WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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

10th December 2023: The Second 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 40: 1-11
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that
she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double
for all her sins. A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in
the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made
low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of
the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’
A voice says, ‘Cry out!’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath
of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand for ever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of
good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not
fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’ See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm
rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a
shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the
mother sheep.
Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 (BCP p. 690)
Lord, you were gracious to your land; ♦︎
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the offence of your people ♦︎
and covered all their sins.
I will listen to what the Lord God will say, ♦︎
for he shall speak peace to his people and to the faithful,
that they turn not again to folly.
Truly, his salvation is near to those who fear him, ♦︎
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together, ♦︎
righteousness and peace have kissed each other;
Truth shall spring up from the earth ♦︎
and righteousness look down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give all that is good, ♦︎
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness shall go before him ♦︎
and direct his steps in the way.

Epistle Reading – 2 Peter 3: 8-15a

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a
thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness,
but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the
Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements
will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all
these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of
holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the
heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with
his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Therefore,
beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or
blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote
to you according to the wisdom given to him.

Gospel/New Testament Reading ~ St Mark 1: 1-8

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying
out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer
appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And
people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him,
and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with
camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed,
‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie
the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

Post-Communion Prayer: Lord, here you have nourished us with the food of life. Through our
sharing in this holy sacrament teach us to judge wisely earthly things and to yearn for things
heavenly. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Michael’s 135 136 79 152 138

Hymns: 136 537 140
Saint Mary’s 119(i)
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
10.45 Morning Prayer Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
Sunday 10th 10.00 Childrens’ Gift Service Saint Michael’s
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Monday 11th 10.30 Morning Prayer
Tuesday 12th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Wednesday 13th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Thursday 14th 10.30 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Friday 15th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Saturday 16th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
10.00 Carol service Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
10.00 Carol service Saint Michael’s
Sunday 17th
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
7pm Civic Carol Service The Cathedral

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES

Sympathies: we extend our deepest sympathies to Ann Oakley, and her family, on the death of her
sister, Patricia (Patsy), 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.
Sunday Club meeting dates: in the Cathedral at 11.15am on 7th Dec. Cinema outing is planned for
16 Dec to Castletroy Cinema (film TBC). 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.
St Michael's Whist Drive last Saturday night was a lovely enjoyable social occasion with lots of lovely
seasonal prizes. Thank you to Georgina, Margot, Noreen & Val for the lovely traybakes. Raffle
winners were...1st Prize Luxury Hamper (Sponsored by Niall Johnston) was won by Beverley Callender
and the other prize winners were Hilda Fairbrother, Niall Johnston, Ruth Lily O'Connell and Colin
Marsden. A big thank you to Peter, Lindsay, Val, Tracey, Niall, Gillian, Tim and Paddy for sponsoring the
table/raffle prizes. See you all again at our January Whist Drive on Saturday 6th of January @ 7.30pm.
Villiers Square Whist Drive takes place on Saturday 13th January @ 7.15pm.
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
Evergreens: Once again, thank you to Noreen Allen for sussing out a super venue for the Evergreens’
Christmas lunch. 25 of the Evergreens enjoyed a very tasty lunch at the Lakelands Hotel, Ballina/Killaloe.
The staff were pleasant and helpful and it was in a lovely location. Everyone seemed to enjoy the informality
of the lunch and the chat. Thank you to Noreen, Mary, Tony & Ros for organising the Christmas Lunch
and thank you to those who gave lifts to those who needed them. A Happy Christmas and a peaceful
New Year to everyone!

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: 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!
 Focus Ireland's Christmas Concert: 7.30pm, Mon 11 Dec in the Cathedral. Performing on the night
will be the following popular acts; Los Paddys, Limericks MIC (Mary Immaculate College) Community
Choir, Capriccio String Quartet, Robert Dawson, Scoil Chríost Rí, Ukealadies, Soprano Deborah
Bulgarelli, Baritone Lucas Nogueira and Mezzo Soprano Catherine O’Carroll. It will be an enjoyable festive
evening with a raffle and superb spot prizes donations from local businesses. All proceeds from the concert
will directly benefit Focus Ireland's efforts to provide shelter, support, and hope to those experiencing
homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Tickets cost €20; and can be booked
at FocusIrelandLimerickChristmasConcert (Eventbrite)

Remembrance Book: Please remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time. Among them:
Murial Williams, William Carey, Peggy Stockil, Tommy Hayes, Jimmy Keays, Gladys Blackledge, Margaret
Mc Donnell, Gloria Bezuidenhout, Archie Brown, May Mc Kie, Odile Knight, Sylvia Morrow, Joe Connolly
and Bridget Casey.
Diocesan cycle of prayer: the Bishop writes: “As we remember the patriarchs of old, we pray for all
people of faith who can in some way call Abraham their father, for creative and deepening interfaith
relationships , for the role we can share in building peace in God’s world and promoting care for this
planet, the home of us all.” Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of Pakistan (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, 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
10th Dec 17th Dec 24th December 25th December
REFRESHMENTS
Saint Michael’s K & S Morrow John & Kay Shier No service
The Cathedral Alyson McHugh Keith O’Neill No refreshments
READERS
Saint Michael’s Ministry Team Selection of No service TBC
readers – Carol
Service
The Cathedral Gillian Sheehan Keith O’Neill Frank Sheahan Noreen Ellerker
FLOWERS
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
Limerick City Parish ~ Weekly Newsletter –
Deadline for notices 12 noon every Wednesday.
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