Newsletter 3rd November 2013

God is full of mercy: he waits patiently for our conversion. No matter how much we may have failed him, he still calls us and encourages us towards goodness.
 
ADVENT COMMENCES SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER 2013
WAY OF GENTLENESS – a celebration of the coming of the Christ Child, in the CATHEDRAL on TUESDAY 3rd, 10th and 17th DECEMBER at 8.00 PM. 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 – SCRIPTURE SHARING IN THE HOME
With the approach of Advent (First Sunday of Advent –
December 1st)  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 and if you are interested in participating please contact Tel: 9162670.
CHRISTMAS CATHEDRAL CHOIR CAROL SERVICE 
Sunday 22nd December at 8.15pm.  This candlelit service is a special occasion, always giving a glimpse into the true meaning of Christmas.  Please reserve date in your diary!
 
MISSION SUNDAY ENVELOPE We thank all who have returned their envelopes and for their support of the church’s missionary activity and we remind those who have not yet returned their envelopes to do so at any of the weekend Masses in the cathedral. Raised so far €2,009.00. Thank you.
 
THANK YOU – ALTAR SOCIETY CAKE SALE
Thank you to all who were so generous in their support of  the Altar Society’s cake sale last weekend.  All funds raised will be used to enhance our cathedral for liturgical celebrations. Thank you also to all members of the Altar Society for their hard work, loyalty and dedication at all times.
 
 
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK O Lord, into your hands we commend the souls of our loved ones who have died.  Amen.
 
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK Mon 4: St. Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Archbishop of Milan, patron saint of catechists and seminarians. Wednesday. 6th All Saints of Ireland, Thursday. 7th St. Willibrord.
 
READINGS: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10th 1st Reading: 2 Mac.   7:1-2. 9-14. 2nd Reading: 2 Thess. 2:16-3:5.  Gospel: Lk. 20:27-38.
 
CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY OCTOBER 27th
PARISH ENV: €2,628.00 PLATE/STAND.ORD €1,653.00
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY 9162670 SACRISTY 9161261
 
CEMETERY ROSARY
On each Sunday during the month of November the Rosary will be recited in Sligo Cemetery at 3.00 p.m.
ETERNAL FLAME CANDLES
Candles which may be placed on the graves of loved ones during November are available at the Cathedral entrance and Sacristy. Cost €7.
 
ST BERNADETTE’S CHAPEL – ROCKWOOD PARADE
Mass will be held at 5.15 pm., TOMORROW – MONDAY NOV. 4th All welcome.
 
HOLY SOULS AT KNOCK Prayers and Mass for the Holy Souls will be held in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Knock Shrine on Sunday 3rd November from 2 to 6pm. Main celebrant Fr Kilcoyne.
 
SLIGO CHORAL FESTIVAL – 7th – 10th NOVEMBER 2013
As part of the Sligo Choral Festival two internationally renowned choirs will sing in our cathedral next weekend. The Ensemble Vocal Notas Soltas choir from Portugal will sing at the 10.30 am. Mass on Sunday next, November 10th and the Enniscorthy
Choral Society will enhance our 12 noon liturgy.  We welcome the choirs to our cathedral and to our town and we pray God’s blessing on them and their talents.
COMPETITIONS IN THE GILLOOLY HALL, Temple St. on Saturday next, 9th November, morning and afternoon.  For full details of the Festival Programme visit www.sligochoralfest.com.  Please support the Choral Festival and  join us in the comforts of our recently decorated community hall.
 
 
ANNUAL ST MARTIN NOVENA in Holy Cross Friary concludes today, Sunday 3rd November with ceremony commencing at 3.30pm. The Preacher is  Fr John Walsh O.P.  All welcome.
 
GILLOOLY HALL BINGO – 9.00 p.m.
Tonight’s JACKPOT is €1,450 !!, Raffle prizes & refreshments.
All welcome to join in the fun!
 
NOVEMBER – MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS Many people choose to abstain from alcohol for the month of November and offer this sacrifice up for their deceased loved ones. You can do likewise! Take the Short-Term Pledge for November www.pioneerassociation.ie or contact 01 874 9464.
 
UPCOMING PARISH MEETINGS
AREA REPRESENTATIVES – Meeting – Thursday, November 7th at 8.00pm in St. Mary’s.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL –  Wednesday, November 13th at 8.00 pm., in St. Mary’s.
LITURGY COMMITTEE – Meeting, Wednesday, November 27th at 7.30 pm., in St. Mary’s

Any Parishioner who wishes to have matters raised at any of these meetings are welcome to submit their enquiries in writing to the Parish Office on 071 916 2670. Thank you.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER
MARIA RIVIER ASSOC. – Monthly meeting today – 3.30 pm. in Marie Rivier Centre, 3 Lr. John St. New aspirants always welcome.
BLOOD DONOR CLINIC – Today,  Sun Nov 3 from 12.30 to 4pm at The Clarion Hotel Sligo. 3,000 blood donations are needed in Ireland every week – you could save a life. Please support.
ADULT EDUCATION In Crochet / Knitting & Spanish in Mercy College Sligo since Oct 29th at 8pm. German from Nov 5th. For more details please e-mail mercycollegesligo@eircom.net tel 071 914 3476.
RANGANNA GAEILGE Irish Classes beginning shortly for Jnr &
Leaving Cert Students, ordinary & higher levels. Glaoigh 087 3916421.
 
JOE DALTON Healing & Renewal Weekend in Sligo Park Hotel 22nd, 23rd and 24th November.  For further details please contact Mary at 087 784 7304 or Nuala on 086 838 3725.
 
ALZHEIMER CAFÉ MORNING, Glasshouse Hotel, Friday, 8th
November from 11 am to 1.00 pm., in the View Bar.  Alzheimer Café mornings are free and anyone affected by Dementia are welcome to attend.  Marguirite Cryan, Team Co-Coordinator with the Psychiatry of Old Age Team will provide an information session on “Positive Mental Health for Older People”.  For more information contact Majella on 9146400 / 0868638171 modonnell@alzheimer.ie
 
WEDDINGS – Congratulations and best wishes to Aoife Divers and Alan Gordon and Denise Curley and Desmond Healy who were married recently in our cathedral.
 
DIVINE MERCY PILGRIMAGE Friday 15th to Monday 18th of November to the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. Organised by the Divine Mercy Apostolate run by Marian Fathers. All are welcome to join this special occasion at the Shrine.
 
SLIGO SAMARITANS expresses thanks to the congregation of Sligo Cathedral for their very generous response to their recent church gate collection. Amount collected €1,183.30.
 
ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
MON NOV. 4th 8.00 A.M. KATHLEEN PORTER 10.30 A.M. 1st ANNIVERSARY
PEGGY FEENEY
TUES NOV. 5th 8.00 A.M.JACK MC LOUGHLIN 10.30 A.M. HANDE & CORCORAN FAMILIES
WED NOV. 6th 8.00 A.M.NORA GILMARTIN 10.30 A.M. TERESA & JOHN GREENE
THURS NOV. 7th 8.00 A.M.MARY GILLEN 10.30 A.M. JANETT MC DERMOTT
FRI NOV. 8th 8.00 A.M.BERNADETTE O’DOWD & MICHAEL & MARY BOHAN 10.30 A.M. 1ST ANNIVERSARY KITTY KEANEY
SAT NOV 9th  8.00 A.M.MICHAEL FARRELL 10.30 A.M.  MONTH’S MIND MARIE NAIRN