TODAY - APRIL 21^st FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Like Paul and Barnabas, those whose vocation it is to preach the gospel, will meet opposition. Today we are encouraged by the thought that the Christ we serve knows his people intimately and promises them eternal life - no opposition can snatch them from the Father’s love.

TODAY - GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS FOR PRIESTHOOD
Today is GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY, a day of special prayer for vocations to the work of service in the Church.  There is the enduring command of Christ to His Church to go out and preach to all people. If you feel called to serve the Church as a Diocesan Priest please contact your local priest or Fr. Jim Murray, Carraroe, Sligo. Tel: 071 9162136.

VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD
THE WORLD NEEDS CHRIST - CHRIST NEEDS YOU. Have you considered serving the Elphin Diocese as a Priest? If you feel you may have a vocation to Diocesan Priesthood, please contact Fr. Jim Murray, Carraroe, Sligo on 9162136, your local priest or email: vocations@elphindiocese.ie
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
God, you desire the happiness and salvation of all.
Stir up the grace of a holy vocation
in the hearts of many within our parish.
Grant them the willingness and generosity
to give of themselves, their time and talents to the service
of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and to His Church.  Amen.

ST JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
A Church Gate Collection in aid of St. Joseph's Young Priests Society will be held at all Masses next Sunday.   Please give generously in support of vocations and for Seminarians.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DEACON?
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
Diocese of Elphin is now accepting enquiries from married and single men who may feel called to ministry as a permanent deacon. The four year part-time training programme will begin in Autumn 2013. For further information or a conversation around the topic contact: Director of the Permanent Diaconate, St Mary’s, Sligo, 071 9162670 or visit www.elphinsiocese.ie under “vocations” section.

MONASITC CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE
With Dominican Nuns in Monastery of St Catherine of Siena, The Twenties, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Single young women attracted to this way of life are invited to share in a vocation weekend 26^th -28^th April. For more visit www.dominicannuns.ie or call 0419838524.

FEAST OF SAINT ASICUS - SUNDAY NEXT
Saint Asicus was Saint Patrick’s expert craftsman in metal work and accompanied him on his journeys.  He was left in charge of the church of Elphin diocese which St. Patrick is said to have founded.  To celebrate the Feast of  Saint Asicus a Commemorative Mass will be celebrated next Sunday 28th April in: ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH - ELPHIN at 7.00pm. The Celebration will be followed by a visitation to the ancient Cathedral ruins.  All are most welcome to attend.
St Asicus, pictured, as seen in the magnificent stained glass window in our Cathedral.

YEAR OF FAITH - PARISH VISITATION
To mark the Year of Faith and in preparation for the upcoming Festival of Faith the Parish Pastoral Council have decided to visit all homes in our Parish commencing in May as a gesture of outreach.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED
Volunteers are being sought to assist in this initiative.  Anyone who can help is invited to a meeting in St Mary’s on Thursday, 2^nd May at 8pm. Please call the Parish Office on 9162670 before this date. Your support is much needed and appreciated.

FESTIVAL OF FAITH May 20-27^th
Theme: The Door is always open. Organised by Sligo Parishes Cluster and taking place in our Cathedral, St Anne’s, Carraroe, St Joseph’s, St Patrick’s Calry, Strandhill, Ransboro, Rosses Point & The Friary. Including celebration of the Eucharist, Vigils, Pilgrimages, liturgies of the Word, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Speakers include: Fr Gareth Byrne.

YEAR OF FAITH - BETTER UNDERSTANDING TO BELIEVE
A seminar presented by Fr. Noel Rooney entitled ’Faith and Sacred Scripture’ will be held from 11am - 3.30 pm in the Sligo Park Hotel on Saturday, April 27^th.  This promises to be a very informative day. For ,more details see elphindiocese.ie/year-of-faith/faithscripture. All  are welcome to attend.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2013
We congratulate the pupils of SCOIL URSULA who on this Sunday receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.
Scoil Ursula, Sunday 21^st April - 10.30 am.
St John’s & Carbury, Sunday 28^th April - 10.30 am.
Gaelscoil, Sunday May 12^th - 10.30 am.

CONFIRM OUR CHILDREN
The final preparation Mass for our young people preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation takes place today, April 21^st, at 7.00 p.m.  All are encouraged to attend.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2013
Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, Friday 3^rd May - 11.30 am.

St John’s & Carbury, Thursday 16^thMay  - 4.00 pm.
Scoil Ursula, Pentecost Sunday, 19^th MAY - 12 noon.

We join with our parishioners in wishing all our First Communicants and Confirmandi, their families and their schools every blessing as they prepare for these sacred Sacraments.

ELPHIN DIOCESAN CONFERENCE
Nine workshops relating to faith & parish pastoral development taking place this Sunday afternoon @ 2 pm in CBS Secondary School Roscommon. Come and see. Participate in the conversations on the issues up for discussion. Full details on www.elphindiocese.ie

TRÓCAIRE BOXES RETURN – FINAL APPEAL 2013
Our thanks to those who have handed in their TRÓCAIRE Boxes but few have so far been returned. All contributions are appreciated no matter how large or small as they make a great difference to the lives of the less privileged.  The amount received so far is €5,092. Boxes should be returned at any Mass today or over coming days or to the Sacristy.

TRÓCAIRE DOOR-TO-DOOR FUNDRAISERS
Will be in our Parish during April / May. All will have photo ID and will ask for support by way of a monthly direct debit. Trócaire works with the poorest families and communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Please support if you can. Thank you.

GARDEN OF RESURRECTION
Our Garden of Resurrection in the Cathedral is a symbolic representation of the tomb from which the Risen Lord came forth to declare that the life of faith triumphs over death itself.  Let us join with family and friends in visiting this place of prayer and hope and especially remember those who have gone before us marked with the sign of hope in the Resurrection.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Tues. 23rd: St George, martyr; St Adalbert of Prague, bishop & martyr;
Weds. 24th St Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest & martyr;
Thurs 25th St Mark, Evangelist.

READINGS - SUNDAY APRIL 14th
1st Reading: Acts 14: 21-27.
2nd Reading: Apoc. 21: 1-5.
Gospel: John 13: 31-35.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Dear Lord as I come to you today fill my heart and my whole being with the wonder of Your presence.  Amen.

CHURCH OF MARY IMMACULATE, BANGLADESH
Would you like to know more about this poor Third World parish? Perhaps you might like to help in some way. Details are available from the Parish Office.

CHARITY TAX FORMS – REMINDER
Sincere thanks to all who have so far returned their charity tax form. If you have not already returned your form please do so as soon as possible. This is a vital source of income for us in these difficult economic times. Thank you.

DIOCESAN PUBLICATION - THE ANGELUS
Please watch out for the next edition which will be available over the coming days in our Cathedral. The Angelus keeps us informed and up to date with happenings and issues throughout the diocese.

YOUNG ADULT DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO ROME
This pilgrimage, to mark the Year of Faith, will take place from July 7^th to 14^th to the ‘eternal city’ for young adults aged 18-35. Accommodation at Pontifical Irish College in the heart of Rome with a special programme ofspiritual cultural and social events. Cost €700. For further information contact Frank McGuinness,Director of Youth Ministry on 087 988 0690 or mail frank.mcguinness@elphindiocese.ie. Places are limited so early booking is advised.

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family
JAY HARRIGAN;
TOMMY LEE DILLON and
CONOR KEELEY
who were baptised recently in the Cathedral..

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBERANCES
Monday 22^nd April: 8am ANNIE McMORROW:
Tuesday 23^rd April: 8am SR CLAIRE RHEAME Recently Deceased; 10.30am: EILEEN GLYNN & Deceased Members of Glynn & Connolly Families;
Wednesday 24^th April: 8am THOMAS SCANLON;  10.30am JOHN McBRIDE;
Thursday 25^th April: 8am THOMAS SCANLON; 10.30am PETER BURKE;
Saturday 27^th April: 8am MICHEÁL CAWLEY; 10.30am Month’s Mind EVELYN KELLY.

REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of:
SEAN CLEARY, late of Belleek and Sligo town
May God Grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

BINGO - GILLOOLY HALL
Bingo TONIGHT, SUNDAY 21^st APRIL at 9pm with a
JACKPOT of €1750 and EXTRA RAFFLE PRIZES. All welcome!!.

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY April 7^th
PARISH ENV: €2,387  PL/STAND.ORD €1,737
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Telephone 071 9162670 SACRISTY Telephone 071 9161261.
Email us at information@sligocathedral.ie  We welcome your comments. Thank you.

GALILEE COMMUNITY, TNTAGH, BOYLE - TAIZE PRAYER

An hour of Taize Prayer will take place in Galilee Community on Friday, April 26^th from 9pm -10pm.
Mary – Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church: a model of living Faith is the title of a series of three evenings to be offered in Galilee Community  on Tuesday, May 14^th, 21^st and 28^th from 8pm – 9:30pm. The topic on May 14^th is - In Solidarity with Mary-Woman of Faith- we too can go forward with our lives, “Is Feidir Linn.”

IRISH CANCER SOCIETY’S CARE TO DRIVE SERVICE
The Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Care to Drive’ transport service is available for patients undergoing chemotherapy in Sligo General Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe & Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore. This service is completely free to the patient – a driver will pick you up at the door of your home and bring you to the hospital & then, after treatment, bring you home. So if you are having trouble getting to and from the hospital for your treatment, please speak to your oncology team in Sligo General or call Gail on 01 2310 566.

The service is free to both the hospital and the patient with the Irish Cancer Society incurring all costs. The service has been running since 2008 and we are currently partnered with the following hospitals; St. Vincent’s; St. James’s; Letterkenny General; The Mater; Mid-Western Regional, Limerick; Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; Tallaght Hospital; Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore.

CYCLE AGAINST SUICIDE
An awareness raising cycle charity, aimed at tackling suicide will arrive in Sligo on Monday the 29^th of April.  This is not a fundraiser - but raising suicide awareness.  Accommodation & an evening meal for 90 cyclists for 1 night is required as part of the Homestay initiative.  If you think you can provide a bed in your home or would like to find out more information please contact the Sligo Homestay Coordinator Matt Lyons on 087 6796519 or mattlyons@live.ie

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING & BRIC-A-BRAC
If you are spring cleaning your shelves and wardrobes please remember SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES who are continuously seeking and gratefully accept all clothing including children’s as well as good quality bric-a-brac for their Thrift Shop on Harmony Hill. These can be conveniently dropped into Charles Street or call 071 9145682 to arrange collection.

DATES TO REMEMBER
URSULINE ASSOCIATES - Next meeting will be held on Weds Apr 24th in the Convent (opp Cathedral entrance) at 7.30pm. New members welcome.

A CHURCH GATE COLLECTION in aid of St. Joseph's Young Priests Society will be held at all Masses today.  Please give generously in support of vocations and for Seminarians.

NORTH WEST STROKE GROUP next meeting Wednesday 24th Apr at 8pm at the Irish Wheelchair Association premises in Abbeyville, Sligo.

SLIGO SCOUT COUNTY are hosting Scouting Ireland’s National Council in the Radisson Blu, Ballincar this weekend. 800 delegates including all the Sligo Scout Groups are attending this prestigious annual event.

GORTA are seeking volunteers for their annual Church gate collection on the 15th & 16th of June.  If you can help please contact Ann on 01 661 5522, 087 793 3513 or mail ann@gorta.ie.

N.C.B.I. John Street, Sligo welcomes unwanted gifts or donations at their shop. Please contact shop manager Christy Foy on 086 893 9682.

WEEKEND RETREAT with Sr. Peggy Cronin. Fri 19th 6pm (Evening Meal) - Sun 21st April 2pm (after Lunch). €150 (Residential) €80 (Non-residential) Limited places available. Book at La Verna Retreat Centre on 071 9852572.

ANGER ISSUES? Knock Counselling Centre 2 day confidential Anger Management Programme with the Irish Assoc. for Anger Management in Knock on Sat 20^th & Sun 21^st April. Contact Peter Devers, Regional Consultant, 09493 75032 or log onto www.difficultemotions.com