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
The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 12th July 2020. Cycle A
Celia Daly thanks you all for your prayers and good wishes. She has now fully recovered from the illness she had earlier in the year and looks forward to seeing everyone again in the coming weeks.
During ‘Lockdown’ : Father Bernard has presided at a number of Funeral Services for our parishioners at Landican / Bebington / Plymyard. Memorial Masses for many of these will be celebrated in church in the coming weeks.
WORD FOR TODAY God promises to guide our lives with his word. Do we make it our concern to study the word of God? Is it central to our lives? Or is it just something we hear for a few moments each week in church?
WORDS FOR WORSHIP We have been nourished on the word of God, sown in our readings today. Let us now pray that we may be united in that word as we are called to his supper: Lord, I am not worthy…
Wirral Foodbank: needs your help and support more than ever, Full details of how to donate to Wirral Foodbank can be found at htpps/wirralfoodbank.org.uk/give-help. People who need emergency food and support at this time can contact the Wirral Emergency Food Hub on 0151 666 5050. For the time being please do not bring any food donations to Church .
The Parish Newsletter & The Wednesday Word, which is a helpful reflection on next Sunday’s readings, are presently available as you leave Church(via the front side door). Please take a copy for yourself and anyone from your street or neighbourhood who would appreciate receiving information about St John’s Parish at this time.
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: SPREAD THE WORD We all know the parable of the sower. A farmer sows seed on his land; it falls into four different types of soil and it produces anything from no crops at all to a field full of harvest. Usually we say that God is the sower, the seed is the word of God and we are the various types of soil. But why should we bother to read or listen to the word of God? How can it help? Isn’t it just a collection of old books with limited value in the third millennium? And surely if we’re looking for advice on how to live life today then there are plenty of modern books in the library or the bookshops? We put a premium on the bible not because it contains words about God but because it contains the words of God. In fact, it contains the word, the message of God. And scripture is the place that God has chosen to reveal himself. Using human beings as the writers of the bible’s books God inspires them with the Holy Spirit. So Christians believe that the bible is not simply religious opinion or outlook; it is what has been revealed through close faith in God and it comes from a people living cheek by jowl with God. So scripture is not simply one source about God among many others; it is the privileged place from which God chooses to speak to us. To be ignorant of scripture is to be ignorant of God. And why should we bother to sow the word? The call that God makes to us through his word is compelling. We freely choose to accept it but then we are impelled to tell others about it because it is the most important ingredient in our daily lives. God’s call infuses everything we do and cannot be kept as a sideline to be looked at like a stamp collection or played with like a model train set. It is the dynamo of our existence, what gives us hope and provides us with direction to our lives. If Christians don’t read and study the word of God then they atrophy, they wither. If Christians don’t use every means to propagate the seed of the word then they fail to comply with the conditions of God’s call to go out and teach all nations. Today’s parable asks us to be both an assiduous farmer and good soil. Without these nothing will grow. Least of all us.
Fifteenth Sunday 12th 9.30am
Fr Bernard Ints
Monday 13th
Tuesday 14th 9.15am Ints Chris & Ann Dougherty
Wednesday 15th
Thursday 16th 7.00pm Gerry Topping RIP
Friday 17th
Saturday 18th 5.00pm Des Capper RIP
Sixteenth Sunday 19th 9.30am St John’s Parish
Dear Parishioners,
Welcome home! Welcome back to St John’s Church, it’s wonderful to be gathered together again for the public celebration of Mass in our beautiful Church! Albeit faithfully following current Government Covid 19 guidelines.
The maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures is 70 persons but in order to reach this maximum the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales are directing that for our weekend Masses we follow HM Government ‘ 1 metre plus’ approach meaning that members of the congregation must wear a face covering ( on weekdays when there are less people attending Mass we shall keep the 2 metre approach which means face coverings are not mandatory). Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a container in the Church porch but please do bring your own with you if you can. Obviously our capacity number will go up slightly if members of the same household attend together as they can sit together. Otherwise you will only be permitted to sit on the seats marked with a blue and white poster.
Sunday Masses will be somewhat different to what we have experienced before lockdown, as at this present time, we are unable to have singing, social distancing will need to apply in the sanctuary and particularly with the distribution of Holy Communion but I will explain this to you at each Mass. For the time being only I will distribute Holy Communion. Please bear with us in seeing what is best and follow instructions carefully and with charity towards each other too. Remember this situation is only temporary.
A complexity to reopening our churches is how to manage those who wish to attend Mass given the maximum number allowed, how might we manage numbers of people, and ought it to be on a first come, first served basis, or ought people ‘book’ a place. None of the possibilities present an easy solution. I think we must proceed, to begin with, with a simple invitation to come to Mass at the times advertised and that if we reach capacity (ie over 70) we must, I am sorry to say, say that no more than 70 can enter the Church. Weather permitting Mass can be heard from the courtyard in front of the Church. Or there is a later Mass at St Anne’s on Saturday’s at 6.30pm and Sunday’s at 11.15am. The Sunday obligation was lifted at the beginning of lockdown and that still remains the case. I ask for your patience in all this. I appreciate it might cause some disappointment or frustration. Please bear with me. As time goes on I am sure some other solutions will emerge.
It goes without saying that if you have any Covid 19 symptoms or if you become unwell in other ways please do not come to Church at this present time.
Thank you for all your prayers and support in recent times. It’s very much appreciated.
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession : I will be available for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament next Saturday from 10.15-11.00am in the courtyard in front of the Church ( Confessional in all our Churches are currently out of use as they do not meet the social distancing requirements).
Stewarding ; Thank you to the stewards who have stewarded the prayer times in recent weeks. We are hoping that all of them will continue these duties at the weekend Mass of their choice (on a rota basis) for the foreseeable future. Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard but do bear in mind that HM Government advice states that stewards must be under 70 and must have no underlying health conditions.
Mass Intentions If you would like a Mass celebrated for a particular intention or for a person living / dead, please write the intention on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope with a donation in the presbytery letter box.
Live streaming continues at Shrewsbury Cathedral and at Walsingham. Please see relevant websites for details. I am currently looking into the possibility of live streaming from St Anne’s which I hope will begin in the next few weeks.
St John’s SVP held a socially distanced meeting recently. They have been doing great work, keeping in touch by email and phone, with our housebound and vulnerable parishioners.
St Luke’s at St John’s
Given current Government restrictions regarding Places of Worship, St Luke’s Parish is unable to celebrate Mass in their usual settings so as an interim measure from next Sunday 19th July and every Sunday for the foreseeable future Fr Paschal will celebrate an 11am Mass in St John’s Church. Although principally for St Luke’s Parishioners in these times of restricted numbers this Mass will be a welcome addition to St John’s usual weekend schedule (Sat 5.00pm and Sun 9.30am)We look forward to welcoming Fr Paschal and his parishioners to St John’s from next weekend.
Money Matters Many thanks to those parishioners who have been so faithful in their financial support of our parish during these weeks of Lockdown…. using their Offertory Envelopes, pushing donations through the Presbytery letterbox and by Standing Order…. your generosity is very much needed & appreciated. A basket is now placed on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations to St John’s Parish and School when you enter the church for Holy 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: http://www.stjohnevang.co.uk http://www.lpa24.org
The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5th July 2020. Cycle A
Celia Daly thanks you all for your prayers and good wishes. She has now fully recovered from the illness she had earlier in the year and looks forward to seeing everyone again in the coming weeks.
During ‘Lockdown’ : Father Bernard has presided at a number of Funeral Services for our parishioners at Landican / Bebington / Plymyard. Memorial Masses for many of these will be celebrated in church in the coming weeks.
WORD FOR TODAY The gospel message makes sense of our lives. It lightens the burden, sheds light and guides us through difficult decisions. Jesus’ promise today is the same as always: when you feel overburdened I will give you rest.
WORDS FOR WORSHIP Lord Jesus, your yoke is easy: Lord, have mercy .Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, your burden is light: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you promise rest to the overburdened: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. In his goodness may the Lord have mercy on us, confirm us in faith, forgive our sins and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
Wirral Foodbank: needs your help and support more than ever, Full details of how to donate to Wirral Foodbank can be found at htpps/wirralfoodbank.org.uk/give-help. People who need emergency food and support at this time can contact the Wirral Emergency Food Hub on 0151 666 5050.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
The Wednesday Word 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: WORRYING TIMES? The current rise in prices is getting on top of Maureen. She’s on a fixed income and every time she goes to the supermarket she despairs. Everything seems to be pushing her into a corner and she’s not sure just how long she can manage to feed the kids and pay the bills now that she’s been widowed. She doesn’t know where to turn to. Ken never seems to settle these days. Several years ago he was convicted of fraud and went to gaol for two years. He recently moved into the parish with his family and set up home. They got jobs locally and their children go to the nearby school. He’s deeply ashamed of what he did. He’d do anything to turn the clock back. He feels tied up in knots and his worst nightmare would be if everything went public. Annie has been a parishioner all her life. People comment on how you can set your clock by Annie’s arrival in church with her prayer book and rosary beads. But in her heart she’s just going through the motions. Inside she feels spiritually dry and it’s hard to get enthusiastic about anything to do with her faith. It’s as if in the last years of her life God is taking all comfort of faith away from her. Tom is the local GP. He seems to spend hours in his surgery and he loves his job but he’s beginning to feel worn out. With all the paper work on top of his medical work he’s wondering how long he can go on for. He never lets his patients know how he feels, but it’s getting to the point where his lifelong desire to help people in their moments of need is starting to wane. He spends his days telling others not to live such a hectic lifestyle but he knows he’s just as guilty himself. Joan and Alan are having marriage problems. They got back together after Alan got involved with another woman at work. Things seem a bit better now but there’s also the problem of their three teenage children. If there’s any way they can rebel they’ll find it. Joan’s sick of being called to the school where they’re causing disruption, and Alan’s convinced that one of these days the call will be from the police. On Sunday morning when Maureen, Ken, Annie, Tom, Joan and Alan settle into their places in church they all hear the same words of Jesus in the gospel: “Come to me all you who are overburdened and I will give you rest”.
Fourteenth Sunday 5th
St John’s Parish
Monday 6th
Tuesday 7th 9.15am In Thanksgiving
Wednesday 8th
Thursday 9th 7.00pm Madge Callaghan Aniv
Friday 10th
Saturday 11th 5.00pm Tom Sarson Aniv
Fifteenth Sunday 12th 9.30am Fr Bernard Ints
Dear Parishioners,
I hope you are all keeping well in these challenging times. If there is anything you wish to contact me about please email me at stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or phone 0151 645 3996/ 0151 645 3314. It is important we stay in touch with each other and no one feels/is isolated.
For the past three weeks St John’s Church has been open for private prayer for 3 hours a week ( concluding this Sunday 9.00am to 10.00am) and now we are preparing for the resumption of the public Celebration of Mass firstly on Tuesday at 9.15am, then on Thursday at 7.00pm and then from next weekend 11th / 12th July at the usual times Saturday 5.00pm & Sunday 9.30am.
The maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures is 70 persons but in order to reach this maximum the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales are directing that for our weekend Masses we follow HM Government ‘ 1 metre plus’ approach meaning that members of the congregation must wear a face covering ( on weekdays when there are less people attending Mass we shall keep the 2 metre approach which means face coverings are not mandatory). Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a container in the Church porch but please do bring your own with you if you can. Obviously our capacity number will go up slightly if members of the same household attend together as they can sit together. Otherwise you will only be permitted to sit on the seats marked with a blue and white poster.
Sunday Masses will be somewhat different to what we have experienced before lockdown, as at this present time, we are unable to have singing, social distancing will need to apply in the sanctuary with servers, readers etc and particularly with the distribution of Holy Communion but I will explain this to you at each Mass. For the time being only I will distribute Holy Communion. Please bear with us in seeing what is best and follow instructions carefully and with charity towards each other too. Remember this situation is only temporary.
A complexity to reopening our churches is how to manage those who wish to attend Mass given the maximum number allowed, how might we manage numbers of people, and ought it to be on a first come, first served basis, or ought people ‘book’ a place. None of the possibilities present an easy solution. I think we must proceed, to begin with, with a simple invitation to come to Mass at the times advertised and that if we reach capacity (ie over 70) we must, I am sorry to say, say that no more than 70 can enter the Church. Weather permitting Mass can be heard from the courtyard in front of the Church. Or there is a later Mass at St Anne’s on Saturday’s at 6.30pm and Sunday’s at 11.15am. The Sunday obligation was lifted at the beginning of lockdown and that still remains the case. I ask for your patience in all this. I appreciate it might cause some disappointment or frustration. Please bear with me. As time goes on I am sure some other solutions will emerge.
It goes without saying that if you have any Covid 19 symptoms or if you become unwell in other ways please do not come to Church at this present time.
I am very much looking forward to welcoming you back to St John’s Church, Thank you for your prayers and support.
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession : I will be available for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament next Saturday from 10.15-11.00am in the courtyard in front of the Church ( Confessional in all our Churches are currently out of use as they do not meet the social distancing requirements).
Stewarding ; Thank you to the stewards who have stewarded the prayer times in recent weeks. We are hoping that all of them will continue these duties at the weekend Mass of their choice (on a rota basis) for the foreseeable future. Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard but do bear in mind that HM Government advice states that stewards must be under 70 and must have no underlying health conditions. There will be a short but important socially distanced stewards meeting in Church on Thursday (9th July) after Mass (ie around 7.30pm).
Mass Intentions If you would like a Mass celebrated for a particular intention or for a person living / dead, please write the intention on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope with a donation in the presbytery letter box.
Live streaming continues at Shrewsbury Cathedral and at Walsingham. Please see relevant websites for details. I am currently looking into the possibility of live streaming from St Anne’s which I hope will begin in the next few weeks.
St John’s SVP held a socially distanced meeting on Thursday. They have been doing great work, keeping in touch by email and phone, with our housebound and vulnerable parishioners.
Money Matters Many thanks to those parishioners who have been so faithful in their financial support of our parish during these weeks of Lockdown…. using their Offertory Envelopes, pushing donations through the Presbytery letterbox and by Standing Order…. your generosity is very much needed & appreciated. A basket is now placed on the Offertory table at the back of church should you wish to make a donation to St John’s Parish and School when you enter the church for private prayer and Holy 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: http://www.stjohnevang.co.uk http://www.lpa24.org
The Feast of St Peter & St Paul 28th June 2020. Cycle A
Celia Daly thanks you all for your prayers and good wishes. She has now fully recovered from the illness she had earlier in the year and looks forward to seeing everyone again in the coming weeks.
During ‘Lockdown’ : Father Bernard has presided at a number of Funeral Services for our parishioners at Landican / Bebington / Plymyard. Memorial Masses for many of these will be celebrated in church in the coming weeks.
Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church , the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Wirral Foodbank: needs your help and support more than ever, Full details of how to donate to Wirral Foodbank can be found at htpps/wirralfoodbank.org.uk/give-help. People who need emergency food and support at this time can contact the Wirral Emergency Food Hub on 0151 666 5050.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
The Wednesday Word 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 FAITH IN FOCUS: PETER AND PAUL
The pages of the four gospels clearly show Peter to be the leader of the apostles, chosen by Jesus to have a special relationship with him. With James and John he was privileged to witness events like the Transfiguration and the agony in Gethsemane. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. He was sent with John to prepare for the last Passover before Jesus’ death. His name is first on every list of apostles.
But the Gospels also include some unflattering details about Peter. He clearly was no public relations person. It’s a great comfort for us ordinary mortals to know that Peter also has his human weakness, even in the presence of Jesus.
Paul converted to Christianity after being its persecutor. His central conviction was simple and absolute: only God can save humanity. No human effort—even the most scrupulous observance of law—can create a human good which we can bring to God as reparation for sin or payment for grace. To be saved from itself, from sin, from the devil and from death, humanity must open itself completely to the saving power of Jesus.
Today we celebrate two great saints who are proof that God can work through anybody. We have St. Peter, a brash, thick-headed fisherman, inclined to say whatever popped into his head without thinking, and St. Paul, that well educated Pharisee who persecuted the Church, later becoming its great champion. Today’s feast, then, is a celebration of the Church’s unity (and a good example to us in Community). Anyone who has read Acts or Galatians, will recall that Saints Peter and Paul did not always think or act in perfect harmony. They came from different backgrounds, they had different methods of evangelism, and they didn’t always get along, but they were vitally important to the emerging Christian Church.
Both helped to spread the faith of the early Church, following in the footsteps of Christ. That these two extremes could allow the Holy Spirit to work through them is certainly proof that God can work through each of us, as long as we are willing to answer “yes” to God’s call.
Ss Peter & Paul 28th
St John’s Parish
Monday 29th Ints Holy Family Sisters
Tuesday 30th Arthur Brockway Aniv
Wednesday 1st Canon Frank Pullen Aniv
Thursday 2nd NHS Staff & Care Workers
Friday 3rd Ints Sister Brigid Kelly
Saturday 4th For the Sick & Housebound
Fourteenth Sunday 5th St John’s Parish
Father Bernard will offer the above Masses privately here at St John’s on the appropriate days this week.
Dear Parishioners,
I hope everyone is keeping well in these challenging times, If there is anything you wish to contact me about please email me at stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or phone 0151 645 3996.
As you are aware from the various media outlets, churches have now reopened for private prayer and will from the beginning of July be reopening for the Celebration of Mass and other public liturgies. This is indeed a moment for rejoicing but we must proceed with caution.
The Church has been thoroughly cleaned thanks to ‘The Dust Busters’ ( our cleaning team) and additional parishioners who came to help them. In accordance with Diocesan guidelines, appropriate signage has been put up inside the Church and other Health and Safety matters have been attended to.
Recently various contractors have been to the Church to check the roof and gutters and outside fixtures of the building, cleanse church steps and entrances, fix hand towel dispensers, provide additional bins, sanitizer units etc, so that St John’s Church can as far as is humanly possible, be deemed Covid 19 safe.
So, St John’s Church is now open for private prayer at the following times
Sunday’s – 9.00am-10.00am
Tuesday’s- 9.00am-10.00am
Thursday’s -7.00pm-8.00pm
Every time the Church is open we need to have 3 or 4 stewards ….so the more volunteers the better please
In answer to all our prayers Public Masses will resume at St John’s on Tuesday 7th July and at the usual times on the weekend of 11th & 12th July.
Enclosed in this newsletter is a message from the Metropolitan Archbishops of the Catholic Church in England (please read it carefully)
Mass Intentions If you would like a Mass celebrated for a particular intention or for a person living / dead, please write the intention on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope with a donation in the presbytery letter box.
Shrewsbury Cathedral Bishop Mark thanks those who have been joining him for Sunday & Weekday Masses and other services via live stream. Please note that with the Cathedral reopening for private prayer the schedule has altered slightly the up to date schedule can be found on the Diocesan and Cathedral websites.
National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham Has a good website and is currently live streaming 24 hours a day. As the shrine reopens for private prayer this week please check their website for a revised schedule.
Money Matters Many thanks to those parishioners who have been so faithful in their financial support of our parish during these weeks of Lockdown…. using their Offertory Envelopes, pushing donations through the Presbytery letterbox and by Standing Order…. your generosity is very much needed & appreciated. A basket is now placed on the Offertory table at the back of church should you wish to make a donation to St John’s Parish and School when you are visiting the church for private prayer.
I very much look forward to welcoming you all back to St John’s Church,
United in Prayer,
Father Bernard.
Tel 0151 645 3314
Father, pour out your Spirit
upon St John’s Parish
and grant us
a new vision of your glory,
a new experience of your power,
a new faithfulness to your Word, and
a new consecration to your service,
that your love may grow among us,
and your kingdom come;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen
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
The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st June 2020. Cycle A
WORD FOR TODAY Christ tells us that we should not be afraid to speak up for what we believe. Are we afraid? Are we concerned about what people might think of us if we are up-front with our beliefs? Would they shun us? Would they think we are strange or weird? And if they would, do we care?
WORDS FOR WORSHIP Let us pray for those who witness to their faith in countries where this means risking life and livelihood. Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer. Let us pray for those who suffer constant fear, either as a result of mental illness or through trauma at experiencing a serious event in their lives. Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer. Let us pray for the Church throughout the world that it may be fearless and bold in proclaiming the sovereignty of God’s kingdom and the promises held out to those who accept Jesus as saviour of the world .Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer. Let us pray for our community, for the sick and the dying, for those who are caring for loved ones at home, and for those finding it hard to make ends meet .Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Wirral Foodbank: needs your help and support more than ever, Full details of how to donate to Wirral Foodbank can be found at htpps/wirralfoodbank.org.uk/give-help. People who need emergency food and support at this time can contact the Wirral Emergency Food Hub on 0151 666 5050.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
The Wednesday Word 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: WHY PRAY WHEN YOU CAN WORRY? Fr Brown worries a lot. He’s not the best of preachers and he fears that people know this and look down on him when he opens his mouth. So he makes light of it and never really gets involved in a sermon that would challenge. On the front row is Mary Bradley who’s concerned about her family. She struggles to bring up her three children after the death of her husband and now the doctor has told her that a shadow has shown up on her latest set of X-rays. Gino Benelli is one of the ushers. When he takes the collection each Sunday it simply reminds him of the fact that his own financial situation is anything but rosy. He looks likely to be made redundant from the bakery and he’s no idea where he’ll get the mortgage money from. Cathy O’Leary, one of the readers, has lived in a rough part of the parish for years but now as a pensioner she fears for her safety. When she goes out to collect her pension she can’t help wondering if she’ll be the next mugging victim. And at night she’s terrified by the joy riders. Young Terry Roberts is taking the lead in the school play. On one level he’s thrilled, but occasionally he gets this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that he’s going to make a fool of himself. His older sister, Averil, is nervously awaiting her exam results. She’s desperate to get into university. Germaine Treadway is a faithful choir member. A teacher at the local school, she has yet to meet Mr Right. She can’t bear the thought of reaching old age alone and it plays on her mind. We all have our fears, worries and anxieties. It’s only natural. Christians are invited not to live them by themselves but to share them with God. Sharing them with God does not take them all away but it does put them into a different perspective: God’s. It also makes us realise that there are more important things to worry about. As Jesus says in today’s gospel: If you want something to worry about then ask yourself how you’re doing in relation to him who can destroy both body and soul in hell!
Twelfth Sunday in Ord Time 21st
Anne + Brian Cooper Special Ints.
Monday 22nd Fr Michael Murray(1st Ann)
Tuesday 23rd For our Schools
Wednesday 24th Bishop Vincent Malone RIP
Thursday 25th Ints Pat Diskin (80th)
Friday 26th Gerry Topping RIP
Saturday 27th Ints of SVP District Council
Ss Peter & Paul 28th St John’s Parish
Father Bernard will offer the above Masses privately here at St John’s on the appropriate days this week.
Wishing all Dads and Grandads a happy Father’s Day.
Renew your wonders
in this our day
as by a new Pentecost.
Pope John XX111
Father, pour out your Spirit
upon your people
and grant us
a new vision of your glory,
a new experience of your power,
a new faithfulness to your Word, and
a new consecration to your service,
that your love may grow among us,
and your kingdom come;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Dear Parishioners,
I hope everyone is keeping well in these challenging times, if there is anything you wish to contact me about/ bring to my attention ,please email me at stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or phone 0151 645 3996.
As you will be aware from the various media outlets, churches have been allowed to open from last Monday 15th June for private prayer and then please God, later this Summer for the celebration of Mass and other public liturgies ( Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals etc).
In order to reopen our Church after 12 weeks, it has undergone a thorough clean thanks to ‘The Dust Busters’ ( our cleaning team) and additional parishioners who came to help them. In accordance with Diocesan guidelines, appropriate signage has been put up inside the Church and other Health and Safety matters have been attended to.
Recently various contractors have been to the Church to check the roof and gutters and outside fixtures of the building, cleanse church steps and entrances, fix hand towel dispensers, provide additional bins, sanitizer units etc, so that St John’s Church can as far as is humanly possible, be deemed Covid 19 safe.
So from last Thursday 18th June, St John’s Church is now open for private prayer at the following times each week until further notice.
Sunday’s – 9.00am-10.00am
Tuesday’s- 9.00am-10.00am
Thursday’s -7.00pm-8.00pm
Every time the Church is open we need to have 3 or 4 stewards (1 female/1 male). Plus myself, so the more volunteers the better, please.
Mass Intentions If you would like a Mass celebrated for a particular intention or for a person living / dead, please write the intention on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope with a donation in the presbytery letter box.
Shrewsbury Cathedral Bishop Mark thanks those who have been joining him for Sunday & Weekday Masses and other services via live stream. Please note that with the Cathedral reopening for private prayer this week the schedule has altered slightly the up to date schedule can be found on the Diocesan and Cathedral websites.
National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham Has a good website and is currently live streaming 24 hours a day. As the shrine reopens for private prayer this week please check their website for a revised schedule.
Mass by telephone for those not online. Please telephone 01642 130120
Money Matters Many thanks to those parishioners who have been so faithful in their financial support of our parish during these weeks of Lockdown…. using their Offertory Envelopes, pushing donations through the Presbytery letterbox and by Standing Order…. your generosity is very much appreciated. A basket is now placed on the Offertory table at the back of church should you wish to make a donation to St John’s Parish and School when you are visiting the church for private prayer.
Every Blessing, and thank you for all your support,
Father Bernard.
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
The Body and Blood of Christ Sunday 14th June 2020. Cycle A
O Jesus, since You have left us a remembrance of Your Passion beneath the veils of this Sacrament, grant us, we pray, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood that we may always enjoy the fruits of Your Redemption, for You live and reign forever. Amen.
D
Wirral Foodbank: needs your help and support more than ever, Full details of how to donate to Wirral Foodbank can be found at htpps/wirralfoodbank.org.uk/give-help. People who need emergency food and support at this time can contact the Wirral Emergency Food Hub on 0151 666 5050.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
The Wednesday Word 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.
IN FOCUS: EUCHARIST: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE PAST: 2,000 years ago on a Thursday evening Jesus ate what was probably a Passover meal with his disciples in the Upper Room. This meal was a memorial of how God had freed the Jewish people by liberating them from slavery and providing them with a promised land. During his meal Jesus told the disciples that from now on they were to eat this meal not in remembrance of Moses and the Exodus but in memory of him. For the bread that they would eat was his body that the next day he would be nailed to the cross, and the wine that they would drink was his blood that on the same Friday would be shed on Calvary. PRESENT: Today we Christians have a living memorial of that saving action of Christ. It is the Eucharist. Over the centuries Christians have never ceased to follow that command of Jesus at the Last Supper. They have gathered together, listened to God’s word in the scriptures and then, when they have taken, blessed and broken the bread, they have shared communion by eating and drinking what Christ tells us is his body and blood. In this sacrament of the Eucharist Jesus is really present to those who receive him. His flesh is real food and his blood is real drink because both of them nourish, they sustain us and keep us spiritually healthy. As we eat and drink from the one bread and cup the Eucharist becomes a sign of the unity that we share and at the same time it also makes us one in Christ. FUTURE: The Eucharist is food for our journey, medicine for our health and strength for our future. Not simply about the past and present it directs us towards two futures. The first future means that the Eucharist is a sign of our commitment to building up the kingdom of God here on earth. So receiving the Eucharist is not just an act of devotion; it commits us to action. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit we pledge ourselves to playing our full part in the Church’s work of bringing about a world in which justice, peace and holiness reign. And the second future is in the afterlife. The Eucharist is a pledge of the heavenly banquet that God has promised to those who listen to the voice of his Son. What we experience in the food of the Eucharist is a foretaste of an eternal feast with God. The feast of the Body and Blood of Christ allows us to thank God for this wonderful gift.
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 14th
Ints St John’s Parish
Monday 15th Ints Holy Family Sisters
Tuesday 16th Ints St John’s School
Wednesday 17th Barbara Forshaw Birthday Remembrance
Thursday 18th NHS Staff + Care Workers
Friday 19th Gerry Topping RIP
Saturday 20th Phil Rooney RIP
Twelfth Sunday in Ord Time 21st Anne + Brian Cooper Special Ints.
Father Bernard will offer the above Masses privately here at St John’s on the appropriate days this week.
On Friday we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On Saturday we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary intercede for us in these troubled times.
Dear Parishioners,
I hope everyone is keeping well in these challenging times, if there is anything you wish to contact me about/ bring to my attention ,please email me at stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or phone 0151 645 3996.
As you will be aware from the various media outlets, churches can reopen from this Monday 15th June for private prayer and then please God, later in July/ August for the celebration of Mass and other public liturgies ( Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals etc).
In order to reopen our Church after 12 weeks, it obviously has to undergo a thorough clean. ‘The Dust Busters’ ( our cleaning team) will be meeting on Tuesday at 9.30am to carry out this important task (using the appropriate PPE). I am hoping that as many ‘Dust Busters’ as possible will be present and that additional parishioners will come along to help them. Please meet outside the main door of the Church for a full briefing etc at 9.30am. Once this has been completed in accordance with Diocesan guidelines, appropriate signage will be put up inside the Church and other Health and Safety matters will be attended to.
This weekend and on Monday various contractors will be visiting the Church to check the roof and gutters and outside fixtures of the building, cleanse church steps and entrances, fix hand towel dispensers, provide additional bins, sanitizer units etc, so that by next Thursday 18th June, St John’s Church can as far as is humanly possible, be deemed Covid 19 safe. Only then and in consultation with the Diocesan Health and Safety Officer, Bishop Mark and Canon Phil Moor (the Vicar General for this part of the Diocese), will I reopen our beautiful Church initially for private prayer.
So from next Thursday 18th June, the Eve of the Feast of the Sacred Heat of Jesus, St John’s Church will be open for private prayer at the following times each week until further notice.
Sunday’s – 9.00am-10.00am
Tuesday’s- 9.00am-10.00am
Thursday’s -7.0pm-8.00pm
I will be contacting all those who have already generously volunteered to be stewards, over the weekend and hopefully a few more parishioners will volunteer for these duties before the weekend is out.
Every time the Church is open we need to have 3 or 4 stewards (1 female/1 male). Plus myself, so the more volunteers the better, please.
Mass Intentions If you would like a Mass celebrated for a particular intention or for a person living / dead, please write the intention on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope with a donation in the presbytery letter box.
Shrewsbury Cathedral Bishop Mark thanks those who have been joining him for Sunday & Weekday Masses and other services via live stream. Please note that with the Cathedral reopening for private prayer this week the schedule has altered slightly the up to date schedule can be found on the Diocesan and Cathedral websites.
National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham Has a good website and is currently live streaming 24 hours a day. As the shrine reopens for private prayer this week please check their website for a revised schedule.
Mass by telephone for those not online. Please telephone 01642 130120
Money Matters Many thanks to those parishioners who have been so faithful in their financial support of our parish during these weeks of Lockdown…. using their Offertory Envelopes, pushing donations through the Presbytery letterbox and by Standing Order…. your generosity is very much appreciate.
I look forward to welcoming you back to St John’s Church from Thursday onward.
Every Blessing,
Father Bernard.
A Personal Statement from Father Bernard Forshaw
Dear Parishioners,
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express our faith. It is very clear that following official advice and in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS, at this time ,we must not gather for public acts of worship in our churches. This began on Friday 20th March 2020, until further notice.
St John’s and all our local churches will remain open. They are not closing. They will be a focal point of prayer, where you will find solace and strength. In visiting our churches at this time, we will observe with great care the practices of hygiene and the guidance on social distancing.
I will continue to celebrate Mass, here at St John’s for all your intentions, Sunday by Sunday and day by day, sadly without a public congregation.
Knowing that the Mass is being celebrated; joining in spiritually in that celebration; watching the live-streaming of the Mass; following its prayers at home; making an act of spiritual communion: this is how we share in the Sacrifice of Christ in these days. These are the ways in which we will sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day.
I want everyone to understand that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed. This is, without doubt, the teaching of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2181). This pandemic is the ‘serious reason’ why this obligation does not apply at this time.
I personally will open St John’s Church:
- from 4.30pm- 5.30pm each Saturday,
- 9.00am -10.00am every Sunday and
- at 9.00am each week day for private prayer ( eg-lighting a candle, etc )
for the foreseeable future.
I also want you to know that I am always contactable by email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com and tel 0151 645 3314 / 0151 645 3996. No one should feel isolated or alone. Arrangements are being made re- Wirral Food Bank which I will let you know about in the next few days.
You can continue your Offertory Contributions, if you so wish, either by continuing /completing a Standing Order or by posting your Offertory Envelopes through the Presbytery letterbox (your new supply of Offertory Envelopes will be delivered to your door in the next few days).
Please continue to pray for our parish and schools… and don’t forget to pray for me!
Every Blessing
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
The Third Sunday in Lent 15th March, 2020. Cycle A
WORD FOR TODAY What do you really want out of life? What would make your life so complete that you would feel that you were lacking nothing? Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he has it on tap. And it can be yours too. What is it?
WORDS FOR WORSHIP Let us pray for those who are preparing to be baptised or received into the Church at Easter, that during this Lent they may feel the presence of God, experience the consolation of faith and enjoy the support of their parish community. Spare your people, Lord: Hear and grant our prayer! Let us pray for those who are seeking meaning in their lives but find it hard to encounter God, for those who have given up hope through a sense of betrayal and those who once worshipped with us in this church but who no longer practise their faith, that their thirst may be quenched by the water of life offered by Jesus. Spare your people… Let us pray for those of our parish in need, for the sick, for those who have died recently, for those who exercise any ministry on behalf of us all and those who are in any kind of trouble Spare your people… Let us pray for those who have little or no water, for those in countries where there is drought, for lands that have poor sanitary and social infrastructures and for ourselves that we may use wisely the precious gift of water. Spare your people…
D
Wirral Foodbank: Thank you to all those who contribute to the Foodbank, helping to support people in crisis in our Local Community. The total raised this week is on the Notice Board at the back of Church along with details of the Foodbank and the services it offers. Please keep your donations coming- Items urgently needed- sugar, custard, tinned potatoes, deodorant, and washing up liquid, toiletries. Once again if you have any spare plastic bags or even an idea on how they are able to distribute food/goods without the need for plastic bags, it will be gratefully received.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
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: WHAT DO YOU GET? For most of us Lent is coming round again and we may think that we’ve heard it all before. But for a small group of people throughout the world it’s something that they will never forget. They are catechumens and candidates. Catechumens are men and women who will be baptised at Easter and candidates are those who are already baptised but will be received into the Church at Easter. For the next three weeks they are going through an intense period that concludes many months or even years of preparation. Each Sunday of Lent the Church tries to give them (and us) one principal image to latch on to in order to express something of the significance of becoming a fully fledged Christian. What do you get when you believe in Jesus? Today we’re told that we get WATER. But it’s not just any old water. Jesus promises the Samaritan women water of life. In other words, if you drink this water it will satisfy all your longings and yearnings. Following Jesus is not like some hobby, something that you can do part-time, something that you can take or leave. It’s all-consuming because it alters the whole meaning of your life. It quenches that thirst of emptiness which can easily take hold of us. What Christ offers is something that satisfies deep down. Next week we’ll see that we get LIGHT. Jesus will cure a man who was born blind. It will transform his whole being. Not only will he see things, but he’ll see everything in a new light, in a completely different way, because he knows the source of this new-found sight. The gospel sheds light for us on the decisions and choices of our lives. Unlike those who have not received this light of faith we see things differently. In two week’s time we’ll discover that we get LIFE. When Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead his life takes on a new meaning. He will never wake up the same ever again. The life that Jesus offers us has an effect on how we enjoy God’s creation here on earth but it carries with it an extra bonus: the knowledge that we are intended for a life of happiness that never ends. So if you think you’ve heard it all before, listen with the ears of a catechumen and rediscover what’s really on offer for those who are prepared to give their lives to God.
Third Sunday of Lent 15th 5.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
7.30pm Josie Murray Anniv RIP
St John’s Parish
Stations of the Cross
Prayer Meeting
Monday 16th 9.15am Service of Word + Communion
Tuesday 17th 9.15am Dr Robert Johnson RIP
Wednesday 18th 9.15am Elizabeth Brooks RIP
Thursday 19th 7.30am Cicily Alexander Anniv
Friday 20th 9.15am Hugh Gourley RIP
Saturday 21st 9.30am Colin Lee RIP
Fourth Sunday of Lent 22nd 5.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
7.30pm Grandsons 4th Anniv RIP
For All Mothers
Stations of the Cross
Prayer Meeting
Confessions Each Saturday 10.30am-11.30am
Morning Prayer 15 min before daily Masses
Lent 2020
Masses and Services at St John’s
Each Thursday in Lent Mass will be at 7.30am
Each Saturday in Lent Mass at 10am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions until 11.30am . Next Saturday Mass will be at 9.30am due to the Liturgy day at SJP. Each Sunday in Lent Stations of the Cross at 3.00pm in church this week led by the Altar Servers.
On the Wednesday’s of Lent Bebington Churches Together will be holding in various venues a short Service / Prayer time beginning at 11.00am followed by a soup lunch. This week here at St John’s.
Deanery Lenten Station Masses have been arranged for each Tuesday in Lent at 7pm. This week’s Mass is at St Joseph’s Birkenhead.
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.
Sick Visits: If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion /a visit please let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
or Tel 0151 645 3314
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Offertory Collection was £525.58p. Thank you for your continued generosity. Attention all Gift Aid Donors- The parish will soon begin the process of claiming back Gift Aid Tax Refunds on donations made in the year 2019-2020. If you have moved house in the last year or your circumstances have changed and you no longer pay income tax ( or if for any reason you do not wish to remain in the Gift Aid Scheme) please contact Steve Bell- 0151 644-7512. Note- if you are a tax payer and not in the Gift Aid Scheme, why not join and help the parish to benefit from some of your Income Tax? If you do not pay but your wife or husband is a tax payer, why not get them to join?
Cafod Family Fast Day Envelopes can be returned in the offertory bags at any time up until the end of March.
Readers and all Ministers: A meeting will be held on Saturday 28th March at 10.30am in Church. Please make every effort to attend as we prepare for our Holy Week and Easter Services. Thank you.
Year of the Word- Diocesan Spring Talks
Everyone most welcome.
Thanks to those who attended last week’s talk.
Talk 4- Fr Michael Coughlan on Why Four Versions of the Gospel, Wednesday 1st April beginning at 7pm at Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Enfield Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 8BY.
To all the Parishioners who have supported the Traidcraft Stall over the past 12 months, the Stall has raised £1,005 in sales (with gift aid another £250). A Big Thank You from, Eileen & Steve Bell”.
The Year of the Word: Proclaiming the Word through Music at St John Plessington Catholic College, Old Chester Road, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 7LF, this Saturday 21st March 10am-3.00pm. A message from Stella McGann…This day is the first Music Day to be set up by the Diocesan Liturgy Commission which was re-formed just over 18 months ago. As the Liturgy Commission member for Music, I am writing to you to ask you to support the event which will offer opportunities for sharing ideas, exploring and singing new music and reflecting on how we, as parish musicians, under the headings of how, what and when, can play an active role in this The Year of The Word. I am particularly pleased that composer and liturgist Martin Foster has been able to include us in his busy schedule of national events at which he is speaking during this very special year. Please register ASAP with anthony.timothy@dioceseofshrewsbury.org A £5 fee, payable on the day, will go towards the running costs. Please bring your own packed lunch; tea and coffee will be provided. Bring a group from your parish and pay only £25 for 6!
Coronavirus- we must be mindful of the situation which is constantly evolving around us with regards to the Coronavirus outbreak. Consequently we have made the decision to suspend receiving from the Chalice, we ask you to receive the Host directly onto your hands only, and not to physically make the sign of peace during Masses until further notice. At weekend Masses the Offertory Collection will be taken as you leave Church rather than at the usual time. Hand sanitizer is provided in the entrance area for use but it is also recommended that you use soap and water to wash hands before coming to church. It is hoped that by maintaining high levels of hygiene we should be able to protect ourselves and subsequently the most vulnerable in our community. As you will appreciate this situation is evolving rapidly and other practises we use in Church may have to alter. Thank you for your understanding and support at this difficult time. Please also take the time to read Bishop Mark’s Pastoral Letter on this subject which is enclosed in this Newsletter.
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
The Second Sunday in Lent 8th March, 2020. Cycle A
WORD FOR TODAY We all need mountain-top experiences from time to time. They let us see the wider horizon of life and remind us that there is more to existence than meets the eye. When did you last let God transfigure the humdrum of your life?
WORDS FOR WORSHIP May God the Father reveal his glory to you as you strive to listen to the voice of his Son. Amen. May Christ the Lord open your ears to hear the message of eternal life. Amen. May the Spirit inspire you to see the presence of God in all the surroundings and events of your lives. Amen. And may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
eDdD
Wirral Foodbank: Thank you to all those who contribute to the Foodbank, helping to support people in crisis in our Local Community. The total raised this week is on the Notice Board at the back of Church along with details of the Foodbank and the services it offers. Please keep your donations coming- Items urgently needed- sugar, custard, tinned potatoes, deodorant, and washing up liquid, toiletries. Once again if you have any spare plastic bags or even an idea on how they are able to distribute food/goods without the need for plastic bags, it will be gratefully received.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
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: MOUNTAIN VIEWS We’re not told in today’s gospel what the name of the mountain was that the Transfiguration took place on. Tradition says it was Mount Tabor, but it doesn’t really matter. In fact, whenever a mountain features in the bible we can be pretty sure that God is about to appear in some form or other and tell us something significant. That’s what happened to Moses on Mount Sinai and to Elijah on Mount Carmel. Mountains are a sort of scriptural code for an appearance of God. In our run-up to Easter we can be forgiven for thinking that mountains don’t matter. But we all need them. Mountain moments are those in which we seem to catch something of God’s presence amid the humdrum of our daily routines. Out of the blue we see something or hear something that makes us realise that there is more to life than meets the eye. Mountains are what bring us our spiritual experiences. It could be something natural like a sunset; it could be the birth of a child, the success of a friend, the embrace of two lovers. Whatever it is, it takes our spirit beyond our bodies and lets us have a glimpse of something that is greater than the merely human. Because primitive peoples thought that God lived in the sky they went up mountains to be closer to him. But we have lots of mountain experiences down here on the ground. These moments of breakthrough sustain us through all the days when God’s presence can seem a bit more distant from us, when like the people of Exodus we wonder whether God is with us or not. They act as a booster to our faith. Today we see Peter, James and John. They have been given some bad news that Jesus is destined to be put to death and they are feeling low. Yet the Transfiguration is a flash of God’s glory visible in Jesus. The Transfiguration is a defining moment for them. From being fearful they are strengthened. As we journey through Lent on our way to Easter God will offer us our own moments of Transfiguration. He’ll let us see his glory and, just as on the mountain top, he’ll tell us “This is my Son. Listen to what he’s got to say.” So, wherever we bump into our own mountains, we need to keep our eyes and ears open.
Second Sunday of Lent 8th 5.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
7.30pm Margaret Ellis Birthday Ints
Ints Doug Unwin
Stations of the Cross
Prayer Meeting
Monday 9th 9.15am Service of Word + Communion
Tuesday 10th 9.15am Anne Armstrong RIP
Wednesday 11th 9.15am Gerda McArdle RIP
Thursday 12th 7.30am Margaret Marks RIP
Friday 13th 12.00
noon Funeral Mass
William McGowan
Saturday 14th 10.00am Ints SVP
Third Sunday of Lent 15th 5.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
7.30pm Josie Murray Anniv RIP
St John’s Parish + School
Stations of the Cross
Prayer Meeting
Confessions Each Saturday 10.30am-11.30am
Morning Prayer 15 min before daily Masses
Lent 2020
Masses and Services at St John’s
Each Thursday in Lent Mass will be at 7.30am
Several Friday’s in Lent Mass at 11.30am followed by soup lunch in the Parish Centre .
Each Saturday in Lent Mass at 10am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions until 11.30am . Each Sunday in Lent Stations of the Cross at 3.00pm in church this week led by the Grace Group and next week by the Altar Servers.
On the Wednesday’s of Lent Bebington Churches Together will be holding in various venues a short Service / Prayer time beginning at 11.00am followed by a soup lunch. This week at the URC Church in Higher Bebington .
Deanery Lenten Station Masses have been arranged for each Tuesday in Lent at 7pm. This week’s Mass is at St Anne’s in Rock Ferry.
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.
Sick Visits: If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion /a visit please let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
or Tel 0151 645 3314
Lately Dead; Please pray for the repose of the soul of William McGowan whose Funeral Mass is here at St John’s this Friday 13th March at 12 noon. May he and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Offertory Collection was £604.52p. Thank you for your continued generosity. Attention all Gift Aid Donors- The parish will soon begin the process of claiming back Gift Aid Tax Refunds on donations made in the year 2019-2020. If you have moved house in the last year or your circumstances have changed and you no longer pay income tax ( or if for any reason you do not wish to remain in the Gift Aid Scheme) please contact Steve Bell- 0151 644-7512. Note- if you are a tax payer and not in the Gift Aid Scheme, why not join and help the parish to benefit from some of your Income Tax? If you do not pay but your wife or husband is a tax payer, why not get them to join?
St John’s Junior School children from Y5+6 will be joining us at Church to celebrate Mass on Tuesday at 9.15am. They will be thinking about their Lenten journey and all are welcome to join us. There will be a meeting in school for Y3 parents on Thursday afternoon to talk about the First Holy Communion programme.
SVP Festival Meeting for Conferences in the Birkenhead and East Wirral Area next Saturday here at St John’s beginning with Mass in Church at 10am. All SVP Members are asked to attend.
Readers and all Ministers: A meeting will be held on Saturday 28th March at 10.30am in Church. Please make every effort to attend as we prepare for our Holy Week and Easter Services. Thank you.
Year of the Word- Diocesan Spring Talks
Everyone most welcome.
Thanks to those who attended last week’s talk.
Talk 4- Fr Michael Coughlan on Why Four Versions of the Gospel, Wednesday 1st April beginning at 7pm at Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Enfield Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 8BY.
To all the Parishioners who have supported the Traidcraft Stall over the past 12 months, the Stall has raised £1,005 in sales (with gift aid another £250). A Big Thank You from, Eileen & Steve Bell”.
The Year of the Word: Proclaiming the Word through Music at St John Plessington Catholic College, Old Chester Road, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 7LF. Saturday 21st March 10am-3.00pm. A message from Stella McGann…This day is the first Music Day to be set up by the Diocesan Liturgy Commission which was re-formed just over 18 months ago. As the Liturgy Commission member for Music, I am writing to you to ask you to support the event which will offer opportunities for sharing ideas, exploring and singing new music and reflecting on how we, as parish musicians, under the headings of how, what and when, can play an active role in this The Year of The Word. I am particularly pleased that composer and liturgist Martin Foster has been able to include us in his busy schedule of national events at which he is speaking during this very special year. Please register ASAP with anthony.timothy@dioceseofshrewsbury.org A £5 fee, payable on the day, will go towards the running costs. Please bring your own packed lunch; tea and coffee will be provided. Bring a group from your parish and pay only £25 for 6!
Can you help? An ex pupil from St John’s Junior school who attended from 1963-1970 would like to organise a 50th Anniversary re-union with fellow ex-pupils. He would love to hear from you if you are one of these or if you know any of these people. You can contact him – Derek Bassett on 07421827848 or email derek.a.bassett@gmail.com
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
The First Sunday in Lent 1st March, 2020. Cycle A
WORD FOR TODAY No one escapes temptation. Fortunately temptation is not sinful; but giving in is. Are we aware of where temptation lies in wait? What are the occasions, the places and the people who pose the biggest threat to us? And what do we do to avoid them?
WORDS FOR WORSHIP Lord Jesus, you resisted temptation to show us the way to true happiness: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you invite us to self-denial that our hearts may be renewed. Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you call us to share your paschal meal in purity of heart: Lord, have mercy. May almighty God have mercy on us, confirm and strengthen us against all temptation, forgive us our sins and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
eDdD
Wirral Foodbank: Thank you to all those who contribute to the Foodbank, helping to support people in crisis in our Local Community. The total raised this week is on the Notice Board at the back of Church along with details of the Foodbank and the services it offers. Please keep your donations coming- Items urgently needed- sugar, custard, tinned potatoes, deodorant, and washing up liquid, toiletries. Once again if you have any spare plastic bags or even an idea on how they are able to distribute food/goods without the need for plastic bags, it will be gratefully received.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
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: PLENTY OF TIME? One day the devil called a meeting in hell with all his demons. Top of the agenda was the question of how to get people to stop believing in God and end up ignoring sin and being forever at each others’ throats. This would then swell hell’s numbers. One of the chief demons said, “I have a plan. Let’s tell the people that there is no God and they’ve been tricked.” Another demon said, “No, that’s too obvious. Of course, there’s a just and holy God. Anyone except a fool knows that.” “Well then,” another demon said, “Let them believe that he is a just and holy God, but tell them that they are so sinful that they’ve had their last chance and now he won’t accept them. That will demoralise them.” But another said, “No, that won’t work. Everyone knows he’s also a God of mercy, and anyone who recognises their sinfulness and repents is assured of his forgiveness.” “I know exactly what we can do!” another demon exclaimed, “Let them believe there is a God – a just and holy God, full of mercy, but let’s just tell them that there’s plenty of time.” Lent is the season of penance and self-denial. It’s six weeks when we take stock of our lives and see whether they are taking us closer to God or further away from him. Is there any rush? Should we get urgent about it? Should we begin looking to see if there is a pattern about the way we fall into situations that we know are sinful and do us no good? Are there aspects of our lifestyle that need checking? Are some of our desires questionable? Are we genuinely trying to purify our motives? Do we do enough for others, close to home or those abroad who are in need?
Lent is about action, about opening ourselves to the working of God’s grace, about having a change of heart, a U-turn in the normal pattern of our behaviour. It’s a holy season of self-denial. But don’t worry; there’s plenty of time. Or so the devil says.
First Sunday of Lent 1st 5.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
7.30pm Yvonne Bushnell RIP
Betty Crebbin RIP
Stations of the Cross
Prayer Meeting
Monday 2nd 9.15am
7.00pm Rel/Fnd Moore Family RIP
Novena
Tuesday 3rd 9.15am Ints Carol Dalziel
Wednesday 4th 9.15am Jackie Devaney RIP
Thursday 5th 7.30am Rel/Fnd Fullerton FamilyRIP
Friday 6th 1.00pm Funeral Mass
Gerry Topping
Saturday 7th 10.00am Ints Philip + Sara White
Second Sunday of Lent 8th 5.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
7.30pm Margaret Ellis Birthday Ints
Ints Doug Unwin
Stations of the Cross
Prayer Meeting
Confessions Each Saturday 10.30am-11.30am
Morning Prayer 15 min before daily Masses
Lent 2020
Masses and Services at St John’s
Each Thursday in Lent Mass will be at 7.30am
Several Friday’s in Lent Mass at 11.30am followed by soup lunch in the Parish Centre .
Each Saturday in Lent Mass at 10am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions until 11.30am . Each Sunday in Lent Stations of the Cross at 3.00pm in church.
On the Wednesday’s of Lent from this week, 4th March Bebington Churches Together will be holding in various venues a short Service / Prayer time beginning at 11.00am followed by a soup lunch. This week at Christ Church, Higher Bebington.
Deanery Lenten Station Masses have been arranged for each Tuesday in Lent beginning this Tuesday 3rd March, at Christ the King, Bromborough at 7pm.
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.
Sick Visits: If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion /a visit please let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
or Tel 0151 645 3314
Lately Dead; Please pray for the repose of the soul of Gerry Topping whose Funeral Mass is here at St John’s this Friday at 1pm. Also William McGowan whose Funeral Mass is here at St John’s on Friday 13th March at 12 noon. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Offertory Collection was £535.20p. Thank you for your continued generosity. Attention all Gift Aid Donors- The parish will soon begin the process of claiming back Gift Aid Tax Refunds on donations made in the year 2019-2020. If you have moved house in the last year or your circumstances have changed and you no longer pay income tax ( or if for any reason you do not wish to remain in the Gift Aid Scheme) please contact Steve Bell- 0151 644-7512. Note- if you are a tax payer and not in the Gift Aid Scheme, why not join and help the parish to benefit from some of your Income Tax? If you do not pay but your wife or husband is a tax payer, why not get them to join?
The usual monthly Novena which takes place on the first Tuesday of every month, will be held ,this month on Monday at 7pm( due to Tuesday’s Lenten Mass at Christ the King. )
The Men’s Group are leading The Stations of the Cross this First Sunday of Lent at 3pm. Please join them if you can. The Men’s Group will also be meeting this Wednesday 4th March in the presbytery at 7.30pm.
St John’s SVP Meeting, this Thursday at 6.30pm in the presbytery.
World Day of Prayer (Formally, Women’s World Day of Prayer-Local Service at Christ Church, Port Sunlight, 2pm this Friday. All are welcome.
CAFOD Lent Family Fast Day on Friday 6 March is the 60th anniversary of the first Family Fast Day led by our founding mothers and, as it has been for sixty years, is an opportunity to reach out and support highly-skilled local experts around the world who help the poorest members of our global family. Please collect your Family Fast Day envelope this week and give whatever you can to help experts like Sister Consilia – a nun and trained pharmacist who treats people in rural Zimbabwe – continue their vital work.
Readers and all Ministers: A meeting will be held on Saturday 28th March at 10.30am in Church. Please make every effort to attend as we prepare for our Holy Week and Easter Services. Thank you.
Year of the Word- Diocesan Spring Talks
Everyone most welcome.
Thanks to those who attended last week’s talk.
Talk 3- Miss Barbara Davis on the language we use to Speak of God in the Bible, Wednesday 4th March beginning at 7pm, Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Enfield Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 8BY
Talk 4- Fr Michael Coughlan on Why Four Versions of the Gospel, Wednesday 1st April beginning at 7pm at Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Enfield Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 8BY.
Singing the Word is a day offered by the Diocesan Liturgy Commission for cantors, singers, instrumentalists, clergy and congregations on Saturday 21st March. In this Year of the Word, from 10am to 3pm you can join the Liturgy Commission at Saint John Plessington Catholic College on the Wirral.
Places are £5 payable on the day to help cover costs (6 places for £25). Our Key Note speaker for the day is Mr Martin Foster a well known composer and Director of the National Liturgy Office. To reserve a place contact Anthony Timothy at the Curial Offices 0151 652 9855 or anthony.timothy@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
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
The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 23rd February, 2020. Cycle A
Dear Father, Help us all to learn to love each other as you intended. Help us to recognise you in all the people we meet each and every day. Help us to take action when we see a need in others. Please fill us with the courage, wisdom, determination and action needed to fulfill your will. Amen
World Day of Prayer-Local Service at Christ Church, Port Sunlight, 2pm on Friday 6th March. All are welcome
Wirral Foodbank: Thank you to all those who contribute to the Foodbank, helping to support people in crisis in our Local Community. The total raised this week is on the Notice Board at the back of Church along with details of the Foodbank and the services it offers. Please keep your donations coming- Items urgently needed- sugar, custard, tinned potatoes, deodorant, and washing up liquid, toiletries. Once again if you have any spare plastic bags or even an idea on how they are able to distribute food/goods without the need for plastic bags, it will be gratefully received.
Please take a look at the Notice Boards at the back of Church for details of other Local Events over the next few weeks, and don’t forget to buy a Catholic paper and to take a look at the Card Rack.
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.
Extract taken from “Seasons of the Word” by Denis McBride C.Ss.R In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus address himself to the question of how his disciples should conduct themselves when they are faced with hurt and hatred. Jesus again develops the Law that he has received. “You have learnt how it was said…. but I say to you” Jesus quotes the ancient law of retaliation, the lex talionis, which fixed the boundaries of vengeance. The Law stated “(Anyone who) injures a neighbour, what he has done must be done to him: broken limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As the injury inflicted, so must be the injury suffered” (Leviticus 24:19-20). This might sound a savage law but it was introduced as a legal practice to limit blood feuds between communities. In traditional tribal life if a man of one tribe injured a man of another tribe there could be outright war in which all the members of both tribes were involved. There were no limitations on the revenge the offended tribe would take against the family and tribe of the offender. The law “an eye for an eye” limited the retaliation to the penalty of the same injury. In its time, therefore, the law was merciful because it stopped whole families being wiped out. Jesus, however, revokes this law, saying that his disciples must not be provoked into taking retaliation for the wrongs done against them. The disciples must not allow another person’s hostility to be their cue for action. Their cue for response is taken from the nature of their discipleship, not from the wrong they have experienced. Jesus argues that the love his disciples give people is not related to the love they receive from others: it is not a social contract nor a fair bargain. The disciple loves because that is what the nature of discipleship involves. A disciple is a child of the Father – and look at the Father’s graciousness. He does not withhold the sun and the rain from those who oppose him; likewise, disciples must not withhold their love from those who oppose them. Jesus does not believe that love transforms enemies into instant friends. Love did not solve all Jesus’ problems with his enemies. In the end he was the one who reached out to free others and was stung in the process. He was stung to death. But he stayed with his supreme value because that emerged from who he was as the Son of the Father. Love is his way and it stays his way no matter what appears on the agenda. Even the scorpions.
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 23rd 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm Simon Mercer RIP
Fr Jack McLeish RIP
Prayer Meeting
Monday 24th 9.15am Service of Word & Communion
Tuesday 25th 9.15am Bishop Brian Noble RIP
Ash Wednesday 26th 12.00
noon Ints St John’s Parish
Thursday 27th 7.30am Ints Alexander Family
Friday 28th 11.30am Bill Reid RIP
Saturday 29th 10.00am Ints Topping Family
First Sunday of Lent 1st 5.00pm
9.30am
3.00pm
7.30pm Yvonne Bushnell RIP
Betty Crebbin RIP
Stations of the Cross
Prayer Meeting
Confessions Each Saturday 10.30am-11.30am
Morning Prayer 15 min before daily Masses
Lent 2020
Masses and Services at St John’s Ash Wednesday 26th February Mass at 12noon at St John’s . Ashes Services will be held in all our schools.( Masses at St Anne’s at 9.15am & 7.30pm)
Ashes will be blessed and distributed at all Masses and services .
Each Thursday in Lent Mass will be at 7.30am
Several Friday’s in Lent Mass at 11.30am followed by soup lunch in the Parish Centre .
Each Saturday in Lent Mass at 10am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions until 11.30am . Each Sunday in Lent Stations of the Cross at 3.00pm in church.
On the Wednesday’s of Lent from 4th March Bebington Churches Together will be holding in various venues a short Service / Prayer time beginning at 11.00am followed by a soup lunch.
Deanery Lenten Station Masses have been arranged for each Tuesday in Lent beginning on Tuesday 3rd March, at Christ the King, Bromborough at 7pm.
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 schools re-open on Monday at the usual times following the Half Term break.
Sick Visits: If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion /a visit please let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
or Tel 0151 645 3314
Lately Dead; Please pray for the repose of the soul of Gerry Topping whose Funeral Mass is here at St John’s on Friday 6th March at 1pm. Also William McGowan whose Funeral Mass is here at St John’s on Friday 13th March at 12 noon. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Offertory Collection was £545.82p. Thank you for your continued generosity. Attention all Gift Aid Donors- The parish will soon begin the process of claiming back Gift Aid Tax Refunds on donations made in the year 2019-2020. If you have moved house in the last year or your circumstances have changed and you no longer pay income tax ( or if for any reason you do not wish to remain in the Gift Aid Scheme) please contact Steve Bell- 0151 644-7512. Note- if you are a tax payer and not in the Gift Aid Scheme, why not join and help the parish to benefit from some of your Income Tax? If you do not pay but your wife or husband is a tax payer, why not get them to join?
Traidcraft stall will be open after both Masses this weekend.
Readers: A meeting will be held on Saturday 28th March at 10.30am. Please make every effort to attend. Thank you.
Year of the Word- Diocesan Spring Talks
Everyone most welcome.
Thanks to those who attended the first talk last Wednesday, I am sure everyone was touched and inspired.
Talk 2- Father John Britto on Verbum Domini/ The Word of the Lord, the Encyclical of Pope Benedict XV1 this Thursday beginning at 7pm at St Columba’s, Chester.
Talk 3- Miss Barbara Davis on the language we use to Speak of God in the Bible, Wednesday 4th March beginning at 7pm, Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Enfield Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 8BY
Talk 4- Fr Michael Coughlan on Why Four Versions of the Gospel, Wednesday 1st April beginning at 7pm at Our Lady’s Parish Centre, Enfield Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 8BY.
An AUCTION in aid of Wirral SVP homeless project and SVP family support projects is to be held this Friday at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre at Sacred Heart Church. Moreton Cross. We still require donations of bottles, gifts, unwanted Christmas presents etc. More important we need people to come along and enjoy the fun while supporting these two very worthy causes. Further information or for collection of items please ring. 07905952798. Many thanks.
Singing the Word is a day offered by the Diocesan Liturgy Commission for cantors, singers, instrumentalists, clergy and congregations on Saturday 21st March. In this Year of the Word, from 10am to 3pm you can join the Liturgy Commission at Saint John Plessington Catholic College on the Wirral.
Places are £5 payable on the day to help cover costs (6 places for £25). Our Key Note speaker for the day is Mr Martin Foster a well known composer and Director of the National Liturgy Office. To reserve a place contact Anthony Timothy at the Curial Offices 0151 652 9855 or anthony.timothy@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
