WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Saint Mary’s, Saint Michael’s, & Ss John & Ailbe

26th November 2023: The Kingship of Christ
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COLLECTS AND READINGS

Collect: Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might
rule over all things as Lord and King: Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of
peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading ~ Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24

For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds
seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will
rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick
darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring
them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and
in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of
Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich
pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them
lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up
the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them
with justice. Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep
and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals
with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer
be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will set up over them one shepherd, my
servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will
be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

Psalm 95 (BCP p. 702)

O come, let us sing to the Lord; ♦︎
let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving ♦︎
and be glad in him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God ♦︎
and a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth ♦︎
and the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, ♦︎
and his hands have moulded the dry land.
Come, let us worship and bow down ♦︎
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God; ♦︎
we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

Epistle Reading – Ephesians 1: 15-23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I
do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come
to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to
which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what
is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great
power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at
his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and
above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all
things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the
fullness of him who fills all in all.

Gospel/New Testament Reading ~ St Matthew 25: 31-46

‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne
of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the
goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and
you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in
prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you
hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw
you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw
you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you
did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say
to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for
the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me
nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me
clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was
it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take
care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least
of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous
into eternal life.’

Post-Communion Prayer: Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that plenteously
bearing the fruit of good works they may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our
Lord.

Saint Michael’s 8 34 531 281

Hymns: 259 263 (omit *vv) 281
Saint Mary’s
Services will be recorded and may be viewed online on: www.churchservices.tv/limerickstmarys and
www.saintmaryscathedral.ie within the following 90 days. After that time recordings will be destroyed; however
exceptions may apply and recordings could last longer if the Cathedral requires it. Occasional services may be
recorded and will be advertised on www.churchservices.tv and www.saintmaryscathedral.ie/other Cathedral
communication channels. If you would like further information on a particular event, please contact the Cathedral
office. If you do not wish to appear, please advise Churchwardens who will guide you to an area which will not be
filmed. NRSV (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America; Material in this service reproduced from BCP
under licence © RCB 2004; One License Number: A-738650; Use QR code to donate to Saint Mary’s online
Services & Events
Date Time Event Venue
Sunday 26 10.00 Morning Prayer Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
10.00 Morning Prayer Saint Michael’s
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Monday 27 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Tuesday 28 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Wednesday 29 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Thursday 30 10.30 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Friday 1 Dec 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
 Saturday 2 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Sunday 3 NO SERVICE Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
10.00 Advent Saint Michael’s
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
7pm Advent Procession The Cathedral
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
Mission Sunday: The newly-united Diocesan Councils for Mission of Limerick and Killaloe
and Tuam, Killala and Achonry are this year supporting a mission project of empowering
women through literacy, for which the Bishop is raising awareness through his peregrinations.
Donations will go to two organisations. One is to Mothers’ Union and its vital work in
advancing women’s literacy in Burundi, by providing safe circles where women can learn basic
literacy and mathematical skills, and particularly how to apply those skills to the development
of agricultural initiatives. The other is Feed the Minds and its work in Madagascar to educate
women in running small sustainable silk businesses, so that they can boost family income in
the context of the protection of the mangrove forests which surround them. If you are in a
position to donate financially, then please place your donation in an envelope marked Mission
Sunday. And we are all encouraged to give our prayers for the needs of the world.
Sunday Club meeting dates: in the Cathedral at 11.15am on 3rd Dec and 17th Dec.
Cinema outing is planned for 16 Dec. At each meeting there will be a collection box where
members are encouraged to make a donation (€1/€2) to a charity of their choosing. St
Vincent de Paul Limerick has been chosen by the Club for its support this year.
The Evergreens: Pre-Christmas lunch at Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe, at 1 pm on 28 Nov. No
meeting in Dec. We need volunteers to provide lifts! Text Noreen Allen 085733 5855.

Fundraisers for St. Michael's Church in aid of upcoming projects e.g. plasterboard
maintenance repairs, painting, LED lighting, etc will be held. The first is a Preserves/Bake Sale
- parishioners please see attached order form and the second is a Raffle for a hamper. In this
regard we are asking for donations of items suitable for a Christmas hamper e.g. wine, biscuits,
chocolates, crackers, pringles, jam, napkins etc. Hamper items can be put in the basket at the
back of the church till Sunday 26th of November.
St Michael’s Christmas Whist Drive: will take place on Sat 3rd Dec at 7.30 in St.
Michael’s Church Hall. Admission €8 incl. refreshments. A raffle will be held on the night.
Looking forward to seeing you, if you have any queries contact Gillian: 087 1254687.
United Diocesan Youth Council: Annual Christmas Dinner Dance: Over 18s. 7:45pm
sharp, 9th Dec. Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel, Adare. €35 per ticket. Neat dress
essential. Tickets must be booked by 4th Dec. Mega Christmas Day Trip to Dublin. Age
group: 10-18 year olds. 28th Dec. Cost €70 (€60 family discount). Return Transport from
Limerick–Birdhill-Nenagh–Moneygall-Roscrea- Portlaoise. Closing Date 18th Dec.
Email: udyc.info@gmail.com /Valerie Walker: 085/2832487 or Edward Hardy: 087/2907553. Booking
forms attached.

Murroe-Boher Historical Society - Our next talk will be held at the Fitzgerald Room,
Muintir na Tíre Hall, Murroe on Thursday, November 30, at 8 p.m. sharp. Our guest speaker,
Martin Duffy, will examine the Cloncurry Evictions in Murroe. Admission €5 to non-
members, including refreshments. All welcome.
 Villiers Festive Market: 8th Dec, 2pm to 5pm. We warmly invite you to join us as we host
our Festive Market at Villiers School, North Circular Road, V94 F983. Stroll through the
stalls, sipping a hot chocolate, listening to festive music, whilst picking up some gifts, crafts,
decorations, baked goods, jewellery, knits, plants, sweet treats and more, from seasoned and
new market stall holders. Entry free. Donations welcomed for the International Red Cross.

Remembrance Book: Please remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time.
Among them: Christopher Taylor, Tom Cusack, Anne O'Reilly, Alma Mc Millen, Gabrielle
Hanrahan, Denis Leonard, Anne Reidy, Linda O'Donaghue, Alice Hanley and Edward Mc
Conkey.
Diocesan cycle of prayer: the Bishop writes: “As we come to the end of another Christian
Year, we give thanks for how we have grown in understanding and insight during its course.
We pray for those who teach and preach, we seek forgiveness for any lukewarmness and
complacency that lurk within us. We pray that the reign of Christ in our lives and in our
world may be our greatest goal at all times.” Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Church of Nigeria.
Prayers for the Sick: Your prayers are asked for the sick in our community, especially,
Emily; Mac; Alan Kennedy; Zandra; Kathleen Leddin; Martha McDermott; Dean Sandra
Pragnell; Danny Stone; Josh Stone; Terry Gibson; Sarah B; Cyril Foster; Frances (Kokie)
Moore, Patrick Hastings; Patricia Bourke; Jim K, Marie M, Gerry Grace, Mary Grace, Liz
Kaldor, Trevor Richmond, Martin Hogan, Garrett Ryan, BO’D, Sue Gibson, Francis
McGregor, and John Moore. NOTE: If you wish to place a name on the list, please email it to
limerickcityparishnews@gmail.com. Under GDPR please ensure you have the consent of the named person(s). For confidentiality
reasons the clergy would appreciate NOT being asked on the status of people. Whilst we appreciate people are showing care
and concern, it can compromise the relationship between pastor and parishioner. Thank you.
Rota of Readers, Refreshments, and Flowers
th
26 Nov 3rd Dec 10th Dec 17 Dec
REFRESHMENTS
Saint Michael’s N & A Griffin Gillian Cheatley K & S Morrow John & Kay Shier
The Cathedral Brian Sheppard Lillian Okechukwu Alyson McHugh Keith O’Neill
READERS
Saint Michael’s Sheelagh Margaret Schutz Ministry Team Selection of readers –
Morrow Carol Service
The Cathedral Catherine Smith John St George Gillian Sheehan Keith O’Neill
FLOWERS
Mission Sunday No flowers/Advent No flowers/Advent No flowers/Advent

CONTACT DETAILS
• The Very Rev’d Niall J.W. Sloane (Dean): The Deanery, 7 Kilbane, Castletroy
Email: dean@limerick.anglican.org; Tel: 061-338697. Day off: Friday
• The Rev’d Dr Leonard Madden (Curate-Assistant): The Curatage, 50 Ballinvoher, Fr Russell
Road,
Email: curate@limerick.anglican.org; Tel: 061-302038. Day off: Monday
• Clergy Emergency Number: Tel: 087-3524046. (Strictly Emergency Calls Only).
• The Parish Office: Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Bridge Street, Limerick, V94 E068.
Email: cathedral@limerick.anglican.org; Tel: 061-310293. www.lcp.limerick.anglican.org
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