Cathedral News

Christmas is one of the most joyful seasons of the church year, and is celebrated in the Cathedral with appropriate solemnity. Here are details of the various events taking place at this time.

After consultation with our Parish Pastoral Council a new format for November and Lenten House Masses is being introduced to mark this Year of Faith.

The Year of Faith runs from 11 October 2012 until 24 November 2013. A festive Mass to mark the opening of the Year of Faith takes place in the Cathedral on Sunday 14 October at 15:00, and all are welcome. Read more about the Year of Faith on the website of the Diocese of Galway.

Culture Night 2012 - Friday 21 September - will be celebrated in Galway Cathedral with a concert of choral and organ music. Cathedral organist Raymond O'Donnell will be joined by Audivi Chamber Choir, directed by Darina McCarthy. The concert begins at 19:30, and lasts about an hour. Admission is free, and all are welcome. More information about Culture Night in Galway, including other events around the city, is available at www.galwayculturenight.com.

5 July 2012 - 9 August 2012 :: Thursdays at 20:00 http://recitals.galwaycathedral.ie Galway Cathedral Recitals is one of Ireland's premier summer concert series. Running over six Thursdays in July and August each year, it attracts performers from all over Europe as well as Asia and the USA. An evening of sublime music in the inspiring surroundings of Galway's stone Cathedral is an experience not to be missed.

The 10:00 mass on the three Sundays after Easter - Sunday 15, 22 and 29 April 2012 - will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 Long Wave (252 KHz). All are welcome to join the congregation for these broadcasts.

The week between Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday is the most sacred of the church year, and will be celebrated in solemn fashion in Galway Cathedral.

Saturday 17 March 2012 is the feast of St Patrick, principal patron of Ireland, and is a major feast in the Irish ecclesiastical calendar as well as an important public holiday. Mass in the Cathedral will be celebrated on Friday at 18:00, and on Saturday at 09:00, 11:00 and 18:00. The Saturday 11:00 mass will be celebrated as Gaeilge.

The Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a parish-based ministry which aims to help the bereaved and grieving. The Catheral Bethany Group can be contacted at 085-2258827.

Ash Wednesday this year falls on Wednesday 22 February. Mass in the Cathedral is at the usual weekday times - 09:00, 11:00 and 18:00 - and ashes will be distributed at each.