WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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

th
17 September 2023: Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 19)
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COLLECTS AND READINGS

Collect: God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of
your love: Grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel; that, always abiding
in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
First Reading ~ Genesis 50: 15-21
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against
us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ So they approached Joseph, saying,
‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your
brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the
servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also
wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not
be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it
for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will
provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul, ♦︎ and all that is within me bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, ♦︎ and forget not all his benefits;
Who forgives all your sins ♦︎ and heals all your infirmities;
Who redeems your life from the Pit ♦︎ and crowns you with faithful love and compassion;
Who satisfies you with good things, ♦︎ so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
The Lord executes righteousness ♦︎ and judgement for all who are oppressed.
He made his ways known to Moses ♦︎ and his works to the children of Israel.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, ♦︎ slow to anger and of great kindness.
He will not always accuse us, ♦︎ neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, ♦︎ nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, ♦︎ so great is his mercy upon those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, ♦︎ so far has he set our sins from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, ♦︎ so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him.
Epistle Reading ~ Romans 14: 1-12
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some
believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those
who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has
welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord
that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge
one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced
in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who
eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in
honour of the Lord and give thanks to God. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to
ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live
or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might
be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or
you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of
God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall
give praise to God.’ So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
Gospel/New Testament Reading ~ St Matthew 18: 21-35
Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often
should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-
seven times. ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle
accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was
brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and
children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him,
saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of
that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon
one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay
what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and
I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the
debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went
and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him,
“You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have
had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to
be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of
you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
Post-Communion Prayer: Eternal God, we have received these tokens of your promise.
May we who have been nourished with holy things live as faithful heirs of your promised kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Michael’s 687 550 365 94

Hymns: 94(i)
Saint Mary’s 349 442
(omit *vv)
Service Notes: Services will be recorded and may be viewed online on: www.churchservices.tv/limerickstmarys and the Cathedral
website (www.saintmaryscathedral.ie) within the 90 days following the service. After that time recordings will be
destroyed; however exceptions may apply and recordings could last longer if the Cathedral required it. Occasional
services may be recorded and will be advertised on www.churchservices.tv and www.saintmaryscathedral.ie
and/or other communication channels of the Cathedral). If you would like further information on a particular event,
please contact the Cathedral office. If you do not wish to appear, please advise the 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; At Saint Mary’s Cathedral, if you wish to donate
on-line, please use this QR code
Services & Events
Date Time Event Venue
Sunday 17th 10.00 Morning Prayer Saint Michael’s
15th Sunday after Trinity 11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
3.00 Harvest Service Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
Monday 18th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
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
Sunday 24th 10.00 Holy Communion Saint Michael’s
16th Sunday after Trinity 10.30 Morning Prayer Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
11.15 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
 THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
This Sunday:
St Michaels: Due to an event taking place in Pery Square this morning, access to/from the church
will be restricted. Please allow extra time for travel. The school grounds will be available for a
limited numbers of cars to park in, access from Saint Joseph St..
Oliver Deegan who is in training for Diocesan Readership will deliver the sermon, as part of his
training.
St Mary’s: We welcome the Prebend of St Munchin, Canon Jim Stephens who will be in residence.
The Dean will be in Tralee covering services for Canon Stephens. ***Sunday School meets***
Abington: Will hold its Harvest Thanksgiving service at 3pm. All Welcome!
Harvest: The other Harvest services will be held on Sunday 1st October, normal times apply. In
advance of those services parishioners are invited to donate flowers/fruit/vegetables for decorating,
which will be done on the Saturday (am for St Mary’s, pm for St Michael’s)

Commissioning: At Choral Evensong in the Cathedral on Sunday 8th October at 16:30, Oliver
Deegan will be Commissioned by the Bishop as a Diocesan Reader. All are very welcome to attend
and support Oliver in this new phase of ministry.

Whist Drives: Dates for your Diary - The Dates for the Whist Drives 2023 to be held in St.
Michael’s Church Hall are: Sat 7th October, Sat 4th November and Sat 2nd December. Time
7.30pm Admission charge of €8 – All Whist Players Welcome. Contact Gillian or Tracey if you have
any queries.

Confirmation: Candidates (not their parents or guardians) interested in receiving the sacrament
of confirmation this October should contact a member of the clergy BEFORE 17th September
2023. Confirmation is administered to those in 2nd year of second-level education and above.
***Candidates who were confirmed last year*** Your attention is drawn to the relevant
enclosure (ezine).

Abington Church: New heaters, wiring, fusebox and meterbox installed & power supply
upgraded. Total cost c. €9700. This puts a large strain on our finances. Any contributions are most
welcome. Account details BIC: AICUIE21. IBAN: IE19AICU99217710068674.

Choir recruitment: We are currently in the process of recruiting new singers to start in the choir
in September. Please contact the Choirmaster and Organist, Peter Barley.

The Cathedral Bells: We are looking for a potential benefactor(s) for the work of reinstating the
Ellacombe Apparatus, whereby the Cathedral bells may be rung by one person. If you are interested
in this project and may be able to help, please speak with the Dean.

The Evergreens meet on Tues 26th Sept at 2:30 pm in St Mary’s Cathedral. The Rt Rev Michael
Burrows will talk to us about his passion for/hobby of trains and all matters related to this topic! Tea
and coffee to follow. Everyone is welcome, whether you have never been before or are an occasional
attendee, and please encourage neighbours, relatives, friends and strays from other parishes to come
along! Next meeting on Oct 24th at 2:30 pm in the Cathedral when Suzi Echkardt will talk about
watches and related matters. A pre-Christmas lunch will be held at the Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe at
1 pm on Tuesday 28th November. No meeting in December. We need volunteers to give lifts to
and from home for those who want to attend the meetings but don’t drive. For queries, text Noreen
Allen 085 733 5855.

Photography Exhibition in the Cathedral: Michael Brislane’s “Ireland Through My Lens” opens
at 6pm on 13th Sept and runs until the 30th of the month.
Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) has a round of Scientists in
Congregations grants open to applications on 14th August 2023. Scientists in Congregations projects
utilise an established relationship between a local church leader and a professional scientist. They
reach out to a wider community, making new connections and fostering creative approaches
grounded in scientific and theological expertise. Please contact the Dean if you have a potential
project.

Accommodation sought: ideally near Clare St. Contact [email protected]. A

student in UL seeks accommodation between now and Dec - please contact the Dean.
Remembrance Book: Please remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time. Among
them: Fredrick Sydney Howes, Canon George Flynn, Elizabeth Mulcahy, Vera Hanna, Canon Marie
Rowley Brooke, Jonathon Shier, Trevor Shier, Patrick Fizgerald, Christopher King and George
Martin.
Cycle of Prayer: We pray for the Church of Ireland.

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; Daniel
O’Connell; 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, Nuala, Elizabeth Kaldor,
Darren Turner, Phyllis, and Trevor Richmond. NOTE ABOUT PRAYER LIST: If you wish to place a name
on the list, please email your prayer request to [email protected]. Under GDPR please
ensure you have the consent of the named person(s) before submitting a name. 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 Sept 24th Sept 1st October
Saint Michael’s Refreshments J & K Shier R&M Justin & Edel
Brickenden O’Connor
The Cathedral Refreshments Brian S&C Jamieson Lillian
Shephard Okechukwu
Saint Michael’s Readers John Shier Daire Lucy Kavanagh
McNamara
The Cathedral Readers Lindsay Frank Shehan Gillian Sheehan
Boyle
The Cathedral Flowers TBC TBC TBC

CONTACT DETAILS
• The Very Rev’d Niall J.W. Sloane (Dean): The Deanery, 7 Kilbane, Castletroy
Email: [email protected]; Tel: 061-338697. Day off: Friday
• The Rev’d Dr Leonard Madden (Curate-Assistant): The Curatage, 50 Ballinvoher, Fr Russell
Road, Limerick
Email: [email protected]; 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: [email protected]; Tel: 061-310293.
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