TODAY - 13^th JANUARY 2013
THE BAPISM OF THE LORD

At his Baptism Jesus was revealed as the Son of God and began his work of bringing the vision of God, his justice and his liberation to his people. At our baptism each of us is given a share in this mission, so we become children of God.

FRIDAY JANUARY 18 CHURCH UNITY WEEK COMMENCES
Theme: “WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF US?”
(based on Micah 6: 6-8)
Church Unity Week commences on Friday, January 18^th and will continue until Friday, January 25^th. During this time we are asked to pray in a special way for unity among all Christians.

INTERDENOMINATIONAL SERVICE
CHURCH OF IRELAND CATHEDRAL
JOHN STREET, SLIGO
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 - 8.00 P.M.

Homilist: MOST REV BISHOP CHRISTOPHER JONES
We are all invited to attend.

YEAR OF FAITH – BAPTISM
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 20th February.

‘UNITE FOR LIFE’ PRO LIFE VIGIL
The Government have officially decided to legislate for Abortion before Easter. A Vigil for Life has been organised for Saturday, January 19th in Merrion Square, Dublin at 4.30 p.m. This may be our very last chance to keep our country Abortion Free. On behalf of the unborn we beg you to make whatever sacrifice necessary to attend this Vigil. A bus will depart Sligo Park Hotel on 19^th January at 11am €10 return. Booking essential please contact Fionnuala on 087 7552754

A YEAR OF FAITH INITIATIVE BY THE DIOCESE OF ELPHIN
UNDERSTANDING THE BETTER TO BELIEVE
A series of talks commencing with ‘Faith and Reason’ given by Fr Michael Drumm Saturday January 28^th in Sligo Park Hotel from 10.45am to 3.30pm. Registration €10 including tea / coffee.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2013
January 22^nd to February 2^nd Theme: Raise the Standards.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Holy Spirit help me to be alert and watchful for the unfolding of this day’s gifts of wonder, surprise and mystery. Amen.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT JANUARY 19^th
1^st : Is. 62: 1-5. 9-11; 2^nd : 1 Cor.: 12: 1-11; Gospel: Jn. 2: 1-11.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Tuesday 15^th: St Ita, virgin;
Wednesday 16^th: St Fursa, abbot and missionary;
Thursday 17^th St Anthony, abbot.

WEDDINGS
Congratulations and best wishes to
AUDREY KELLY & PATRICK O’CONNOR
who were married recently in the Cathedral.

ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 14^th January: 8am AGNES FOWLEY;
Tuesday 15^th January: 8am MARY CULLEN; 10.30am FR PÁDRAIG KENNY;
Wednesday 16^th January: THOMAS J MORAN; 10.30am MICHAEL GILMARTIN;
Thursday 17^th January: NELLIE McLYNN; 10.30am 1^st Anniversary PADDY BRANLEY;
Saturday 18^th January: 8am LILY HUGHES Birthday Remembrance; 10.30am Month’s Mind RITA McKIERNAN.
 

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution.
SUNDAY JANUARY 6^th Parish Envelopes: €2,366 Plate & Standing Orders: €1,677
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Telephone 071 9162670 CATHEDRAL SACRISTY Telephone 071 9161261

To submit notices for our Newsletter and for all other enquiries email us at  information@sligocathedral.ie
We welcome your comments. Thank you

BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL - TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €1100!!
Tonight, January 13^th at 9pm.
Raffle at interval with refreshments available. All welcome!

SOCIETY OF AFRICAN MISSIONS
The Society of African Missions (SMA) has been assigned to Elphin Diocese for the Mission Awareness Programme for 2013. On the weekend of the 19^th / 20^th January Fr Fachtna O’Driscoll SMA will visit this Parish and speak at all Masses in our Cathedral.

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF FAITH
Come to a day of Prayer at Knock Shrine on February 2nd 2013 10.00am-5.00pm. The day includes talks, Rosary, Adoration and Holy Mass. Talks will be given by Fr Kilian Byrne, Foyers of Charity. Talks will include : The Eucharist -The Pearl of Great Price, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and The Urgency of the Fatima Message. For more information contact 086 1678027 or check out www.foyerofcharity.ie 

NORTH WEST HOSPICE ALL STAR VARIETY CONCERT
Date: 18 January 2013
Time: 20.00hrs
Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo
Brighten up January by coming along to the All Star New Year Variety Concert at the Radisson Hotel, Sligo on Friday 18th January at 8pm.
Renowned Irish tenor James Nelson, country singers Michael Cleary and Breege Kelly, singer Lisa Stanley, comedian Frank Forde, Sligo Academy of Music, The Cast of ‘Oliver!’, The Jazz Lads, The Rosses Point Golf Club Male Voice Choir, ballad singer Liam Gannon, Sligo Community Youth Choir, Yama Hara Gymnasts, Siobhan McDonnell Irish dancers, Beat It Hip Hop Dancers, sean nos dancers and trad musicians are among the local entertainment acts who have generously committed their talent to the show, along with well-known music maestro Robert Fitzpatrick, who will be MC for the evening.
Fantastic raffle prizes include a pair of tickets to see Rod Stewart in concert in Dublin!
Tickets: €10.00 (on the door)
Doors open: 7.15pm.
Concert begins: 8.00pm sharp!
Further info from Dymphna (087) 1501444 or Winifred (087) 6335450

RIVERSTOWN PARISH MISSION & LIAM LAWTON CONCERT
To mark this very special year, The Year of Faith, a Parish Mission has been organised, in Riverstown, for all those wishing to gain a greater insight into what their faith means to them and to celebrate the gift of faith that each of us has been given. A number of specially chosen presenters have been invited to visit the Parish of Riverstown over a period of four evenings commencing in The Church of the Sacred Heart, Riverstown, on Thursday, February 7th at 8pm and ending with an evening of song and celebration on Sunday, February 10th.
PROGRAMME: February 7th - 8pm - Fr. Aidan Ryan P.P, Ballinahowan;
February 8th - 8pm - Fr. Michael Drumm, Executive Chairperson of the Irish Catholic Schools Partnership Trust;
February 9th - 8pm - Dr. Patrick Mullins O.Carm, Professor at the Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Dublin, and Sunday,
February 10th - doors open at 7.30pm for a Concert with Liam Lawton and the Riverstown Folk Group commencing at 8pm. Tickets for the concert , which cost €20, are now available at the following the locations: McTiernan’s Daybreak, Ballygawley; The Fayre, Collooney Roundabout, Sligo; Nairn’s Mace, Riverstown; Veritas, Adelaide St. Sligo.

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDUGORGE 18^th SEPTEMBER 2013
Taking place 18^th September from Knock. Spiritual Director Fr John Loftus. Special discounted rate of €589 by 1^st Feb. Group leader Sr Sheila Molloy. For details contact 086 382 1810.

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 1^st Feb. For details call Martin Scanlon @ 9145491.

A.S.I.S.T. (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
A two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid suitable for all kinds of caregivers - health workers, teachers, community workers, Gardai, youth workers, volunteers, people responding to family, friends and co-workers. Please see notice at Cathedral entrance for future dates or call Belinda at Health Promotion on 9165061

ST MICHAEL’S FAMILY LIFE CENTRE
New Spring/Summer brochure is now available detailing courses, seminars and services at the Centre. It can be emailed by request or posted. Contact 9170329,  stmichaelsfamilylifecentre@eircom.net or visit www.stmichaelscentre.wordpress.com. Enrolment for courses takes place on Monday14th and Tuesday 15^th January from 10am to 7pm and is on-going while place are available.

DATES TO REMEMBER
THE IRISH HEART FOUNDATION Church Gate collection takes place this weekend after all Masses. Thank you for your support.

ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY Monthly meeting tomorrow Monday 17th in the Cathedral at 11.00 a.m. New members welcome.

SUMMERHILL COLLEGE PARENTS ASSOCIATION is on Monday, January 14th at 8.00 p.m. in Summerhill.

N.C.B.I. John St, Sligo would welcome donations at their shop also unwanted gifts. For collection in Sligo area contact shop manager Christy Foy on 086 893 9682. Thank you.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS Needed to deliver meals on wheels to Maryville Hostel, Finisklin. Please contact Sligo Social Services if you can spare approx. 20 minutes once a week on 9145682.

KEMPTEM MONTESSORI & AFTERSCHOOL CLUB, Westward Town Centre, The Mall. Limited free preschool places available for 2013. After-school places also available with collection from local primary schools. Contact : June Hunter @086 345 3559.

SLIGO ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Monthly meeting at 2.30pm in the Dominican Friary Hall on Tuesday Jan 15th. New members welcome.