Archbishop Cushley joins religious leaders from across the city of Edinburgh for this annual event at Assembly Hall Courtyard on Mound Place, Edinburgh, before a Blessing of the Nativity Scene on The Mound backed by music from the Salvation Army Band. Sunday 30 November, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
This Saturday (22 November) we host a special event called Victory: A day to explore the gift of confession.
It's a chance to deepen your understanding of this limitless gift and includes talks, testimony, and an opportunity for Confession. See also Confession times for all parishes in the Archdiocese here.
Join us from 10:00am-3:45pm at St Patrick's, 30 Low Craigends, Kilsyth, G65 0PF, for this day hosted by the Catechetics Commission. Mass at 9:30am.
Register at bit.ly/return2025.
Advent begins on Sunday 30 November and here are events taking place in the Archdiocese as we prepare to commemorate the Nativity of the Lord.
Nativity Blessing & Carol Concert
Archbishop Cushley joins religious leaders from across the city of Edinburgh for this annual event at Assembly Hall Courtyard on Mound Place, Edinburgh, before a Blessing of the Nativity Scene on The Mound backed by music from the Salvation Army Band. Sunday 30 November, 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Advent Rosary
Every Monday in Advent at 7:45pm to pray for unborn children, their mothers, and all pro-life intentions. Each session is on Zoom and lasts about 30 minutes. Following the Rosary there is a short reflection from a guest speaker: Deacon David Harper (1 Dec, Diocese of Motherwell), Isabel Vaughan-Spruce (8 Dec, March for Life UK), Fr Jamie McMorrin (15 Dec, St Margaret’s, Edinburgh), and Archbishop Leo Cushley (22 Dec). Register at bit.ly/rosary25
Masses for the Solemnity of St Andrew
St Mary's Cathedral on Monday 1 December, to celebrate the Solemnity of St Andrew, our National Patron, whose feast day this year is transferred from 30 November (Sunday). The Apostle’s relics are preserved in the National Shrine of St Andrew at the Cathedral. Mass will be at 10:00am, and with Archbishop Cushley, at 12:45pm. Public veneration of the relics following both Masses. At 7:00pm there is a Holy Hour with sung Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration. St Andrew the Apostle, pray for us!
Advent Retreat - 6/7 Dec
Saturday 6 December, 10:00am-7:00pm & Sunday 7 December, 3:00pm-5:30pm, St Margaret Mary's Church, Boswall Parkway, Granton, Edinburgh, EH5 2JQ. Led by Fr Bart Parys SVD Registration is essential. Visit retreat.light-lifescotland.org.uk
Christmas Carol Service
Organised by the Archdicocesan Lourdes Committee. St Margaret's Church, Davidson's Mains, Edinburgh, EH4 5AD on Sunday 7 December at 3:00pm.
Stella Maris Carol Service
Join Archbishop Cushley for an evening of carols, readings and celebration, followed by refreshments. Wednesday 17 December: 7pm Carol Service, 8pm Reception. St Mary’s Star of the Sea, 108 Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6AW. Please RSVP by Friday 5 December to info@stellamarismail.org or call 020 7901 1931
Rorate Masses at St Mary's Cathedral
The beautiful Rorate Masses begin the first week of Advent. The Mass is only lit by candles, representing Mary's role in bringing the Light of the World into the darkness of the world. 7:00pm on Thursday 4th December (Celebrated by Archbishop Cushley); 7:00pm on Thursday 11 and 18 December; 7:00pm on Monday 22 December.
Advent Walking Retreat
This takes place on Saturday 6 December offering the chance to walk, talk, and meditate on the coming of Christmas. The walk will start in Culross in Fife (birthplace of St Mungo) and finish at the National Shrine of St Margaret in Dunfermline. There will be an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Adoration with Benediction followed by 5.30pm Mass. To register for this free event and for times please email Deacon Pat Carrigan at obl.columba@gmail.com
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint an Administrator to provide support to the Property Director and general administrative support within the Archdiocesan offices.
The role holder should have strong communication skills, good attention to detail and efficient IT skills.
They should be proactive, flexible and have the ability to prioritise and organise their work, while also supporting other team members as required.
Experience in Health & Safety and/or Property would be beneficial.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role to recruitment@staned.org.uk by 26 November 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on 3 December 2025.
Job Vacancy: Support and Property Administrator
Location: The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB
Hours: Permanent, full time, 35 hours a week, Mon- Fri
Salary: £23-25k
Purpose and Scope: This is a varied role and although focussed on administrative support for the Property Director, the role involves being part of the Support Team, providing hospitality for visitors to the Gillis Centre and undertaking general administrative tasks. The Property Administrator assists Parishes of the Archdiocese with Insurance Claims; works of maintenance and repair; applying for building grants; assisting with contractor’s visits; monitoring of H&S compliance and training, and other property related work.
Reports to: Office Manager
Key Relationships
Key Accountabilities
General Support role - under guidance of the Office Manager
Property Support role - under guidance of the Property Director
Health and Safety; under guidance of Health & Safety Lead
WorkNest is our provider and this role liaises with them under the guidance of our Health & Safety lead.
Experience and Skills
People are being encouraged to sit and pray next to the iconic Homeless Jesus sculpture at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.
The famous statue has been placed in locations worldwide and is based on Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
It is hoped that the statue depicting Jesus Christ sleeping rough on a park bench will focus attention on homelessness in Edinburgh and remind Christians of their duty of care to homeless people in the city.
Sculptor Timothy Schmalz said: "Back when I was working on the clay I was sitting near the feet and I thought to myself ‘this is the closest I've ever been to a homeless person and it's a sculpture!’
"I thought, I'm going to have to leave this space here to welcome people to sit down.”
He added: “If you're homeless, one of the first things you lose is your sense of self worth.
“This sculpture symbolically reclaims it in a sense by saying that, if Jesus came down today he would hang out with you not the politicians and not the billionaires."
The Cathedral was approached by Timothy last year about installing the sculpture and it was placed outside the Cathedral on 3 September after planning permission was granted by the city council.
Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Cathedral Administrator, said: "We are so pleased to have this extraordinary sculpture outside the Cathedral.
"It is a powerful reminder of the Gospel imperative to serve Christ in the poor, the hungry, the sick and the homeless.
“Homeless Jesus is an eye-catching piece of art which invites people to pause and reflect, and we've seen many people do just that."
A plaque next to the sculpture reads “This statue by Timothy Schmalz is inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
"The figure of Christ, resting on a bench, invites us to see Him in those who are homeless, hungry, or forgotten.
"As you stop here at St Mary’s Cathedral, may this image stir compassion, and remind us that every act of kindness to those in need is an act of love for Christ himself.”
St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral is seeking to appoint a Facilities Manager to manage the buildings maintenance and health and safety requirements of the Cathedral Complex.
The Cathedral is a significant landmark in the city centre of Edinburgh and is the mother church of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.
The role holder should have good buildings knowledge, preferably of historic buildings, together with facilities management, maintenance and health and safety experience.
The role is varied and requires strong organisational skills, the ability to communicate effectively and to take ownership of tasks.
A full job description is available on the Cathedral website here. Salary: £30-32k.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role to recruitment@stmaryscathedral.co.uk by 28 November 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 December 2025.
Archbishop Cushley today prayed for all the Faithful Departed who have died over the last year in the Archdiocese.
He celebrated the Annual Mass at Mount Vernon Cemetery Chapel in Edinburgh and said: "It's always a lovely moment when we get together and comfort each other with the assurance of our faith."
Special mention was given to the deceased priests and religious sisters who have died in the last year: Fr Gordown Browm, Mgr Alistair Lawson, Canon John Urquhart, Fr John Callaghan, Fr Tony Quinlan OMI, Sr Mary Rose Moran RSM, Sr Monica McDonald RSCJ, Sr Christine Triay RSCJ, and Sr Veronica Marshall OSC.
Watch the video message below or on YouTube.
This year's Day for the Poor collection is scheduled for Sunday 9 November with all funds going to St Catharine's Mercy Centre in Lauriston, Edinburgh.
The centre is run by the Sisters of Mercy and offers meals, toilet facilities, advice on welfare and a place of refuge and calm.
Sr Aelred Timmins RSM said: "In Edinburgh there are so many homeless people on the streets.
"They come here every day for food, sometimes for sleeping bags, most of all they're looking for friendship and a listening ear.
"We are a Mercy Centre and we welcome everybody in. Our whole charism is 'response to need'.
"Please keep us in your prayers, and we really are very grateful to anybody who is able to support the works of mercy in this house."
Sr Aelred and the Sisters of Mercy established the Homeless Project at St Catharine's Mercy Centre in Lauriston Gardens in 1993 and it can help up to 200 people each day.
Parishes have been asked to hold a special collection at Mass on Weekend of 8/9 November (or nearest suitable date). To donate online please tap here.
On the Feast of Christ the King (Sunday 23 November) Archbishop Cushley will celebrate Mass for young adults at the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, 26 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, at 7:00pm.
The Dana & Friends event at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, took place on Friday and featured stirring music and testimony.
It featured the legendary Irish Eurovision singer who talked about her faith in the midst of a million selling pop music career.
Former BBC correspondent Martina Purdy, and former barrister Elaine Kelly spoke movingly about their journeys from top flight careers into the religious life, and about how their deep trust in God has helped them to navigate the unexpected events that have followed.
Dana was accompanied by the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum, with Director of Music Michael Ferguson at the piano.
He said: "It was a truly Spirit-filled evening, and one that will be remembered at St Mary’s Cathedral and beyond for a long time to come!"
New Dawn in Scotland is hosting a healing services on Saturday 11 October 7:00pm-9:30pm at St Joseph’s RC Church, Broomhouse Street North, Edinburgh EH11 3SB
The service will be led by Fr Gladson Dabre OSA, who is the Provincial Superior for the Uk Augustinians.