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: http://www.stjohnevang.co.uk http://www.lpa24.org
Third Sunday of Advent. 16th December, 2018. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: ALL-SINGING ALL-DANCING GOD
The only way we can talk about God is by treating him (her?) as if he were like us. This isn’t as stupid as it sounds, since if we are made in the image and likeness of God then all good things about us must reflect something of the nature of God, albeit dimly.
Yet we tend to think of God as ever so serious. Surely God would never be caught having a belly-laugh, enjoying a good party, singing or dancing? Well, the answer, of course, is yes he would.
Our Advent God is a God of joy. Jesus said he wanted us to know all about the Father so that we could share in his joy. And time and time again during Advent the keyword of our songs, psalms and prayers is joy.
So it comes as no surprise today when we hear from Zephaniah that God is quite capable of letting his hair down. Zephaniah has been prophesying doom for a people who have given in to moral decline and decay. But God knows that there is a small minority, a “remnant” that is trying to remain faithful to the agreement between God and Israel. And this alone makes him want to celebrate.
In fact Zephaniah tells us that God breaks out into song and dance at the thought of his faithful people: “He will sing with joy over you…he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.”
When during Advent we pray and sing, “Come, Emmanuel” we run the risk of calling upon a rather boring and predictable God to show himself. For we tend to put God into a category where we worship him but do not find him very exciting company. This is because we don’t really know him. How many times have you heard someone say that they’ve just seen another (more human) side to Mr or Mrs So-and-So? Maybe this Advent will really come alive when we recognise that God is bigger than our view of him.
And when that happens, there’s sure to be a song and dance!
Advent Prayer
In this Season of Advent, inspire us to be a people of hope.
Encourage us not to be greedy for material possessions, but
for justice and truth,
Enflame us with a love for others, which crosses boundaries
of race, religion and nationality.
Stir within us an appreciation of the immense beauty of the earth.
Be with us, Lord, at this time, that we may be a people of hope. Amen
My name is Cheryl Thomson and I am the manager of British Red Cross, 44 Bebington Road, New Ferry CH62 5BH I am currently contacting local churches and community groups to see if any of their members would be interested in volunteering with us or would merely like more information about what we can offer in terms of volunteering, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will help in any way I can. Please contact me on 0151 644 1997. Thank you
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.
Third Sunday
Of Advent
Cycle C 16th 5.00pm
9.30am
3-4pm
7.30pm Mary Haigh Annv RIP
St John ‘s Parishioners
Holy Hour
Prayer Meeting
Monday 17th 9.15am Ints Mary Mulraney
Tuesday 18th 9.15am Phyllis Cray Annv RIP
Wednesday 19th 9.15am Ints Colette Sarson
Thursday 20th 9.30am Ints Lew & Mary Doyle
(in school)
Friday 21st 9.15am Rels/Fnds Brannon & Kenny Families
Saturday 22nd
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Cycle C 23rd 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm Arthur Brockway RIP
St John ‘s Parishioners
Prayer Meeting
Confessions 10.30am -11.15am
Morning Prayer 15 minutes before daily Masses
Advent at St John’s:
Each Sunday in Advent…. Holy Hour in Church from 3-4pm
Fr Bernard will be in Church each Saturday during Advent from 10.30am to 11.15am; an opportunity for confession, prayer, for a chat.
Please note that on Thursday Mass will be celebrated at 9.30am in St John’s Junior School as our schools reach the end of term and look forward to the Christmas break. Fr Bernard will be leading an assembly in the infant school on Monday and then taking the Mini-Vinnie group (junior SVP) from the Junior School for a Carol Service at Birch Tree Manor Care Home in Port Sunlight.
Canon Hoban will celebrate the 9.15am Mass on Monday.
Christmas Services at St John’s
Christmas Eve
Crib Service for Children at 3.00pm in Church,
Mass of the Nativity begins at 7.30pm
Christmas Day
Mass 9.30am
Christmas Week Mass Times
26th-28th will be at 10am
Feast of St Stephen: 26th December.
Mass at 10am will be offered for our Altar Servers.
Feast of St John the Evangelist: Patron Saint of our Parish. Mass will be held at 10.am
Sat/Sun 29th/30th Dec: Feast of the Holy Family
Masses at the usual times Sat 5.00pm and
Sun 9.30am
Tues 1st Jan 2018 Feast of Mary the Mother of God
Mass at 12 Noon.
Sat/Sun 5th/6th Jan: Feast of the Epiphany
Masses at the usual times Sat 5.00pm and Sun 9.30am.
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £616.39p.
The 3 L’s Concert: Many thanks to all those who attended last Wednesday morning’s Christmas concert in Church and thank you to the 3 L’s group for their sizeable donation to St John’s Parish which is much appreciated.
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.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE FOOD BANK. The last Christmas pick up of food from St John’s will on Sunday 16th December. AFTER THAT DATE, PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD DONATIONS UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS WHEN collections will then resume in the new year.
Thank you for your very kind donation of 54 kg of food. 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
Mass Intentions: If you would like to have a Mass said for your intentions or someone else’s intentions or for your deceased relatives and friends etc during Advent or Christmas season, please fill in one of the Mass Offertory envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it and hand it to Fr Bernard nor put it through the presbytery letterbox.
Memorial Books and Plaques: In January we will be updating the Memorial Books and now we have a new supplier giving you the opportunity to remember your loved ones by buying a small plaque to be fixed to a chair or bench in Church. Appropriate Forms for both will be available next weekend and over the Christmas period. When completed these forms should be returned in the accompanying envelopes through the presbytery letterbox
THE BIG CARD will be at the back of from next Saturday 8th December. Please write your Christmas message at a suggested minimum donation of £1. All proceeds will go towards the work of The Ark. Please support this very good cause and thank you for your support over the years.
St John’s SVP is now back, up and running, doing visits around the parish and meeting regularly on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm in the Day Chapel. If anyone would like a visit from the SVP, suggest someone who would benefit from a visit from the SVP, or would like to join the group, please let us know.
Carols by Candlelight will be held at St Joseph’s Church, North Road, Birkenhead on Thursday 20th December at 7pm. All welcome.
CHRISTMAS POSTERS – Posters are available at the back of church. Please display in your window. These are provided free by Wirral Knights of
St Columba as part of the Christ in Christmas Campaign.
+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: http://www.stjohnevang.co.uk http://www.lpa24.org
Second Sunday of Advent. 9th December, 2018. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE DAY OF CHRIST
“Wait till your father gets back” is a dire threat that has rung in the ears of many a naughty child. What will happen when the other parent returns home? Will it all end in tears?
Some Christians talk about Advent and the Day of Christ as if it were like a looming menace that hangs over the Church and the world. Their prayers and hymns are full of apocalyptic references to the end of times and their preaching is geared to frightening people into moral change in order to stave off a vengeful judgement.
If we buy into this way of thinking it’s easy to end up either terrified or presuming that we’re on the side of the good and everyone else is “going to get it” when Christ comes again. So we either shrivel as Christians or we have a sense of smugness about what is going to happen at the second coming. We’ll be alright but they’ll get it in the neck…
If Advent is a season of joy then it’s because we are waiting for our God to come not to condemn us but to set us free. Christ will come as a liberator not a dogcatcher. If Jesus reveals the type of God that we have, then why should we be afraid when he comes to take us to that same God?
Our Advent liturgy encourages us to be joyful in our celebration. We can hardly sing “Come, Lord Jesus” if we think we are ushering in an execution! But at the same time we are not Christian Cheshire cats or professing Polyannas whose worship is removed from real life.
Celebrating the joy of Advent only takes place authentically when we are doing all in our power to make God’s kingdom a reality in our lives. That’s why St Paul today urges the Philippians to keep trying to become pure and blameless in preparation for the Day of Christ. Joyful active preparation for the Day of Christ produces genuine worship. Anything else is Advent idolatry.
My name is Cheryl Thomson and I am the manager of British Red Cross, 44 Bebington Road, New Ferry CH62 5BH I am currently contacting local churches and community groups to see if any of their members would be interested in volunteering with us or would merely like more information about what we can offer in terms of volunteering, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will help in any way I can. Please contact me on 0151 644 1997. Thank you
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.
Second Sunday
Of Advent
Cycle C 9th 5.00pm
9.30am
3-4pm
7.30pm Intentions Fr Frank Rice Annv of Ordination
St John’s Parishioners
Holy Hour
NO PRAYER MEETING
Monday 10th 9.15am Rels/Fnds Duckworth Fam
Tuesday 11th 9.15am Val Lees – Get Well
Wednesday 12th 9.15am NO MASS OR SERVICE
Thursday 13th 7.30am
11.30am Mabel & Michael McCartney
Funeral Service –
Elizabeth Bridge
Friday 14th 9.15am Ints Larkin Family
Saturday 15th 10.00am Deceased Carmelites
Third Sunday of Advent
Cycle C 16th 5.00pm
9.30am
3-4pm
7.30pm Mary Haigh Annv RIP
St John ‘s Parishioners
Holy Hour
NO PRAYER MEETING
Confessions 10.30am -11.15am
Morning Prayer 15 minutes before daily Masses
Christmas Masses at St John’s
(as last year)
Christmas Eve: Mass of the Nativity begins at 7.30pm
Christmas Day: Mass is at 9.30am
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £549.03p.
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.
Mass Intentions: If you would like to have a Mass said for your intentions or someone else’s intentions or for your deceased relatives and friends etc during Advent or Christmas season, please fill in one of the Mass Offertory envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it and hand it to
Fr Bernard nor put it through the presbytery letterbox.
Lately Dead: Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Bridge who has died recently. Latterly a parishioner at St Luke’s,
Fr Paschal will conduct her Funeral Service here at St John’s on Thursday 13th December at 11.30am. May she and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Memorial Books and Plaques: In January we will be updating the Memorial Books and now we have a new supplier giving you the opportunity to remember your loved ones by buying a small plaque to be fixed to a chair or bench in Church. Appropriate Forms for both will be available next weekend and over the Christmas period. When completed these forms should be returned in the accompanying envelopes through the presbytery letterbox
Advent at St John’s:
Each Sunday in Advent…. Holy Hour in Church from 3-4pm
LPA Service of Reconciliation with individual confession will be held at Christ the King on Thursday 13th December at 7pm. All welcome.
Fr Bernard will be in Church each Saturday during Advent from 10.30am to 11.15am; an opportunity for confession, prayer, for a chat.
BOST Fanfare for Christmas: An evening of Festive Music, featuring well-loved and traditional favourites and exciting new modern Christmas music is being held on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Church. Tickets are available after weekend Masses here at St John’s, and also from St Anne’s Presbytery during the week.
3Ls Christmas Concert will be held here at St John’s on Wednesday,
12th December at 10.30am lasting about one hour. Tickets are £3 which includes entrance, free raffle, refreshments and a donation to St John’s Church. Tickets are available from Norah Martin and you can also pay at the door. All welcome.
THE BIG CARD will be at the back of from next Saturday 8th December. Please write your Christmas message at a suggested minimum donation of £1. All proceeds will go towards the work of The Ark. Please support this very good cause and thank you for your support over the years.
Scout Stamps will be on sale AFTER MASS this weekend
Saturday 8th December
Sunday 9th December
The price is 30p. This will be the last opportunity to buy after Mass. Margaret McClure can also collect post as she will be working in the sorting office. LAST POST COLLECTION IS 12 Noon on 12th December
St John’s SVP is now back, up and running, doing visits around the parish and meeting regularly on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm in the Day Chapel. If anyone would like a visit from the SVP, suggest someone who would benefit from a visit from the SVP, or would like to join the group, please let us know.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE FOOD BANK. The last Christmas pick up of food from St John’s will on Sunday 16th December. AFTER THAT DATE, PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD DONATIONS UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS WHEN collections will then resume in the new year.
Thank you for your very kind donation of 54 kg of food. 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
Advent Day of Renewal to be held at St Alban’s Church, Chester Road, Macclesfield SK11 8DJ on Saturday 15th December Parish Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon. All welcome. For further details contact Rita Wilkinson 07803281971
CHRISTMAS POSTERS – Posters are available at the back of church. Please display in your window. These are provided free by Wirral Knights of St Columba as part of the Christ in Christmas Campaign .
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
First Sunday of Advent. 2nd December, 2018. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN?
Christians seem to have lost any sense of expectation that Christ’s second coming should feature in their daily lives. The Jews longed for the “anointed one of God” who would come and lead them into prosperity, but we’re detached from any sense of urgency when it comes to Christ, the Messiah, retuning among us.
Is this because we think the odds are stacked against it happening during our lifetime? Is it because we just don’t care? Or is it perhaps because we haven’t really understood what the coming of Jesus really means?
It’s easy to think that Advent is simply a time for contemplating the end of the world. But, of course, it isn’t. It’s about preparing for the definitive establishing of God’s kingdom on earth.
When we celebrate the liturgy of Advent we are not simply recalling the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and vaguely acknowledging that he will come again. This is not true worship. It’s simply cosy remembrance of the past and insurance brokering for the future of our souls. It’s not worship from the heart.
Our Advent liturgy demands that we take our baptismal promises seriously and that we act. What are we doing to bring Christ into our world? How do we make him present in the little worlds of our existence: family, work, friends etc?
All our Advent prayers and songs are discordant if they do not reflect what’s going on in our lives. We can, and must, make Jesus come again by the way we live. Instead of thinking about fanciful scenes in the moon and stars, ought we not to realise that Christ comes again when his kingdom is established? And if we’re not wholehearted about being part of this then what value do our prayers and songs have?
We can sing “O come, O come, Emmanuel” until the cows come home, but it will be empty worship if we are not pledged to co-operate with God’s Spirit in ushering in the kingdom by the way we live. Liturgy is about life. And Advent liturgy is about the kingdom coming. Now.
Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope….
The Diocese has a vacancy for a Diocesan Mission Catechist to assist with the organisation and provision of the formation of those working in all areas of parish and adult catechesis throughout the Diocese. This is a permanent job and based at the Curial Offices in Birkenhead. For more information please contact http/wwwdioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies
Mayor’s Traditional Christmas Tea Dance – 5 December 2018 The Mayor of Wirral’s Christmas Tea Dance is set to get the festive season off to a glittering start on Wednesday, 5th December (1.30 – 4 pm) at Wallasey Town Hall. The annual dance is taking place in aid of the Mayor of Wirral’s charity appeal with all money from ticket sales going to benefit Wirral’s RNLI Lifeboat Stations and Wirral’s Forrester’s Horn Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Mayor’s Office on 691 8527.
My name is Cheryl Thomson and I am the manager of British Red Cross, 44 Bebington Road, New Ferry CH62 5BH I am currently contacting local churches and community groups to see if any of their members would be interested in volunteering with us or would merely like more information about what we can offer in terms of volunteering, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will help in any way I can. Please contact me on 0151 644 1997. Thank you
Thank you for your very kind donation of 34.65 kg of food. 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
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.
| First Sunday
Of Advent Cycle C |
2nd | 5.00pm
9.30am 3-4pm 7.30pm |
John & Joan Peters RIP
St John’s Parishioners Holy Hour Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 3rd | 9.15am | All Migrants & Refugees | ||
| Tuesday | 4th | 9.15am
7.00pm |
Gordon Lamb
Novena |
||
| Wednesday | 5th | 9.15am | Rels/Fnds Fitzpatrick & Gillespie Families | ||
| Thursday | 6th | 7.30am | Ints Ted & Pat Bevan | ||
| Friday | 7th | 9.15am | Norah McCormick B.Day Memorial RIP | ||
| The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 8th | ||||
| 2nd Sunday of Advent
Cycle C |
9th | 5.00pm
9.30am 3-4pm 7.30pm |
Intentions Fr Frank Rice Annv of Ordination
St John’s Parishioners Holy Hour NO PRAYER MEETING |
||
| Confessions | 10.30am -11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Sunday is a Day of Special Prayer for Migrants and Refugees
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £709.87p
Clergy Education and Training Fund £300.09p
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.
Mass Intentions: If you would like to have a Mass said for your intentions or someone else’s intentions or for your deceased relatives and friends etc during Advent or Christmas season, please fill in one of the Mass Offertory envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it and hand it to
Fr Bernard nor put it through the presbytery letterbox.
Lately Dead: Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Bridge who has died recently. Latterly a parishioner at St Luke’s,
Fr Paschal will conduct her Funeral Service here at St John’s on Thursday 13th December at 11.30am. May she and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
St John’s SVP is now back, up and running, doing visits around the parish and meeting regularly on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm in the Day Chapel. If anyone would like a visit from the SVP, suggest someone who would benefit from a visit from the SVP, or would like to join the group, please let us know.
Scripture Group: Following Jesus…Its Joy, Challenge and Fruitfulness. The final talk will take place on Thursday
6th December, in the Day Chapel here at St John’s. This is an excellent preparation for Advent and Christmas.
Advent at St John’s:
Each Sunday in Advent…. Holy Hour in Church from 3-4pm
School Advent Masses in Church Tuesday 4th December at 9.15am
LPA Service of Reconciliation with individual confession will be held at Christ the King on Thursday 13th December at 7pm. All welcome.
Fr Bernard will be in Church next Saturday and each Saturday during Advent from 10.30am to 11.15am; an opportunity for confession, prayer, for a chat.
BOST Fanfare for Christmas: An evening of Festive Music, featuring well-loved and traditional favourites and exciting new modern Christmas music is being held on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Church. Tickets are available after weekend Masses here at St John’s, and also from St Anne’s Presbytery during the week.
Adoremus revisited: Come, watch and listen (re-listen) to Bishop Barron’s talk on the Mass recorded in the Echo Arena Liverpool on Saturday 8th September and being shown at St Anne’s Parish Centre, Highfield Road, Rock Ferry next Saturday, 8th December. Registration and refreshments at 9.15am. Talk at 9.45am followed by a discussion then Adoration in St Anne’s Church, beginning at 11.45am and concluding with Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at 12.15pm. Further information and to register please contact Helen Jones at the Curial Offices on 0151 652 9855 or email Helen.jones@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
3Ls Christmas Concert will be held here at St John’s on Wednesday, 12th December at 10.30am lasting about one hour. Tickets are £3 which includes entrance, free raffle, refreshments and a donation to St John’s Church. Tickets are available from Norah Martin and you can also pay at the door. All welcome.
THE BIG CARD will be at the back of church from next Saturday
8th December. Please write your Christmas message at a suggested minimum donation of £1. All proceeds will go towards the work of The Ark. Please support this very good cause and thank you for your support over the years.
Scout Stamps will be on sale AFTER MASS over the next two weekends
Saturday 1st & 8th December
Sunday 9th December
The price is 30p. Margaret McClure can also collect post as she will be working in the sorting office.
Christmas Masses at St John’s (as last year)
Christmas Eve: Mass of the Nativity begins at 7.30pm
Christmas Day: Mass is at 9.30am
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
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. 25th November, 2018. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: KINGDOM OF TRUTH
When Pontius Pilate asked whether Jesus was a king, he replied by saying that he was born to be king, that his kingdom was about witnessing to the truth and that those who are on the side of truth listen to his voice. If we are to be citizens of this kingdom of truth then we have three responsibilities.
First, we must know the truth. The truth for Christians is that Jesus is the Son of God. He is a historical person, not simply some sort of philosophy or designer lifestyle. He was sent by the Father to reveal to the world the sort of God we have and what God expects of us. Jesus teaches us the truth about how to be fully human, how to live life to the full in the way that God intends for our happiness. And Jesus makes promises on the Father’s behalf for those who sincerely try to follow him, led by the Spirit of Truth. The truth is that we will never be abandoned or left to our own devices, that God cares about us and watches over us constantly.
Secondly, we must walk in the truth. Knowing the truth is not enough. We are called to live it. Living the truth means being faithful to what God asks of us in Jesus. It means living for other people rather than working for our own comfort. It means being called on to make sacrifices for something that is greater than our own present cosiness. A citizen of the kingdom of truth is a civil servant, someone whose life is devoted to enhancing other people’s life.
Thirdly, we must protect the truth. Just as a worldly kingdom strives to safeguard its own values and standards, so must we do all in our power to protect and proclaim the principles of the kingdom of truth. This means being vigilant and observant of any attempt to distort human dignity in any shape or form. We have a Christian duty to defend the shared ideals of God’s kingdom.
By doing this we will be faithful to our citizenship but it will be a faithfulness that has its cost. For the goals of the kingdom are not those shared by most of our society or indeed our world. But we will be sharing in the Spirit’s work of building a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.
The last Sunday in the liturgical year is designated as the Festival of Christ the King or the Reign of Christ. This is not an ancient festival like Easter or Christmas. In fact, it is less than a century old. It was first called by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Europe was in chaos. Inflation was rampant, and colonialism was at its worst. The seeds of evil that were to produce the terror of the Holocaust and World War II were being planted. Against all this chaos and evil, the Pope established the Festival of Christ the King to declare that Jesus Christ is king. He is the goal of all human history, the joy of all who hear, and the fulfilment of our aspirations. (Wiley Stephens)
The Diocese has a vacancy for a Diocesan Mission Catechist to assist with the organisation and provision of the formation of those working in all areas of parish and adult catechesis throughout the Diocese. This is a permanent job and based at the Curial Offices in Birkenhead. For more information please contact http/wwwdioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies
Mayor’s Traditional Christmas Tea Dance – 5 December 2018 The Mayor of Wirral’s Christmas Tea Dance is set to get the festive season off to a glittering start on Wednesday, 5th December (1.30 – 4 pm) at Wallasey Town Hall. The annual dance is taking place in aid of the Mayor of Wirral’s charity appeal with all money from ticket sales going to benefit Wirral’s RNLI Lifeboat Stations and Wirral’s Forrester’s Horn Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Mayor’s Office on 691 8527.
My name is Cheryl Thomson and I am the manager of British Red Cross, 44 Bebington Road, New Ferry CH62 5BH I am currently contacting local churches and community groups to see if any of their members would be interested in volunteering with us or would merely like more information about what we can offer in terms of volunteering, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will help in any way I can. Please contact me on 0151 644 1997. Thank you
Thank you for your very kind donation of 34.65 kg of food. 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
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.
| Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | 25th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Marshall Family
St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 26th | 9.15am | Ints Barbara Forshaw | ||
| Tuesday | 27th | 9.15am | Rels/Fnds Rooney Family | ||
| Wednesday | 28th | 9.15am | Patricia Jones RIP | ||
| Thursday | 29th | 7.30am | Ints Tony Hyland | ||
| Friday | 30th | 9.15am | Rels/Fnds Shore Family | ||
| Saturday | 1st | ||||
| 1st Sunday of Advent
Cycle C |
2nd | 5.00pm
9.30am 3-4pm 7.30pm |
John & Joan Peters RIP
St John’s Parishioners Holy Hour Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | 10.30am -11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Today’s Feast of Christ the King is also National Youth Sunday. Please keep all our Young People in your daily prayers.
Next Saturday…. on the threshold of Advent there will be a Day of Special Prayer here at St John’s from 9.30am until 5pm Mass, for the Church, for the world, for our parish/local community and for all our own intentions. Please add your name to the “sign up” sheets on the table at the back of Church where you will also find an outline programme for the Day.
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £578.42p. 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.
Mass Intentions: If you would like to have a Mass said for your intentions or someone else’s intentions or for your deceased relatives and friends etc during Advent or Christmas season, please fill in one of the Mass Offering envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it and hand it to Fr Bernard or put it through the presbytery letterbox.
Traidcraft goods will be on sale THIS weekend
24th/25th November. Please take a few minutes to browse for ideas for gifts and cards. There will also be Christmas Cards on sale.
First Sacrament Enrolment Mass: This Sunday at 9.30am Mass the children from St John’s School, who are preparing for their First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion, will be officially enrolled in the preparation programme and receive their enrolment medal.
Confirmation 2018: CONGRATULATIONS to those 50m plus young people from our parish and neighbouring parishes who were confirmed on Friday evening at St Anne’s and thank you to their parents, sponsors and catechists for supporting them on this important step on their faith journey.
Scripture Group: Following Jesus…Its Joy, Challenge and Fruitfulness. Six interesting Thursday evenings from 8th November to
6th December meeting in the Day Chapel here at
St John’s. An excellent preparation for Advent and Christmas. Contact David Williams 07711581893 or Fr Bernard.
A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who has responded to the Christmas Shoe Box Appeal. We would be most grateful if all completed boxes are returned to church THIS WEEKEND 24th/25th November. Many children will receive the joy of Christmas as a result of your generosity.
Advent at St John’s:
Beginning next Sunday….
Holy Hour in Church from 3-4pm
School Advent Masses in Church Tuesday 4th December at 9.15am
LPA Service of Reconciliation with individual confession will be held at Christ the King on Thursday 13th December at 7pm. All welcome.
Fr Bernard will be in Church next Saturday and each Saturday during Advent from 10.30am to 11.15am; an opportunity for confession, prayer, for a chat.
BOST Fanfare for Christmas: An evening of Festive Music, featuring well-loved and traditional favourites and exciting new modern Christmas music is being held on Tuesday
11th December at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Church. Tickets are available after weekend Masses here at
St John’s, and also from St Anne’s Presbytery during the week.
3Ls Christmas Concert will be held here at St John’s on Wednesday, 12th December at 10.30am lasting about one hour. Tickets are £3 which includes entrance, free raffle, refreshments and a donation to St John’s Church. Tickets are available from Norah Martin and you can also pay at the door. All welcome.
Scout Stamps will be on sale ONLY AFTER SATURDAY EVENING MASS over the next three weekends: 24th November; 1st & 8th December. The price will be 30p. Margaret McClure can also collect post as she will be working in the sorting office.
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
Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 18th November, 2018. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE
You don’t hear much about hell these days. Many preachers prefer to stay away from talking about it, opting instead to concentrate on the more positive side of our lives in Christ. And on one level this is perfectly good. No one wants to hear fire and brimstone sermons intended to frighten people into being Christians. And despite At Tuesday’s 9.15am Mass reports to the contrary, the bible is not full of pages detailing dire threats to those who don’t behave. It’s full of scenes that seek to depict and reveal the love and tender concern of our God.
For God promises a life of eternal bliss to those who trust in his promises. But he doesn’t force himself on anyone. He allows each of us the right to choose. We can accept his way of life for us or we can decide to reject it in favour of some other way of living that we decide is more convenient.
So when people are confronted with the idea of hell they seek to neutralise it. If God is such a loving person, they say, then he will never “send” anyone there. He’ll just embrace everyone in one great act of forgiveness and friendship. So there’s no need to be concerned with how we behave here on earth since God will take care of things when we eventually die.
This is very comforting. But it’s not what the bible says and it ignores what Christ teaches his disciples on many occasions. Jesus makes it very clear that God accepts the choices we make either for him or against him, and that we must learn to live with them. Eternally.
If God allowed us to do whatever we liked without consequence and simply overrode our decisions then we would be nothing more than pawns in a grotesque game of divine chess. We would be like robots, thinking that our choices were important when all the while we were simply acting in a play whose ending we cannot shape. Our free-will and our liberty would have been compromised.
But God has more respect for us than this. He lets us make our free choices. And he tells us that they matter. Eternally.
The Diocese has a vacancy for a Diocesan Mission Catechist to assist with the organisation and provision of the formation of those working in all areas of parish and adult catechesis throughout the Diocese. This is a permanent job and based at the Curial Offices in Birkenhead. For more information please contact http/wwwdioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies
Mayor’s Traditional Christmas Tea Dance – 5 December 2018 The Mayor of Wirral’s Christmas Tea Dance is set to get the festive season off to a glittering start on Wednesday, 5th December (1.30 – 4 pm) at Wallasey Town Hall. The annual dance is taking place in aid of the Mayor of Wirral’s charity appeal with all money from ticket sales going to benefit Wirral’s RNLI Lifeboat Stations and Wirral’s Forrester’s Horn Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Mayor’s Office on 691 8527.
My name is Cheryl Thomson and I am the manager of British Red Cross, 44 Bebington Road, New Ferry CH62 5BH. I am currently contacting local churches and community groups to see if any of their members would be interested in volunteering with us or would merely like more information about what we can offer in terms of volunteering, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will help in any way I can. Please contact me on 0151 644 1997. Thank you
Thank you for your very kind donation of 34.65 kg of food. 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
Traidcraft goods will be on sale NEXT weekend
24th/25th November. Please take a few minutes to browse for ideas for gifts and cards. There will also be Christmas Cards on sale.
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.
| 33rd Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 18th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Sarson Family
Intentions Poor & Needy Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 19th | 9.15am | No Mass or Service | ||
| Tuesday | 20th | 9.15am | Joe Moore Annv. | ||
| Wednesday | 21st | 9.15am | No Mass or Service | ||
| Thursday | 22nd | 7.30am | Deceased Clergy | ||
| Friday | 23rd | 9.15am | Ben Brannon RIP | ||
| Saturday | 24th | ||||
| Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | 25th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Marshall Family
St John’s Parishioners Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | 10.30am -11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Sunday is World Day of Prayer for the Poor
There is no Mass or Service on Monday or Wednesday this week. On Monday Fr Bernard is celebrating the Annual Memorial Mass for the Wirral Knights of St Columba at St Anne’s at 9.30am. All our most welcome. On Wednesday Fr Bernard is celebrating Mass at St John Plessington Catholic College. At Tuesday’s 9.15am Mass here at St John’s in the main Church we will welcome Year 1 classes from our Infant School. Again all parents, grandparent and parishioners are most welcome.
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £584.48p. Thank you for your continued generosity.
CLERGY EDUCATION & TRAINING FUND – SPECIAL COLLECTION:
Today the annual Collection for the Clergy Education & Training Fund is being held. Special Envelopes are available for you to use. If you use weekly Offertory Envelopes, please can I ask that you write in your envelope number. If you do not have this, or you give to your Parish by means of a Standing Order, write in your name and full address (including postcode). It will then be possible to claim Gift Aid on your donation if you have joined the Gift Aid scheme.
A Leaflet about the Fund is also available which explains how to make a regular donation to the Fund by Standing Order, or how you can make your donation by Cheque. It also explains how to take advantage of Gift Aid for your donations to the Fund. If you prefer, you can donate Online via Paypal to the Fund at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/clergy-education-and-training-fund, where you can also take advantage of Gift Aid. On the training and formation of Priests, the future of our Diocese so much depends, and I would ask that you give your support in whatever way is possible.
With every good wish,
Yours sincerely in Christ +Mark Bishop of Shrewsbury
Confirmation 2018: This year’s LPA Confirmation Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mark at St Anne’s, Rock Ferry NEXT Friday 23rd November at 7.pm. Please keep all the candidates (50-60 of them) their sponsors, parents and catechists in your prayers this week.
Scripture Group: Following Jesus…Its Joy, Challenge and Fruitfulness. Six interesting Thursday evenings from 8th November to 6th December meeting in the Day Chapel here at St John’s. An excellent preparation for Advent and Christmas. Contact David Williams 07711581893 or
Fr Bernard.
St John’s Catholic Pre-School September 2019 Admission:
OPEN EVENING on Tuesday 13th November, 2019
4.00-5.30pm. Children who are 3 years of age by
31st August 2019 are invited to apply for a place at our Pre-School. Parents are welcome to come along to see our setting and complete an application form. Any queries, please contact the setting – 0151 645 5291 Option 2 for
Pre School.
PLEASE NOTE: The music practice has been re-arranged for Wednesday 21st November, 7.30pm in the Day Chapel, when we will be looking at music for Advent and Christmas. These are not CHOIR practices but for ANYONE who enjoys SINGING. All welcome.
A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who has responded to the Christmas Shoe Box Appeal. We would be most grateful if all completed boxes are returned to church no later than NEXT WEEKEND 24th/25th November. Many children will receive the joy of Christmas as a result of your generosity.
BOST Fanfare for Christmas:
An evening of Festive Music, featuring well-loved and traditional favourites and exciting new modern Christmas music on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Church. Tickets available after weekend Masses here at St John’s and also from St Anne’s Presbytery during the week.
WIRRAL KSC ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS’’ at St. Anne’s Rock Ferry on Monday 19th November at 9.30am. All are welcome to join us and the Widows & Friends of deceased Brothers, Tea & Biscuits after Mass.
Scout Stamps will be on sale ONLY AFTER SATURDAY EVENING MASS over the next four weekends: 17th & 24th November; 1st & 8th December. The price will be 30p. Margaret McClure can also collect post as she will be working in the sorting office.
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 21st November 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.
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 11th November, 2018. Cycle B REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
10/11/2018
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
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 11th November, 2018. Cycle B
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Our God our Heavenly Father,
look mercifully upon the unrest in our world
and draw all people to yourself and one another
in the sure bond of peace.
We give you ready thanks
for the memory of all those men and women
who laid down their lives
in the service of their country.
As we hallow their memory
we bless you for their courage and devotion even unto death.
In your mercy
send your peace into the hearts of all people
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer by Denis McBride C.Ss.R.
Thank you for your very kind donation of 34.65 kg of food. 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
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: SMALL CHANGE?
When the man at the checkout apologised to the woman for giving her so many coins in her change the woman said “No, that’s fine. I need some small change for Church tomorrow.” The supermarket cashier looked surprised but the woman didn’t notice.
In the Temple the coin boxes were made in the shape of a horn or trumpet. People queued up and then threw their coins in. You could tell what they gave by the sound that the noise made. The two coins that the widow put in were called “lepta” which means “thin”. They were the smallest denomination of currency. But they were her last.
Jesus doesn’t condemn the rich people who put in more money than the widow, but he does praise her for her wholehearted generosity. For there is one important difference between them: the widow didn’t give the leftover money she had; she gave all that she had. The rich people could afford to put in more but she couldn’t. She gave to God all that she had and then simply trusted that God wouldn’t let her down and would take care of her (like the widow in today’s first reading from the Book of Kings).
This gospel is not intended to accuse us of being stingy with our donations to the Church collection (though that might be true too!). Rather it serves to point out the difference between “what” we give and “how” we give it. The widow made her donation not out of guilt or fear but because she was in love with God. Nothing of what she had was to be held back from God.
Anyone can serve God from their surplus. What counts, though, is serving God when it means making a sacrifice. And this applies to all areas of our religious practice, not just money. Are we prepared, like the widow, to place ourselves entirely in the hands of God or do we need some form of safety net, just in case? Is the practice of our faith unconditional or do we hold back? In fact, is it possible to serve God and yet keep a nest-egg held in reserve? Apparently not, says Jesus. And so he was unconcerned by the smallness of the widow’s mite but mightily impressed by the way she gave it.
|
32nd Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B |
11th |
5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Margo Sarson Theresa McLean B.day RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
|
Monday |
12th |
9.15am |
Service of Word & Communion |
||
|
Tuesday |
13th |
9.15am |
Ints Elaine Mullins |
||
|
Wednesday |
14th |
9.15am |
Rels/Fnds Moore & Doyle Fams |
||
|
Thursday |
15th |
7.30am |
Seamus & Colette Reavey RIP |
||
|
Friday |
16th |
9.15am |
Rels/Fnds McLoughlin Family |
||
|
Saturday |
17th |
10.00am |
Deceased Carmelites |
||
|
33rd Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B |
18th |
5.00pm 9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Sarson Family Intentions Poor & Needy Prayer Meeting |
||
|
Confessions |
10.30am -11.15am |
||||
|
Morning Prayer |
15 minutes before daily Masses |
||||
Remembrance Sunday, we will remember all those who have died in War and Conflict on the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice. British Legion Poppies are available on the table at the back of Church.
St John’s School Remembrance Mass: Tuesday’s 9.15am Mass will be held in the main church and will be led by the Year 5 &6 children from St John’s School. The theme of the Mass will be Remembrance and the Mass will be offered for the intentions of Head teacher Mrs. Elaine Mullins who remains in a Liverpool hospital. All parents, grandparents and parishioners are welcome. Many thanks to Teresa Young and Co who will provide the tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards at the back of Church.
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Peter Fearon who lived for many years in
St John’s Parish before he moved to Eastham. Peter died recently and his Funeral Mass is at Christ the King Bromborough on Wednesday 28th November at 9.15am. May he Rest in Peace.
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £569.96p. Thank you for your continued generosity.
THANKYOU. The Irish afternoon tea organised by the HCPT held on Sunday 4th November at St Anne’s was a great success and raised over £3,000. This will enable us to take sick and vulnerable children to Lourdes at Easter. With grateful thanks
Erin McCulloch.
Scripture Group: Following Jesus…Its Joy, Challenge and Fruitfulness. Six interesting Thursday evenings from 8th November to 6th December meeting in the Day Chapel here at St John’s. An excellent preparation for Advent and Christmas. Contact David Williams 07711581893 or
Fr Bernard.
Confirmation 2018: This year’s LPA Confirmation Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mark at St Anne’s, Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7.pm. Please keep all the candidates (50-60 of them) their sponsors, parents and catechists in your prayers this week. It is essential that candidates and sponsors attend the rehearsal next Friday night 16th November at 7pm in St Anne’s Church.
St John’s Catholic Pre-School September 2019 Admission: OPEN EVENING on Tuesday 13th November, 2019
4.00-5.30pm. Children who are 3 years of age by 31st August 2019 are invited to apply for a place at our Pre-School. Parents are welcome to come along to see our setting and complete an application form. Any queries, please contact the setting – 0151 645 5291 Option 2 for
Pre School.
PLEASE NOTE: The music practice has been re-arranged for Wednesday 21st November, 7.30pm in the Day Chapel, when we will be looking at music for Advent and Christmas. These are not CHOIR practices but for ANYONE who enjoys SINGING. All welcome.
Missing CD Disc Sometime in October the CD player in church was removed from its table for some other use, and put back later. At the same time the CD ‘His Healing Love’, which may have been in the player, has disappeared, though the case is still on the table. Will whoever is responsible please return the CD anonymously as soon as possible. Thank you.
BOST Fanfare for Christmas:
An evening of Festive Music, featuring well-loved and traditional favourites and exciting new modern Christmas music on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Church. Tickets available after weekend Masses here at St John’s and also from St Anne’s Presbytery during the week.
The Diocese has a vacancy for a Diocesan Mission Catechist to assist with the organisation and provision of the formation of those working in all areas of parish and adult catechesis throughout the Diocese. This is a permanent job and based at the Curial Offices in Birkenhead. For more information please contact http/wwwdioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies
CLERGY EDUCATION & TRAINING FUND – SPECIAL COLLECTION
NEXT weekend the annual Collection for the Clergy Education & Training Fund will be held. On the training and formation of Priests, the future of our Diocese so much depends. Special Envelopes are available for you to use. A Leaflet about the Fund is also available which explains how to make a regular donation to the Fund by Standing Order, or how you can make your donation either Online or by Cheque. It also explains how to take advantage of Gift Aid for your donations to the Fund.
If you prefer, you can donate Online via Paypal to the Fund at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/clergy-education-and-training-fund where you can also take advantage of Gift Aid. I ask that you give your support in whatever way is possible for the provision of the best formation for a new generation of priests.
With every good wish, Yours sincerely in Christ
+ Mark Bishop of Shrewsbury
WIRRAL KSC ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS’’ at St. Anne’s Rock Ferry on Monday 19th November at 10am.
All are welcome to join us and the Widows & Friends of deceased Brothers, Tea & Biscuits after Mass.
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
Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 4th November, 2018. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: HEART-SOUL-MIND-STRENGTH
The Jews had 613 laws and regulations which Jesus summarised into one two-part commandment: If you want to be in the kingdom of God then love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbour as you love yourself.
Love God with all your heart. The heart is called the seat of emotion. Are you “emotional” about God or is God just a cosmic idea, a celestial force that controls the universe? Do you feel passionate about God? Do you have “feelings” for God?
Love God with all your soul. Your soul is the real you. It’s the deep down psyche that makes you what and who you are. Is your whole existence oriented towards God or is God simply a facet of your life that you turn to from time to time, on Sundays or in times of trouble?
Love God with your whole mind. Your mind accounts for the intellectual side of your activity. Do you make decisions about life and your future with God in mind? Do you use your brainpower to try to learn as much as you can about your faith or are you content to hobble along with the same understanding that you had when you were still a young child?
Love God with all your strength. Strength refers to the vigour with which we devote ourselves to God. Do you proclaim your faith with all the force and might at your disposal? Or is the practice of your faith heartless, soulless and mindless? Do you use all the faculties that God has endowed you with (heart, soul, and mind)?
Love your neighbour as yourself. Everyone is our neighbour no matter how far away they are. We can only love God if we love our neighbour. Do you give any practical help to the needy? Are you another Christ to the people you live and work with?
If you want to be part of the kingdom of God, says Jesus, then just keep this two-pronged commandment. Alternatively, you can apply for a copy of the original 613…
Caritas Shrewsbury currently has 2 vacancies: Family Support Social Worker and Refugee Project Worker. Both positions are part-time, and a great opportunity for the right person. For further details and an Application Pack, please contact us: http://www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk (‘Job Vacancies’ can be found under the ‘News’ Section) / Tel: 0151 652 1281 / info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk
Thank you for your very kind donation of 34.65 kg of food. 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
WORD OF GOD
Keep and observe what will make you prosper and give you great increase, as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you. (Deuteronomy 6: 3)
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.
| 31st Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 4th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
St John’s Parishioners
Intentions Liz McIntosh Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 5th | 9.15am | Ints Jim & Joan Anderton | ||
| Tuesday | 6th | 9.15am
7.00pm |
No Mass/Service
Novena |
||
| Wednesday | 7th | 9.15am | Ints McManus & Petts Fams | ||
| Thursday | 8th | 7.30am | Ints Hornby Family | ||
| Friday | 9th | 9.15am | Gerard Edwards RIP | ||
| Saturday | 10th | ||||
| 32nd Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 11th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Margo Sarson
Theresa McLean B.day RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | 10.30am -11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Many thanks to those who organised and supported the Parish’s Annual Mass of Remembrance on Friday evening and to those who have sent in names for the November Lists. Next weekend at both masses, Remembrance Sunday, we will remember all those who have died in War and Conflict on the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice. British Legion Poppies are available on the table at the back of Church.
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £550.25p. Thank you and thank you to those parishioners who contribute by regular Standing Order.
Thank you, too, for the CAFOD Family Fast Day envelopes that have been received in recent weeks. The total raised £495.17p (If anyone is interested in re-establishing the CAFOD Group in the Parish please let Fr Bernard know. We hope to call a meeting at the beginning of December
St John’s Junior School Due to an accident during the recent half term break, Mrs. Elaine Mullins, Head Teacher of St John’s Junior School, is in hospital in Liverpool and will be absent from school for some time. Fr Bernard visited Mrs. Mullins on Wednesday afternoon and asks that we keep her and her family in our thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks. In Mrs. Mullins absence Miss Trisha Oates (who is our experienced Deputy Head Teacher) has been appointed as the Acting Head Teacher and will continue to provide leadership, support and care for all the children and staff in our school.
St John’s Catholic Pre-School September 2019 Admission:
OPEN EVENING on Tuesday 13th November, 2019 4.00-5.30pm. Children who are 3 years of age by 31st August 2019 are invited to apply for a place at our Pre-School. Parents are welcome to come along to see our setting and complete an application form.
Any queries, please contact the setting –
0151 645 5291 Option 2 for Pre School.
Wirral HCPT Group thank you for your support last weekend. They have a fundraiser at
St Anne’s Parish Centre this Sunday afternoon from 12 noon to 4.00pm. A fun afternoon of traditional Irish Dancing, Afternoon Tea, Irish Bingo and a Raffle. Tickets and further information from Erin McCulloch 07473311235
St John’s SVP The New SVP Group held its first meeting on Thursday 1st November. Thank you for the interest shown this far. If anyone else is interested or wants to k now more, please contact District President Paul Lever on 07703045223
Scripture Group: Following Jesus…Its Joy, Challenge and Fruitfulness. Six interesting Thursday evenings from 8th November to 6th December meeting in the Day Chapel here at St John’s. An excellent preparation for Advent and Christmas. Contact David Williams 07711581893 or
Fr Bernard.
Confirmation 2018: This year’s LPA Confirmation Mass, celebrated by Bishop Mark, and is to take place at St Anne’s, Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. Please keep all the candidates their parents and catechists in your prayers.
The next singing practices will be on Thursday 8th and 29th November at 7.30pm in the Day Chapel. We will be looking at music for Advent and Christmas. These are not CHOIR practices but for ANYONE who enjoys SINGING. All welcome.
BOST Fanfare for Christmas:
An evening of Festive Music, featuring well-loved and traditional
favourites and exciting new modern Christmas music on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm at St Anne’s Church. Tickets available after weekend Masses here at St John’s and also from St Anne’s Presbytery during the week.
The Diocese has a vacancy for a Diocesan Mission Catechist to assist with the organisation and provision of the formation of those working in all areas of parish and adult catechesis throughout the Diocese. This is a permanent job and based at the Curial Offices in Birkenhead. For more information please contact http/wwwdioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies.
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 Nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 21st October 2018. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: TRIVIAL PURSUIT?
It’s easy to become so familiar with our religion that we forget what an enormous challenge is thrown down to anyone who really wants to be a follower of Christ. We can wear the practice of our faith like an old pair of slippers and never notice how battered they have become.
Being a Christian is not the obvious choice. Ask the audience. Only a small percentage would think it’s a sensible lifestyle. Phone a friend, but make sure he or she really has heard what Christ is asking. There’s more than a fifty-fifty chance that it will look stupid.
Choosing to be a disciple means sharing in the daily shame of the cross. It’s not about living the cushy existence. It’s about rejoicing at being at the bottom of the pile. In a world that prizes success the Christian glories in what looks like failure. A Christian man is a permanent number two; a Christian woman is always last rather than first.
Trying to be a Christian is no trivial pursuit for it deals with life and death questions. Can you hack it, asks Jesus? Can you really cope with taking on the ills of the world and serving others to the point of exhaustion? Can you deal with being thought a fool for his sake?
Is your religion more about bells and smells, coffee mornings and garden fetes, stained glass and nice music? Or is it about being prepared to suffer shame, to be laughed at, to do without, to serve and not to count the cost or seek any reward apart from the satisfaction that you are trying to follow Jesus?
Christ tells us that to follow him we must die first. To follow him we must put ourselves at others’ disposal till it hurts and expect nothing in return. Can you do this? That’s what he asked James and John. Clearly he had his doubts about them.
Christianity is not a hobby. It’s not a pastime on a par with volunteering for the local hospital’s League of Friends or joining the Rotary Club. It’s a life and death series of decisions. Let’s not fall into the trap of thinking that it’s normal!
Social Club Manager, Wirral based. SDCC are looking to recruit a capable and enthusiastic individual to efficiently manage and develop a club operation within the Wirral Peninsula. Further details can be found at http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies . CV’s should be sent to Pauline.mcculloch@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date Friday 26 October.
Caritas Shrewsbury currently has 2 vacancies: Family Support Social Worker and Refugee Project Worker. Both positions are part-time, and a great opportunity for the right person. For further details and an Application Pack, please contact us: http://www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk (‘Job Vacancies’ can be found under the ‘News’ Section) / Tel: 0151 652 1281 / info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk
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.
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.
REMEMBER SUMMER TIME FINISHES NEXT SATURDAY, 27TH OCTOBER. THE CLOCKS GO BACK 1 HOUR.
| 29th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 21st | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
John McIntosh RIP
Jean Roberts RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 22nd | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Tuesday | 23rd | 9.15am | John McDonough RIP | ||
| Wednesday | 24th | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Thursday | 25th | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Friday | 26th | 9.15am | Ints Cameron & Bell Fams | ||
| Saturday | 27th | ||||
| 30th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 28th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Roy Clayton
Marie Pugh Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | 10.30am -11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Bishop Mark thanks you for your warm welcome last weekend and for the welcome he received at St John’s Schools during the previous week. He was particularly complimentary about our Liturgy and the numbers and varying age ranges involved in it. He thanks everyone for their contributions to “Our Mission Together” which has made the necessary physical improvements to our Church possible and was pleased to know the number of “old” and “newly formed” groups existing and working in the Parish. All in all, a very good report. As always, your Parish Priest thanks you for your prayers and on-going support.
SUNDAY IS A DAY OF PRAYER FOR WORLD MISSIONS
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £638.88p. Thank you and thank you to those parishioners who contribute by regular Standing Order.
Thank you, too, for the CAFOD Family Fast Day envelopes that have been received in recent weeks. We shall let you know the total raised after next weekend. (If anyone is interested in
re-establishing the CAFOD Group in the Parish please let Fr Bernard know. We hope to call a meeting at the beginning of December.
Also to record that the recent Thursday & Sunday Coffee mornings realised £704 for charity. Your generosity as ever is much appreciated and is never taken for granted.
UNCLAIMED RAFFLE PRIZE: BLUE Entrance ticket No 451 Please collect your prize from church.
There will be a collection THIS WEEKEND for church flowers. The flower decoration greatly enhances the church and altar. Please be generous. Thank you
Confirmation 2018: This year’s LPA Confirmation Mass, celebrated by Bishop Mark, is to take place at St Anne’s, Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. Please keep all the candidates their parents and catechists in your prayers.
October Rosary………the Rosary is being prayed each weekday in a different home in the Parish…thanks to those who have offered to host/lead this important devotion.
Readers – Please note a date for your diary. There will be a meeting on Saturday
3rd November at 10am in church to discuss Year C of the Lectionary which begins on the 1st Sunday of Advent.
This year’s Annual Remembrance Mass will be celebrated here at St John’s on Friday, 2nd November at 7.30pm. Invitations have been sent to those families who have lost relatives during the past year. Please join them to remember and celebrate the lives of all those who have died.
St John’s SVP The New SVP Group has now met twice and it looks as though it will have 10/12 members. Thank you for your interest. The next meeting will be in the Day Chapel on Thursday 1st November at 6.30pm (prior to the Holyday Mass at 7.30pm for the Feast of All Saints). If anyone else is interested or needs to know more about the SVP, please contact our local District President, Paul Lever, on 07703045223. our parish SVP group. There is plenty of work to be done. Further enquiries to Paul Lever on 07703045223.
Scripture Group: Following Jesus…Its Joy, Challenge and Fruitfulness. Six interesting Thursday evenings from 8th November to 6th December meeting in the Day Chapel here at St John’s. An excellent preparation for Advent and Christmas. Introductory session on Thursday 1st November after 7.30pm Mass. Contact David Williams 07711581893 or Fr Bernard.
On Saturday 3 November 2018 at 11.00 am at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King there is a Mass to celebrate Catholic Education and pray for members of our present school community. In particular this year, we are dedicating the Mass to Mrs Young and celebrating all that she achieved during her 21 years as Headmistress of Upton Hall School. Everyone associated with Upton Hall School and Holt Hill Convent is warmly invited.
At Easter time 2019, the HCPT group will once again be taking a small group of vulnerable and disadvantaged children on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Following on from the success of the Irish Dancing Afternoon Tea fundraiser last January and due to public demand we are holding another event at St Anne’s Parish Centre, Rock Ferry on Sunday 4th November, 12-4pm. Tickets will be available @ £8 for adults and £5 for accompanying children. We understand that Christmas is just around the corner, and money is a struggle, but we would really appreciate any support for this event. It would make a lovely Christmas gift for a Grandparent!! Please contact Erin McCulloch on 07473311235 or by email erinmcculloch6@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested or know anyone who might be!! All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards expenses for the trip. Join us for a fun afternoon of Ceili dancing, Afternoon Tea, Irish Bingo, a raffle and traditional Irish dancing!!
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 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 14th October 2018. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: GOOD EXCUSES
Emma went to church and wanted to “follow Jesus” as he asked, but there were a few problems. Her boyfriend thought religious people were “nutters” so she played down her involvement with St John’s parish so as not to lose him. Her friends thought she was mad for going to church and none of her neighbours ever darkened the doors. So she decided to keep turning up on Sundays but to keep her head down and never volunteer for any parish activity. Simon was a university student brought up Christian but had lapsed from any practice of his faith. Talking to the chaplain Simon was adamant that his priorities had to be different at the moment. He had his exams to pass. And wasn’t university about fun, having a good time instead of spending hours at the local soup kitchen? He intended to be successful, make a packet and then he’d have time for more religious things. Barbara lent money. Some would call her a loan shark. She earned a nice living off the interest she took from local people. This money fuelled her drugs habit and paid for the large amount of alcohol she consumed each week. She had this nagging feeling that God was calling her to a different way of life, a deeper relationship with him. But it would mean giving up all of this, and could she do it? She decided not. Tom was actually quite active in his parish. He was a reader and played in the music group. He’d felt the call to become a priest but it would mean leaving the job he enjoyed so much at the bank. The thought of being uprooted for studies and possibly being sent to some other area (or country) to serve as a priest was not a prospect he relished.
For Emma it was someone. For Simon it was a question of someday. For Barbara it was something she couldn’t give up. And for Tom it was somewhere he didn’t want to be. Jesus says, “Sell all you own and come follow me.” What’s your excuse?
Readers – Please note a date for your diary. There will be a meeting on Saturday 3rd November at 10am in church to discuss Year C of the Lectionary which begins on the 1st Sunday of Advent.
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.
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.
WORD FOR TODAY
We can all claim to be Christians. But is our Christianity simply cultural and superficial? The founder of Christianity was executed for what he stood for. How far are we prepared to go in standing up for what we believe?
| 28th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 14th | 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm |
St John’s Parish
Ints Norah & Bill Martin (50th Wedding) Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 15th | 9.15am | Ints Holy Family Sisters | ||
| Tuesday | 16th | 9.15am | Gerard Edwards RIP | ||
| Wednesday | 17th | 9.15am | Ints Ruth Hegarty | ||
| Thursday | 18th | 10.00am | Funeral Mass
John Joseph Murphy |
||
| Friday | 19th | 9.15am | For Sick Parishioners | ||
| Saturday | 20th | ||||
| 29th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 21st | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
John McIntosh RIP
Jean Roberts RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | 10.30am -11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Money Matters: Offertory collection £605.88p
Thank you for your continued generosity.
CAFOD’s Harvest Family Fast Day… CAFOD envelopes are on the table at the back of Church and can be returned in the offertory bag anytime up to and including the last weekend in October.
First Forgiveness /First Holy Communion : If there are any children attending non-Catholic schools who wish to celebrate these sacraments please make contact with Fr Bernard as soon as possible
Confirmation 2018: This year’s LPA Confirmation Mass, celebrated by Bishop Mark, is to take place at St Anne’s, Rock Ferry on Friday 23rd November at 7pm. Please keep all the candidates their parents and catechists in your prayers.
Recently Deceased : Please remember those members of the parish who have died recently , especially John Joseph Murphy whose Funeral Mass is here on Thursday at 10am.
Bishop’s Pastoral Visit: A warm welcome to Bishop Mark Davies who is visiting St John’s and St Anne’s Parishes this weekend. 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 Mass when there will be the usual Tea & Coffee in the Parish Centre.
Thank you to all those who attended the Coffee Morning on Thursday in the Parish Centre with .Refreshments, White Elephant Stall, Traidcraft Goods. An opportunity to prepare a shoebox of gifts for children overseas– help with decorating & selecting items for the boxes. Proceeds towards T4U Charity, Traidcraft & Parish Funds. This will be repeated today after the 9.30am Mass. It provides a good opportunity to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
Canonizations in Rome : Today (Sun) in St Peter’s Square Pope Francis will celebrate Mass during which he will canonise (declare a saint) Pope Paul VI, Archbishop Oscar Romero and five others. We ask the intercession of these “new saints” for the Synod on Young People taking place in Rome this month and for the needs of the whole Church.
October Rosary………the Rosary is being prayed each weekday in a different home in the parish…thanks to those who have offered to host/lead this important devotion.
The launch of a New SVP Group at St John’s : Do you want to put your faith into practice in a positive way? Well – here is your chance!! We want to support the great work that SVP members in our parishes have done over the years and continue to do so by re-starting our parish SVP group. There will be a further SVP meeting and gathering this Thursday at 7.30pm in the presbytery. All are welcome………..please encourage a fellow parishioner/friend to attend with you. There is plenty of work to be done. Further enquiries to Paul Lever on 07703045223 or email lever.paul51@tiscali.co.uk. <mailto:lever.paul51@tiscali.co.uk>
On Saturday 3 November 2018 at 11.00 am at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King there is a Mass to celebrate Catholic Education and pray for members of our present school community. In particular this year, we are dedicating the Mass to Mrs Young and celebrating all that she achieved during her 21 years as Headmistress of Upton Hall School. Everyone associated with Upton Hall School and Holt Hill Convent is warmly invited.
At Easter time 2019, the HCPT group will once again be taking a small group of vulnerable and disadvantaged children on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Following on from the success of the Irish Dancing Afternoon Tea fundraiser last January and due to public demand we are holding another event at St Anne’s Parish Centre, Rock Ferry on Sunday 4 November, 12-4pm. Tickets will beavailable @ £8 for adults and £5 for accompanying children. We understand that Christmas is just around the corner, and money is a struggle, but we would really appreciate any support for this event. It would make a lovely Christmas gift for a Grandparent!! Please contact Erin McCulloch on 07473311235 or by email erinmcculloch6@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested or know anyone who might be!! All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards expenses for the trip. Join us for a fun afternoon of Ceili dancing, Afternoon Tea, Irish Bingo, a raffle and traditional Irish dancing!!
Social Club Manager, Wirral based. SDCC are looking to recruit a capable and enthusiastic individual to efficiently manage and develop a club operation within the Wirral Peninsula. Further details can be found at http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies . CV’s should be sent to Pauline.mcculloch@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date Friday 26 October.
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 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 7th October 2018. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: SCIENCE AND RELIGION
The story of the boy who cried wolf is not true. But what it says is true. There never was such a historical boy. But the moral remains true: if you consistently lie than you run the risk of not being believed when you are telling the truth.
Sometimes, especially in America, Church people engage in battles with scientists about what the bible says on the origins of humanity and what science says it now knows to be virtually certain. It’s the old Creation versus Evolution debate. Today’s Genesis readings tells us about God making Adam fall into a deep sleep and then making Eve out of one of Adam’s ribs. Is this true? Do we have to believe it? Did it really happen like that? Most Christians would accept that the bible is telling a story. It is not trying to be historical; it can’t be since there was no one else there in the story except God and Adam. It is not trying to be scientific or to give a medical explanation for how men and women came about. It’s just a story. But it’s still true. Because, like the tale of the boy who cried wolf, it what it’s really trying to say that is important. It’s the “meat” of the story that counts. And what the writer is attempting to convey is that animal and human life comes from a divine creator and our surroundings depend on that creator for everything. Because men and women are the product of God’s love then they are drawn to each other in the bond of marriage in a way that reflects God’s love: eternal, indissoluble and unconditional. Genesis wants to say nothing more and nothing less. What a pity it would be if Christians thought that their faith precluded them from rejoicing in scientific discoveries about the origins of our universe and human life. And what a pity, too, if scientists were given the impression that Christians were so hidebound that they believed in a talking snake.
Readers – Please note a date for your diary. There will be a meeting on Saturday 3rd November at 10am in church to discuss Year C of the Lectionary which begins on the 1st Sunday of Advent.
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.
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.
WORD FOR TODAY
The love between a man and woman reflects the love that God first had for us in creating us and sustaining us in life. That’s why married love knows no bounds, is holy, unbreakable and unconditional. So it’s part of our nature to love, since our human existence is a sharing in God’s nature, and God’s nature is love itself.
| 27th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 7th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Clifford Saalmans B.day Remembrance RIP
Oliver Newnes Anniv RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 8th | 9.15am | Ints Margaret Brannock | ||
| Tuesday | 9th | 9.15am | Ints Fr Stephen Coonan | ||
| Wednesday | 10th | 11.00am | Funeral Mass
Maura Guthrie |
||
| Thursday | 11th | 9.15am | Ints Jackie Mitchell | ||
| Friday | 12th | 9.15am | Ints Larkin/Meaney Fam | ||
| Saturday | 13th | ||||
| 28th Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B | 14th | 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm |
St John’s Parish
Ints Norah & Bill Martin (50th Wedding) Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | From next Saturday 13th Oct at new time of 10.30am -11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Money Matters: Offertory collection £628.44p
Thank you for your continued generosity.
Last Friday was CAFOD’s Harvest Family Fast Day………did you remember? Did you pray and fast for the poor and hungry of our world? CAFOD envelopes are on the table at the back of Church and can be returned in the offertory bag anytime up to and including the last weekend in October.
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. Thank you to the Confirmation candidates who helped to serve tea and cake after last Sunday’s Mass as part of their preparation.
First Forgiveness /First Holy Communion : If there are any children attending non-Catholic schools who wish to celebrate these sacraments please make contact with Fr Bernard as soon as possible
Wedding: Congratulations, best wishes and prayers to Lorna Rook and Daniel Williams married here at St John’s yesterday .
Recently Deceased : Please remember those members of the parish who have died recently , Maura Guthrie : Funeral Mass this Wednesday 10th Oct at 11.00am. Also John Joseph Murphy whose Funeral Mass is here on Thursday 18th October at 10am.
Aid to the Church in Need: Annual Event in the Diocese this Sunday 7th October. Talks on the Suffering Church in Iraq and Pakistan at St Columba’s Church in Chester at 3pm.
Coffee Morning on Thursday 10:00am – 1:00pm in the Parish Centre .Refreshments, White Elephant Stall, Traidcraft Goods. Opportunity to prepare a shoebox of gifts for children overseas– help with decorating & selecting items for the boxes will be available. Proceeds towards T4U Charity, Traidcraft & Parish Funds. This will be repeated next Sunday 14th after the 9.30am Mass. It provides a good opportunity to help others less fortunate than ourselves.
October Rosary………the Rosary is being prayed each weekday in a different home in the parish…thanks to those who have offered to host/lead this important devotion. There will be a Public Rosary next Saturday at 2pm in St Werburgh’s Square. This is being organised by the Legion of Mary and everyone is welcome to join them.
Explore Mary at SS. Catherine & Martina’s Hoylake this Tuesday from 7-8.30pm……….a Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team night of music and fun! If you are in High School and love music this night is for you. Join the SYMT team for a night of fun, uplifting music, inspiring talks, prayer and food. All most welcome.
Bishop’s Pastoral Visit: Bishop Mark will be visiting St John’s and St Anne’s Parishes next weekend 13th/14th 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 Mass when there will be the usual Tea & Coffee in the Parish Centre. The Bishop will visit St John’s Infant and Junior School on Tuesday 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.
The launch of a New SVP Group at St John’s : Do you want to put your faith into practice in a positive way? Well – here is your chance!! We want to support the great work that SVP members in our parishes have done over the years and continue to do so by re-starting our parish SVP group. Last weekend’s appeal inspired many of you to attend last Thursday’s meeting in the Day Chapel. There will be a further SVP meeting and gathering on Thursday 18th October at 7.30pm in the presbytery. All are welcome………..please encourage a fellow parishioner/friend to attend with you. There is plenty of work to be done. Further enquiries to Paul Lever on 07703045223 or email lever.paul51@tiscali.co.uk.
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 is now in full flow and the Candidates were enrolled at Mass last Sunday. 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
