A SERVICE FOR EPIPHANY

A message from the Dean

Happy New Year! On behalf of the chapter and parish I welcome you to Saint Mary’s
Cathedral, Limerick. You are very welcome, whether you are visiting for the first time or for
the 1000th time! We share in worship which has been offered here for 850 years.

The Very Rev’d Niall J. Sloane,

Dean.

Devotional Prayers
Before a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
Cleanse us, O Lord, and keep us undefiled, that we may be numbered among those
blessed ones, who, having washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the
Lamb, stand before your throne, and serve you day and night in Your Temple. Amen.

Father in heaven, you have made us for yourself; our hearts are restless until they rest in
you. Fulfill this longing through Jesus, the bread of life, so that we may witness to him who
alone satisfies the hungers of the human family.
By the power of your Spirit lead us to the heavenly table where we may feast on the vision
of your glory forever and ever. Amen.

After Celebration
O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of your Passion:
grant, we implore you, that we may so venerate
the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood,
as always to be conscious of the fruit of your Redemption.
You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
 EUCHARIST - ORDER OF SERVICE

Please stand for the entry of the Clergy

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

The Lord be with you
And also with you

The Presentation of the Gifts at the Crib ~ The King of all the World is Revealed to the Magi
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star:
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright;
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!
The Dean says
This day a star leads the wise men to the Christ-child.
Arise, shine out, for your light has come; the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.
The nations will come to your light, and kings to your dawning brightness.
They shall bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Your gates will lie open continually, shut neither by day nor by night.
No more will the sun give you daylight, nor moonlight shine upon you.
But the Lord will be your everlasting light, your God will be your splendour.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe: you receive our sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving. May our prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, and the lifting up of our
hands be an evening sacrifice. Blessed be God for ever.
The procession, with the gifts, moves to the crib
Born a King on Bethlehem plain, Frankincense to offer have I;
gold I bring to crown him again - incense owns a Deity nigh:
king for ever, ceasing never prayer and praising, all men raising,
over us all to reign: worship him, God Most High:
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb:
The gifts are placed before the crib. The Dean says
Let us pray. Eternal God, who by the shining of a star led the wise men to the worship of your
Son: guide by his light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may behold your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Glorious now, behold him arise,
King, and God, and Sacrifice!
Heav’n sings alleluia: alle-
-luia the earth replies:
COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no
secrets are hidden; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your
Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PENITENCE
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the
second is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments
depend all the law and the prophets.
Lord, have mercy on us, and write these your laws in our hearts.
The Confession is introduced with appropriate words, such as:
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins, to
intercede for us in heaven, and to bring us to eternal life. Let us then confess our sins in
penitence and faith, firmly resolved to keep God's commandments and to live in love and peace:

Silence
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed,
and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the
sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in
newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.
The celebrant pronounces the Absolution
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you
from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God's people on earth. Lord God,
heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we
praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God,
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated
at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy
One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the
Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
Mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PROCLAIMING AND RECEIVING THE WORD

THE EPISTLE READING - Ephesians 3: 1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for
surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a
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reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In
former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been
revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become
fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the
gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was
given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace
was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to
make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all
things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made
known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the
eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to
God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
At the end the reader may say
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GRADUAL

THE GOSPEL Please stand and face the reader

Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ, according to St Matthew chapter 2 beginning at verse 1
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East
came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we
observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this,
he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and
scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In
Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land
of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who
is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned
from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying,
‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I
may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead
of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the
child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On
entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him
homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own
country by another road.
At the end the reader may say
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

THE SERMON – The Dean’s Vicar Please sit

Please stand as the preacher leaves the pulpit

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THE NICENE CREED Please face the Altar
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all
that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the
Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not
made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and
for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the
Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with
the Scriptures he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will
have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the
Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic
Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Please kneel or sit. The petitions may end with Lord, in your mercy to which the response is
hear our prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will
be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the
glory for ever and ever. Amen.

THE PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS

We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own
righteousness but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much
as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord, whose
nature is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the
flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may
be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood,
and that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen.

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 CELEBRATING AT THE LORD'S TABLE [12]
THE OFFERTORY

THE TAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE

Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us
therefore let us celebrate the feast

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord is here. His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Father, almighty and everliving God, at all times and in all places it is right to give you thanks and
praise: For Jesus Christ our Lord who in human likeness revealed your glory, to bring us out of
darkness into the splendour of his light: And so with all your people, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising
you and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your
glory. Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed are you, Father, the creator and sustainer of all things; you made us in your own image,
male and female you created us; even when we turned away from you, you never ceased to care
for us, but in your love and mercy you freed us from the slavery of sin, giving your only begotten
Son to become man and suffer death on the cross to redeem us; he made there the one
complete and all-sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world: he instituted, and in his holy
Gospel commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death until he comes
again:
On the night that he was betrayed he took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do
this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks to you, he gave it
to them, saying, Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for
you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of
me.
Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup we do as Christ your Son commanded:
we remember his passion and death,
we celebrate his resurrection and ascension,
and we look for the coming of his kingdom.
Accept through him, our great high priest, this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and as we
eat and drink these holy gifts, grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit that we may be made
one in your holy Church and partakers of the body and blood of your Son, that he may dwell in
us and we in him: Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in
whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
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THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ
We being many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, who has taken away the sins of the world.
Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

THE COMMUNION (Prayer for Spiritual Communion, after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester)
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults
you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into
my heart. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more
dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

THE GREAT SILENCE

GOING OUT AS GOD’S PEOPLE
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: May we, who with the wise men have
been drawn by your light, discern the glory of your presence in your incarnate Son; who suffered,
died, and was buried, and who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Amen.
followed by
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and
blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be
a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your
praise and glory. Amen.

THE BLESSING
Christ the Son be manifest to you, that your lives may be a light to the world: and the blessing…

THE DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Organ Voluntary

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 SAINT MARY’S CATHEDRAL, LIMERICK

According to myth, Saint Mary’s Cathedral is built on the site of the Viking thingmote, later the
palace of the O’Brien kings of Thomond, and was given to the church by King Donal Mór
O’Brien in 1168. This myth appears to have no foundation and obscures the extraordinary
importance of Saint Mary’s Cathedral - probably the most important medieval building to survive
intact in Ireland, and still performing its original function.
The diocese of Limerick was formally established by the Synod of Rath Breasail in 1111, and the
church of Saint Mary, in heart of the Norse city, was declared the cathedral of the diocese – the
only cathedral in any diocese named by the synod. That church was replaced between 1150 and
1174 by the core of the present Saint Mary’s Cathedral. The great pointed arcade arches of the
nave (among the earliest in Ireland) and the round arched windows of the clerestory above
them, with the narrow aisles, represent the only intact native Irish church built on a Continental
scale to survive intact from before the Norman invasion in 1169 – all the others are in ruins.
The design of the nave, aisles and chancel is a native Irish adaptation of the Burgundian style,
introduced into Ireland by the Cistercians after 1142, further embellished by the fine Hiberno-
Romanesque west door. The tombstone of its first great benefactor, King Donal Mór O’Brien,
can still be seen in the chancel.
In the following centuries the cathedral was embellished by the wealthy merchants of Limerick
who built the chantry chapels on the north and south sides of the nave - the largest surviving
range of medieval chantry chapels in any Irish church. The cathedral boasts Ireland’s largest
medieval altar stone and Ireland’s only surviving medieval choir stalls. These choir stalls, with
their charming carved misericords, constitute the largest intact collection of carved woodwork
and furniture from medieval Ireland. Thought to date from about 1480, they may actually date to
before 1426. The misericords supported the choral posteriors during the long offices the
Cathedral Chapter was obliged to perform.
Later centuries saw the installation of the massive 17th century Thomond Monument in the
chancel, beside the tomb of Donal Mór O’Brien. In the early 19th century, the Pain brothers
designed the Bishop’s Throne or Cathedra, the screen to the Glentworth Chapel and the
monument to Bishop John Jebb, the precursor of the Oxford Movement with his High Church
opinions. The nineteenth century stained glass is particularly fine, the largest window, by the
Harry Clarke Studio, was dedicated in 1961 by Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of York. Michael
Pearse, the father of the patriot, Patrick Pearse, carved the reredos in the chancel, and the
chancel screen was designed by Edward Conor O’Brien in 1921.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral is an extraordinarily complex building representing developments from
the mid-twelfth century to the later twentieth century – a treasure of Irish religious art. It
continues to be a place of prayer and pilgrimage for all who enter its doors and a symbol of
faith, hope and love to the city of Limerick.

www.cathedral.limerick.anglican.org

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 SAINT MARY’S CATHEDRAL – GENERAL INFORMATION

Opening Times
The Cathedral is open every day except the 26th, 27th December and 1st January. No charges
are made for those who come to join our worship or who wish to pray privately, and everyone
is welcome.
Supporting the Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral is a registered charity, and we do not receive state aid. In 2016, the
running costs of the cathedral and its ministry to the city were €3,581 a week. By purchasing a
ticket or making a donation or legacy, you are contributing towards the maintenance of Saint
Mary’s Cathedral and helping preserve it for future generations. Thank you!
The Cathedral Choir
Whilst Saint Mary’s Cathedral is a church in the full tradition of the Church of Ireland,
membership of that church is not a pre-requisite for joining the cathedral choir. If you love
singing, church/choral music and historic buildings, then why not get in touch with us? We’d be
pleased to hear from you. You don’t need to be an expert singer. What we are looking for are
young people with a pleasant singing voice, who are able to sing in tune and who have an
interest in, and commitment to, this kind of music-making within the context of this magnificent
medieval cathedral. Potential choir members should please contact the Organist and
Choirmaster to arrange an informal meeting at the cathedral. Contact:
[email protected] / 061 310293
Become a Friend
The Friends of Saint Mary’s exist to support the Dean & Cathedral Chapter in maintaining and
enhancing the Cathedral and its surroundings. Assisting and supporting the Dean and Chapter in
maintaining and improving the services, music, fabric, fittings, furniture, ornaments, monuments
and facilities of the Cathedral. Encouraging the interest and participation of young people
through education and activities. Stimulating and maintaining public interest in the Cathedral.
Supporting the needs of the Cathedral’s mission in the modern world.
There Friends are united in their desire to support and maintain this 850-year-old Cathedral.
Joining the Friends helps ensure that we can continue this important work.
Please visit the website for full details – www.cathedral.limerick.anglican.org
Facilities
Car parking is available in the grounds of the Cathedral or in the adjacent Car Park
There are toilets on site.
There is a small gift shop located within the Cathedral where visitors can purchase souvenirs of
their visit.
Guided/Public Tours are available. School Groups can be accommodated.

Service Notes
- Services will be recorded and may be viewed online on: www.churchservices.tv 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
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 be advertised on both websites 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.
- The New Revised Standard Version (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 is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer under licence,
copyright © RCB 2004
- CCLI Licence number 500384

THIS WEEKS NOTICES

Chalking the Door: An Epiphany House Blessing
On the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) every year, many houses throughout the world bless
their home.
We invite you to adopt this custom in your family. The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on
their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily
guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and
sorrows.
A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M +
B + 19. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of
the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus
mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and
2019 is the year.
Instructions for Blessing the Home
Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows:
20 + C + M + B + 19 while saying:
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who
became human. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year.
Amen.
Then offer the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your
presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may
manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in
the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now
and forever. Amen.

Prayers about the Coronavirus outbreak: Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your
mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and
lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can
separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Attention: To those participating in the stewardship envelope scheme: 2021 envelopes are now
available for collection from the Cathedral office (11am-3pm). Renewed thanks to all who support the
ministry and mission of the parish.

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Thank you: To those who supported the December collection in Abington for the local chapter of St
Vincent de Paul. A donation of €500 was made to support the charity.

Mothers’ Union: A huge ‘thank you’ to all who gave so very generously to our December appeal for
homeless people in Limerick City. Three large hampers plus two dozen gifts of toiletries etc were given to the
women’s hostel in Thomondgate and Brother Russell House. Because of Covid restrictions SVP were not
able to accept our hamper so it was given instead to Simon for their food parcels for needy families. All
hampers were very gratefully received. Thank you again everybody.
Remembrance Book: Please remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time among
them: Mary Thelma Newman, Maureen Clancy, Lois Margery Wyse Jackson, Peg Inns, Ellen
Bond, Derek Crowe, Matilda Campion, Fredrick Oakley, Reginald Pearse Hassell, Florrie
Trousdell, Antoinette Byrne, Michael Mason and Rita McNamara.
Cycle of Prayer: Church of Ireland: The Diocese of Armagh and Archbishop John McDowell.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria and Most Revd Dr
Mouneer Hanna Anis, Archbishop of Alexandria & Bishop of Egypt. Diocese: The poor and the
homeless, that we may be moved to relieve their distress..
Prayers for the Sick: Your prayers are asked for the sick in our community, especially, Rose
McNamara, Andrew Prior, Anne Greenaway, Dean Sandra Pragnell, Harold Armstrong, Lorraine McCarthy,
John Nix, Archie Brown, Terry Cusack, Sylvia Martin, Norman Lynas, Joe Boyle, Pat Fogarty, Frank Sheahan,
William Morrisey, Emily, Lorraine McCarthy, Moira Lowry, Florence and Alice O’Connell.
NOTE ABOUT PRAYER LIST: If you wish to place a name on the list, please email your prayer request
to [email protected]. Under GDPR regulations 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.

CONTACT DETAILS
• The Very Rev’d Niall J. Sloane (Dean): The Deanery, 7 Kilbane, Castletroy
Email: [email protected] ; Tel: 061-338697. Day off: Friday
• The Rev’d Bernie Daly (Dean’s Vicar): The Vicarage, 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.
____________
LIMERICK CITY PARISH ~ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Deadline for notices 12 noon every Wednesday.
To be added to the email circulation list: Please email [email protected]
www.lcp.limerick.anglican.org

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