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 of Advent, 29th November, 2020 Cycle B
Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope….
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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the Church.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- recently, people have started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin shortly.
Wirral Scout & Guide Christmas Post will look a little different this year as they launch a free online eCard service. To find out more visit http://www.wirralcharitypost.org
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: COME ON DOWN!
As we begin our Advent season today, in preparation for the coming of Christ, Isaiah makes an urgent plea to God. He uses the same catch-phrase as the TV programme “The Price is Right” by saying to God “Come on down, tear the heavens open”.
Whenever we celebrate Advent we are involved on three levels: past, present and future. And at each level we make that same plea: Come on down!
We look to the past, to history. We recall that the Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah who would lead them to political and religious freedom. In this setting we see Mary and Joseph and we witness the birth of Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem.
We look to the present, to today. Jesus has not stopped coming to us in our day to day lives. He comes and speaks to us in the word of God, in the sacraments we celebrate, in the faces of those who bear God’s impression both in need and in joy.
We also look to the future. Christ will come again in glory when the plan of God is finally fulfilled. This coming will usher in the end of the world and all will be revealed for what it truly is.
So Advent is wake-up time. It’s the four-week season when we look for the ways in which Jesus comes to visit us. It’s easy to get caught up in an Advent that is just a pale religious reflection of the world’s commercial season. It’s easy to get stuck simply on the level of the past and start getting nostalgic and gooey about the trappings of Christmas, getting no further than the crib, the angels and the star. Yet if we are to celebrate the liturgy of Advent then we have to engage on all three levels. Yes, we do remember the past events of Bethlehem. But our Advent and Christmas celebrations are imbued with the need to be alert and awake to the Christ who challenges us daily in our interaction with others, the same Christ who will come again to judge us on the way we responded to his invitation to love. And we know that we are really capturing the spirit of the season if, like Isaiah, we can say and mean it when we ask God to “Come on down!”
The First Sunday of Advent
Cycle B 29th
5.00pm
9.30am
11.00am Fam/Fnds Margaret McLoughlin RIP
Teresa McLean RIP
St Luke’s Parish
Monday 30th
Tuesday 1st
Wednesday 2nd
Thursday 3rd 9.15am All Migrants & Refugees
Friday 4th
Saturday 5th 10.30am-11.30am Exposition
The Second Sunday of Advent
Cycle B 6th 5.00pm
9.30am
11.00am Brenda Shanahan
Elizabeth, Terence & John Robinson RIP
St Luke’s Parish
During the Season of Advent there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in Church and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession in the Day Chapel each Saturday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am. This Sunday 29th November and on Tuesday 1st December St John’s Church will be open for private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 9.00am -10.00am. All our welcome to come and pray about the present Covid 19 situation and for all our Parish needs and intentions
Resumption of Public Worship: Thankfully despite the many Covid 19 regulations of our time Public Masses can resume from the end of the latest lockdown ie this coming Wednesday 2nd December. So there will be Mass on Thursday morning at 9.15am and Masses next Weekend (which you will need to book in for) at the usual times of Saturday 5.00pm and Sunday 9.30am . Fr Paschal will also resume celebrating a Mass on Sunday’s at 11.00am. Christmas Mass Times will be in next week’s bulletin as will details of how you can book for your Christmas Mass. With Fr Paschal’s help there will be four Masses celebrated in St John’s Church (for St John’s and St Luke’s Parishioners) to mark the Feast of Christmas (2 Masses on Christmas Eve & 2 Masses on Christmas Day) . So although numbers will be limited to our registered COVID number of 70 units for each Mass there is plenty of capacity and choice for all. Please note that to satisfy Track and Trace requirements and to ensure we don’t succeed our capacity number at any Mass you must book in for Christmas Mass: No booking =no entry I’m afraid. Look out for the white forms available from Church or online from the end of the week.
It is important, particularly at this time of year that we all stay in touch with one another by phone, email, zoom or doorstep contact. If anyone is in need of material or spiritual help please do get in touch by phone 0151 645 3314/0151 645 3996 or email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
The Parish Pastoral Team will be meeting (via Zoom) during the coming week to discuss our Advent and Christmas programme etc in these challenging times. Any thoughts or suggestions please to Fr Bernard, Wilf Humphreys or Carol Dalziel.
St John’s School: Fr Bernard and Mrs. Mullins will lead a virtual Advent Assembly for our Junior Children on Monday morning. Fr Bernard will bless the school’s Advent wreath and every child will receive an Advent calendar. Parents and grandparents are asked to encourage the children to follow this calendar at home as well as at school in the coming weeks
St John’s SVP continue to keep in touch with all their clients from the Parish and the local community by phone, email, doorstep visits. If you know of anyone in the Parish, perhaps living alone, who would appreciate such contact in these challenging times please get in touch with Steve Bell our SVP President via our parish phone number/ parish email address which you can find at the top of page 1 of this bulletin.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know, via parish email / phone especially if they are in our Wirral hospitals or at St John’s Hospice.
In Memorium: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Ted Welch who died recently and whose Funeral Mass will be held at St John’s on Thursday, 10th December at 12 noon and also Charles Reynolds whose funeral details will follow. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Prayer for healing for all who have suffered abuse: Bishop Mark will lead a Holy Hour to be live streamed from Shrewsbury Cathedral this First Sunday of Advent from 4.30pm -5.30pm to pray for the healing of all who have suffered abuse in the Church and in Society. If you wish to join Bishop Mark in this prayer you can follow the link from the Diocesan website or from Church Services.
Christmas Day Lunch Sadly this year we will not be able to gather as usual at Christ Church Community Centre, Higher Bebington, but we would still like
to provide festive food and a Christmas Day greeting to anyone we would welcome this. If you or anyone you know would appreciate a doorstep visit and/or some food, please let us know at Christchurch Parish Office 608 4429 or
parishoffice@christchurchhigherbebington.org.uk or Reverend Mike Leach 609 0493 or
mgloach@gmail.com
Thank you for Last Weekend’s Offertory Collection of £265.15p. Please note that a basket is now on the table at the back of Church for your Offertory Donations when you come into Church for private prayer/a visit……….please always make cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry. You can also push offertory envelopes/donations through the presbytery letterbox or take out a standing order (further info on this from Carol Dalziel or from Mike Russell at the Curial Offices Tel 0151 652 9855) Your giving to St John’s Parish in these challenging times is very much needed and appreciated.
Caritas at Christmas Appeal 2020: Caritas would like to provide food and gifts to those most in need in the Shrewsbury Diocese this Christmas. A box for your loose change is on the table at the back of church and will remain there throughout the Season of Advent. Please be generous.
Advent Resources for 2020-Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team Activities for Advent: A booklet of activities to take you through the 4 weeks of Advent and enter into the themes of hope, love, joy and peace. Any activities you don’t get through during Advent, you can use to keep you busy over the Christmas holidays!
Advent ‘Give’ List: Ideas for Advent/Christmas gifts where the real gift is your time and love.
How to enter into Advent:
Simple ideas to live this season well.
Advent ‘Carry’ Challenge: A call to live out the Advent message of carrying the Good News.
The Great Advent Crib Build! A booklet to take you through the 4 weeks of Advent, building the Nativity scene piece by piece. Will you school take part? Please go to website for more details: Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team [mailto: youth@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
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, 22nd November, 2020 Cycle A
The last Sunday in the liturgical year is designated as the Festival of Christ the King or the Reign of Christ. This is not an ancient festival like Easter or Christmas. In fact, it is less than a century old. It was first called by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Europe was in chaos. Inflation was rampant, and colonialism was at its worst. The seeds of evil that were to produce the terror of the Holocaust and World War II were being planted. Against all this chaos and evil, the Pope established the Festival of Christ the King to declare that Jesus Christ is king. He is the goal of all human history, the joy of all who hear, and the fulfilment of our aspirations. (Wiley Stephens)
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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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: LOOKING THE OTHER WAY
You don’t get to heaven by not committing sin. You get to heaven only by doing good. Or, more correctly, you get to heaven by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you in building up the kingdom of God.
Today’s gospel presents us with a challenging picture. If we never visit the sick, the homeless and those in prison then we show that we don’t care for Jesus. If we watch the TV images of people who are starving or who are victims of famine, flood and earthquake and then simply turn the channel over then we are turning our backs on Christ.
Traditional language used to speak about two types of sin: commission and omission. Commission is when we do something wrong. Omission is when we do something wrong by not doing anything. Yet today’s society makes it very easy for us to commit sins of omission without feeling guilty. When we see homeless people we can easily say that it is up to our government to sort the situation out. When we hear that our prisons are full to bursting it has become natural for us to think that someone else should be concerned with visiting the prisoners and with ensuring that their conditions are humane.
On a more local level we find ourselves turning a blind eye to things that happen on our own streets because we prefer a quiet life, despite the fact that people are suffering as a result. And in a recent report it was shown that people in Britain are the least likely in all of Europe to come to someone’s aid if they are experiencing difficulty on the street.
Jesus gives us a solemn warning. Whenever we fail to act to help those in any kind of need we fail to show our love for him, for the face of the person in distress is really the face of Christ. And the consequences of this failure and omission last well beyond our short lifespan. They are eternal.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 22nd Rels/Fnds McAllister Fam RIP
Gerry Topping RIP
St Luke’s Parish
Monday 23rd
Tuesday 24th All Souls in Purgatory
Wednesday 25th
Thursday 26th 12.30pm Funeral Mass –
Marie Powell
Friday 27th
Saturday 28th
First Sunday of Advent
Cycle B 29th Fam/Fnds Margaret McLoughlin RIP
Teresa McLean RIP
St Luke’s Parish
Fr Bernard will celebrate all the above Masses on the days indicated above privately here at St John’s.
Lockdown 2 continues : Although sadly there can be no public Masses (except for Funeral’s) at this time happily Churches can remain open for private prayer and reflection with all the necessary COVID 19 safety measures in place. St John’s Church will be open at the following times this week Sunday : 9.00am -10.00am Tuesday; 9.00am – 10.00am Saturday: 10.30am -11.30am On Saturday Fr Bernard will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation /Confession (socially distanced of course in the Day Chapel) and he will bless the Advent wreath at 11.30am at the end of the Time of Prayer. Please come along to these Times of Prayer to pray with your fellow parishioners and with Fr Bernard/light a candle for loved ones living and dead. If anyone is in need of material/spiritual support please do get in touch by emailing stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com or phone 0151 645 3314/ 0151 645 3996
It is important, particularly at this time of year that we all stay in touch with one another by phone, email, zoom or doorstep contact. If anyone is in need of material or spiritual help please do get in touch by phone 0151 645 3314/0151 645 3996 or email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
Christmas 2020: The Parish Pastoral Team will be meeting (probably via Zoom) in the 1st week of Advent/1st week of December to discuss arrangements for how we can celebrate Christmas as a Parish this year. We don’t know just yet what restrictions will be in place after 2nd December but we will explore all avenues open to us. Keep praying for God’s blessing upon our Advent & Christmas Masses/Services etc here at St John’s, which will of course also incorporate St Luke’s Parish.
St John’s SVP continue to keep in touch with all their clients from the Parish and the local community by phone, email, doorstep visits. If you know of anyone in the Parish, perhaps living alone, who would appreciate such contact in these challenging times please get in touch with Steve Bell our SVP President via our parish phone number/ parish email address which you can find at the top of page 1 of this bulletin.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know, via parish email / phone especially if they are in our Wirral hospitals or at St John’s Hospice.
In Memorium: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Anthony Creaney who died recently and whose Funeral Service, led by Fr Bernard, will be held at Landican Crematorium on Monday 23rd November at 12.30pm. Also please pray the repose of the soul of Marie Powell whose Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Church on Thursday 26th November at 12.30pm. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- recently, people have started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin shortly.
Christmas Day Lunch Sadly this year we will not be able to gather as usual at Christ Church Community Centre, Higher Bebington, but we would still like
to provide festive food and a Christmas Day greeting to anyone we would welcome this. If you or anyone you know would appreciate a doorstep visit and/or some food, please let us know at Christchurch Parish Office 608 4429 or
parishoffice@christchurchhigherbebington.org.uk or Reverend Mike Leach 609 0493 or
mgloach@gmail.com
Wirral Scout & Guide Christmas Post will look a little different this year as they launch a free online eCard service. To find out more visit http://www.wirralcharitypost.org
Thank you for Last Weekend’s Offertory Collection of £233.00p. Please note that a basket is now on the table at the back of Church for your Offertory Donations when you come into Church for private prayer/a visit……….please always make cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry. You can also push offertory envelopes/donations through the presbytery letterbox or take out a standing order (further info on this from Carol Dalziel or from Mike Russell at the Curial Offices Tel 0151 652 9855) Your giving to St John’s Parish in these challenging times is very much needed and appreciated.
Advent Resources for 2020-Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team Activities for Advent: A booklet of activities to take you through the 4 weeks of Advent and enter into the themes of hope, love, joy and peace. Any activities you don’t get through during Advent, you can use to keep you busy over the Christmas holidays!
Advent ‘Give’ List: Ideas for Advent/Christmas gifts where the real gift is your time and love.
How to enter into Advent:
Simple ideas to live this season well.
Advent ‘Carry’ Challenge: A call to live out the Advent message of carrying the Good News.
The Great Advent Crib Build! A booklet to take you through the 4 weeks of Advent, building the Nativity scene piece by piece. Will you school take part? Please go to website for more details: Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team [mailto: youth@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
Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 15th November, 2020 Cycle A
WORD OF GOD
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. (Matthew 25:15)
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: INTEREST RATES
Imagine being given 20 years’ salary in one go and simply putting it in a sock under your bed. That’s what happens in today’s gospel when the master gives five talents, three talents and one talent to his servants. A talent was a coin that was worth almost 20 years pay for a servant or a labourer, so the first servant actually got 100 years’ salary and the second got 60 years’ in advance.
Of course, the man who got 20 years’ pay simply went and buried it in the ground. He knew his master was a demanding man and he was scared to use his talent in case he ended up making a loss.
What excuse do we make for not using the talents that God has given to us? Many people say that God really has given them nothing special to do in their lives. They simply exist and one day they’ll die. But today’s gospel clearly shows that everyone has been given some role by God and every baptised Christian has been called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.
Other people are quick to compare themselves to others. They say they are not as good as So-and-So and what’s the point of their stepping forward when others are “more talented”? Yet God does not judge us in comparison with others and what they may or may not be capable of doing. God knows what we are capable of, and he expects us only to respond in the fullest way we can. Perhaps the saddest people are those who have convinced themselves that God is asking too much of them, like the soprano who turned down the request to sing in the choir because the weekly practice clashed with her favourite soap opera on TV.
God expects us to bring a return on the talents he has given us, and this means more than simply going through the motions. It means taking risks, it means stretching ourselves for the sake of the gospel, and it means putting our whole hearts into practising our faith.
So if God were to ask you today what you have done with talents that you were given, would you know what your talents are and would you be able to show how you have been cooperating with the Holy Spirit to try and make them grow?
Thirty Third Sunday in Ord Time 15th Ints Frank Morris
Kitty Petts RIP
St Luke’s Parish
Monday 16th
Tuesday 17th Rels/Fnds McDyre & Kennedy Families RIP
Wednesday 18th
Thursday 19th Joe Moore Annv RIP
Friday 20th
Saturday 21st
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 22nddd Rels/Fnds McAllister Fam RIP
Gerry Topping RIP
St Luke’s Parish
Fr Bernard will celebrate all the above Masses on the days indicated above privately here at St John’s.
Today is the Fourth World Day of Prayer for the Poor…………..Pope Francis has chosen the theme “Stretch Forth your Hands to the Poor”. In these challenging times there are several ways in which we can support the poorer members of our community
Lockdown 2: By now you will all be aware that a state of National Lockdown came into force at 00.01am on Thursday 5th November and lasts until Wednesday 2nd December. The Regulations prohibiting all gatherings for Communal Worship in Churches and other religious buildings were placed into law last Wednesday. The only exceptions being Funeral Masses & Services within the limitations of numbers provided in Government Guidance for Places of Worship. Happily churches can remain open as places of prayer and reflection with all the necessary Covid 19 safety measures in place. So from this weekend I will open St John’s Church at the following times. Sunday’s from 9.00am to 10.00am and Tuesday’s again from 9.00am to 10.00am. (Opening times at St Anne’s = Sunday’s from 10.45am to 11.45am Wednesday’s and Friday’s from 11.00am to 12 noon)
It is important, particularly at this time of year, that we all stay in touch with one another by phone, email, zoom or doorstep contact. If anyone is in need of material or spiritual help please do get in touch by phone 0151 645 3314/0151 645 3996 or email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the Church.
St John’s SVP continue to keep in touch with all their clients from the Parish and the local community by phone, email, doorstep visits. If you know of anyone in the Parish, perhaps living alone, who would appreciate such contact in these challenging times please get in touch with Steve Bell our SVP President via our parish phone number/ parish email address which you can find at the top of page 1 of this bulletin.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know, via parish email / phone especially if they are in our Wirral hospitals or at St John’s Hospice.
In Memorium : Please pray for the repose of the soul of Anthony Creaney who died on the 2nd November and whose Funeral Service led by Fr Bernard will be held at Landican Crematorium on Monday 23rd November at 12.30pm. Also please pray the repose of the soul of Marie Powell from Bromborough Pool who died on 7th November. In recent times those of you who come to weekday Mass will remember Marie for her faithful attendance aged 93years accompanied by her push along walking frame. Marie’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Church on Thursday 26th November at 12.30pm. May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- recently, people have started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin shortly.
Thank you for Last Weekend’s Offertory Collection. Please note that a basket is now on the table at the back of Church for your Offertory Donations when you come into Church for private prayer/a visit……….please always make cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry. You can also push offertory envelopes/donations through the presbytery letterbox or take out a standing order (further info on this from Carol Dalziel or from Mike Russell at the Curial Offices Tel 0151 652 9855) Your giving to St John’s Parish in these challenging times is very much needed and appreciated.
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
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, 8th November, 2020 Cycle A
Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday. Lord, we remember those who died when madness ruled the world and evil dwelt on earth, those we knew and those whose very name is lost. Because of their sacrifice, we may renew our fight against cruelty and injustice, again prejudice, tyranny and oppression. Still we cry to God out of the darkness of our divided world. Let not the hope of men and women perish. Let not new clouds rain death upon the earth.
Turn to yourself the hearts and wills of rulers and peoples, that a new world may arise where men and women live as friends in the bond of your peace.
In a world still troubled with war, hatred and unrest, we pray for peace and unity. You have called us to be one, to live in unity and harmony, and yet we are divided, race from race, faith from faith, rich from poor, old from young, neighbour from neighbour. O Lord, by whose cross all enmity is brought to an end, break down the walls that separate us, tear down the fences of indifference and hatred. Forgive us the sins that divide us, free us from pride and self-seeking; overcome our prejudice and fears. Give us courage to open ourselves to others and by the power of your Spirit make us one. 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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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: GETTING ROUND TO IT
You can’t live without food but you can seemingly get through the day without being a Christian. So even Christians themselves sometimes never quite get round to putting their baptismal promises into action.
Young people usually think that after they get older, after they’ve had some fun and sowed their wild oats, they’ll get round to it. They get older and then get married and the wild oats have been sown. Then their jobs and families take priority. They want the nice houses and the nice cars. They are so busy with the kids that they don’t have time to accept Christ in their lives. Then the kids grow up, and the marriage is unstable because they have focused so much time into every thing else that their marriage is on the rocks, so instead of accepting Jesus, they work on their marriage or they get a divorce and start a new life. They get old and set in their ways and think it’s too late to accept Christ, their heart hardens to the point where they just don’t care anymore. But if you were to ask them their intentions along the way, they had good intentions, they never intended to reject Christ.
And if we’re honest, it’s a bit like that with most of us. We may go to church, we may even be known by our neighbours as Christians. But in our heart of hearts we know that there’s a lot we could and should be doing about our faith that we never quite get round to. Perhaps it’s praying more, reading scripture more often or giving a bit more of our time and talent to help others less fortunate.
The foolish bridesmaids in today’s gospel were just as aware as the wise ones that the groom was on his way. But they hadn’t quite got round to buying the oil for their lamps so that they could go out and meet him in the middle of the night. They knew what they ought to do but they became distracted with other seemingly more important things. And by the time they realised it was their turn to meet the groom, it was too late.
What’s stopping us from being ready? And can any of us honestly say that we know the time when the groom will call out to us?
| Remembrance
Sunday |
8th |
For all those who have died since November 2019.
For all those who have died since November 2019. For those who have died in War and Conflict |
||
| Monday |
9th |
|||
| Tuesday |
10th |
Tony Jennings RIP | ||
| Wednesday |
11th |
|||
| Thursday |
12th |
Janet Brae RIP | ||
| Friday | 13th | |||
| Saturday |
14th |
|||
| Thirty Third Sunday in Ord Time |
15th |
Ints Frank Morris
Kitty Petts RIP St Luke’s Parish |
Fr Bernard will celebrate all the above Masses on the days indicated above privately here at St John’s
Lockdown 2: By now you will all be aware that a state of National Lockdown came into force at 00.01am on Thursday 5th November and lasts until Wednesday 2nd December. The Regulations prohibiting all gatherings for Communal Worship in Churches and other religious buildings were placed into law last Wednesday. The only exceptions being Funeral Masses & Services within the limitations of numbers provided in Government Guidance for Places of Worship.
Happily churches can remain open as places of prayer and reflection with all the necessary Covid 19 safety measures in place. So from this weekend I will open St John’s Church at the following times. Sunday’s from 9.00am to 10.00am and Tuesday’s again from 9.00am to 10.00am. (Opening times at St Anne’s = Sunday’s from 10.45am to 11.45am Wednesday’s and Friday’s from 11.00am to 12 noon)
It is important, particularly at this time of year, that we all stay in touch with one another by phone, email, zoom or doorstep contact. If anyone is in need of material or spiritual help please do get in touch by phone 0151 645 3314/0151 645 3996 or email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
The Month of November: Sadly owing to Covid 19 restrictions this year we won’t be able to celebrate our Annual Mass of Remembrance (nor can we have Mass today). However on this Remembrance Sunday the Church will be open from 9.00am to 10.00am for prayer and the opportunity to light a candle.
BBC Radio Merseyside– Remember Together
To mark this year’s Remembrance Day BBC Radio Merseyside is making a giant virtual poppy mosaic and would like your help.
All we need you to do is write the name of the person you are remembering on a piece of card, take a photo of yourself with it and upload it. Write the name in capitals of a relative from years gone by, a friend who is currently serving or maybe visit your local war memorial and research a person who served where you live. The deadline to send in your photos is midnight on Sunday 8th November and the poppy will be revealed on Wednesday 11th November. Upload your photo and name of person to bbc.co.uk/radiomerseyside and keep listening for more about our Remember Together Campaign.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know, via parish email / phone especially if they are in our Wirral hospitals or at St John’s Hospice.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- recently, people have started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin shortly.
St John’s SVP: has always been an important part of St John’s Parish and even more so in the circumstances we find ourselves in. SVP members can be contacted via the Parish email or by phoning 0151 645 3314
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Collection amounted to £341.80p. Many thanks. Please note a basket is now on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations. Please make all cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry.
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 All Saint’s, 1st November, 2020. Cycle A
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 Fr Paschal now celebrates an 11am Sunday Mass each week here in St John’s Church. In these times of restricted numbers this Mass will be a welcome addition to St John’s usual weekend schedule.
WORD OF GOD Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12)
WORDS FOR WORSHIP Lord Jesus, you call us to live faithfully as children of God: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you show us the way to the Father: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you offer us eternal life with all the saints in your heavenly kingdom: Lord have mercy. In his mercy may almighty God show us his forgiveness, pardon our sins and lead us rejoicing into the kingdom of his saints for everlasting life. Amen.
A MONTH IN WHICH TO REMEMBER THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED God our Father, your power brings us to birth, your providence guides our lives and by your command we return to dust. Lord, those who die still live in your presence; their lives change but do not end. I pray in hope for my family, for my relatives and friends, and for all the dead who are known to you alone. In company with Christ, who died and who now lives, may they rejoice in your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family to sing your praise forever 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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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.
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 All Saint’s, 1st November, 2020. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE VASE There is a children’s story about a woman who went to buy a vase. When she found the one she wanted she exclaimed, “What a beautiful vase!” To her surprise the vase spoke to her and said, “Thank you for calling me beautiful but I have not always been like this. I used to be an ugly lump of clay and one day a man poured water all over me and threw me onto a potter’s wheel. He started to spin me round and mould me with his hands. When I asked him to stop he said I wasn’t ready yet. Then, even worse, he put me into a very hot fire and it burned so badly that I asked him again to stop. But he said I still wasn’t ready. He took me out of the furnace and let me cool down. Then he painted me all these wonderful colours. Only then was I truly beautiful.” All Saints is the feast of life. Saints are not born they are made and God uses many different paths of life to mould us into reflections of his own image. Only people with experience can look back at certain stages of their life, crisis points and turning points, and see the hand of God working through the everyday events of their journey in faith. This is because to be a saint is a vocation from God. And it is given to every baptised Christian. God offers us the chance to make the right choices at all stages of our existence. Of course, we don’t always take the right option and we go through difficult periods but these are opportunities for us to refocus on becoming what God wants us to be. The feast of All Saints gives us a chance to realise that God has not finished with us yet. Through the ups and downs of our daily existence God can fashion us into better people, into saints. But little by little we can respond to God in small ways that make us closer to his will and his plans for our ultimate beauty. By celebrating today’s feast we agree to be shaped by God into saints. But we also give thanks to God for all those who have gone before us in faith and who now enjoy the happiness of seeing God face to face. We remember all the “official” saints in the Church’s calendar as well as those who are known to God alone, people like our parents, brothers and sisters and friends who have died believing and hoping in God’s promises made to us through Christ. May we, who aspire to share in their joy, be filled with the Spirit who blessed their lives.
| Feast of All Saint’s |
1st |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Thelma Rogers RIP
Ints of St John’s Parish St Luke’s Parish |
|
| Monday |
2nd |
9.15am
7.00pm |
For All the Faithful Departed
For All the Faithful Departed |
|
| Tuesday |
3rd |
9.15am
7.00pm |
Ints Bell & Nugent Fams
Novena |
|
| Wednesday |
4th |
|||
| Thursday |
5th |
9.15am | John Blakeway RIP | |
| Friday | 6th | |||
| Saturday |
7th |
|||
| Remembrance
Sunday |
8th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
For all those who have died since November 2019.
For all those who have died since November 2019. For those who have died in War and Conflict |
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession: for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament each Saturday from 10.45am onwards (in the Day Chapel) or by appointment with Fr Bernard.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.45am -11.30am on Saturday in the main Church. All are welcome to come and pray about the present Covid 19 situation and for all our Parish needs and intentions.
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of All Saint’s with our usual Masses,Saturday 5.00pm and Sunday 9.30am.
The Month of November
On Monday (2nd Nov) we will remember all the Faithful Departed with Masses at St John’s at 9.15am and at 7.00pm ( in the main Church ).
Sadly owing to Covid 19 restrictions , this year unfortunately we will not be able to celebrate our Annual Mass of Remembrance for those who have died during the past year. However we will publically remember those who have passed away since last November in both of our Masses next weekend… Remembrance Sunday.
BBC Radio Merseyside– Remember Together
To mark this year’s Remembrance Day BBC Radio Merseyside is making a giant virtual poppy mosaic and would like your help.
All we need you to do is write the name of the person you are remembering on a piece of
card, take a photo of yourself with it and upload it.
Write the name in capitals of a relative from years gone by, a friend who is currently serving or maybe visit your local war memorial and research a person who served where you live. The deadline to send in your photos is midnight on Sunday 8th November and the poppy
will be revealed on Wednesday 11th November.
Upload your photo and name of person to bbc.co.uk/radiomerseyside .And keep listening for more about our Remember Together Campaign.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know, via parish email / phone especially if they are in our Wirral hospitals or at St John’s Hospice.
October Rosary- Thank you to those who have participated in the October Rosary which this year, had to be held in Church, owing to Covid 19.
The Monthly Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour – this Tuesday at 7pm in Church. All most welcome. This is a special time of quiet prayer and reflection. If you have not been before I recommend you attend as I am sure you will find
comfort and peace in these times.
Readers-the new rota is now available from the sacristy. Readers meeting in the Day Chapel this Saturday 7th November at 10am. Please make every effort to attend.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- recently, people have started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin shortly.
Weekend Masses at St John’s
It’s wonderful to see so many parishioners coming back to Mass . Please note that the maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures set out by HM Government is 70 persons and that members of the congregation must wear a face covering. Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a basket 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. Please be assured that the Church is cleaned thoroughly between each opening. In the light of the Government’s recent advice, please note that from now on and for the foreseeable future, you will have to book in for weekend Masses each week.
Forms are available at the front of the Church (next to the newsletter tray) for you to take away and complete at home and then return through the presbytery letterbox or by post by Friday 11am or you can send an email to the parish email address with the names of all attendees, the Mass you wish to attend and a contact telephone number.
Stewarding and Cleaning: Thank you to the stewards who have been stewarding our Masses and to our parish cleaning team who do such an excellent job of cleaning our Church every Tuesday after 9.15am Mass. (Thanks too to the contract cleaners who clean our Church at other times.) Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard if you can help.
School News
Our schools reopen on Monday after the Half Term break.
St John’s SVP : has always been an important part of St John’s Parish and even more so in the circumstances we find ourselves in. SVP members can be contacted via the Parish email or by phoning 0151 645 3314
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Collection amounted to £340.51 p. Many thanks. Please note a basket is now on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations. Please make all cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry.
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
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 25th October, 2020. Cycle A
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 Fr Paschal now celebrates an 11am Sunday Mass each week here in St John’s Church. In these times of restricted numbers this Mass will be a welcome addition to St John’s usual weekend schedule.
WORD OF GOD You must not be harsh with the widow or with the orphan; if you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me, and be sure I shall hear their cry. (Exodus 22:21-23)
WORDS FOR WORSHIP Lord Jesus, you revealed the love of the Father by taking flesh and being born among us: Lord, have mercy . Christ Jesus, you showed the depth of your love by accepting death on a cross: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you commanded us to love one another as you have loved us: Lord, have mercy. May almighty God continue to show us his love; may he have mercy on us, forgive us 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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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: THE NITTY-GRITTY OF LOVE When the teacher asked the class if they could name any of the seven deadly sins, Lucy put up her hand and answered, “Love, Miss”. “Love?” asked the teacher. “Were you not paying attention?” “Well, that’s usually the answer!” replied Lucy. Lucy does have a point. We tend to boil everything down to love when it comes to living a Christian life. Yet while love is the answer, it is not always very clear how it works out in practice. Maybe that’s why non-religious people laugh at Christians for being fixated with a woolly idea of love. Many preachers get wobbly knees when they have to preach about the greatest commandments of loving God and neighbour, because they are so all-embracing that it’s difficult to know how to break them down into practicalities. But we get a clue from our passage from Exodus today. Throughout biblical history there are three categories of people who are the litmus test for whether our love is real or not. They are widows, orphans and foreigners (or strangers). Why these three types of people? If you think about it for a moment, these three groups have nothing going for them; they have no clout; they are all vulnerable. Widows had a low status in society because they had no “man” to speak up for them and protect them. Orphans were clearly vulnerable since they were young and unattached with no one to fight their cause. Foreigners were away from their natural surroundings and not culturally savvy, easy prey to those out to cheat them. If we are to follow the great commandment of loving God and neighbour perhaps we can ask who the modern-day widows, orphans and foreigners are. Who are the people who have no clout in our society and how do we treat them? Who are the people who need our support because without it they would be vulnerable? Anyone can love a friend. Anyone can love a “nice” person. Anyone can love their family. But the test of our love of God is how we react to those who can offer us no advantage in return. And just in case we think that these people are invisible, perhaps we need look no further than our own street, our own place of work and our own small circles.
| Thirtieth
Sunday |
25th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
David Kershaw RIP
Bishop Brian Noble Anniv St Luke’s Parish |
|
| Monday |
26th |
|||
| Tuesday |
27th |
9.15am | Joe McDonough RIP | |
| Wednesday |
28th |
|||
| Thursday |
29th |
11.30am | Funeral Mass
Tony Jennings |
|
| Friday | 30th | |||
| Saturday |
31st |
|||
| Feast of All Saint’s |
1st |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Thelma Rogers RIP
Ints of St John’s Parish St Luke’s Parish |
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession: for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament each Saturday from 10.45am onwards (in the Day Chapel) or by appointment with Fr Bernard.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30am -11.30am on Saturday in the main Church. All are welcome to come and pray about the present Covid 19 situation and for all our Parish needs and intentions.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know, via parish email / phone especially if they are in our Wirral hospitals or at St John’s Hospice.
October Rosary: Sadly owing to the Covid 19 regulations gatherings of parishioners for the Rosary in houses/bungalows/flats etc has not been possible this October. To compensate for this we invite you to join together in Church on this the last Sunday of October at 3pm and next Saturday the 31st October at 4.30pm to pray the Rosary together .
Next weekend we celebrate the Feast of All Saint’s with our usual Masses of Saturday 5.00pm and Sunday 9.30am. Readers please note that the readings for next weekend will be for the Feast of All Saints.
The Month of November
On Monday 2nd November we will remember all the Faithful Departed with Masses here at St John’s at 9.15am and at 7.00pm ( in the main Church ). Sadly owing to Covid 19 restrictions , this year unfortunately we will not be able to celebrate our Annual Mass of Remembrance for those who have died during the past year. However we will publically remember those who have passed away since last November in both of our Masses on Saturday 7th / Sunday 8th November … Remembrance Sunday.
In Memorium – Please pray for the repose of the soul of Tony Jennings whose Funeral Mass is here at St John’s on Thursday (29th Oct) at 11.30am. May he Rest in Peace.
Readers-the new rota is now available from the sacristy. Readers meeting in the Day Chapel on Saturday 7th November at 10am. Please make every effort to attend.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- recently, people have started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin shortly.
Mass Intentions
If you would like a Mass to be offered for someone, living or dead, or indeed for your own/ families intentions, please use the Mass Intention envelopes, which are on the table at the back of Church. Place them either in the Offertory basket or through the presbytery letterbox.
Weekend Masses at St John’s
It’s wonderful to see so many parishioners coming back to Mass . Please note that the maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures set out by HM Government is 70 persons and that members of the congregation must wear a face covering. Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a basket 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. Please be assured that the Church is cleaned thoroughly between each opening. In the light of the Government’s recent advice, please note that from now on and for the foreseeable future, you will have to book in for weekend Masses each week.
Forms are available at the front of the Church (next to the newsletter tray) for you to take away and complete at home and then return through the presbytery letterbox or by post by Friday 11am or you can send an email to the parish email address with the names of all attendees, the Mass you wish to attend and a contact telephone number.
Stewarding and Cleaning: Thank you to the stewards who have been stewarding our Masses and to our parish cleaning team who do such an excellent job of cleaning our Church every Tuesday after 9.15am Mass. (Thanks too to the contract cleaners who clean our Church at other times.) Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard if you can help.
School News All our schools are now on their Half Term break. In these covid 19 restricted times we pray that the children and staff may enjoy their break and return refreshed on Monday 2nd November.
St John’s SVP : has always been an important part of St John’s Parish and even more so in the circumstances we find ourselves in. SVP members can be contacted via the Parish email or by phoning 0151 645 3314
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Collection amounted to £431.51 p. Many thanks. Please note a basket is now on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations. Please make all cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry.
Sadly because of Covid 19 we are not allowed to gather for tea/coffee after Sunday Mass now or for the foreseeable future so we have taken the opportunity to tot up the Sunday Tea Money and from it to make a donation of £50 to CAFOD, £50 to St John’s SVP and to retain £70 of it for Parish Funds.
APF Red Mission Boxes should now have been emptied during the month of October. Any outstanding monies should be collected in notes or as a cheque, in an envelope with your name on and the words Red Missio Box, in the post or through the presbytery letter box by the end of this week. Thank you.
Caritas at Christmas Appeal 2020: There will be a collection here in Advent. Thank you for your support. Your donations will go to those most vulnerable within the Diocese, ensuring they have a Christmas meal and gifts to celebrate the Nativity of Christ and create happy memories in a time of crisis.
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
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 18th October, 2020. Cycle A
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 Fr Paschal now celebrates an 11am Sunday Mass each week here in St John’s Church. In these times of restricted numbers this Mass will be a welcome addition to St John’s usual weekend schedule.
WORD OF GOD Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God. (Matthew 22:21)
WORDS FOR WORSHIP As we give thanks for the autumn harvest of food let us remember those who do not possess even the most basic necessities of life, for those who are suffering famine, those who are deprived of clean water and those who are experiencing malnutrition. . Lord, send out your Spirit: And renew the face of the earth! Let us pray for those who represent us in local and national government that they may not lose sight of the Kingdom God. Lord, send out… Let us pray for those in our parish who are sick, lonely, bereaved or anxious at this time, that they may know God’s presence in their lives. Lord, send out…
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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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: NO EASY ANSWERS We’re all familiar with the trap the Herodians and the Pharisees set for Jesus, asking whether it was right for a Jew to pay allegiance to Caesar. Jesus must have been making a strong impact because this alliance between Herodians and Pharisees was such an unlikely one. The Herodians had crossed over to the Romans whereas the Pharisees epitomised the Jewish Law. In fact, they hated each other. We all know Jesus’ answer: give both God and Caesar what they’re due. And at first we can think of it as a smart reply. But upon reflection we come to realise that it might have got him out of a sticky situation but it’s not really any answer at all. We live side by side with two kingdoms: the kingdom of secular government and the kingdom of God. And week by week, month by month, we come up against the rub. We find ourselves faced with circumstances where one conflicts with the other. So we recognise the State’s right to levy taxes but we might have problems with the sort of medical or social services they provide with the money they raise. We recognise our right to defend ourselves but we might have trouble with wars and campaigns that our governments lead us into. Christians have a smart reply to the problem, but it too only raises more questions. They say that there is nothing that does not belong to God, so God must come first in all things. This is true on one level but it does not take away our need to use our own consciences when making our decisions, and it means that we have to be quite clear about the influences that are shaping our consciences. We are called to think about what belongs to God and to let it influence the way we live. When earthly authority is opposed to what we believe is God’s authority how do we react? Conscience is both a blessing and a curse because we cannot blindly follow rules and regulations; we have to inform our consciences and act in accordance with what we believe to be God’s will for humanity. Today’s reading is a classic example of how the gospel does not provide us with pat answers. The good news is good news but it’s also a challenge to us to be just as adult about the things of God as we have become about the things of Caesar. And vice versa.
| Twenty
Ninth Sunday |
18th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Members of the Ellis Family
Cora Caskaneda RIP In Thanksgiving |
|
| Monday |
19th |
|||
| Tuesday |
20th |
9.15am | Joe Moore Anniv RIP | |
| Wednesday |
21st |
|||
| Thursday |
22nd |
7.00pm | Madeline McEneney RIP | |
| Friday | 23rd | |||
| Saturday |
24th |
|||
| Thirtieth
Sunday |
25th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
David Kershaw RIP
Bishop Brian Noble Anniv St Luke’s Parish |
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession: for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament each Saturday from 10.45am onwards in the Day Chapel.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30am -11.30am on Saturday in the main Church. All are welcome to come and pray about the present situation and for all our needs and intentions.
October Rosary: Sadly owing to the updated Covid 19 regulations gatherings of parishioners for the Rosary in houses/bungalows/flats etc are not be possible this October. To compensate for this we invite you to join together in Church on the Sunday’s of October at 3pm to pray the Rosary together in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady’s statue. Fr Paschal will be leading the prayers this Sunday.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know.
In Memorium – Please pray for the repose of the soul of Tony Jennings who died recently. Funeral Mass here at St John’s on Thursday 29th October at 11.30am. May he rest in peace.
Readers-the new rota is now available from the sacristy. Readers meeting in the Day Chapel on Saturday 7th November at 10am. Please make every effort to attend.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- recently, people have started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin shortly.
Mass Intentions
If you would like a Mass to be offered for someone, living or dead, or indeed for your own/ families intentions, please use the Mass Intention envelopes, which are on the table at the back of Church. Place them either in the Offertory basket or through the presbytery letterbox.
November Lists: Please ensure that all names for the November List are handed into the presbytery by Tuesday . Please make the envelopes for the attention of Ann Murray and please print all names clearly.
Weekend Masses at St John’s
It’s wonderful to see so many parishioners coming back to Mass . Please note that the maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures set out by HM Government is 70 persons and that members of the congregation must wear a face covering. Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a basket 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. Please be assured that the Church is cleaned thoroughly between each opening. In the light of the Government’s recent advice, please note that from now on and for the foreseeable future, you will have to book in for weekend Masses each week. Forms are available at the front of the Church (next to the newsletter tray) for you to take away and complete at home and then return through the presbytery letterbox or by post by Friday 11am or you can send an email to the parish email address with the names of all attendees, the Mass you wish to attend and a contact telephone number.
Sunday Masses are somewhat different to what we experienced before lockdown, at this present time, we are unable to have much singing, social distancing needs to apply inside and outside the Church and particularly with the distribution of Holy Communion but I will explain this at every Mass. For the time being only I will distribute Holy Communion. Please follow all instructions carefully.
Stewarding and Cleaning: Thank you to the stewards who have been stewarding our Masses and to our parish cleaning team who do such an excellent job of cleaning our Church every Tuesday after 9.15am Mass. (Thanks too to the contract cleaners who clean our Church at other times.) Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard if you can help.
St John’s SVP : has always been an important part of St John’s Parish and even more so in the circumstances we find ourselves in. SVP members can be contacted via the Parish email or by phoning 0151 645 3314
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Collection amounted to £434.12 p. Many thanks. Please note a basket is now on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations. Please make all cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry.
Sadly because of Covid 19 we are not allowed to gather for tea/coffee after Sunday Mass now or for the foreseeable future so we have taken the opportunity to tot up the Sunday Tea Money and from it to make a donation of £50 to CAFOD, £50 to St John’s SVP and to retain £70 of it for Parish Funds.
World Mission Sunday –in this time of international turmoil and uncertainty, World Mission Sunday is an opportunity for the global family of the Catholic Church to stand together in solidarity, prayer and faith.
Each parish throughout the world celebrates being part of a worldwide Church, giving what they can for the benefit of those in most need. We offer the hand of friendship and encouragement to our sisters and brothers in poorer countries, and to missionaries across the world who are proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have not yet heard it.
APF Red Mission Boxes should be emptied during the month of October. Sadly in these Covid times these boxes cannot be opened and emptied at Church. We would be grateful if you would empty your box at home and send the amount collected in notes or as a cheque, in an envelope with your name on and the words Red Missio Box, in the post or through the presbytery letter box.
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
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 11th October, 2020. Cycle A
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 Fr Paschal now celebrates an 11am Sunday Mass each week here in St John’s Church. In these times of restricted numbers this Mass will be a welcome addition to St John’s usual weekend schedule.
WORD OF GOD The Lord will prepare a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines… he will destroy Death for ever and wipe away the tears from every cheek. (Isaiah 25:6-8)
WORDS FOR WORSHIP As we approach the table of the Lord to share on earth in the banquet of heaven, let us pray that God will grant us all we need to follow him daily, as we say: Our Father…
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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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: RESERVING A TABLE Two beautiful images of our God are put before us today. The first tells us that God has already prepared a sumptuous banquet of food and fine wine for us. The second is that on the day we are called to share in this everlasting feast he will wipe away every tear from our eyes and take away all our shame. Everyone likes a good feast but rich food and drink were especially welcomed by people who lived in the arid desert. So Isaiah’s words from God were eagerly received by the Jewish people whose nation had been overrun by a foreign power and who had been taken captive into exile. Despite all their present troubles God promises them that in the end they will be triumphant and that he will never abandon them. The eucharist that Christians celebrate every Sunday is the “starter course” of this promised banquet. What God has promised us for eternity in heaven has already begun. The eucharist is the sacred meal shared by those who have been baptised into Christ’s death and who now await a full share in his resurrection. The rich food and fine wine is the body and blood of Christ who is really present among us when we gather in his name. So our liturgy puts us in contact with the eternal presence of God and is not something that we do alone. Here on earth we join the heavenly liturgy of saints and angels who already see God face to face and are moved to constant praise. And that’s why God has already begun to wipe away the tears from our eyes, for in our worship we are joined in communion with those who have gone before us and whom we once mourned and grieved for. But liturgy is not simply what our parish or community is doing. Liturgy is cosmic. We join our voices with choirs of angels and saints of all time in our hymn of praise. Scripture tells us that those of our family and friends who have died are not dead for ever but are indeed alive in Christ. Liturgy joins together the communion of saints on both sides of the grave. A banquet of rich food and fine wine…our tears dried…our shame taken away…and this is only the starter. Why not reserve a table?
| Twenty
Eighth Sunday |
11th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Ints Brannock Family
Ints Teresa & Ernie Young St Luke’s Parish |
|
| Monday |
12th |
|||
| Tuesday |
13th |
9.15am | Fred Diskin RIP | |
| Wednesday |
14th |
|||
| Thursday |
15th |
7.00pm | Ints of the Carmelite Family | |
| Friday | 16th | |||
| Saturday |
17th |
|||
| Twenty
Nineth Sunday |
18th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Members of the Ellis Family
Cora Caskaneda RIP St Luke’s Parish |
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession: for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament each Saturday from 10.45am onwards in the Day Chapel.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30am -11.30am on Saturday in the main Church. All are welcome to come and pray about the present situation and for all our needs and intentions.
October Rosary: Sadly owing to the updated Covid 19 regulations gatherings of parishioners for the Rosary in houses/bungalows/flats etc will not be possible this October. To compensate for this we invite you to join together in Church on the Sunday’s of October at 3pm to pray the Rosary together in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady’s statue.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If anyone is in need of a visit / Holy Communion, please do let us know.
Readers-the new rota is now available from the sacristy. Readers meeting in the Day Chapel on Saturday 7th November at 10am. Please make every effort to attend.
Thinking about becoming a Catholic- during Lockdown, people started to reflect upon the bigger questions of life, and explore their faith. If you have been thinking about becoming a Catholic please get in touch either by phone or email, as our time of preparation is set to begin in a few weeks time.
Mass Intentions
If you would like a Mass to be offered for someone, living or dead, or indeed for your own/ families intentions, please use the Mass Intention envelopes, which are on the table at the back of Church. Place them either in the Offertory basket or through the presbytery letterbox.
Weddings If you are intending to get married at St John’s in 2021 please let us know.
Weekend Masses at St John’s
It’s wonderful to see so many parishioners coming back to Mass .(Our capacity number was almost reached last Saturday night). Please note that the maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures set out by HM Government is 70 persons and that members of the congregation must wear a face covering. Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a basket 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. Please be assured that the Church is cleaned thoroughly between each opening. In the light of the Government’s recent advice, please note that from now on and for the foreseeable future, you will have to book in for weekend Masses each week. Forms are available at the front of the Church (next to the newsletter tray) for you to take away and complete at home and then return through the presbytery letterbox or by post by Friday 11am or you can send an email to the parish email address with the names of all attendees, the Mass you wish to attend and a contact telephone number. Sunday Masses are somewhat different to what we experienced before lockdown, at this present time, we are unable to have much singing, social distancing needs to apply inside and outside the Church and particularly with the distribution of Holy Communion but I will explain this at every Mass. For the time being only I will distribute Holy Communion. Please follow all instructions carefully.
Stewarding and Cleaning: Thank you to the stewards who have been stewarding our Masses and to our parish cleaning team who do such an excellent job of cleaning our Church every Tuesday after 9.15am Mass. (Thanks too to the contract cleaners who clean our Church at other times.) Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard if you can help.
St John’s Schools- have had a good start to the New School Year, thanks to the outstanding work of the senior management teams , supported by our governors and advisors. Many thanks to the parents who have also been playing their part in guiding, supporting and encouraging their children.
St John’s Infant School can be contacted on 0151-645-5291. St John’s Junior School can be contacted on 0151-645-9615.
St John’s SVP : has always been an important part of St John’s Parish and even more so in the circumstances we find ourselves in. SVP members can be contacted via the Parish email or by phoning 0151 645 3314
November Lists: Please ensure that all names for the November List are handed into the presbytery by 20th October. Please make the envelopes for the attention of Ann Murray and please print all names clearly. Many thanks.
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Collection amounted to £407.44 p. Many thanks. Please note a basket is now placed on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations. Please make all cheques payable to St John’s Parish, New Ferry.
APF Red Mission Boxes should be emptied during the month of October. Sadly in these Covid times these boxes cannot be opened and emptied at Church. We would be grateful if you would empty your box at home and send the amount collected in notes or as a cheque, in an envelope with your name on and the words Red Missio Box, in the post or through the presbytery letter box.
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
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 4th October, 2020. Cycle A
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 Fr Paschal now celebrates an 11am Sunday Mass each week here in St John’s Church. In these times of restricted numbers this Mass will be a welcome addition to St John’s usual weekend schedule.
WORD OF GOD What could I have done for my vineyard that I have not done? I expected it to yield grapes. Why did it yield sour grapes instead? (Isaiah 5:4)
WORDS FOR WORSHIP May God the Father guard your hearts and thoughts in the peace that comes from Jesus the Christ. Amen. May God the Son fill your minds with everything that is noble and true so that you may give thanks for the gift of God’s eternal love. Amen. May God the Holy Spirit show you the way to all that is good and pure so that your lives may be worthy of praise. 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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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: LOSING THE PLOT? As Christians we walk a delicate tightrope. On the one hand we can fall into the trap of thinking that everything depends on us, that by our own efforts we can achieve salvation. On the other hand we can become so intent on the fact that only God’s grace can bring salvation that we end up sitting back and letting God get on with it without lending a hand. People who think everything depends on them tend to be great activists. They are the people of petitions, badges, protests and placards. In religious terms they are usually convinced that they have to do more and more before they are worthy to approach God. In the past they were the people who said lots of rosaries, recited numerous litanies and were always found at the nearest religious gathering. They were also first to volunteer for the soup kitchen, the Justice Group and the parish amenities committee. There’s nothing wrong with any of this, of course, but the supposition was that their own effort could build up some form of good-standing with God. The more prayers you said and the more you were seen to be active in good works the better person you were. At the other end of the scale are those people who may well pray a lot but are slow to take up any sort of active Christian role within their community. Maybe they too are seen at church on Sundays and at diocesan gatherings of prayer. But their main concern is making themselves holy by putting practical issues in second place so that they can contemplate God who will save them. Isaiah and Matthew both recount a similar story today about a vineyard. In Isaiah the owner (God) of the vineyard (his people Israel) plants fine vines and does everything possible to grow good grapes but the plot only produces sour grapes. So the owner threatens to turn it into scrubland. In Matthew we hear Jesus saying that the tenants who aren’t producing fruit from the land will be evicted from it. Nothing you can ever do will get you into heaven. Only Christ can get you there. But if you just sit back and pray while watching others doing the work then you’ve already lost the plot. And the grapes.
| Twenty
Seventh Sunday |
4th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Mae Smillie RIP
St John’s Parishioners Private Intention |
|
| Monday |
5th |
|||
| Tuesday |
6th |
9.15am
7.00pm |
Rels/Fnds Dunion & McCormick Fams RIP
Novena |
|
| Wednesday |
7th |
|||
| Thursday |
8th |
7.00pm | Shiela Kearon RIP | |
| Friday | 9th | |||
| Saturday |
10th |
|||
| Twenty
Eighth Sunday |
11th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Ints Brannock Family
Ints Teresa & Ernie Young St Luke’s Parish |
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession: Fr Bernard will be available for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament each Saturday from 10.45am onwards.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30am -11.30am each Saturday in the main Church. All are welcome to come and pray about the present situation and for all our needs and intentions.
October Rosary: Sadly owing to the updated Covid 19 regulations gatherings of parishioners for the Rosary in houses/bungalows/flats etc will not be possible this October. To compensate for this I invite you to join me in Church on the four Sunday’s of October at 3pm to pray the Rosary together in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady’s statue.
The Monthly Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour – this Tuesday at 7pm in Church. All most welcome. This is a special time of quiet prayer and reflection. If you have not been before I recommend you attend as I am sure you will find comfort and peace in these times.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers.
In Memorium: Please pray for the repose of the soul of John Fitzgerald who died recently. Funeral Service at Landican this Wednesday at 10am. Also please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Ann Caslin who taught for many years at St John’s School. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr Paschal at Christ the King Bromborough, this Tuesday at 11am. May they and all the faithful departed Rest In Peace.
Weddings If you are intending to get married in St John’s in 2021 please let us know as soon as possible and certainly before the end of September.
It’s wonderful to see so many parishioners coming back to Mass . Please note that the maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures set out by HM Government is 70 persons and that members of the congregation must wear a face covering. Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a basket 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. Please be assured that the Church is cleaned thoroughly between each opening. In the light of the Government’s latest advice from now on you will have to book in for weekend Masses each week. Forms are available at the front of the Church (next to the newsletter tray) for you to take away and complete at home and then return through the presbytery letterbox or by post by Friday 11am or you can send an email to the parish email address with the names of all attendees, the Mass you wish to attend and a contact telephone number. Sunday Masses are somewhat different to what we experienced before lockdown, at this present time, we are unable to have much singing, social distancing needs to apply inside and outside the Church and particularly with the distribution of Holy Communion but I will explain this at every Mass. For the time being only I will distribute Holy Communion. Please follow all instructions carefully.
Stewarding and Cleaning: Thank you to the stewards who have been stewarding our Masses and to our parish cleaning team who do such an excellent job of cleaning our Church every Tuesday after 9.15am Mass. (Thanks too to the contract cleaners who in these Covid times clean our Church at weekends.) Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard over the next few days if you can help.
St John’s SVP : has always been an important part of St John’s Parish and even more so in the circumstances we find ourselves in. SVP members can be contacted via the Parish email or by phoning 0151 645 3314
November Lists: Please ensure that all names for the November List are handed into the presbytery by 20th October. This allows time to compile the lists. Please make the envelopes for the attention of Ann Murray and please print all names clearly. Many thanks.
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Collection amounted to £371.34p. A basket is now placed on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations. PLEASE MAKE ALL CHEQUES, GIVEN VIA THE COLLECTION, PAYABLE TO ST JOHN’S NEW FERRY
As Pope Francis prepares to sign his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti: we would like to invite you and your parishioners to an online event to share with you the work of CAFOD and Missio over these last few months. CAFOD’s Geoff O’Donoghue, Senior International Programme Leader and Missio’s National Director Fr Anthony Chantry will discuss the challenges facing our global family in this time of pandemic and how we are responding creatively and keeping hope alive. Please join us on Tuesday 6 October from 4-5pm for COVID-19 pandemic and the glob If you are unable to join us live, please register to be sent a recording.
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
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27th September, 2020. Cycle A
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 for the foreseeable future Fr Paschal will celebrate an 11am Sunday Mass each week 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. Fr Paschal and St Luke’s parishioners are always welcome at St John’s.
WORD FOR TODAY
People often claim that they are looking for justice when in reality they only want revenge. They rant against punishments that they call too lenient and urge harsher treatment for offenders. And when they hear that God’s justice is tempered with mercy and generosity they don’t know how to react, except to keep ranting.
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. During these Covid times please do not bring any food donations into the 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.
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
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27th September, 2020. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: FIXED PENALTY GOD?
All’s fair in love and war, they say. But all’s not fair when it comes to Christianity. This is because our human concept of fairness does not even come close to understanding God’s creative mixture of justice, mercy and grace. We human beings seem to have an inbuilt sense of justice that is like the old-fashioned shop scales with two buckets. You put the food in one bucket and then balance it with some weights in the other bucket and this tells you the weight that is at stake and the price that must be paid. In fact we regularly depict Justice as a character holding a pair of scales. Whatever goes into one side has to be weighed up and balanced with a penalty of similar cost. In the early period of the Jewish Kingdoms this even led to a culprit’s family being punished for his or her crime although the relatives themselves had done nothing wrong. The scales had to balance.
Throughout history God has failed to take any notice of this type of justice. In today’s passage from Ezekiel the people are complaining that God is unjust because he allows wrongdoers to live rather than die. Ezekiel points out (speaking on behalf of God) that the weight of punishment should only be exacted against those who stubbornly refuse to admit their sin and to repent. And a similar scene greets us when Jesus discusses with the priests about someone who comes to their senses after behaving badly. They are not to be condemned.
This human view of justice and fairness is too crude for God to commit to it, for it leaves no room for manoeuvre, takes no account of the true circumstances of the person involved, and completely abandons any reference to Christ’s redeeming sacrifice for sin and the effects of grace. Faced with our faults, God, who has every reason to be indignant, chooses to be forgiving and calls us to be the same with those who offend against us. Yet we obstinately cling to our appeals for “justice” when in fact we often are only interested in revenge. We plead fairness when what we really want is graceless reprisal. God hates sin and wrongdoing as much as do our tabloids and politicians yet he always views things from a wider perspective of grace and forgiveness. And God’s passion for pardon is so strong that while we clamour for the scales to balance, God clamours for a balanced judgement.
| Twenty
Sixth Sunday |
27th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Rels/Fnds McAllister Fam RIP
Ints Kathleen Parr St Luke’s Parish |
|
| Monday |
28th |
|||
| Tuesday |
29th |
9.15am | William Halpin RIP | |
| Wednesday |
30th |
|||
| Thursday |
1st |
7.00pm | Dr Robert Johnson RIP | |
| Friday | 2nd | |||
| Saturday |
3rd |
|||
| Twenty
Seven Sunday |
4th |
5.00pm
9.30am 11.00am |
Mae Smillie RIP
St John’s Parishioners St Luke’s Parish |
SUNDAY IS A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE HARVEST and enclosed with this week’s bulletin is Bishop Mark’s Pastoral Letter in these Covid Times. Please say a special prayer for our Bishop this week………Thursday 1st October marks his 10th Anniversary as our Bishop!
Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession: Fr Bernard will be available for those who wish to celebrate this sacrament each Saturday from 10.40am.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30am -11.30am each Saturday in the main Church. All are welcome to come and pray about the present situation and for all our needs and intentions. “The Season of Creation”, we would do well to remember this intention in our prayers.
October Rosary: Sadly owing to the updated Covid 19 regulations gatherings of parishioners for the Rosary in houses/bungalows/flats etc will not be possible this October. To compensate for this I invite you to join me in Church on the four Sunday’s of October at 3pm to pray the Rosary together in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady’s statue.
Prayers for the Sick- please remember our sick and housebound parishioners in your daily prayers. If any one is in need of Holy Communion or a visit, please do let us know.
In Memorium: Please pray for the repose of the soul of John Fitzgerald who died recently. Funeral Service at Landican on Wednesday 7th October at 10am. Also please pray for the repose of the soul of Mark Redman Funeral Mass at St John’s on Tuesday 13th October at 11.00am May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace
Baptisms- We hope to be able to resume celebrating Baptisms this autumn. If you had a Baptism booked during lockdown or wish to have your child Baptised in the later part of 2020/early part of 2021 please contact
Fr Bernard on 645 3314 or by emailing him.
Weddings If you are intending to get married in St John’s in 2021 please let us know as soon as possible and certainly before the end of September.
It’s wonderful to see so many parishioners coming back to Mass on Sunday’s and Weekday’s. (we almost reached our capacity number last Saturday). Please note that the maximum number St John’s Church can hold safely with all the social distancing measures set out by HM Government is 70 persons and that members of the congregation must wear a face covering. Should you not have a face covering we do have a limited number of disposable face masks in a basket 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. Please be assured that the Church is cleaned thoroughly between each opening.
In the light of the Government’s latest advice issued during the past week, from next Saturday/Sunday you will have to book in for weekend Masses each week.
Forms are available at the front of the Church (next to the newsletter tray) for you to take away and complete at home and then return through the presbytery letterbox or by post by Friday 11am or you can send an email to the parish email address with the names of all attendees, the Mass you wish to attend and a contact telephone number.
Sunday Masses are somewhat different to what we experienced before lockdown, at this present time,
we are unable to have much singing, social distancing needs to apply inside and outside the Church and particularly with the distribution of Holy Communion but I will explain this at every Mass. For the time being only I will distribute Holy Communion. Please bear with us and follow all instructions carefully.
Stewarding and Cleaning: Thank you to the stewards who have been stewarding our Masses over recent weekends and to our parish cleaning team who do such an excellent job of cleaning our Church every Tuesday after 9.15am Mass. (Thanks too to the contract cleaners who in these Covid times clean our Church at weekends.) Additional stewards are very much needed please have a word with Fr Bernard over the next few days if you can help.
St John’s SVP : 27th September marks the Feast of St Vincent de Paul. Can we take this opportunity to thank our SVP members for their great work at all times but especially during 2020 when they have been keeping in touch largely by phone and email with our sick and housebound parishioners and all our vulnerable families. The SVP has always been an important part of St John’s Parish and even more so in the circumstances we find ourselves in. SVP members can be contacted via the Parish email or by phoning 0151 645 3314
November Lists: Please ensure that all names for the November List are handed into the presbytery by 20th October. This allows time to compile the lists. Please make the envelopes for the attention of Ann Murray and please print all names clearly. Many thanks.
Money Matters: Last Weekend’s Collection amounted to £316.50p. A basket is now placed on the table at the back of church for your Offertory donations. Please be generous as you enter the Church.
PLEASE MAKE ALL CHEQUES, GIVEN VIA THE COLLECTION,
PAYABLE TO ST JOHN’S NEW FERRY
