4th. Sunday of Year B January 29th. 2012

St John the Evangelist

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly phone: 0151 645 3314

email: stjohntheevangelist

websites: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

4th. Sunday of Year B January 29th. 2012

FAITH IN FOCUS: TELLING IT AS IT IS

Lazy preachers use religious words. It’s easier than getting down to the nitty-gritty but it doesn’t help people to connect their faith with their lives. So whenever you hear a sermon that is peppered with words like salvation, ecclesial, redemption, Christological, justification, metanoia, eschatology, sanctifying grace or beatific vision, then you know that the preacher is using shorthand. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with any of these words; they are theological ways of expressing our faith and the work of God in our lives. But they remain on a cerebral level. They engage the mind but more often than not don’t reach the heart. They are not geared to connecting faith with life in a way that most people readily understand.

When the Jewish religious teachers preached they appear to have fallen into the same trap. What they said was right, but it was stale. People found it hard to become enthusiastic when they heard them preach.

Then Jesus came along. People related to what he said because they could see that it had meaning for the way they were trying to live. It connected with their struggles, their fears and their hopes. When they described his teaching, people said that he taught “with authority”. By this they did not mean that he took an official stance or that he talked down to people as if they were ignorant. It meant that they could see that his teaching was going to have a beneficial effect on their lives. It made sense and they could grasp its significance.

Authority meant that his words had clout. The word authority comes from a Latin word that at its root means to increase or grow. To speak with authority meant that what Jesus was saying to them would make them grow, cause them to develop, to fulfil their potential. Unlike the scribes who simply told people all the rules that they had to obey, Jesus’ teaching was a liberating experience that spoke about the value and worth of the human person before God. It encouraged people, offered them hope, gave them confidence and made them want to be part of the message and to tell others about it. It was more than just words. And it still is today

His teaching made a deep impression on them, because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority. (Mark 1: 22)

WORD FOR TODAY

Scripture is what nourishes our faith. If we are to be prophets of God, as we agreed to be at our baptism, then we need to know what God is saying to our world. The more united we become with God’s word, the more familiar we are with the words of the gospels, the more faithful we will be to our calling as prophets.

Sincere words are not grand. (Lao Tze)

The preacher in the small Irish town began to berate the congregation for being liars, drunkards and adulterers. It made me wonder what the people were like who hadn’t even bothered to come to church that Sunday. But more than that, it made my heart weep to think that the man saw his job as an enforcer rather than as an enticer. (Joy Navarra)

Shrewsbury Catholic Charismatic Renewal Weekend at Pantasaph Friary, 2nd-4th March. Cost £90. Speaker Fr. Brendan Rice. Details Ann Murray 645 5514

The dates for the Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2012 areTuesday 24thJuly to Wednesday 1st August 2012 overland &Wednesday 25th July to Tuesday 31st July 2012 by air.

Preparations for the pilgrimage are well underway but, given the continuing fluctuation of the value of the euro against the pound sterling, we shall delay publishing our prices until the end of February so that we may hopefully be able to offer the best possible prices.

We anticipate that despite a slight rise in hotel costs and increased costs of the train and coaches, prices for the overland section will be broadly the same as last year. There may be an increase for the air section as only two dioceses will be using the plane in sequence this year instead of three as last year.

In the meantime, anyone wishing to reserve a seat on the plane may send their £100 deposit to the Pilgrimage Office, St Peters, 16 Green Lane, Hazel Grove, STOCKPORT SK74EA. A brochure and booking form will be sent as soon as they become available. If those who have paid deposits decide not to proceed after our prices are finalised their deposit will be fully refunded.

4th. Sun Yr. B	29th.	5.30pm10am 6.30	Parishioners Nell & John Ryan Prayer Meeting
Mon	30th.	9.15	Eddie Fryer
Tues	31st.	9.00	Funeral Mass Edward Foley
Wed	1st.	9.15	Pat McNeil
Thurs. Presentation (Candlemas Day)	2nd.	6pm.	Enrolment Mass for First Sacraments
Fri	3rd.	9.15	Fergus O’Brien
5th. Sun Yr. B	5th.	5.30pm 10am 8pm	John Sawell Parishioners Prayer Meeting

Please pray for our sick and those who care for them

John Price, James Sweatman, Frances Heslin, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & JosieToohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan. & Chris Foster, Norah & John McManus. Remember also those in theparish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

Money- thank you

Offertory £801 p.

Boiler £46

120 Club Winners No 60 Sara White £20

The Barn Dance raised a total of

£732 94p- this was an occasion much enjoyed by all who attended and the sum raised will go towards further improvements in the parish centre. Keep your eyes peeled for the next event.

This weekend, there will be a second collection for the retired priests’ fund (there are envelopes available for those who pay tax and would like to gift aid their donations).

Lots of lovely new books on order- should be here by next weekend!

Retreat weekend for young adults (20s and 30s)

Theme: Lord, let my prayer rise before you…

Dates: 10th – 12th February 2012

Location: Salford Cost: any donation is welcome. The weekend will provide opportunity for prayer, reflection and discussion with other young catholic adults. For more informationcontact Sr MaryAnne fcJ at maryannefcj or visit our facebook event

https://www.facebook.com/events/255697284501022/

What is it?

Faith is the oxygen of religion. It’s what we breathe in all our dealings with God. Faith tells us that we are creatures of an intelligent personal godhead revealed to people over the centuries and more specifically in latter times in the person of Jesus Christ. If we could see God in a material way, face to face, then we might not need faith because we would be living with a mathematical or scientific certainty. But the fact is that we are confronted with something so enormous and infinite when we come to talk about God that we cannot “prove” in the conventional way that God exists. We know that God exists from our experience of life and from our shared response as the Church to what Jesus taught and promised.

So does this mean that we have to park our brains at the front door of the church and become spoon-fed and possibly deluded once we become Christians? Of course not. In a certain sense having faith gives us a greater responsibility to try and come closer to the mystery that is God made visible in Christ. And our growth in faith is a womb to tomb experience. We never graduate in faith. We take the test every day. It’s continual assessment. Faith makes demands on us to try and discern a pattern of the way God works in our lives. And if we never question our faith then we will remain childish, not childlike. For our faith has to be adult.

St Werburgh (3rd February) was the daughter of a king of Mercia, a nun in the joint monastery of men and women at Ely. She founded several monasteries in Mercia and was buried in Staffs. However due to Viking incursions her remains were moved to Chester where they were a focus of pilgrimage until the Reformation.

Presentation of the Lord
The feast was first observed in the Eastern Church as “The Encounter.” In the sixth century, it began to be observed in the West: in Rome with a more penitential character and in Gaul (France) with solemn blessings and processions of candles, popularly known as “Candlemas.” The Presentation of the Lord concludes the celebration of the Nativity and with the offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon, the events now point toward Easter.

“In obedience to the Old Law, the Lord Jesus, the first-born, was presented in the Temple by his Blessed Mother and his foster father. This is another ‘epiphany’ celebration insofar as the Christ Child is revealed as the Messiah through the canticle and words of Simeon and the testimony of Anna the prophetess. Christ is the light of the nations, hence the blessing and procession of candles on this day. In the Middle Ages this feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or ‘Candlemas,’ was of great importance. This is why we have chosen this feast for the enrolment Mass for our children who are to receive 1st Sacraments this year.I

2nd Sunday of Year B January 15th 2012

St John the Evangelist

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly phone: 0151 645 3314

email: stjohntheevangelist

websites: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

2nd Sunday of Year B January 15th 2012

FAITH IN FOCUS: JUST A QUICK NOTE

Dear Mother

You’re probably wondering where I’ve got to over the past month or so. A few weeks ago when I was out listening to John the Baptist a rabbi passed by and John pointed him out as something really special. When I heard what he had to say I was amazed. I asked him where he lived and he invited me to come and see. I stayed with him and now I just want to be around him and hear him speak.

He’s not like the other religious leaders. You really get the impression he’s sent by God. He’s not full of himself and his teaching is so straightforward that you wonder why you never thought of it first. He cuts through all the red tape by saying that we should make sure we love God and look after our neighbours in the same way as we would like to be treated by them.

When you see him in action you soon realise that it’s the ordinary people he warms to quickly. Poor people, children, widows, sick people and those whom others look down on. He has time for everyone although he’s not slow to condemn hypocrisy.

His fame as a preacher is spreading because he has the knack of making you feel that there’s more to life than just getting and having, more important things than what others think of you. It’s as if he has the secret to living life to the full and he really makes you think.

Each time he works a miracle he doesn’t wait for applause but says it’s his Father in heaven that gives him this power, and he says that these miracles will seem like nothing compared with what life will be like for those who follow him. Apparently this new type of life will even last after death.

Simon has joined me along with one or two of the other fishermen, and people from every walk of life are turning up each day to listen to him. Everyone wants to be part of it. They say that if it carries on like this there’ll be thousands of supporters before long. Next month he’ll be back in Capernaum and I can’t wait for you to meet him. What he’s got to offer is too good to be missed, so make sure you don’t lose out!

Your loving son

Andrew

WORD OF GOD

Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the Lamb of God’. (John 1:35-36)

WORD FOR TODAY

God never stops calling people; it’s just that sometimes we’re not listening. As the apostles were chosen by Jesus individually, so each of us has been given a personal calling by God to share in the task of building the kingdom. The psalmist reminds us that we need to keep ‘an open ear’ to this call.

The Barn Dance will take place next Friday, 20th January, in Parish Centre, 7.30pm. This is a real family event- and all in aid of the parish centre improvements.

Tickets are available from Ann Murray 645 5514 and Bernard McGuigan.645 7929

Family Ticket are £15 (2 adults and 2 children up to age 14), everyone else £5, toddlers free. There will be refreshments on sale (Hot dogs, batches and tea/coffee.) but if you want beer or wine etc. please bring your own. There will be a raffle with really fab prizes. Ticket sales are going very well, please sign up to avoid disappointment. There are forms at the back of the church to enter your ticket requirements and a poster at back of church which contains all the details. Please indicate if you want a Family Ticket. ADD YOUR TELEPHONE NO.!!!

Shrewsbury Catholic Charismatic Renewal Weekend at Pantasaph Friary, 2nd-4th March. Cost £90. Speaker Fr. Brendan Rice. Details Ann Murray 645 5514

A Mass will be celebrate at St Catherine’s Hoylake on Wednesday 18th January at 7.30 for those who suffer with mental ill health, their carers’ and anyone who support or work with people with mental health needs. We look forward to welcoming you to St Catherine’s. Tea and coffee will be served in the Parish Centre after Mass. Contact Ann Crisp 0151 632 6617

2nd Sun Yr. B	15th.	5.30pm 10am 8pm.	Parishioners Louise Abedin Prayer Meeting
Mon	14th.	9.15	November List
Tues	17th.	9.15	November List
Wed	18th.	9.30	Funeral Mass John A Williams
Thurs.	19th.	9.15	Vic Gemmell
Fri	20th.	10.30.	Funeral Mass Henrietta Mason
3rd. Sun Yr. B	22nd.	5.30pm 10am 8pm	Christine Gregory Parishioners Prayer meeting

Please pray for our sick and those who care for them Frances Heslin, James Sweatman, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan. & Chris Foster, Norah & John McManus. Remember also those in the parish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

Money- thank you

Offertory £905 77p.

Crib Offerings £30 51p- a total of £115 for the Children’s Society

Peter’s dance money £125- a total of £1269 for past year- thank you.

120 Club Winners No. 63 J Reynolds £20

Please note above changes in Mass times on Wednesday & Friday and please remember in your prayers those people who have died and also the people who mourn for them. May they rest in peace.

The parish centre café has been further enhanced by the arrival of bistro tables and chairs. We now have a very pleasant area for you to enjoy your post Sunday Mass cuppa where you can linger for a chat with fellow parishioners. Give it a try if you haven’t done so before. There may even be French music playing- who knows?

CATHOLIC PARLIAMENTARY AND PUBLIC POLICY INTERNSHIPS

For the last nine years the Catholics Bishops Conference has organised Parliamentary and Public Policy Internships for recently graduated Catholics. This year we are looking to offer 8 internships: Five interns will be placed with Christian MPs at Westminster; two in Public Policy with CAFOD and CARITAS Social Action Network; and one in a media internship at Archbishop’s House Westminster.

All internships will run from September 2012 – July 2013 and include accommodation and subsistence allowances.

Full details and an application form can be found on our website: interns or posted to: Michaela Kelly, Head of HR, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX. The closing date is 5pm on 29th February 2012 and Assessment days will be 28th and 29th March 2012.

Successful Habits coaching is focused on happiness and wellbeing. Nutrition education with coaching to support wellbeing and weight loss. Join us for fun, motivational, inspiring and friendly sessions. Weight Loss Challenge, Tuesday evenings 6.30-7.30pm in Parish Centre. £39 for 12 week programme. See Poster at back of church for details & Tel contact nos.

From next Sunday, I will be going away for most of the week. Three priests have kindly agreed to provide cover for the Masses during the week and for the following weekend so that you will not be deprived! They will be aided and abetted by Philip and Michael and I hope they will be welcomed and helped by all of you.

Retreat weekend for young adults (20s and 30s)

Theme: Lord, let my prayer rise before you…

Dates: 10th – 12th February 2012

Location: Salford Cost: any donation is welcome

The weekend will provide opportunity for prayer, reflection and discussion with other young catholic adults. For more information contact Sr MaryAnne fcJ at maryannefcj or visit our facebook event

https://www.facebook.com/events/255697284501022/

Philip writes: You will recollect I put down a marker for this last year.
Thursday 19 Jan 2012 (7.00 to 9.00 pm) in the side chapel ….

A Reflection on the Gospel of Mark.
(also welcome are Special Ministers of the Eucharist and anyone else interested) This reflection is part of the on-going formation for readers and other ministers at St. John’s. During Sunday masses this year, we will mainly hear extracts from the Gospel of Mark. This Gospel is the earliest and shortest account imparting the good news of God’s reign in Jesus, the Christ
In most translations, Mark’s gospel is little more than 20 pages long. Please prepare in advance for this reflection by reading this gospel through from beginning to end without stopping. All you need to give yourself is 1 to 1½ hours of peace and quiet, a comfortable chair and a bible.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

The week of prayer for Christian Unity starts next week on 18th and continues until 25th. We will host the meeting on Saturday 21st. at 10am.

Thursday and Saturday are the only ones I will be present at this year but I do hope that out parish will be well represented at the various venues which are listed on the posters.

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God 1st January 2012 Year B

St John the Evangelist

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly phone: 0151 645 3314

email: stjohntheevangelist

websites: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God 1st January 2012 Year B

FAITH IN FOCUS:MOTHERHOOD, MEDITATION AND MODELLING

It seems such an obvious thing to say, but Mary is the Mother of God. It’s obvious because we hear it said so many times in our lives, yet astounding when we pause to think what it really means. “Bearer of God” was the very first title officially given to Mary by the Church several centuries after her death. A God who is so powerful that he could have chosen to come down to earth as some sort of spectacular phantasm, to arrive here with armies and cohorts, or at least to come here already grown as an adult, this God chose to become a baby that was carried by a young girl and nurtured in a primitive village of the Middle East. We honour Mary for being chosen, one of our own human race, to co-operate with God in this mysterious and mystifying reality. For she is the Mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God.

Yet she can’t have been just any kind of girl. It must have taken a special personality to be attentive to what God was asking of her. Religious art traditionally depicts Mary in prayer when the angel announced she was to be the mother of Jesus. Just carrying Jesus for nine months wasn’t enough. Mary had to enter in faith into God’s plan, even though she didn’t understand its full implications. And this meant that she had to be the sort of reflective person that is open and attentive to God’s presence and voice. St Luke tells us that she pondered all these things in her heart. Her life of meditation must have thrown up so many strange and frightening questions. But in prayer she talked with God.

Mary is a model of our response in faith to God. She is the pattern of trust and surrender that is demanded of all those who are baptised into Christ’s Church. One of the more recent titles given to the Virgin Mary was by Pope Paul VI who called her “Mother of the Church”. For what she did to serve God in her life is what is demanded of each of us: to be attentive to what God is asking of us personally, to place our trust in God’s powerful presence and grace, and then to find God in all the circumstances of our lives as we respond in Christ to the challenges that meet us daily.

WORD OF GOD

As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

WORD FOR TODAY

As our New Year begins we are only too aware that the song of peace on earth that the angels sang on the first Christmas night finds echoes only in bloodshed in many parts of our world. As Mary brought Christ into the world, we pledge ourselves to be instruments of peace wherever we encounter discord, bringing that peace of Christ to our families, our workplace and our world.

MOST HOLY NAME (January 3rd)

What’s in a name? For most of us these days, there’s not very much. Yet in former days names were often descriptive. So we’re used to surnames like Butcher, Cooper, Carpenter, Fletcher, Tucker, Taylor which all originally described the occupation of the person. And first names too meant something. Philip, Lucy, Gareth, Julia, Ernest, Sarah, Peter and Michelle all originally told us something about the character of the individual. Human beings seem to feel the need for this when they create nicknames that encapsulate something of the person’s character.

If Jesus were born into our society today he would probably be called Joshua, perhaps the closest name that we have to his. For his name means “saviour” or “God who saves”. He is called Jesus because that’s what he does: he saves. And the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus recalls that by his coming among us here on earth Jesus has set us free, has saved us from all that otherwise would drag us down and stop us from enjoying life to the full on both sides of the grave. Jesus has claimed us for God. Can there be a holier name than that?

Mary Mother of God	1st	5.30pm 10am 8pm.	Donor’s Int. Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Mon	2nd.	9.15	Alice Hewson
Tues	3rd.	9.15	Martin Ashall
Wed	4th..	9.15	McCormick & Dunnion families
Thu Fri	5th. 6th.	9.15 9.15	Nov. List Kennedy & McDyne Families
Sun Epiphany	8th.	5.30pm 10am	Donor’s Int. Parishioners

Please pray for our sick and those who care for them Frances Heslin, James Sweatman, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan. & Chris Foster, NoraHh& John McManus. Remember also those in the parish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

Money- thank you

Christmas offertory £1692. 39p.

120 Club Winners No. 72 Scout Group. £20

No 112 T Halewood £10

Reconciliation Collection (Ark) £263 09p

Very many thanks for the all the cards and gifts I have received. I feel very fortunate to lead such a fantastic group of caring & generous people.

God’s only Son doth hug humanity into his very person. (Edward Taylor)

The new supply of Sunday Missals has arrived and I know that at least 2 of them have been ordered. 3 more remain if anyone else would like one at £19 95p

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for January 2012
General Intention: Victims of Natural Disasters.
That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives.
Missionary Intention:Dedication to Peace.
That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will.

Don’t forget the Barn Dance which will take place on Friday, 20th January, in Parish Centre, 7.30pm. Tickets £5. Bring your own drink. This is a real family event- and all in aid of the parish centre improvements.

Tickets available from Ann Murray 645 5514 and Bernard McGuigan.645 7929

Upon these two titles, Mary Mother of God, and Mary Mother of mankind, the whole practice of the Catholic’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is built. (Archbishop Goodier)

By the divine artisan man and woman were shaped and fashioned. By a carpenter’s wife they were equipped to enter more deeply into the mystery of God. And by a carpenter’s son on the wood of the cross their brokenness was repaired. (Mercedes de Vega)

THE YEAR OF MARK

On most of the ordinary Sundays during 2006 (except Lent and Eastertide) we will be listening to the gospel as told through the eyes of St Mark.

Many scholars believe that Mark’s gospel was the first to be written down. His credentials for writing a gospel are impeccable. He was a disciple from Jerusalem who experienced Jesus at first hand. He was Barnabas’s cousin and, after the death of Jesus, he worked as an assistant to St Paul. But much of what Mark has to tell us comes probably from the preaching of St Peter.

Like the other three gospel writers he does not try to write a biography of Jesus, but rather to give us an idea of what Jesus did and said. Like St John he tells us nothing of Jesus’ birth but begins his gospel when Jesus is already an adult. So he is not writing a strict historical account; he’s selecting material to make his point. And strangely, Mark does not report Jesus’ teaching at length. Instead he attempts to make his principal point: that Jesus is the Messiah whom the Jews had been waiting for. But not any glorious, military figure ready to lead a political revolt. Jesus is the Messiah, Son of God, who would be misunderstood, humiliated and executed. Mark constantly points out that some of the things Jesus said and did only make sense in the light of the resurrection.

This is the Jesus we will meet each week in Mark’s gospel. Because it is shorter than the others, there is a period in the summer when we will turn to St John and have five weeks looking at the Bread of Life sermon. But for most Sundays our guide this year will be St Mark.

The Childrens Liturgy restarts next Sunday, 8th January at 10.00 Mass. We hope you all had an enjoyable break, and look forward to seeing you all again, together with any new members and helpers.
May we take this opportunity to remind you that to gain the full benefit, children need to be 4 years old and above. Any younger children are welcome to join us, but they must be supervised by an adult, both in the Side Chapel and on the Sanctuary.
With our very best wishes to everyone for the New Year,
The Children’s Liturgy Team

Christmas Day 25th December 2011 Year B

St John the Evangelist

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly phone: 0151 645 3314

email: stjohntheevangelist

websites: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

Christmas Day 25th December 2011 Year B

FAITH IN FOCUS: STABLE BLUEPRINT

We are so familiar with the Christmas story: the journey to Jerusalem, stopping off at Bethlehem, the stable, the angelic choir, the shepherds, the star and the wise men. And there’s something comforting about the scene of Mary, Joseph and the child in the manger. Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth.

Parents often look at the smallest features of their new-born child, like fingernails, and marvel at how everything needed for growing into adulthood is already there at such an early stage. When we look at Jesus in the crib we could do the same but this would be to miss the point.

What we see when we look at the infant Jesus is God’s blueprint for being human. Jesus is God’s way to be man, God’s way to be woman, God’s way to be human. We are not talking about physical features but about the values that direct human life and action.

The life of Jesus is a pattern for us to follow. It’s about serving others and thereby serving God. The baby in the straw will go on to show that we reach maturity in God’s eyes by the way we treat others. We grow into full humanity by giving without reserve so that our fellow human beings may see something of the face of God in the way we treat them.

And so each Christmas summons us to go beyond the nostalgia for past events and to celebrate our commitment to being born again ourselves like the Christ-child. Christmas renews our pledge to making Christ born in our own lives so that we may give glory to God and peace to those who share our lives.

Christmas, therefore, is not only Christ’s birthday. It’s ours too. For on this day we are caught up into the mystery of God’s love for the world, a mystery that is born not only each time a baby comes into the world but every time we allow ourselves to bear God to the world. For from this day forward God has entered our lives in the most intimate way. Jesus is God’s way to be man, God’s way to be woman, God’s way to be human. And so are we.

WORD OF GOD

The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel.

(Matthew 1: 23)

WORD FOR TODAY

God has such confidence in us that he became one of us: the perfect pattern of how to be human and divine. Our celebration of Christmas expresses our joy at this mystery and it pledges us to reveal the God within us. Christmas invites us to give birth.

THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE

Lord, I light this candle at Christmas for myself and those who are dear to me.

May its flame be a reminder of the way you light up my days and warm my heart. May its fire burn away my pride, my selfishness, and all that keeps me from you.

As I celebrate the birth of your Son, who came into the family of Nazareth, I pray to you for my own family and friends, both living and dead. Keep them in your love and let them feel your powerful presence. I leave this candle now as a token of the service I want to give you. May it continue to burn in all my thoughts, words and deeds today and for ever. Amen.

HOLY INNOCENTS (December 28th)

God of all life and goodness, we remember today the slaughter of the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims, those who are abused or oppressed in any way. We pray for those who have caused children to be killed in the womb before birth. We pray for those children who have been trafficked for money, used for sex and mistreated for selfish exploitation. In your great power come to the aid of those who work to frustrate the designs of evil rulers, bring your light to those who trade on the weakness of the young and establish your reign of justice, love and peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Christmas Day	25th.	8pm 10 am	Parishioners Rice Family
Mon	26th.	9.15	Private Int.
Tues Patronal Feast.	27th.	12md.	Vin Roper’s Ints.
Wed	28th..	9.15	Kath Bassett
Thu Fri	29th. 30th	9.15 9.15	Nov. List Nov List
Sun	1st	5.30pm 10am	Donor’s Int. Parishioners

Please pray for our sick and those who care for them Frances Heslin, James Sweatman, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, MarjorieHoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, MaryBryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan. & Chris Foster. Remember also those in theparish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

Money

Offertory last week: £697 54p.

120 Club Winners No. 114 L Davies £20

Flower Fund

Very many thanks for your very generous donations to the flower fund which realised £505- a tremendous sum. Unfortunately the Christmas flowers may not be quite as extensive as usual because of the absence through illness of Liz de Seine and Joan Sutton who are largely responsible for most of the fantastic arrangements we see week after week. Hopefully Liz will be back to her flower arranging best before too long. Rest assured that they will use your money wisely & keep them both in your prayers.

Christmas is a wonderful time. It’s not true that it’s just about children. It’s about us all. We may consider ourselves very ordinary. But nobody is ordinary any longer, not since Christ came on earth. Yet he did not come to bring us anything. He came to awaken us to what we already are. We are all children of God.(Flor McCarthy)

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. (Henry Van Dyke)

I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses. (Taylor Caldwell)

Don’t forget the Barn Dance which will take place on Friday, 10th January, in Parish Centre, 7.30pm. Tickets £5. Bring your own drink. This is a real family event- and all in aid of the parish centre improvements.

Tickets available from Ann Murray 645 5514 and Bernard McGuigan.645 7929

A Card from Fr. Dennis contains the following message:

Fr Frank & Family of St John’s.

The love of Christ moves me to say: I love you!

You have been a source of spiritual nourishment and comfort; my second home.

May you have a peaceful and blessed Christmastime and a happy 2012

BECKET FOR CHILDREN

December 29th is the feast of Thomas Becket of Canterbury. This is his story:

Thomas Becket was the best friend of Henry II who was king of England. Thomas and Henry did everything together; they went hunting, riding and feasting.

Henry had a problem. He wanted to change the law. At the time any ordinary person who committed a crime such as murder would go on trial and could be sentenced to death. But priests did not have to go on trial in the king’s courts because they had their own Church courts. Henry wanted the priests to go on trial in his courts but the pope would not let this happen.

Henry made his friend Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, hoping that Thomas would change the law, but Thomas wouldn’t do so. Henry and Thomas had a big argument and Becket ran away to France. Henry went to France to make peace because he still wanted to be friends with Thomas.

So Becket came back to England but he still would not allow the priests to be put on trial by the king. He also threw out some of the priests who supported the king. This made Henry very angry and he shouted, “Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?”

Four knights had been listening at the door and they thought the king wanted Thomas Becket killed so they went to Canterbury Cathedral where Thomas was praying. There in the Cathedral on 29th December 1170 they murdered him.

Fourth Sunday of Advent 18th December 2011 Year B

St John the Evangelist

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly phone: 0151 645 3314

email: stjohntheevangelist

websites: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

Fourth Sunday of Advent 18th December 2011 Year B

WORD OF GOD

I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me.

(Luke 1: 38)

WORD FOR TODAY

Every Christian, like Mary, is called to give birth to Jesus. Ours is the responsibility of bearing Christ to a world that God wants to bring to a life that is eternal. Each day is an Annunciation to us: we are to show our faith in Christ by the way that we respond to God’s message and deliver it to those with whom we live and work.

It was while I was in the Holy Land for the purpose of making three BBC Television programmes on the New Testament that a curious, almost magical, certainty seized me about Jesus’ birth, ministry and crucifixion. I became aware that there really had been a man, Jesus, who was also God. I was conscious of his presence. He really had spoken those sublime words. I heard them. He really had died on a cross and risen from the dead. Otherwise, how was it possible for me to meet him, as I did? The words Jesus spoke are living words, as relevant today as when they were first spoken. The light he shone continues to shine as brightly as ever. Thus he is alive while, for instance, Socrates who also chose to lay down his life for truth’s sake isn’t. The Cross is where history and life, legend and reality, time and eternity, intersect. There, Jesus is nailed for ever to show us how God could become a man and a man could become God.

(Malcolm Muggeridge)

I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that he didn’t trust me so much. (Mother Teresa)

Have you had a look at the brand new Diocesan Website? Log on to www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org.

FAITH IN FOCUS: THE COMFORT ZONE

Mary could have had a comfortable life. She seems to have been an ordinary girl and could have hoped for a good husband, a few children and a reasonably normal and happy existence in Nazareth.

Then the angel appeared on the scene. She was asked to be the mother of a child, given the boy’s name and told that she didn’t need a husband because the Holy Spirit would be taking care of things. Who on earth would agree to this? Yet she did. Let what you have said be done to me.

Then it all started: the difficulties of the birth in a cold stable while going to Jerusalem to register for the census, the scandal of not being married, the strange goings on with the star, the wise men and the angels, the prophecy by Simeon that she would end up heart-broken, the trouble when Jesus started preaching, his arrest and execution.

She could have stayed in her comfort zone and just said no. But then she would never have become the mother of God and never experienced the challenge of the adventure of her life. It turned out that, far from being a comfort to Mary, God set out to discomfort her.

Advent faith means being prepared to come out of our comfort zones. It means agreeing like Mary to give birth to Jesus. Each of us is called to take steps that will cause us discomfort and trouble. It would be easier if we treated religion as a hobby. We could attend church from time to time and just enjoy the music. Or we could throw ourselves fully into the uncomfortable business of standing up for Jesus in all the circumstances of our lives. We can be couch-Christians or Cross-Christians. But only the latter will lead us to the adventure which is God.

Advent asks us to reflect on how much we are prepared to be disturbed in our profession of faith. Do we want to watch as others do the work of bringing the Good News to our world or do we want to be on the front line? Are we comfortable in the waiting room or do we want to give birth? Do we simply want to carry the plaster statue of the baby in the crib or are we prepared to take on his flesh and bones with all that this entails?

4th Sunday of Advent	18th.	5.30 10 am 8pm	Parishioners Malcolm Hughes Prayer Meeting
Mon	19th.	9.15	Marie Pickering
Tues	20th.	9.15 7.30pm.	Laurence Rogers Reconciliation.
Wed	21st.	9.15	Nov list
Thu	22nd.	9.15	Nov List
Fri Sat.	23rd. 24th.	9.15 4pm.	James Sweatman Children’s crib service
‘Midnight’ Mass		8pm	Parishioners
Christmas Day	25th.	10am	Malcolm Hughes

Please pray for our sick and those who care for them Frances Heslin, James Sweatman, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, MarjorieHoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, MaryBryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan. & Chris Foster. Remember also those in theparish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

Money

Offertory last week: £797 9 p

120 Club Winners No. 108 D Humphrey £20

Christmas Fair revenue £2130 56p- fantastic result!

Our final collection for flowers will be taken this weekend. As you know, we collect just twice yearly, Advent and Lent in readiness to adorn our church for the two great feasts that the seasons herald. Please give as generously as you can so that our flower ladies can continue to provide such wonderful displays for us week after week. The lady who does many of the arrangements, Liz de Seine, is indisposed at present and in a lot of pain and may be unable to add her touch of genius. Are there any secret flower arrangers out there who may be able to lend a hand if necessary? Please give your name and number to Mike if you are able to help on Friday 23rd December.
PS We don’t expect you to give twice so if you contributed last week thank you very much!

Our Christmas Crib Service will take place on Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December at 4.00pm here in church. The children are welcome to bring a card to give to Jesus, and their favourite toy to show him and wish him “Happy Birthday” A lovely occasion for the little ones!

The Carmelite Monastery are having an afternoon of readings, prayers and carols for the closing days of Advent centred round the ‘O’ Antiphons from 3pm this Sunday 18th December. Mulled wine and refreshments to follow. All welcome!

He was man as we are. His condition was no different from ours. He took our flesh, the nature of man as he comes from the fall. His sinlessness was not therefore his condition. It was the act of his being in which he defeated temptation, in his condition which is ours: in the flesh. He emptied himself, placing himself in the series of men who rebelled against God in their delusion. In so doing, in his own person, he reversed the fall in their place and for their sake. (Karl Barth)

Missals on order should arrive in the next day or two. There are some other lovely books there to help you and your family breathe in the scent of Advent, even at this late stage. Make the most of this last beautiful week. I can personally recommend Denis McBride’s journeying with Jesus in Advent and the children’s books are very attractive and not too expensive.

This coming Tuesday evening, we will be holding our service of Reconciliation and judging by the number of enquiries we have had, we have established a tradition ofproviding an opportunity for people to prepare themselves fully for the Feast ahead and possibly a return to the church fold for others. The theme of this Advent’s service will be living in the present moment. Please pass on news of the event to your friends. The Lord’s forgiveness is withheld from no-one who is sorry for their mistakes. There will be a collection for charity prior to the service.

Notice for grandparents at Mass this Saturday (too late for those of you at Sunday Mass I’m afraid!)

Mass for CGA (Catholic Grandparents Assoc.) at Liverpool Met. this Sunday 18th at 11am. More details on poster. You are welcome to attend this Mass to be jointly celebrated by Bishop Brian and Archbishop Kelly.

There is a wonderful story of a four year old child. On reaching her fourth birthday, her parents decided that it was time for her to sleep in a room of her own. As the mother put her to bed that night, she said – “you are now a big girl with your own room: there is no need for you to be afraid. We will always be near you”. Sometime later the mother quietly came to the room and heard the little girl crying – who then said to her mother. “I am frightened here; I do not want to be alone”. “You are not alone”, the mother said, “God is here with you”. “I know God is here, but right now I need someone with skin”. …..Today in the gospel we hear of a God who wants to come to us with skin. His love for us is so great that he decided to come amongst us as one like us in all things except sin. But he decided he needed help from a human being to bring this about. In his great humility he decided to ask a young Jewish woman Mary. This reminds us that God never forces his way into our lives. He shows us great respect and courtesy by asking our permission as he did in the case of Mary.

Second Sunday of Advent 4th December 2011 Year B

St John the Evangelist
New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;
Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly phone: 0151 645 3314
email: stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
websites: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

Second Sunday of Advent 4th December 2011 Year B

FAITH IN FOCUS: RAISED VOICES
It’s so hard to hear yourself think in December. The TV screams at us through adverts that are desperate to get us to buy their products. Cosy Christmas fireside scenes, talking reindeers, food and drink, comfortable sofas, the must-have gifts: this is dangled before us as the epitome of what Christmas is all about. And when we think that we’ll have a nice quiet read, the papers are packed with full-page adverts reminding us of what we’ve already seen for sale on TV!
There are other voices trying to get through to us in the lead-up to Christmas. One of them is Isaiah’s. Today he tells us that our time of being enslaved is over. We have been set free and have been offered the greatest Christmas present of all: sharing the life of God’s Son.
But Isaiah’s voice clashes with the other sounds of Christmas because he tells us that if we want to go beyond the tinsel and baubles then we have to do some personal spadework. If we really want to experience the true meaning of Christmas, then we have to make sure we’re not just drifting along with the Christmas crowd but instead are keeping ourselves focussed on the reason for our feast. And this means fine-tuning the way we live, resetting our spiritual compasses and going out to meet our God who is coming.
Advent is not a mini-Lent but it is a time to remember that repentance, turning back to God, is a Christian constant. “Here is your God” says Isaiah. And our God still comes to us today and everyday. Advent challenges us to find God’s face in the ordinary events of our daily existence. And if there are aspects of our lives that prevent us from seeing this face, then Advent asks us to make changes.
When God comes it is not to point a finger but to lend a hand. The God we ask into our Advent lives is not the vengeful judge but the loving saviour. God always comes to set us free not to condemn us. But, of course, if we are genuinely to welcome Jesus into our lives this Advent and Christmas, then we have to know what we need to be set free from. Otherwise we might as well join just join the shopping queue.

WORD OF GOD
Tell Jerusalem… that her time of service is ended, that her sin is atoned for. (Isaiah 40: 1-4)

WORD FOR TODAY
Advent demands preparation. As we come closer to the events of Christmas we are challenged to smooth out the wrinkles of our daily life, to actively look for the ways in which God comes to us in the ordinariness of our existence, and to do all we can to come closer to him.

The immense step from the babe at Bethlehem to the living, reigning triumphant Lord Jesus, returning to earth for his own people – that is the glorious truth proclaimed throughout Scripture. As the bells ring out the joys of Christmas, may we also be alert for the final trumpet that will announce his return, when we shall always be with him. (Alan Redpath)

Millions of perfectly healthy and worthy men and women still keep Christmas; and do in all sincerity keep it holy as well as happy. But there are some, profiting by such natural schemes of play and pleasure-seeking, who have used it for things far baser than either pleasure-seeking or play. They have betrayed Christmas. For them the substance of Christmas, like the substance of Christmas pudding, has become stale stuff in which their own treasure is buried; and they have only multiplied the sixpences into thirty pieces of silver. (G.K. Chesterton)

Jesus’ coming is the final and unanswerable proof that God cares. (William Barclay)

We have now entered Liturgical year B which is dominated by the Gospel of Mark. It is our intention to take some time to study the text together and we hope to give you details of the arrangements for this very soon. Watch this space.

2nd Sunday of Advent
4th.
5.30
10 am
8pm
Parishioners
Anastasia Sweatman
Prayer Meeting
Mon
5th.
9.15
Peter Kilmartin
Tues
6th.
9.15
November List
Wed
7th.
9.15
November List
Thu
8th.
12md
Private Int.
Fri
9th.
9.15
Joyce Dalziel
Sat
10th.
11.45am.
Carmelite Mass
3rd Sunday of Advent
4th.
5.30
10am
8 pm
Doreen Tiernan
Parishioners
Prayer Meeting

Please pray for our sick and those who care for them Frances Heslin, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan. & Chris Foster. Remember also those in the parish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers. Money
Offertory last week: £745 73 p
120 Club Winners No. 2 M Glover £20
No 35 S Higgins

Just one week to go until the Christmas Fair but still enough opportunity to bring in your bottles, tins, toiletries etc if you haven’t already done so. Don’t forget we also welcome clothes, towels and bedding. I hope you will all find an hour or so to attend the Fair thereby supporting the effort to swell the coffers for repairs to the parish centre. It is your centre, don’t forget!

A brand new Diocesan Website has been launched today at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org. There is still some development to come over the next couple of weeks to iron out any glitches!

Next Thursday, the feast of the Immaculate Conception is the 57th anniversary of my ordination and I would be delighted if you are able to join with me to celebrate at the 12md mass. There will be a piece of cake and a glass of wine to follow the Mass.

Scout stamps are available to you for the next 2 Sundays. Get a good deal and make someone happy by greeting them with a card this Christmas. You might consider purchasing your cards from Eileen who has a good selection of Traidcraft cards to offer.

There are several Morning & Evening Prayer books missing from the side chapel. I know that people walk away with these in an absent minded fashion and I would be grateful if you would check if you are one of those responsible. Thanks

We had quite a number of book sales last weekend. Three of the New Sunday Missals were sold, but there are still a few remaining at £19 95p. We can get more if the demand is there. It is beautifully produced and would make a good Christmas present. The stall contains something for all age groups- please have a browse and try to make this season of waiting a special one. There are some colourful books and puzzles for children as well as those Advent journey sheets. The pamphlet editions of Mark’s Gospel are now available at a mere 90p- easy to slip into your handbag or pocket. A couple of people have kindly agreed to man (and woman) the stall after each weekend Mass during Advent. Take advantage!

There will NOT be a coffee morning this coming Monday. The Bereavement group will announce the next one in the New Year.
There will be a Carol Service held at St Catherine’s, Hoylake on December 18th 2011 at 3pm, led by members of the clubs for the disabled in the Diocese. The service is for everyone, and families with a disabled son or daughter will be particularly welcome. Everyone will receive their own Christmas candle to take home and the Service will be followed with light refreshments to include warm mince pies! Jane Christley 0151 632 4891
Confirmation of 57 young people from our LPA took place last Wednesday. The youngsters from St John’s will be presented with a copy of the Good News Bible this weekend. Congratulations to them and many thanks to the catechists and all the other people who have brought them to this important event in their lives. It was a very well organised event made successful by many people. Thank you ALL.

SANTA CLAUS OR ST NICHOLAS? (December 6th)
December 6th is the feast of St Nicholas. Among the many legends surrounding him is the one that he gave bags of gold to three poor sisters for their dowries, throwing them down the chimney where they landed in some stockings which had been hung up by the fire to dry. This gave rise to the custom of giving gifts on his feast day, a practice which is still followed in the Netherlands and Germany where children leave their shoes and stockings out on St Nicholas’ Eve and hope that they will be filled with sweets and gifts the next morning. Elsewhere this has been incorporated into the celebration of Christmas where the character of “Santa Claus” is now almost universally known – a corruption of Nicholas’ Dutch name: “Sinter Klaas”

I am very sad to have to break the news that Fr. Dennis will not after all be able to join us this Christmas. His Bishop has set him the task of learning German and he will be taking advantage of a study group in Leuven. Dennis will be a real polyglot by the times he returns to S.A.

First Sunday of Advent 2011 27th.November 2011.Year B

*St John the Evangelist *

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury,Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly/phone/: 0151 645 3314

/email/: stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com

/websites/:www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

First Sunday of Advent 2011 27^th .November 2011.Year B

FAITH IN FOCUS: COME ON DOWN!

As we begin our Advent season today, in preparation for the coming of Christ, Isaiah makes an urgent plea to God. He uses the same catch-phrase as that old TV programme “The Price is Right” by saying to God “Come on down, tear the heavens open”.

Whenever we celebrate Advent we are involved on three levels: past, present and future. And at each level we make that same plea: Come on down!

We look to the past, to history. We recall that the Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah who would lead them to political and religious freedom. In this setting we see Mary and Joseph and we witness the birth of Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem.

We look to the present, to today. Jesus has not stopped coming to us in our day to day lives. He comes and speaks to us in the word of God, in the sacraments we celebrate, in the faces of those who bear God’s impression both in need and in joy.

We also look to the future. Christ will come again in glory when the plan of God is finally fulfilled. This coming will usher in the end of the world and all will be revealed for what it truly is.

So Advent is wake-up time. It’s the four-week season when we look for the ways in which Jesus comes to visit us. It’s easy to get caught up in an Advent that is just a pale religious reflection of the world’s commercial season. It’s easy to get stuck simply on the level of the past and start getting nostalgic and gooey about the trappings of Christmas, getting no further than the crib, the angels and the star. Yet if we are to celebrate the liturgy of Advent then we have to engage on all three levels.

Yes, we do remember the past events of Bethlehem. But our Advent and Christmas celebrations are imbued with the need to be alert and awake to the Christ who challenges us daily in our interaction with others, the same Christ who will come again to judge us on the way we responded to his invitation to love.

And we know that we are really capturing the spirit of the season if, like Isaiah, we can say and mean it when we ask God to “Come on down!”

_WORD OF GOD _

And yet, Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, you the potter, we are the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

_WORD FOR TODAY_

In Advent we contemplate the coming of Jesus. Today he comes to us in the message of his word and in the sacrament which we celebrate in the Eucharist. We stand alert and ready so that we may not miss what he brings today as we await his final coming in glory.

_ANDREW (November 30th) _

St. Andrew, fisherman brother of St Peter, is said to have been responsible for spreading Christianity though Asia Minor and Greece. Tradition suggests that he was put to death by the Romans in Patras, Southern Greece by being pinned to a cross. The diagonal shape of this cross is said to be the basis for the Cross of St. Andrew which appears on the Scottish Flag.

St. Andrew’s bones were entombed, and around 300 years later were moved by Emperor Constantine to his new capital Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey). Legend suggests that a Greek monk called St. Rule (or St. Regulus) was warned in a dream that St. Andrew’s remains were to be moved and was directed by an angel to take those of the remains which he could to the “ends of the earth” for safe-keeping. St. Rule dutifully followed these directions, removing a tooth, an arm bone, a kneecap and some fingers from St. Andrew’s tomb and transporting these as far away as he could. Scotland was close to the extremities of the known world at that time and it was here that St. Rule was shipwrecked with his precious cargo.

St. Rule is said to have come ashore at a Pictish settlement on the East Coast of Scotland and this later became St. Andrews. Thus the association of St. Andrew with Scotland was said to have begun.

_ADVENT_

You keep us waiting. You, the God of all time,

Want us to wait For the right time in which to discover

Who we are, where we are to go,

Who will be with us, and what we must do.

So thank you … for the waiting time. (John Bell)

*Take home the Bishop’s Advent Pastoral letter and read at your leisure.*

1^st Sunday of Advent

27^th .

5.30

10 am

8pm

November List

Parishioners

Prayer Meeting

Mon

28^th .

9.15

Doreen Tiernan

Tues

29^th .

9.15

Bill Ebbrell

Wed

30^th .

9.15

*7.30*

November List

*Confirmation*

Thu

1st

9.15

November List

Fri

2^nd .

November List

2^nd . Sunday of Advent

4^th .

5.30

10am

8 pm

Parishioners

Anastasia Sweatman

Prayer Meeting

_Please pray for our sick and those who care for them_Frances Heslin, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan.& Chris Foster. Remember also those in theparish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

_*Money*_

Offertory last week: £767 p

120 Club Winners No. 91 P White £20

4 numbers still available

Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present. (Edward Hays)

___*Pope’s prayers for*____*December 2011*__
_*General Intention:*Peace among All Peoples.
That all peoples may grow in harmony and peace through mutual understanding and respect.
_*Missionary Intention*_*: *That children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that they may be respected and preserved from all violence and exploitation

Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope.

It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope.

(Pope Benedict XVI)

The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon. (Jan L. Richardson)

Christmas Fair 10^th December. Please keep the goodies rolling in. Take one of the yellow flyers to remind you of all that is on offer and encourage friends and family to come along.

Scout stamps are available to you for the next 3 Sundays. Get a good deal and make someone happy by greeting them with a card this Christmas.

Confirmation of the young people of the LPA by Bishop Mark will take place here on Wednesday 30^th. This is an important event in the life of the parish and the LPA so please pray for the people concerned that the Holy Spirit will overshadow them and strengthen their faith.

We have had just one meatless recipe contribution for the box so far -and that was taken by another parishioner! Don’t worry, you don’t need to own up, but the idea is that you _*bring*_your recipes to church and then we make it into a booklet to be sold for a small amount. Shall we try again?

*Diaries to the ready?As the nights get longer and the cold penetrates the bones, the parish team have arranged a barn dance for January 20th -a treat for us to look forward during these long winter months. *

As promised there is now a fine array of Advent books on the bookstall available for you to buy. The price is indicated on the back of most of the items. Included in the fresh stock are a few copies of the *new*Simple Prayer Book at £1.95p. We have marked down the old ones to 50p There are some calendars for children to guide them on their Advent journeys. Why not make someone’s Christmas and buy a new Sunday Missal! Also there will be some pamphlet copies of mark’s Gospel at a mere 90p.

Mass for CGA (Catholic Grandparents Assoc.) at Liverpool Met on Sunday 18^th at 11am. More details on poster. You are welcome to attend this Mass to be jointly celebrated by Bishop Brian and Archbishop Kelly.

Feast of Christ the King 20th.November 2011.Year A

*St John the Evangelist *

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury,Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly/phone/: 0151 645 3314

/email/: stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com

/websites/:www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

Feast of Christ the King 20^th .November 2011.Year A

FAITH IN FOCUS: FINAL TALLY

Peggy Jones was a local woman who had lived in the village all her life. She kept herself to herself, rarely joined in with any community activities and was a member of no club or society. When she died people were at a loss to know what to put on her tombstone since she’d done nothing of any significance. Eventually the stonemason carved the following epitaph: Here lie the bones of Peggy Jones, Whose life never knew any terrors. She lived an old maid, And she died an old maid: No hits, no runs and no errors.

Was Peggy a good woman or a bad one? It’s hard to say. She never did any harm to anyone but at the same time she never put herself out to do anyone any good. And if she didn’t do anyone any good then you could argue that she wasn’t a particularly good person.

Many people think that they are good people because they don’t steal, cheat, lie or murder. They pay their taxes and keep themselves to themselves. And many Christians think that they never sin because they too never do anyone any harm.

The parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew’s gospel today should put us on our guard against this attitude. Jesus tells us that we will be judged just as much for what we failed to do as for what we actually did.

Most of us are not headline sinners. But when we face the judgement that Christ is speaking about at the end of our life we will be measured by the way we responded to those in need, to the hungry, the thirsty, those in prison etc. He reminds us that we can commit wrong and this is a sin. But we can also omit to do good. Both commission and omission are equally guaranteed to alienate us from God.

So as we look around at our world today, what are the situations we’re closing our eyes and ears to? And are we aware that we’re doing it?

_WORD OF GOD _

I shall look for the lost sheep, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them. (Ezekiel 34:16)

_WORD FOR TODAY_

The Church’s liturgical year ends with the promise that no matter how far we may wander from God he will never abandon us. Like a shepherd he is able to tend to our needs, to bind us up and to restore us to health, feeding us on the pasture of his word and sacraments. There is nothing we shall want.

_PATRON SAINT OF MUSIC (November 22nd) _

Cecilia, born in Rome, vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. She told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified. He agreed to the purification, and was baptised. Returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angel. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favour. So the new convert asked that his brother be baptised.

During the persecutions, the two brothers gave proper burial to martyrs. In their turn they were arrested and martyred for their faith. Cecilia buried them at her villa in 117AD on the Appian Way, and was arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods; when she refused, she too was martyred by being suffocated and then beheaded.

The Acts of Cecilia has the following: “While the secular music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse.” It was this phrase that led to her association with music, singers and musicians.

Her grave was discovered in 817, and her body removed to the present church of Saint Cecilia in Rome. Her tomb was opened in 1599, and her body found to be incorrupt.

_*Happy feast day to at least one Cecilia we know and love!*_

The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another. (Thomas Merton)

The omission of good is no less reprehensible than the commission of evil.

(Plutarch)

Feast of Christ the King

20^th .

5.30

10 am

11am

8pm

Deceased members of Hickman & Sweeney families

Parishioners

Mass of election

(St Anne’s)

Prayer Meeting

Mon

21^st .

9.15

Sr. Mary McDonough

Tues

22^nd .

9.15

Vincent Sarson

Wed

23^rd .

9.15

Nov. List

Thu

24^th .

9.15

Nov. List

1^st Sunday of Advent

27^th .

5.30

10am

8 pm

Nov. List

Parishioners

Prayer Meeting

_Please pray for our sick and those who care for them_Frances Heslin, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan.& Chris Foster. Remember also those in theparish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

_*Money*_

Offertory last week: £697 62 p

Boiler £18 80p

120 Club Winners No. 23 P. Dobbie £20

Vera has just presented a cheque for £1500 from the 120 club which will help to swell parish funds. Many thanks to her for gathering the money week in and week out. There are currently six numbers available if anyone would like one at 50p per week. If you are interested please phone Vera on 645 6140 or see her in church.

*Thanks to all those who gift aid their donations to the parish, the sum of**£5,428.96 has been added to the parish central account. This is a much needed boost to our funds.*

*I hope you have 10*^*th* *December highlighted in your diaries- the date for our Christmas Fair. Now that you have seen what Gerry and team have done in the Centre, you realize what else can be done if we have more funding at our *

*disposal. This is what this effort is all about. Please support the event in every way possible.*

In the parable of the sheep and the goats, Christ issues a warning in love. It is not a prescription but a description. A prescription is something that we must do if we are to achieve a desired end. A description is a picture of the ways things are, or will be. Sheep and goats are not made sheep and goats by the judgement; they are only identified for what they are. Therefore, judgement reveals what has long been true. The deeds of mercy which the sheep performed were not works of merit, but examples and evidences of the fact they were sheep and not goats. Therefore, judgement is not a threat of something to be feared in the future, but a warning that one day all people will be revealed for what they are now. (Richard Hoefler)

If you would like to support the Sue Saul appeal, you can sponsor a young man who is to take 2 weeks to walk the Pennine Way (270miles). You will find a form at the back of the church. Just a penny a mile would help, but all contributions, however small, will be gratefully received on behalf of Sue. The fund to send her abroad for treatment of osteosarcoma has now

passed the halfway mark. Many thanks.

Don’t forget we want your recipes for meatless meals! They don’t have to be complicated with dozens of ingredients, but if you have used them successfully, then they are the ones for our collection. Place yours in the box at the back of the church.

*As the nights get longer and the cold penetrates the bones, the parish team have arranged a January treat for us to look forward during these long winter months. On 20*^*th* *, we are to have a barn dance in the parish centre, so hunt out the elderly denims and the check shirt and pull on those boots and prepare for the doe c doe.*

Catholic Singles is an organisation which helps single adult Catholics of all ages meet, either one to one or through social events. Please tel. 0161 941 3498, visit the website *www.catholicsingles.org.uk* or email info@catholicsingles.org.uk

*In a couple of weeks, Bishop Mark will be coming to the parish to confirm the young people of our LPA who have been preparing for this sacrament over the past few months. Please remember them in your prayers- it is not easy to be young these days.*

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (November 13th)

WORD FOR TODAY

God has given each one of us talents: particular skills or qualities that he expects us to us for his glory. As the Church draws towards the end of its year we are invited to reflect on how well we are making use of what we have been given. For no one has been given nothing. What has been entrusted to you and how are you using it?

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (November 13th)

Lord, we remember those who died when madness ruled the world and evil dwelt on earth, those we knew and those whose very name is lost. Because of their sacrifice, may we renew our fight against cruelty and injustice, against prejudice, tyranny, and oppression. Still we cry to God out of the darkness of our divided world. Let not the hope of men and women perish. Let not new clouds rain death upon the earth.

Turn to yourself the hearts and wills of rulers and peoples, that a new world may arise where men and women live as friends in the bond of your peace.

In a world still troubled with war, hatred and unrest, we pray for peace and unity. You have called us to be one, to live in unity and harmony, and yet we are divided, race from race, faith from faith, rich from poor, old from young, neighbour from neighbour. O Lord, by whose cross all enmity is brought to an end, break down the walls that separate us, tear down the fences of indifference and hatred. Forgive us the sins that divide us, free us from pride and self-seeking; overcome our prejudices and fears. Give us courage to open ourselves to others and by the power of your Spirit make us one.

Amen.

The word “talent” was used to indicate a very large sum of money. Its value varied depending on whether it was copper, silver, or gold. While commentators differ on the exact amount, most agree that it would take an ordinary worker almost twenty years to earn just one talent. To put this into our economy, using a minimum wage, a talent would be the equivalent of almost £150,000.(Eric Goughelle)

St John the Evangelist

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly phone: 0151 645 3314

email: stjohntheevangelist

websites: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

33rd. Sunday of Year 13th. November 2011.Year A

FAITH IN FOCUS: CAPITAL GROWTH

Young Antonio’s voice was high and squeaky and so he did not pass the auditions for the Cremona Boys’ Choir. When he took violin lessons, the neighbours persuaded his parents to make him stop. Yet Antonio still wanted to make music.

His friends gave him a hard time because his only talent was whittling wood. When Antonio was older he served as an apprentice to a violinmaker. His knack for whittling grew into a skill of carving and his hobby became his craft. He worked patiently and faithfully. By the time he died, he left over 1,500 violins, each one bearing a label that read, “Antonio Stradivarius.” They are the most sought-after violins in the world and sell for more than £100,000 each. Antonio couldn’t sing or play or preach or teach but his responsibility was to use his ability, and his violins are still making beautiful music today.

Our potential is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to God. Are you investing what you’ve been given, regardless of how much it is? Or, have you buried your blessing and kept it hidden from others?

We can sometimes confuse hiding our talents with humility, with not wanting to push ourselves forward. Yet if we stop to think for just a moment we’ll soon realise that, whatever our talent is, it is God-given. God has entrusted us with skills and talents to be used for his divine purpose. And no one else can ever be you and me. We’re unique, with unique gifts that God has welded into our character and personality. And it’s part of God’s plan from the beginning of time that we should use what we have been given so that the good news of the gospel might be spread and people should come to experience God through you and me.

Today’s gospel reminds us that life will not last for ever on this earth. The master is returning and we are returning to our master. What answer will we have to give him when he asks what we have done with all that he gave us? Will we have buried it, or will we have produced a capital return?

33rd.Sunday of the Year A	13th.	5.30 10 am 8 pm	Nov. List Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Mon	14th.	9.15	Frida Owens
Tues	15th.	9.15	Kevin Mulholland
Wed	16th.	9.15	Nov. List
Thu	18th.	9.15	Nov. List
Fri Sat	18th. 19th.	12md 11.45.	Funeral Ethel Farrelly Carmelite Mass
Christ the King	20th.	5.30 10am 11am. 8 pm	Deceased members of Hickman & Sweeney families Parishioners Mass of election (St Annes’s) Prayer Meeting

Please pray for our sick and those who care for them Frances Heslin, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, AileenMcGuigan. & Chris Foster. Remember also those in the parish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

Money

Offertory last week: £927 07 p

Peter’s dance money £112

120 Club Winners No. 41 T Mclean £20

The memorial books will be on display for the whole of November. Please feel free to have a look for the name of your loved one(s) but remember that they contain only the names of those people whose funerals took place from this church (since the church was founded). If you find any errors please write the corrections clearly and hand them to Fr. Frank.

We hope to have some Advent books on sale in the next week or so. Advent is a beautiful season. Please do your best to keep it in the right spirit.​

CALLING ALL PAINTERS AND DECORATORS. Your help and skill is needed for the Parish Centre. Please contact Gerry Topping 645 1510.

You are the only person on earth who can use your ability. (Zig Ziglar)

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me”. (Erma Bombeck)

There are lots of people who are prepared to use their talents to help with the Christmas Fair on December 10th but we can never have too many. Please help to make it a success by contributing what you can. You could make a cake; bring a bottle, sometoiletries a few groceries or some clothes that are no use to you anymore. There is always somesmall way…so have a think. Most of all we want you ALL to come along and participate in this event which will help to get our parish centre ship shape! Collection crates at back of church.

St Hilda’s feast is celebrated on Thursday 17th. She became the Abbess at Whitby, which under her leadership became a great centre of learning, of literature and the arts. Renowned for her wisdom, she was consulted by Kings and Bishops alike. Having hosted the decisive synod of 1664, she loyally accepted the decision that the Church in England would follow Roman customs even though she was sympathetic to the Celtic tradition.

St Margaret of Scotland married Malcolm 111 of Scotland in1070. They produced 8 children. Margaret reformed the royal court, founded monasteries and sponsored major reforms of church life. She was known for her generosity to the poor. Her feast is on Wednesday 16th.

No prizes for guessing that last week’s photographer was Fr. Dennis. His ice cream was the one with extra raspberry sauce! This week he is featured yet again- in Leuven with some friends you may recognise!

Pilgrimages by Jumbulance in 2012.

Two pilgrimages to Lourdes and a new pilgrimage to Rome – all by Jumbulance – are being planned for 2012. A Jumbulance is a very large adapted coach with seven beds on it, so some very sick and disabled people can journey to Lourdes. A team of nurses and helpers care for the sick. There are vacancies for both sick and disabled people and helpers on both pilgrimages to Lourdes at the end of June and the beginning of September. The cost will be £700. For the first time in many years, a Jumbulance will travel to Rome at the beginning of March at a cost of £800.There is a fund-raising event for our local ACROSS Groups on Thursday 9th February 7.30pm at the Alicia Hotel, Sefton Park, Liverpool, cost £40. A Jumbulance will be there if you would like to see it.

32nd. Sunday of Year 6th. November 2011.Year A

*St John the Evangelist *

New Ferry, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury,Reg. Charity 234025

Fr. Frank Rice;

Revd. Philip White; Revd. Michael Daly/phone/: 0151 645 3314

/email/: stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com

/websites/:www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org

32nd. Sunday of Year 6^th . November 2011.Year A

FAITH IN FOCUS: GETTING ROUND TO IT

You can’t live without food but you can seemingly get through the day without being a Christian. So even Christians themselves sometimes never quite get round to putting their baptismal promises into action.

Young people usually think that after they get older, after they’ve had some fun and sowed their wild oats, they’ll get round to it. They get older and then get married and the wild oats have been sown. Then their jobs and families take priority. They want the nice houses and the nice cars. They are so busy with the kids that they don’t have time to accept Christ in their lives. Then the kids grow up, and the marriage is unstable because they have focused so much time into everything else that their marriage is on the rocks, so instead of accepting Jesus, they work on their marriage or they get a divorce and start a new life. They get old and set in their ways and think it’s too late to accept Christ, their heart hardens to the point where they just don’t care anymore. But if you were to ask them their intentions along the way, they had good intentions, they never intended to reject Christ.

And if we’re honest, it’s a bit like that with most of us. We may go to church, we may even be known by our neighbours as Christians. But in our heart of hearts we know that there’s a lot we could and should be doing about our faith that we never quite get round to. Perhaps it’s praying more, reading scripture more often or giving a bit more of our time and talent to help others less fortunate.

The foolish bridesmaids in today’s gospel were just as aware as the wise ones that the groom was on his way. But they hadn’t quite got round to buying the oil for their lamps so that they could go out and meet him in the middle of the night. They knew what they ought to do but they became distracted with other seemingly more important things. And by the time they realised it was their turn to meet the groom, it was too late.

What’s stopping us from being ready? And can any of us honestly say that we know the time when the groom will call out to us?

_WORD OF GOD _

Wisdom is bright, and does not grow dim. By those who love her she is readily seen, and found by those who look for her. Wisdom 6:12

_WORD FOR TODAY_

As we begin the last few weeks of the Church’s calendar year we are reminded to stay alert for the ultimate fulfilment of our Christian faith. What is it that we hope to get from our faith and what is it that could easily blind us to what is on offer? The gift of wisdom can be elusive.

Spiritual readiness, preparation and growth does not just happen. It comes as a result of intentional habits built into one’s life. You cannot depend on a Sunday morning service to provide all your spiritual needs. You cannot depend on Christian fellowship to provide you with spiritual development. It comes through routine, mundane attention to ordinary spiritual disciplines, making sure you have enough oil: spiritual fuel.

(Rodney Buchanan)

At the time of Christ, marriage rituals were a lot more elaborate than we have at present. Once a groom had paid the wedding price to the father of the bride a period of a year would elapse. During that time the groom would go back to his home and prepare it for the arrival of his bride. When the right moment had arrived he would set off to the bride’s house to bring her ‘home’. A great procession would be the order of the day and everyone in the procession would have their own torch/lamp. To be in the procession without a lamp/torch meant that you were a gate crasher to the wedding celebrations and you would be locked out when the groom reached his home. (Alan McCann)

Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.

(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

CONFIRMATION ELECTION MASS – WILL BE HELD AT St Anne’s, 11am, Sunday 20^th November. Feast of Christ the King

32nd.Sunday of the Year A

6^th .

5.30

10 am

8 pm

Parishioners

Grace Kilburn

Prayer Meeting

Mon

7^th .

9.15

Private Int.

Tues

8^th .

9.15

Nov. List

Wed

9^th .

9.15

Nov. List

Thu

*10*^*th* *.*

*12md*

*Funeral Mass*

*Vic Gemmell*

Fri

11^th .

9.15

Nov. List

33rd. Sun Yr. A

13^th .

5.30

10 am

8 pm

Nov. List

Parishioners

Prayer Meeting

_Please pray for our sick and those who care for them_Frances Heslin, Liam Halpen, Philomena Moore, Margaret Randles, Michael Collins, Teresa McLean, Denis Welch, Josie Cohen, Peter Williamson, Kathy Smith, Marjorie Hoey, Mrs H McCormack, Esther Roche, Fay Challoner, Sheila Stockley, Joan & Charles Reynolds, Kath Holland, Mary Bryden, Owen & Josie Toohey, Betty Kennedy, Helen Worth, Christopher Hadfield, Ivan Gregory, Christopher & Raymond McNally, Mark Harrison, Genevieve Foster, Aileen McGuigan.& Chris Foster. Remember also those in theparish who do not wish their illness to be made public but who also need our prayers.

_*Money*_

Offertory last week: £694 78 p

Boiler £24

120 Club Winners No 54 C Richards £20

No. 11 P. Fletcher £10

Red Box collection £321 53p

Vic Gemmell died at home on 31st October. He was surrounded by his loving family to whom we offer our condolences. May he rest in peace after his suffering. His funeral Mass will take place on 10^th November at 12md. Annrita & family would like to thank you for the masses and prayers for Vic during his long illness. Also for the cards and flowers but especially for all your warmth and kindness throughout this year.

CALLING ALL PAINTERS AND DECORATORS. Your help and skill is needed for the Parish Centre. Please contact Gerry Topping 645 1510.

Recipes for meatless Fridays!

*Calling all chefs & chef-esses. If you are fed up of fish fingers and beans on toast, show your culinary prowess by submitting tried and tested recipes for a Meatless Friday. Please join in this bit fun and if we get enough recipes, a booklet will be made and put on sale for us all to share in each other’s creations.*

Those who attended the Mass for All Souls found it very beneficial and were most grateful for the warm response of the parishioners. The memorial books will be on display for the whole of November.

I think we are all getting a bit more used to the new translation now-not as many mistakes on either side. The projection is a great asset but the people who prepare the slides and operate the overhead are even greater ones. We now have supplements to Laudate hymn books. The numbers will be prefixed S where appropriate.

A cooooool character. The second ice cream was for the photographer. Guess who?????

39 Steps is to be performed at the Gladstone theatre in November. The proceeds for one of the performances will go to the SVP in this area so I would ask that you kindly support the event on Wednesday *November*16^th . Tickets can be obtained from Dave Kenny. See him after Mass or telephone 645 3626. There is a poster on display with further details.

Jo Boyce and Friends Concert at St Joseph’s 1^st Sunday of Advent– See Poster at back of church. Tickets £6 and available from Andy, Pilgrim Troupe 608 1214; St Joseph’s 652 5767 and CJM Music 01675 466254 or www.cjmmusic.com .

There are several posters which can be found on the notice boards advertising various events both here and elsewhere. We haven’t got space in the newsletter to advertise them several times but please take time to look at the external notices where you may find something to interest you.