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.

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