Notices for January 4th, 2026
Services for January 11th, 2026, Baptism of Christ
Morning Service at:
9.30am St Paul’s Church, Collooney
10.45am Holy Trinity Church, Ballisodare
Noon Emlaghfad Church, Ballymote
Collect for Today
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 your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Mothers Union Lunch
The combined Mother’s Union Lunch will take place at the Sligo Park Hotel on Saturday 10th January at 2.00pm. Cost is €40 per head with guest speaker, Richard Waller, MU Chaplain.
The Scribe
As of today I have only received 16 requests for the Scribe in 2026. If you would wish to continue your subscription please could you get your form and €20 to Andrew by next Sunday. If you wish to discontinue your subscription please also let Andrew know. Thank you.
New Year’s Message
January 1st is the World Day of Peace and I believe deliberately placed on the first day of the year as a message of intended hope for the new year.
What is known as the Aaronic blessing and well known to us comes from Numbers 6: 24-26,
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
This blessing was addressed to a people set free, Israel after slavery in Egypt, and it is a parallel call to the Christian life at the opening of a new year, that we might still find inner peace within a world of turmoil.
For every one of us, every day can be the beginning of a new life, a fresh start, thanks to God’s generous love, his mercy, and the response of our freedom.
The coming year can therefore be seen as a journey of discovery. No one know exactly how things will pan out and given the news at the beginning of the year the world is continuing in the same direction of 2025. However, we can make the best of it through our own holy choices which will enable us to live with confidence.
And if we pursue holiness we will be free and bearers of freedom, forgiven and bringers of forgiveness, trusting in the goodness of the Lord who accompanies us always on our journey.
So, let us pray that 2026 is a year of peace, personal peace and peace in God’s creation.
Leaving a Gift for the Church in your Will
Legacy gifts or ‘gifts in will’ are an important source of income for churches, allowing us to make long-term plans. They are also a way of enabling you to continue to support the church after you’re gone.
By remembering us in your will, you can help ensure the church’s presence will continue to benefit many generations to come.
Further details on how to do this are on our website along with answers to some of the questions you may have. A paper version can be provided on request.
Irish Hospice Foundation
Bereavement Support Line available Mon-Fri, 10.00am-1.00pm 1800 80 70 77
Bank Transfers and Standing Orders
If you would like to make donations via bank transfer or by standing order please contact the Rector or the local treasurer who will provide appropriate details.