Fourth Sunday of Advent, 22nd 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
Fourth Sunday of Advent, 22nd December, 2024. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: BIRTHING GOD
The scriptures are strangely silent during Advent about Mary right until the last moment. And then she takes centre stage. Suddenly we are faced with a whole barrage of emotions and attitudes that surround Mary and act as a challenge to us. Mary was a woman of faith. She had no idea how it could be possible for her to be having a baby. Yet she believed that God could do anything and bring good out of it. What sort of faith do I have and how does Mary challenge me in this? Her life was clearly about to be thrown into turmoil. An unmarried mother, no one knows who the father is, having to flee as refugees, to watch as her son was stalked and eventually condemned…and yet she willingly surrendered her life to the will of God. Do I hand over my life to God’s will or do I get upset when I can’t control everything by myself? How much am I prepared to hand myself over into the hands of God? Mary was immersed in God’s word and her natural response was to praise and bless God. In fact, Mary uses the words of scripture in order to praise God for the impending births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Do I really know God’s word or am I limited to a few bible stories that I hear in church? Do I listen to the voice of God speaking to me in daily events? Am I naturally a person of praise and blessing? Mary had every reason to boast, to put herself in the limelight and to consider herself of importance. But she didn’t. She was clear about her need for God and her dependence on him. Do I really need God or can I get on quite well with only a nodding acquaintance? It was being the type of person she was that made Mary fit to bear the Son of God. Because of her faith, attentiveness to God’s word, openness, submission to God’s will …And what about me? Will I give birth to Christ this Christmas?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us shall be saved.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.
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A Christmas Prayer: ON THIS DAY:
On this day bring back to mind God’s love and mercy for mankind
On this day may you recall a tiny babe in a manger lay
On this day remember when Christ died and rose again
On this day thank the Lord in heaven above for his sacrificial gift of love
On this day may you be blessed with quiet peace and holy rest. (Misty Lensk)
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 £670.31p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Collection for Altar Flowers: amounted to £366.71. Thank you for your generosity.
Sincere thanks to the anonymous donations received towards the Boiler Fund.
Further to the recent appeal, a separate bank account has now been set up specifically to ‘ring fence’ contributions to the new boiler fund. Please make cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry and write 29001/NFJ/DU on the reverse. Cash donations should be placed in an envelope with 29001/BNFJ/DU written on the outside.
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 Nigel Salisbury who died recently. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Kenny Daly (Deacon Mike’s brother) who died recently. Please keep Nigel’s and Kenny’s families in your prayers. May Nigel and Kenny, 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 5th January 2025.
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.
CCTV CAMERA SYSTEM: has been installed inside and outside the church, to the rear door of the church and also to the front door of the presbytery. The system is to safeguard all our parishioners and the church and presbytery buildings.
THE BIG CARD is on the table at the back of church. Please write your Christmas message at a suggested minimum donation of £1. All proceeds will go towards the work of The Ark. Please support this very good cause and thank you for your support over the years.
CHRISTMAS MASS/SERVICES AT ST JOHN’S:
Tuesday 24th December at 8.00pm Vigil Mass of Christmas AT ST JOHN’S for the 3 parishes. There will be a retiring collection for CARITAS
Wednesday 25th December Christmas Day – Mass 9.30am
Thursday 26th December – NO MASS AT ST JOHN’S
Friday 27th December - Feast of St John – MASS AT ST JOHN’S at 10.00am for all 3 Parishes
Saturday 28th December – Mass at 5.00pm
Sunday 29th December - Mass at 9.30am
Monday 30th December - NO MASS AT ST JOHN’S OR ST ANNE’S
Tuesday 31st December - NO MASS AT ST JOHN’S OR ST ANNE’S
MASS TIMES FOR THE NEW YEAR AT ST ANNE’S AND ST JOHN’S
New Years Day
Wednesday 1st January MASS AT ST JOHN’S 10.00am
Holy Hour at St Anne’s 11.30am – 12 Noon
Followed by Mass at 12 Noon
Thursday 2nd January NO MASS IN ST JOHN’S OR ST ANNE’S
Friday 3rd January MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY 12 Noon
Saturday 4th January MASS AT ST JOHN’S 5.00pm
MASS AT ST ANNE’S 6.30pm
Sunday 5th January MASS AT ST JOHN’S 9.30am
MASS AT ST ANNE’S 11.00am
SEE FULL LISTS ON THE BOARD BY THE BAPTISMAL FONT
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Saturday 21st 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Decd Rels/Fnds Corrigan Family
Fourth Sunday of Advent Cycle C 22nd 9.30am McCaffery Family
7.30pm No Prayer Meeting tonight
Monday 23rd 9.15am Kenny Daly RIP
Vigil Mass of Christmas 24th 8.00pm For all Refugees
The Nativity of the Lord 25th 9.30am For the Homeless
Thursday 26th NO MASS
Friday Feast of St John 27th 10.00am MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Pray for all Parishes, Young People & Good Friendship in the Parishes
Andrea King 9th Annv. RIP
Saturday 28th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Nance & Alf Shipman Wed. Annv. Rem RIP
Holy Family 29th 9.30am Liam Rolston & Stan Korn Anniversaries RIP
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 21st 6.30pm Margaret Langley
Fourth Sunday of Advent Cycle C 22nd 11.00am Anne McGrory 1st Anniv. & George & Catherine Rem.
Monday 23rd 12 Noon For Families, Youth & All Parishioners of St. Anne’s, St. John’s & St. Luke’s For Families, Youth & All Parishioners of St. Anne’s, St. John’s & St. Luke’s
Vigil Mass of Christmas 24th 5.00pm Children’s Christmas Mass
7.40am Carols at St John’s
8.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
The Nativity of the Lord 25th 11.00am Craig Fitzpatrick RIP
Thursday 26th NO MASS
Friday Feast of St John 27th 10.00am MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Saturday 28th 6.30pm Frederick Woolfall
Holy Family 29th 11.00am Gerda McArdle B’Day Rem. & 5yr Anniv.
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