Let Us Pray
Restoration Fund
Social Media
Pastoral Council Minutes
St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council (P.P.C.) Minutes
on Thursday 9th October 2025
Present: Ronan Hegarty, Fr. Chris Garrett, Pauline Cushman, Fr. Frankline Nkopi, Jiji Varjhese, Donal Lyons, Maura Finan, Patricia McCaffrey
Apologies: Fr. Innocent Sunu, Sr. Elvira Rosel, Siji Varijhese,
Evening Prayer Thursday 27th Week Ordinary Time: Led by Fr Chris
- Approval of Minutes
A motion was proposed to approve the minutes was made by Pauline Cushman and seconded by
Donal Lyons, and the motion was approved unanimously.
- Advent Mission (Derry CFR Brothers) 6th – 10th December 2025
It was agreed to proceed with the program proposed by the CFR brothers. Music ministry would have to be coordinated with the brothers; if they would like to use local music ministry, Collette Furlong, Clint Valentine, Paul Keogh and Fergus McKeon could be asked to see if they would be available to support this mission.
- St Matthew’s Gospel Study
The PPC enthusiastically supports this and notes that it finishes at a time favourable for the start of the Advent Parish Mission led by the CFR brothers.
- Joint Pastoral Assembly 8th November
Most of the PPC members said they would be able to attend.
- Farmhill Manor Outreach
This has been done previously by Fr Frankline and Helen Waters. There are many faith
denominations represented in the Farmhill Manor community. It was suggested that a parish
calender could be made with contact numbers on it and this could be provided to homes visited. Since
Fr Chris is new to the parish it would be an opportunity to introduce himself to the community. The
area of Thornhill is also a relatively new development that would be a good area to evangelise. Offers
to bless houses or candles or cars could be undertaken at the same time.
- Website Updating.
Sandor Gera of GetOnline will have a mock up site of the redesign available next week and it will be forwarded to the PPC members. Miriam Herridge is a graphic design artist who could help with a parish symbol. It was generally agreed that the parish symbol should focus on Mary, particularly using the image of the sculpture of Mary over the entrance to the Cathedral as a starting point.
- 6. Carpet in the Sanctuary
Estimates should be sought from Roemer’s and McTiernan’s. It may not be able to get a carpet of the
same quality as the existing one. The possibility of a company refreshing and deep cleaning the carpet
is also one that should be explored. The colour red was recommened if a new carpet was purchased.
- Joint Pastoral Assembly
Joint Pastoral Assembly 8th November 2025 at 10AM in the Abbey Hotel for all members of Parish
Pastoral Councils.
- Any Other Business
Birthdays
It was suggested that once a month those having a birthday that month should be acknowledged and receive a blessing.
Family Mass
The Family was Barjhese supported enthusiastically by the entire Barjhese family which was much appreciated by the Pastoral Council. It was noted that not many families attended the Saturday evening Mass. While a weekly Family Mass could continue it was recommended that the first Saturday Vigil Mass be of special importance, with members of a family, or families, doing the readings, music ministry, offertory, etc. A poster advertising the Mass would help in raising attention.
Pastoral Council Social Evening
In lieu of the December PPC meeting we would have a social gathering in the dining room of St Mary’s Presbytery at 7PM, 11th December 2025.
Perpetual Adoration and Christmas
Perpetual Adoration will be suspended for five days starting Christmas Eve in view of people being out of town or having visitors for the Christmas holidays.
Closing Prayer: Thursday Night Prayer of Week 27 Ordinary Time
Next Meeting: Thursday, 13th November 2025, at 8PM, St Mary’s Presbytery
MINUTES OF MEETING
of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
of the CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, SLIGO
on Thursday 8th May 2025
Attendance:
Rev Chris Garret Fr Frankline Nkopi
Pauline Cushman Jiji Varghese
Sister Elvira Rosel Donal Lyons
Ronan Hegarty
Apologies:
Siji Varghese, Rev Innocent Sunu, Maire Finan.
- Chris Garret’s new appointment.
Rev. Chris Garret has been appointed Administrator for St. Mary’s Parish. We warmly welcome Rev. Chris Garret to our Parish and look forward to working with him. We gratefully acknowledge Fr. Declan Boyce’s tenure and wish Fr. Declan every blessing on his new appointment at Riverstown parish from 1st May 2025.
- Cathedral renovations continuing until Pentecost 2025.
Ongoing Cathedral renovations from January 2025 are expected to be completed in time for Pentecost 2025.
- Jubilee Year 2025.
Jubilee Year 2025 events to be finalised throughout the year.
- Benemerenti Medals.
Recipients of Benemerenti medals to be informed and presentation preparations are continuing.
- Child safety.
Up to date.
Next PPC meeting will be on 12th June 2025 at 8pm.
________________________________ ______________________________________
Grainne Kelly, Chairperson Ronan Hegarty, Secretary
MINUTES OF MEETING
of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
of the CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, SLIGO
on Thursday 14th February 2025
Attendance:
Very Rev Declan Boyce Margaret Prior
Pauline Cushman Jiji Varghese
Maire Finan Ronan Hegarty
Apologies:
Siji Varghese, Rev Innocent Sunu, Grainne Kelly, Sister Elvira Rosel, Donal Lyons & Fr Frankline Nkopi.
- Cathedral renovations in January 2025 until Easter 2025.
Ongoing Cathedral renovations from January 2025 until Easter 2025 are progressing well, Mass is being celebrated during this time at Nazareth House church.
- Jubilee Year 2025.
Jubilee Year 2025 events to be finalised throughout the year.
- Benemerenti Medals.
Recipients of Benemerenti medals to be informed and presentation preparations to be made.
- Child safety.
Up to date.
Next P.P.C. meeting will be on 13th March 2025 at 8pm.
________________________________ ______________________________________
Grainne Kelly, Chairperson Ronan Hegarty, Secretary