TODAY - MARCH 17^th 2013
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Special Day of Prayer for Emigrants

Men and women are judged every day often too quickly condemned by whispered calumny and over-righteous indignations. Today’s gospel is a reminder that judgement belongs to God and not to human persons, We cannot expiate our own guilt by pointing the finger at others.

HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM
WELCOME POPE FRANCIS
 We celebrate the beginnings of our journey of faith with our newly elected Pope Francis I. We pray for our Papal Father and for our Church that we may promote peace and justice in our country and throughout the world, that we may work together to eradicate poverty and hunger and that we may spread Jesus message of love and compassion to all.

TODAY - ST PATRICK’ S DAY
Most glorious Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, God's instrument for bringing us the one true faith, we pray you to implore Almighty God, to share with usagain the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ, that he would enkindle in our hearts the fire of his divine love, that he would make his kingdom come In our hearts, in our homes, and in our communities, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Kiltegan Fathers St Patrick Novena.

PREPARATION FOR EASTER
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
During this time of Lent let us open our hearts to the Lord in the healing sacrament of Penance, Please visit the garden of Gethsemane and the Stations of the Cross on the side altars of the Cathedral.

Reconciliation Service
Sunday MARCH 24^th - Palm Sunday
Beginning at 3.00pm and ending at 5.00pm.
There will be a number of priests from the surrounding parishes in attendance and so we ask that people would avail of this opportunity to make their Easter Confession.

SUNDAY NEXT MARCH 24^th - PALM SUNDAY
Please note, weather permitting, the procession for the 12 Noon Mass will commence from outside the Cathedral main entrance. Parishioners are reminded that the Cathedral will not be open until the procession commences.

HOLY WEEK
As Holy Week approaches we encourage parishioners to attend the different liturgies and celebrate our gift of faith and the extraordinary love of God for each one of us.

CHRISM MASS 2013 - WEDNESDAY MARCH 27^th  
 This year’s Chrism Mass will be Celebrated at 7.30pm. We encourage as many Parishioners, their families, and friends to join with us for this very sacred and special occasion.

HOLY THURSDAY - MARCH 28^th  - HOLY HOUR 11PM
MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER - 7.30pm.
Guided prayer at the Altar of Repose 11.00pm till midnight.

GOOD FRIDAY - MARCH 29^th
CELEBRATIONS OF THE LORD’s PASSION at 3.00pm and at 8.00pm, STATIONS OF THE CROSS which will include readings, intercessory prayers and quiet reflection. All Welcome.

Reflection
We pray for those who are not physically free; because of their own actions or because of the actions of others. We pray especially for those in the developing world who are enslaved by poverty; whose lives and whose children’s lives seem to be without hope. We pray that the freedom we enjoy will inspire us to work to free others who need our help.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
O God, look with favour, we pray, on Francis our Pope and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion. Amen.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Mon 18^th: St Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor of the Church;
Tues 19^th: St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Thurs 21^st: St Enda, abbot;
Sat 23^rd: St Turibius of Mongrovejo, bishop.

LIVING LENT - LIVING FAITH - LIVING THE MASS
The final Lenten Exploratory reflections takes place at 11am and 3pm in St Anne’s Day Chapel, Cranmore Road on Wednesday 20^th entitled ‘Lent, Faith & our culture today’. Presented by Colette Furlong, Catechist to the Sligo Parishes Cluster. All are welcome.For further details email  clustercatechist@sligocathedral.ie

CHARITY TAX FORMS - REMINDER 
 Sincere thanks to all who have so far returned their charity tax form. The closing date has been extended to March 31. Please return your form before this date if you have not already done so. Thank you.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of:
TOM McMANUS, late of 2 Knocknarea Villas
May God Grant him eternal rest and comfort and console his bereaved family and friends.

 ANNIVERSARIES&REMEMBERANCES
Monday 18^th March: 8.00 am DAN & MURIEL CURRID; 10.30 am, 1^st Anniversary KATHLEEN KELLY;
Tuesday 19^th March: 8.00 am DELIA LYDON; 10.30 am MAIRÉAD FLYNN;
Wednesday 20^th March: 8.00 am BERTIE & ROSE GARVEY (Remembrance); 10.30 am PADDY & MARY CASEY;
Thursday 21^st March: 8.00 am DANIEL & KATHLEEN CUNNINGHAM; 10.30 am EAMON & BLAITHÍN MARTIN;
Friday 22^nd March: 8.00 am FRANK & KATHLEEN CARTER; 10.30am TOM McMANUS Recently Deceased;
Saturday 23^rd March: 8.00 am PATSY DIAMOND ; 10.30 am Month’s Mind MYRA MELLY.

BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €1550!! Tonight, March 17^th at 9pm.
Raffle at interval with refreshments available. All welcome!

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY MARCH 10^th
PARISH ENV: €1,895 PL/STAND.ORD €1,505
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY (9162670 SACRISTY ( 9161261
Email us at  information@sligocathedral.ie We welcome your comments. Thank you.

UPDATE ON THE SLIGO PARISHES CLUSTER PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
the correct dates are Departing October 15  with Return on Oct 23. As the group travelling has grown our travel agent has been happy to extend the deadline for bookings till March 28. Anyone seeking information can phone Colette, the Cluster Catechist at 0879534904 or email  clustercatechist@sligocathedral.ie

ROSARY CRUSADE
A crusade against Legislation of Abortion. A 9 Day Novena of Rosaries beginning Friday 15^th March ending with a Rosary vigil outside Dáil Éireann, Molesworth Street, Dublin on Saturday 23^rd March at 3pm. For further information & busses to the Vigil please contact Fionnuala on 087 755 2754.

SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL 
The offices of the Society have moved back to Oznam House, John St. Office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 11am-1pm. Closed Wednesdays.

GALILEE COMMUNITY
Tintagh, Boyle are holding Scripture courses facilitated by Sr Moya Hegarty OSU on March 19^th and 25^th from 8-9.30pm. Theme: The significant men and women in the bible who could be our guides during this Year of Faith. For further details phone 071 9664101, or email  galileecommunity@gmail.com

GOOD FRIDAY PASSION PLAY
Places are still available in the cast of “The Folly of God” - a dramatic presentation forming part of the 3pm. Liturgy in Sligo Cathedral on this coming Good Friday. Rehearsals continue Monday March 18^th at 8pm in the Cathedral Sacristy.

BAPTISM IN THE CATHEDRAL PARISH
If you plan to have your child Baptised during the month of March or subsequent months you must now undertake a one night Baptismal Course which will take place in St Michael’s Family Life Centre, Church Hill on the third Thursday of every month at 8pm. To book a Baptism and register for this course please contact the Parish Office on 9162670. It is necessary to attend this course prior to the Baptism of your child.

DATES TO REMEMBER 

URSULINE ASSOCIATES Due to Holy Week the March meeting will be held on Wednesday next, March 20^th in the Convent (opp Cathedral entrance) at 7.30pm. New members welcome are always welcome.

ST JOSEPH’S SPECIAL SCHOOL Ballytivnan now enrolling for Sept 2013 with an Open Day on Thurs 21^st Mar from 2.30-5.30pm. Contact 071 9142453 during school hours Mon to Fri.

CAR BOOT SALE Will in the Cathedral Car Park on Sunday 14th April. Funds raised will go to ‘For Your Soul Productions’ - a non profit theatrical company for much needed equipment.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION Classes for Migrants. Further volunteers are being recruited to talk with students learning English from 10.30am-12.30pm on Thursdays. Details from Josette Newman on 071 914 1138 / 086 232 5951.

HOPE IN A TIME OF CHALLENGE Seminar by Donal Spring looking at how best to cope with the challenging times we live in. In St. Michael’s Family Life Centre, Church Hill, Sat 23^rd Mar 10.30-4.30pm. Cost €60 incl. lunch.

BABYBLOOM Mother & Child Clinic, Airport Rd, Strandhill are holding a coffee morning from 10.30am-12.30pm Thurs 21 Mar. Everybody welcome.

WEEKEND RETREAT with Sr. Peggy Cronin. Fri 19^th 6pm (Evening Meal) - Sun 21^st April 2pm (after Lunch). €150 (Residential) €80 (Non-residential) Limited places available. Book at La Verna Retreat Centre on 071 9852572.

ANGER ISSUES? Knock Counselling Centre 2 day confidential Anger Management Programme with the Irish Association for Anger Management in Knock on Sat 20^th & Sun 21^st April. Contact Peter Devers, Regional Consultant, 09493 75032 or log onto www.difficultemotions.com

WESTCARE Homecare - companionship, personal care & the first in the west to provide 15 minute security night and morning checks for the elderly. For details contact Sharon on  sharoncarter07@hotmail.com

MARY’S MEALS Is feeding about 734,000 impoverished children each day in Africa, Asia and South America. Would you like to help? Would you be interested in finding out more? Please give your name to the Parish Office and you will be contacted with all the relevant information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED To sell Religious items at our Cathedral entrance. If you could spare some time please contact the Parish Office on 071 9162670. Thank you.

COMMUNITY GARDEN
At the rear of St Mary’s is starting up again. New members welcome. Contact 071 916 2670.

HOPE IN A TIME OF CHALLENGE     Donal Spring
This seminar will look at how best to cope with the challenging times we live in—how we can remain hopeful in the midst of depression by accessing the resources within (spiritual, emotional, mental) to deal with the challenges of life today. Venue : St. Michael’s Family Life Centre, Church Hill, Sligo. Date : Saturday 23^rd March 10.30-4.30pm. Cost : €60 to include lunch.

ANY UNWANTED SPORTS CLOTHES?
A number of 4^th year business IT Sligo students have organised a Collection Day for old sports clothes of good quality. They are hoping for the public of Sligo to give whatever old sports clothes they have to this worthy cause. The clothes will be donated to the local Enable Ireland store. Do not despair if your old sports clothes are of poor quality as these will be sold and any money received will to be given to the Special Olympics.
Contact Patrick Doyle by Email  s00102457@mail.itsligo.ie or phone 0879657688 for more information.

A CD SET of Fr. Michael Drumm's recent presentations on Faith & Reason is now available. The cost, including packaging & postage is €15. Please contact Ann Allen at Elphin Pastoral Development Office on 071 9634960.

BIG BROTHER & SISTER Volunteer Programme hosted by Foróige require male & female volunteers to make a difference to the life of a young person. Initial training & ongoing support is provided by a Professional Youth Worker. Contact Nicola Tuffy on 086 851 6087 or www.bbbsireland.ie