It was through our Lady’s faith and perfect obedience to God’s will that Christ was born, the promised Emmanuel, God - with - us.  God continues to be with us if we receive His Son in faith.
EWTN - ADVENT REFLECTIONS
This weeks schedule begins with our own Msgr Joe Jennings, retired priest of the diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. Sunday 22, 11:30; Tuesday 24, 19:30. (30 mins)
UPC Channel 815, SKY EPG 589, www.ewtn-ireland.ie
ADVENT JESSE TREE - SYMBOLS FOR WEEK FOUR
The Hammer and Saw symbols represent JOSEPH,
The Crown symbol represents MARY
The Manger, Chi-Rho and Palm Tree symbols represent JESUS.
 
WELCOME HOME
We welcome to our Parish all who are home for this sacred season and we wish them and their families a happy and holy Christmas and a peaceful, healthy and grace-filled New Year!
 
8.00 A.M. DAILY MASS - Please note that from Thursday, December 26 until Saturday, January 4 there will be no celebration of the 8.00 a.m. Daily Mass. Thank you.
 
ST. BERNADETTE’S CHAPEL - CHRISTMAS 2013
Please note St Bernadette’s will be closed from the 23rd - 27th December.  Due to the Feast of the Epiphany on Monday 6th Mass will be celebrated on Monday January 13th 2014 at 5 p.m.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL - CHRISTMAS 2013
Please note that the Chapel of Adoration will close at 6pm on Monday, Dec. 23 and will re-open after the 10.30 a.m. Mass on Friday, Dec. 27 2013.  Prayerful remembrance and thank you to all who visit this chapel.
 
CHRISTMAS ON OCEAN FM We are pleased to announce that our Carol Service which commences TONIGHT at 8.15p.m., will be transmitted LIVE  on OCEAN FM.  Our 10.30 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day will also be broadcast LIVE on Ocean FM.  We thank Ocean FM for this wonderful opportunity to unite with all who tune in to these services.
 
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK Thurs 26th: St Stephen, First Martyr; Fri 27th: St John, Apostle and Evangelist; Sat 28th: The Holy Innocents, martyrs.
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Lord, Holy Spirit - be my constant companion and soul guide today and every day.  Amen.
READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT DECEMBER 29th 1st: Ecles. 3:2-6.12-14; 2nd: Col. 3:12-17; Gospel Matt. 2: 13-15.19-23

TRIDENTINE LATIN RITE MASS Will be celebrated in our Cathedral on Sunday 29th December at 3.00p.m.  All welcome.
 
CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY DECEMBER 15th
PARISH ENV: €2,241 PLATE/STAND.ORD €1,548
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY 9162670 SACRISTY 9161261
 
SLIGO CATHEDRAL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
TONIGHT, SUNDAY 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 the beginning of Christmas.
 
CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
CHRISTMAS CEREMONIES 2013
We hope you can be with us for these special graced moments at the heart of the Christmas Story. We deeply appreciate the time and dedication which so many have devoted to the preparation of these ceremonies and hope that together we will experience a renewal of faith and hope to encourage us on our pilgrim path. A blessed and quiet few days of relaxation to all our parishioners.
TODAY - SUNDAY DECEMBER 22nd
CONFESSIONS 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. and immediately after 7.00 pm. Mass until 8.15 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE - 8.15 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE
MASSES - TUESDAY - DECEMBER 24 8.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.
CONFESSIONS - 11 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
9.30 p.m. CHRISTMAS CAROLS
CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASS 10.00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY
MASSES - WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 25
8.30 a.m.  - 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon
POLISH MASS – 5.00 p.m.
MASSES - THURSDAY 26th  – SATURDAY 28th
10.30 a.m.  Vigil  7.30 p.m. (Sat.)
SUNDAY DECEMBER 29th
MASSES – Vigil (Saturday) 7.30 p.m.;
SUNDAY: 8.30 a.m.; 10.30 a.m.12.00 n – 7.00 p.m.
MONDAY DECEMBER 30th
Mass 10.30a.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
MASSES – TUESDAY – DECEMBER 31  10.30 a.m.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament  10.30 p.m.
Special New Year’s Eve Mass at 11.30 p.m. 
NEW YEAR’S DAY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1st
MASS FOR PEACE -   10.30 a.m.
MASSES - THURSDAY – JANUARY 2nd - FRIDAY – JANUARY 3rd
10.30 a.m. & First Friday 7.00 p.m.
MASSES – SATURDAY – JANUARY 4th
10.30 a.m. Vigil 7.30 pm.; CONFESSIONS 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
SUNDAY JANUARY 5th
MASSES – Vigil (Sat.) 7.30 pm; 8.30 am; 10.30 am,12.00 n – 7pm
MONDAY – JANUARY 6th - FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
8.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m., - 7.00 p.m. 
MASSES – BEGINNING TUESDAY JANUARY 7th
8.00 a.m., 10.30 a.m.
 
VISIT OUR CHRISTMAS CRIB
Come and pray with us at our Christmas Crib.
Let God love you in Jesus, the child of Bethlehem.
Father, as we celebrate the birthday of Christ,
our Saviour, may we come to appreciate more
deeply the meaning of what is being offered to us.
May we too share in the joy of the
Angels who gave Glory to God in the highest and
sang of peace to the people on earth.
 
FAMILY BLESSING Please note that Most Rev Christopher Jones will bless families and children at the 10.30am Mass on the Feast of the Holy Family - Sunday 29th December.
 
THANKS We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Tony Holland for the beautiful way he cleaned the back steps to the Cathedral and for undertaking this task in a voluntary capacity.
 
CHRISTMAS BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL TONIGHT AT 9PM
TONIGHT’S JACKPOT €1800!!  CHRISTMAS SPOT PRIZES GALORE!!
Raffle at interval with refreshments available. All welcome!
 
SLIGO LEND A HAND Wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Offering a free minor repair service in the homes of vulnerable & older people in Sligo town. Please call Alvina on 087 177 6386 Mon-Fri 11am – 3pm or e-mail: sligolendahand@hotmail.com
 
GALA CONCERT in aid of Sligo Cancer Support Centre feat. Niamh Farrell & Friends. Hawks Well Theatre Sat 4th Jan 2014 at 8pm. Tickets €15/€10 available from the Hawks Well 9161518 or Niamh 085 761 8968.
 
ANNUAL GOAL CHRISTMAS MILE Takes place on Friday 27th December in I.T. Sligo Athletics Track from 12-1pm. Please go along and run or walk to support this worthy cause.
 
CHISTMAS NATIVITY DRAMA “Gift of God "presented by Sligo drama group For Your Soul Productions takes place at Sligo’s beloved Holy Well, Carraroe TODAY Sun Dec 22nd at 5pm. A narration of Christ’s birth accompanied by music & song with mulled wine & mince pies to follow! Donations welcome.
 

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
MON DEC 23rd 8.00 A.M. FRANK & MARY MURPHY
                         10.30 A.M. FIRST ANNIVERSARY RITA McKIERNAN
TUES DEC 24th 8.00 A.M. TERRY McGINLEY
                         10.30 A.M. DENIS & AILEEN FOLEY
THURS DEC 26th              10.30 A.M. NED KILFEATHER & MAUREEN CALLAGHAN
FRI DEC 27th                    10.30 A.M. FIRST ANNIVERSARY PÁDRAIG FOWLEY
SAT DEC 28th                    10.30 A.M. MONTH’S MIND ANNA KILGANNON