Sixth Sunday of Easter, 14th May, 2023, Cycle
St John the Evangelist
128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ
Diocese of Shrewsbury (reg. charity 234025)
Parish Priest: Fr Mario Ashuikeka and Fr Emmanuel Chukwujekwu
Deacon: Revd Michael Daly Phone: 0151 645 3314
Email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites http://www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
Sixth Sunday of Easter, 14th May, 2023, Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS:WHY DO YOU LOVE GOD?
Mary Radcliffe loved God. She was always at church on Sundays and very often during the week too. She had a prayer book that was full of novenas and litanies which promised spiritual favours. If anyone knew the easiest way to get into heaven it was Mary. Her faith centred around the rewards promised to Christians, and especially the reward of everlasting life in heaven. She was a genuinely good person but some people said she looked forward so much to the next life that she missed out on so many things in this one.
Tom Edwards went to a strict Church school and learned discipline at a very early age. Growing up in a world of hard knocks he quickly became adept at avoiding punishment. When it came to his faith he was careful not to do anything that would send him on the road to hell. He did everything the Church asked of him but he kept clear of parish activities and was hardly the first to volunteer. His atheist wife said that his was a religion of fear, not the praise of a loving God.
Edna White was a bit of snob and had a tendency to look down on those who didn't go to church. Hers was a long-standing local family and she was proud of the contribution they had made to the parish over the years. As far as she was concerned religion was about being decent and she regretted the fact that so many of her neighbours lived life the way they did. At least she knew better.
Frank Wilson was also a pillar of the parish and it showed in the way he treated people. He was always ready to lend others a hand when they needed it. Although he read the Bible avidly he never rammed it down people's throats or went around quoting it. He was in church twenty minutes before the service began and was clearly enjoying his prayer. His wholehearted and cheerful faith was an inspiration to all.
Do you love God because you are looking forward to the reward of heaven? Because you are afraid of being punished?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth; The Lord has freed his people, alleluia!
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Cry out with joy to God all the earth.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus said “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.” Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you for ever, alleluia.
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Devotions/Adoration: Saturday Morning Devotions will be prayed in Church (the Rosary, Divine Mercy and Divine Praises) from 10:30am-11:30am. Fr Mario will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation between 10.30 and 11.00am. All most welcome.
If you have any queries or ideas, continue to contact Deacon Mike Daly on 07542463319 or Carol Dalziel on 07808975011 on any Parish matters, or if you wish to arrange a Baptism, Wedding or Funeral. Also use the box at the back of church for your suggestions.
Mike Daly’s Homilies are available on the Parish Website. Log in details are www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
Mass Intentions If you would like to have a Mass said for your own or someone else’s intentions please fill in one of the Mass offering envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it & put it through the presbytery letterbox. Thank you.
Please continue to keep all of our sick parishioners in your thoughts and prayers.
Children's Liturgy – is during the 9.30am Mass, all are most welcome.
In Memoriam- Please continue to pray for the soul of William Else whose Funeral Service and committal took place recently. Please also pray for the repose of the souls of Mary Ebbrell (fFuneral Mass at St John’s at 9.00am on Tuesday 16th May, followed by cremation at Landican at 10.00am) and Annrita (Ann) Gemmell (Funeral Mass will be held at St John’ on Friday 26th May at 9.30am followed by cremation at Landican at 11.00am. Please keep all their families in your prayers. May William, Mary and Ann and all the faithful departed, rest in the peace of Christ.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £724.95p. Thank you for your generosity in these difficult times.
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help support your Foodbank with food and funds. All donations need to be non-perishable, please refer to the list on the notice board of items urgently needed. Please continue to support this as much as you can in these difficult times.
Altar-Servers - Please encourage any child who has made their First Holy Communion to consider becoming an Altar-Server. Please give names to Mike Daly, who will arrange for their training and support.
First Communion Our young children from St John’s Junior School are preparing for their First Holy Communion which will take place here at St John’s next Saturday 20th May at 10am and 12pm. Please keep all the candidates in your prayers as they take this next step on their journey of faith.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAYS IN MAY & JUNE: Below are the changes to the Thursday evening Mass schedule for May and June.
Thursday 18/05: 7pm Mass at both churches
Thursday 25/05: 7pm Mass at St Anne’s only
Thursday 01/06: 7pm Mass at both churches
Thursday 08/06: 7pm Mass at St John’s only
Thursday 15/06: 7pm Mass at both churches
Thursday 22/06: 7pm Mass at St Anne’s only
Thursday 29/06: 7pm Mass at both churches
PARISH MASS BOOKS: are now available at the back of church for those who would like to follow the Mass. Please return them to the table at the back of church after Mass.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: It is a requirement for all parish groups, using the presbytery and day chapel for meetings, to sign in upon entry to the presbytery and sign out when leaving. The book is located on the hall stand next to the office door. Thankyou.
The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has given permission for re-introduction of Holy Communion under both kinds from Holy Thursday; however, due to the rising levels of Covid in our area, the use of the Chalice will not be implemented at St John's for the foreseeable future.
Confirmation 2023 for St John’s and St Anne’s will be held at St John’s on Wednesday the 22nd November at 7.00pm. Will all candidates in Years 9 and above (or their parents) please contact Mike Daly as soon as possible to record their interest.
Divine Mercy Pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland 11th to 15th September & led by Fr Mario. Guided tour to Divine Mercy Chapel, John Paul II Centre, Marian shrine Czestochowa, Wawel Cathedral & Bishop’s Palace. Flying from Manchester. 5 days and includes bed, breakfast & evening meal. £585 per person sharing or £685 for single room. If interested please see Fr Mario or telephone Maria on 07576243343.
Message from Barbara Davies about a podcast on Lumen Gentium-Thank you to the many people who have been in touch to say how helpful they find the reflections on Vatican II. We continue Part III On The Church by asking the question: ‘Who is the Church?’ The Council's answer is given in Lumen Gentium Chaps 1 and 2, taken together. The relevant podcast and handout are now available on the diocesan website at dioceseofshrewsbury.org in the section on 'News and Events'. A leaflet outlining the content of all of the podcasts is available in the parish. If you have difficulty accessing this material or have questions and reflections, please don’t hesitate to contact Barbara via E: barbara.davies@dioceseofshrewsbury.org or T: 07730 526821.
THE KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA are inviting practicing Catholic men to join the Order. Meetings usually take place on a monthly basis. For any further information please contact Tony Paton 07849 610397.
The Holy Family Sisters of the Needy will be coming for an appeal to support their Apostolate this weekend. There will a retiring collection at the end of each Mass. Thank you and God bless you for your anticipated support – Fr Mario.
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A Prayer for the New King:
Everlasting Go we pray for our new King; Bless his reign and the life of our nation;
Help us to work together so that truth and justice, harmony and fairness flourish among us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Saturday 13th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Philip White RIP
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A 14th 9.30am Vocations to the Religious Life
11.00am Sam Turner RIP (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 15th 9.15am Kevin Fitzpatrick Anniv RIP
Tuesday 16th 9.00am Funeral Mass – Mary Ebbrell
Wednesday 17th 9.15am Ints Claire Louise Sanderson
Thursday 18th 7.00pm In honour of St Luke The Ascension of the Lord
Friday 19th 9.15am Joe Heaney 60th Birthday
Saturday 20th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Joe Moore RIP
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle A 21st 9.30am For Our First Communion Children
11.00am For the Holy Souls(St Luke’s)
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 and quiet devotion.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 13th 6.30pm Bernie Robert Davies RIP
Sixth Sunday of Easter 14th 11.15am John Ward Anniv
Monday 15th 12 Noon UCM
Tuesday 16th 12 Noon Mary Ward (Bday Remb)
Wednesday 17th 12 Noon Joan Harrington (Bday Remb)
Thursday The Ascension of the Lord 18th 7.00pm Friends of St Eugene
Friday 19th 12 Noon Requiem for Sister Teresa Quinn.(Holy Family)
Saturday 20th 6.30pm Thomas Sarson (Bday Remb)
Seventh Sunday of Easter 21st 11.15am Maurice Maher Anniv
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WORDS FOR WORSHIP
Let us ask that the Spirit of God, the Advocate, will pray through us as we use the words of Jesus and say, Our Father…
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