WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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

3rd December 2023: The First Sunday of Advent
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COLLECTS AND READINGS

Collect: Almighty God, Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour
of light now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
First Reading ~ Isaiah 64: 1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at
your presence—as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your
name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you
did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who
works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you
in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We
have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all
fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on
your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have
delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you
are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not
remember iniquity for ever. Now consider, we are all your people.

Psalm 80: 1-8, 18-20 (BCP p. 685)

Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, ♦︎
you that led Joseph like a flock;
Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, ♦︎
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your mighty strength ♦︎
and come to our salvation.
Turn us again, O God; ♦︎
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
O Lord God of hosts, ♦︎
how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer?
You feed them with the bread of tears; ♦︎
you give them abundance of tears to drink.
You have made us the derision of our neighbours, ♦︎
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Turn us again, O God of hosts; ♦︎
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, ♦︎
the son of man you made so strong for yourself.
And so will we not go back from you; ♦︎
give us life, and we shall call upon your name.
Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; ♦︎
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
 Epistle Reading – 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God
always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way
you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony
of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you
wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you
may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into
the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel/New Testament Reading ~ St Mark 13: 24-37

‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they
will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the
angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves,
you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is
near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have
taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day
or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep
alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he
leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be
on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will
come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep
when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’

Post-Communion Prayer: God our deliverer, Awaken our hearts to prepare the way for the
advent of your Son, that, with minds purified by the grace of his coming, we may serve you faithfully
all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Saint Michael’s 135 324 128 468 132

Hymns: 126 695 132
Saint Mary’s 127
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 St Mary’s online
Services & Events
Date Time Event Venue
Sunday 3rd NO SERVICE Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
10.00 Advent Saint Michael’s
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
19.00 Advent Procession The Cathedral
Monday 4th 10.30 Morning Prayer
Tuesday 5th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Wednesday 6th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Thursday 7th 10.30 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Friday 8th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Saturday 9th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Sunday 10th 10.45 Morning Prayer Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
10.00 Childrens’ Gift Service Saint Michael’s
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
 THIS WEEK’S NOTICES

Sympathies: we extend our deepest sympathies to Siobhan Wheeler, and her family, on the death of
her father, Gerard T. Locke, and we hold them in our prayers.
Childrens’ Gift Service: This will be held in Saint Michael’s on Sunday 10th December at 10am. You
are invited to bring a wrapped gift for child (with note on front of gender and age appropriateness) to
place under the Christmas Tree. All gifts collected will be donated to a local children’s charity.
Congratulations to Oliver Deegan: who today is formally graduating, following his recent Reader
studies, in Leighlin Cathedral, Carlow.
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.
Fundraisers for St. Michael's Church in aid of upcoming projects e.g. plasterboard maintenance repairs,
painting, LED lighting, etc. Preserves/Bake Sale - this is now closed but there is a limited supply of preserves
still available if anyone is interested. A huge thank you to everyone who has ordered items and for the
super response to prizes for the hamper. Raffle tickets are on sale up to Sunday 17th of December when
winning tickets will be drawn.
Saint Michael’s Christmas Whist Drive: 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.
Saint Michael’s Church Flowers: Would you like to remember a loved one or celebrate a wedding
anniversary or birthday? From 1st January Deirdre Doogan will be organising the Flower Rota in St
Michael’s. Flowers will be organised on a 3-week basis (except Lent and Advent). Donors are asked to
submit the specific remembrance to Deirdre along with €30 to cover the cost of flowers. Please contact
Deirdre at deirdre.doogan7705@gmail.com
The Cathedral Shop: now stocked with lots of gifts for Christmas, including specially-produced
Christmas cards. Call in for a look!

Abington Church: the Slieve Felim Singers are holding their annual Christmas concert in
Abington Church on Sunday Dec. 10th at 5pm. Proceeds in aid of Blood Bikers Mid-West who provide
an essential voluntary supply service to hospitals.
United Diocesan Youth Council: Annual Christmas Dinner Dance: Over18s. 7:45pm, 9
Dec. Fitzgerald's Woodlands Hotel, Adare. €35 per ticket. Tickets must be booked by 4 Dec. Mega
Christmas Day Trip to Dublin. Age group: 10–18-year-olds. 28 Dec. Cost €70 (€60 family
discount). Return Transport from Limerick–Birdhill-Nenagh–Moneygall-Roscrea- Portlaoise. Closing
Date 18 Dec. Email: udyc.info@gmail.com /Valerie Walker: 085/2832487/Edward Hardy: 087/2907553.
Booking forms attached.
Mothers' Union Hampers: We would be very grateful for donations of non-perishable food items,
goodies and toiletries for our Christmas Hampers for Thomond House Women's Refuge and also Adapt
House Women's Refuge. These can be left at the back of St. Michael's Church and the Cathedral. Thank
you in advance for your generosity!
Publication: This week saw the publication of Histories of Protestant Limerick, 1912-1923. Parts of the
Cathedral archives feature in this book, which is available as an e-book at https://shorturl.at/jNX47. A
 limited number of hard copies are available through Limerick City and County Library Service's Local
Studies Department (localstudies@limerick.ie). We congratulate Craig Copley Brown on his
contributions to this volume.

Villiers Festive Market: 8th Dec, 2pm to 5pm, Villiers School, North Circular Road, V94 F983. Gifts,
crafts, decorations, baked goods, jewellery, knits, plants, sweet treats and more,. Entry free. Donations
welcomed for the International Red Cross.
Remembrance Book: Please remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time. Among them:
Jonathon White, James Fredrick Howes, Stuart Gray, Olive Casey, Robert Evans, Carole Anne Cable,
Adelaide Sirr and Jack Shorten.
Diocesan cycle of prayer: the Bishop writes: “We pray for a holy Advent of unrushed expectancy and
preparation; we give thanks for life’s journey into light of which Advent is a microcosm. In this season
across the diocese our Readers will be receiving new licences and permits for the next three years. We
give thanks for their utterly invaluable ministry, and pray for new candidate Readers shortly to embark
upon their training programmes.” Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of North India (United).
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
3rd Dec 10th Dec 17th Dec 24th December
REFRESHMENTS
Saint Michael’s Gillian Cheatley K & S Morrow John & Kay Shier No service
The Cathedral Lillian Okechukwu Alyson McHugh Keith O’Neill No refreshments
READERS
Saint Michael’s Margaret Schutz Ministry Team Selection of readers No service
– Carol Service
The Cathedral John St George Gillian Sheehan Keith O’Neill Frank Sheahan
FLOWERS
No flowers/Advent 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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