WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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

25th February 2024: The Second Sunday in Lent
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COLLECTS AND READINGS

Collect: Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth that they may return
to the way of righteousness: Grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion,
that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are
agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.

First Reading ~ Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God
Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will
make you exceedingly numerous.’ Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my
covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be
Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will
make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish
my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an
everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.’ God said to Abraham, ‘As for
Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I
will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come
from her.’
Psalm 22:23-31 (BCP p. 615)
Praise the Lord, you that fear him; ♦︎ O seed of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, O seed of Israel.
For he has not despised nor abhorred the suffering of the poor; neither has he hidden his face from
them; ♦︎ but when they cried to him he heard them.
From you comes my praise in the great congregation; ♦︎ I will perform my vows in the presence of
those that fear you.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied; ♦︎ those who seek the Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall live
for ever.
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, ♦︎ and all the families of the nations shall
bow before him.
For the kingdom is the Lord’s ♦︎ and he rules over the nations.
How can those who sleep in the earth bow down in worship, ♦︎ or those who go down to the dust
kneel before him?
He has saved my life for himself; my descendants shall serve him; ♦︎ this shall be told of the Lord for
generations to come.
They shall come and make known his salvation, to a people yet unborn, ♦︎ declaring that he, the Lord,
has done it.

Epistle Reading – Romans 4: 13-25

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through
the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith
is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there
violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be
guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the
faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many
nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into
existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father
of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ He did not weaken
in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred
years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver
concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully
convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as
righteousness.’ Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, but for ours
also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was
handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Gospel/New Testament Reading ~ St Mark 8: 31-38

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the
elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite
openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he
rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on
human things.’ He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my
followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save
their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save
it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in
return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with
the holy angels.’

Post-Communion Prayer: Creator of heaven and earth, we thank you for these holy mysteries
given us by our Lord Jesus Christ, by which we receive your grace and are assured of your love,
which is through him now and for ever.
Hymns Saint Mary’s 599 492(i) 108(i)
Saint Michael’s 225 599 418 484 (omit v.2-3)
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 25th 10.00 Morning Prayer Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
Second Sunday in 10.00 Holy Communion Saint Michael’s
Lent 11.15 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Monday 26th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Tuesday 27th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Wednesday 28th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Thursday 29th 10.30 Holy Communion The Cathedral
10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Friday 1st March
19.30 Table Quiz St. Michael's Church Hall
Saturday 2nd 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
NO SERVICE Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
Sunday 3rd March
10.00 Morning Prayer Saint Michael’s
Third Sunday in Lent
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
16.00 Choral Evensong The Cathedral
 THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
Parish Survey: To help discern the needs of the parish for the future, the Dean and Select Vestry have
invited Canon Michael Cavanagh to conduct a survey. Please see copy attached (ezine), and hard copies
are available in the churches. A wide arrange of responses by 15th March would be appreciated and helpful.

Easter General Vestry: The meeting of the Easter General Vestry will be held on Sunday 10th March
at noon in the Cathedral. This is an annual meeting, at which all those whose names appear in the Register
of Vestry Members for the parish are entitled to attend and vote.

Free lunchtime concerts: take place on 27th Feb, and 7th March at 1.15pm in the Cathedral.
Health and Safety Notices: Saint Michael’s: due to a fallen monument in St Michael's Church, the side
aisles are not in use. The congregation is asked to use the centre aisle until inspections, remedial works,
etc are completed. Cathedral: From mid-March on Sundays, the West door will be closed at 11.30am (to
avoid disruption to worshippers from those wishing to tour the building). Those arriving after 11.30 are
invited and encouraged to use the South West Porch Entrance.

Sunday Club: on the first and third Sundays of the month, in the Cathedral. Godly Play on 1st Sundays.

Silver: volunteers to clean the Cathedral silver are most welcome to join us on Saturday 2nd March from
11am. All cleaning supplies will be provided – just bring energy and elbow grease!

Electrical engineer: the Dean would be grateful to receive recommendations of a reliable person.

World Day of Prayer: There will be two services to mark World Day of Prayer this year - on Thursday
29th February in Villiers Square at 11.00am and on Friday 1st March in Our Lady of the Rosary Community
Hall, Ennis Road at 7.30pm (access to the hall is from North Circular Road). Members of all denominations
are invited to attend either or both of these services. Prepared by the Christian women of Palestine during
the Covid pandemic their chosen text from Ephesians is "I beg you ......Bear with one another in Love".

The Evergreens meet in the Cathedral on Tues, 27th February at 2:30 pm. The speaker will be Dr
Matthew Potter, Director of Limerick Museum. The main part of his talk will be on the proposed directly
elected Mayor of Limerick, which is upcoming. He may encourage you to visit Limerick Museum as well!
There will be light refreshments as usual. Please bring along a friend or two.

Volunteer list for Cathedral: the Dean would be glad to hear from anyone who is available to be on
a volunteer list for Cathedral events that require extra help at the door, setting up chairs, etc.

Table Quiz: St. Michael's Church Hall, Fri March 1st, 7.30 pm. For your comfort and safety, numbers
will be limited to 15 tables (60 persons). Please reserve your place/table by email to pipdoc2@gmail.com.
The cost is only €5 per person, which should be paid to your Churchwardens in advance. There will be
a raffle for amazing prizes (tickets available on the night), and we look forward to your support for this.
Anyone who is willing to donate a prize for the raffle, please contact Tracey on 086-6486197.

Murroe-Boher Historical Society's next talk will be held at the Fitzgerald Room, Muintir na Tíre Hall,
Murroe, on Thursday, 29th February at 8 p.m. sharp. Our guest speaker is Dr. Catherine Smith who will
be discussing "Gaelic Enthuse: Emily Lawless on Famine, Colonialism and Irishness." Emily Lawless was the
daughter of Lord Cloncurry and a writer of considerable talent. Admission €5 to non-members including
refreshments (Membership €20). All welcome. The Society's AGM will be held in the Fitzgerald Room,
Muintir na Tíre Hall, Murroe, on Thursday, March 7th at 8 p.m. sharp. All welcome.
 Whist Drives: The final Whist Drive at St. Michael’s Hall will be held on Saturday 9th March @ 7.30.
A Whist Drive at Villiers Sq. will be held on Saturday 24th February @ 7.15

Lectio Divina for Lent: “Lectio Divina is a method of reflecting on the Word by allowing the piece of
Scripture to speak to our lives today. No knowledge of Scripture required to take part. We read a passage,
listen to what it says to us and as the Spirit of God leads us, we listen to each other to find deep meaning
in what it says. The group will be facilitated by two people from two different Christian traditions
(Protestant and Roman Catholic). We will meet in the Side Chapel in the Augustinian Church on
O’Connell Street at 11.15am on Tuesdays during Lent. For more info, phone Rosie 085 2520650.”

Remembrance Book: Please remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time. Among them:
Ned Cullen, Bill Olmsted, Dorothy Carey, Thomas Gardiner, Nora Howes, Ronald Howes, Gordon
Cowpar, Ben O' Sullivan, Marie Cameron and Kay Devereux.

Diocesan cycle of prayer: the Bishop writes: “During February there have been training opportunities
in the diocese for members of our recently appointed primary school Boards of Management. We give
thanks for all who undertake such demanding voluntary work, and for the opportunities to be partners in
the education and formation of young citizens in the Ireland of today. We remember all students, all
involved in schools both through teaching and governance , all who make that elusive word ‘ethos ‘ become
a lived reality as we share with our pupils that characteristic spirit which derives distinctively from faith -
based education.” Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Tanzania.

Prayers for the Sick: Your prayers are asked for the sick in our community, especially, Emily; Mac; Alan
Kennedy; Zandra; Kathleen Leddin; Martha McDermott; 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,
Denis O’Connell, John Moore, Baby Sloane O' Hanlon, Edel, and Doris. 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
25th Feb 3rd March 10th March 17th March 24th March
REFRESHMENTS
Saint
N & A Griffin Susi Eckhardt K & S Morrow J & K Shier R & M Brickenden
Michael’s
The K Wilson + C
Jemimah Egbulam Liz Lynam Keith O’Neill Brian Sheppard
Cathedral Smith
READERS
Saint Bernard Stephen Margaret
Lucy Kavanagh Sheelagh Morrow
Michael’s Amaeze Fairbrother Brickenden
The Heather Noreen
Frank Sheahan Lindsay Boyle Alan Bunworth
Cathedral Peirce Ellerker
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.
To be added to the email circulation list: please email limerickcityparishnews@gmail.com