FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
1st DECEMBER 2013
Christ was born into the world to be the light of all people on their way through life. Today we renew our dedication to live as He has shown us, so that when He comes again we will be ready to receive him.
ADVENT IN THE CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACUALTE CONCEPTION
God comes to those who wait for him. Our waiting needs to be prayerful if we are to be truly ready to receive him when he comes. Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope: waiting-memory of the first, humble coming of the Lord in our mortal flesh; waiting-supplication for his final, glorious coming as Lord of History and universal judge; conversion, to which the Liturgy at this time often refers quoting the prophets,
 especially John the Baptist, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Joyful hope that the salvation already accomplished by Christ and the reality of grace in the world will mature and reach their fullness, thereby granting us what is promised by faith, and we shall become like him for we shall see him as he really is.
EWTN - ADVENT RECORDED IN OUR CATHEDRAL
Advent Reflections filmed recently in our Cathedral will be broadcast on the four Sundays of Advent commencing today, at 11.30am with the first reflection by Bishop Jones.
UPC Channel 815, SKY EPG 589, www.ewtn-ireland.ie
SCRIPTURE SHARING: Guidelines are available for download online at www.elphindiocese.ie/advent-resources
WAY OF GENTLENESS  - ADVENT In the Cathedral next Tuesday 3rd at 8pm and continuing on the following 2 Tuesday nights, December 10th and 17th.
The call to focus on Christ’s coming into our hearts and homes is the only true meaning of Christmas.
Everyone is welcome to join in this hour of guided prayer, silent time and music in preparation for Christmas.
ADVENT JESSE TREE: The Jesse Tree is a way of reflecting on the key people who prefigure the coming (‘adventus’) of Jesus. Symbols for the Jesse Tree are: This week - WEEK ONE
The Sun and the Moon represent the CREATION
The Tree and the Apple symbols represent ADAM & EVE
The Ark and Dove symbols represent NOAH
The Sword symbol represents ABRAHAM.
 
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK  Lord, lead us out of the shadow of darkness into the brightness of your light.  Amen.
 
TRÓCAIRE’S RECENT EMERGENCY APPEAL The total raised for the people of the Philippians and Syria amounted to €5,848. Once again, on behalf of Trócaire, we thank all those who donated so generously to assist all those affected.
 
CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24th
PARISH ENV: €4,152 PLATE/STAND.ORD €1,506
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY 9162670 SACRISTY 9161261
 
CONFIRM OUR CHILDREN ENROLEMENT MASS
We welcome the children from our Parish who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2014 to their Confirmation Enrolment Mass TODAY at 10.30am.
 
PARENTS OF FIRST COMMUNICANTS A meeting for the parents of all children who will receive First Holy Communion in our Parish in 2014 will take place on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2nd in the Gillooly Hall at 8pm.
 
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Annual Church Gate collection NEXT WEEKEND, on Sat, 7th and Sun. 8th Dec.  Donations can also be made to Ozanam House, John Street, Sligo, tel. 9160713. Your support permits St. Vincent de Paul to help families in our
community who are in great need due to the current economic climate.  Please give generously.  Thank you for your support

WELCOME We extend a warm céad míle fáilte to Fr Michael Shields who will celebrate the Vigil Mass in our Cathedral next Saturday, December 7th at 7.30pm. Fr Shields ministers in the town of Magadan in the Kolyma region of Siberia and has helped change the lives of survivors of the Gulags; former ‘enemies of the Russian state’ under Stalin. In spite of a bid by the Russian Ministry of Justice in 2001 to expel Fr Michael as a foreign national he has overseen the building of the Church of the Nativity and in 2009 opened a pro-life centre.
 
ADVENT IN SLIGO PARISHES CLUSTER
St. Bernadette’s Chapel, Rockwood Parade Wednesdays Dec 4,11,18 at 12:30-1pm - A half hour reflection will be held at lunchtime.
St. Anne’s Day Chapel Wednesdays Dec 4,11,18 following 10am Mass. Three gatherings lasting an hour reflecting on the meaning and purpose of the Season of Advent.
St. Joseph’s Parish Centre  Tuesdays Dec 3, 10, 17 at 3pm. Three gatherings lasting an hour reflecting on the meaning and purpose of the Advent Season
St Patrick’s, Strandhill Mondays Dec 2, 9, 16 at 8pm: ‘The Way of Gentleness’. Guided Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Advent reflections.
St John’s, Carraroe Wednesdays Dec 4,11,18 at 7pm: Reflections based on Sunday Gospels.  Friday Dec 6, 7pm: Adoration with Advent Reflection followed by Mass.
 
A THANKSGIVING MASS For the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition will be celebrated today at 12 Noon. We give thanks for their years of dedicated service in Garden Hill and wish every blessing for the Sisters in their new home in Ballymote.
 
GILLOOLY HALL BINGO - 9.00 p.m. SUNDAY
Tonight’s JACKPOT is €1,650!! Raffle prizes & refreshments.
All welcome to join in the fun!
 
FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK Tues. 3rd: St Francis Xavier, priest; Weds. 4th: St John Damascene, priest and doctor of the Church; Fri. 6th: St Nicholas, bishop; Sat. 7th: St Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church.
 
DATES TO REMEMBER
P.T.A.A. SLIGO - Meeting in St. Mary’s at 7.30 p.m. on Friday 6th
December immediately after the 7pm Mass.
HSE RETIRED ASSOCIATION GROUP Monthly meeting takes place in St Michael’s Family Life Centre on Thurs 5th Dec at 3pm. Christmas Dinner is in Sligo Park Hotel on Weds 18th Dec. at 1pm. Please confirm with Kitty Kilfeather if you can attend on 071 914 2579.
WHAT IN THE WORLD? Series starting on RTÉ on Monday 2 December with ‘Soccer Slaves’ (Cameroon & France). This hard hitting
documentary series seeks to raise greater public awareness of global economic inequalities and human rights violations.
MCR COMMUNITY CENTRE Just off Mail Coach Road is a vibrant active community centre providing services such as Pre-School, After-School & An Active Age Group. If you have a few hours per month to spare, please consider joining the Board of Management. You could make a difference. For more call Marian on 087 2216157 or Catherine on 0863119822 for more.
CARRAROE & DISTICT COMMUNITY ALERT Next meeting Dec 2nd at 8pm in Fr Curley room, Carraroe Community Centre. All welcome.
 
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE St Michael’s Family Life Centre, Church Hill. Tickets can be collected in person or sent by post. €5 each/€20 per book of 5. Please contact 071 917 0329 for more. 
 
MASS IN ST BERNADETTE’s CHAPEL - Mass will be celebrated in St Bernadette’s Chapel, Rockwood Parade, tomorrow, Monday 2nd December, at 5.15 p.m.  All welcome.
 
MARIE RIVIER ASSOCIATION An Advent Retreat will be held for all MRA’s at St Michael’s Family Life Centre, Sligo on Sunday December  8th from 2-5pm. There will be no meeting today, December 1st

MERCY COLLEGE CHRISTMAS FÊTE Something for everyone! Taking place TODAY, Sunday 1st December from 12 noon to 6pm. 
 
NEW HOLY WELL CHRSITMAS CARDS Available from St John's Presbytery (Carraroe, Sligo), Liber Bookshop, O'Connell St & Veritas, Sligo. All proceeds go towards the maintenance of the Holy Well. Carraroe Parish Office Tel 6162136 Email:carraroe@holywellsligo.com

REST IN PEACE: Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls  of: WILLIAM (Bill) DOOLEY, Cairns Drive and MARGARET OATES, late of Rosewood Court, Maugheraboy.  May God Grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES

MON DEC 2nd 8.00 A.M. JERRY McMORROW
TUES DEC 3rd   8.00 A.M. BERNADETTE & ALEX MILLER    10.30 A.M. HARRY KENNY
WED DEC 4th  8.00 A.M.RÓNÁN NADARJA                     10.30 A.M. ROSE McCAFFREY
                                         (Remembrance Mass)
THURS DEC 5th 8.00 A.M. MONICA CORRIGAN &              10.30 A.M. CLIVE HOWARD
                                          EDWARD COX (Remembrance)
FRI DEC 6th     8.00 A.M.Deceased Members of the
                                       ADAMS & CURRAN Families
SAT DEC 7th    8.00 A.M. 1st ANNIVERSARY
                                          PETER FALKNER