Pastoral Council Minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING

of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

of the CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, SLIGO

on Thursday 8th June 2023

 

Present:

Fr. Declan Boyce, Sister Elvira Rosel, Margaret Prior, Donal Lyons & Pauline Cushman.

 

Apologies:

Mary Finan & Ronan Hegarty.

 

  1. Personnel: Sadly, Fr Willibrord will be leaving us on July 3 to minister in Rooskey Parish.  He will be missed   We thank him for the beauty of his Ministry among us and his kindness, and wish him every blessing.

 

  1. Parish Garden Party: Sunday, June 25, 1pm, at St Mary’s Presbytery courtyard or indoors in St Mary’s if raining.

Seating and Décor:    by Sligo Men’s Shed

Teas:       by PPC, in coordination with Helena of the Parish Office

Bouncy Castle:       Colette Divers to liaise with the parents of the Altar Servers for supervision of children on the Bouncy Castle

Ice Cream Stand:       by Mammy Johnston’s, Strandhill

Sponsorship:      by O’Hehir’s Bakery

Table:      will be provided;  people will be welcome to bring food to share

 

            The 90th Birthday of a prominent Parishioner, John Crummy, from John St, will be

            celebrated at the Garden Party.

 

  1. Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Who is a prominent speaker in the United States, will preside over a Healing Service in St Anne’s on September 16, at which the Relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis will be venerated.

On the following day, September 17 she will speak in the Gillooly Hall at 8pm, followed by tea.  Please Note:  If there is a very large crowd, Mother Adela will speak in the Cathedral.

 

  1. New Kitchen in the Cathedral: John Drury from the Gillooly Hall has very graciously volunteered to build a new kitchen.  His kindness is very much appreciated.

 

  1. Presentation of Mary Sisters:

As part of attending their Chapter in Rome, Sister Edel who was previously stationed in Sligo, will return briefly to Sligo and Knock on August 14 and 15. She will be accompanied by their Provincial Superior and 4 School Directors. 

 

  1. Baptisms: From September, Baptisms in groups after the Sunday 12pm Mass, will resume.

 

  1. Next Meeting: To be decided.

 

 

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Pauline Cushman, Acting Secretary                                       Grainne Kelly, Chairperson

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

of the CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, SLIGO

on Thursday 18th May 2023

Present:

Fr. Declan Boyce, Fr. Willibrord Sakwe, Mary Finan, Grainne Kelly & Pauline Cushman.

 

Matters Discussed:

 

  1. Parish Garden Party: This will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 1pm at St Mary’s Presbytery Courtyard, or indoors in St Mary’s if raining, with the help of the Men’s Shed. The meadow will be mown beforehand, and there will be a Bouncy Castle, ice cream, tea and coffee.  People are encouraged to also feel free to bring eatables. The flyers advertising it will be repeated.

 

  1. Report from the Cluster:

 

Corpus Christi Procession – June 11.

Fr. Ahern’s 50th anniversary – June 4

St. Anne’s Mass on Church Island via boat – June 19

Garland Sunday at Holy Well – June 30.  Walk from St Anne’s 4.45 am, Mass at 6am, 10am, 12 noon.

Sligo Cemetery Sunday at 3pm – August 13.

Lough Derg Trip – September 12.  Cost E65.00.  Bus leaves St Anne’s at 8am, return at 6pm.

Visit of relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis in St Anne’s – September 16.

 

Corpus Christi Procession:    Leave the Cathedral at 7.45pm, led by Bishop, and Fr Willibrord to carry the Cross.  Via the Friary, St Joseph’s, St Anne’s to the Abbey. 

The Parish Office is to contact the O.P.W. for access to the Abbey.

Instead of saying the Rosary while processing, Colette Furlong will lead the Antiphons.

 

Next Cluster Meeting October 3, when officers will change.

 

  1. Area Masses to be arranged.

 

  1. Next Meeting of the P.P.C.: June 8 at 8pm.

 

 

 

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Grainne Kelly, Chairperson                                       Pauline Cushman, Acting Secretary

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

of the CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, SLIGO

on Thursday 20th April 2023

 

Present:      Fr. Declan Boyce, Fr. Victor Samugana, Fr. Willibrord Sakwe, Mary Finan, Margaret Prior, Grainne Kelly & Pauline Cushman.

 

Apologies:      Sr. Elvira Rosel & Ronan Hegarty.

 

  1. Review of Easter 2023:

Fr Declan remarked that there are 162 lay people involved in the Easter ceremonies, and 220 different tasks.  Appreciation was expressed for their involvement, and especially for that of the priests and the Altar Society.

Wednesday of Holy Week:   The Chrism Mass was well-attended.

Holy Thursday:           Morning Prayer of the Church was poorly attended on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

Should it be said instead of sung?  In other Cathedrals it is said every morning before Mass, whereas we have the Rosary.

Mass of the Lord’s Supper was well-attended.

The Vigil on Holy Thursday night may be brought forward to 9 or 9.30pm.

Good Friday:              The numbers attending the Reading of the Passion at 3pm continue to decrease – it has become “another working day”.

The Stations of the Cross at 7pm were very well done.

Holy Saturday:           There were huge numbers for Confession, although this is busier at Christmas when people also come to view the Crib.  People of all ages came.

The Easter Vigil Mass had a good attendance.

Easter Sunday:           Mass attendances were good.

 

  1. Up-coming Sacraments:

First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and the Ordination of Rev. Chris Garrett (May 28th).

 

  1. Corpus Christi: June 11th.  First Communion children to get reminder cards.

It is a Cluster project again this year.

 

  1. A Sunday Parish Gathering is envisaged for June 25th after 12pm Mass, up at the Presbytery, with a cup of tea/ice cream. Suggested names were Parish Picnic, Parish Social, or Sweets and Treats.

 

  1. Next P.P.C. Meeting: 18/05/23 at 8pm.

 

 

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Grainne Kelly, Chairperson                                  Pauline Cushman, Acting Secretary