The Second Sunday in Advent, Sunday 10th December, 2023, 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
The Second Sunday of Advent 10th December, 2023. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: OUR GOD WHO COMES
As we look around the world today we can sometimes be forced to the conclusion that things are not as God intended them to be. We are living through a period when terrorism has grabbed the headlines with stories of daily bloodshed. And we are caught up in a seemingly intractable situation of war in Iraq.
The Jewish people were deported to Iraq about 2,600 years ago. They were forced out of Israel to Babylon, not very far from Baghdad. Even second and third generations longed for their homeland, for their God and for their Temple in Jerusalem.
Today we hear Isaiah trying to bring comfort to these desperate people. He tells them that God will not abandon them in exile forever. A leader will come and take them back home. He quotes God promising them that their time of slavery is over. But they must take action themselves and prepare a straight road for God to travel through as he helps them. They must have a change of heart and mind.
And the same message is repeated to us during this Advent. Isaiah tells us that, whatever our troubles and woes, God will never let us wallow permanently in a cheerless condition. God is not absent even when it is hard to see his presence. And the main thing that God wants us to receive is forgiveness, that collective pardon for our sins as a nation and our faults as individuals.
Advent proclaims the power of God. For those who accept the promises of Jesus it is not a lone uphill struggle. For those who genuinely acknowledge their shortcomings, and do their best to change, God's Spirit can make all things possible. Advent is an encouragement: our God is with us and comes each day in such a way that we can overcome whatever is thrown in our path.
So the challenge of Advent is twofold. It's a challenge for us to examine our lives, to make God's paths straight. And it's also a challenge to see the presence of God in all the situations of our life and world, both good and bad. John the Baptist was able to see this presence in Jesus, the Lamb of God. Can we see God's Advent presence? And where are we looking?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia, Alleluia.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.
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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 10.30 & 11.00. All are welcome.
Pope Francis’s Intentions for December: For persons with disabilities: we pray that people living with disabilities may be at the centre of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £441.15p. Clergy Education Fund collection from St John’s and St Luke’s amounted to £251.20p. Thank you for your continued generosity in these difficult times.
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.
Mass Intention Requests; Please give at least three weeks’ notice for your Mass intention as we are receiving a large number of requests for particular dates.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
In Memoriam: Please keep in your prayers the repose of the soul of Margaret Brannock who died recently. Margaret’s Funeral Mass will be held at St Anne’s on Wednesday, 13th December at 12 Noon followed by Burial at Frankby Cemetery 1.30pm. Please keep Margaret’s family and all those parishioners and friends who have died recently in your prayers and may they and all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ.
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help support your Foodbank with food & funds. All donations need to be listed on the notice board of items urgently needed. Please continue to support this as much as you can in these difficult times.
Food Christmas Appeal: A Reverse Advent Calendar has been produced and copies are on the table at the back of church. If you are able to help, do take a copy, this would be an ideal way to assist less fortunate families in our area. Thank you for your continued generosity to all our appeals for help. They are greatly appreciated. Wirral Foodbank.
Fr Mario's Appeal - How to help: The easiest way to contribute to parish funds is via the collection plate - cash or cheques (made payable to St John's New Ferry) are equally acceptable .If you are a tax payer and have an existing Gift Aid declaration and envelopes, please use these so that tax can be claimed back. Bank transfers: Lloyds Bank, sort code 30-15-52, account no. 54641168, in the name of St John's New Ferry. Please use your name as a reference so that Gift Aid can be claimed if possible. Or contact Carol on 07808 975011.
St John’s Parish Christmas Party will be held on Friday 15th December at 7pm in the Lyceum Club, Port Sunlight. Tickets are £5 adults, £2.50 children. Tickets on sale after Mass. We will also hold a raffle to raise funds for the Parish. Donations will be gratefully received, please put in the box at back of church. Many thanks for all the generous donations already received.
NEW MASS TIMES FOR ST ANNE’S, ST JOHN’S AND ST LUKE’S ARE AS FOLLOWS:
The Saturday Vigil Masses, 5pm at St John’s and 6.30pm at St Anne’s remain the same for the time being (these Masses will be reconsidered at a later date).
The Sunday morning Mass at St John’s remains at 9.30am.
The Sunday morning Mass at St Anne’s to be moved to 11am.
The 11am Sunday morning Mass at St John’s will be discontinued.
NEW MASS TIMES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10th DECEMBER 2023.
Advent Day by Day Booklets containing daily readings throughout Advent are on the table at the back of church. They are £1 but free to take a copy and, if you are able to, please leave a donation in the Books and Cards Box by the card table/stand.
Sunday Morning Teas will be restarting as soon as possible. We are looking for volunteers from St John’s and St Luke’s to form a rota system. If you are interested, please contact Noelene Evans on 645 6055.
ADVENT EXPLORE – the road to Bethlehem, journey with Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team towards Bethlehem this Advent season as we prepare to welcome Jesus Christ, the reason for Christmas! Thursday 14th December, 7pm at Saint Michael & All Angels, Woodchurch. We encourage all our young people who are in Year 7 or above to come, especially if you have just been confirmed, are preparing for it or just thinking about it!
Lourdes Hospitality Update Further to the recent AGM, the officers have been meeting monthly to discuss the issues raised and future plans. A face-to-face meeting for all members will be held on Saturday 20th January 2024 (venue and time to be confirmed). In the meantime, if you have any questions for us, please send an email to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk Clare Marchmont, Secretary, Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality
Collection for Flowers for the Church: There will be a retiring collection over THIS WEEKEND the 9th/10th December. A BIG THANK YOU to our team of flower arrangers for the displays over the past 12 months.
Retrouvaille is continuing to help couples across the world who are having difficulties in their marriages. In England & Wales we have had four weekends this year, two face to face and two virtual, with nearly one hundred couples and a priest attending. Almost all of these couples have attended or are now attending the weekly on-line post sessions. The feedback from the programme has been excellent. We have seen miracles occur in people’s marriages and the Holy Spirit has been working in the lives of many couples. Prayer is central to what we do.
Retrouvaille’ website www.retrouvaille.org.uk for further information or contact us for a chat about what we are doing.
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Saturday 9th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Decd Rels & Fnds of Kenny & Brannon Families
The Second Sunday of Advent Cycle B 10th 9.30am Oliver Newnes RIP
3.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 11th 9.15am Jamie Armstrong In Memory
Tuesday 12th 9.15am Decd Rels & Fnds McLoughlin Fam
Wednesday 13th 9.15am Shelagh Jones
Thursday 14th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 15th 9.15am Nora McCormick B.day Annv.
Saturday 16th 10.00am Carmel Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Decd Rels & Fnds Fitzpatrick Fam
The Third Sunday of Advent Cycle B 17th 9.30am Eric & Betty Crebbin RIP
3.00pm Holy Hour & 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 9th 6.30pm Tracy McGinty RIP
The Second Sunday of Advent Cycle B 10th 11.00am Sir Emmanuel Uzor Anniv
Monday 11th 12 Noon Prisoners and Families
Tuesday 12th 12 Noon Brian Mason
Wednesday 13th 12.00am Funeral Mass - Margaret Brannock RIP
Thursday 14th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Peace in the World
Friday 15th 12 Noon Jean Murray Thanksgiving
Saturday 16th 6.30pm Remembrance Mass for Fennell and McGrory Families
The Third Sunday of Advent Cycle B 17th 11.00am Lewis & Christopher Doyle B.day Rem
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CAFOD Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal: There is an emergency Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal poster on the notice board at the back of church. There are also CAFOD World Gift Booklets on the table at the back of church, please take one.
NHS Carol Concert FREE with full orchestra at the Anglican Cathedral on Wednesday 13th December.
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