TODAY - 16th December 2012
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare for Christ’s coming. His task was to make people attentive to the Spirit who would be fully present in God’s anointed.

GAUDETE SUNDAY - TODAY
Today is the Third Sunday of Advent - traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday - Sunday of Joy - when we light the pink candle on our Advent Wreath as a sign of joy that the time of the birth of Christ is drawing nearer.

ADVENT BLESSINGS FOR USE IN OUR HOMES:
Advent Blessings for an Advent Wreath, Christmas Tree and Family Table are available on our website www.sligocathedral.ie under Notices and Events.

ADVENT JESSE TREE - WEEK THREE
The Jesse Tree is a way of reflecting on the key people who prefigure the coming (‘adventus’) of Jesus. The symbols for the Jesse Tree have been divided over the four weeks of Advent: This week - WEEK THREE
The Staff symbol represents JESSE
The Lyre Key & Star symbols represent DAVID
The Temple & Jerusalem symbols represent SOLOMON 

FOR YOUR SOUL PRODUCTIONS
presents Christmas Nativity Drama
“Gift of God”
A simple and prayerful narration of Christ’s birth accompanied by music and song followed by a mulled wine and mince pie reception.
Taking place outdoors as Sligo’s beloved
HOLY WELL
today December 16th at 5pm.
Any donations received will go towards building of a theatrical stage in the Gilhooly Hall.

CATHEDRAL RECONCILATION SERVICE
Friday - December 21^st at 7.00 p.m.
“Welcome Home for Christmas”
Christmas is homecoming time, journey with us towards a personal homecoming with the Christchild by availing of this opportunity for Confession.
SERVICE - 7.00pm, CONFESSIONS - from 7.15 p.m.,
BENEDICTION - 8.00pm, CONFESSIONS until 8.30pm.

SLIGO CATHEDRAL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
SUNDAY NEXT
DECEMBER 23rd at 8.15 p.m.
We invite all to a prayerful and joyous service of Carols and Lessons celebrating the gift of the Christ child to the world. In the magnificent candlelit surroundings of our beautiful Cathedral this special event marks for many what is the beginning of Christmas and gives us a glimpse of the true meaning of thissacred season.

WAY OF GENTLENESS - ADVENT
Final night Tuesday December 18that 8pm. All are welcome.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL - CHRISTMAS 2012
Please note that the Chapel of Adoration will close at 6pm on Sunday, Dec. 23 and will re-open after the 10.30 a.m. Mass on Thursday, Dec. 27 2012. Prayerful remembrance and thank you to all who visit this chapel.

TRÓCAIRE
‘Never turn your face from the poor and God will never turn his from you.’ Tobit 4:7.
10th December was World Human Rights Day and Trócaire asks us to help uphold the human rights and protect the dignity of the most vulnerable people in the developing world with a Christmas ‘Gift of Change’. Gifts are available at www.trocaire.org/globalgift or by calling 1850 408 408 (0800 912 1200 in NI).

RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP – PARISH ENVELOPES
Responsible Stewardship have now been delivered to all Parish Areas. Anyone who has not received a box and who wishes to contribute to the upkeep of the parish are asked to contact the parish office Tel: 9162670. We apologise for any errors or omissions. Thank you for your ongoing support of our parish. 

CHRISTMAS ON OCEAN FM
We are pleased to announce that our Carol Service on Sunday next, December 23rd at 8.15 p.m., and our 10.30 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day will be broadcast LIVE on Ocean FM. We thank Ocean FM for this wonderful opportunity to unite with all who tune in to these services.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 23^rd
1^st Reading: Mic. 5: 1-4;
2^nd Reading: Heb. 10: 5-10
Gospel: Luke 1: 39-44.
Please consider reading during the course of the week to prepare for next Sunday’s Mass.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK.
Dear Jesus, as I call on you today I realise that I often come asking for favours. Today I'd like just to be in your presence. Let my heart respond to Your Love. Amen.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Tuesday 18th: St Flannan, bishop;
Thursday 20th: St Fachanan, bishop;
Friday 21st: St Peter Canisius, priest and doctor of the Church.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of:
SR DELIA CONNEELY, Srs of St Joseph of the Apparition, Garden Hill;
GEORGE MEEHAN late of 90 Jink’s Ave and Kent;
BRIDIE KIELTY, Church Street and Nazareth House.
May God grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

Ár dheis Dé go raibh a hanamacha dílis.

ANNIVERSARIES
Monday 17^th December: 8am Patrick & Mary Watters; 10.30am John, Mary, Sean, Vera and Fr Osmund Slevin;
Tuesday 18^th December: 8am Rónán Nadaraja; 10.30am Teresa Lydon;
Wednesday 19^th December: 8am Michael & Delia Mulholland; 10.30am Patrick Kennedy;
Thursday 20^th December: 8am Flynn & Harrison Families; 10.30am Johnny & Nancy Feeney;
Friday 21^st December: 8am Mae, John & Michael Howley; 10.30am 1^st Anniversary Imelda Gilmartin
Saturday 22^nd December: 8am Frank & Mary Murphy; 10.30am Month’s Mind Peggy Feeney

SLIGO CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: Saturday December 8^th & Sunday December 9^th
Parish Envelopes: €3,390
Plate and Standing Orders: €2,025
St Mary’s Presbytery 071 9162670 Sacristy 071 9161261
We welcome your comments, email us at  information@sligocathedral.ie Thank you.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL
35 Wolfe Tone Street, wish to offer sincere thanks to all who have contributed to the Church Gate collection which was held at all Churches last weekend.
 
NOVENA FOR CHRISTMAS
“The Journey of Faith of Mary and Joseph”
With the Missionaries of Charity Sisters starting today, Sunday 16th December to Sunday 23rd from 6.30 - 7.30pm. Open to all. For further details please telephone 071 9154843.

BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL - CONTINUES TONIGHT DECEMBER 16^th - 9PM
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €1000!!
CHRISTMAS SPOT PRIZES GALORE!
Raffle at interval with refreshments available at start of Bingo and at the interval.
Busses will stop at the following pick up points:
8.00pm                 ST JOHN’S HOSPITAL
8.05pm                 CARROLL’S SHOP
8.10pm                 RIVERSIDE
8.15pm                 GILMARTIN’S SHOP
8.20pm                 CRANMORE COMMUNITY PARK
8.25pm                 SHOP AT CALTRAGH
8.30pm                 COMMUNITY CENTRE MAIL COACH ROAD
8.35pm                 CENTRA and MOONEY’S BAR, MAUGHERABOY
8.40pm                 JINK’S AVENUE, OLD POST OFFICE.
Everyone welcome.

THE NORTH WEST SIMON COMMUNITY
The North West Simon Community would like to sincerely thank all those who assisted and supported our recent church gate collection at St Marys Cathedral. Total raised €1073.95. Money raised goes towards preventing homelessness in counties Sligo, Leitrim & Donegal.

DATES TO REMEMBER 

SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES Christmas Cards. A selection of 10 for €6.50 for sale in the Thrift Shop, Harmony Hill. All proceeds go to providing services in our community. Your support is greatly appreciated.

PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 2013 Taking place from 13-20 June (ex Dublin). 7 nights Recinto Hotel with Spriritual 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 further details contact Martin Scanlon @ 9145491.

"CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT" presented by Sligo Orpheus Choir, with St.Mary's Community Youth Choir, orchestra, and soloists today, 16th Dec at 8pm at Holy Cross Friary Sligo. There will be a retiring collection to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Admission is Free.

CONCERT - CELTIC TENORS St Brigid’s Church, Corhownagh, Ballisodare, Sun Dec 23 @ 8pm. Tickets €20 from Keany’s High St. Proceeds to Kenya Build. Please support.

HSE RETIREMENT GROUP Sligo Branch Festive Lunch in Sligo Park Hotel on Tuesday, Dec 18 at 1.30pm. Please contact Kitty Kilfeather on 9142579 or any committee member to confirm attendance. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT In The Southern Hotel on Sat Dec 22 at 8pm. A feast of Christmas songs and carols will be performed by students of Anne-Marie Keaney All proceeds to Sligo Social Services. Tickets (€10 {Children €5}) available at the door or from Sligo Social Services.