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
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 17th February, 2019, Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: FEELING HAPPY?
When we read the Beatitudes we can find ourselves becoming cynical. Do we really want to be poor? Do we yearn to weep? Do we long to be hated and hungry? Probably not. So how do we make sense of what Jesus is teaching his disciples? Do we simply pass the Beatitudes off as nice spiritual thoughts, maybe for nuns and monks enclosed in their monasteries, but thoughts that we really don’t want to embrace ourselves?
Often we misunderstand the words that Jesus is using. Take “poor”, for example. The word does not refer to economic conditions but to an attitude of mind. Instead it means someone who is devoted, who knows their absolute dependence on God. The opposite word, “rich” means self-reliant, self-sufficient or satisfied. So what Jesus is saying is not that poor people are better off than those with money but that it’s better to rely on God than to think we can go it alone. Those who know that the Lord holds them in the palm of his hand at every moment already possess the kingdom of God.
Our translations sometimes say “Happy are you…” or “Blessed are you…” The happiness of the Beatitudes is something that is not affected by circumstances. It is the bliss that God enjoys, one that is profound and unchanging. To believe in the promises of the Beatitudes means to be so centred on our relationship with God that the troubles and strife of this life cannot shake our faith.
So the obvious question for us when we listen to Jesus today is “Are we really happy?” Do we experience a great joy and comfort from our faith or do we find it a bind, an extra burden that non-believers are spared? Would life be easier for us if we didn’t have to practise our religion? Would we miss it if it weren’t there or would we be relieved?
When Jesus says that the kingdom of God “is” ours he is speaking on two levels. Our perseverance will win us eternal happiness in heaven. But it’s also ours here and now. Living the Beatitudes means enjoying the kingdom day in and day out. So the final question is clear: Do you feel blessed and are you happy?
Wirral Foodbank: Please continue to give to the Foodbank; The need is as great as ever. Although we were very well supported with donations at Christmas, the need for our food has risen by 54% on this period last year, so the food is being given out very quickly. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items. Thank you for your continued generosity.
A “Welcome Café “ with the distribution of surplus food from local supermarket etc is held every Tuesday at St Anne’s Parish Centre from 11am to 1pm. All most welcome.
WORD OF GOD
A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord,with the Lord for his hope. He is like a tree by the waterside… (Jeremiah 17: 7-8)
WORD FOR TODAY
Generally speaking do you find that being a Christian is a blessing or a curse? Does following Christ make you count your blessings or do you consider it a bind and sometimes envy those who have no faith or religion?
Caritas Shrewsbury currently has 3 vacancies; 1 x F/T Community Services Manager (closing date: 4th March), and 2 x P/T Parenting Support Workers Wirral based (closing date: 1st March). For further details and an Application Pack, please contact us: www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk (‘Job Vacancies’ can be found under the ‘News’ Section) / Tel: 0151 652 1281 / info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk
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.
| Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C | 17th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Kate Hangley
(90th B.Day) Edward Sabino RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 18th | 9.15am | McDyres & Kennedy Fams | ||
| Tuesday | 19th | 12.30pm | Funeral Mass –
Peter Carr |
||
| Wednesday | 20th | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Thursday | 21st | 9.15am | Padraig Timmons | ||
| Friday | 22nd | 9.15am | Ints Bishop Mark Davies on Annv of his Ordination to the Episcopate | ||
| Saturday | 23rd | ||||
| Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C | 24th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
St John’s Parishioners
Mary Bersola RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | Saturday 10.30-11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Thursday is a Day of Special Prayer for Racial Justice
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. We urgently need some additional volunteers for the Tea & Coffee Rota so that it becomes a monthly or six weekly rota. If you can help, please have a word with Noelene Evans or Fr Bernard.
Sick Visits : If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion/a visit please do let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or Tel 0151 645 3314 that includes those who may be in hospital at this time. If any more of our Eucharistic Ministers would like to share in the Ministry of taking Holy Communion to the Sick after Mass on Sundays or weekdays please have a word with either Wilf Humphreys or Fr Bernard.
First Forgiveness: The children from St John’s School will celebrate the Sacrament of First Forgiveness in a special service in Church on Thursday 28th February at 6.30pm. Please keep all the children and their families in your prayers.
Lately Dead: Your prayers are requested for the following parishioners who have died recently. Peter Carr of Heathfield Road, Bebington Funeral Mass led by Fr Paschal on Tuesday 19th February at 12.30pm. Stan Williams of Queen Mary’s Drive, Port Sunlight. Funeral Service in Church on Friday 1st March 1pm. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters: Thank you for last week’s Offertory Collection which amounted to £585.31p. The Diocesan Sick & Retired Priest’s Collection (taken last weekend) remains open for a further week should you still wish to make a donation
St John’s SVP Conference meet on Thursday’s at 6.30pm in the presbytery.
Children’s Liturgy: Following on from the meeting held on 9th February there will be a further meeting held on Saturday 2nd March at 10am in the Day Chapel.
Third World Group Meeting. Next meeting on Monday 4th March at 6.30pm in the presbytery to which all parishioners are most welcome.
The Carmelite Monastery of the Annunciation, invites you to The Solemn Profession of Sr Maria Graziella of Jesus Crucified, icd
which is being held on Monday, 25th March at 11am. Bishop Mark Davies will be the celebrant. All are warmly invited to join the community. Refreshments will be available after the ceremony.
See poster on the notice board at the back of church.
St John Plessington Catholic College – Governor Vacancies
The school has vacancies for Foundation Governors on the Governing Body. Being a governor involves attending a minimum four evening meetings a year of the full governing body. Attendance at other meetings is dependent on voluntary membership of various committees. You may be unsure whether undertaking such a role is for you. You are most welcome to contact me, and I will answer any questions you have. If you wish I can also arrange a visit to the school. If you do decide to apply, foundation governors are appointed by Bishop Mark and your application should be supported by your parish priest.
With thanks and best wishes. John Williams,
Chair of Governors Tel 0151 327 2799
Fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland,
13th May 2019. £649.00 per person sharing. Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all taxes, luxury transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with full Irish Breakfast each morning and 4 Course Dinner each evening. All entertainment, excursions and guided tours included. Wheelchair accessible rooms in the hotel. Limited single rooms at supplement of £100. Groups and Individual bookings welcome. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613. See Poster on the notice board at the back of church.
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
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 10th February, 2019, Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: DEEPER WATER
We all like to feel comfortable and we all have our own little ways of doing things that we’ve got used to. That’s because by nature we’re creatures of habit. We don’t like to be put out or troubled by having to learn new ways. We like a quiet life.
Religious people sometimes use their faith in the same way. It becomes a comfort and a crutch, a way of doing things that makes them feel secure and unthreatened. Faith becomes the spiritual insurance policy that guarantees peace of mind.
But at the heart of faith is risk. Faith involves making that leap, walking along the path with no signs, trusting when you know that everything could go wrong. Faith is an invitation not to remain where we are but to seek ever new and more enriching pastures, to stretch ourselves, to be challenged in ways that we cannot even suspect but which will carry their own rewards. Christian faith, in particular, is not an anaesthetic but an adventure.
In today’s gospel we see Jesus telling Simon Peter to put out the boats into deeper water. Normally you don’t catch many fish by the edge of a lake; you have to be bold and move into the middle. And, sure enough, having fished all night long and caught nothing, it was when the disciples obeyed Jesus’ request to put out into deeper water that they not only caught fish but netted a catch that astounded them.
The deeper the water the more uncomfortable people feel, because you can’t touch the bottom. But the deeper the water the greater the catch. Our sluggishness encourages us to remain static in faith. We’re content to catch fish when Jesus promises us that we could be catching people, encouraging men and women to come to Christ. We’re prepared to do the basic minimum in our faith, to enjoy the view close to the shore, when Jesus promises us a magnificent experience on the high seas.
Today’s liturgy challenges us to be bolder in our relationship with God and with others, to grow in faith and trust, to move to areas in our lives that are as yet uncharted. Yes, we’re bound to have doubts about our safety. But God does not promise us a calm passage…just a safe landing.
Wirral Foodbank: Please continue to give to the Foodbank; The need is as great as ever. Although we were very well supported with donations at Christmas, the need for our food has risen by 54% on this period last year, so the food is being given out very quickly. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items. Thank you for your continued generosity.
A “Welcome Café “ with the distribution of surplus food from local supermarket etc is held every Tuesday at St Anne’s Parish Centre from 11am to 1pm. All most welcome
WORD OF GOD
Simon Peter fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Leave me Lord; I am a sinful man.” (Luke 5:8)
WORD FOR TODAY
Jesus tells Simon Peter to row his fishing boat a little further into deeper water. Then it happens. They catch so many fish that their nets begin to tear. Staying in a comfortable religious place is tempting, but our faith only grows if we’re prepared to explore other waters.
Caritas Shrewsbury currently has 3 vacancies; 1 x F/T Community Services Manager (closing date: 4th March), and 2 x P/T Parenting Support Workers Wirral based (closing date:1st March). For further details and an Application Pack, please contact us: www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk (‘Job Vacancies’ can be found under the ‘News’ Section) / Tel: 0151 652 1281 / info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk
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.
| Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle C |
10th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Doreen Gibbs RIP
For all the Sick Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 11th | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Tuesday | 12th | 9.15am | Eleanor McGuigan Annv RIP | ||
| Wednesday | 13th | 9.15am | Ints St John’s SVP | ||
| Thursday | 14th | 9.15am | Rels/Fnds Dunnion & McCormick Families | ||
| Friday | 15th | 11.30am | Funeral Service – Michael Keenan | ||
| Saturday | 16th | 10.00am | Ints Mary Heddle OCDS | ||
| Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle C |
17th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Ints Kate Hangley
(90th B.Day) Edward Sabino RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | Saturday 10.30-11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Thursday is a Day of Special Prayer for Europe.
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. We urgently need some additional volunteers for the Tea & Coffee Rota so that it becomes a monthly or six weekly rota. If you can help, please have a word with Noelene Evans or Fr Bernard.
Sick Visits : If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion/a visit please do let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or Tel 0151 645 3314 that includes those who may be in hospital at this time. After the Gospel this weekend at both Masses (on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes : the World Day of Prayer for the Sick) there will be an opportunity for those who wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick ……….to be anointed.
Lately Dead Your prayers are requested for the following parishioners who have died recently . Mick Keenan of Sandringham Close, Funeral service led by Fr Bernard in Church on Friday at 11.30am. Peter Carr of Heathfield Rd Bebington Funeral Mass led by Fr Paschal on Tuesday 19th Feb at 12.30pm. Stan Williams of Queen Mary’s Drive Port Sunlight Funeral Service in Church on Friday 1st Mar 1pm. Also please pray for Deacon David Morris from St Albans Wallasey who died recently. His Funeral Mass is tomorrow (Monday) at 12 noon at St Alban’s. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters: Thank you for last week’s Offertory Collection which amounted to £561.04p There is a retiring collection today at both Masses for the Diocesan Priest’s Retirement Fund please be generous and if you are a Gift Aid payer please use one of the envelopes on the table at the back of Church.
The Diocese of Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitalite will be celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with mass at 3.30pm this Sunday
10th February at St Hugh and St John RC Church, 314 Manchester Road, Timperley WA14 5NB. (Please use the postcode WA14 5HL for the car park)
Mass will be followed by tea, coffee and cake in the parish hall. All are welcome especially members of the Hospitalite and past and current pilgrims.
The Hospitalite looks forward to seeing you all there.
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 13th February 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.
St John’s SVP Conference meet on Thursday’s at 6.30pm in the presbytery.
The Lay Carmelite Group meet at St John’s next Saturday for 10am Mass and their monthly day of prayer and reflection.
The Carmelite Monastery of the Annunciation, invites you to The Solemn Profession of Sr Maria Graziella of Jesus Crucified, icd
which is being held on Monday, 25th March at 11am. Bishop Mark Davies will be the celebrant. All are warmly invited to join the community. Refreshments will be available after the ceremony.
See poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Many thanks to those who came to the Third World Group Meeting last Monday. Next meeting on Monday 4th March at 6.30pm in the presbytery to which all parishioners are most welcome.
Thank you to those who came to the Children’s Liturgy meeting on Saturday.
If you would like to help in any way in our Parish……….please let Fr Bernard know.
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
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 3rd February, 2019, Cycle C
Wirral Foodbank: Please continue to give to the Foodbank; The need is as great as ever. Although we were very well supported with donations at Christmas, the need for our food has risen by 54% on this period last year, so the food is being given out very quickly. Please check the notice board at the back of Church for most needed items. Thank you for your continued generosity.
A “Welcome Café “ with the distribution of surplus food from local supermarket etc is held every Tuesday at St Anne’s Parish Centre from 11am to 1pm. All most welcome
WORD OF GOD
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1: 5)
WORD FOR TODAY
Christians are not consumers. They are salespeople. Because of our baptism each of us is commissioned to be a prophet: to proclaim in our places of work, in our homes and our society that God is great and that the way to live a fully satisfying life is by following Jesus his Son.
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
letterbox by 12 noon on Thursdays. Many thanks.
FAITH IN FOCUS: A MISSED CHANCE
Prophets and prophecy jump out from almost every line of today’s scripture. First of all we come across Jeremiah. He’s only a lad and so he’s apprehensive when God calls him to be a prophet. But God says that before Jeremiah was even born God knew him and chose him to speak on his behalf to the people.
Of course, Jeremiah isn’t an exception. God knew us too when we were in our mothers’ wombs. He created us and formed us with his own particular task for us in mind. From our baptisms we’ve been anointed (with real oil!) as prophets and it’s our role as Christians to speak about God to others.
Then we come across Jesus in his hometown synagogue. He’s just finished quoting a passage from Isaiah about how God will set his people free to live life to the full, and then he makes the astonishing claim that he’s the one who will do this!
What a lot of rubbish! Who does he think he is? He’s just the carpenter’s son; we all know his family; he lived here as a child and played on our streets.
So we’ve found one person who didn’t want to be a prophet and another who wasn’t believed when he began to be one.
What does the incident with Jeremiah tell us about our own timidity when it comes to speaking out about our faith? Maybe it tells us that God is prepared to use us as his messengers but that his Spirit can reach people despite our shortcomings. So let’s not say that we are too young, too ignorant or too unimportant. It’s God who is speaking, not us.
And the scene with Jesus is another reminder that people often reject prophets when they don’t seem to fit the image. This tells us more about the people than Jesus. They didn’t see their own need for what Jesus was offering. God visited their village but they didn’t recognise him. They were given the opportunity but they missed it. When he comes to our village are we any better or do we let the chance go begging?
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 3rd 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm ‘Thank you’, Father B
Pat Dobbie RIP
Prayer Meeting
Monday 4th 9.15am
Ints Phil & Gerry Topping
Tuesday 5th 9.15am
7.00pm St John’s Yr 2 in church
Ints Elaine Mullins
Novena
Wednesday 6th 9.15am Rels/Fnds Brockway & Callaghan Families
Thursday 7th 9,15am Service of Word & Communion
Friday 8th 9.15am Victims of Trafficking
Saturday 9th
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 10th 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm Doreen Gibbs RIP
For all the Sick
Prayer Meeting
Confessions Saturday 10.30-11.15am
Morning Prayer 15 minutes before daily Masses
At Tuesday’s 9.15am Mass, which will be held in the main church, we look forward to welcoming the children and their parents & families from Year 2 at St John’s School. As usual, and thanks to our faithful group of parishioners, tea/coffee/ biscuits will be available after Mass at the back of Church
This Tuesday being the First Tuesday in February means that at 7pm the monthly Benediction and Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour will be held in Church at 7pm. All most welcome.
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. We urgently need some additional volunteers for the Tea & Coffee Rota so that it becomes a monthly or six weekly rota. If you can help, please have a word with Noelene Evans or Fr Bernard.
Sick Visits : If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion/a visit please do let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or Tel 0151 645 3314 that includes those who may be in hospital at this time.
Money Matters: Thank you for last week’s Offertory Collection which amounted to £584.97p.
Third World Group: At the beginning of Lent it would be good to relaunch the Third World Group/CAFOD Group here at St John’s. If you are interested in Third World issues & projects and would like to be part of the group please come to a meeting in the presbytery on Monday 4th February at 6.30pm. All parishioners most welcome especially if you have been involved in CAFOD groups etc before.
Children’s Liturgy: If you are interested have or been involved in this important ministry before at St John’s or elsewhere and would like to help us restart Children’s Liturgy at 9.30am Mass and look at putting together a Children’s Mass once a quarter on a Sunday at 9.30am please come to a meeting in the Day Chapel on Saturday 9th February at 10am.
Annual Mass for the Celebration of Marriage. This year the Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mark at 12noon on Saturday 9th February at St Columba’s Chester. All married couples and
families are welcome but if you are celebrating a significant anniversary (25th, 40th, 50th, and 60th) and wish to attend the Mass please let
Fr Bernard know and you will receive a special letter of invitation.
The Diocese of Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitalite will be celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with mass at 3.30pm on Sunday
10th February at St Hugh and St John RC Church, 314 Manchester Road, Timperley WA14 5NB. (Please use the postcode WA14 5HL for the car park)
Mass will be followed by tea, coffee and cake in the parish hall. All are welcome especially members of the Hospitalite and past and current pilgrims.
The Hospitalite looks forward to seeing you all there.
The Carmelite Monastery of the Annunciation, invites you to The Solemn Profession of Sr Maria Graziella of Jesus Crucified, icd
which is being held on Monday, 25th March at 11am. Bishop Mark Davies will be the celebrant. All are warmly invited to join the community. Refreshments will be available after the ceremony,
See poster on the notice board at the back of church.
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 13th February 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.
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
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. 27th January, 2019,Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE BEST CUTLERY
A woman was interviewed after surviving a plane crash. She had spent months in hospital and had not been expected to recover, but she did. The interviewer asked her how it had changed her life, expecting some profound answer. But the woman replied that the main change was that she now used her best cutlery and glasses every day instead of saving them for special occasions. “I could be dead but I’m alive. So I might as well enjoy the best while I’m still around. After all, what am I saving it for?”
In fact, it was a profound answer really. She had changed as a result of her accident and come to realise that here and now was the best time to celebrate, not some future distant date. Why not enjoy every moment instead of locking everything away to gather dust?
So go and eat the fat and drink the sweet wine, say Ezra and Nehemiah in our scriptures today when the people return from their long exile. For God is here in our midst, working wonders and not forgetting about us.
But why do we then have the story of Jesus preaching in the synagogue? Maybe the clue comes in his last sentence: “This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen”. Luke is aiming to let his readers know, at the outset of Jesus’s ministry, that the promises they were hoping for are now being fulfilled. Humanity is about to be offered the chance to be liberated, to see its way clearly and to be released from oppression. Now is the time to rejoice; today is the day of salvation.
Are we the sort of people who keep our religious cutlery and glasses for some future date? Do our eyes let us see God alive and well and working in our lives and the lives of others? Do our ears ring with the sound of God’s power at work in the world? Is our faith a source of joy here and now or simply a hope for the future? Do we realise that, because of Jesus, God’s kingdom is already in our midst and are we able to celebrate the fact? Blink and you’ll miss it. For today is the day of salvation.
Wirral Foodbank: Please continue to give to the Foodbank, The need is as great as ever. Please check the noticeboard at the back of Church for most needed items.
A “Welcome Café “ with the distribution of surplus food from local supermarket etc is held every Tuesday at St Anne’s Parish Centre from 11am to 1pm. All most welcome
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
May the Father grant you his favour in this coming year and all the days of your lives. Amen.
May Jesus Christ set you free to hear his good news of salvation. Amen.
May the Holy Spirit bring sight to your eyes that you may recognise the presence of God in your midst. Amen.
And may almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
WORD FOR TODAY
If Jesus is the one who sets captives free, raises the oppressed and gives sight to the blind then where do we look to see this happening today? Is it really happening to anyone? Is it happening in my life?
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 in Ordinary Time | 27th | 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm |
Ints Carol Dalziel
John Joseph Kelly Anniv RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 28th | 1.00pm | Funeral Service
Hilda Riley |
||
| Tuesday | 29th | 9.15am | Service of Word&Communion | ||
| Wednesday | 30th | 9.15am | Service of Word&Communion | ||
| Thursday | 31st | 9,15am | Service of Word&Communion | ||
| Friday | 1st | 9.15am | Service of Word&Communion | ||
| Saturday | 2nd | 10.00am | Feast of the Presentation
John Blakeway RIP |
||
| Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | 3rd | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
‘Thank you’, Father B
Pat Dobbie RIP Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | Saturday 10.30-11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
Many thanks to those who have attended the Christian Unity Services over the past week. To mark the end of Christian Unity Week there is a United Service tonight (Sunday) at St Andrews C of E Bebington at 6.30pm . All most welcome .
Next Saturday 2nd February is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord ……..Candlemas Day . To mark this special feast Mass will be celebrated in the main church at 10am with the Blessing of Candles. After Mass there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 12 noon to pray for our country at this difficult time. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available from 10.30am – 11.15am.
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. We urgently need some additional volunteers for the Tea & Coffee Rota so that it becomes a monthly or six weekly rota. If you can help please have a word with Noeleane Evans or Fr Bernard.
Sick Visits : If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion/a visit please do let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or Tel 0151 645 3314 that includes those who may be in hospital at this time.
Lately Dead: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Hilda Riley who has died recently. Funeral Service here at St John’s on Monday at 1.00pm. May all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters : Thank you for last week’s Offertory Collection which amounted to £514.04.
St John’s SVP Meeting this Thursday and every Thursday at 6.30pm in the Day Chapel. If anyone else would like to join this developing group please let Fr Bernard know.
Third World Group: At the beginning of Lent it would be good to relaunch the Third World Group/CAFOD Group here at St John’s. If you are interested in Third World issues & projects and would like to be part of the group please come to a meeting in the presbytery on Monday 4th February at 6.30pm. All parishioners most welcome especially if you have been involved in CAFOD groups etc before.
Children’s Liturgy: If you are interested /have been involved in this important ministry before at St John’s or elsewhere and would like to help us restart Children’s Liturgy at 9.30am Mass/ look at putting together a Children’s Mass once a quarter on a Sunday at 9.30am please come to a meeting in the Day Chapel on Saturday 9th February at 10am.
Annual Mass for the Celebration of Marriage This year the Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mark at 12noon on Saturday 9th February at St Columba’s Chester. All married couples and families are welcome but if you are celebrating a significant anniversary (25th, 40th, 50th, 60tth ) and wish to attend the Mass please let Fr Bernard know and you will receive a special letter of invitation.
Fr Bernard wishes to thank those parishioners who have already responded to his homily last weekend ……we look forward to additional parishioners joining our Readers and Eucharistic Ministers rota, additional Governors for our schools and the establishment of a Men’s group at the beginning of Lent to compliment the Ladies “Grace Group” which is already making good strides forward! Any other thoughts /suggestions/ offers of help all most welcome.
“Thank You” On behalf of my family and myself thank you for the many Mass & Sympathy cards and supportive messages we have received since the death of my dear mother. Thank you to those who came to Christ the King, Bromborough for Mum’s Funeral Mass. Your presence and prayers were very much appreciated.
Mass will be offered for all your intentions next Saturday at 5pm.
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: www.stjohnevang.co.uk www.lpa24.org
The Baptism of the Lord. 13th January, 2019,Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: FROM THIS DAY FORWARD
Baptisms are rather like marriages. Not only are they family and community affairs that are accompanied by festivity, but they also work at a deeper level. When two people marry, the words of the ceremony make it clear that they are embarking on something that will last a lifetime. In sickness and in health means that you cannot simply say that you are married and then do nothing about it. You have to work at a marriage, especially when unforeseen problems arise. That’s why people say that a wedding takes only a day, but a marriage takes for ever. In the same way, our baptism is not something that is over in a day. The ceremony may only take half an hour, but our baptism is something that stays with us for a lifetime. Even though we sometimes speak about “having the baby done”, baptism is not a static thing, something over and done with, but it’s a dynamic reality. We carry our baptism with us even when we don’t feel it! It’s a sad fact that if people do not work at their marriage, then the marriage can go stale. And the same is true with our baptism. If we’re not careful we can wake up one morning and find that our baptism has gone dead because we have not been giving it the care and attention it needs. Baptisms need plenty of fresh air and exercise! Baptism means believing that only God’s life can bring us true happiness. It means living by the beliefs and promises that we made years ago (or agreed to later, if we were baptised as babies). We were anointed with oil to become members of God’s family that is the Church, committed to telling others about the sort of God we have and the sort of promises held out to those who serve God. At the start of this new year, it might be worth taking a look at what new Christians promise at their baptism (or what their godparents promise on their behalf). Ask at church for a copy; see what you agreed to; decide where you need to improve! Has your baptism put on so much weight because you have never exercised it? How do you proclaim your faith at home and at work? Does your life teem with that deep down joy that God promises to those who have been reborn with water and the Spirit? The feast of the Lord’s Baptism tempts you to ask a few questions…
Collections have resumed .
Thank you for your very kind donation of 106.57 kg of food, a fantastic amount. 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
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
Let us pray for those families that are preparing for baptism, that the strength of faith in their homes may support and encourage the newly baptised.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the Christian Church that joined by our common baptism we may draw ever closer to the unity for which Jesus prayed.
Lord, in you mercy: Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those who have not known Christ, but who are now preparing to be baptised or received into the Church this coming Easter. May they come ever closer to the love of God and may they find in their parishes true communities of faith.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for ourselves, that we may renew each day our baptismal promises to proclaim the Good News by our lives of service to God and each other.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Are you a Catholic Teacher in a Non- Catholic School? The Diocese wants to recruit as many Catholic teachers to its schools as possible and is holding an informal session to help people make that transition this Tuesday
15th January at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School from 6.00pm-7.30pm. If you would like to attend or want further information about returning to Catholic education please email sue.jenkinson@dioceseofshrewsbury
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.
| Baptism of the Lord | 13th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Daniel Farley Anniv RIP
St John’s Parish Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 14th | 9.15am | No Mass or Service | ||
| Tuesday | 15th | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Wednesday | 16th | 9.15am | Barbara Forshaw RIP | ||
| Thursday | 17th | 9.15am | Ints Teresa and Ernie Young | ||
| Friday | 18th | 9.15am | Rene Brandon RIP | ||
| Saturday | 19th | 10.00am | Carmel Mass – Ints Margaret McLoughlin | ||
| Second Sunday in Ordinary Time | 20th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Int Maria Coulson& Fam
Ints Ann Murray No Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | Sorry none next Saturday | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
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.
Baptisms & Weddings in 2019: Please contact as soon as possible as dates are going fast.
First Forgiveness for the children at St John’s School will be celebrated on Thursday 28th February at 6.30pm.
First Communion Masses : Sat 4th May and Sat 11th May both at 10.30am.
Sick Visits : If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion/a visit please do let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or Tel 0151 645 3314 that includes those who may be in hospital at this time.
Lately Dead: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Barbara Forshaw ( Fr Bernard’s mother) whose Funeral Mass is tomorrow Monday 14th Jan at 12 noon at Christ the King Bromborough. All most welcome.
Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Lewis Doyle whose Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Anne’s on Tuesday 22nd January at 11am (his son Christopher ‘s Funeral Mass was celebrated at St Anne’s on 27th Dec!) and for Patricia Dobbie whose Funeral Mass will be celebrated here at St John’s on Thursday 24th January at 12 noon .
May all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters
Last week’s Offertory Collection = £624.27p Thank you . Crib offerings for Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury. Amounted to £220.15p. Thank you for your continued generosity.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Traidcraft Stall in 2018, generating around £1,000 in sales. You may be aware that Traidcraft was under great financial pressure and was due to cease trading at the end of 2018 but, due to an overwhelming outcry, has been able to continue with a more limited range of products. This year Traidcraft is celebrating its’ 40th Anniversary so we will continue with the Traidcraft Stall, thanks to your support.
Memorial Books and Plaques: We are 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 are available on the table at the back of the church. When completed these forms should be returned in the accompanying envelopes through the presbytery letterbox before next Sunday.
St John’s SVP Meeting this Thursday and every Thursday at 6.30pm in the Day Chapel. If anyone else would like to join this developing group please let Fr Bernard know
St John’s Parish Pastoral Team First meeting of 2019 this Thursday 17th January at 7.30pm in the presbytery. Any thoughts/suggestions for the team to consider please place in the suggestions box at the back of Church .
Christian Unity Week 18th Jan-25th Jan. As in previous years each day we gather for Coffee/Tea at 10.30am followed at 11am by a short United Service in a different Church /location see below Fri 18th Christ Church Port Sunlight Sat 19th St John’s New Ferry Mon 21st Christ Church Higher Bebington Tues 22nd St Luke’s Bebington Wed 23rd Life Church Thurs 24th Lower Bebington Methodist Church Fri 25th Higher Bebington URC Church A United Service will be held at St Andrew’s on Sunday 27th Jan at 6.30pm
Annual Mass for the Celebration of Marriage This year the Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mark at 12noon on Saturday 9th February at St Columba’s Chester. All married couples and families are welcome but if you are celebrating a significant anniversary (25th, 40th, 50th, 60tth ) and wish to attend the Mass please let Fr Bernard know and you will receive a special letter of invitation.
As we begin a New Year we rejoice and give thanks for all those who help in our Parish and School’s some more publically than others. If you would like to join the growing number of Parish Helpers please have a word with Fr Bernard after Mass this weekend/during the week. We are particularly looking for volunteers which will enable our Children’s Liturgy at Sunday’s 9.30am Mass to begin again and for people to serve on the Sunday morning Tea/Coffee Rota.
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
Feast of the Epiphany. 6th January, 2019,Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS:TAKING THE TREE DOWN
Did you have a Christmas tree? And, if so, how long did you keep it up? Just until Boxing Day or did you leave it for the whole 12 days of Christmas?
Epiphany has become associated with the end of the Christmas season, with vacuuming up all the pine needles from the carpet, carefully storing the lights and decorations back in the loft and finding a safe place for wrapping paper that will come in handy next year.
Yet the feast of Epiphany isn’t really about endings. It’s about beginnings. The word “epiphany” is from the Greek word that means “showing/display/manifestation”. When the wise men arrive from distant parts with their gifts for Jesus, the gospel is letting us know that the glory of God, in the baby, is being acknowledged by people from the ends of the known earth. God’s glory is being made manifest.
We can easily fall into the old trap of thinking that this feast is about the past, about events that happened 2,000 years ago. Of course, that’s only part of the picture. All feasts are about today, not just the past. But how are we to understand Epiphany?
Quite simply, each of us today is being called to be an “epiphany” for the world. By celebrating this feast we ask God to unite us with Jesus, as shining examples of Christ’s love for the world. We ask that we may be so close to Jesus that we become stars leading others to get to know God’s Son.
So the feast of the Epiphany, like all feasts, looks to the future. When the baby was born in Bethlehem, God revealed his eternal plan of salvation and showed us how to live so that we might enjoy everlasting life. Jesus is the light of the world and by following him humanity is able to be refashioned and renewed in God’s image. This too is our future. Are we prepared to live in a way that brings light to others? To “display” the type of God we have? To let people see God’s glory?
In a nutshell, are we ready not only to celebrate the Epiphany in church but also to “be” an epiphany of God in the world?
WORD OF GOD
Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples.
(Isaiah 60: 1-2)
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
Lord Jesus, you are the daystar that brings light to our darkness:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the wisdom of those who seek to know God:
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the glory of God made visible:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
By his coming among us, may almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
WORD FOR TODAY
Today we are called on not just to remember the first Epiphany. We’re invited to be epiphanies or models of God’s presence in our world today. What sort of light does our star shine around us and can people look at us and glimpse something of God?
Are you a Catholic Teacher in a Non- Catholic School? The Diocese wants to recruit as many Catholic teachers to its schools as possible and is holding an informal session to help people make that transition on Tuesday
15th January at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School from 6.00pm-7.30pm. If you would like to attend or want further information about returning to Catholic education please email sue.jenkinson@dioceseofshrewsbury
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.
| Feast of the Epiphany | 6th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Rels/Fnds Fryer Fam
Sheila Kenny Prayer Meeting |
||
| Monday | 7th | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Tuesday | 8th | 9.15am | Thomas Boylan RIP | ||
| Wednesday | 9th | 9.30am | Ints St John’s Junior School, at school. | ||
| Thursday | 10th | 9.15am | Service of Word & Communion | ||
| Friday | 11th | 9.15am | Tim Delaney RIP | ||
| Saturday | 12th | 9.15am | |||
| Baptism of the Lord | 13th | 5.00pm
9.30am 7.30pm |
Daniel Farley Anniv RIP
St John’s Parish Prayer Meeting |
||
| Confessions | Saturday 10.30-11.15am | ||||
| Morning Prayer | 15 minutes before daily Masses | ||||
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.
Monthly Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Benediction on Tuesday at 7pm.
Baptisms & Weddings in 2019: Please contact as soon as possible as dates are going fast.
First Forgiveness for the children at St John’s School will be celebrated on Thursday 28th February at 6.30pm.
First Communion Masses : Sat 4th May and Sat 11th May both at 10.30am.
Sick Visits : If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion/a visit please do let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or Tel 0151 645 3314 that includes those who may be in hospital at this time.
Lately Dead: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Barbara Forshaw (Fr Bernard’s mother). Funeral Mass at Christ the King Church in Bromborough on Monday 14th January at 12noon.
Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Patricia Dobbie who died recently. Funeral Mass at St John’s on Thursday 24th January at 12 Noon. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Money Matters
Last week’s Offertory Collection = £549.48p Thank you for your continued generosity. Your offerings at the Crib during the Christmas Season support the work of Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury (formerly the Catholic Children’s Society) who offer much care and support to refugees and needy families and individuals around the Diocese.
Collections will resume in the new year.
Thank you for your very kind donation of 106.57 kg of food, a fantastic amount. 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
Thank you to everyone who supported the Traidcraft Stall in 2018, generating around £1,000 in sales. You may be aware that Traidcraft was under great financial pressure and was due to cease trading at the end of 2018 but, due to an overwhelming outcry, has been able to continue with a more limited range of products. This year Traidcraft is celebrating its’ 40th Anniversary so we will continue with the Traidcraft Stall, thanks to your support.
Following the Christmas break the SVP Group resume their weekly meeting on Thursday at 6.30pm in the Day Chapel .
Memorial Books and Plaques: We are 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 are available on the table at the back of the church. When completed these forms should be returned in the accompanying envelopes through the presbytery letterbox by Sunday 20th January.
St Johns School’s and St John Plessington Catholic College are returning to school after their Christmas break this week. Mass this Wednesday is at St John’s Junior school at 9.30am.We pray that 2019 will be a blessed year for all our Catholic Schools.
St John’s Parish Pastoral Team First meeting of 2019 Thursday 17th January at 7.30pm in the presbytery. Any thoughts/suggestions for the team to consider please place in the suggestions box at the back of Church .
Christian Unity Week 18th Jan-25th Jan. United Service at St John’s on Saturday 19th Jan at 11 am.(Tea and coffee from 10.30 onwards)
Fr Bernard thanks you for your prayers & ongoing support throughout the year. He particularly thanks all those who do so much for/in St John’s Parish and schools in so many different ways. Fr Bernard also prays that 2019 will bring peace, good health and happiness to all.
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 Holy Family. 30th December, 2018. Cycle C
WORD OF GOD
When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. (Luke 2: 43)
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
Lord Jesus, you lived as a child obedient to your parents in Nazareth:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you grew in wisdom and stature:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you call us into the family of your heavenly Father:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
By his coming among us as a man may almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Are you a Catholic Teacher in a Non- Catholic School? The Diocese wants to recruit as many Catholic teachers to its schools as possible and is holding an informal session to help people make that transition on Tuesday
15th January at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School from 6.00pm-7.30pm. If you would like to attend or want further information about returning to Catholic education please email sue.jenkinson@dioceseofshrewsbury
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: FAMILY
There’s a certain irony about the timing of the feast of the Holy Family. It comes just after Christmas which is one of the most stressful times of the year for families. Our society puts so much emphasis on the trappings of Christmas that when our expectations are not met we tend to become frustrated with those around us at home and there are probably more family rows at Christmas than any other time of the year. So it’s quite comforting to know that things didn’t run smoothly for the Holy Family either. We can be sure that Mary and Joseph’s incident with Jesus in the Temple was probably just one of many that the two parents had with their soon-to-be teenage son. It would be unreal to believe that they enjoyed uninterrupted bliss together! Of course, this begs the question of what families are for in the first place. Are they merely an accident of birth? Is it the case that families just happen to be a small link in the vast biological chain that is brought about by people being born? Are they just natural practical units, like a pride of lions or a shoal of fish? In which case it shouldn’t matter where children are brought up as long as there is someone there to feed and clothe them. Or are families a sign and symbol of something greater, something spiritual and something to do with God’s plan for those he has created? Could it be that the family is actually the most fundamental vocation that men and women are called to be part of? Unlike animals we are gifted with God’s grace. This means that being in God’s image and likeness allows us to share in that creative love of God’s when we bring children into the world and agree to take care of them. You could argue that in a certain sense the family is a type of “sacrament”, a sign of God’s abiding and loving presence in our most basic domestic unit. To celebrate the feast of the Holy Family shouldn’t mean to become depressed at our own family’s shortcomings. It should be a challenge to keep before us the privileged task of producing God’s gift of life and sustaining it, the commission to live in communion with each other because that’s how we want to live with God, and the charge of sharing each other’s lives so that we may live with God by finding him in those he has given to us.
Feast of the
Holy Family 30th 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm Rels/Fnds McGree Fam
For All Our Families
Prayer Meeting
Monday 31st 10.00am
Lilian+James McCabe + Mary Ewan
Tuesday 1st 12 Noon For St John’s Parishioners
Wednesday 2nd 9.15am John McIntosh RIP
Thursday 3rd 9.15am Service of Word & Communion
Friday 4th 9.15am Ints Elaine Mullins
Saturday 5th 9.15am
Feast of the Epiphany 6th 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm Rels/Fnds Fryer Fam
Sheila Kenny
Prayer Meeting
Confessions Saturday 10.30-11.15am
Morning Prayer 15 minutes before daily Masses
Baptisms & Weddings in 2019: Please contact as soon as possible as dates are going fast.
First Forgiveness for the children at St John’s School will be celebrated on Thursday 28th February at 6.30pm.
First Communion Masses : Sat 4th May and Sat 11th May both at 10.30am.
Sick Visits : If you know of anyone in the parish who is in need of Holy Communion/a visit please do let us know stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or Tel 0151 645 3314 that includes those who may be in hospital at this time.
Lately Dead: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Barbara Forshaw (Fr Bernard’s mother) who died on 21st Dec. May she rest in peace. Funeral Mass at Christ the King Church in Bromborough on Monday 14th January at 12 noon. All most welcome.
Money Matters
Last week’s Offertory Collection = £509.81 Christmas Collection for the Clergy = £1425.12 The Big Card Collection for the Ark came to £50 Thank you for your continued generosity
Your offerings at the Crib during the Christmas Season support the work of Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury (formerly the Catholic Children’s Society) who offer much care and support to refugees and needy families and individuals around the Diocese… see Caritas’s Autumn newsletter on the table at the back of Church.
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.
Christmas Services at St John’s
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.
Collections will resume in the new year.
Thank you for your very kind donation of 106.57 kg of food, a fantastic amount. 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
Fr Bernard thanks you for your prayers & ongoing support throughout the year. He particularly thanks all those who do so much for/in St John’s Parish and schools in so many different ways. Fr Bernard also thanks you for your Christmas cards, gifts and good wishes and prays that this Christmas will be a grace-filled time and that 2019 will bring good health and happiness to all.
St Johns School’s and St John Plessington Catholic College are currently on their Christmas break. We hope that pupils and staff are enjoying a good and peaceful rest and that 2019 will be a blessed year for all our Catholic Schools
St John’s Parish Pastoral Team First meeting of 2019 Thursday 17th January at 7.30pm in the presbytery. Any thoughts/suggestions for the team to consider please place in the suggestions box at the back of Church .
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
Fourth Sunday of Advent. 23rd December, 2018. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: BIRTHING GOD
The scriptures are strangely silent during Advent about Mary right until the last moment. And then she takes centre stage. Suddenly we are faced with a whole barrage of emotions and attitudes that surround Mary and act as a challenge to us.
Mary was a woman of faith. She had no idea how it could be possible for her to be having a baby. Yet she believed that God could do anything and bring good out of it. What sort of faith do I have and how does Mary challenge me in this?
Her life was clearly about to be thrown into turmoil. An unmarried mother, no one knows who the father is, having to flee as refugees, to watch as her son was stalked and eventually condemned…and yet she willingly surrendered her life to the will of God. Do I hand over my life to God’s will or do I get upset when I can’t control everything by myself? How much am I prepared to hand myself over into the hands of God?
Mary was immersed in God’s word and her natural response was to praise and bless God. In fact, Mary uses the words of scripture in order to praise God for the impending births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Do I really know God’s word or am I limited to a few bible stories that I hear in church? Do I listen to the voice of God speaking to me in daily events? Am I naturally a person of praise and blessing?
Mary had every reason to boast, to put herself in the limelight and to consider herself of importance. But she didn’t. She was clear about her need for God and her dependence on him. Do I really need God or can I get on quite well with only a nodding acquaintance?
It was being the type of person she was that made Mary fit to bear the Son of God. Because of her faith, attentiveness to God’s word, openness, submission to God’s will …And what about me? Will I give birth to Christ this Christmas?
A Christmas Prayer
ON THIS DAY
On this day bring back to mind
God’s love and mercy for mankind
On this day may you recall
a tiny babe in a manger lay
On this day remember when
Christ died and rose again
On this day thank the Lord in heaven above
for his sacrificial gift of love
On this day may you be blessed
with quiet peace and holy rest
Misty Lensk
Are you a Catholic Teacher in a Non- Catholic School? The Diocese wants to recruit as many Catholic teachers to its schools as possible and is holding an informal session to help people make that transition on Tuesday
15th January at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School from 6.00pm-7.30pm. If you would like to attend or want further information about returning to Catholic education please email sue.jenkinson@dioceseofshrewsbury
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.
Fourth Sunday
Of Advent
Cycle C 23rd 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm Arthur Brockway RIP
St John ‘s Parishioners
Prayer Meeting
Monday
Christmas Eve
Vigil Mass of Christmas 24th 9.15am
3.00pm
7.30pm No Mass or Service
Crib Service
St John’s Parishioners
Tuesday
The Nativity of the Lord 25th 9.30am For the Poor and Needy
Wednesday
Feast of
St Stephen 26th 10.00am The Guild of St Stephen
Thursday
Feast of St John the Evangelist 27th 10.00am Ints of St John’s SVP
Friday 28th No Mass or Service
Saturday 29th
Feast of the
Holy Family 30th 5.00pm
9.30am
7.30pm Rels/Fnds McGree Fam
For All Our Families
Prayer Meeting
Confessions Christmas Eve 9.30-10.15am Next Saturday 10.30-11.15am
Morning Prayer 15 minutes before daily Masses
SUNDAY IS A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS.
Money Matters: Last weekend’s Offertory collection amounted to £597.01p.
The Collection at Christmas Masses is for the support of the Parish Clergy.
Your offerings at the Crib during the Christmas Season support the work of Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury (formerly the Catholic Children’s Society) who offer much care and support to refugees and needy families and individuals around the Diocese… see Caritas’s Autumn newsletter on the table at the back of Church.
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.
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 WAS 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 106.57 kg of food, a fantastic amount. 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 on the table at the back of church. 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.
Fr Bernard thanks you for your prayers & ongoing support throughout the year. He particularly thanks all those who do so much for/in St John’s Parish and schools in so many different ways. Fr Bernard also thanks you for your Christmas cards, gifts and good wishes and prays that this Christmas will be a grace-filled time and that 2019 will bring good health and happiness to all.
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 .
