TODAY - 9th MARCH 2014
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Jesus fast of forty days reminds us that this is a holy season of self-denial. By rejecting the devil’s temptations Jesus has taught us to rid ourselves of the hidden corruption of evil, and so to share his paschal mystery in purity of heart.

LENT 2014
Lent is a time to “turn away from sin”, to “clean up our act” and put fresh vigour into living the Christian life. Surely a cornerstone of that life must be compassion for one another, and a readiness to sacrifice for the sake of those in need, in particular the 1 in 6 people who today will go to bed hungry.

The goal of Lent is to journey in compassion, so that we may work together to build justice around the world. If, at the end of our Lenten journey, we have not grown in compassion for others, and done something to help them, then our Lent will have been a failure, no matter how much piety we display on our foreheads.

CONFESSIONS- LENT 2014
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.
WAY OF GENTLENESS LENT 2014
Commencing on Tuesday 11th March at 8pm in the Cathedral.
DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS LENT
Take the short-term pledge and make a difference! This lent help those with an alcohol or drug problem by offering up your sacrifice as a prayer for their freedom and well-being. For more visit www.pioneerassociation.ie or call 01 874 9464.
LENTEN COMMITMENTS - TRÓCAIRE 2014
 The Theme of Trócaire’s Lenten Campaign 2014 – ‘Water’. This year’s Trócaire Lenten campaign is about the global water crisis. There are 1.1 billion people in our world who are living without access to a reliable source of water. Nine year old Enestina Muyeye, the young girl featured on this year’s Trócaire box, comes from a small rural community in Dedza, central Malawi. Enestina’s community has relied for years on a contaminated river for drinking water, washing and irrigation. Trócaire, working in partnership with the Catholic Church in Malawi, has recently installed a drinking water pump and is working to support people in this strong and vibrant community as they strive to improve their lives.

Across the developing world Trócaire addresses the serious impact of water scarcity by helping people to access safe water for drinking, sanitation and irrigation. This work is made possible through the generous support of parishes across Ireland, which is greatly appreciated. To find out more visit www.trocaire.org/lent Please bring home a Trócaire box this Lent.

HUNGER LUNCH ASH WEDNESDAY – THANKS
Sligo Parishes Cluster Hunger Lunch held on Ash Wednesday raised €1,150 for Trócaire. We would like to thank all those who supported this event with a special thank you to the coordinators who made the event possible, Blanaid, Louise and all the volunteers and O’Hehirs Bakery for the bread rolls.

ST PATRICK’S DAY - MONDAY MARCH 17
Mass times: Monday 8:30 A.M., 10:30: A.M. and 7:00 P.M.
Please note there is no 12 noon Mass.

ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
The Monthly meeting of St. Joseph's Young Priests takes place in our Cathedral on Monday 10th March at 11am. New members are welcome to pray for Vocations.

FR. FLANAGAN PRAYER GROUP - Next Meeting - Tuesday, 11th March at 7.00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Presbytery.  All are most welcome.

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION
Tuesday 25th March @7pm  Pro-Life Mass will be celebrated in our Cathedral with a short talk by Patrick McCrystal, Human Life International. Veneration of the Holy Stone from the house of Loretto to follow. All welcome.

PERPETUAL ADORATION
Please help us to maintain Perpetual Adoration in our Cathedral. We are in need of new members to fill the Rota of Adorers in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. If you have an hour or two any day or night why not offer it to the Lord? If you would like to participate please contact the Parish Office on 916 2670 or The Sisters of the Presentation of Mary on 916 0740. We need your support urgently.

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family LUKE HENRY; ESME COX and JEREMIE CHAPERON recently baptised in our Cathedral.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Lord, grant me the grace and strength I need to reject sin and to serve you with all my heart this Lent.  Amen.
 
READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT MARCH 16th
1st: Gen. 12: 1-4 ; 2nd:2 Tim. 1:8-10 ; Gospel: Matt. 17: 1-9.
 
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Tues 11th: St Aengus, bishop & abbot.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of:
MARY TAYLOR, Temple Street.
May God grant her eternal; rest and comfort and console her bereaved family and friends.



BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL - TONIGHT AT 9PM
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €2,300!!
Raffle at interval with refreshments.  All welcome!

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY February 16th
PARISH ENV €2,126 PL/STAND.ORD €1,230
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY TEL: 071 916 2670 SACRISTY TEL: 071 916 1261
E-mail us at info@sligocathedral.ie
We welcome your comments. Thank you.

ANAM CARA
Is hosting a Bereavement Information Evening on Wednesday 19th March from 7.30-9.30pm at The Family Centre Castlebar, Co Mayo. Guest Dr. Helen Greally will address “Coping As a Bereaved Parent”. This event gives parents an opportunity to hear an experienced bereavement professional talk about the many challenges families have to face into after the death of their son or daughter. It is open to all bereaved parents, regardless of their child’s age or circumstances of their death. Helen is a Clinical Psychologist working as Director of Psychology & Support Services at Cancer Care West. Topics include the psychological aspects of serious physical illnesses including cancer, relationships, stress, coping, and issues of loss. All Anam Cara Services are provided free of charge. Parent Evening’s take place monthly from September-June. Visit www.anamcara.ie

LA VERNA RETREAT CENTRE
The Friary, Rossnowlagh. Evening Art Wed 12th March 8-10pm (€60 6 week course). An Introduction to Centering Prayer Retreat Fri 28th-Sun 30th March. Parent & Toddler group starts Thur 20th March 9.30am-11.30am. Please phone to book 071 985 2572.

CELEBRATION OF EASTER HOPE
Presented by Sligo Churches Together on Sunday 6th April, at 7.30pm in St John’s Cathedral, Sligo. Featuring: Gospel pianist Huntley Brown, Chicago; Soprano Eunjoo Goh, South
Korea, Gospel singer James Kilbane, Achill & Sligo Gospel Choir. Adm. free.  Offering taken in support of North West Hospice.

DATES TO REMEMBER
MCR COMMUNITY CENTRE AGM Mon 10th Mar at 7pm in the Community Centre. Light refereshments provided. Come along for your community!

SLIGO ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Meeting Tuesday 11th March @2.30pm in the Presbyterian Hall, Church Street. New members welcome.

ALZHEIMER CAFE Glasshouse Hotel, Friday 14th Mar 11am - 1pm in the View Bar. Alzheimer Cafe mornings are free & open to all affected by dementia. This month Enda Lannon, Pharmacist, will give an information session on Dementia and Pharmacology. Contact Majella on 914 6400 / 086 863 8171 or e-mail modonnell@alzheimer.ie

CO SLIGO GALA FLOWER DEMONSTRATION Why wait for the World Flower Show in June? Come along to see Angela Lochkert NIGFAS at Sligo Park Hotel on Monday 10th March at 8pm. Adm €15 - supporting Irish Society for Mucopolysacchoride Diseases.

CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL Celebrating family literacy & creativity for parents & young children. Opening Thu 06 Mar @6pm, at The Model with a book launch and exhibition of work created by children from The Kids’ Own Book Press, followed by a series of exciting events all weekend at venues across Sligo. For more visit: www.themodel.ie/education

SLIGO’S 1st DIECAST & MODEL SHOW Today 9th Mar in Sligo Park Hotel 11am-5pm. Adults €5; U-14’s Free. Lots of Exhibitors. For more call Alex on 086 8472631 or visit Facebook Sligos1stdiecastmodelandtoyfair

Missing Person :
Patrick Douglas ( Coolock )

 Trace Missing Persons Ireland are looking for assistance in locating 64 year old Patrick Douglas ( Paddy ) who is missing since the 5^th of January 2014 when he left his home in Woodville, Coolock to attend mass. He is described as being 5’ 10’’ in height. Paddy travels regularly on the No.27 bus as well as the No.15, 42 and 43.

 If you have seen Paddy or have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact Coolock Gardaí on (01) 6664200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800666111, or Trace Missing Persons Ireland at traceireland@gmail.com