SATURDAY: Fun and faith at our Youth Day!

A day of faith and fun for children p4-p7 takes place at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday 25 November.

Join us as we unpack Jesus the King of the Universe and prepare in the best way for Christmas.

We'll have games, activities, sweets as well as talks, an opportunity for confession and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley.

It takes place from 11:00am to 3:30pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Registration from 10:30am.

To attend, simply register your child with Fr Martin Eckersley at frmartin.eckersley@staned.org.uk. Please also bring along a completed consent form.

Parents/guardians are welcome to drop off kids with the completed consent form or stay and join the fun!

WATCH: Young Catholics mark World Youth Day

On this feast day of Christ the King, we also mark World Youth Day. Our video features young people from our Archdiocese highlighting some key messages from Pope Francis.

Read the Holy Father's message: bit.ly/WYDmessage2021

Join leaders of youth groups this weekend

Those who lead youth groups in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh are being encouraged to a special day of support and prayer tomorrow (Saturday). The Youth Leaders’ Day takes place at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, from 11-3pm.

Fr Jamie McMorrin, chair of the diocesan Youth Initiative which has organised the event, said: "Those who volunteer with our young people in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh do a tremendous job.

“This event is about bringing them together to share their skills and experience. We want to equip them with resources, info and encouragement and listen to how the Archdiocese can support them.”

The day features Mairi-Claire McGeady who works for the youth office of the Archdiocese of Glasgow and pioneers the LifeTeen programme in parishes. Also speaking will be Siobhan Fee of St Catherine's Parish, Edinburgh, who works for Alpha UK.

Fr Jamie added: “We have two fantastic speakers and I'm looking forward to bringing together those who inspire our young people to draw closer to Christ and His Church."

Registration now closed but spaces still available. Simply turn up on the day.

National Youth Pilgrimage: 'devotion of our young people was moving'

“The National Youth Pilgrimage to St Andrews on Saturday was a wonderful occasion. It was both moving and great fun to be there with all the young adults who were in public to witness to their faith.

"One example of that was together taking a relic of St Andrew and - for the first time I know in centuries - we were able to sing the litany of the saints (which included many Scottish saints) in the ruins of the cathedral of St Andrews. The young people were then blessed with that relic.

"We were also joined by a Church of Scotland minister in the town who had welcomed us into the Kirk there. So it wasn’t just a Catholic event, it was a Christian event and even if I may say, an ecumenical event.

"Our young people embraced the whole thing with enthusiasm and with a great spirit of stillness and prayer and that was a beautiful thing to do. Afterwards we celebrated Mass in St James’s Parish Church and the great devotion of our young people was moving

"The National Youth Pilgrimage was a beautiful, happy, occasion and I look forward to next year. We haven’t yet decided where, but it will be somewhere that I’m sure will put us in touch with our deep Christian roots in this country.

"I look forward to it…and also hope the weather will be slightly kinder!"

Archbishop Leo Cushley

Young Catholics promote National Youth Pilgrimage

Young Catholics in the Archdiocese are highlighting the social and spiritual benefits of getting together on pilgrimage.

They are helping promote the National Catholic Youth Pilgrimage, taking place in St Andrews on Saturday 31st August.

A social media campaign has been launched to boost the event.

Victoria Stephens, a parishioner at St Cuthbert’s in Edinburgh, said: “For me, it’s a great way to form a network of Catholic friends who can give you support in your daily life and where you can be yourself.”

Ciaran McGonigle, from Our Lady & St Bridget’s Parish in West Calder, said: “Journeying together on pilgrimage deepens our understanding of the path that God is calling us to.”

Fr Jamie McMorrin, priest at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, said: “People have been coming to St Andrews on pilgrimage for more than a thousand years.

“The young people who are the future of the church in this country are keeping this historic tradition alive today. It’ll be a great way to meet other young Catholics, have a lot of fun and, most importantly, draw closer to Jesus who calls us all – like Andrew – to follow Him.”

Melissa Marshall, who attends St Patrick’s Parish in the Cowgate, Edinburgh, recently returned from the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, which she has attended six times. She said: “A pilgrimage is a time to pray, reflect and share your faith with different people.”

Archbishop Leo Cushley added: "Young people are looking again for an authentic expression of the Catholic faith, that is true to its roots in Scotland and in communion with the universal church.

"St Andrew is one natural and historic link we have with all of that, and so I think we are going to have an uplifting, enriching experience in St Andrews. It’ll be an adventure too, as all pilgrimages are!"

The National Catholic Youth Pilgrimage is for people aged 16-30 and begins at St James’ Church Hall, The Scores, at 12pm. Pilgrims will be welcomed by Archbishop Cushley before a visit to historical sites and churches. Mass will be celebrated in the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral at 3pm. To book a place email YI@staned.org.uk

St Andrews' Youth Gathering: An Invitation

Fancy meeting up with fellow young Catholics in the stunning location of St Andrews? This year’s National Catholic Youth Pilgrimage takes place in the picturesque cathedral city on Saturday 31 August 2019. If you’re aged between 16-30 it’s a great way to meet fellow Catholics from across the country.

Father Daniel Doherty, Vicar Episcopal for Catechetics, said: “This is an opportunity for them to get together, make friends and grow their faith. Historically, culturally and religiously, there may be few better sites than St Andrews. Pilgrims can explore historic sites and to experience Holy Mass in the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral.

"The National Catholic Youth Pilgrimage is one of the best ways to enjoy the company of fellow Catholics, to pray, and to discuss the faith in friendly, vibrant and relaxed atmosphere.” Transport is available from Edinburgh, Stirling, Falkirk and Kilsyth. The cost is £10. Schedule:

12pm: Welcome by Archbishop Cushley at St James' Parish Hall.

12-3pm: Visit historical sites and churches led by Archbishop Cushley.

3pm: Holy Mass within the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral.

5pm: Departure.

To book a place email: YI@staned.org.uk