Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 7th 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
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time,7th July, 2024. Cycle
FAITH IN FOCUS: NOTHING SPECIAL HERE
There’s a famous Latin phrase, attributed to Tacitus the Elder, that says “Omne ignotum pro magnifico”. When roughly translated it means “Things we don’t understand seem wonderful”.
People are always impressed by things that are a bit exotic. They presume a French burger van is going to serve better food than a British one. They imagine even a one-legged ballerina will perform excellently just because she is Russian. They are convinced that since a Scandinavian scientist has a theory on black pudding being good for gout then it must be correct. And they are prepared to spend a fortune on a holiday to Burma on the assumption that it’s bound to be better than Bognor.
We are easily impressed by out-of-the-ordinary things. We find them somehow more glamorous than what’s on our doorstep or what’s easy to understand. This is illustrated in today’s gospel when Jesus returned to his home town and to the people that knew him. Despite his reputation and regardless of the fact that he’s just performed a series of miracles his neighbours reject him. Why? Because we know who he is; he’s Mary and Joseph’s son. Nothing special. Nothing to start crowing about.
It’s easy for us to sit in judgement on the people of Nazareth and accuse them of blindness and stupidity. But we can be as guilty as they are. We can fail to see what’s good on our doorstep. We can fail to see the wood for the trees.
God uses people and situations of ordinary daily life to speak to us. Most of us will never be visited by an angel with a special message. But we will meet all sorts of people and situations week in and week out that are shouting the message of the gospel to us. These people may be our neighbours; they may be (and often are) people we don’t like or find it hard to accept and get on with. But they’re still the mouthpieces that God uses to announce his never-ending call. There are no people or places that we can write off.
So, how open are we to all the sights and sounds around us? God’s voice is bound to be in one or other of them. Why not let yourself be surprised?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The Word was made flesh and lived among us; to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.
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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 10.30am & 11.00am. All are welcome.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £728.26p. any thanks for your continued support.
Apostleship of the Sea/ Sea Sunday/Stella Maris; there will be a retiring collection over the weekend of 13/14th July. If you are a tax payer, please take a Gift Aid envelope from the table at the back of church and return them over the weekend of 20th/21st July. Many thanks for your 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.
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. THIS Sunday 7th July 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 activities: 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 take part in this special Sacrament.
Anointing and Healing Service: There will be no Service in July. The next Service will be Friday, 2nd August at 7pm. More details to follow.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 26th July to 1st August. For more information please see the pilgrimage website www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk or phone the Pilgrimage Office on 07970943940.
Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality – the next meeting is at St Mary’s Caritas Centre, Delamere St, Crewe, CW1 2JX on Saturday 13 July at 3pm. All members of the Hospitality are welcome to attend. Please pass details to any interested members. Register your attendance and make any apologies to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk After the meeting members are invited to attend the 5.30pm Vigil Mass at St Mary’s Church, Crewe (adjacent to the centre) to join in prayer for the success of the forthcoming Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
The Chester Across Group is going to Lourdes by Jumbulance from Thursday 15th to Saturday 24th August. We travel overland in an adapted coach, which has seven beds on board. Therefore, we can take some sick or disabled pilgrims and so far we have a Doctor and two nurses and several helpers. However, we need two more helpers and there is a place for someone who is sick or disabled. The cost is £1,095 but help with costs is available. Current Passport required. Travel Insurance is available for just £65. Search our website for an example of our care. http://www.across.org.uk/?s=AJ. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or email tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk.
St John's Altar Servers: We are looking for some more altar servers for our Masses and 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 and parishioners please encourage our young people to become involved in this important ministry.
St Luke’s Garden Party: Thank you to all who attended the afternoon tea at St Luke's last Saturday. Your donations helped raise £340 for the food bank. Thanks again. Pat Jones.
Christ the King Luncheon Club will next meet on 12th July at 12 to 1.30pm in the Parish Hall. See poster at the back of church for details.
PARISH OF ST PHILIP NERI SUMMER PARTY: with full afternoon tea, games and stalls. SUNDAY. 21st JULY 2.00-5.00pm. Admission by ticket £7. See poster at the back of church for full details.
CAFOD is offering 1-hour training sessions on Zoom for anyone interested in building their confidence for public speaking. Designed for beginners and anyone who needs to make announcements, ask for volunteers or speak on behalf of a charity or a parish appeal at Mass. Come along to learn new skills, practise, and discover how you can inspire our congregation. It’ll be inviting, relaxed and fun! Date and time: Saturday 13 July, 11am-12pm and Tuesday 16 July, 7pm-8pm. Contact: Kathryn Keenan for details on registration: kkeenan@cafod.org.uk
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Saturday 6th 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Christine Gasside RIP
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7th 9.30am For Peace in the World
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 8th 9.15am Refugees
Tuesday 9th 9.15am Annv of Deacon Mike’s Ordination to the Diaconate
Wednesday 10th 9.15am Moira Roberts RIP
Thursday 11th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY.
Ints Eileen Spencer
Friday 12th 9.15am In Thanksgiving
Saturday 13th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Luciana Sadri RIP
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 14th 9.30am Eamonn McGreevy 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 6th 6.30pm Lee Layfield RIP
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7th 11.00am Intentions of Sr Anne Marie
Monday 8th 12 Noon Betty McNally B.day Remb
Tuesday 9th 12 Noon Ints of Fr Bernard Forshaw
Wednesday 10th 12.Noon Robert Ashuikeka RIP 8th Anniv.
Thursday 11th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 12th 12 Noon Emmanuel Jose Mamczur RIP
Saturday 13th 6.30pm Andrew McNally1st Anniv
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 14th 11.00am Thomas Sarson 5 year Remb.
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Pope Francis's Intentions for July
The Holy Father asks, “For the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to give strength from the Lord to those who receive it and their loved ones, becoming a visible sign of compassion and hope for everyone.”
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