Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 16th September 2018. Cycle B

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

 

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 16th September 2018. Cycle B

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: TELL US WHO HE IS

 

“Christ” is not Jesus’ surname. It’s not Mr and Mrs Christ and their son Jesus. Insofar as Jesus had a name like ours, then it was Joshua Josephson. Christ means anointed, and in the case of Jesus it means that he is the one sent by God to reveal the true purpose of life and how to achieve it for ever. So when Jesus asked who people thought he was, it was Peter who came up with the answer: “You are the Christ”.

But if Jesus is the Christ, the anointed Son of God, then we can’t simply take it or leave it. We have to accept him as Lord or ruler of our lives. We have to accept that he offers us a different quality of life. And strangely he tells us that to keep our life we must give it up, we must carry our cross and die to self.

This is not a very popular teaching. Our world laughs at the idea and prefers a “get what you can” way of life: if I want it why shouldn’t I have it…if I think it’s OK then it is…I’m entitled to my share of the cake…charity begins at home.

So when the world asks us who this Christ is, what do our lives reply? When they ask what importance he has in our world, what do our lives show? Why do so many people live today without seeming to need to know about him? Is it because we don’t need him?

Is there anything about our lives that gives the impression that it’s someone else who makes us live? Do we appear to be living resurrected lives, on a level that is deeper than simple human existence? Do we live a comfortable Christian existence or do we take risks to live for Christ? Do our ways of looking at problems and difficulties come from Christ? Are we living a risen life? Or are we just the same as everyone else?

Taking up our cross and denying ourselves means more than not complaining about our toothache or giving up chocolate. It’s about identifying ourselves with Christ’s rejection, shame, suffering and death in order to live his new and risen existence.

Jesus asked, who do people say I am? The only way they are going to find out today is through the way we Christians live. Do we go for the easy option or do we follow the Christ of God to the point of denying ourselves for the sake of others?

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned fish and/or meat, tinned fruit, tinned custard, pasta sauce, long grain rice, instant mash, deodorant, washing powder tablets

 

 

ACTS’ (‘ADULT CATHOLICS TOGETHER SPIRITUALLY’) 2018 residential retreat will take place on Fri 26 OCT – SUN 28 OCT.  Fr Tony McGrath will lead the retreat entitled ‘Living the Eucharistic Mystery’ to coincide with ‘The Year of the Eucharist’.   Each Sunday the Church gathers together to celebrate the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life” and Fr McGrath will help us explore what this means for our daily life.  Venue: St Winefride’s Guest House in Holywell, North Wales (lifts may be available).  Attendees will be invited to give an anonymous donation (suggested £100).  For further information contact Siobhan Cartwright (Tel: 0161 477 2783 / mobile 07761 138947) or email siobhanbc@gmail.com.

 

CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day. Senior Emergency Manager Robert Cruickshank will be speaking about CAFOD’s work in the drought-ridden areas of East Africa and Ethiopia in particular.  All welcome to these free events on Monday 17th September at Holy Family Church, Sale M33 2HT, from 2-4pm, and St Joseph’s Church, Penketh, Warrington WA5 2BB, from 7-9pm. RSVP if possible for catering purposes to shrewsbury@cafod.org.uk or call Katie on                                01244 677594/07920 232936.

 

Traidcraft goods will be on sale NEXT weekend

23rd/24th September. Please take a few minutes to browse for ideas for gifts and cards.

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box

by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

24th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	16th	5.00pm   9.30am 7.30pm		Ints Michael Brockway & Emily Poyser Fr Jack McLeish RIP Prayer Meeting
Monday	17th	9.15am		Gerard Edwards RIP
Tuesday	18th	9.15am		Ints Sr Ann Marie Glynn
Wednesday	19th	9.15am		Ints Susan Hosie
Thursday	20th	11.30am		Funeral Service – Michael McCormick
Friday	21st	9.15am		Service of Word & Communion
Saturday	22nd
25th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	23rd	5.00pm 9.30am   7.30pm		Jack McGree Annv RIP Monica Faulkner 75th Birthday Intentions Prayer Meeting
SUNDAY IS A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR HOME MISSIONS
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

 

Money Matters: Offertory collection £590.98p

 

Thank you for your continued generosity.

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre. Why not stay a while and meet up with friends old and new.

 

Our Parish Schools have begun the New School Year well. A welcome Mass will be celebrated on Friday in the Junior School for the Year 3 children. Mrs Bulmer and I would be grateful if you would remember Mrs Clare Moseley and the family in your prayers. Mrs Moseley has taught in the infant school for several years and sadly lost her husband Kieran last week. May he rest in peace. Kieran Moseley’s Funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Pity Church in Greasby.

 

Confirmation 2018: This year’s Confirmation Mass for our LPA Parishes will be held at St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday

23rd November at 7pm. The preparation programme begins next Friday,

21st September with a meeting for candidates, their parents and catechists in the Parish Centre at 6pm. Confirmation is open to Candidates who are currently in Year 9 of High School or above. For further information and to register please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk

Lately Dead: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Michael McCormick who died in Arrowe Park Hospital recently. Funeral Service here at St John’s on Thursday at 11.30am followed by cremation at Landican.

Bishop’s Pastoral Visit: Bishop Mark will be visiting St John’s and St Anne’s Parishes on the weekend of                13^th/14^th October. He will preside and preach at all the Masses and there will be an opportunity to meet him after both Masses and particularly on Sunday after 9.30am when there will be the usual Tea & Coffee in the Parish Centre. The Bishop will visit St John’s Infant and Junior School on the morning of Tuesday 9^th October where he will lead assemblies, visit each class and talk to the Head teacher’s and members of staff. Bishop Mark will visit St John Plessington Catholic College later in the year ……..during the Season of Advent.                          

Adoremus 2018: Our gratitude to all of you who supported Adoremus with your time, enthusiasm, presence and especially your prayers.  About 10,000 Catholics were in Liverpool last weekend for three inspirational days which deepened our understanding and relationship with the Eucharist and culminated in the Blessed Sacrament procession on Sunday. A very special thank you to all those who came into Liverpool for the procession and braved the downpours– the rain only seemed to enhance the atmosphere and singing! Adoremus is still available for all to experience with video keynotes and highlights at https://www.shalomworldtv.org/videos/index/2590  and sound files along with downloadable copies of the talks at http://catholicnews.org.uk/Home/Special-Events/Adoremus-National-Eucharistic-Pilgrimage . Our thanks to the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for their vision and organisation of this historic event. Do contact Fr Pat Munroe or Helen Jones should you need further information or have any comments regarding Adoremus: pat.munroe@btinternet.com or helen.jones@dioceseofshrewsbury.org .

 

LPA 24 Annual Mass at Christ the King Bromborough this Thursday

20^th September followed by light refreshments in the Parish Centre. This Mass is usually held later in the year but has been brought forward in the hope that it will be better attended. I do hope that St John’s will be well represented. Please note that there will be no Mass at St John’s this Thursday.

 

Parish Social/ Fundraising: As there is to be a Macmillan Coffee Morning at     St Anne’s on Friday 28^th September and in many of our schools etc we decided at the recent Parish Pastoral Team meeting to postpone the Quiz night until November. However the Coffee Morning will be going ahead in the Parish Centre on Thursday  11^th October after 9.15am Mass, More details over the next few weeks.

A New SVP Group within the Parish

“Do you want to put your faith into practice in a positive way? Well – here’s your chance!  September is SVP Awareness Month and we want to support the great work that SVP members in our parish have done over many years, and continue to do,  by re-starting our parish SVP group. Members of the SVP will speak at the Masses on

29-30 September, and explain how you can make a real difference to the lives of people in need in our area by becoming a member. The talk at Mass will be followed by a meeting in St. John’s Presbytery on Thursda4^th October at 7.30 pm. when more detailed information will be given.”

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday 29th September. The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury. A coach will leave St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm.

 

Open mornings will be held at St John Plessington Catholic College on

Wednesday, 19th September 2018 –

9am to 11am

Wednesday, 26th September 2018 –

9am to 11am

Benediction in Honour of St Therese of Lisieux will be held on Sunday 30th September at 3pm at the Carmelite Monastery Birkenhead. All Welcome

See poster on notice board at the back of church.

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Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 9th September 2018. Cycle B

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

 

Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 9th September 2018. Cycle B

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: CURED OR HEALED?

 

Can you imagine what it’s like when you know things are going on around you but you don’t know what it’s all about because you’re deaf?

Can you visualise what it’s like wanting to join in all the fun but you can’t because you have a speech impediment and it takes you too long to try and get out what you want to say?

These were the problems of the man whom Jesus meets in today’s gospel. But it wasn’t just about being deaf and dumb; Jesus “unblocked” his ears and tongue as a sign that God can open us out to things unheard and unspoken. There are lots of things that stare us in the face but we still don’t grasp them.

Can you imagine not realising that God was behind creation, as if all the intricacies of the human body simply came together by chance with no intelligent design at its roots? Someone once said that this is tantamount to a whirlwind blowing through a scrap yard and a Rolls Royce being the end result!

Can you imagine going through life and just existing alongside other people without ever experiencing what friendship is? Or thinking that great leaders, inventors or artists reflected their own good qualities without any reference to something greater than themselves?Can you begin to think of what a dry and empty existence you would have if you just lived for today because you believed there is no tomorrow?

There’s much more to life than our ears can hear or our tongues can speak about. And it is this that Jesus wanted the deaf and dumb man to experience. It was not simply a physical cure. Jesus was not just a doctor; he was a healer. He let the man “be opened” to what he could not hear or speak about: to the infinite, to the true meaning of life, to the deeper joys of existence, to what matters, to a faith that he was not alone, to a trust that he would never be abandoned, to a hope that no despair can crush.

Yes, the deaf and dumb man was cured physically. But after his encounter with Jesus he could hear and speak of things that the crowd was unaware of. They watched a cure. But he went through a healing.

 

 

Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all-female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on  07985 312703.

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned fish and/or meat, tinned fruit, tinned custard, pasta sauce, long grain rice, instant mash, deodorant, washing powder tablets

 

 

Merseyaid Thank you to everyone who has donated for the refugees. We are no longer able to accept any clothing at present as we do not have a warehouse on the Wirral to sort out and store our donations. This may change in the future and I will keep you informed. Please keep recycling your pre-loved clothing at other outlets. There are always people in need. For any information telephone me 0151 645 7645. Thank you. Cecily Sabino.

 

 

WORD FOR TODAY

What would you need to hear to make you really happy? What would you want to say with your last words ever? Jesus opens our ears and loosens our tongues. Are we listening and what have we got to say about it?

 

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

23rd Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	9th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Sid & Mary Havaard Annv RIP Brian Nicholson RIP Prayer Meeting
Monday	10th	9.15am		Service of Word & Communion
Tuesday	11th	9.15am		In Thanks Ints St John’s School
Wednesday	12th	9.15am		Thomas McArdle RIP
Thursday	13th	7.30am		Ints Fr Frank Rice
Friday	14th	9.15am		Michael McCreesh RIP
Saturday	15th
24th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	16th	5.00pm   9.30am 7.30pm		Ints Michael Brockway & Emily Poyser Fr Jack McLeish RIP Prayer Meeting
SUNDAY IS A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR EDUCATION
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

Money Matters: Offertory collection £530.82p

Thank you for your continued generosity.

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre. Why not stay a while and meet up with friends old and new.

 

St John’s Junior School: Start of New School Year Mass in Church on Tuesday at 9.15am. Parents and Parishioners most welcome.

 

Baptisms: The diary for Baptisms is filling up rapidly, so please give us plenty of notice by phoning 645 3314 or emailing us, especially if you have a particular date in mind. We do not want anyone to be disappointed.

 

Confirmation 2018: This year’s Confirmation Mass for our LPA Parishes with Bishop Mark presiding will be held at St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. The preparation programme will be starting very shortly and is open to candidates who are currently in Year 9 of High School or above. To register please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk or phone 0151 645 3996. All registered candidates will be contacted early this week with details of the initial meeting for candidates and their parents.

Weddings: If you are intending getting married at St John’s in 2019 please let us know as soon as possible.

 

 

Church Flowers A big “thank you” to the ladies who have joined the team following the recent appeal in the bulletin. If anyone else would like to join our happy band of flower arrangers please contact Kath Clements telephone 0151 334 8272. Ideally we would like to create a four week rota which means that we are looking for just 2 or 3 additional volunteers please.

Adoremus: This weekend

7th-9th September

During the Congress a varied Parallel Programme of events will be taking place in and around Liverpool which are open to everyone. For full details of this parallel programme please follow the Adoremus link at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org.uk. You can also watch it live on the homepages on website:

http://catholicnews.org.uk and http://cbcew.org.uk

LIVE broadcast Sunday 9th September 11am-1pm

Please check Adoremus 2018 Time Table for the programme details available at http://catholicnews.org.uk/Home/Special-Events/Adoremus-National-Eucharistic-Pilgrimage .

 

Parish Social/Fundraising Activities. Many thanks to those parishioners who attended the meeting on Tuesday evening. A number of events have been planned for this term and we are always open to further suggestions. A Parish Quiz Night will be held in the Bebington Liberal Club (next to Church) on Friday 28th September and a Coffee Morning will be held in the Parish Centre on Thursday 11th October after 9.15am Mass. Further details on these events and more in next week’s bulletin.

 

 

 

 

The Parish Pastoral Team meets roughly on a monthly basis…. its minutes are on the designated notice board on the left hand side of the Church. The Pastoral Team’s next meeting is this Wednesday 12th September at 7.30pm in the presbytery. If you have any suggestions/ideas for the team to consider please place them in the suggestions box on the table at the back of Church.

 

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday

29th September. The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury.

A coach will leave St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm.

 

All members of the Shrewsbury Lourdes’ Hospitality are invited to the AGM, which will take place at 2pm on Sunday 23rd September at St Chad’s, Stockport Road, Cheadle, SK8 2AF (for full directions go to St Chad’s website http://www.stchadscheadle.com). Contact kathemsley@gmail.co.uk for further details.

 

Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies 2018-2019

CCRS: Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies commences on 15 September at Our Lady’s, Ellesmere Port with the first of two sessions on the Church led by Fr Michael Coughlan.  You may start the course of 8 modules at the beginning of any of the modules and can take the non-assessed option if you wish. Registration at 9:30am for a 10am start – 3:30pm (please bring lunch).  Full details including registration and fees online at http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/education/ccrs

or email ccrs@dioceseofshrewsbury.org  

You will be made most welcome.

CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day. Senior Emergency Manager Robert Cruickshank will be speaking about CAFOD’s work in the drought-ridden areas of East Africa and Ethiopia in particular.  All welcome to these free events on Monday 17th September at Holy Family Church, Sale M33 2HT, from 2-4pm, and St Joseph’s Church, Penketh, Warrington WA5 2BB, from 7-9pm. RSVP if possible for catering purposes to shrewsbury@cafod.org.uk or call Katie on 01244 677594/07920 232936.

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 2nd September 2018. Cycle B

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

 

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 2nd September 2018. Cycle B

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: LOOPHOLE RELIGION

 

Cardinal Richlieu lived in 17th century France. Like all priests he had made a promise to say the prayers of the Breviary every day. These prayers probably took between 30 minutes and an hour, and in order to get through them he would start at 11.30pm and then at midnight he would say the next day’s prayers. This meant he only had to say the prayers three and a half times a week instead of seven. He fulfilled the religious requirements with the minimum of effort because he’d found the loophole.

The Pharisees in today’s gospel had similar ideas and Jesus detested what they did. They knew how to get away with the minimum because they knew the Law backwards. But perhaps they didn’t know God. They could find all the legal loopholes that made them look good without coming closer to God. And yet they were critical of other ordinary people who struggled to keep the rules. Oddly enough they were not mainly priests. They were largely lay people, illiterate merchants, country people and artisans. At the time of Jesus there were about 6,000 of them.

Jesus called them “hypocrites”, a word that simply means “play actors”. They gave a good performance but their hearts were not in it. And Jesus tells the crowd that God is not interested in the external rituals and practices but in a person’s motives. It’s not what you do but the reason you do it. The “why” is all important.

We sometimes say that a person is a “devout Catholic” or a “staunch Protestant” and we mean it as a compliment. But what does it really mean? What do we have to do in order to qualify for such a reputation? Too often we really mean that these people are always seen in church or are known for their strong beliefs. Today St. James reminds us that all the laws and customs of religion are of no use if we are not really listening to what God wants of us. And he gives us an acid test that is found throughout the bible. How do we treat people who can give us nothing in return (for him these were the widows and orphans of society)? Is our religion about seeing the face of God in the lives of ordinary people and acting on their behalf or is it simply about keeping the rules and safeguarding our traditions? Do we honour God with our hearts or just our lips??

 

Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all-female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on  07985 312703.

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned fish and/or meat, tinned fruit, tinned custard, pasta sauce, long grain rice, instant mash, deodorant, washing powder tablets

 

 

Merseyaid Thank you to everyone who has donated for the refugees. We are no longer able to accept any clothing at present as we do not have a warehouse on the Wirral to sort out and store our donations. This may change in the future and I will keep you informed. Please keep recycling your pre-loved clothing at other outlets. There are always people in need. For any information telephone me 0151 645 7645. Thank you. Cecily Sabino.

 

WORD OF GOD

Theses people honours me only with lip-service while their hearts are far from me. (Mark 7: 6)

 

 

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

22nd Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	2nd	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		John McIntosh RIP Intentions Daly Family Prayer Meeting
Monday	3rd	9.15am		Ints Sr Francis Guiney
Tuesday	4th	9.15am 7.00pm		Michael Brannock Annv RIP Novena
Wednesday	5th	9.15am		Ints Canon Brendan Hoban
Thursday	6th	7.30am		Jack McCormick RIP
Friday	7th	9.15am		Service of Word & Communion
Saturday	8th
23rd Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	9th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Sid & Mary Havaard Annv RIP Brian Nicholson RIP Prayer Meeting
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

Money Matters: Offertory collection £554.51p

The final total for the retiring collection for the Spiritans amounted to £449.80p  Thank you for your continued generosity.

 

Baptisms: The diary for Baptisms is filling up rapidly, so please give us plenty of notice by phoning 645 3314 or emailing us, especially if you have a particular date in mind. We do not want anyone to be disappointed.

 

Confirmation 2018: This year’s Confirmation Mass with Bishop Mark presiding will be held at St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. The preparation programme will start in September and is open to candidates in Year 9 and above. For further info please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk

 

Weddings: If you are intending getting married at St John’s in 2019 please let us know as soon as possible.

 

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre. Why not stay a while and meet up with friends old and new.

 

Catholic Chaplaincy at Wirral Hospitals.

If you or any member of your family or a Catholic neighbour or friend are admitted to any of our local Wirral hospitals and wish to be seen by the Catholic Chaplain or receive the Sacraments during their stay in hospital, please telephone 0151 678 5111 Extn. 2275 and leave the patient’s name and ward along with your request for a visit by the Catholic Chaplain.

 

Church Flowers A big “thank you” to the ladies who have joined the team following the recent appeal in the bulletin. If anyone else would like to join our happy band of flower arrangers please contact Kath Clements telephone 0151 334 8272. Ideally we would like to create a four week rota which means that we are looking for just 2 or 3 additional volunteers please.

Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour  From THIS Tuesday         4^th September at 7pm and every First Tuesday of the month thereafter a group of parishioners are going to pray this devotion in Church at 7pm. This will be followed by a monthly Benediction. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this longstanding devotion of the Church which has and continues to bring many blessings and answers to prayer.

Parish Social/Fundraising activities. THIS Tuesday,    4th September at 7.45pm in the Parish Centre there will be a short meeting to discuss future social and fundraising activities in the Parish. What about a Christmas Fair? The Parish Pastoral Team has identified this as a possibility . Would you like to help to make it a reality bringing together our Parish Family and raising much needed money for our Parish. Please do make every effort to come to the meeting on 4th September and if you cannot make it, please let us know your thoughts/views etc.

Adoremus: Next weekend

7th-9th September in Liverpool. Our Parish Delegates should have now received their tickets and packs. If you have not received your pack please contact helen.jones@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Payments for Adoremus are now due: – £20 for one day, £40 for two. (This is the half price rate promised at the time of booking). Cheques payable to St John’s Parish (or cash) to

Fr Bernard, please, this weekend or sometime during this week.

During the Congress a varied Parallel Programme of events will be taking place in and around Liverpool which are open to everyone. For full details of this parallel programme please follow the Adoremus link at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org.uk.

At Anne’s, Rock Ferry there will be a Day of Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesday,                       5th September from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

 

Mass at 12 noon. This will provide a fitting and immediate preparation for those who are going

to the events in Liverpool and at the same time offer an opportunity for those who cannot attend the congress to spend some time in prayer to support it.

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday

29th September. The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury. A coach will leave

St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm.

 

All members of the Shrewsbury Lourdes’ Hospitality are invited to the AGM, which will take place at

2pm on Sunday 23rd September at St Chad’s, Stockport Road, Cheadle, SK8 2AF (for full directions go to St Chad’s website http://www.stchadscheadle.com). Contact kathemsley@gmail.co.uk for further details.

 

 

A Pastoral Letter

On Celebrating the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress: Come, let us adore!

To be read in all Churches & Chapels of the Diocese on Sunday 2nd September 2018

My dear brothers and sisters,

A great and historic event is about to take place in Liverpool. It will involve several thousand Catholics coming together next weekend, representing millions of the faithful across England and Wales. This, the first National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress to be held in our land for more than a century, has the title ‘Adoremus’ – ‘Let us adore!’ Whilst hundreds of delegates from this Diocese will take part in the Congress on the Friday and Saturday, the National Pilgrimage will close on the Sunday with an event open to everyone: a Blessed Sacrament Procession starting from the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 1 pm. I hope you may be able to take part in this act of public witness. However, I appreciate many will not be able to be physically present in Liverpool, so I write to invite you to be personally and spiritually part of this pilgrimage. Pope Francis spoke in June this year of how Christ now gives himself to us under the simple form of bread; this, the Holy Father declared, is “the only food which satisfies, for there is no greater love. There we encounter Jesus really …” It led Pope Francis to make this call to everyone: “Let us make Mass our priority! Let us rediscover Eucharistic adoration in our communities”.1

This is a beautiful description of the goals of the Liverpool Pilgrimage and Congress and explains how each of us can be part of it. It is a moment to renew our faith and love for Jesus, truly God and truly Man, who “makes himself wholly and entirely present” in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.2 In the words of Saint John Paul II, “Faith demands we approach the Eucharist fully aware that we are approaching Christ himself”.3 Today in the Book of Deuteronomy we read, “What great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord God is to us whenever we call to him?” (Dt 4:7). The answer to this question is now wonderfully given in the Mystery of the Eucharist. May we all draw closer to Him who desired to remain so close to us, and not become like those of whom Jesus says in the Gospel, this “people honours me with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me” (Mk 7:6).

1 Homily of Pope Francis, Corpus Christi 2018
2 cf CCC 1374
3 Abide with us Lord, Apostolic Letter of Pope Saint John Paul II, 2004

1

Pastoral Letter: National Eucharistic Pilgrimage & Congress – Sunday 2nd September 2018

When the Church taught how we must each respond wholeheartedly to Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, she turned to the Gospel scenes beginning with the wise men who fell down to worship the infant Jesus. In the same way the Church teaches that, “all the faithful of Christ … must venerate this holy sacrament with the worship which is due to the true God (latria) … For in it we believe that the same God is present whom the eternal Father brought into the world, saying ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him’ (Heb. 1:6), whom the Magi fell down to worship (cf Mt 2:11) and whom finally, the apostles adored in Galilee as Scripture testifies” (cf Mt 28:17).4 In the first centuries of the Church, Saint Augustine expressed this call to adore the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood saying, “No one eats that flesh without first adoring it, we should sin were we not to adore it”.5 Eucharistic Adoration is the consequence of the Eucharistic celebration which is itself the Church’s supreme act of adoration, as Pope Benedict explained, “Receiving the Eucharist means adoring him whom we receive”.6

Next Sunday I wish to encourage you to make your own personal pilgrimage by spending some generous time in adoration of Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Saint John Vianney said this time will be the happiest moments we spend on earth! Let us also make reparation for all our coldness and indifference towards so great a Gift as we recognise that “In the Eucharist Jesus does not give us a ‘thing,’ but himself”.7 May this also be a moment to pray for those in our own families, parishes and our nation as a whole who may have lost sight of so great a Love revealed in the Eucharist, “a love which knows no measure”.8

May this coming Sunday be marked by such adoration renewed not only in the hearts of the delegates gathered in Liverpool but in every parish and community of our Shrewsbury Diocese. Let us hear the invitation in the memorable words of Saint John Paul II, “Jesus waits for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous in going to meet him in adoration and contemplation that is full of faith … May our adoration never cease”.9

United with you in this Eucharistic faith and adoration,

+ Mark

Bishop of Shrewsbury

4 Decree on the Most Holy Eucharist, Council of Trent, Chapter 5 5 Commentary on the Psalms 98:9
6 Sacramentum Caritatis, n 66
7 Sacramentum Caritatis, n 7

8 Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n 11 9 Dominicae Cenae, n 3

2

Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 26th August 2018. Cycle B

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

 

Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 26th August 2018. Cycle B

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: WHY ARE YOU HERE?

 

Some of the people who followed Jesus were only there for what they could get out of it. They were happy to think that he might overthrow the Romans because this would give them a chance of an easier life. They were happy to be fed along with the other 5,000 but when he started talking about being food and drink himself they ditched him. How could anyone accept such intolerable language, they said. He was demanding too much. There are people even today who treat religion as an effective form of networking, as a club or a society which it’s good to be seen at.

Others seemed to want to be involved but only on their own terms. They asked what they ought to do if they were to be pleasing to God. But in fact all they really wanted was a list of rules to follow. It’s easier to have a set of laws than to have a relationship with God, because then all you have to do is keep the laws. You don’t have to go the extra mile or show that your love is real. You just have to keep your nose clean. Our century is not short of people for whom obeying the commandments is more important than really knowing God or sharing in Christ’s suffering.

There are always people who are just there for the fun of it. They asked him for a sign, for a miracle, for some form of entertainment. Moses gave our ancestors manna; what trick are you going to do for us? And when yesterday’s miracle was over and done with they moved off in search of something else to interest them. Sometimes today too we see fickle Christians who are never happy unless they’re on a religious high. So they wander from church to church in search of the latest theories, better music, a more original style of preaching, a nicer building or a more charismatic leader. Their lack of staying power betrays a lack of commitment to Jesus.

It’s possible to call yourself a Christian but not to have a relationship with Christ. It’s possible to come to church but for the wrong reasons.

If you are to work for God, said Jesus, then you must believe in the one he has sent. After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him. So why are you here?

Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all-female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on  07985 312703.

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned custard, sugar (small if possible), washing up liquid, tea, tinned spaghetti, small cereal, sponge puddings.

 

 

Merseyaid Thank you to everyone who has donated for the refugees. We are no longer able to accept any clothing at present as we do not have a warehouse on the Wirral to sort out and store our donations. This may change in the future and I will keep you informed. Please keep recycling your pre-loved clothing at other outlets. There are always people in need. For any information telephone me 0151 645 7645. Thank you. Cecily Sabino.

 

 

WORD FOR TODAY

By our celebration of the liturgy we make Christ truly present among us. We are nourished by his word and fed by his very body and blood. What else could we ask for? Where else could we think of going?

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty First Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	26th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Ann Gemmell B.Day Ints St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Monday	27th			No Mass or Service
Tuesday	28th	9.15am		Ints Alexander Family
Wednesday	29th	9.15am		Service of Word &b Communion
Thursday	30th	7.30am		Ints Bishop Brian Noble
Friday	31st	9.15am		Ints Grace Group
Saturday	1st
Twenty Second Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	2nd	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		John McIntosh RIP Intentions Daly Family Prayer Meeting
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

Money Matters: Thank you for last weekend’s Offertory collection which amounted to £491.89p.

Fr Kenneth Okoli of the Spiritans (the Holy Ghost Fathers) thanks everyone for your welcome last weekend. The retiring collection raised £424.80p. Thank you for your great generosity.

 

World Meeting of Families: Dublin, Ireland has been chosen by Pope Francis to host this weekend’s World Meeting of Families guided by the theme “The Gospel of Family: Joy to the World”. Held every three years, this major international event brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the central importance of marriage and the family as the cornerstone of our lives, of society and of the Church.

Baptisms: The diary for Baptisms is filling up rapidly, so please give us plenty of notice by phoning 645 3314 or emailing us, especially if you have a particular date in mind. We do not want anyone to be disappointed.

 

Confirmation 2018: This year’s Confirmation Mass with Bishop Mark presiding will be held at St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. The preparation programme will start in September and is open to candidates in Year 9 and above. For further info please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk

 

Weddings: If you are intending getting married at St John’s in 2019 please let us know as soon as possible.

 

Catholic Chaplaincy at Wirral Hospitals. If you or any member of your family or a Catholic neighbour or friend are admitted to any of our local Wirral hospitals and wish to be seen by the Catholic Chaplain or receive the Sacraments during their stay in hospital, please telephone 0151 678 5111 Extn. 2275 and leave the patient’s name and ward along with your request for a visit by the Catholic Chaplain.

 

Church Flowers A big “thank you” to the ladies who have joined the team following the recent appeal in the bulletin. If anyone else would like to join our happy band of flower arrangers please contact Kath Clements telephone 0151 334 8272. Ideally we would like to create a four week rota which means that we are looking for just 2 or 3 additional volunteers please.

Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Following  on from the very well supported Novena held here at    St John’s in June from Tuesday        4^th September at 7pm and every First Tuesday of the month thereafter a group of parishioners are going to pray this devotion              in Church at 7pm. This will be followed by a monthly Benediction. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this longstanding devotion of the Church which has and continues to bring many blessings and answers to prayer.

Parish Social/Fundraising Activities. On Tuesday,    4th September at 7.45pm in the Parish Centre there will be a short meeting to discuss future social and fundraising activities in the Parish. What about a Christmas Fair? The Parish Pastoral Team has identified this as a possibility . Would you like to help to make it a reality bringing together our Parish Family and raising much needed money for our Parish. Please do make every effort to come to the meeting on 4th September and if you cannot make it, please let us know your thoughts/views etc.

Adoremus: Delegates should receive their tickets and packs over the next few days. If you have not received your pack by 28th August, please contact Helen.jones@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

During the Congress a varied Parallel Programme of events will be taking place in and around Liverpool which are open n to everyone. For full details of this parallel programme please follow the Adoremus link at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org.uk.

At St Anne’s, Rock Ferry there will be a Day of Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesday,             5th September from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Mass at 12 noon. This will provide a fitting and immediate preparation for those who are going

to the events in Liverpool and at the same time offer an opportunity for those who cannot attend the congress to spend some time in prayer to support it.

 

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday

29th September. The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury. A coach will leave St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm. If you are interested please sign your name to the list at the back of Church

by 31st August.

 

 

The next singing practice will be this Thursday 30th August at 7.30pm in the Day Chapel. These are not CHOIR practices but for ANYONE who enjoys SINGING. All welcome.

 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 19th August 2018. Cycle B

Foundation Governors: The Diocese has a number of vacancies for Foundation Governors within our Deanery particularly people with financial experience. If you would be interested in joining a Governing Body then please contact Sue Blackwell at the Curial Offices sue.blackwell@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank.  The need is as great as ever.  Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned custard, sugar (small if possible), washing up liquid, tea, tinned spaghetti, small cereal, sponge puddings.

Merseyaid Thank you to everyone who has donated for the refugees.  We are no longer able to accept any clothing at present as we do not have a warehouse on the Wirral to sort out and store our donations.  This may change in the future and I will keep you informed.  Please keep recycling your pre-loved clothing at other outlets.  There are always people in need.  For any information telephone me 0151 645 7645.  Thank you. Cecily Sabino.  

WORD OF GOD

This is the bread come down from heaven,not like the bread our ancestors ate:they are dead. But anyone who eats this breadwill live for ever. (John 6: 58)

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word.  It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

Parish Priest:  Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:    www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 19th August 2018. Cycle B

FAITH IN FOCUS: I AM

When Moses asked God what his name was, God said it was “I AM” (Yahweh). It was God’s way of saying that he was the source of all being, the author of life, the indescribable one.

In St John’s gospel Jesus calls himself “I AM” on eight occasions. We’re not just talking about “I am…” in a simple way, as when we say “I am going home…I’m hungry…I’m fed up”. We’re talking about “I AM” as a title, a name. So we hear Jesus call himself (with this divine title) the Light of the World, the Gate of the Sheepfold, the Good Shepherd, the Son of God, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, Truth and Life, and the Vine. And today St John recalls that Jesus said, “I AM the Bread of Life”.

Each time St John quotes this title, “I AM”, he is trying to show the divinity of Jesus. He is trying to show that the teaching of Jesus points to a oneness between himself and the Father. What Jesus has to offer is different from any other teaching, because it comes from God. Unlike any other teaching it offers life. It lasts. The bread that Jesus offers is not like the manna that people of old ate, for they are now dead. But whoever eats his flesh will live for ever.

To accept Jesus as the Bread of Life, the living bread, means that we draw the meaning of life from him. To eat and drink his body and blood means that he is what nourishes all our existence. His person, his teaching and his presence pulsate through all our decisions, our choices and our actions. He becomes the source and cause of our life. We can wander through this world living and breathing like everyone else, but that is no guarantee that we have life within us. But anyone who hears Jesus say “I AM the Bread of Life” and eats and drinks of his flesh and blood has eternal life. Not just in the future but now. For his flesh is real food and his blood is real drink. Are you convinced? I am.

Twentieth

Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B

19th

5.00pm

9.30am

7.30pm

James & Janette McLaughlin Annv RIP

John McLean RIP

Prayer Meeting

Monday

20th

9.15am

Service of Word & Communion

Tuesday

21st

9.15am

Service of Word & Communion

Wednesday

22nd

9.15am

Service of Word & Communion

Thursday

23rd

9.15am

Service of Word & Communion

Friday

24th

9.15am

Brian Nicholson RIP

Saturday

25th

Twenty First Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B

26th

5.00pm

9.30am

7.30pm

Ann Gemmell B.Day Ints

St John’s Parishioners

Prayer Meeting

Confessions

Saturday 4.15-4.45pm

Morning Prayer

15 minutes before daily Masses

Fr Frank Rice celebrates his 90th birthday today (Sunday 19th August).  Please keep Fr Frank in your thoughts and prayers as he now resides in Brookfield Nursing Home in West Kirby.

Money Matters:  Thank you for last weekend’s Offertory collection which amounted to £526.55p.

Annual Mission Appeal  This weekend Fr Kenneth Okoli will be celebrating both Masses for Fr Bernard and preaching the Annual Mission Appeal (at both St John’s and at St Anne’s) on behalf of the Spiritans (the Holy Ghost Fathers).  I know you will give        Fr Kenneth a warm welcome and be generous to the retiring collection.

Baptisms: The diary for Baptisms is filling up rapidly, so please give us plenty of notice by phoning 645 3314 or emailing us, especially if you have a particular date in mind.  We do not want anyone to be disappointed.

Confirmation 2018:  This year’s Confirmation Mass with Bishop Mark presiding will be held at

St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday

23rd November at 7pm.  The preparation programme will start in September and is open to candidates in Year 9 and above.  For further info please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk

Weddings:  If you are intending getting married at St John’s in 2019 please let us know as soon as possible.

Catholic Chaplaincy at Wirral Hospitals.  If you or any member of your family or a Catholic neighbour or friend are admitted to any of our local Wirral hospitals and wish to be seen by the Catholic Chaplain or receive the Sacraments during their stay in hospital, please telephone 0151 678 5111 Extn. 2275 and leave the patient’s name and ward along with your request for a visit by the Catholic Chaplain.

Church Flowers A big “thank you” to the ladies who have joined the team following the recent appeal in the bulletin. If anyone else would like to join our happy band of flower arrangers please contact Kath Clements telephone 0151 334 8272. Ideally we would like to create a four week rota which means that we are looking for just 2 or 3 additional volunteers please.

Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Following  on from the very well supported Novena held here at   St John’s in June from Tuesday                 4th September at 7pm and every First Tuesday of the month thereafter a group of parishioners are going to pray this devotion in Church at 7pm. This will be followed by a monthly Benediction. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this longstanding devotion of the Church which has and continues to bring many blessings and answers to prayer.

Adoremus:  Our tickets should be issued in about ten days’ time and then Fr Bernard will be looking for the half price payments from participants.  

There will be a Deanery Day of Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at

St Anne’s, Rock Ferry, on Wednesday

5th September from 10.30am to 4pm including Mass at 12 noon. This will provide a fitting and an immediate preparation for those who are going to the events in Liverpool and at the same time offer an opportunity to those who cannot attend the congress to spend some time in prayer to support it.

Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all-female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on  07985 312703.

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday

29th September.  The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury.  A coach will leave St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm.  If you are interested please sign your name to the list at the back of Church by 31st August.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 12th August 2018. Cycle B

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

 

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 12th August 2018. Cycle B

 

Foundation Governors: The Diocese has a number of vacancies for Foundation Governors within our Deanery particularly people with financial experience. If you would be interested in joining a Governing Body then please contact Sue Blackwell at the Curial Offices sue.blackwell@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

 

Caritas Shrewsbury is looking for an experienced and dedicated person to be our Family Support Social Worker. The post is for 21 hours per week working in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, but predominantly in the South Manchester Area. Work pattern: Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm. For more information and an application pack, please contact Claire Griffiths Tel 0151 652 1281; email Claire.griffiths@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Please also visit us online at: www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Application packs can also be downloaded from our website caritasshrewsbury.org.uk.

Closing date for applications is 16th August, 2018.

 

Merseyaid Thank you to everyone who has donated for the refugees. We are no longer able to accept any clothing at present as we do not have a warehouse on the Wirral to sort out and store our donations. This may change in the future and I will keep you informed. Please keep recycling your pre-loved clothing at other outlets. There are always people in need. For any information telephone me 0151 645 7645. Thank you. Cecily Sabino.

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned custard, sugar (small if possible), washing up liquid, tea, tinned spaghetti, small cereal, sponge puddings.

 

 

WORD OF GOD

Elijah went into the wilderness, a day’s journey,and sitting under a furze bush wished he were dead. (I Kings 19: 4)

 

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: FED UP?

 

Elijah became clinically depressed due to events in his life. He had feelings of hopelessness and pessimism. He just wanted to sit down and die. He felt worthless and helpless even though he had won a great victory over the false prophets. He’d lost all interest.

The angel told him to eat and drink, otherwise the journey would be too much for him. He ate and drank the scone bread and the water, and then he received such strength that he walked for forty days and nights (a symbolic figure indicating trial or testing). He needed that food and drink in order to function properly.

Let’s hope that we are not clinically depressed, although it’s a relatively common complaint in modern society. But there can come times when we wonder if we’re making any impact on our surroundings, when we feel as if the odds are stacked against us and perhaps even wonder whether God has given up on us. We go off our food.

Today Jesus tells us that in faith terms we cannot go it alone. We will tire and end up losing heart. We need to stoke up with energy, and that nourishment comes from the bread of life, the eucharist. If we’re fed up then it’s are sure sign we need to be fed.

One of the saddest things is to see someone who doesn’t go to communion because they think they are not good enough. What a mistake! Communion is not a reward for good people. It’s a remedy for those who know how bad they are and want to get better.

If we had to rely on merit before we could receive communion then no one would ever qualify to eat and drink the body and blood of Christ. It is by joining with the believing community, hearing the invitation of God’s word and sharing in the gift of eucharist, that we are kept going. Jesus tells us that his body and blood are what keeps Christians alive. Anyone who eats it will live for ever. And you can’t ask for more than that!

 

 

 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	12th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Ints Margaret Brannon St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Monday	13th	9.15am		John McIntosh RIP
Tuesday	14th	9.15am		Service of Word & Communion
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	15th	7.30am 7.30pm		Gerard Edwards RIP Vocations
Thursday	16th	9.15am		Ints Kinni Family
Friday	17th	9.15am		Service of Word & Communion
Saturday	18th
Twentieth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	19th	5.00pm   9.30am 7.30pm		James & Janette McLaughlin Annv RIP John McLean RIP Prayer Meeting
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre will be taking a holiday break during the month of August and will recommence in September. Thanks for your continued support.

 

Money Matters: Thank you for last weekend’s Offertory collection which amounted to £597.87p.

 

Annual Mission Appeal  Next weekend Fr Kenneth Okoli will be celebrating both Masses for Fr Bernard and preaching the Annual Mission Appeal (at both St John’s and at St Anne’s) on behalf of the Spiritans (the Holy Ghost Fathers). I know you will give Fr Kenneth a warm welcome and be generous to next Sunday’s retiring collection

 

The Feast of the Assumption is this

Wednesday 15^th August. This Feast of Our Blessed Lady ,,,,,,,,,,,,a Holyday of Obligation will be celebrated with the following Masses across our LPA…………….here at St John’s 7.30am & 7.30pm, at St Anne’s, Rock Ferry at 12 noon, at St Luke’s Bebington at 9.15am & 7.30pm and at Christ the King Bromborough at 9.15am.

 

Baptisms: The diary for Baptisms is filling up rapidly, so please give us plenty of notice by phoning 645 3314 or emailing us, especially if you have a particular date in mind. We do not want anyone to be disappointed.

 

Confirmation 2018: This year’s Confirmation Mass with Bishop Mark presiding will be held at St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. The preparation programme will start in September and is open to candidates in Year 9 and above. For further info please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk

 

Weddings: If you are intending getting married at St John’s in 2019 please let us know as soon as possible.

 

 

Catholic Chaplaincy at Wirral Hospitals. If you or any member of your family or a Catholic neighbour or friend are admitted to any of our local Wirral hospitals and wish to be seen by the Catholic Chaplain or receive the Sacraments during their stay in hospital, please telephone 0151 678 5111 Extn. 2275 and leave the patient’s name and ward along with your request for a visit by the Catholic Chaplain.

 

Church Flowers A big “thank you” to the ladies who have joined the team following the recent appeal in the bulletin. If anyone else would like to join our happy band of flower arrangers please contact Kath Clements telephone 0151 334 8272. Ideally we would like to create a four week rota which means that we are looking for just 2 or 3 additional volunteers please.

Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Following  on from the very well supported Novena held here at St John’s in June from Tuesday 4^th September at 7pm and every First Tuesday of the month thereafter a group of parishioners are going to pray this devotion in Church at 7pm. This will be followed by a monthly Benediction. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this longstanding devotion of the Church which has and continues to bring many blessings and answers to prayer.

Adoremus: Our tickets should be issued in about ten days’ time and then Fr Bernard will be looking for the half price payments from participants.

There will be a Deanery Day of Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at

St Anne’s, Rock Ferry, on Wednesday

5th September from 10.30am to 4pm including Mass at 12 noon. This will provide a fitting and an immediate preparation for those who are going to the events in Liverpool and at the same time offer an opportunity to those who cannot attend the congress to spend some time in prayer to support it.

 

 

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday

29th September. The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury. A coach will leave St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm. If you are interested please sign your name to the list at the back of Church.

 

Following on from the New Beginnings for New Ferry Coffee morning last Wednesday, copies of “Our New Ferry Survey” are on the table at the back of Church. Completed forms should be posted through the presbytery letterbox.

 

Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all-female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on 

07985 312703.

 

 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 5th August 2018. Cycle B

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury  (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 5th August 2018. Cycle B

 

 

Caritas Shrewsbury is looking for an experienced and dedicated person to be our Family Support Social Worker. The post is for 21 hours per week working in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, but predominantly in the South Manchester Area. Work pattern: Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm. For more information and an application pack, please contact Claire Griffiths Tel 0151 652 1281; email Claire.griffiths@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Please also visit us online at: www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Application packs can also be downloaded from our website caritasshrewsbury.org.uk.

Closing date for applications is 16th August, 2018.

 

 

 

The Holy Family Sisters are looking for a Deputy Manager and Health Care Assistant at the Holy Family Covent Care Unit in Rock Ferry. Full details can be found on the notice board at the back of Church or by phoning the Convent on 0151 645 9482 before 10th August.

 

 

 

WORD OF GOD

I tell you solemnly, you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat. (John 6:26)

 

 

 

 

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: MIXED MOTIVES

 

Have you ever wondered why people practise the religion they do? Take Christianity, for example. The essence of Christianity is love of God through love of neighbour. In other words to be a Christian is to put others always before your self. It means being at the service of whomever is in need.

It’s not rocket science to see that this approach to life is going to cause Christians a good deal of inconvenience, not to mention suffering and hardship at times. That’s why one of Christianity’s mottoes is about carrying your cross.

A more natural way of life would be to feather your own nest, to make sure that you are well provided for and comfortable and then, if it took your fancy, to think about helping others, provided that they weren’t too much of a nuisance.

So why do we do what we do? Some people think that religion is a sort of insurance policy that they take out to give themselves a soft landing in the afterlife. At best we can say that they see this way of living as qualifying them for eternal life. Their motivation is the reward of heaven.

Other individuals have ulterior motives for practising their religion. Sometimes these are harmless, like enjoying the company of other people or feeling good after a good Church sing-along. Not so helpful ulterior motives could be the desire to be seen as part of the religious community for social reasons, to get votes in an election or to increase the sales of your ironmongery business. This is to use religion for other purposes.

Of course, there are folk who espouse Christianity because they are absolutely convinced by the teaching of Jesus; it makes sense of life here and now and it offers the best chance of living life to the full. They can see the wisdom of it all and can appreciate what God is promising on both sides of the grave.

In today’s gospel Jesus looks at the crowd and sees all the above types of people: those who believe because they have seen the signs and those who believe because they have had all the bread they wanted to eat. Which are you?

 

Eighteenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	5th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Fr Jack McLeish RIP St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Monday	6th	9.15am		Jeanette Wagg RIP
Tuesday	7th	9.15am		Ints Teresa & Ernie Young
Wednesday	8th	9.15am		Rita Snape RIP
Thursday	9th	7.30am		Ints Fr Frank Rice
Friday	10th	9.15am		Service of Word & Communion
Saturday	11th
Nineteenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	12th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Ints Margaret Brannon St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

Many thanks ton Fr Paschal Byrne from St Luke’s for

celebrating this Saturday’s 5.00pm Mass in

Fr Bernard’s absence.

Baptisms: The diary for Baptisms is filling up rapidly, so please give us plenty of notice by phoning 645 3314 or emailing us, especially if you have a particular date in mind. We do not want anyone to be disappointed.

 

First Communion: Patrick Szyba will make his First Holy Communion at 9.30am Mass this Sunday,

 

Confirmation 2018: This year’s Confirmation Mass with Bishop Mark presiding will be held at St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. The preparation programme will start in September and is open to candidates in Year 9 and above. For further info please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk

 

 

Weddings: If you are intending getting married at St John’s in 2019 please let us know as soon as possible.

 

Catholic Chaplaincy at Wirral Hospitals. If you or any member of your family or a Catholic neighbour or friend are admitted to any of our local Wirral hospitals and wish to be seen by the Catholic Chaplain or receive the Sacraments during their stay in hospital, please telephone 0151 678 5111 Extn. 2275 and leave the patient’s name and ward along with your request for a visit by the Catholic Chaplain.

Money Matters: Thank you for last weekend’s Offertory collection which amounted to £476.13p.

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre. Why not stay a while and meet up with friends old and new. If you would like to join the Tea/Coffee rota, please have a word with Noelene Evans or

Fr Bernard.

The Feast of the Assumption is on Wednesday 15^th August (a week on Wednesday). This Feast of Our Blessed Lady ,,,,,,,,,,,,a Holyday of Obligation will be celebrated with the following Masses across our LPA………..here at St John’s 7.30am & 7.30pm, at St Anne’s, Rock Ferry at 12 noon, at St Luke’s Bebington at 9.15am & 7.30pm and at Christ the King Bromborough at 9.15am.

Adoremus: Our tickets should be issued in about ten days’ time and then Fr Bernard will be looking for the half price payments from participants.

There will be a Deanery Day of Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament at

St Anne’s, Rock Ferry, on Wednesday

5th September from 10.30am to 4pm including Mass at 12 noon. This will provide a fitting and an immediate preparation for those who are going to the events in Liverpool and at the same time offer an opportunity to those who cannot attend the congress to spend some time in prayer to support it.

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday

29th September. The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury. A coach will leave

St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm. If you are interested please sign your name to the list at the back of Church.

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned custard, sugar (small if possible), washing up liquid, tea, tinned spaghetti, small cereal, sponge puddings.

 

Following on from the New Beginnings for New Ferry Coffee morning last Wednesday, copies of “Our New Ferry Survey” are on the table at the back of Church. Completed forms should be posted through the presbytery letterbox.

 

 

Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all-female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on 

07985 312703

 

Foundation Governors: The Diocese has a number of vacancies for Foundation Governors within our Deanery particularly people with financial experience. If you would be interested in joining a Governing Body then please contact Sue Blackwell at the Curial Offices sue.blackwell@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

 

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 29th July 2018. Cycle B

Caritas Shrewsbury is looking for an experienced and dedicated person to be our Family Support Social Worker. The post is for 21 hours per week working in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, but predominantly in the South Manchester Area. Work pattern: Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm. For more information and an application pack, please contact Claire Griffiths Tel 0151 652 1281; email Claire.griffiths@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Please also visit us online at: www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Application packs can also be downloaded from our website caritasshrewsbury.org.uk.

Closing date for applications is 16th August, 2018.

 

 

Wirral Job Alert! Payroll Officer – 35 hours per week – Permanent £17,290 per annum Wirral based charity WIRED require an experienced payroll administrator to work within the WIRED Payroll Service based in Wirral. WIRED’s busy payroll department provides Direct Payments Payroll, Managed Budget administration (Social Care Funds) and Small Business Payroll services to a range of clients across the North West. The successful applicant will be experienced in accurate and timely payroll production in accordance with statutory regulations, a proficient IRIS Payroll Professional operator with strong skills in Microsoft Word and Excel and a good communicator with high attention to detail. An aptitude for figures is also essential. HOW TO APPLY: Download and complete the application pack available via

http://www.wired.me.uk/Current-vacancies.asp

For more information contact Gill Tudor on

0151 522 7990 (Finance Department, option 6 on telephone system) Closing date: 10th August 2018.

 

WORD FOR TODAY

After the crowd of 5,000 people had finished its meal there were 12 baskets collected of left-over scraps. God always gives us more than we need, more than we deserve and more than we could ever dare to ask for. When it comes to love, God wastes a lot.

 

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 29th July 2018. Cycle B

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: JUST IMAGINE!

 

Just imagine going to someone’s house for dinner and finding that they provided so much to eat that at the end of the evening there were twelve platefuls over.

What a waste!

 

Just imagine an intelligent being capable of creating the world and providing so much fertile land and water that the whole of creation could exist in a perfect balance of nature! What a surplus!

Just imagine being filled with such goodness that you couldn’t keep it to yourself and you created men and women and gave them the opportunity to know you and share your life!

What a love!

 

Just imagine having a relationship with every living being to the extent that you knew their inmost thoughts and desires, cared for them, gave them the chance to develop to the full and to have the most exquisite skills in art, science, music, sport etc! What a gift!

 

Just imagine being betrayed by those you loved most and yet never abandoning them but instead constantly inviting them back to share all the good things you want them to have! What a sense of mercy!Just imagine giving up the most precious thing you had, your own son, and allowing him to be abused by those who thought they knew better than you so that he could help others to see the true meaning of life! What a sacrifice!Just imagine someone who not only provided us with our daily staple diet of food and drink but offered to continue being with us day in and day out under the form of bread and wine so that we could begin to share on earth an existence that will come to perfection in heaven! What a mystery!

 

Just imagine a God of prodigality, surplus, love, gift, mercy, sacrifice and mystery! And then you’ve only just begun. There’s still lots left. More than twelve platefuls!

 

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	29th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		John McIntosh RIP St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Monday	30th	9.15am		No Mass or Service
Tuesday	31st	9.15am		Ints Poor Clares Hawarden
Wednesday	1st	9.15am		Gerard Edwards RIP
Thursday	2nd	7.30am		Intentions Colin Lee
Friday	3rd	9.15am		John Blakeway RIP
Saturday	4th
Eighteenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	5th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Fr Jack McLeish RIP St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

There will be no Mass or Service on Monday as work is continuing on the Confessional to bring it in line with the latest safeguarding requirements. The times of Masses for the rest of the week will not be affected.

Baptisms: The diary for Baptisms is filling up rapidly, so please give us plenty of notice by phoning 645 3314 or emailing us, especially if you have a particular date in mind. We do not want anyone to be disappointed.

 

 

First Communion: Patrick Syzba will make his First Holy Communion at 9.30am Mass next Sunday,

5th August.

 

Confirmation 2018: This year’s Confirmation Mass, with Bishop Mark presiding, will be held at St Anne’s Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. The preparation programme will start in September and is open to candidates in Year 9 and above. For further information please email us at st.annes@hotmail.co.uk

 

 

Weddings: If you are intending getting married at St John’s in 2019 please let us know as soon as possible.

 

Fr Frank Rice is now resident in a nursing home in West Kirby. Because of Fr Frank’s condition visits are not encouraged at this stage but he does ask for a remembrance in your daily prayers.

Catholic Chaplaincy at Wirral Hospitals If you or any member of your family or a Catholic neighbour or friend are admitted to any of our local Wirral hospitals and wish to be seen by the Catholic Chaplain or receive the Sacraments during their stay in hospital, please telephone 0151 678 5111 Extn. 2275 and leave the patient’s name and ward along with your request for a visit by the Catholic Chaplain.

 

Money Matters: Thank you for last weekend’s Offertory collection which amounted to £724.21p.

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre. Why not stay a while and meet up with friends old and new. If you would like to join the Tea/Coffee rota, please have a word with Noelene Evans or Fr Bernard.

 

Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage: This year marks the 160th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady to St Bernadette in Lourdes. This weekend there are over 750 pilgrims from the Shrewsbury Diocese at Our Lady’s shrine. It is possible to tune into the live feed for the International Mass which is at 8.30am BST today (Sunday) and the Grotto Mass at 8.45am BST tomorrow (Monday). The link is

www.lourdes-france.org and then select

Lourdes TV.

 

LPA Trip to Shrewsbury: The local parishes are arranging a trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday

29th September. The trip will include Mass and a tour of   the Cathedral followed by free time to explore Shrewsbury. A coach will leave

St John’s at 8.15am and will depart Shrewsbury at 4pm. If you are interested please sign your name to the list at the back of Church.

 

Following on from the New Beginnings for New Ferry Coffee morning last Wednesday, copies of

“Our New Ferry. Completed forms should be posted through the presbytery letterbox.

 

‘Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on 

07985 312703

 

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned custard, sugar (small if possible), washing up liquid, tea, tinned spaghetti, small cereal, sponge puddings.

 

 

 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 22nd July 2018. Cycle B

URGENT APPEAL FOR MEDICAL HELP. The next annual pilgrimage to Lourdes by Jumbulance marks the 25th anniversary since I became Group Leader of the Chester Group. Sadly, one of my nurses has had to withdraw and so I urgently require a replacement – or we cannot travel.

Chester Across Group urgently require another nurse (or Doctor) to travel overland to Lourdes by Jumbulance. The latter is literally a Jumbo-Ambulance with seven beds, an accessible toilet and kitchen. Now in our 25th year, sadly, one of our nurses has withdrawn so another is needed. Dates: Thursday

30th August to Saturday 8th Sept. Cost. Nurses are asked to pay half price – £400 – but we do fundraising to subsidise anyone who cannot afford to pay the full amount.

For further information please contact Group Leader Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or by email tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk See Poster on notice board at back of church for details

 

 

WORD FOR TODAY

None of us is here simply to look after our own skins. Each of us is intended to be a shepherd for others. Whom are we called to guide? Whom do we feel responsible for? How do we live out our role as shepherds and who guides us?

 

 

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned custard, sugar (small if possible), washing up liquid, tea, tinned spaghetti, small cereal, sponge puddings.

 

 

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 22nd July 2018. Cycle B

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: SHEPHERDS AND SHEEP

 

Jeremiah usually gets called the “Prophet of Doom”. It’s rather an unfair title since all he was doing was pointing out that if people continued to ignore what God expected of them then they would suffer dire consequences. And suffer they did; they were exiled to Iraq and lived for years in misery not far from Baghdad.

It would be easy to read what Jeremiah has to say about negligent shepherds and simply apply it today to those in positions of leadership. The political leaders were involved in shady deals and the religious leaders gave the people a religion that they wanted to hear. Maybe we can make a stick out of this to beat modern-day politicians and clergy. But that would be to miss the point.

What Jeremiah actually prophesises is hope not doom. For he tells the people that although they may suffer bad leadership, although they are heading for a fall, they are still God’s people and they will never be abandoned. God will raise up a shepherd who will be called “The Lord-our-Integrity” or “The Justice of Yahweh”. And this shepherd will gather those who have remained faithful to the Lord and lead them back to where the pasture is good. It’s a promise not a threat.

In today’s society someone’s always got to take the blame. We blame politicians for the state of our living conditions and we blame clergy when things in the Church don’t go as we think they should. Maybe we ought sometimes to acknowledge our own part in the mess that we are quick to criticise. How active are we in local politics, or do we simply enjoy moaning about what others are trying to do? How involved are we in the Monday to Saturday concerns of our parish, or do we simply turn up on Sundays and expect everything to be fine? Are we using our “shepherds” as “scapegoats”, and then complaining that we’re being fleeced?

Jeremiah’s message was one of hope. God is greater than any failure we can concoct. God will never abandon us completely. But the fact that we have shepherds does not mean that we should behave like sheep.

 

 

 

 

 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	22nd	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Chris Sarson RIP St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Monday	23rd	9.15am		Intentions Betty Huston
Tuesday	24th	9.15am		Tim Delaney Annv. RIP
Wednesday	25th	9.15am		Intentions Kieron Mossley
Thursday	26th	7.30am		Margaret Stocker RIP
Friday	27th	9.15am		Jeanette Wagg RIP
Saturday	28th
Seventeenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	29th	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		John McIntosh RIP St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

Fr Frank Rice is now resident in a nursing home in West Kirby. Because of Fr Frank’s condition visits are not encouraged at this stage but he does ask for a remembrance in your daily prayers.

Money Matters: Thank you for last weekend’s Offertory collection which amounted to

£586.33p.

 

Work on the Confessional will begin tomorrow (Monday) and last for 2/3 days to bring it in line with the latest safeguarding requirements. The cost of the work will be borne by monies donated through the “Our Mission Together” initiative.

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre. Why not stay a while and meet up with friends old and new. If you would like to join the Tea/Coffee rota, please have a word with Noelene Evans or Fr Bernard.

 

 

 

Parish Day Out to Southport on Wednesday 25th July. Leave from outside Church at 10am prompt return by 5pm.There is a sign up sheet on the table at the back of church. Please enter your name and the number of seats you will require for the day. If an insufficient number of people

(i.e. less than 35) sign the list by 10.00am on Monday then this trip will have to be cancelled.

 

New Beginnings New Ferry Coffee Morning, Wednesday 25th July 11am to 2pm. All are invited to join us at our coffee morning at

36 Bebington Road to celebrate what’s good about New Ferry and work together to make it a better place. Your opinions are important.  Please join in and tell your friends.

 

Deadline for National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress Adoremus

7th-9th September: Booking to hear the inspirational Bishop Robert Barron from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles USA on

Saturday 8th September and the 9.30am Pilgrimage Mass on Sunday 9th September will be taken until Tuesday 31st July. Please see Fr Bernard. Tickets and delegate packs will be posted to delegates in mid-August. For further details www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org follow the Adoremus link

‘Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on 

07985 312 703.’

 

 

Shrewsbury Cursillo in Christianity: Have their Ultreya at

St Catherine’s, Birkenhead Road, Hoylake CH47 5AF on Saturday 28th July at 1.30pm in the Lounge (through the blue gates to the right of the church.)  Never heard of us?  Now is your chance to find out what and who we are.  

 

The SVP is seeking to recruit an 1833 Research and Project Development Officer to review, re-model, project plan and potentially produce resources for our programme for 18-30 year olds in preparation for a service re-launch in Sept 2019. £27k pa pro rata; 3 days a week; one year contract. Home-based with national travel. Closing date: 10:00 on Wednesday 25th July 2018. Interviews: Thursday 26th July 2018. Start date: Wednesday 29th August 2018. For more details & application pack, please visit the vacancies section of the SVP website: https://www.svp.org.uk/.

 

 

Caritas Shrewsbury is looking for an experienced and dedicated person to be our Family Support Social Worker. The post is for 21 hours per week working in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, but predominantly in the South Manchester Area.

Work pattern: Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm. For more information and an application pack, please contact Claire Griffiths Tel 0151 652 1281;

email Claire.griffiths@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk

Please also visit us online at: www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk

Application packs can also be downloaded from our website caritasshrewsbury.org.uk. Closing date for applications is 16th August, 2018,

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 15th July 2018. Cycle B

URGENT APPEAL FOR MEDICAL HELP. The next annual pilgrimage to Lourdes by Jumbulance marks the 25th anniversary since I became Group Leader of the Chester Group. Sadly, one of my nurses has had to withdraw and so I urgently require a replacement – or we cannot travel.

Chester Across Group urgently require another nurse (or Doctor) to travel overland to Lourdes by Jumbulance. The latter is literally a Jumbo-Ambulance with seven beds, an accessible toilet and kitchen. Now in our 25th year, sadly, one of our nurses has withdrawn so another is needed. Dates: Thu 30th August to Sat 8th Sept. Cost. Nurses are asked to pay half price – £400 – but we do fundraising to subsidise anyone who cannot afford to pay the full amount.

For further information please contact Group Leader Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or by email tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk See Poster on notice board at back of church for details.

 

 

 

‘Following on from our successful Tuesday night Grace Group, we’re looking to start another all-female Cell Group on Wednesday evenings, starting late September.  Initially meeting every week for 6 weeks, we’ll be studying the book of Esther while loving, encouraging and supporting each other through this amazing adventure called faith! If you’re interested and would like to know more, please contact Claire Griffiths on 07985 312 703.’

 

 

Please continue to give generously to the Foodbank. The need is as great as ever. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items for the ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED: Tinned custard, sugar (small if possible), washing up liquid, tea, tinned spaghetti, small cereal, sponge puddings

 

 

Please take a copy of the Wednesday Word. It is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings.

 

 

 

If you have a notice for the bulletin please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.

 

 

 

St John the Evangelist

128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ

Diocese of Shrewsbury   (reg. charity 234025)

 

Parish Priest: Fr Bernard Forshaw          Deacon: Revd Michael Daly   Phone:   0151 645 3314

Email:     stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites:   www.stjohnevang.co.uk           www.lpa24.org

 

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 15th July 2018. Cycle B

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: SOMETHING MISSING?

 

Holy Trinity Church and St Mark’s were the two oldest parishes in the town. They dated back to early Victorian times and had seen some changes over the years. Trinity became the established centre-of-town parish while St Mark’s had seen its population dwindle as houses were knocked down to make way for new developments.

Trinity prided itself on its worship. It was a beautiful piece of architecture and it lent itself well to the 32 voice mixed choir that provided both inspiration and entertainment at the Sunday liturgy attended loyally by many of the older families of the town. The parish had been blessed over the years with zealous clergy who were meticulous in their presentation of worship and in their high standards of preaching. When the bell started to toll at 10.50 every Sunday morning you could feel a sense of expectation until the moment when at 11 o’clock a parade of colour, candles, incense and servers was greeted by the opening hymn. During the week there were faith-sharing meetings, as well as an active youth group, a choir practice and a bell ringers’ club.

St Mark’s had no bell but oddly enough provided an 11 o’clock service too. Liturgy was not its strongpoint and it was a more straightforward affair, a priest with no servers, a guitar group to accompany the music and a well-crafted sermon. It too had its share of loyal supporters many of whom were involved in the parish outreach to asylum seekers. The St Mark’s drop-in centre had its critics but managed to feed about 20 people every lunchtime and to offer a bed to a dozen or so each night in the parish hall. Like Trinity Church it too was active in local ecumenical schemes and enjoyed good relations with other Christian Churches. In addition it was in the early stages of training parishioners to form teams for a “Faith on the Streets” programme that the parish deacon was leading.

The last sentence of the first reading had just been read in both churches: “Go, prophesy to my people Israel”. The priest and people in both parishes felt somewhat uneasy when they heard it. Something was missing.

 

 

Fifteenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	15th	5.00pm   9.30am 7.30pm		Eddie & Maria Fryer 25th Wedding Annv Ints James Jones RIP Prayer Meeting
Monday	16th	9.15am		Stuart Burrows RIP
Tuesday	17th	10.30am		Funeral Mass – Patrick Clancy
Wednesday	18th	9.15am		Ints Sisters of Charity
Thursday	19th	7.30am		Ints Forshaw & Parr Fams
Friday	20th	9.15am		Maurice Maher RIP
Saturday	21st	10.00am		Carmel Mass
Sixteenth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B	22nd	5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm		Chris Sarson RIP St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting
Confessions			Saturday 4.15-4.45pm
Morning Prayer			15 minutes before daily Masses

 

Fr Frank Rice is now resident in a nursing home in West Kirby. Because of Fr Frank’s condition visits are not encouraged at this stage but he does ask for a remembrance in your daily prayers.

 

 

Welcome to Fr Anselm Atkinson OSB the Abbot of Pluscarden Monastery in Scotland who is on leave this week visiting his mother, Audrey, one of our housebound parishioners.

Fr Anselm will be celebrating the 9.15am Mass on Wednesday and Friday.

 

 

Catenians: Paul Davenport, the President of the Birkenhead Circle, will be saying a few words at the end of both Masses this weekend about the work of the Catenian Association and how you can support it.

 

 

Money Matters: Thank you for last weekend’s Offertory collection which amounted to

£497.32p.

Thank you for your donations to the Peter’s Pence collection which amounted to £253.14p

 

Tea & Coffee after Sunday 9.30am Mass every week in the Parish Centre. Why not stay a while and meet up with friends old and new. If you would like to join the Tea/Coffee rota, please have a word with Noelene Evans or Fr Bernard.

 

Lately Dead: Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Patrick Clancy whose Funeral Mass will be held here at St John’s this Tuesday 17th July at 10.30am. May he and all the faithful departed rest in peace.

 

 

Deadline for National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress Adoremus 7th-9th September: Booking to hear the inspirational Bishop Robert Barron from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles USA on Saturday 8th September and the 9.30am Pilgrimage Mass on Sunday

9th September will be taken until Tuesday

31st July. Please see Fr Bernard. Tickets and delegate packs will be posted to delegates in mid-August. For further details

www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org follow the Adoremus link

 

 

Thank you to Deacon Mike and to the members of the Bereavement Group for arranging a lovely service last Thursday evening and thank you to the individuals and families who came to remember their loved one and the recently deceased of St John’s Parish.

 

 

The Carmelite Monastery will be celebrating 100 years foundation in Birkenhead. Bishop Mark Davies will be celebrating Holy Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Monday 16th July at 7.00pm, followed by a buffet. Everyone is warmly invited.

 

Canon Brendan Hoban is celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood this summer. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at Christ the King Bromborough at 7.00pm on Friday 20th July. All are warmly welcome.

 

 

Parish Day Out to Southport on Wednesday 25th July. Leave from outside Church at 10am prompt return by 5pm.There is a signup sheet on the table at the back of church. Please enter your name and the number of seats you will require for the day.

 

Our Schools finish this week for their summer break. I will be celebrating a whole school Mass in St John’s Junior School on Tuesday morning (Fr Paschal will be celebrating the Funeral Mass in Church) and on Wednesday afternoon I will be celebrating Mass for our Year 6 Leavers (Fr Anselm will celebrate the usual 9.15am Mass). After a very busy time in all our schools we wish students and staff a great holiday and good weather, coming back refreshed and enthusiastic for the start of a new school year in September. We also think of and offer a prayer for those anxiously awaiting their exam results in August.