TODAY – 16^th FEBRUARY 2014
SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The negative formulation of God’s will in the Law is necessary for those who are morally immature. But Jesus leads us by a more perfect and positive understanding to the maturity which makes us realise our full obligations to God and to our fellow human beings.

THE IRISH PILGRIMAGE TRUST ANNUAL CHURCH GATE COLLECTION
Takes place after all Masses this weekend. For over 40 years, the Trust travels on pilgrimage with Irish young people with special needs on Easter Sunday for a unique week in Lourdes. Your generous support makes this possible and is very much appreciated. For more tel. 091 796622 or visit www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com 

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
We thank most sincerely all our parishioners who contribute generously to our weekly Responsible Stewardship collection. We are grateful for all contributions we receive.
Unfortunately our weekly contributions both on the plate and in the envelope have been falling over the last number of years and in particular over the past number of weeks. Please see below.
Because of falling income we are finding it increasingly harder to meet our expenses and the financial demands placed upon the Parish. We ask you, our good Parishioners, to please try and keep up your contributions to the Parish so we can meet our on-going financial obligations.
Our financial statement will be going out to all Parishioners in a couple of weeks.
YEAR                COLLECTION PLATE         PARISH ENVLOPES           TOTAL
12th Feb 2012             €1,266                                 €2,484                       €3,750
10th Feb 2013             €1,186                                 €3,224                       €4,410
  9th Feb 2014             €1,458                                 €1,282                       €2,740

FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY SISTERS FOR AFRICA – THANKS
The Frcanciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa wish to convey their sincere gratitude to our Cathedral Parishioners for the warm welcome and very generous support of their Missionary Appeal last weekend. The donations received amounted to €3554.45. Thank you.

LENT 2014 – Ash Wednesday – MARCH 5
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday falling this year on March 5^th.

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 – A SUGGESTION
This year Trócaire is asking people to stand in solidarity with those in the developing world who are living in poverty.  This Lent please take a Trócaire Box home with you and remember the world’s poor.

FESTIVAL OF FAITH
Takes place in Sligo Parishes Cluster from the 19^th to 23^rd of May and will be led by the Ember Team of the Vincentian Order.
Consisting of a lay Director and a core team of Vincentians – both priests and lay people – the Ember Mission Team is sent out in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all people, aware that our Parish is a living thing and everyone contributes to its life.
“Do not overburden yourself with rules of devotion, but persist in doing well those you have; your daily actions, your work. In a word, let everything revolve around doing well what you are doing.”             St Vincent de Paul circa 1636
For more please visit www.vincentians.ie

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Mon 17^th: St Fintan, abbot; Seven Founders of the Order of Servites, religious;
Fri 21^st: St Peter Damian, bishop & doctor of the Church;
Sat 22^nd: The Feast of the Chair of St Peter.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT FEBRUARY 23rd
1^st:Lev. 19: 1-2 17-18;
2^nd:1 Cor. 3:16-23;
Gospel: Mt. 5: 38-48.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Lord, let me feel the blessing of your mercy deep within my being.  Amen.

FIRST HOLYCOMMUNION DATES 2014
Scoil Cnoc na Ré, Sunday May 11^th at 10:30am.
Scoil Ursula, Sunday May 18^th at 10.30am.
Scoil Éoin Naofa, Sunday May 25^th at 10:30 am.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION MASS
The next Mass for our young people preparing to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist takes place today at 10.30am.

REST IN PEACE
Your Prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of:
DERMOT McDONAGH, London & late of Treacy Ave;
MARY QUIGLEY, Larkhill Rd;
VINCENT (Vinny) GEELAN, Thornhill;
PATRICK (Paddy) CLARKE, Racecourse View & late of St Edward’s Tce.;
SARAH BRENNAN, Dromahair, grandmother of Mark Brennan Hunt;
ANTHONY BURNS, Holborn St, brother of Michael Burns, Temple St and
MARGARET MULLIGAN John St & late of Knappagh Rd.
May God grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
Monday February 17^th: 8am 1^st Anniversariy Nancy McGowan; 10.30am Anthony Burns (Recently Deceased);
Tuesday February 18^th: 10.30am Martin McManus;
Wednesday Feburuary 19^th: 10.30am Deceased Members of the Gray Family;
Thursday February 20^th: 8am Charles & Jean Kavanagh & Deceased Family members; 10.30am James & Mary Keaney;
Friday February 21^st: 8am Peig McKeon; 10.30am Month’s Mind Vincent Bird;
Saturday February 22^nd: 8am Mai Martyn; 10.30am Month’s Mind Brian Cotter

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family
JACKSON GORDON
recently baptised in our Cathedral.

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: Sunday 9^th February
PARISH ENV: €1,282  PL/STAND.ORD €1,758
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Tel: 071 916 2670 SACRISTY Tel: 071 916 1261.
E-mail us at info@sligocathedral.ie We welcome your comments. Thank you.

BINGO – GILLOOLY HALL – TONIGHT AT 9PM
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €2,150!!
Raffle at interval with refreshments available at start of Bingo and at the interval.  All welcome!

SLIGO ORPHEUS CHOIR
Present Baroque Music & Song in the Presbyterian Church Hall, Church St, Sligo on Friday 21^st February @ 8.00pm. Music lovers will have the opportunity to hear the outstanding Korean soprano Eunjoo Goh in a Program of favourite Arias and song. Eunjoo is joined by Rod Alston Harpsichord and Nahee Han Violin. Admission Free (retiring collection to defray expenses).

LA VERNA RETREAT CENTRE
The Friary, Rossnowlagh.
Day of Prayer Wed 19^th Feb 10am-5pm. ~
Lenten Retreat Fri 21^st Feb to Sun 23^rd Feb with Fr Paschal McDonnell OFM.
Living in the Seasons Sat 22^nd Feb 10am-2pm with Sinead Grimes.
Please phone to book on 071 985 2572.

BRINGING THEOLOGY HOME
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.

DAY OF FAITH
Presented by Bishop Donal Murrary at The Priory Institute on Saturday 8^th March 11am-6.30pm.
Theme: The Role of the (Irish) Laity in the Light of Vatican II.
If you would like to know more about attending or distance learning contact: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24 Tel: 01 404 8124 or email enquiries@prioryinstitute.com

GALILEE COMMUNITY
Tintagh, Boyle. Meditation on Mondays from 7 to 7:45pm. Mindfulness and meditation are a wonderful way to inner peace and calm. Scripture Reflection on Thursdays, beginning with a cuppa at 7:30. Input begins at 8pm concluding with prayer at 9pm. Doors are open from 9:15 a m to 7pm. You are welcome to visit the chapel at anytime during the day to make a visit or to spend longer time.  Those wishing to make a day retreat are welcome to spend the day or stay overnight. Lunch can be provided if you phone in advance