TODAY - 24^th FEBRUARY 2013
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Today we are presented with two stories of God’s appearance amongst us. They remind us that his presence is something awesome and mysterious, but for all that, it offers light for everyone at moments of crisis and doubt in their life. 

 LENTEN SUGGESTION
Please take a Trócaire Box home with you today and remember the world’s poor. Thank you.

FAST & ABSTINENCE
We are all encouraged to choose our own days and form of penance in addition to the designated days - Ash Wednesday & Good Friday.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS - LENT 2013
After the 10.30 a.m. Mass on each Friday during Lent there will be a short meditation on the Way of the Cross and all are encouraged to attend.

WAY OF GENTLENESS 2013 at 8pm - Please join us for an hour of guided prayer in the presence of the Most Blessed on Tuesday 26th Feb. at 8pm in the Cathedral.

CONFESSIONS - LENT 2013 SATURDAYS - 2 to 4 pm and after the 7.30 pm Vigil Mass, SUNDAYS - after the 7 pm Mass and before each Mass on First Fridays.

HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE EVERY FRIDAY DURING LENT
Life is the greatest of all gifts. Each of us from the moment of conception in our mother’s womb to our natural death has a fundamental right to life. It is essential that this most basic of all human rights is protected and promoted. Catholic wisdom holds that the life of the mother and of her unborn baby are sacred and to be given equal respect. At this time the right to life of the unborn baby is under threat in our country. In conscience, we feel that we must speak up for the voiceless unborn. There will be a HOLY HOUR of PRAYER FOR LIFE from 7.00 to 8.00 p.m. EVERY FRIDAY during Lent in our Cathedral.

REFLECTION
We pause in the mystery of God’s love for us. It is only in God that our souls find refuge. There is no other place or person or thing that will give us the reassurance we need that will free us to love others as we have been loved. We pray in thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist and in our Church; the Body of Christ.
 
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME
The next preparation Mass for those preparing for First Holy Communion in our Parish takes place today at 10.30am. All are encouraged to attend.

FIRST FRIDAY
Friday next, March 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 BAPTISTRY. We encourage you to join us to experience this most beautiful of prayers, especially when sung.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
8pm Friday 1st March in St Columba’s Church of Ireland, Drumcliffe. For the last 79 years people of all Christian denominations have come together on the first Friday of March to pray. The 2013 service has been prepared by the Christian women of France themed ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’.

THE SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION OF MARY
Are celebrating 50 years in our Diocese. The Sisters opened their first Convent in 1963 and ran St Cuan’s College at Castleblakeney in Co. Galway.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE - SLIGO PARISHES CLUSTER
Sligo Parishes Cluster are organising a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October 2013. If you are interested please contact Colette Furlong on  clustercatechist@sligocathedral.ie

CELEBRATING PARISH LIFE
We invite all of our parishioners to an evening celebration of Parish Life. Whilst all are welcome we particularly invite all who are currently involved in service of the Parish in any way. It takes place on Friday 8th March at 8.00 p.m. In the Gillooly Hall.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Dear Lord as I come to you today fill my heart and my whole being with the wonder of your presence. Amen.

THE RELIC OF ST JOHN BOSCO
Will be in Knock Basilica on Sat. 2^nd & Sun. 3^rd March. RTÉ TV Mass Sun. 3^rd at 11am. Visit www.salesiansireland.ie

LVING LENT - LIVING FAITH - LIVING THE MASS
5 Lenten Exploratory reflections 11am and 3pm St Anne’s Day Chapel, Cranmore Rd.
February: Weds. 20 Lent & The Year of Faith;
Weds 27 Lent, Faith & the tough times in life.
March: Weds. 6 Lent, Faith & our identity;
Weds. 13 Lent, Faith & the need to belong;
Weds 20 Lent, Faith & our culture today. Presented by Colette Furlong, Catechist to the Sligo Parishes Cluster. All are welcome. For further details please contact  clustercatechist@sligocathedral.ie

GOOD FRIDAY PASSION PLAY
Would you like to join the cast of “The Folly of God” - a dramatic presentation of the Gospel Passion Narrative of our Lord? This presentation will form part of the 3pm Liturgy in Sligo Cathedral on this coming Good Friday, 29^th March. Rehearsals for this year’s Play will commence on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25^th at 8 pm 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..

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family with great joy
ISABELLA LEAHY
LILY MAE FLETCHER 
recently baptised in the Cathedral.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of:
FRANK FOX, 12 Lynndale;
IMELDA FARRY, 16 High Street;
TOMMY BRENNAN, Joe McDonnell Drive;
DESMOND McDONNELL, Canada, brother of the late Jim McDonnell, Rathedmond.
May God Grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

 ANNIVERSARIES&REMEMBERANCES
Monday 25^th February: 8am RORY O’CONNALLAIN;
Tuesday 26^th February: 8am McCARTHY FAMILY; 10.30am MICHAEL GILBRIDE and JOSEPH & ELIZABETH GRAY;
Thursday 28^th February: 8am JAMES SWEENEY;
Friday 1^st March: 8am Margaret & Edward Dykes;
Saturday 2^nd March: 10.30am Month’s Mind JOSEPHINE BUTLER.

BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €1400!! Tonight, February 24^th at 9pm.
Raffle at interval with refreshments available. All welcome!

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17^th
PARISH ENV: €3,119 PL/STAND.ORD €1,574
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY (9162670 SACRISTY ( 9161261
Email us at  information@sligocathedral.ie We welcome your comments. Thank you.

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 St Mary’s is starting up again on Friday , March 8th at 2.00 pm. New members welcome. Contact 9162670.
 
FATIMA - A WINDOW OF HOPE
A special talk will be given by Lauri Duffy of Dublin, on the Apparitions of Fatima and how our Blessed Lady appeared to three young children in 1917 in St. John’s Church, Carraroe on Friday March 8th after 7pm Mass. All welcome.

DAY OF REFLECTION FOR LENT
With Sr. Moya Hegarty. For all who feel the need to look for spiritual meaning in their lives to join for a day of reflective prayer to enter into the spirit of Lent. Saturday 23^rd Feb., 10.30am to 4pm. Cost : €20 (or whatever you can afford) A light lunch is included. Contact St. Michael’s Family Life Centre at 071-9170329 to enrol..

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.
 
TABLE QUIZ - FOR YOUR SOUL PRODUCTIONS
A non-profit theatrical company hoping to raise funds to build a new stage and to buy lighting equipment and a sound system. Taking place at the Harp Tavern on 1^st March at 8pm. Cost €20 per table of 4. Your support is greatly appreciated.

CAR BOOT SALE
Will be held in the Cathedral Car Park on Sunday 14^th April at . All funds raised to ’For Your Souls Productions’ - a non profit theatrical company. Please support.

DATES TO REMEMBER

P.T.A.A. SLIGO - Meeting in St. Mary’s at 7.30 p.m. on Friday March 1st immediately after the 7pm Mass.

URSULINE ASSOCIATES - Next meeting will be held on Weds Feb 27th in the Convent (opp Cathedral entrance) at 7.30pm. New members welcome.

NORTH WEST STROKE GROUP next meeting Wednesday 27th Feb at 8pm at the Irish Wheelchair Association premises in Abbeyville, Sligo.

ST MICHAEL’S SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB Re-opens on Weds. March 6th from 3-5pm. New members always welcome.

A MEETING for all those opposed to legislation for Abortion will be held at Sligo Courthouse 3.45pm on Monday 25th Feb. Please come and support.

ART COMPETITION for St Mary’s Community Games Area in Scoil Ursula on Sat 2nd March commencing at 1pm. Entries on the day are welcome.

HOLY HILL Sunday Mar. 3rd Fr. Eric Haarer from Nada Hermitage in Crestone, Colorado, will be celebrant. All welcome.

THE IRISH CATHOLIC Feb.28th edition of The Irish Catholic is dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI – a bumper souvenir issue available at Church entrance.

CHOIR WORKSHOPS (8-9.30pm) on Monday Feb 25th in St. John's Church, Carraroe, Sligo. All Parish choir members & church musicians welcome.

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

A CD set of Fr. Michael Drumm's recent presentations on Faith & Reason is now available. The cost, including packaging and postage is €15.00.