TODAY - 5th AUGUST 2012
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

The Israelites in the desert moaned for the fleshpots of Egypt. God’s gift of bread took them by surprise - ‘What is it?’ they asked - Jesus offers us an even more surprising gift, the bread that keeps us for everlasting life, Jesus himself.

AREA MASS – THORNHILL
Mass will be celebrated this coming Thursday, 9th August, at 9.00pm at the home of Pauline Cushman. All welcome.

FEAST OF ST DOMINIC -SLIGO ABBEY
Mass will be celebrated in the ruins of Sligo Abbey on Wednesday August 8th at 8.00pm to mark the occasion of the feast of St Dominic. All are welcome.

CATHEDRAL FLAG DAY
Thank you to all who volunteered to collect for the Cathedral Flag day this week and sincere thanks also to all those who donated to the collection. A special word of thanks to Helen for organising the collection and to the young people who were so generous with their time in assisting Helen.

ELPHIN DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Come and join with all the pilgrims from the Diocese to Knock Shrine on SUNDAY - August 19.   The Ceremonies begin at 2.30 pm with Anointing of the Sick followed by concelebrated Mass at 3.00 pm. If a member of your family is in care or in a Nursing Home please try to bring them along as they may have fond memories of this particular Pilgrimage. A bus will depart from St Mary’s at 10.50am. Please book your place with the Parish Office on 9162670.

KNOCK SHRINE - AUGUST 2012
THE NATIONAL NOVENA IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF KNOCK
14th to 22nd August (inclusive)
* 3.00 p.m. Concelebrated Mass in the Basilica, Novena Prayers, Eucharistic Blessing of the Sick, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to Apparition Chapel.

* Evening 8.30 p.m. Concelebrated Mass in the Basilica, Novena Prayers, Candlelight Procession to Apparition Chapel.

* Those unable to attend the ceremonies at the Shrine may join in the Novena at home by reciting the Novena Prayers and the Rosary. Mass and Holy Communion in the local Church is also recommended.

* Novena Prayer

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION, August 15^th
Masses: 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 12 noon,  3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Anointing of the Sick: 2.30 p.m.
Confessions: All day from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Chapel of Reconciliation.
ELPHIN DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE, August 19
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF KNOCK, August 21
On this day, the Anniversary of the Apparition, thousands of pilgrims join in the Ceremonies during the day, and in the traditional Candlelight Procession and Ceremonies at night.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Father, give us enough food for the journey together and enough joy to share with our neighbours . Amen.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Tues 7th Ss Sixtus I, pope, and Companions, martyrs; St Cajetan, priest;
Weds 8th St Dominic, priest;
Thurs 9th St Teresa Benedict of the Cross, virgin and martyr,
Fri 10th St Lawrence, deacon and martyr;
Sat 11th St Clare, virign.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY JULY 29^th
1st Reading: 1 Kings 19: 4-8.
2nd Reading: Eph. 4: 30. 5-2.
Gospel: John 6: 41-51.

Please consider reading in preparation for next Sunday’s Mass.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
Adorers are asked to please make arrangements with their family members, relatives, friends and other adorers for substitution of their hour whenever they are on holidays. Thank you.

 ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBRANCES

 
REST IN PEACE

Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of:
THOMAS CAWLEY, late of Church St and Drumfin Cross, Collooney and
KEVIN ARMSTRONG, 34 Jink’sAve.
May God grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution:
SUNDAY JULY 29th PARISH ENV: €3,053 PL/STAND.ORD €1,401
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Tel: 071 9162670 CATHEDRAL SACRISTY Tel: 071 9161261
We welcome your comments, email us at information@sligocathedral.ie. Thank you.

CATHEDRAL WEBSITE
We are ever updating our website and the way in which it can serve our Parish and Community. Your help and suggestions are always welcome. Thank you.

VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD
“It is in this soil of self-offering and openness to the love of God, and as the fruit of that love, that all vocations are born and grow”

Pope Benedict XVI

If you are interested in vocations in the Diocese of Elphin please email vocations@elphindiocese.ie or contact Fr. Jim Murray, Carraroe on 071 9162136 or Fr John Coughlan, Roscommon at 090 6626189.

DRAWING FROM THE HOLY WELL WITHIN
Authentic Christian meditation . Interested individuals or small groups up to 5 persons. Contact Mother Teresa Sisters on Temple Street or phone 071 9154843. Free of charge.

FOYER OF LIGHT CHARITY & LOVE
5 Day Silent Youth Retreat - 18-35 years. Theme “If you but knew the gift of God...” Preached by Fr Kilian Byrne. Aug 27 to Sept 2. Cost €190. Venue: Alexian Brothers Community, Knock. For details contact Helen on 086 1678027 or 091 383383.

LOUGH DERG
Lough Derg, ancient and modern, a place of peace, healing and reconciliation; in the words of the Papal Legate “a symbol of conversion, penance and spiritual renewal”. The Three Day Pilgrimage season goes on until 15th August. Pilgrims may arrive on any day from 10.30am to 3pm to commence the pilgrimage. Full details on website www.loughderg.org or phone 071 9861652 8.00am to 9.00pm daily.

CLONMACNOIS YOUTH 200 SUMMER FESTIVAL
Youth 2000 Summer Festival, Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly from Thurs 9^th to Sun 12^th August 2012. For young people aged 16-35, an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends. This Festival has been nicknamed the “Holy Oxygen” with over 1000 young people from all corners of Ireland attending last year. The festival is donation only. Free buses available from around the country. For more information contact 01 6753690, email  dublin@youth2000.ie or book online: www.youth2000.ie

CENACLE OF MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS
Meetings every Thursday at 8.30am in the Cathedral, immediately after the 8.00am Mass. All welcome.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES - AUGUST 28 to SEPTEMBER 2, 2012
Please consider joining the Elphin Diocese on this Sacred Pilgrimage this year! For details and Booking Forms please contact the Parish Office Tel: 9162670 or Joe Walsh Tours Tel: 01 241 0800. Thank you.

Foróige Volunteers Needed
Foróige's Big Brother Big Sister Programme is currently recruiting volunteers to be matched with a young person aged 10-18 years who would benefit from extra support. Volunteers are asked to share interests/hobbies by spending 1-2 hours per week with their little brother/sister. Full training & support provided. Contact Elaine on 086 8516087.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS - SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES
Children’s clothing and second hand school uniforms in good condition are needed. Please leave into Sligo Social Services, Charles Street. Thank you for your support.

Foróige Volunteers Needed
Foróige's Big Brother Big Sister Programme is currently recruiting volunteers to be matched with a young person aged 10-18 years who would benefit from extra support. Volunteers are asked to share interests/hobbies by spending 1-2 hours per week with their little brother/sister. Full training & support provided. Contact Elaine on 086 8516087.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS - SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES
Children’s clothing and second hand school uniforms in good condition are needed. Please leave into Sligo Social Services, Charles Street. Thank you for your support.

DATES TO REMEMBER

ST BERNADETTE’s CHAPEL - Please note Mass will be celebrated on Monday AUGUST 13^th in St Bernadette’s Chapel, Rockwood Parade at 5.15 p.m. All welcome.

ADDICTION STUDIES:
NUI Maynooth will provide its Certificate in Addictions Studies course at St Michaels Family Centre, Sligo from October next. The course is one evening a week and is suitable for anyone interested in or affected by addictions. Those in recovery, family members, professionals such as counsellors, teachers, social workers, nurses or community activists should find the course of benefit. Further information can be obtained by phoning 071 9170329 or 087 6341748.

SLIGO TRIP TO CROZON
This year Sligo is twinned 30 years with Crozon in Northern Brittany. Sligo Town Twinning are organising a trip to Crozon from 22 to 29 September. Travel is by 53 seater coach from Sligo to Cork, overnight Brittany Ferries (including cabin sharing) and accomodation is hosting (no charge) or hotel. The Fare is €215pp. The trip is open to all. Please contact Dymphna on 087 150 1444 or Michael on 087 649 5349 for further details.

NEW IRISH WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION RESOURCE CENTRE FOR NORTH COUNTY SLIGO
Since the early 1960’s The Irish Wheelchair Association have been playing a key role in bringing about changes to the lives of people with physical and sensory disabilities. At present they have 3 Resource Centres in County Sligo, Sligo Town, Ballymote and Enniscrone.The IWA are looking at the possibility in setting up a new Resource Centre in North County Sligo and to this end would ask anyone who would be interested in such a Centre or require further information to contact Cormac Monaghan, IWA Service Coordinator, Irish Wheelchair Association, Abbeyville, Sligo at 071 9155522 or email cormac.monaghan@iwa.ie

GP EXERCISE REFERRAL PROGRAMME
Being physically active is one of the most important steps people of all ages can take to improve their health. If you are currently inactive and would like support in becoming more active, then ask your GP to refer yuou to one of the five local GP exercise referral coordinators. For further information see www.gpexercisereferral.ie or contact Liz Martin, HSE Health Promotion Officer on 071 9135915.

IRISH CANCER SOCIETY – BALLINASLOE
Irish Cancer Society's Relay for Life taking place in Ballinasloe on August 11th & 12th. Candles for Candle of Hope ceremony will be available from Pop Up Shop (former Vodaphone store), Main St., Ballinasloe from Tues. August 7th.