Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28th July, 2024. Cycle B
St John the Evangelist
128 Bebington Road,
New Ferry, CH62 5BJ
Diocese of Shrewsbury (reg. charity 234025)
Parish Priest: Fr Mario Ashuikeka
Deacon: Revd Michael Daly Phone: 0151 645 3314
Email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites http://www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28th July, 2024. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: SHAPES AND PATTERNS
A famous scholar once wrote a book nearly 800 pages long after reading today’s gospel. When he read the account of the feeding of the 5,000 he noticed there was a shape or pattern to what Jesus did that was reflected elsewhere, particularly at the Last Supper. And then he went on to discover that this pattern would shape the liturgy for centuries to come. He pointed out that there was a four-fold shape to the actions of Jesus: Jesus took bread, said a blessing, broke it and then gave it out to be distributed. He then looked at the account of the Last Supper and found that the same structure (this time with the wine too) underlay Jesus’ actions. When he went to St Paul’s writings he discovered that this pattern was there too: take, bless, break and give. Because of this he was able to trace the way Christians had celebrated Eucharist over the centuries. We take bread and wine which are brought up from the people and presented at the altar where they are prepared. Although some people refer to this as the offertory, these gifts are not in fact offered until later in the Eucharist. When the gifts have been taken, a blessing is pronounced (the Eucharistic Prayer) praising and thanking God and asking that by the power of the Holy Spirit they may become the body and blood of Christ. Shortly before communion the bread is broken (that’s why the priest does not break it during the Eucharistic Prayer) in preparation for the Eucharistic meal. Finally, the bread and wine (the body and blood of Christ) is given to those who come forward to share communion. Take, bless, break and give: actions of Jesus that would shape the liturgy for years to come. As the gifts are presented we are invited to bring our lives before God to be transformed; as the blessing is said we are encouraged to praise and thank God for his presence in our lives; as the bread is broken we renew our commitment to give ourselves to the very end in serving God; and as communion is given we are reminded that it is in giving ourselves to others that we become the very thing that we receive: the Body of Christ.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: You open wide your hand, O Lord, and grant our desires.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all his benefits.
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PLEASE NOTE: Fr Mario will be away throughout August until the first week of September. Some of the priests who help us will also be on holiday. As a result, Weekend Masses will remain the same, but Weekday Masses will be as follows:
St Anne’s: Every Wednesday at 12noon
St John’s: Every Friday at 9:15am.
Assumption Mass will be at St Anne’s Church, 7pm.
Devotions/Adoration: Saturday Morning Devotions will be prayed in Church (the Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises) from 10:30am-11:30am. Fr Mario will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation between 10.30am & 11.00am. All are welcome.
Some of our parishioners will remember Abbot Anselm Atkinson OSB, who used to celebrate Mass at St John’s when visiting his mother, Audrey, who was a member of our choir; he has just announced his retirement as Abbot of Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin, and plans to move back to the USA. The morning Mass here on Tuesday, 30th July will be offered for his intentions.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £694.50p. Many thanks for your continued support.
If you have any queries regarding parish matters or if you wish to arrange a Baptism, Wedding or Funeral please contact Fr Mario on 0151-645 3996. You can also get in touch with Carol Dalziel on 07808975011 or Ann Murray on 07745490279 regarding general parish queries.
SJE’s Parish Safeguarding Officer is Celia Daly, who can be contacted on 0151-645 9256 on all safeguarding matters.
Mass Intentions If you would like to have a Mass said for your own or someone else’s intentions , fill in one of the Mass offering envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it & put it through the Presbytery letterbox. Please give at least three weeks’ notice as we are receiving a large number of requests for particular dates and days.
In Memoriam: Please pray all the faithful departed that they may rest in the peace of Christ.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
Sunday Morning Teas continue on the first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. There will be no teas in August. Sunday 1st SEPTEMBER is the next date.
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help to support our local Foodbank as much as you can with both food & funds. All items urgently needed are listed on the notice board at the back of church. Thank you.
Other Social activitie will be offered for his intentions’: We would like some volunteers to join our group to help to arrange various social activities this year. Please ring/text Diane Baylis on 07946916338.
Confirmation 2024 for St John’s & St Anne’s will be held at St Anne’s on Wednesday 27th November at 7.00pm. We would like to invite all young people in Year 7 and above for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation will begin in September. Please speak to Fr Mario and/or contact St John's by email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com if you would like to receive this special Sacrament.
Anointing and Healing Service: There will be no Service in July. The next Service will be Friday, 2nd August at 7pm with Deacon Mike Daly. Theme: “Jesus... imparted to them authority over every demon and the power to heal every disease” Luke 9:1.
Facebook: St John’s now has a new Facebook page which will advertise Mass times & information on various church events. Please ‘like,’ follow & share to make this page more widely known & relevant. To find our page, search on Facebook for St John the Evangelist New Ferry
St John's Altar Servers: We are looking for some more altar servers for our Masses & special occasions. Any boy or girl who has made their First Holy Communion is eligible to become an altar server. If interested, please have a word with Fr Mario or make contact through the parish email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Parents, grandparents & parishioners -please encourage our young people to become involved in this important ministry.
National Eucharistic Congress at Oscott on Saturday 14th September. We have been allocated a limited number of tickets to this event & all attendees, including clergy, must arrive by coach. The Diocese has paid for the tickets & asks that parishes with parishioners attending make a donation towards the cost of the coach. It is hoped that the coach will pick up at three or four locations within the diocese (depending on attendees). The full programme for Adoremus can be found on the poster displayed at the back of church.
Arc Renewal Community: will be holding a Summer Invitation to Community 3rd-10th August 2024. Theme: “Do not be afraid for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1. For more information please contact Chris Rolfe-Moore Arcrenewalcommunity@gmail.com or Tel. 07769 680259 See the poster at the back of church for more details.
Wirral Coastal Walk: Orbis/3rd World Eyesight: If you sponsored Richard Williams for the above walk could you please leave your sponsorship money on the table at the back of church, in the box provided & tick "paid" against your name. Richard will be calling shortly to collect the sponsorship money. He expresses his thanks for all your support.
Walking Shrewsbury Diocese - Fundraising for SVP Holiday Homes and Youth Camps. Kate Birkenhead (SVP Officer for the Shrewsbury Diocese) and her partner Colin will be walking the whole of the Shrewsbury Diocese: 200 plus miles from New Brighton on The Wirral to Ludlow in South Shropshire, via South Manchester, raising money for our local St Vincent De Paul Society Children’s Camps and Holiday homes. They will take 2 weeks in July/August to complete the walk. All money raised will go towards funding these vital initiatives. https://giving.give-star.com/online/saint-vincent-de-paul-society-england-and-wales/kate-and-colin-are-walking-the-length-and-breadth-of-shrewsbury-diocese
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Saturday 27th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm For all Parishioners, Young People and Good Friendship in 3 Parishes
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th 9.30am For Grandparents & Elderly Members of the Congregation
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 29th 9.15am David Fryer RIP
Tuesday 30th 9.15am Ints Abbot Anselm Atkinson OSB
Wednesday 31st 9.15am World Peace
Thursday 1st NO MASS TODAY AT ST ANNE’S
Friday 2nd 9.15am MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Victims of Domestic Violence
7.00pm Anointing & Healing Service
Saturday 3rd 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Royston Lowes B.day Annv.
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4th 9.30am Thanksgiving (Nayoni)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Weekend Masses - Please note that the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed immediately before each Mass. Please use this as a time for prayer & quiet devotion. Please enter the church quietly & remain so. Thank you.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 27th 6.30pm For Families
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th 11.00am Terry McMahon 8th Anniv.
Monday 29th 12 Noon Jennifer Cooke Get Well
Tuesday 30th 12 Noon Thanksgiving
Wednesday 31st 12.Noon Safe Journey
Thursday 1st NO MASS TODAY
Friday 2nd MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Saturday 3rd 6.30pm Lee Layfield RIP
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4th 11.00am For Grandparents & Elderly Members of the Congregation
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Pope Francis's Intentions for August
We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.
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