Advent update

Find out about what's happening in the Archdiocese during the Advent season, which begins this Sunday (3 December).

A message from the Archbishop for Advent

What's one of the best ways to prepare for Christmas? Find out in this video message from Archbishop Cushley.

Mondays in Advent: Pro-Life Rosary

Join Archbishop Cushley and priests of the Archdiocese to say the Rosary for Life each Monday in Advent at 7:45pm (Zoom). Register at bit.ly/prolifeevents

Take our Diploma in Catechetics in 2024

Dive into the Catholic faith in 2024 by taking out Diploma in Catehetics! Register by this Saturday at midnight and receive a 20% early bird discount. Click here.

New Nativity scene for Edinburgh

Archbishop Cushley will bless the Nativity scene at Mound Place, Edinburgh, this Sunday (3 December) at 3:30pm as part of the city’s ecumenical carol concert. Preview video available above or on YouTube.

Christmas Mass times for Archdiocese

Find a Mass on Christmas Day by looking at our full listings. Full list here.

Christmas Gifts at St Pauls Bookshop

Fr Jereus, Fr Alex (pictured) and Emma invite you to check out the great range of Christmas gift ideas at St Pauls Bookshop at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh. Open seven days, 10am-5pm. Watch the promo video here.

Candelit concert in Edinburgh

Enjoy a special candlelit concert of Advent and Christmas music on Friday 8 December at 8pm in St Andrew's Church, Ravelston (77 Belford Road, Edinburgh). Pay on the door £6 (£12 family) or register here.

Advent talk series with Canon Hugh

Canon Hugh White launches the first in his weekly series of talks to help us spiritually prepare for celebrating Christmas. Canon Hugh is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Watch here.

Carol Service hosted by Lourdes Hospitalité

The Lourdes Hospitalité Committee is hosting a Carol Service at 3pm on Sunday 10 December at St Margaret's Church, Main Street, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh.  All are welcome to come along and join the festivities.

Mass for the Feast of the Holy Innocents

Mass for the Feast of the Holy Innocents will be celebrated by Archbishop Cushley at midday on Thursday 28 December at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, to pray for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions. Register here (Registration is not essential, but helps with catering).

Advent service for teachers

Take some time out of your busy schedule for our Advent Service.

The theme is 'Imagining Peace' and we will reflect on the wonderful words of the prophet Isaiah with our guest speaker Fr John Deighan.

This event is on Teams and is for school staff in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Register Kay for the link: kay.leslie@staned.org.uk

We hope to see you there!

NEXT Tuesday (5 Dec) at 4:00pm we host an Advent service for school staff titled ‘’Imagining Peace’.

GALLERY: Rorate Mass & blessing of crib

Archbishop Cushley blessed the new crib at St Mary's Cathedral last night (Monday 12 December) after a candlelit Rorate Mass.

The Mass was accompanied by beautiful music to help lift up hearts to God!

Afterwards, people gathered in Coffee Saints cafe for Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.

(Pics: Benedicta Lin).

Event: Advent concert by candlelight

Enjoy beautiful festive choral music this advent with a candlelit concert from the choir of St Mary’s Cathedral!

It will perform it's 'Light fo Light' show to audiences across the Archdiocese at the following venues:

• FALKIRK St Francis Xavier's Church, Wednesday 7 December, 8pm.
• KILSYTH St Patrick's Church, Saturday 10 December, 8pm.
• DUNFERMLINE St Margaret's RC Church, Friday 16 December, 8pm.

Tickets are £5 (or £10 family) and available via Eventbrite or on the door on the night. Visit https://bit.ly/3T7wRRY

Michael Ferguson, director of music at St Mary’s Cathedral, said the hour-long performance will feature "some of the most beautiful festive choral music ever written".

He added "We’ll take everyone on a musical journey that is both reflective and meditative, joyful and inspiring. It’ll be a perfect way to celebrate the season of Advent and to prepare for Christmas.”

The choir will sing some much loved carols, as well as pieces by composers such as John Tavener, Morten Lauridsen, Philip Stopford, and John Rutter.

Sing along

Michael, a lecturer in music at St Andrews University, added: “It has been a pleasure to work on the preparations with Fr Daniel Doherty at St Francis Xavier’s, Fr Scott Deeley at St Patrick’s, and Fr Cyriac Palakudyil at St Margaret’s.

"All three priests have invited us so warmly into their parishes to spend an evening making music with their communities, and we’re really looking forward to meeting everyone.”

"There is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and to sing along!”

Founded in 2018, the Schola Cantorum brings together eight excellent singers to perform sacred music to the very highest of standards in the liturgy.

Light from Light: St Francis Xavier’s Church in Falkirk on Wednesday 7 December, St Patrick’s Church in Kilsyth on 10 December, and St Margaret’s Memorial Church in Dunfermline on Friday 16 December. All concerts begin at 8pm. Tickets are £5 (or £10 family) and available via Eventbrite or on the door on the night. Visit https://bit.ly/3T7wRRY

The Schola Cantorum’s CD, With Angels and Archangels, is available now: https://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/store/withangels

 

Let Us Pray - Advent talk

Refresh your prayer life this Advent with a series of three talk on prayer from Sr Anna Marie McGuan RSM, the Catechetics Advisor for the Archdiocese. Across the Advent season she will discuss three forms of prayer:

This is a 30 min talk that takes place at 7:30pm on Monday 5, 12, and 19 December.

No registration required, just use the following link on the night to join any of the talks!  bit.ly/adventtalks22

Enter Advent with Isaiah

Every Sunday in Advent this year, the first reading at Mass is from the Prophet Isaiah (Old Testament). We hear his name very often during the rest of the year too. But who was he? When and where did he live? What did he say about Jesus? And what does he have to say to us today?

This online talk will give an introduction to the Prophet Isaiah and a way to enter into the spirit of the Advent season in his company. Talk by Fr Jamie McMorrin, St Margaret's, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh.

Register here.

Event: Enjoy an advent concert by candlelight

The Schola Cantorum of St Mary's Cathedral is on tour this Advent!

The choir will perform three special concerts by candlelight, delivering beautiful festive choral music at the following churches:

  • FALKIRK St Francis Xavier's Church, Wednesday 7 December, 8pm.
  • KILSYTH St Patrick's Church, Saturday 10 December, 8pm.
  • DUNFERMLINE St Margaret's RC Church, Friday 16 December, 8pm.

Michael Ferguson, musical director of the Schola Cantorum, said: “These candlelit concerts will be peaceful and uplifting – an opportunity to escape the Christmas frenzy and enjoy some wonderful, atmospheric music from these special singers. All are welcome.”

Tickets: £5 standard or £10 family, available on the door or from Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3T7wRRY

 

The Schola Cantorum is unique in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, and is one of the few in the Catholic Church in Scotland existing principally to sing the repertoire of the historical treasury of sacred music to the highest possible standards in cathedral worship.

The ensemble not only embodies excellence in choral singing, but also a commitment to sharing the musical fruits of two millennia of Christian worship with the Catholic community and beyond.

The octet’s debut album, With Angels and Archangels, is out now.

WATCH: Archbishop's reflection at Advent Rosary for Life

Archbishop Cushley gave a reflection at our Advent Rosary for Life last night (Tuesday 21st). Watch it below or on YouTube

Thanks to all who prayed the Rosary with us in Advent for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions.

Register here for our annual Mass for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, which takes place at St Margaret's Chapel, Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, at midday on Tuesday 28 December.

 

 

WATCH: Get inspired in Advent!

Get inspired ahead of Christmas with our Advent Talks, all available on YouTube now.

WATCH: Get inspired in Advent!

Get inspired ahead of Christmas with our Advent Talks, each Monday in Advent a 7:30pm

The link to join each weekis bit.ly/AdventTalk (or Webinar ID: 891 8951 4801). No registration required, just click the link a few mins before the event begins. We'll also stream the talk on our YouTube channel.

The talks take place each Monday throughout Advent at 7:30pm.  Watch previous talks in the series below.