WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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

17th December 2023: The Third 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 61: 1-4, 8-11
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring
good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of vengeance of
our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a
garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a
faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the
ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and
wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with
them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly
rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments
of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with
a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and
as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and
praise to spring up before all the nations.

Psalm 126 / Canticle: Magnificat (BCP p. 128)

My soul proclaims the | greatness • of the | Lord, ■ my spirit rejoices • in | God my | Saviour,
who has looked with favour on his | lowly | servant; ■ from this day all gene|rations • will | call me
| blessèd;
the Almighty has done | great things | for me ■ and | holy | is his | name.
God has mercy on | those who | fear him,■ from gene|ration • to | gene|ration.
The Lord has shown | strength • with his | arm ■ and scattered the | proud in | their con|ceit,
casting down the mighty | from their | thrones ■ and | lifting | up the | lowly.
God has filled the hungry with | good | things ■ and sent the | rich a|way | empty.
He has come to the aid of his | servant | Israel ■ to re|member • the | promise of | mercy,
The promise | made to • our | forebears, ■ to Abraham | and his | children • for | ever.

Epistle Reading – 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test
everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself
sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Gospel/New Testament Reading ~ St John 1: 6-8, 19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask
him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And
they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered,
‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do
you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight
the way of the Lord” ’, as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They
asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the
prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not
know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took
place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Post-Communion Prayer: Father, we give you thanks for these heavenly gifts. Kindle us with the
fire of your Spirit that when Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Saint Michael’s 174 182 149 188 201 164

Hymns: 104 (t.349) 199 324
Saint Mary’s 124
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
Ss John & Ailbe,
10.00 Carol service
th Abington
Sunday 17
10.00 Carol service Saint Michael’s
Advent III
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
19.00 Civic Carol Service The Cathedral
Monday 18th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Ss John & Ailbe,
20.00 Community Carol Service
Abington
Tuesday 19th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Wednesday 20th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Thursday 21st 10.30 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Friday 22nd 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Saturday 23rd 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Ss John & Ailbe,
NO SERVICE
Abington
Sunday 24th NO SERVICE Saint Michael’s
Christmas Eve
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
22.00 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Ss John & Ailbe,
9.30 Holy Communion
Monday 25th Abington
Christmas Day 10.00 Holy Communion St Michael’s
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
10.00 Christmas Service Saint Michael’s
31st December 11.15 Christmas Service The Cathedral
Ss John & Ailbe,
NO SERVICE
Abington
 THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
Revision of Vestrypersons: The Register of Vestrypersons is open for revision until 18th Jan 2024. If
you are over18 & subscribe to parish funds & are not yet registered, please see one of the Churchwardens
and fill in the registration form. This will enable you to vote at the Spring meeting of the General Vestry.
Quiet Reflective Christmas Service: This, often known as a “Blue Christmas service”, consists of
prayers, Scripture readings and poetry, and will be held this coming Sunday, 17th December, at 4 pm in St.
James' Chapel, St. Mary's Cathedral. This gentle Christmas service is for all those of us who find this time
of year a difficult and painful one, whether we are grieving a loss (of any kind), are ill, lonely, or struggling
with problems of any sort. Refreshments will be served after the short service. All are welcome to attend.
12 Cribs of Christmas: we are delighted to provide 'Twelve Cribs of Christmas'. This is a simple
resource intended for primarily for young families to use during the Christmas Season. We hope it
encourages them to visit churches in the area and pray together. Copies available in all churches.
Thanks to all for decorating the churches so beautifully for Christmas! In particular thank you to Richard
and Dave Brickenden who donated the tree for the Cathedral in memory of their parents, Gordon &
Sylvia and sister, Emma.
The St Michael's Christmas Raffle takes place in St Michael's Church this Sunday after the service for
the lovely hampers. Thank you again to everyone for their generosity and support. Click & Collect - final
collection of orders to be collected this Sunday 17th of December from St. Michael's Church. Again thank
you to the bakers, jam makers and buyers. Your support is greatly appreciated.
St Michael's Whist Drive: January Whist Drive on Saturday 6th of January @ 7.30pm. Villiers Square
Whist Drive takes place on Saturday 13th January @ 7.15pm.
The Cathedral Shop: stocked with lots of gifts, including specially-produced Christmas cards!
The Cathedral will be closed for touring from 25th December 2023 - 2nd January 2024.
NEWSLINK 2024: Newslink magazine covers news and information from churches and schools
around the United Dioceses of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert including the Methodist District News. The
team of Ros, Janet and Jennifer are working very hard to improve the magazine, please continue to support
them. COST: €45 for the magazine (delivered to the pew) Or €35 for the e-Newslink (PDF). Cheques
must be made payable to ‘St. Michael’s Church’. Please contact Gillian Cheatley on 087 1254687.
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!
St Michael’s Hall: For many years Susi Eckhardt has kindly looked after bookings in the Hall. She
recently stepped down from this role and we thank her most sincerely for the time and work she gave.
She is succeeded by Oliver Deegan, whom we wish well in the position.
Collection of stamps: Claire Jackson delivered to the Barnardos offices in Dublin a large consignment
of stamps and a stamp album kindly donated by a number of parishioners. “Upon inquiry I was told that
the stamps were sorted and sold on to stamp dealers and collectors. Thank you to all who took the
trouble to collect and deliver to the Cathedral. Please continue to do so and leave for my attention!”.
An Abhainn: The Winter edition is now available by email. If you would like a hard copy, please contact
the parish office.
Murroe-Boher Historical Society – Our final talk of the year will take place in the Fitzgerald Room,
Muintir na Tíre Hall, Murroe, on Thursday, December 21, at 8 p.m. sharp. Our guest speaker, Barbara
Bingham, author of All Good Reason, will discuss “Immigration and Emigration in Pre-Famine Ireland:
Three Palatine Experiences.” Barbara will follow the footsteps of immigrants of German Palatine descent
to Limerick in 1709, and emigrants to the thirteen colonies of North America in 1760 and to Ottawa in
Canada in 1822. Admission €5 to non-members, including festive refreshments. Wishing all our members
and supporters a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Remembrance Book: Please remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time. Among them:
Roy Mc Cormack, Marie Louise Beckers Kearney, Olive Stanley Wetzel, Jo Ischner, Edward Richardson,
Jean O Connor, Anne Woodrow, Patrick Moort, Breda Thompson and Tom Meaney.
Diocesan cycle of prayer: the Bishop writes: “On this day we recall the role of John the Baptist, who
prepared the way of the Lord. We pray for all who have a special calling to a similar role in our own time,
for vocations to the many forms of ministry that exist in our midst, for those in training especially from
our own diocese.” Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea.
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
17th Dec 24th December 25th December
Saint Michael’s John & Kay Shier No service
The Cathedral Keith O’Neill No refreshments
Saint Michael’s Selection of readers No service TBC
– Carol Service
The Cathedral Keith O’Neill Frank Sheahan Noreen Ellerker
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 Rd
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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