Notices for January 11th, 2026
Services for January 18th, 2026, 2nd Sunday of Epiphany
Holy Communion at:
9.30am St Paul’s Church, Collooney
10.45am Holy Trinity Church, Ballisodare
Noon Emlaghfad Church, Ballymote
Collect for Today
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.
The Scribe
Please give Andrew the form and €20 today for the 2026 subscription. The January edition of the Scribe is out today.
Please also note that the 12th of each month is the deadline for submission for the following publication. If you have any contributions please get them to Andrew before this deadline.
The GAP Youth
Some of you will have heard about a new youth group initiative in Sligo ‘The GAP Youth’. This is a joint venture between a couple of local Sligo churches. The aim as a youth group is to Gather Awaken and Propel young people into a life of following Christ and to Kingdom Work through the local Church.
Our initial GAP Youth Christmas launch party on 20th December went really well and we begin again on Saturday 24th January, meeting 2nd and 4th Saturdays each month.
However, we could really do with some more volunteers. If you are keen to invest in young people, helping us Gather Awaken and Propel them to a life of following Jesus and to Kingdom Work then we are looking for volunteers who could help us once or twice a month on Saturday evenings. Potential ways for team members to volunteer include helping run the evening program (facilitate games, help with worship, deliver talks, prayer ministry), help in the kitchen with drinks and snack, or being a befriender who comes alongside the young people.
A Team Info Night for potential volunteers is taking place: 7-8pm Monday 19th January at Recentre (3 Mail Coach Road, F91 FK23) Coming along to the volunteer night doesn’t mean people are committing to helping, but gives them the opportunity to find out more and explore whether it’s something they would like to invest in.
Ballisodare Design
Following our first community engagement event on 7th October 2025, the design team has been developing ideas for a series of improved public spaces and riverside connections in Ballysadare.
We’re now excited to share these emerging design concepts and would like to invite you to drop in, view the proposals, and share your thoughts:
Community Drop-in Event
📅 Tuesday 20th January 2026
📍 Peacock Lane Function Room
🕓 4:00pm – 8:00pm (Drop in anytime)
This is an important opportunity to help shape the next phase of the project — your feedback will directly inform how the proposals are developed.
If you have any questions ahead of the event, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to seeing you on the 20th.
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.