Newsletter 20th January 2013

TODAY – 20th JANUARY 2013
SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th January 2013

A wedding is a time for joyful celebration; it is a time of hope and promise. According to John the wedding at Cana marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It showed the joy and plenty that his coming brings because in him, God’s promised love is a present reality.

CHURCH UNITY WEEK
FRIDAY JANUARY 18 – FRIDAY JANUARY 25
Theme: “WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF US?”
(based on Micah 6: 6-8)
Church Unity Week commenced onFriday, January 18th and will continue until Friday, January 25th. During this time we are asked to pray in a special way for unity among all Christians.
INTERDENOMINATIONAL SERVICE
CHURCH OF IRELAND CATHEDRAL
JOHN STREET, SLIGO
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25th – 8.00 P.M.
Homilist: MOST REV BISHOP CHRISTOPHER JONES
We are all invited to attend.

THE SOCIETY OF AFRICAN MISSIONS (SMA)
The society of African Missions has been assigned to Elphin Diocese for the Mission Awareness Programme for 2013. We welcome Fr Fachtna O’Driscoll to our Parish this weekend to speak at all Masses in the Cathedral.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2013
Begins on Sunday 27th of January. This is the fifth year of celebrating the immense contribution that Catholic Schools make to our local parish community and to Irish society in general. This year’s theme is ‘Catholic Schools in the Community of Faith: Sharing the Good News.’ The vision that underpins all aspects of school life is that the human person is made in the image of God and is called to share in God’s own life forever. All who are part of the school are invited to constantly rediscover what it is to be a follower of Christ and to give witness to the centrality of the gospel. The school continues the mission of Christ entrusted to the church to go and teach.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Holy Spirit help me to be alert for the unfolding of this day’s gifts of wonder, surprise and mystery. Amen.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT JANUARY 27th
First Reading: Neh. 8: 2-6; 8-10;
Second Reading: 1 Cor.: 12: 12-30;

Gospel: Lk. 1: 1-4; 4: 12-21.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
 Monday 21t-st: St Agnes, virgin & martyr;
Tuesday 22nd: St Vincent, deacon & martyr;
Thursday 24
th St Francis de Sales, bishop & doctor of the Church;
Saturday 26th:.Ss Timothy & Titus , bishops.

A YEAR OF FAITH INITIATIVE BY THE DIOCESE OF ELPHIN
UNDERSTANDING THE BETTER TO BELIEVE
A series of talks commencing with ‘Faith and Reason’ given by Fr Michael Drumm Saturday February 2nd in Sligo Park Hotel from 10.45am to 3.30pm. Reg. €10 incl. tea / coffee.

CONSECRATED LIFE
World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated on Saturday 2nd February 2013. Please pray for all those who have made commitments to the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day.May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.

PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD
The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2 – Candlemas Day. If you wish to have Blessed Candles in your home please bring them to any of our Masses on this day
 

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family
GIANNA FULLERTON
recently baptised in the Cathedral.

SAINT BRIGID’S CROSSES
Reeds are being gathered at the moment and work will commence shortly on the preparation of Saint Brigid’s Crosses for her Feast Day on Friday, Feb 1. Those willing to help should contact the Sisters of the Presentation Tel: 9160740. Thank you.

ALTAR SOCIETY – NEW MEMBERS REQUIRED
Our Altar Society would welcome the addition of some new members. If you could spare some time please contact Helen on 087 261 5323. Thank you.

YOUTH DEFENCE CONNAUGHT REGION
Emergency Pro-Life Meeting Sun Jan 27 at The Welcome Inn Hotel, New Antrim Rd, Castlebar, Co Mayo at 4.00p.m. It is vital that we influence legislators over the next 3 weeks. Please come and bring your friends. www.youthdefence.ie

BAPTISM – PREPARATION FOR PARENTS
To mark this Year of Faith and to acknowledge the central role that the Sacrament of Baptism plays on the journey of faith Sligo Parishes Cluster (The Cathedral; St Anne’s & Carraroe; Strandhill & Ransboro; Rosses Point; St Joseph’s & Calry) are launching a new initiative for parents who are preparing to have a child baptised. This initiative is intended to help parents to deepen their own understanding of baptism and to prepare them better for their responsibilities as Christian parents. The new initiative will entail the parents attending a one night course in St Michael’s Family Life Centre, Church Hill. This course will take place on the third Thursday of every month. Parents must attend this course prior to the baptism of their child. To book a baptism parents are asked to contact the Parish Office to obtain a Baptism Information Pack. This initiative comes into effect this coming February for Baptisms in March with the first course on Thursday 21st February.

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBRANCES
Monday 21st January:
8am Bernadette O’Doherty; 10.30am Ist Anniversary Nan Ward;
Tuesday 22nd January:
8am Joe Whyte; 10.30am Kathleen Divers;
Wednesday 23rd January:
8am Aaron C McGoldrick;
Thursday 24th January:
8am John Finan & Deceased Family Members; 10.30am Anne Watters & Deceased Family Members;
Friday 25th January:
8am John Keegan; 10.30am 1st Anniversary Ronán Chambers;
Saturday 26th January:
8am Gerry Keaney; 10.30am Month’s Mind Jack Kelly.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of:
EITHNE HORAN late of Knocknarea Villas.
May God grant her eternal rest and comfort and console her bereaved family and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís.

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution:
Sunday January 13th: Parish Envelopes: €1,586 Collection Plate and Standing Orders: €2,343
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY
Telephone 071 9162670 SACRISTY Telephone 071 9161261.
Email us at  information@sligocathedral.ie – We welcome your comments. Thank you.

BINGO – GILLOOLY HALL – TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €1150!!
Tonight, January 20th at 9pm.
Raffle at interval with refreshments available. All welcome!

EASTER YOUTH CELEBRATION OF FAITH IN MEDJUGORJE
(March 31 – April 7) Uder 18’s €589 incl. half board accom., flights & transfers, insurance & services of a tour guide, Adults €689. Non-refundable deposit of €100 due immediately. Strict no alcohol policy. Subsidies available (fundraising opportunities) get involved & lower your fare. Further details contact Corina on 086 868 1730.

LOST & FOUND
A Voucher has been found in the Cathedral Car Park for Henry’s Service Station Ballymote. Please contact the Sacristy or the Parish Office on 9162670.

PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 2013
Taking place from 13-20 June (ex Dublin). 7 nights Recinto Hotel with Spiritual Director Fr Jim Murray. Cost €669 incl. Early booking discount of €100 (or €50 if booking deposit of €200 is received) by 1st Feb. For details call Martin Scanlon @ 9145491.
 

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE
Taking place 18th September from Knock. Spiritual Director Fr John Loftus. Special discounted rate of €589 by 1st Feb. Group leader Sr Sheila Molloy on 086 382 1810.

RIVERSTOWN PARISH MISSION
In The Church of the Sacred Heart, From Thurs, Feb 7th to Sun, Feb 10th at 8pm. Feb 7th: Fr. Aidan Ryan P.P, Ballinahowan; Feb 8th: Fr. Michael Drumm; Feb 9th: Dr. Patrick Mullins O.Carm; and Sun, Feb 10th: doors open at 7.30pm for a Concert with Liam Lawton and the Riverstown Folk Group commencing at 8pm. Concert , tickets €20, available. Please see notice at Cathedral entrance.

DATES TO REMEMBER

ST MARY’S COMMUNITY GAMES AREA AGM takes place Weds 23rd Jan at 8pm. All parents are invited to attend Details of this year’s events will be available at the meeting.

DIABETES IRELAND – Sligo Branch is holding a free public information meeting on Weds 23 Jan at 8pm in Sligo Park Hotel. Title: ‘Diabetes Myths and Magic’Guest speaker: Dr Cathy Mc Hugh, Consultant Endocrinologist, Sligo General Hospital. For further details contact Western Regional Office on -9146001.

OPEN DAY To mark 40 Years of Yeats Society @ Hyde Bridge. Sligo. Thursday 24th January from 10am – 5pm. Visit The Yeats Visitors Centre & Audio Visual Exhibition; Lily’s Cafe; Yeats Art Gallery and the Yeats Reference Library. For further details please visit www.yeats-sligo.com