Newsletter 29th December 2013

TODAY – 29th DECEMBER 2013
THE HOLY FAMILY of JESUS, MARY and JOSEPH
The Feast of the Holy Family: We are reminded today that a holy family will be a happy one because everything is based on God’s will of love a love that shows itself in patience, forgiveness and sincere gratitude.  The spirit of such a family will be the Spirit of God who brings peace.

In celebration of the sacred place of family as the essential foundation of society Most Rev Christopher Jones will bless families and children at the 10.30am Mass today.
 
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE TO FR JOHNNY SWEENEY
We take this opportunity to say thank you and bid a fond farewell to Fr Johnny Sweeney who has ministered in the Cathedral Parish for the last number of years as Youth Director.  He made a deep impression on all whom he encountered during his ministry with us.  We also thank his Order, the Pallottine Fathers, for facilitating Fr Johnny’s ministry in our Parish.  We pray every blessing on Fr Johnny and wish him health and happiness in the future.
 
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1st
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
WORLD DAY FOR PEACE
Because she accepted her vocation Mary became the mother of Jesus, God made man. We become the adopted children of God by accepting the gift of his Spirit as Mary did.
NEW YEAR’S DAY ‐ MASS FOR PEACE
WEDNESDAY ‐ JANUARY 1st ‐ 10.30 A.M.
On this coming New Year’s Day we wish all our parishioners a very happy New Year. The Annual MASS FOR PEACE will be celebrated in the Cathedral on Wednesday, January 1st at 10.30 a.m.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and to begin this New Year by placing their lives and work under the loving care of the Father.
 
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
May we experience Jesus as Gift
The Gift of the Word to be spoken
The Gift of the Way to be Walked
The Gift of the Life to be Lived
The Gift of the Love to be Loved. Amen

READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT JANUARY 5th 1st: Eccles. 24:1-2. 8-12; 2nd: Eph. 1: 3-6. 15-18; Gospel: Jn. 2: 1-18
 
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK Tuesday 31st: St Sylvester, pope; Thursday 2nd: Ss Basil the great & Gregory Nazianzen, bishops & doctors of the Church; Friday 3rd: St Munchin, bishop.
 
MASS TIMES THIS WEEK
NEW YEAR’S EVE
MASSES – TUESDAY – DECEMBER 31st  10.30 a.m.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament  10.30 p.m.
Special New Year’s Eve Mass at 11.30 p.m. 
NEW YEAR’S DAY
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1st – MASS FOR PEACE –   10.30 a.m.
MASSES – THURSDAY JANUARY 2nd – FRIDAY JANUARY 3rd
10.30 a.m. & First Friday 7.00 p.m.
MASSES – SATURDAY – JANUARY 4th 10.30 a.m. Vigil 7.30 pm. CONFESSIONS 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
SUNDAY – JANUARY 5th
MASSES – (Vigil 7.30p.m.) 8.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 12.00 n, 7.00 p.m.
MONDAY JANUARY 6th FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
8.00 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. (No 12 Noon)
MASSES – WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY JANUARY 7th
8.00 a.m., 10.30 a.m.
 
8.00 A.M. DAILY MASS
Please note that until Saturday, January 4th there will be no celebration of the 8.00 a.m. daily Mass. Thank you.
 
VISIT OUR CHRISTMAS CRIB
Come and pray with us at our Christmas Crib.
Let God love you in Jesus, the child of Bethlehem.
There are no conditions.  There are no interviews to
 get through, no exams to pass, no points to notch up. 
Come as you are, without masks, without pretence. 
There is no need for that when approaching a baby.
There is room for everyone around the crib.
 Friends, enemies, rich, poor, sinners, saints; no one who
approaches with sincerity is turned away. There we
begin to understand that He is the Gift and the Giver. 
As St. John says:
“From His fullness we have all received.”:
Father, as we celebrate the birthday of Christ,
our Saviour, may we come to appreciate more deeply the
meaning of what is being offered to us.  May we too share in the joy of the Angels who gave Glory to God in the highest and sang of peace to the people on earth.
BLESSING OF THE FAMILY
CHRISTMAS CRIB
Heavenly Father, as we wonder and hesitate to believe, like the shepherds at Bethlehem, fill our hearts with joy, as we recognise in this helpless babe the revelation of your love, a new and radiant vision of your glory.
Filled with wonder at the nearness of our God in Mary’s new-born child may we now offer Him our praise, worship and thanksgiving and give Him the love and loyalty of our hearts.  Amen.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER
ST BERNADETTE’S CHAPEL – Rockwood Parade – Please note due to the Feast of the Epiphany on Monday 6th January Mass will be held at 5.15 p.m. on Monday, 13th January. Everyone welcome.
HSE RETIRED ASSOCIATION GROUP – There will be no meeting in January.  Meetings will resume in February.
EWTN – Catholic Television & Radio Network – FREE of charge to SKY subscribers on Channel 769.  Tel: 061 394400 for Monthly Programme.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2014  – Scoil Éoin Naofa Thursday 29th May at 4pm; Scoil Cnoc na Ré Wednesday 4th June at 11.30am Scoil Ursula Pentecost Sunday 8th June at 12 Noon.
 
SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES 5K WALKARUN For all fitness levels. Walk or run on Saturday 11th January 2014 at 12.30pm with registration at 11am. Pre-register at a reduced rate on Jan 4th from 1-5pm in Quayside shopping centre. There will be a number of prizes & a goodie bag for all participating. All funds raised go to much needed services in our community.
 
SENIOR HELP LINE – A confidential listening service for older people for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland. LoCall 1850 440 444 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.,  and 7.00 p.m.,to 10.00 p.m.
 
FR FLANAGAN PRAYER GROUP The January 2014 meeting of Fr. Flanagan will take place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, January, 14th at the earlier time of 7.00p.m. Commencing in February meetings will revert to 8.00p.m. New members always welcome.
 
CURA Listens, Cares and Understands.  Cura provides a free and confidential support service to anyone who thinks they might be pregnant and if the pregnancy is unexplained and a crisis.  Cura also offers a counselling service to members of the family of loved ones who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy situation.  Free phone Tel: 1850 622626.  Please do not hesitate to make contact.
 
STUDY THEOLOGY WITH THE PRIORY INSTITUTE
The Dominicans offer a distance learning theology programme, up to degree level, specifically for lay people. Please contact The Priory Institute, Tallagh Village, Dublin 24 or email www.prioryinstitute.com.
 
ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
MON. DEC 30   10.30 A.M. FRANK CORCORAN
TUES. DEC 31     10.30 A.M. CHARLES & MAY MULLIGAN
WEDS. JAN 1     10.30 A.M. EAMON CLARKE
THURS. JAN 2     10.30 A.M. MICHAEL POWER
FRI. JAN 3          10.30 A.M. MAEVE, IRENE, JIM & VIOLET VERDON
SAT. JAN 4          10.30 A.M. MONTH’S MIND MARGARET OATES