TODAY - APRIL 28th - FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Part of the great revelation of the New Testament is the notion that God is coming among us to make all things new; that means removing all the causes of guilt and grief in human life. We show our acceptance of this renewal of our lives by our love for one another.

FEAST OF SAINT ASICUS – TODAY
To celebrate the Feast of  Saint Asicus a Commemorative Mass will be celebrated today, 28th April, in ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH - ELPHIN at 7.00pm. The Celebration will be followed by a visitation to the ancient Cathedral ruins. All are most welcome to attend.

MONTH OF MAY
As we celebrate the month of May we place our lives and work in a special way under the protection of Mary, Mother of God.  The Rosary will be recited before the 10.30 a.m. daily Mass during the month of May.All are invited to attend from 10.15 a.m. for thistraditional prayer in honour of the Mother of God.
YOUTH MASS – EXAMINATION PREPARATION
Each Sunday during May our evening Mass at 7pm will be offered for all students undertaking Second and Third Level Examinations.Students are encouraged to be present during this time of prayer for their wellbeing and success.
CHILDREN’S ROSARY 13th MAY 2013 at 7.00pm.
CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES & FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO THIS SPECIAL CELEBRATION.
FIRST FRIDAY
Friday next, May 3rd 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 p.m. in the Cathedral. We encourage you to join us here in the Cathedral.

YEAR OF FAITH - PARISH VISITATION
To mark the Year of Faith and in preparation for the upcoming Festival of Faith the Parish Pastoral Council have decided to visit all homes in our Parish commencing in May as a gesture of outreach.

FESTIVAL OF FAITH May 19-27^th
Theme: The Door is always open. Organised by Sligo Parishes Cluster and taking place in our Cathedral, St Anne’s, Carraroe, St Joseph’s, St Patrick’s Calry, Strandhill, Ransboro, Rosses Point & The Friary. Including celebration of the Eucharist, Vigils, Pilgrimages, liturgies of the Word, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Speakers include: Fr Gareth Byrne.
Sunday May 19
7:30pm Strandhill Church             Festival Concert
Monday May 20
7:30pm Peace Park          The Door is always Open!
7:45pm The Cathedral                   Festival Opening Mass
Tuesday May 21
Learning Belonging - Baptism and the Gift of Community
3:30pm Carraroe Church
7:30pm St. Anne’s Church            Revisiting Baptism
Wednesday May 22
Forgotten Powers - Confirmation and the life of the Spirit within
3:30pm Calry Church                      7:30pm St. Joseph’s Church
Thursday May 23
Who do you think you are - The Eucharist and the gift of identity
3:30pm Rosses Point Church
7:30pm The Cathedral                   Celebration of the Eucharist
Friday May 24
Exploring the paths to Healing and Reconciliation
3:30pm Strandhill Church
7:30pm The Friary            (Confessions available)
Saturday May 25
The call to be family, the call to Christian service
3:30pm The Friary                            8:15pm Ransboro Church
Sunday May 26
Sligo Churches Together Camino
Monday May 27
Keeping the door open –who will if we don’t?
3:30pm Sligo Abbey
7:30pm St. Anne's Church            Celebration of the Eucharist:
Holding the door open for those coming after us!
Homilist: Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR LIFE
Saturday 4th May has been designated for prayer ‘from womb to tomb’. People from every parish in Ireland are invited to Knock to focus on prayer and liturgy for the intention of protecting Unborn Life. A Prayer Vigil for the Right to Life of  Mothers and Babies will be taking place at Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock at 1pm with the Rosary after at 3pm. For details of the bus from Sligo please contact Fionnuala on 087 755 2754. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD
THE WORLD NEEDS CHRIST - CHRIST NEEDS YOU. Have you considered serving the Elphin Diocese as a Priest? If you feel you may have a vocation to Diocesan Priesthood, please contact Fr. Jim Murray, Carraroe, Sligo on 9162136, your local priest or email: vocations@elphindiocese.ie
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
God, you desire the happiness and salvation of all.
Stir up the grace of a holy vocation
in the hearts of many within our parish.
Grant them the willingness and generosity
to give of themselves, their time and talents to the service
of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and to His Church.  Amen.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
A Church Gate Collection in aid of St. Joseph's Young Priests Society will be held at all Masses this weekend.  Please give generously in support of vocations and for Seminarians.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DEACON?
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
Diocese of Elphin is now accepting enquiries from married and single men who may feel called to ministry as a permanent deacon. The four year part-time training programme will begin in Autumn 2013. For further information or a conversation around the topic contact: Director of the Permanent Diaconate, St Mary’s, Sligo, 071 9162670 or visit www.elphinsiocese.ie under “vocations” section.
share in a vocation weekend 26^th -28^th April. For more visit www.dominicannuns.ie or call 0419838524.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2013
We congratulate the pupils of ST JOHN’S and CARBURY who on this Sunday receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.
Gaelscoil, Sunday May 12th- 10.30 am.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2013
Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, Friday 3rd May - 11.30 am.
St John’s & Carbury, Thursday 16thMay  - 4.00 pm.
Scoil Ursula, Pentecost Sunday, 19th MAY - 12 noon.

We join with our parishioners in wishing all our First Communicants and Confirmandi, their families and their schools every blessing as they prepare for these sacred Sacraments.

PUBLICATION OF THE REVIEW OF SAFEGUARDING PRACTICES IN THE DIOCESE OF ELPHIN
By the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. The twenty four page Review and accompanying Statement from Bishop Christopher Jones is available to read in full on the Diocesan website atwww.elphindiocses.ie. The Bishop has encouraged everyone involved in the Diocese, both laity and clergy to take time to read and reflect on this important Review.

ELPHIN DIOCESAN CONFERENCE
Nine workshops relating to faith & parish pastoral development taking place this Sunday afternoon @ 2 pm in CBS Secondary School Roscommon. Come and see. Participate in the conversations on the issues up for discussion. Full details on www.elphindiocese.ie

TRÓCAIRE DOOR-TO-DOOR FUNDRAISERS
Will be in our Parish during April / May. All will have photo ID and will ask for support by way of a monthly direct debit. Trócaire works with the poorest families and communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Please support if you can. Thank you.

GARDEN OF RESURRECTION
Our Garden of Resurrection in the Cathedral is a symbolic representation of the tomb from which the Risen Lord came forth to declare that the life of faith triumphs over death itself.  Let us join with family and friends in visiting this place of prayer and hope and especially remember those who have gone before us marked with the sign of hope in the Resurrection.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Mon. 29th: St Catherine of Siena, virgin, doctor of the Church & patron of Europe:
Tues. 30th: St Pius V, pope;
Weds. 1st St Joseph the worker;
Thurs 2nd: St Athanasius, bishop & doctor of the Church;
Fri. 3rd: SS Philip and James, Apostles;
Sat. 4th : St Conleth, bishop.

READINGS - SUNDAY APRIL 14th
1st Reading: Acts 15:1-2. 22-29.
2nd Reading: Apoc. 21: 10-14. 22-23
Gospel: John 14:23.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Lord, your love restores the broken hearted of this world. Strengthen the hope of the lonely, abandoned and unloved in the week ahead we beseech you.  Amen.

CHURCH OF MARY IMMACULATE, BANGLADESH
Would you like to know more about this poor Third World parish? Perhaps you might like to help in some way. Details are available from the Parish Office.

YOUNG ADULT DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ROME
This pilgrimage, to mark the Year of Faith, will take place from July 7^th to 14^th to the ‘eternal city’ for young adults aged 18-35. Accommodation at Pontifical Irish College in the heart of Rome with a special programme ofspiritual cultural and social events. Cost €700. For further information contact Frank McGuinness,Director of Youth Ministry on 087 988 0690 or mail frank.mcguinness@elphindiocese.ie. Places are limited so early booking is advised.

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family
RHYAN COSTACOLLE and
BOBBY O’CONNOR
who were baptised recently in the Cathedral..

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
Tuesday 30^th April: 8am THOMAS SCANLON; 10.30am: ELIZABETH & PADDY MULLINS;
Wednesday 1^st May: 10.30am MICHAEL RYAN;
Thursday 2^nd May: 10.30am JOHN HARRISON & Deceased Family Members;
Friday 3^rd May: 8am JAMES & MARGARET FLANAGAN;
Saturday 4^th May: 8am JOHN O’BRIEN; 10.30am Month’s Mind ELIZABETH HERAGHTY.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of:
MARY HARRISON nee MONAGHAN, late of Jink’s Avenue and Rochdale, England.
May God Grant her eternal rest and comfort and console her bereaved family and friends.

BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL
Bingo TONIGHT, SUNDAY 28^th APRIL at 9pm with a
JACKPOT of €1800 and EXTRA RAFFLE PRIZES. All welcome!!.

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY April 21^st
PARISH ENV: €2,858  PL/STAND.ORD €1,706
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Telephone 071 9162670 SACRISTY Telephone 071 9161261.
Email us at information@sligocathedral.ie  We welcome your comments. Thank you.

GALILEE COMMUNITY, TNTAGH, BOYLE - TAIZE PRAYER
Mary – Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church: a model of living Faith is the title of a series of three evenings to be offered in Galilee Community  on Tuesday, May 14^th, 21^st and 28^th from 8pm – 9:30pm. The topic on May 14^th is - In Solidarity with Mary-Woman of Faith- we too can go forward with our lives, “Is Feidir Linn.”

IRISH CANCER SOCIETY’S CARE TO DRIVE SERVICE
The Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Care to Drive’ transport service is available for patients undergoing chemotherapy in Sligo General Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe & Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore. This service is completely free to the patient – a driver will pick you up at the door of your home and bring you to the hospital & then, after treatment, bring you home. So if you are having trouble getting to and from the hospital for your treatment, please speak to your oncology team in Sligo General or call Gail on 01 2310 566.

The service is free to both the hospital and the patient with the Irish Cancer Society incurring all costs. The service has been running since 2008 and we are currently partnered with the following hospitals; St. Vincent’s; St. James’s; Letterkenny General; The Mater; Mid-Western Regional, Limerick; Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; Tallaght Hospital; Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore.

SLIGO INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL
Gala summer Concert. Co. Sligo Golf Club Male Voice Choir with Reading Male Voice Choir in St Anne’s Church on Fri. May 10th at 8pm. Tickets €10 from Liber Bookshop or on door. Proceeds to North West Hospice. Call 086 259 2290 for more.

SLIGO ORPHEUS CHOIR
Sligo Orpheus Choir announces their 2013 concert season with “Amadeus”.
“Amadeus,” the music of Mozart, arguably the greatest composer of them all, with Sligo Chamber Orchestra, Leader Niamh Crowley and the Korean Soprano Eunjoo Goh Austin McManus conducting. In The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday 17thMay at 8pm. All proceeds to North West Hospice. Adm €15 from Hawkswell Theatre, 9161518 & Liber Bookshop, O’Connell St, 9142219 or Church Door.

PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 2013
Taking place from 13-20 June (ex Dublin). 7 nights Recinto Hotel with Spiritual Director Fr Jim Murray. Cost €669 incl. Early booking discount of €100 (or €50 if booking deposit of €200 is received) by 1st Feb. For details call Martin Scanlon @ 9145491.

THE GATHERING 2013 – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Are you passionate about Sligo’s culture, traditions or attractions?
Would you like to share your local knowledge with visitors to your area?
As part of The Gathering 2013, Volunteer Ireland is looking for Volunteer Ambassadors to provide a warm Irish welcome to visitors to Sligo during this year’s tourist season. Gathering Ambassadors will pay a vital role in welcoming tourists and provide them with first hand information about events in the area. It is a fun, sociable opportunity to greet visitors from all over the world and show them why Sligo is one of the best places in the world to visit!For more info:Sligo Volunteer Centre Phone: 071-911104. Email: thegathering@volunteer.ie or visit: www.volunteer.ie/events/the gathering  

DATES TO REMEMBER
P.T.A.A. SLIGO  Meeting in St. Mary’s at 7.30 p.m. on Friday 3rd May immediately after the 7pm Mass.

PIETA HOUSE Suicide Crisis Centre Darkness into Light 5k walk/run is on 11th May with 20 venues nationwide. Call 01 6282111 or visit dil.pieta.ie.

HANDBAGS IN AID OF PARKINSONS Friday May 3rd 7-9pm upstairs in Tohers - refreshements served. All welcome in support of this worthy cause,

HSE RETIRED ASSOCIATION GROUP Next meeting takes place in St Michael’s Family Life Centre on Thursday 2nd May at 3.00 pm. New members always welcome.
GORTA are seeking volunteers for their annual Church gate collection on the 15th & 16th of June.  If you can help please contact Ann on 01 661 5522, 087 793 3513 or mail ann@gorta.ie.