mass for the repose of all the faithful departed who have died in the Archdiocese in the last year, especially those buried at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Edinburgh. This will take place on All Souls’ Day, Saturday 2 November, at 10:00am in the Cemetery Chapel at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 49 Mount Vernon Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 6JG.
Journey to Advent: A Retreat in Daily Life
The Edinburgh Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart is offering Journey to Advent: A Retreat in Daily Life, from Sunday, 3 November to Sunday, 1 December, the first Sunday of Advent. The retreat is an opportunity to grow closer to God by committing to some daily prayer (perhaps 20 to 30 minutes), learning new ways of praying, and being accompanied by an experienced retreat guide. It begins with a meeting of prayer, reflection and an opportunity to meet your prayer guide. Join us at 5:30pm, Sunday, 3 November in the hall at Edinburgh Jesuit Church, 28 Lauriston Street, EH3 9DJ. To register, email ejcretreats@jesuit.org.uk
Reflection Group for Young Women on Religious Life
If you are a young woman wanting to find out more about the Religious Life, join us for a monthly gathering of socialising, reading, discussion and prayer. The next event is Wednesday, 6 November. We will use text from Vita Consecrata, the apostolic exhortation from St John Paul II, on the first Wednesday of each month, 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Convent at 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. To take part or to find out more please email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at religiousvocations@staned.org.uk.
Pilgrimage of Hope: Preparing for the Jubilee Year 2025
Pope Francis declared 2025 a Year of Jubilee. Come along to an Archdiocesan event to explore what a Jubilee Year is in the context of the year's theme: ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Join us Saturday, 9 November, 10:30am-3:15pm at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road Edinburgh EH9 1BB for talks on preparing spiritually for the year ahead! Enjoy a lunchtime photo-showcase on pilgrimage places. Register at https://bit.ly/PrepareJubilee2025
Young Adults’ Ceilidh Ball
The national Young Adults’ Ceilidh Ball is at Central Hall, 2 West Tollcross, Edinburgh, EH3 9BP on Saturday 16 November at 7:00pm. Includes live band and buffet. Details and tickets (£40) at bit.ly/edinburghceilidh Queries: Fr Robert Taylor frrobert.taylor@staned.org.uk
Youth Day P4-P7 – Wonder Woman St Margaret!
The Archdiocese is hosting a youth day for P4-P7 children at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB, on Saturday 16 November, 11:00am to 3:00pm, to coincide with the Feast of St Margaret. Includes games, talks and activities, concluding with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo. Register at bit.ly/youthdaymargaret
Edinburgh Circle Newman Association Talk: ‘Forgiveness: An Exploration’
Fr Jock Dalrymple, parish priest at St John the Evangelist, Portobello and St Mary Magdalene’s, Bingham, will speak on ‘Forgiveness: An Exploration’ hosted by the Edinburgh Circle Newman Association. The talk will be held at Mayfield Salisbury Church, 18 West Mayfield, EH9 1TQ, Monday 25 November,
7.30pm - 9.30pm, with tea, coffee and biscuits at the break with time for discussion and questions. (The church is a 5-minute walk from St. Columba’s Catholic Church EH9 1SN.) Suggested donation £5 for non-members. Learn about the Newman Association at https://www.newman.org.uk/
Teens Group for P7-S4
All teens P7-S4 are invited to join the Teens Group at St. Columba's, 9 Upper Gray Street, EH9 1SN which meets on the last Wednesday of every month, 7:00pm-8:30pm in St. Columba's halls. Join us for fun, games, activities, prayer and pilgrimages. Next meeting is 30th October. Cost £25 (per year). Questions? Email Clare at teens.stcolumbaedinburgh@staned.org.uk.
Praying for Life: 40 Days for Life Edinburgh
Pray for an end to abortion with 40 Days for Life until 3rd November on the public right-of-way outside the Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, Chalmers Street, Edinburgh. For more information, contact edinburgh40days@gmail.com. Sign up for prayer vigil hours: https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/Edinburgh.
Prisoners Week 2024
The Prisoners Week 2024 official launch service will be Sunday, 17th November, from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm at Letham St Marks Church of Scotland, Rannoch Road, Perth (PH1 2HH) with reflections, music, and a talk centred on this year’s theme, ‘Hear My Voice’. Before and after the service, connect with charities and organisations working in similar fields (3 PM to 5 PM). Livestream at www.prisonersweek.org.uk
Save the Date: The Order of Malta Charity Ball
The ball will take place on Saturday 17th May 2025. More details in due course.