SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8th DECEMBER 2013
Through the scriptures God has given us the hope of justice for the poor and a longing for peace and harmony among people.  Christ came to fulfil that promise, but to receive it we must turn our lives away from everything that is sinful.

ADVENT IN THE CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACUALTE CONCEPTION
EWTN – ADVENT RECORDED IN OUR CATHEDRAL
Advent Reflections filmed recently in our Cathedral will be broadcast during the season of Advent. This weeks schedule begins with Fr Pat Lombard, Sunday 8^th, 11:30am; Tuesday 10^th, 7:30pm; Thursday 12^th, 9am; Saturday 14^th, 5:30pm.
UPC Channel 815, SKY EPG 589, www.ewtn-ireland.ie

WAY OF GENTLENESS
Advent Continues in our Cathedral Tuesday next, 10^th and on Tuesday 17^that 8pm. Everyone is welcome to join in this hour of guided prayer, silent time and music in preparation for Christmas.

SLIGO CATHEDRAL CHOIR CAROL SERVICE
We invite all to a prayerful and joyous celebration of the gift of the Christ child to the world. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations take some time to join our Cathedral Community in a candlelit carol service on SUNDAY 22^nd DECEMBER at 8.15pm.
This is always a very popular event in the magnificent surroundings of our beautiful Cathedral and for many marks the beginning of Christmas, offering a glimpse into the true meaning of the season.

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH IN THE HOME:
This Blessing might be used when the Advent Wreath is lit on each of the Sundays of Advent.
All make the sign of the Cross, one member lights the candles on the Advent Wreath while another recites the following;
Lord God, Let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen

ADVENT JESSE TREE – WEEK TWO
The Jesse Tree is a way of reflecting on the key people who prefigure the coming (‘adventus’) of Jesus.  The symbols for the Jesse Tree have been divided over the four weeks of Advent:
This week – WEEK TWO
The Ram symbol represents ISAAC
The Ladder represents JACOB
The Water Jar & Coat represent JOSEPH
The Tablets & Paschal Lamb represent MOSES.

WELCOME
Fr Michael Shields will celebrate the Vigil Mass in our Cathedral this weekend. Fr Shields ministers in the town of Magadan in the Kolyma region of Siberia. We extend a warm céad míle fáilte to Fr Michael.

ADVENT IN SLIGO PARISHES CLUSTER
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Adoration takes place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
St. Bernadette’s Chapel, Rockwood Parade Wednesdays Dec 11,18 at 12:30-1pm – A half hour reflection will be held at lunchtime.
Adoration 4-5pm daily.
St. Anne’s Day Chapel Wednesdays Dec 11,18 following 10am Mass. Two gatherings lasting an hour reflecting on the meaning and purpose of the Season of Advent.
St. Joseph’s Parish Centre Tuesdays Dec 10, 17 at 3pm. Two gatherings lasting an hour reflecting on the meaning and purpose of the Advent Season. St Joseph’s Oratory Adoration daily midday to 6pm.
St Patrick’s, Strandhill Mondays Dec 9, 16 at 8pm: ‘The Way of Gentleness’. Guided Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Advent reflections.
St John’s, Carraroe Wednesdays Dec 11,18 at 7pm: Reflections based on Sunday Gospels.
Holy Cross Friary Adoration Every Saturday 11am to 12 noon.

RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP
We thank most sincerely all our Area Reps who have delivered the Responsible Stewardship boxes in their areas. We apologise to anyone who has not received a box and invite you to please contact the Parish Office on 9162670 and we will arrange to have one sent directly.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL ANNUAL CHURCH GATE COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND
Please give as generously as possible to allow St. Vincent de Paul to help families in our community who are in great need due to the current economic climate. Donations can also be made to Ozanam House, John Street, Sligo, tel. 071 916 0713. Thank you for your support.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Mary our mother, pray for us to your most holy and beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT DECEMBER 15th
1st: Is. 35:1-6. 10;
2nd: Jas. 5:7-10;
Gospel: Matt. 11: 2-11.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Weds 11^th: St Damasus I, pope,
Thurs 12^th: St Finnian, bishop;
Fri 13^th: St Lucy, virgin & martyr,
Sat 14^th: St John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church.

CONFIRMATION DATES FOR 2014
Scoil Éoin Naofa, Thursday 29^th May 4pm.
Scoil Cnoc na Ré, Wednesday 4^th June at 11.30am.
Scoil Ursula, Pentecost Sunday 8^th June at 12 Noon.

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY DECEMBER 1^st
PARISH ENV: €2,669 PLATE/STAND.ORD €1,620
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY 071 916 2670 SACRISTY071 916 1261

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of
AGNES TIERNAN, late of 57 Jink’s Avenue;
MARTHA KELLY, late of Oakfield Crescent and
PHILL McCOOL, late of Castlebar, sister of Sheila Doherty, Wolfe Tone St & Peggy Mullan The Park, Strandhill Rd.
May God Grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family MARYETTA SWEENEY who was baptised recently in our Cathedral.

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBRANCES
Monday December 9^th: 8am JANET ROPER & EILEEN PEGNAM Remembrance Mass; 10.30am BRIDIE MITCHELL;
Tuesday December 10^th: 8am EAMON CLARKE Birthday Remembrance; 10.30am JOHN & ALICE PRIOR:
Wednesday December 11th: 8am SUSAN MURRAY; 10.30am PATRICK KENNEDY:
Thursday December 12^th: 8am KATIE McTERNAN; 10.30am MAUREEN O’GRADY;
Friday December 13^th: 8am PEGNAM FAMILY Remembrance Mass; 10.30am FEEHILY & HENRY Family Members;
Saturday December 14th: 8am NADARAJA, BIGGER & CORRIGAN Family Members; 10.30am Month’s Mind RAY SCANLON

ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
Next meeting tomorrow – Monday, December 9 at 11am in the Upper Room of the Cathedral Sacristy. New members welcome.

GILLOOLY HALL BINGO – 9.00 p.m. SUNDAY
Tonight’s JACKPOT is €1,700!! Raffle prizes & refreshments.
All welcome to join in the fun!

CHISTMAS NATIVITY DRAMA
Entitled “Gift of God “presented by Sligo drama group For Your Soul Productions takes place at Sligo’s beloved Holy Well, Carraroe on Sun Dec 22^nd at 5pm. A narration of Christ’s birth accompanied by music & song with mulled wine & mince pies to follow. Donations welcome on the night.

SLIGO CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Festive fun for all! December 7^th & 8^th in Stephen St Car Park. Kids Wonderland, Santa’s Grotto and a variety of Christmas gifts from local traders. Crafts, jewellery, pottery and more with entertainment throughout including a line up of local choirs.

CO. SLIGO GOLF CLUB
Male Voice Choir & the Sligo Academy of Music host a “Christmas Spectacular” concert with St Mary’s Youth Choir & Summerhill College Choir in Summerhill College New Gym on Thursday 19^th Dec at 8pm. Tickets €10 from Liber Bookshop with all proceeds to local charities.

CHRISTMAS FAIR
At Castledargan Hotel on Sunday 15^th December from 12 noon. Attractions include live animal Nativity scene, Santa, Christmas Market with carols. All proceeds to St Vincent DePaul & Philippines Emergency Appeal. Contact Christy Murphy 087 247 0823