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.

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