First Sunday of Advent, 1st December, 2024. Cycle C
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
First Sunday of Advent, 1st December, 2024. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN?
Christians seem to have lost any sense of expectation that Christ’s second coming should feature in their daily lives. The Jews longed for the “anointed one of God” who would come and lead them into prosperity, but we’re detached from any sense of urgency when it comes to Christ, the Messiah, retuning among us.
Is this because we think the odds are stacked against it happening during our lifetime? Is it because we just don’t care? Or is it perhaps because we haven’t really understood what the coming of Jesus really means? It’s easy to think that Advent is simply a time for contemplating the end of the world. But, of course, it isn’t. It’s about preparing for the definitive establishing of God’s kingdom on earth. When we celebrate the liturgy of Advent we are not simply recalling the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and vaguely acknowledging that he will come again. This is not true worship. It’s simply cosy remembrance of the past and insurance brokering for the future of our souls. It’s not worship from the heart. Our Advent liturgy demands that we take our baptismal promises seriously and that we act. What are we doing to bring Christ into our world? How do we make him present in the little worlds of our existence: family, work, friends etc? All our Advent prayers and songs are discordant if they do not reflect what’s going on in our lives. We can, and must, make Jesus come again by the way we live. Instead of thinking about fanciful scenes in the moon and stars, ought we not to realise that Christ comes again when his kingdom is established? And if we’re not wholehearted about being part of this then what value do our prayers and songs have? We can sing “O come, O come, Emmanuel” until the cows come home, but it will be empty worship if we are not pledged to co-operate with God’s Spirit in ushering in the kingdom by the way we live. Liturgy is about life. And Advent liturgy is about the kingdom coming. Now.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.
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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 11.00am- 11.30am.
From now on all morning services will take place in St Anne’s house and from Monday 28th October at St John’s Monday and Friday Masses will be held in the Day Chapel, Tuesday and Wednesday Masses will remain in the main Church.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £820.35p. Many thanks for your continued support.
THE CRISIS IN SOUTH SUDAN: There will be retiring collections for the work of the SVP in South Sudan after Mass THIS WEEKEND. This is a joint collection between St John’s & St Luke’s SVP Conferences.
Collection for Flowers for the Church: There will be a retiring collection over THE WEEKEND of the 7th/8th December. A BIG THANK YOU to our team of flower arrangers for the displays over the past 12 months.
Missio Red Box Collection: I am delighted to let you know that the total contribution from St John’s & St Luke’s is £587.70p which is a significant increase over previous years. Thank you for your generosity. God bless. Kath Markey,
Bookings for the reception & Celebration of Sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation & Wedding, Please enquire & arrange for these through the parish emails / Secretaries of St. Anne’s & St. John’s. Also contact the Parish Priest/ Administrator through 0151-645-3314 You can also get in touch with Carol Dalziel on 7808975011 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 for the repose of the soul of Eileen Spencer who died recently. Funeral Mass will be held here at St John’s on Tuesday, 3rd December at 10.00am followed by Landican at 11.30am. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Mary Fitzgerald who died recently. Funeral Mass will be held at St John’s on Wednesday, 18th December at 11.30am followed by Landican at 1.00pm. Please keep Eileen and Mary and their families in your prayers. May Eileen and Mary and all the faithful departed 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. The next date is SUNDAY 8th December .
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. Please also take a copy of the Advent Reverse Calendar on the table at the back of church.
The Joint 3 Parishes Christmas Party is THIS Sunday 1st December 1-5pm at St Anne’s Social Club. Raffle tickets will be on sale on the day of the party. Tickets on sale after weekend Masses. Many thanks. Diane Baylis.
Holy Communion Under Both Kinds will be distributed from the First Sunday of Advent. Initially there will be one chalice and if you wish to receive from the chalice please join the parishioners at the appropriate side of the altar. The number of chalices will be reviewed. Intinction, which is the dipping of the host into the chalice, is only allowed to be performed by the Priest and Deacon.
CONSULTATION ON SCHOOL ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS 2026/27: St John’s Catholic Infant School is carrying out a consultation on the proposed admission arrangements for admission in September 2026/27. Admission arrangements are the overall procedure, practices and oversubscription criteria used in deciding the allocation of school places. The consultation is being carried out by the Governing Body. There has been a slight change to the admission policy from previous years. This relates to the oversubscription criteria and is based on the numbers of children that have been admitted under each criteria that is relevant to our school. The Governing Body is fulfilling its statutory duty to consult at least every seven years. The proposed admission arrangements are published on the schools website and can be viewed at https://www.stjohnsinfantschool.co.uk/admissionsor by contacting Miss C Sharkey at schooloffice@stjohns-infant.wirral.sch.uk (on behalf of Governing Body). Any comments on the proposed admission arrangements should be sent toschooloffice@stjohns-infant.wirral.sch.uk for the attention of Mrs Talbot / Ms Larkin (Chair of Governors). The consultation opens on Monday 18th November and closes on Friday 27th December 2024.
CAFOD School Volunteers Needed! Could you visit your local Catholic school to talk about the work of CAFOD? We are looking for volunteers in the Shrewsbury Diocese to deliver school assemblies and workshops to inspire children and young people to make a difference and take action. For further information please contact Anna on 07710 094449 or email aletizia@cafod.org.uk
ADVENT RETREAT (AGE 15 TO YOUNG ADULTS) AT CASTLERIGG MANOR: Bookings will close for the Advent Retreat at Castlerigg on December 11th at Midday. The open retreats at Castlerigg give teens and young adults a great way to make friends, deepen their faith, and have some fun and they usually prove very popular. The weekend costs £65 but anyone who might struggle with this is invited to get in touch. Further details – director@castleriggmanor.co.uk. Sign up at castleriggmanor.com
Advent Series of Talks: You are invited o a series of talks in Advent to coincide with the launch of the New Lectionary at the Parish Hall, Holy Angels, Hale Barns, Altrincham, WA15 0HG. At 7pm on Wednesday 4th, 11th and 18th December. For further information please contact Natalie Orefice by email Natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org or telephone 07730526826. See poster at the back of church.
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Saturday 1st 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Stephen Lindsay RIP
First Sunday of Advent Cycle C 30th 9.30am Leo & Cath Shore RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 2nd 9.15am Teresa Young Annv. RIP
Tuesday 3rd 10.00am Funeral Mass – Eileen Spencer
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 4th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Brian & Margaret Ellis RIP
Thursday 5th NO MASS
Friday 6th 9.15am Seamus & Colette Reavey RIP
Saturday 7th 5.00pm Nora McCormick B.day Rem
Second Sunday of Advent Cycle C 8th 9.30am Eileen Spencer RIP
3.00pm Benediction
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 30th 6.30pm Norah White Anniv.
First Sunday of Advent Cycle C 1st 11.00am Christopher Doyle RIP Annv.
Monday 2nd 12 Noon Alan Quinney RIP
Tuesday 3rd 12 Noon Sue Shaw
Wednesday 4th MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 5th NO MASS
Friday 6th 12 Noon For Migrants & Refuges
Saturday 7th 11.00am Enrolment Mass
6.30pm Andrea King Birthday Wishes
Second Sunday of Advent Cycle C 8th 11.00am Deardens Birthdays
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Advent Prayer
In this Season of Advent, inspire us to be a people of hope. Encourage us not to be greedy for material possessions, but for justice and truth. Enflame us with a love for others, which crosses the boundaries of race, religion and nationality. Stir within us an appreciation of the immense beauty of the earth. Be with us, Lord, at this time, that we may be a people of hope. Amen.
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