TODAY - 23^rd DECEMBER 2012
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
God’s anointed was born by the power of God’s spirit. He is the Son of God and fulfils God’s promise of an everlasting kingdom for his people.

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!

ADVENT JESSE TREE - THIS WEEK - WEEK FOUR
The Hammer and Saw symbols represent JOSEPH,
The Crown symbol represents MARY
The Manger, Chi-Rho and Palm Tree symbols represent JESUS.
 

TONIGHT DECEMBER 23^rdat 8.15 p.m.
SLIGO CATHEDRAL CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
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 what is the beginning of Christmas and gives us a glimpse of the true meaning of this sacred season.

CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
CHRISTMAS CEREMONIES 2012
Please note the details of our Christmas Ceremonies and 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 23
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 - MONDAY - DECEMBER 24 8.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.
CONFESSIONS - 11 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
9.30 p.m. CAROL FANTASIA
Christmas VIGIL Mass 10.00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS DAY
MASSES - TUESDAY - DECEMBER 25
8.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon
POLISH MASS – 5.00 p.m.
MASSES - WEDNESDAY 26 – SATURDAY 29
10.30 a.m. Vigil 7.30 p.m. (Sat.)
SUNDAY DECEMBER 30
MASSES – Vigil (Saturday) 7.30 p.m.;
SUNDAY: 8.30 a.m.; 10.30 a.m.12.00 n – 7.00 p.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
MASSES – MONDAY – 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
MASS FOR PEACE -   10.30 a.m.
MASSES - WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 2 - FRIDAY – JANUARY 4
10.30 a.m. & First Friday 7.00 p.m.
MASSES – SATURDAY – JANUARY 5
10.30 a.m. Vigil 7.30 pm.
CONFESSIONS 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.
SUNDAY – JANUARY 6 - FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
MASSES –Vigil (Saturday) 8.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m., – 12.00 n - 7.00 p.m.
MASSES – WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY JANUARY 7
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.

BLESSINGS FOR USE IN OUR HOMES
Advent Blessings for an Advent Wreath, Christmas Tree and Family Table are available in the Notices and Events section.

8.00 A.M. DAILY MASS
Please note that from Wednesday, December 26 until Saturday, January 5 there will be no celebration of the 8.00 a.m. Daily Mass. Thank you.  

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL - CHRISTMAS 2012
Please note that the Chapel of Adoration will close at 6pm on Sunday, Dec. 23 and will re-open after the 10.30 a.m. Mass on Thursday, Dec. 27 2012. 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.

READINGS FOR SUNDAY NEXT DECEMBER 23^rd
1st : Sam. 1: 20-22 24-28;
2nd : Jn. 3: 1-2 21-24;
Gospel: Luke 2: 41-52.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Lord, Holy Spirit - be my constant companion and soul guide today and every day. Amen.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Wednesday 26^th: St Stephen, First Martyr;
Thursday 27^th: St John, Apostle and Evangelist;
Friday 28^th: The Holy Innocents, martyrs;
Saturday 29th: St Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr.

REST IN PEACE
YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF:
JACK KELLY late of Pearse Road,
UNA GLYNN, Pearse Rd and
DANIEL O’SULLIVAN, father of Liz Martin, Aylesbury Park.
MAY GOD GRANT THEM ETERNAL REST AND COMFORT AND CONSOLE THEIR BEREAVED FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.

ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBRANCES
Monday 24^th December: 8am Denis & Aileen Foley;
Wednesday 26^th December: 10.30am Ned Kilfeather & Maureen Cllaghan;
Thursday 27^th December: 10.30am Frank Corcoran;
Friday 28^th December: Ita & Joe McMorrow and deceased family members;
Saturday 29^th December: Month’s Mind Seán Durcan.
 

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution: SUNDAY DECEMBER 16^th
Parish Envelopes: €2,610 Plate & Standing Order: €1,609
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Telephone 071 9162670 SACRISTY Telephone 071 9161261.
We welcome your comments, email us at  information@sligocathedral.ie Thank you.

BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family
LUKE JAMES O’MALLEY,
CHARLOTTE SHEEHAN,
MILEY MARIE FEENEY and
EMILY JOAN FEENEY
recently baptised in the Cathedral.
 

WEDDINGS
Congratulations and best wishes to
DANIEL HARTE & ELAINE GALLAGHER
who were married recently in the Cathedral.
 

S.T.O.P.           SUICIDE – TEACH, ORGANISE, PREVENT
S.T.O.P. is a registered charity that provides professional and accredited counselling services to those who have been bereaved by suicide or are feeling in distress or suicidal. If you feel you or your family could benefit from these services or for any other queries please contact Michelle Fox on 086 888 2009 in complete confidence.
 

SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL
The Society of St Vincent de Paul, Wolfe Tone Street, would like to sincerely thank all those who assisted and supported their recent church gate collection at Sligo Cathedral. The total raised was €7,121-00. The generosity of our Parishioners means that SVP will be able to provide practical help, such as food and fuel for those in need this Christmas.

SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES
Sligo Social Services Christmas Cards. A selection of 10 for €6.50 for sale in the Thrift Shop, Harmony Hill. WALKARUN 5k walk or run for all on Sat 12^th Jan at 12.30pm. Pre-register at a reduced rate on Jan 4^th from 1-5pm in Quayside shopping. centre. There will be a number of prizes & a goodie bag for all participating. All proceeds go to local services
 

RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP BOXES
Responsible stewardship boxes have now been delivered to all Parish Areas. Anyone who has not received a box and who wishes to contribute to the upkeep of the parish are asked to contact the parish office Tel: 9162670. We apologise for any errors or omissions. Thank you for your ongoing support of our parish. 

  HOME ALONE THIS CHRISTMAS?
Don’t be home alone this Christmas if you would like some company. Senior Help Line is a national confidential telephone listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers. Open every day over Christmas, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, from 10 am to 10pm, (closed Christmas evening from 7-10pm). All calls are treated as strictly confidential. We are here to listen. LoCall 1850 440 444 for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland.

 PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 2013
Taking place from 13-20 June (ex Dublin). 7 nights Recinto Hotel with Spiritual Director Fr Jim Murray. Cost €669 incl. Early booking discount of €100 (or €50 if booking deposit of €200 is received) by 1^st Feb. For details call Martin Scanlon @ 9145491.
 

  GOAL CHRISTMAS MILE
The annual GOAL charity mile run will take place from 12-1pm on Fri Dec 28^th at the Sligo I.T. Athletics track. Please come along and walk, jog or run a mile to support this worthy cause.