Noticeboard

NOTICES
for SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2026

Remembrance Day Mass
Today is Remembrance Day. The 10.30am Mass will be a Mass for the Dead with an Act of Remembrance and the laying of wreaths for the dead of two world wars and conflicts since.

November Lists
November is the month in which we customarily remember our dead. November Lists are available in the narthex and should be placed before the altar where those named will be remembered each day in the Mass.

Mass for Vocations
On Monday this week the Jesuit community concelebrates its monthly Mass to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Please join us if you are able and, if not, keep vocations in your prayers on that day.

Christian Life Communities (CLC)
Members of the parish CLC groups are invited to the next CLC contemplative Mass this Friday, 13 November, at 7pm and to stay afterward for a bring-and-share social with light snacks in the Ogilvie Room.

Advent Carol Service
Our Carol Service, sung by the Schola Cantorum, takes place on the first Sunday of Advent, 29 November, at 4pm and lasts one hour. Please invite family and friends. All welcome.

Advent Calendars
Advent begins on the last Sunday of November. Advent Calendars which tell the story of Jesus’ birth are available from the bookshop at £5.

Gospel of Mark
With the new liturgical year starting at the end of this month, we move from reading Matthew’s Gospel at Sunday Mass to the Gospel of Mark. Pocket copies of Mark’s Gospel (in the ESV translation we use at Mass) are available from the bookshop at £3.95. This might be a good way of keeping the gospel handy to pray and reflect with during the coming Year of Mark in 2027.

GodTalk: The Book of Job
The seminar on the Book of Job led by Fr Adrian Porter sj continues on Tuesday this week at 7pm. We will be looking at Job’s lament (chapter 3). This short course explores some of the greatest poetry and most challenging theology of the Hebrew bible. Participants will be guided through selections of the text and explore the challenges of biblical criticism and the theology of evil and suffering that Job raises. No prior knowledge is assumed but GodTalk aims to go beyond the basic. Each session is stand-alone so it doesn’t matter if you have missed the first session. Tuesdays 10 (Job’s lament) and 24 (the Three Friends) November and 1 December (God speaks) in the Small Hall.

Children’s Christmas Mass & Nativity Play
will take place at 4pm on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24 December. There will be a dress rehearsal on Saturday 19 December 10-12 noon in the church. Parents of children who would like to take part should contact Louise Aldridge on 07968961297 or aldridgelouise@gmail.com so that they can be measured for costumes and parts allocated.

Bookshop
Our bookshop is open after Sunday Masses and stocks books and booklets on scripture, spirituality and prayer, theology, liturgy and church history. We also have devotional items such as rosaries, prayer cards, crucifixes, statues, etc. And a selection of second-hand books all for sale at £3. Do take a look. Contactless payment available.

The Psalms
We are sometimes asked if there are good commentaries on the Bible. Penguin has just published an excellent commentary on the Psalms by Susan Gillingham, recently retired Professor of the Hebrew Bible at Oxford University. This is the work of a lifetime and offers an authoritative and accessible guide to the psalms both as ancient texts and as prayers in Christian and Jewish worship. Copies are available in the bookshop at £25.

Calendar
Tue 10 Nov – GodTalk 2: The Book of Job 7pm
Fri 13 Nov – CLC Mass & Supper 7pm
Sat 14 Nov – SCIAF Annual Mass for Deceased 12.30pm
Sun 15 Nov – Guest presider/preacher at 7pm Mass – Fr Joshua Moir (Cathedral parish)
Mon 16 Nov – Edinburgh University Singers Concert 7.30pm
Fri 20 Nov – Edinburgh University Chamber Choir Concert 7.30pm
Sun 22 Nov – Feast of Christ the King Young Adult Mass with Archbishop Leo Cushley 7pm
Tue 24 Nov – GodTalk 3: The Book of Job 7pm
Sat 28 Nov – Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers Concert 7.30pm
Sun 29 Nov – First Sunday of Advent Carol Service (with SCIAF) 4.00pm
Tue 1 Dec – GodTalk 4: The Book of Job 7pm
Fri 4 Dec – First Friday Mass & Adoration 7pm
Sun 6 Dec – Second Sunday of Advent
Sun 6 Dec – YAM First Sunday Circle with Fr Jamie McMorrin (Davidsons Mains parish) 8pm
Sun 13 Dec – RCIA Retreat Day 2.00-4.30pm
Sun 13 Dec – Cantonese Mass for Chinese Catholic community 2pm followed by Christmas social
Tue 15 Dec – Young Adult Ministry Core Group meeting 7pm
Thr 24 Dec – Christmas Eve Children’s Christmas Mass 4pm; Mass of Christmas Night (“Midnight Mass”) 8pm
Fri 25 Dec – Christmas Day Mass at 8am and 10.30am
Fri 1 Jan – New Year’s Day Mass 12.30pm followed by social in the narthex

Diploma in Catechetics 2027
Registration is now open for the archdiocese's diploma in catechetics, beginning Thursday 28 January 2027. The course offers 36 weekly Zoom sessions exploring the Catholic faith, with expert speakers, guided reading and one-to-one support. The cost is £220 (bursaries available). Register at bit.ly/2027catechetics. For more information email diploma@staned.org.uk

Draft Conversion Practices Bill – Call for Evidence
The Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office has published a guide to help you respond to the UK Parliament’s call for evidence on the Draft Conversion Practices Bill. Although the proposed legislation currently applies only to England and Wales, it could influence future legislation in Scotland. The guide highlights potential implications for parental rights and offers practical advice on submitting evidence. Deadline: 5pm on Monday 16 November 2026. The guide is available online at bit.ly/conversionbill and you can make your submission at bit.ly/uksubmission

Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office
A work of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, the Catholic Parliamentary Office (SCPO) maintains a watch on proposed legislation and, where appropriate, invites Catholics to respond to consultations and lobby their MSPs or MPs. You can access the SCPO website and sign up for the newsletter at rcpolitics.org

Tech Volunteer
Are you comfortable livestreaming, recording, editing and uploading videos to YouTube? The Catechetics Commission of the archdiocese wants help with posting online content for occasional Saturday events. Email: srmiriam.ruth@staned.org.uk

A Golden Age Resounding
On Friday 20 November at 7.30pm, the Schola Cantorum of St Mary's Catholic Cathedral will perform a special concert featuring the music of Arthur Oldham, the Cathedral’s renowned choirmaster from 1956-71. The concert is the culmination of a special project to bring to life Oldham’s music from the Cathedral archives. Tickets £12 from Eventbrite or at the door.

Volunteer to Support Children with Special Needs in Edinburgh
Three new adult volunteers are needed for the new Children’s SPRED (Special Religious Development) group meeting at George Square in Edinburgh on Fridays from 3-4pm. Please contact Sr Mary Benedicta Maier (srmary.benedicta@staned.org.uk) if you are interested in learning more about becoming a SPRED volunteer catechist for this new group.  Training and formation are provided.

Please remember in your prayers those of our parish who are sick or housebound including Mary Cherry, Sandra Fleming, Benedicte Gasparde, Anne Giles, Kathleen Kudesia, John McManus and Betty Saria.

Financial Support for Sacred Heart Church
We rely on the generous financial support of those who worship in this church to keep the building and our mission in Edinburgh afloat. There are four ways you can contribute your Sunday Collection or donation:
1 By setting up a standing order with your bank (this can be done online if you have a banking app or online banking). Standing order forms are available in the narthex – just hand this to your bank.
2 By making a contactless donation on the new machine in the narthex.
3 By making an online donation.
4 By making a cash donation in the collection.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please also sign a Gift Aid form – this enables us to claim from the government an additional 25p for every £1 you donate at no extra expense to yourself. Gift Aid forms are available in the narthex. The new contactless machine also allows you to Gift Aid.

Edinburgh Jesuit Centre Mailing List
Each Friday afternoon, we send out a short email reminder of concerts, talks, retreats and other events at Sacred Heart Church.  Join the mailing list by emailing ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk  You can unsubscribe at any time.

Events in the Archdiocese
Click here for a full list of forthcoming events in the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.