Newsletter 12th August 2012

 TODAY – 12th AUGUST 2012
NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Elijah’s one concern in life was that both he and his people should be true to God. As he went on a journey in search of God his courage failed, he wanted to die. In his desolation, God helped him to continue his journey. We receive the same support of God in the Eucharist.

WELCOME BACK FR DEOGRATIAS
We extend a very warm Céad Míle Fáilte once again to Fr Deogratias Kisweka who has returned to St Mary’s for the summer months. Fr Deogratias is involved in building a church in his native parish of St Verena in the Diocese of Ifakara, Tanzania and has asked us to help fundraise to help complete the church. A number of events will be held over the coming weeks. Please contact the Parish Office on 9162670 if you would like to help in any way.

WEDNESDAY NEXT – AUGUST 15 – THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Mass times: Tuesday, Vigil: 7.30 p.m.,
Wednesday 8.00 am. 10.30 am., and 7.00 p.m.
Please note there is no 12.00 noon Mass
Now toward the end of the summer season, at a time when fruits are ripe in the gardens and fields, the Church celebrates the most glorious “harvest festival” in the Communion of Saints. Mary, the supremely blessed one among women, Mary, the most precious fruit which has ripened in the fields of God’s kingdom, is today taken into the granary of heaven.                        (Fr Pius Parsch 1884-1954).

ORDINATION REMEMBRANCE
On August 15, Bishop Jones celebrates the Eighteenth anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination. Let us remember him in a special way in our prayers and may he continue to be empowered by God’s grace in his sacred ministry.

SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL COLLECTION
The annual Parish Envelope collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul takes place this Wednesday, August 15th. This collection will enable the Society to provide practical support to those experiencing poverty and social exclusion, by providing a wide range of services to people in need in our community. Your help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

APPOINTMENT – CATECHIST
The Sligo Parishes Cluster wishes to recruit full-time/part-time Catechist(s). Successful candidates will work in the Sligo area.
This post is open to those suitably qualified in Catechetics or related disciplines with a living sense of Church.
For a full job description, person specification, details of employment etc. visit the Sligo Parishes Cluster link at www.sligocathedral .ie
The closing date for all applications is August 29th.

ELPHIN DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
Come and join with all the pilgrims from the Diocese to Knock Shrine on SUNDAY – August 19.   The Ceremonies begin at 2.30 pm with Anointing of the Sick followed by concelebrated Mass at 3.00 pm. If a member of your family is in care or in a Nursing Home please try to bring them along as they may have fond memories of this particular Pilgrimage. A bus will depart from St Mary’s at 10.50am. Please book your €15 return ticket with St Anne’s Parish Office on 9145028.

KNOCK SHRINE – AUGUST 2012
THE NATIONAL NOVENA IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF KNOCK
14th to 22nd August (inclusive)
* 3.00 p.m. Concelebrated Mass in the Basilica, Novena Prayers, Eucharistic Blessing of the Sick, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to Apparition Chapel.
* Evening 8.30 p.m. Concelebrated Mass in the Basilica, Novena Prayers, Candlelight Procession to Apparition Chapel.
* Those unable to attend the ceremonies at the Shrine may join in the Novena at home by reciting the Novena Prayers and the Rosary. Mass and Holy Communion in the local Church is also recommended.
* Novena Prayer
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION, August 15^th
Masses: 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 12 noon,  3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Anointing of the Sick: 2.30 p.m.
Confessions: All day from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Chapel of Reconciliation.
ELPHIN DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE, August 19
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF KNOCK, August 21
On this day, the Anniversary of the Apparition, thousands of pilgrims join in the Ceremonies during the day, and in the traditional Candlelight Procession and Ceremonies at night.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK 
God our Father, may we love you in all things and above all things and reach the joy you have prepared for us beyond all our imagining. Amen.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
Mon 13th Ss. Pontian, pope & Hippolytus, priest, martyrs, St. Fachtna, bishop;
Tues 14th St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest & martyr;
Weds 15th The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
Thurs 16th St. Stephen, Hungary.

^{READINGS FOR SUNDAY AUGUST 19th}
1^st Reading: Prov. 9: 1-6.
2^nd Reading: Eph. 5: 15-20.
Gospel: John 6: 56.
Please consider reading in preparation for next Sunday’s Mass.

TRÓCAIRE – HOW YOUR DONATIONS COUNT
You help Trócaire bring hope to the lives of those most in need. 91 cent of every euro received goes directly to the people who need it most, to bring positive and lasting change for the better. To gain further insight how your support is making possible   Trócaire’s work to improve the lives of communities in the developing world please visit www.trocaire.org. Thank you.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL
Adorers are asked to please make arrangements with their family members, relatives, friends and other adorers for substitution of their hour whenever they are on holidays. Thank you.

WEDDINGS
Congratulations and best wishes to
DEIRDRE FOLEY & AIDAN CAHILL
and
BERNADETTE FLANNERY & DAMIAN SHANNON
who were married recently in the Cathedral.

 BAPTISMS
We welcome into God’s family
NATHAN CONBOY
who was baptised recently in the Cathedral.

 ANNIVERSARIES & REMEMBRANCES

 REST IN PEACE
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the souls of:
RAY KIELY, late of West Midlands and Strandhill;
and
EILEEN PURTILL, sister of Mary Crowley, Thornhill.
May God grant them eternal rest and comfort and console their bereaved families and friends.

CATHEDRAL PARISH – 2200 FAMILIES
THANK YOU for your contribution:
SUNDAY AUGUST 5th PARISH ENV: €2,272 PL/STAND.ORD €1,527
ST MARY’S PRESBYTERY Tel: 071 9162670 CATHEDRAL SACRISTY Tel: 071 9161261
We welcome your comments, email us at information@sligocathedral.ie. Thank you.

VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD
“It is in this soil of self-offering and openness to the love of God, and as the fruit of that love, that all vocations are born and grow”
Pope Benedict XVI
If you are interested in vocations in the Diocese of Elphin please email vocations@elphindiocese.ie or contact Fr. Jim Murray, Carraroe on 071 9162136 or Fr John Coughlan, Roscommon at 090 6626189.

DRAWING FROM THE HOLY WELL WITHIN
Authentic Christian meditation . Interested individuals or small groups up to 5 persons. Contact Mother Teresa Sisters on Temple Street or phone 071 9154843. Free of charge.

SLIGO L’ARCHE COLLECTION
The annual church gate collection for L’Arche Sligo will take place on the weekend of the 25-26 of August. Your support is greatly needed for work with persons who have special needs on the journey of discovering all our gifts. Thank you.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES – AUGUST 28 to SEPTEMBER 2, 2012
Please consider joining the Elphin Diocese on this Sacred Pilgrimage this year! For details and Booking Forms please contact the Parish Office Tel: 9162670 or Joe Walsh Tours Tel: 01 241 0800. Thank you.

Foróige Volunteers Needed
Foróige’s Big Brother Big Sister Programme is currently recruiting volunteers to be matched with a young person aged 10-18 years who would benefit from extra support. Volunteers are asked to share interests/hobbies by spending 1-2 hours per week with their little brother/sister. Full training & support provided. Contact Elaine on 086 8516087.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS – SLIGO SOCIAL SERVICES
Children’s clothing and second hand school uniforms in good condition are needed. Please leave into Sligo Social Services, Charles Street. Thank you for your support.

DATES TO REMEMBER

ST BERNADETTE’s CHAPEL – Mass will be celebrated on Monday AUGUST 13th at St Bernadette’s Chapel, Rockwood Parade at 5.15 p.m. All welcome.

SLIGO ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Monthly meeting at 2.30pm in the Dominican Friary Hall on Tuesday 14th August. New members welcome.

ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY Next meeting will take place tomorrow – Monday, August 13 immediately after the 10.30am Mass in the Upper Room of the Cathedral Sacristy. New members welcome.

S.T.O.P. – SUICIDE – TEACH, ORGANISE, PREVENT
S.T.O.P. is a registered charity that provides professional and accredited counselling services to individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide or are feeling in distress or suicidal. S.T.O.P. also provides a monthly bereavement group. 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.

ADDICTION STUDIES:
NUI Maynooth will provide its Certificate in Addictions Studies course at St Michaels Family Centre, Sligo from October next. The course is one evening a week and is suitable for anyone interested in or affected by addictions. Those in recovery, family members, professionals such as counsellors, teachers, social workers, nurses or community activists should find the course of benefit. Further information can be obtained by phoning 071 9170329 or 087 6341748.

SLIGO TRIP TO CROZON
This year Sligo is twinned 30 years with Crozon in Northern Brittany. Sligo Town Twinning are organising a trip to Crozon from 22 to 29 September. Travel is by 53 seater coach from Sligo to Cork, overnight Brittany Ferries (including cabin sharing) and accomodation is hosting (no charge) or hotel. The Fare is €215pp. The trip is open to all. Please contact Dymphna on 087 150 1444 or Michael on 087 649 5349 for further details.