Newsletter 23rd February 2014

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
We cannot celebrate the Lord of Love without resolving to be more like him; for we are built into him like stones into a Temple erected to give glory to God. We belong to him.
 
PERPETUAL ADORATION Please help us to maintain Perpetual Adoration in our Cathedral. We are in need of new members to fill the Rota of Adorers in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. If you have an hour or two any day or night why not offer it to the Lord? If you would like to participate please contact the Parish Office on 916 2670 or The Sisters of the Presentation of Mary on 916 0740.
We need your support urgently.
 
URSULINE ASSOCIATES – Next meeting will be held on Wednesday 26th February in the Convent (opp Cathedral entrance) at 7.00pm. New members always welcome.
 
LENT 2014 – ASH WEDNESDAY – MARCH 5
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday falling this year on March 5th.
LENTEN SCRIPTURE SHARING PRAYER GROUPS
Sunday Gospel passages & reflections available for download from www.elphindiocese.ie. Replacement Evening Prayer booklets available from Justin @ 071 963 4960 or e-mail    pdo@elphindiocese.ie
LENTEN COMMITMENTS – DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Take the short-term pledge and make a difference! This lent help those with an alcohol or drug problem by offering up your sacrifice as a prayer for their freedom and well-being. For more visit www.pioneerassociation.ie or call Raymond O’Connor on 01 874 9464.
 
READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT MARCH 2nd
1st: Is. 49: 14-15 ; 2nd:1 Cor. 4:1-5 ; Gospel: Mt. 6: 24-34.
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Sat 1st March: St. David, bishop and patron saint of Wales.
 
RESOURCES FOR YOUNG CATHOLICS
Love One Another magazine, produced by the Society of Christ Missionary Fathers was established 25 years ago in Poland and is now published in 14 languages and distributed across the globe. Although aimed at readers of all ages, it is particularly suited to teenagers and young adults. This magazine has helped many young Catholics asking questions and seeking the truth deepen their faith and learn more about the Church and its teachings. For more visit www.catholicflame.co.uk, distributors of Love One Another  in Ireland and the UK.
 
FOYER OF LIGHT, CHARITY & LOVE 5 Day Silent Retreat. Theme:“If you but knew the gift of God…” . Preached by Fr. Kilian Byrne, Esker retreat centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, April 21st – 27th, cost €350, residential. Visit www.foyerofcharity.ie or call Helen on 086 167 8027. These retreats address all who search for God and those who wish to progress in their life of faith, of prayer & their apostolate.
 
BAPTISM IN ST MARY’S PARISH
Each individual baptised in our Cathedral is welcomed to our St Mary’s Parish Community with great joy. To acknowledge the central role that the Sacrament of Baptism plays on the journey of faith Sligo Parishes Cluster hold a one-night course in St Michael’s Family Life Centre, Church Hill for parents and godparents who are preparing to have a child baptised. This helps deepen the understanding of baptism and prepare for the responsibilities of Christian parents in today’s world. Courses take place on the 3rd Thursday of every month in St Michael’s Family Life Centre. To book a Baptism or to find out more please contact the Parish Office on 9162670.
Please note: This Course is provided by Sligo Parishes Cluster completely free of charge.
 
PARISH FINANCES We wish to inform our Parishioners that our Annual Financial Statement will be posted within the coming days. We apologise if any home is excluded. Please contact us on 9162670 if you do not receive a letter. The Financial Statement will be printed in our next Newsletter.
 
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK  Lord, teach me not to fear since you are my guide. Help me to grow in your likeness.  Amen.
 
PARENTS OF CONFIRMATION CHILDREN  are invited to the second in the series of gatherings “Confirming Our Children”. This time we will look at the place of thanksgiving in our lives. 8-9pm on Tuesday, 25th February in the Gillooly Hall.
 
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2014 takes place on Friday 7th March at 8.00 p.m. in Sligo Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Sligo. For the last 80 years people of all Christian denominations have come together on the first Friday of March to pray. The 2014 service has been prepared by the Christian women of Egypt themed ‘Streams in the Desert. All are most welcome.
 
FESTIVAL OF FAITH 2014
Taking place in Sligo Parishes Cluster from the 19th to 23rd of May and will be led by the Ember Team of the Vincentian Order.
 
BINGO – GILLOOLY HALL – TONIGHT AT 9PM
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €2,200!!
Raffle at interval with refreshments.  All welcome!
 
LA VERNA RETREAT CENTRE The Friary, Rossnowlagh. Woodland Walk Sun 2nd March – 3pm & 5pm. Healing Service  with Eddie Stones (Friary Chapel) Sun 16th March. AA Members Open Retreat Fri 21st-Sun 23rd March (Residential Only). Please phone 071 985 2572 for more details or to book.
 
CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY February 16th
PARISH ENV €2,165 PL/STAND.ORD €1,483
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY  9162670 SACRISTY  9161261
email us at info@sligocathedral.ie
We welcome your comments. Thank you.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER
NORTH WEST STROKE GROUP next meeting Wednesday Feb 26th at 8pm at the Irish Wheelchair Association premises in Abbeyville, Sligo.
ANGER ISSUES? Knock Counselling Centre, together with the Irish Association for Anger Management are running a 2-Day Anger Management programme in Knock on Sat 12th & Sun 13th April. For more contact Peter Devers on 094 937 5032 or visit www.knockshrine.ie
 
SLIGO INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL
presents “COOKING & CAPERS”, A NIGHT OF FOOD & FUN!” at The Radisson Hotel, Wednesday 5th March at 8pm (doors open 7pm). With Chef Joe Shannon & Comedian Frankie Forde.
Raffles & spot prizes galore! Local food & artisan stands.
Tickets €15 from the Radisson; Committee Members on 086 259 2290 & Liber Bookshop, O’Connell St, Sligo.
 
BAPTISMS We welcome into God’s family HOLLY RYAN, KELSEY SHANNON and SÍOFRA GILDEA recently baptised in our Cathedral.
 
ANAM CARA Monthly free parent evening Wednesday 5th March 7:30-9pm at Ballybane Enterprise Centre, Galway. All bereaved parents welcome with a bereavement professional present. www.anamcara.ie
 
MATTIE CARDEN MEMORIAL 5K/10K Run/Walk, Enniscrone Sat 8th March @ 12.30pm. Mattie was a dialysis & transplant patient. Start: Diamond Coast Hotel. Finish: the square near the Ocean Sands Hotel, official start by Sligo’s Mary Cullen. Entry fees: 5K=€10; 10K=€15; chip timed. Trophies & medals for winners. Refreshments after in the Ocean Sands Hotel (main sponsors). Registration open up to 12 pm on the day or online at runireland.ie. All funds to the Irish Kidney Association.
 
REST IN PEACE YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF: FRANK HANLY, Cavan Town, father of Yvonne McSharry, Kevinsfort; EAMON HARGADON Maugheraboy Estate; COLIN WATTERS, Collooney; MOLLIE BRODER, Circular Road, Mother of Fergal Broder, Sea Road; and Lily Murray, Dublin, late of Castle Street, Sister of Bernard McDonagh, Strandhill Road. MAY GOD GRANT THEM ETERNAL REST AND COMFORT AND CONSOLE THEIR BEREAVED FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
 

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
MON FEB 24th 10.30 A.M. 1st ANNIVERSARY PATRICK KEENAN JOHNSON
TUES FEB 25th 8.00 A.M. RORY O’CONNALLAIN 10.30 A.M. PADDY O’BRIEN
WEDS FEB 26th 8.00 A.M. 1st ANNIVERSARY MICHAEL JOHN MASTERSON 10.30 A.M. TOM WEIR
THURS FEB 27th   8.00 A.M. JAMES SWEENEY
SAT MAR 1st 8.00 A.M. MARGARET & EDWARD DYKES 10.30 A.M. MONTH’S MIND MARY McNIFFE