TODAY – 2nd DECEMBER 2012
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
God comes to those who wait for him. Our waiting needs to be prayerful if we are to be truly ready to receive him when he comes.

Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope: waiting-memory of the first, humble coming of the Lord in our mortal flesh; waiting supplication for his final, glorious coming as Lord of History and universal judge; conversion, to which the Liturgy at this time often refers quoting the prophets, especially John the Baptist, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Joyful hope that the salvation already accomplished by Christ and the reality of grace in the world will mature and reach their fullness, thereby granting us what is promised by faith, and we shall become like him for we shall see him as he really is.

SCRIPTURE SHARING
We invite parishioners to consider hosting Scripture Sharing Groups in their homes over this sacred season. Groups should be kept small and consist of 3 to 6 people to allow all to participate fully in the sharing of Scripture. Guidelines are available at the Parish Office, if you are interested in participating please contact St Mary’s Parish Office on 071 9162670.

WAY OF GENTLENESS - ADVENT
Commences in the Cathedral next Tuesday, December 4^th, at 8pm and continuing on the following 2 Tuesday nights, December 11^th and 18^th. The call to focus on Christ’s coming into our hearts and homes is the only true meaning of Christmas. Everyone is welcome to join in this hour of guided prayer, silent time and music in preparation for Christmas.

ADVENT - THE SEASON OF SERVICE
Sligo Parish Cluster invites everyone involved in the Parish in any way to explore and reflect on their call to service in light of the season of Advent. Advent the Season of Service will be held in St Anne’s Day Chapel on Thursday Dec 13th at 3.30pm, repeated at 7.30pm lasting one hour only and led by Colette Furlong, Sligo Parishes Cluster Catechist.

ADVENT JESSE TREE
The Jesse Tree is a way of reflecting on the key people who prefigure the coming (‘adventus’) of Jesus. Symbols for the Jesse Tree are:
This week - WEEK ONE: The Sun and the Moon represent the CREATION
The Tree and the Apple symbols represent ADAM & EVE
The Ark and Dove symbols represent NOAH
The Sword symbol represents ABRAHAM

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTIONSATURDAY NEXT - DECEMBER 8^TH
Vigil Mass Friday 7.30pm.
Please note this is also the First Friday Mass (there will not be a separate Mass for the First Friday). 

Saturday Masses 8.00am and 10.30am.
ORDINATION OF DEACONS 2.30pm.
Vigil Mass Saturday 7.30pm (for Sunday 9th December).
Confessions for the First Friday are available before the 8am, 10.30am and after the 7.30pm Mass. All are welcome. 

HISTORIC DAY FOR THE DIOCESE OF ELPHIN
AS SIX PERMANENT DEACONS ARE ORDAINED

On Saturday 8th December history will be made in our
Cathedral here in Sligo. Bishop Jones will ordain six men from around the Diocese of Elphin as Permanent Deacons.
While Permanent Deacons were a feature of the Early Church the office fell by the wayside and was not restored as an ordained ministry until the Second Vatican Council in the 1960’s. It is only in the last few years that the Church in Ireland has decided that we would have Permanent Deacons here.
Deacons assist the Bishop and Priests in their pastoral ministry, They perform duties such as Baptisms, Weddings and Funeral Liturgies as well as preaching and taking care of various charitable works. All of those who are to be ordained are married. They will continue in their chosen professions and minister part-time in various parishes throughout the Diocese.
You are cordially invited to the ceremony at 2.30pm on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception under whose patronage the Diocese is especially entrusted. Please keep the candidates, their wives and families in your prayers at this important time for them and for our Diocese.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - SLIGO CATHEDRAL
Friday 21st December 7.00pm Reconciliation Service.
Sunday 23rd of December 8.15pm Christmas Carol Concert.

CONFIRM OUR CHILDREN ENROLEMENT MASS
We welcome the children in our parish who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2013 to an Enrolment Mass in our Cathedral TODAY at 10.30 a.m.

CONFIRMATION DATES FOR 2013
Scoil Cnoc na Ré Friday May 3rd 11.30am.
Scoil Éoin Thursday 16th May 4pm.
Scoil Ursula Pentecost Sunday 19th May 12 Noon.

UNITE FOR LIFE VIGIL
Unite for Life Vigil, Tuesday 4^th December, 4.30pm outside Dáil Éireann. All people who consider themselves pro-life are asked to come together to stand up and speak for the lives of mothers and babies. Please make every effort to attend. This cannot be stressed enough. It will most likely be the only opportunity to send a united message to the Government not to introduce abortion. The vigil will have a positive, clear message about safeguarding the lives of mothers and babies in pregnancy. Posters will be provided on the day. Please spread the word to family, friends and anyone you know. For more details and bus information contact: Claire 0872668702 or Katie 0877020255. See you @ 4.30pm sharp on Tuesday, December 4^th.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 9^th
1^st Reading : Bar. 5: 1-9;
2^nd Reading: Phil. 1: 3-6, 8-11;
Gospel: Lk. 3: 4-6.
Please consider reading during the course of the week to prepare for next Sunday’s Mass.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK.
Lord, in all that I am today and all that I try to do, may I place my life in your hands.   Amen.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Monday 3rd: St Francis Xavier, priest;
 Tuesday 4^th: St John Damascene, priest and doctor of the Church;
Thursday 6th: St Nicholas, bishop;
Friday 7^th: St Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL
The Society of St Vincent de Paul, 35 Wolfe Tone Street, wish to offer sincere thanks to all who have helped them in so many ways during the year and would be grateful for continued donations to the Church Gate collection which will be held at all Churches next weekend.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of:
Seán Durcan, late of ‘Aisling’, Strandhill Road.
May God grant him eternal rest and comfort and console his bereaved family and friends.

Ár dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

ANNIVERSARIES 

Monday 3^rd December: 8am Gerry McMorrow; 10.30am Peggy Feeney (Recently Deceased);
Tuesday 4^th December: 8am Biggar Family; 10.30am John & Nora Gallagher;
Wednesday 5^th December: 8am Deceased Members of the Boyle Family; 10.30am Rose McCaffrey;
Thursday 6^th December: 8am Elizabeth, Michael & Mary Kelly; 10.30am Clive Howard;
Friday 7^th December: 8am Ronnie Cawley; 10.30am Month’s Mind Nano Harkin

SLIGO CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: Sunday November 25^th
Parish Envelopes: €3,358
Plate and Standing Orders: €1,,711
St Mary’s Presbytery 071 9162670 Sacristy 071 9161261
We welcome your comments, email us at information@sligocathedral.ie. Thank you.

DRAWING FROM THE HOLY WELL WITHIN
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
For individuals or small groups welcome. Three 1 hour sessions arranged at your convenience. Free of charge. There is no deadline - we a re always available for this program. Contact Missionaries of Charity, Sisters of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Temple St. on 9154843.

BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL - CONTINUES TONIGHT DECEMBER 2^nd - 9PM
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €900!!
Refreshments available at the start of Bingo and at the interval.
Busses will stop at the following pick up points:
8.00pm                 ST JOHN’S HOSPITAL
8.05pm                 CARROLL’S SHOP
8.10pm                 RIVERSIDE
8.15pm                 GILMARTIN’S SHOP
8.20pm                 CRANMORE COMMUNITY PARK
8.25pm                 SHOP AT CALTRAGH
8.30pm                 COMMUNITY CENTRE MAIL COACH ROAD
8.35pm                 CENTRA and MOONEY’S BAR, MAUGHERABOY
8.40pm                 JINK’S AVENUE, OLD POST OFFICE.
Everyone welcome.

ANAM CARA - BEREAVED PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP
Anam Cara support groups are situated throughout Ireland and provide parents a safe, comfortable environment where they have the opportunity to connect with other bereaved parents. Anam Cara is an inclusive organisation where parents do not identify themselves by their children’s age, how they died, or if their death was recent or many years ago. What Anam Cara provides is a safe place for bereaved parents to connect with others who understand the intensity of the grief and loss. Anam Cara is holding its monthly support meeting on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 from 19:30 to 21:00 at The Ballybane Enterprise Centre, Galway. This event is free, open to all bereaved parents and each Anam Cara support group has a bereavement therapist present to answer any questions parents may have and signpost them to other services that are available in the area. For further information please see our website at www.anamcara.ie email us at info@anamcara.ie or call 01 4045378

MERCY COLLEGE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Takes place on Sunday 2nd December from 10am – 4pm in Mercy Gym to raise funds for Schools in India and Tanzania. Stalls include something for all the family. If you wish to set up your own stall and sell your produce please contact 086 023 1252.

S.T.O.P.           SUICIDE – TEACH, ORGANISE, PREVENT.
S.T.O.P. is a registered charity that provides professional and accredited counselling services to those who have been bereaved by suicide or are feeling in distress or suicidal. If you feel you or your family could benefit from these services or for any other queries please contact Michelle Fox on 086 888 2009 in complete confidence.

DATES TO REMEMBER

CO. SLIGO GOLF CLUB Male Voice Choir & the Sligo Academy of Music Celebration of Christmas Carols in St Anne’s Church, on Thursday 13 Dec at 8pm. Tickets €10 from Keaney’s, High St or contact 9143150. All welcome.

JUMBLE SALE in aid of the Sathya Donkey Sanctuary Carrowkeel takes place on Sat Dec 8 downstairs at the Adelaide Bar, Wine St. Donations of saleable goods welcome, no video tapes please. Contact 085 7318162 or 086 3421192.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RIGHTS DAY - International Animal Rights Day - Torchlit Dog (and People) Walk in Sligo on Dec 10th. Part of national events organised by ARAN (Animal Rights Action Network). Meeting at 7pm at the Car Park on The Mall. 25 min walk, meet other dog owners and people who disagree with cruelty to animals. All dogs should be on leads and please bring your own wet gear, hi-vis stuff and pick-up bags! In association with ARAN - Animal Rights Action Network.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sligo-based drama group, “For Your Soul Productions”, is planning a Christmas Nativity Drama entitled, “Gift of God”. It will take place outdoors at Sligo’s beloved Holy Well, Carraroe on Sunday December 16th at 5pm. The drama will be a simple and prayerful narration of Christ’s birth with music and song and a mince pie and mulled wine reception to follow. If you think you might be interested please phone Eileen at 087-2690014.

SLIGO CHRISTMAS FAYRETakes place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of December in Stephen St car park from 10am to 6pm, with something for all the family. Santa Claus, kids ice skating, choirs, Christmas carols, original Christmas gifts from stalls run by local traders, festive food, face painting and much much more. So come along and join in on the fun.


SLIGO LEADER PARTNERSHIP Have you an Alternative Farm Enterprise Business or Tourism Business in Co Sligo and require help in establishing this Business and finding Supports available?  Sligo LEADER Partnership invite you to apply for a position on our special “Next Move” Business Start Up Entrepreneurial Skills Programme if you are eligible for a FÁS Community Employment Scheme?   This scheme will run for six months January to July 2013.  Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 12 Dec 2012.  Application Form from 071 91 20636, nextmove@sligoleader.com, or can also be down loaded  the “Next Move” page on:  www.sligoleader.com