WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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Saint Mary’s, Saint Michael’s and Ss John & Ailbe: 12th January 2025 ~ The Baptism of our Lord
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COLLECTS AND READINGS
Collect for the week: Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with
the Holy Spirit: Grant to us, who are born of water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your
adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OldTestament: Isaiah 43: 1-7
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have
redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and
through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame
shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you, I give
people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring
from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north,‘Give them up’, and to the south,‘Do not
withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my
name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ♦ ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; ♦ worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; ♦ the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; ♦ the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; ♦ the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf ♦ and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; ♦ the Lord shakes
the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare; ♦ in his temple all cry,‘Glory!’
9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; ♦ the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10 The Lord shall give strength to his people; ♦ the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Epistle Reading: Acts 8: 14-17
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to
them.The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not
come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus).Then Peter and John laid their
hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Gospel: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might
be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying,‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I
is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His
winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he
will burn with unquenchable fire.’ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized
and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.And a
voice came from heaven,‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.
Post Communion Prayer: Refreshed by these holy gifts, Lord God, we seek your mercy: that by listening faithfully
to your only Son, and being obedient to the prompting of the Spirit, we may be your children in name and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

HYMNS
Saint Michael’s 295 645 421 481
The Cathedral 204 136 197
Services are 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 in the recording, please advise Churchwardens
who will guide you to an area which will not be filmed and will make arrangements for you to receive
Holy Communion there. 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: A738650; Use QR code to donate to Saint Mary’s
online.
SERVICES & EVENTS
Date Time Event Venue
10.00 Morning Prayer Ss John & Ailbe,Abington
Sunday 12th January
10.00 Holy Communion St Michael’s
Baptism of Jesus
11.15 Choral Matins The Cathedral
Monday 13th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Tuesday 14th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Wednesday 15th
8pm Committee Meeting St Michael’s
Thursday 16th 10.30 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Friday 17th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Saturday 18th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Sunday 19th 9.30 Holy Communion Ss John & Ailbe, Abington
Epiphany II 10.00 Morning Prayer St Michael’s
11.15 Choral Eucharist with Christingles The Cathedral
19.00 Epiphany Carol Service The Cathedral

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES

(Where attachments are mentioned, hard copies are available through the parish office upon request)
Sympathy: We extend our condolences to
- The family and friends of Leslie Atwater (nee Brislane) of Arvada, CO (in the USA), who died on
13th December 2024.
- David, Stephen and Valerie and the death of their father the Rev’d Arthur Nash (Canada) who
grew up in Trinity Rectory and was ordained in the Cathedral.
We hold them all in our thoughts and prayers.
Robes Keeper: The Dean and Organist are looking for someone who would be interested in helping look after the
choir robes in the Cathedral. More information from the Dean.
Readers & Intercessors: Anyone interested in reading or leading prayers in church, please speak
with the Dean.
St Michael's Church Fundraiser Sale and Raffle: This sale via Villiers School Craft Fair and
subsequent sales in St Michael's and St Mary's along with the Christmas Raffle brought in a total of
€2,280 (Sale €1,480 and Raffle €800). We are extremely happy with this outcome and we very much
appreciate all those who supported via their purchase - thank you. None of this would have been
possible without the very generous donations of items for the raffle hampers and also especially to all
those who donated and made all the various jams, chutneys and homebakes. Without these people
the sale would not have been possible - you know who you are and it is very much appreciated. The
winners of the Raffle were:- Wilf Eckhardt, Stephen Fairbrother, Jennifer Sheahan, Ger Naughton,
Tony O'Connell, Richard Blennerhassett, Dermot Glynn and Richard Allen.
Batteries for Barretstown: Now that Christmas is over, we are sure there are plenty of spent
batteries around from Christmas tree lights, toys, etc., etc, - please remember the people in
Barretstown will be very grateful to have all these dud batteries collected and deposited in the battery
recycling tubes at the back of all the churches. Remember by recycling the batteries here, you are
helping on two fronts (1) contributing to the Limerick City Parish environmental project and (2)
helping raise money for Barretstown. Thanking you in participation for your support.
Whist Drives:
Villiers Square - Saturday 25th January @ 7.15pm sharp
St Michael's Church Hall - February drive Sat 8th February @ 7.30pm.
An Abhainn: The winter edition has now been published, with thanks to the Editor (Jeanne). You
may request an electronic version or hard copy by contacting the Cathedral office (see contact details
below)
Healer Prayer Group: The next gathering will be at 2.30pm on Thursday 13th February in St Mark's
Chapel (Cathedral). For more information please contact the Dean.
Notice of the annual revision of the register of vestry members: Notice is hereby given that
a meeting of the select vestry of this parish has been arranged for Thursday the 30th day of January,
2025, to revise the register of vestry members, by adding the names of any qualified persons, and
removing the names of those no longer qualified, since the last revision of the register.
Parking Bollard: As many readers will be aware this has recently been installed in the Cathedral
grounds. It will not be in action until the New Year. More details attached.
Choir Supervision: The Dean and Organist are looking for volunteers to help with supervision (a
panel of adults that can be present in the room to adhere to Safeguarding guidelines) of the Junior
Choir. Enquires to either individuals.
Sunday Club: If any post primary children would be willing to help out with children’s activities,
please speak with the Dean. Sunday Club meets during the 11.15am Service in the Cathedral on the
First and Third Sundays of the month with vacation breaks. Normally on the First Sunday of the month
it takes the form of Godly Play. It is open to primary school going children. Preschoolers are welcome
if accompanied by a carer and the assistance of post primary schoolers would be greatly appreciated.
Cycles of prayer: Porvoo: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Church of Norway: Diocese of
Sør-Hålogaland & Church of England: Diocese of Coventry. Anglican: The Church of the Province of
West Africa.
Remembrance Book: Patrick Moore, Breda Thompson, Tom Meany, Phil Brosnahan, James Clancy,
John Pomeroy, Jane Brisbane, James Sheehan, James Hanley, Donal O’Brien, Trevor William Craig,
Daniel (Dom) Quinlivan, Tom O’Donnell, Helen McMahon, Finnula Graydon, Mary Newman, Maureen
Clancy, Florence Boyle, Patrick Hearne, Bella Bingham, Lois Margery Wyse Jackson, Peg Inns, Ellen
Bond, Derek Crowe, Matilda Campion, Fredrick Oakly, Reginald Pearse Hassell, Florrie Trousdell,
Antoinette Byrne, Micheal Mason, Rita McNamara, Valentina Dernova, Madame Marion Griffin,
Terence (Terry) Cusack, Lillah Ellerker, Theo Saunders, Violet Hanley, Michael Noel Ryan, Edward
Ruddock, Kumico, George Fairbrother, Marion Power, Malcom Santley & Maxwell Stringer.
Prayers for the Sick: Terry Gibson, Martin Hogan, Jerry Murphy, Sarah B, Mary Alicia Downes,
Kathleen Leddin, John Sparling, Pat & Mary O' Donnell, Patricia Bourke, David, Elayne and Hilary
Noonan, Hazel, Mac, Dean Sandra Pragnell, Pashcal and Karine Egan. NOTE: If you wish to place a name
on the list, please email it to [email protected]. 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.
ROTAS
12th Jan. 19th Jan. 26th Jan. 2nd Feb.
REFRESHMENTS
Daire McNamara & Jill Justin & Edel
St Michael’s Storey O'Connor Gillian Cheatley Richard/Sheila Allen
Cathedral Liz Lynam Keith O’Neill Brian Sheppard Lillian Okechukwu
READERS
St Michael’s John Shier Daire McNamara Sheelagh Morrow Lucy Kavanagh
Cathedral Alan Bunworth John St George Heather Peirce Frank Sheahan

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
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. www.lcp.limerick.anglican.org
Limerick City Parish ~ Weekly Newsletter – Deadline for notices 12 noon every Wednesday.
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