TODAY – 27^th JANUARY 2013
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

We come together on Sundays to listen to the scriptures and to have them explained. Here it is God who speaks to us through his Son. His Spirit continues to work on us to inspire us with his message of freedom and encouragement for all in need.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2013
Catholic Schools Week begins today 27th of January.  This year’s theme is ‘Catholic Schools in the Community of Faith: Sharing the Good News’, serving to  remind us that we are celebrating a Year of Faith and inviting us to engage more fully in our parish community. This week school communities across the country celebrate our schools being firmly rooted in the wider community of faith, being just one place within that community where the faith of our children is nurtured, deepened and challenged. This week is also about strengthening relationships among all who have a stake in our schools – students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider community.

SAINT BRIGID’S FEASTDAY – FEBRUARY 1^st
Friday February 1st marks the feast day of St Brigid, secondary patron saint of Ireland. Mass will be celebrated at 8.30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

PRAYER TO SAINT BRIGID – ‘MARY OF THE GAEL’
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious and be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our country.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence harmony where there was conflict.
Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.
Strengthen what is weak within us.
Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.
May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit. Amen. 

SAINT BRIGID’S CROSSES
Reeds have been gathered at the moment and work has commenced 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.

FIRST FRIDAY
Friday next, Feb 1^st is the First Friday. Mass will be celebrated at 7.00 pm. Confessions will take place before the 8.00 am., 10.30 am and 7.00 pm Masses.

EVENING PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Our Cathedral Choir will sing the Evening Prayer of the Church at 6.30 pm in the Cathedral. We encourage you to join us here in the Cathedral to experience this most beautiful of prayers, especially when sung.

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.

YEAR OF FAITH
A Year of Faith Adult Education Opportunit – Fr. Michael Drumm to lead workshop (11am – 3.30 pm) on Faith& Reason in The Abbey Hotel Roscommon on Sat. Jan. 26^th / The Sligo Park Hotel on Sat. Feb. 2^nd . This is 1^st of 4 very engaging faith-related workshops that will take place in Elphin diocese this year. Cost €10, payable on the day. Visit www.elphindiocese.ie or see brochure in Church porch for more details. All welcome.

ANNUAL LOURDES NOVENA
The Annual Lourdes Novena will be held in the Holy Cross Friary from Saturday 2^nd – Sunday 10^th of February daily at 7.30 p.m., Sundays 3.30 p.m. The preachers will be Fr Frank Downes, OP, Limerick and Fr Gabriel Harty, OP, Tallaght. All are most welcome!

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PERMANENT DEACON IN THE DIOCESE OF ELPHIN?
Elphin Diocese is now accepting applications from married and single men who may feel called to ministry as Permanent Deacons. The four year part-time training programme begins this spring. For further information or a conversation around the topic please contact the Director of the Permanent Diaconate, St Mary’s, Sligo on 071 9162670, visit www.elphindiocese under the ‘Vocations’ section. Closing date for applications Fri 8^th Feb 2013.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
My soul longs for your presence, Lord. When I turn my thoughts to You, I find peace and contentment. Amen.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT FEBRUARY 3^rd
1^st Jer. 1:4-5. 17-19 ;
2^nd : 1 Cor.: 12:31-13. 13;
Gospel: Lk. 4: 21-30.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Mon 28^th: St Thomas Aquinas, priest & doctor of the Church;
Weds 30^th: St Aidan, bishop; Bl. Margaret Ball & Francis Taylor, martyrs;
Thurs 31^st St John Bosco, priest;
Fri Feb 1^st:.St Brigid, second Patron of Ireland.

FIRST CONFESSIONS
First Confessions will take place for all children making their First Holy Communion this year on Thursday the 21^st of February at 7p.m. in our Cathedral.

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK – MONDAY – FEBRUARY 11
Monday Feb 11^th is World Day of the Sick. A Special Blessing & Anointing of the Sick will take at the 10.30 a.m. Mass on that day. Please advise all the sick and housebound of your area and provide transport if necessary. Thank you.

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family
MATTHEW FINAN and
KACPER JANYSI
recently baptised in our Cathedral.

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 21^st Feb.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the respose of the souls of:
JOHN T FLYNN, Cartron, Lough Allen, Co Roscommon, father of Adrian Flynn, Kestrel Drive, Kevinsfort,
EILEEN HARRISON, Maugheraboy Estate and
GERALD ROLF, Larkhill Court.
May God grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBRANCES
Monday 28^th January: 8am GERTRUDE HEGARTY;
Tuesday 29^th January: 8am SHEILA & PADDY MORAN; 1030am JOHN BEIRNS;
Wednesday 30^th January: 8am DERMOT CONLON; 10.30am TOM & EMILY MURREN;
Thursday 31^st January: 8am JOE, BIRDIE & RONNIE SCANLON; 10.30am KEN MACKAY & Deceased Family Members;
Friday 1^st February: 8am JOHN & KATHLEEN MARTYN;10.30am Month’s Mind TERESA CONLON;
Saturday 2^nd February: 8am PETER SHOVLIN

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY JANUARY 20^th
Parish Envelopes: €3,696 Plate and Standing Orders: €1,536
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Telephone 071 916 2670 CATHEDRAL SACRISTY Telephone 071 916 1261.
email us at  information@sligocathedral.ie We welcome your comments. Thank you.

BINGO – GILLOOLY HALL – TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €1200!!
Tonight, January 27^th at 9pm.
Raffle at interval with refreshments available. All welcome!

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

EASTER YOUTH CELEBRATION OF FAITH IN MEDJUGORJE
(March 31 – April 7) Under 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 and lower your fare. Further details contact Corina on 086 868 1730.

AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL SERVICE
An Interdenominational Service of Thanksgiving will be held in St Patrick’s Church, Strandhill on Tues 29th Jan. at 7.30pm to honour the names of those entered on the Remembrance Tree erected by Sligo Rotary Club on O’Connell St. last December. All proceeds to the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the North West Hospice

RIVERSTOWN PARISH MISSION
In The Church of the Sacred Heart, From Thurs, Feb 7^th to Sun, Feb 10^th at 8pm. Feb 7^th: Fr. Aidan Ryan P.P, Ballinahowan; Feb 8^th: Fr. Michael Drumm; Feb 9^th: Dr. Patrick Mullins O.Carm; and Sun, Feb 10^th: 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.

BEREAVEMENT WORKSHOP
8 week workshop for those who have lost a spouse or partner to cancer. Monday 4^th February from 2.15pm to 4.15pm at Sligo Cancer Support Centre. An opportunity to help heal the pain and grief of loss. For details and to register phone 071-9170399.

CAKE SALE TODAY
By Sligo Musical Society in the Gilhooly Hall after 10.30 & 12 noon Masses. This is a fundraiser for their production of “Fiddler on the Roof” taking place in the Hawkswell from 16^th – 23^rd Feb. Tea/ coffee will also be available and entertainment will be provided.

THEOLOGY – DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME
The Dominican Order is offering affordable distance learning in theology leading to a range of qualifications from certificate to full honours degree level. Study from home with occasional study days and benefit from on-line support of academic tutors. If you would like to know more contact The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24 Tel: 01 404 8124 or email  enquiries@prioryinstitute.com