CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK BEGINS
God has given to each a potential to be developed. There is a promise in us yet to be fulfilled.  Jesus came to being this fulfillment to everyone and it will be ours when we follow like Peter and the others who lived in Galilee.
 
THIS WEEK - CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Sunday January 26th to Sunday February 2nd.
Theme: ‘Catholic Schools – Centres of Faith and Learning’.
This week we celebrate the wonderful contribution that our Catholic schools, both primary and post-primary, make to the mission of the Church in our local faith communities and throughout the wider Church. It is only fitting that we take this opportunity to celebrate that work when we gather as a worshipping community at the beginning of this Week and that we take time to consider other ways in which our parish community can honour and support the school community.
 
PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD
The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord will be celebrated on Sunday next, February 2nd - Candlemas Day. If you wish to have Blessed Candles in your home please bring them to any of our Masses on this day.
CONSECRATED LIFE
World Day for Consecrated Life will also be celebrated on Sunday 2nd February 2013 with a special Mass at 12 Noon. Please pray for all those who have made commitments to the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.
 
ANNUAL LOURDES NOVENA Takes place in Holy Cross Friary from Sat. 1st - Sun. 9th Feb. Daily at 7.30pm - Sunday 3.30pm. Fr Maurice Cogan O.P. will preach. All welcome.
 
ALTAR SOCIETY - NEW MEMBERS REQUIRED Our Altar Society would welcome the addition of new members. If you could spare some time please contact Helen on 087 261 5323. Thank you.
 
MARIE RIVIER ASSOCIATION Next monthly meeting will take place at 3.30pm in the Marie Rivier Centre, 3 Lower John St, on the first Sunday of the month, 2nd February.
 
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Lord, strengthen and increase the gifts of your Holy Spirit in me. Amen.
 
READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT FEBRUARY 2nd
1st : Mal. 3:1-4; 2nd : Heb. 2:14-18. 17; Gospel: Lk. 2: 22-40

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK Mon 27th: St Angela Merici, virgin & religious, founder of the Ursuline Order; Tues 28th: St Thomas Aquinas priest & doctor of the Church; Thurs 30th: St Aidan, bishop; Fri 31st: St John Bosco, priest; Sat 1st Feb: St Brigid, Abbess & Second Patron of Ireland.
 
SAINT BRIGID’S FEASTDAY - FEBRUARY 1st
Saturday February 1st marks the feast day of St Brigid, secondary patron saint of Ireland. Mass will be celebrated at 8.30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
PRAYER TO SAINT BRIGID - ‘MARY OF THE GAEL’
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious and be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our country.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence harmony where there is conflict.  Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.
Strengthen what is weak within us.  Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.  May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit. Amen.
SAINT BRIGID’S CROSSES
Reeds are being gathered at the moment and work will commence shortly on the preparation of Saint Brigid’s Crosses for her Feast Day on Saturday, Feb 1.  Those willing to help should contact the Sisters of the Presentation Tel: 916 0740. Thank you.
 
FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN THE CATHEDRAL & PARISH
 
FEBRUARY
Saturday - 1st        St. Brigid’s Day - Crosses blessed at 8.00 am and 10.30 am Masses
Sunday - 2nd        Day for Consecrated Life - Members of Religious Orders will renew their vows at 12 noon Mass
Monday - 3rd        Feast of St. Blaise/ Blessing of Throats at 8.00 am and 10.30 am Masses.
 
AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL SERVICE of Thanksgiving will be held in Calry Church of Ireland, The Mall, Sligo on Wednesday 29th January at 8.00pm to honour those entered on the Remembrance Tree erected by Sligo Rotary Club on O’Connell St. during Christmas Week last December. All proceeds will go to the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the North West Hospice.
 
A MASS For deceased members of An Garda Síochana Sligo/Leitrim Division, will be celebrated in the Embassy Rooms, Kennedy Parade, on Thurs, 6th Feb. at 7pm. Families welcome.
 
BAPTISMS We welcome into God’s family EVAN KILGALLON; ALFIE DUNCAN; NOAH BREHENY and HOLLY LYNCH recently baptised in our Cathedral.
 
BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL - TONIGHT AT 9PM
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €2,000!!
Raffle at interval with refreshments available at start of Bingo and at the interval.  All welcome!
 
CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: Sunday 19th January
PARISH ENV: €1,976  PL/STAND.ORD €1,597
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY  916 2670 SACRISTY  916 1261
email us at information@sligocathedral.ie.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER
URSULINE ASSOCIATES - Next meeting will be held on Weds Jan 29th in the Convent (opp Cathedral entrance) at 7.00pm. New members welcome.
AFTERNOON OF PRAYER In honour of Our Lady, Queen of Peace takes place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Curry, Co. Sligo on Sunday, 2nd of Feb from 3-6pm. Refreshments served after. All welcome.
NORTH WEST STROKE GROUP next meeting Wednesday Jan 29th at 8pm at the Irish Wheelchair Association premises in Abbeyville, Sligo.
COMHALTAS CEOLTEOIRÍ ÉIREANN,Traditional Irish music classes resume in Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, St Mary's GAA Clubhouse, enrolment Saturday at 10.30am. Tuition in whistle, fiddle, flute, harp concertina, accordion & more. Enquiries to Margot Farrell 086 0628428.
MAYOR’S BALL Sat 15th Feb in Sligo Park Hotel to benefit local charities. Tickets €60 from Elaine or Dympna on 087 150 1444.
A CLOTHES SWAP Event for young women will be held in the Glasshouse hotel on the 25th of January from 3-6pm. Clothes must be handed in to the venue between 1-2pm on the day. Entrance and clothes swapping fee is €10, proceeds go to Mercy College Tanzanian project. For terms & conditions or more information visit www.facebook.com/daisychains
 
SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES Would welcome donations of First Holy Communion Dresses along with good quality clothing, bric-a-brac, unwanted gifts etc. for their Thrift Shop. Items can be dropped into Charles Street or a free collection service is available within a 5 mile radius of Sligo Town. Contact 914 5682. All funds go to much needed services in our community. Your support is greatly appreciated.
 
ST MICHAEL’S FAMILY LIFE CENTRE, CHURCH HILL
The Optimistic Child, back by popular demand, is a wonderful 6 week programme for parents with children of any age, begins on Tues 4th Feb. at 10.30 am. The course aims to help parents teach & instil an optimism which will help children in every aspect, & help cope with any form of bullying in life. Contact 9170329 to enrol.
 
REST IN PEACE YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF:  JOHN (Jack) FLYNN, Strandhill Road and VINCENT BIRD, Hanley Terrace.
MAY GOD GRANT THEM ETERNAL REST AND COMFORT AND CONSOLE THEIR BEREAVED FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
 
ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
MON JAN 27th  8.00 A.M. KENNEDY & SCANLON Families
TUES JAN 28th    8.00 A.M. KATHLEEN DIVERS   10.30 A.M. EDDIE & MOLLIE KEANE
WEDS JAN 29th 8.00 A.M. THOMAS J MORAN 10.30 A.M. THOMAS & BRIDGET WARD & Deceased Family Members
THURS JAN 30th 8.00 A.M. ITA McDERMOTT      10.30 A.M. MICHAEL GILMARTIN
FRI JAN 31st       8.00 A.M. GERTRUDE HEGARTY
SAT FEB 1st         8.00 A.M. PETER SHOVLIN        10.30 A.M. MONTH’S MIND MARGARET TRAVERS

We welcome your comments. Thank you.