WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Saint Mary’s, Saint Michael’s and Ss John & Ailbe: 26th January 2025 ~ Epiphany III
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COLLECTS AND READINGS
Collect for the week: Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence:
Renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
OldTestament: Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate.They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book
of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel.Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly,
both men and women and all who could hear with understanding.This was on the first day of the seventh month. He
read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and
the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.And
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all
the people stood up.Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered,‘Amen,Amen’, lifting up
their hands.Then they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So, they read from
the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to
all the people,‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard
the words of the law.Then he said to them,‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them
to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord
is your strength.’
Psalm 19 (BCP p.611)
The heavens are telling the glory of God ♦︎ and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
One day pours out its song to another ♦︎and one night unfolds knowledge to another.
They have neither speech nor language ♦︎ and their voices are not heard,
Yet their sound has gone out into all lands ♦︎ and their words to the ends of the world.
In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, ♦︎ that comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber
and rejoices as a champion to run his course.
It goes forth from the end of the heavens and runs to the very end again, ♦︎ and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; ♦︎ the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart; ♦︎ the commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; ♦︎ the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, ♦︎ sweeter also than honey, dripping from the
honeycomb.
By them also is your servant taught ♦︎ and in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can tell how often they offend? ♦︎ O cleanse me from my secret faults!
Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get dominion over me; ♦︎ so shall I be undefiled, and
innocent of great offence.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, ♦︎ O Lord, my strength and
my redeemer.
Epistle Reading 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it
is with Christ. For in the one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were
all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say,
‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body.And if the ear
were to say,‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If
the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of
smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member,
where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body.The eye cannot say to the hand,‘I have no
need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the members of the body that
seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with
greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect, whereas our more respectable
members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that
there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member
suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of
Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in
tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Gospel: Luke 4: 14-21 (22-30)
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the
surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.When he came to Nazareth,
where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read,
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of
the Lord’s favour.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.The eyes of all in the synagogue
were fixed on him.Then he began to say to them,‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well
of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.They said,‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ He said
to them,‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb,“Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say,“Do here also in your
home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.”’ And he said,‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted
in the prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven
was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none
of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet
Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled
with rage.They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so
that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Post Communion Prayer: Almighty Father, your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world. May your
people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped,
and obeyed to the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
HYMNS
Saint Michael’s 581 517 436 86
The Cathedral 97 124 527
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
Sunday 26th 10.00 Morning Prayer Ss John & Ailbe,Abington
Epiphany Ill 10.00 Holy Communion St Michael’s
11.15 Moring Prayer The Cathedral
Monday 27th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Tuesday 28th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Wednesday 29th 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Thursday 30th 10.30 Holy Communion The Cathedral
Friday 31st 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Saturday 1st 10.30 Morning Prayer The Cathedral
Sunday 2nd No Service Ss John & Ailbe,Abington
Candlemas 10.00 Holy Communion St Michael’s
11.15 Holy Communion The Cathedral
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES
(Where attachments are mentioned, hard copies are available through the parish office upon request)
Saint Michael’s National School: Is now accepting applications for enrolment in the Autumn of 2025. Please see
the attached notice.
Sympathy: We extend our condolences to Tim Evans, his wife Eukaria and their family on the death of Tim’s father.
We hold them in our thoughts and prayers at this time
Free lunchtime concert in the Cathedral: A Lunchtime Concert will be held on Tuesday 4th February with Emma
English (soprano) and Sarah-Ellen Murphy (mezzosoprano) with Irina Dernova (piano). The next lunchtime concert
will be held on Tuesday 25th February Alona Kliuchka (cello) and Irina Dernova (piano).
The Evergreens: Due to a number of our group being ill or otherwise unavailable, the January Evergreens' hopefully
meeting has been cancelled for Tuesday, 28th January, 2025. In addition, the weather forecast is not very good for that
week, so our next meeting will be on Tuesday, 25th February. Wishing you all a healthier 2025!
Whist Drives:
Villiers Square - Saturday 22nd February @ 7.15pm sharp.
St Michael's Church Hall - February drive Sat 8th February @ 7.30pm.
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.
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.
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.
Murroe-Boher Historical Society: Happy New Year to you all. Our next talk is on Thursday, 30 January 2025 at
8.15 p.m. sharp in the Fitzgerald Room, Muintir na Tíre Hall, Murroe [note new start time].We are pleased to host Paul
Merrigan and the topic of his talk is “From Heather to Peat to Briquettes” Admission €5 to non-members including
refreshments.All welcome.
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: Church of England: Diocese of Birmingham. Church of Ireland: Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark: Diocese of Elsinore. Anglican: The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria.
Remembrance Book: Dt. Garda Adrian Donohue, Anne Copley, Martha Creamer, Bernie Long, Michael Roche,
Elisabeth Gloster, Hubert Lyons, Margeret Carey, Beatrice Irwin, Audrey Watts, Kathleen Craig, Elisabeth Chambers,
Ellen Devlin, Maureen Mulcahy and Wally Battrick.
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, Shelia, Simon 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
26 Jan
th 2nd Feb 9th Feb 16th Feb
REFRESHMENTS
St Michael’s Gillian Cheatley Richard/Sheila Allen Shelia Cusack Tony O’Connell
Cathedral Brian Sheppard Lillian Okechukwu Alyson McHugh Keith O’Neil
READERS
St Michael’s Sheelagh Morrow Lucy Kavanagh Keith Morrow Bernard Amaeze
Cathedral Heather Peirce Frank Sheahan Lindsay Boyle Noreen Ellerker
CONTACT DETAILS
TheVery 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
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