Seventh Sunday of Easter, 12th May, 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
Seventh Sunday of Easter, 12th May, 2024. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE PORTAKABIN
Sometimes when there’s been a serious accident or crime, the police set up an incident room which is usually nothing more than a van or portakabin that attends the scene of crime or accidents. The job of this van is to collect evidence from witnesses to the incident. So after an incident anyone at all can get into the van and give their version of what actually took place.
In today’s scriptures we hear how the apostles were looking for someone to take the place of Judas. They wanted someone who had experienced Jesus’ life and teaching, and who could “act with us as a witness to his resurrection”.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the message of Jesus will only continue to be proclaimed if ordinary people like you and I are prepared to stick our necks out, to stand up and be counted. For Christianity is not the domain of the professionals. Bishops, priests and deacons have a special role to play in proclaiming the gospel, but the brunt of the job lies with the millions of lay men and women who meet the world daily at the coal-face. Just like the portakabin van, everyone is expected to give their account, not just the professionals.
Yet this job of witnessing to the power of Jesus in our lives, to the joy that can be shared by anyone who comes to know Jesus personally, is not such a daunting thing. It can begin with some very simple steps like not being ashamed of our beliefs. We need to be proud of what we are and to act in such a way that our neighbours at least know we have faith in something. We need to live out a set of values that sometimes puts us at a disadvantage, perhaps even making us the butt of people’s jokes or jibes. Of course, if our religion is nothing more than prohibitions and negativity then people will have a right to question it. If, however, we are able to show the world that the pattern of life offered by Christ can bring fulfilment and can satisfy where other things fail to make a mark, then people might begin to wonder what exactly it is that we Christians have got to shout about.
We can’t afford to be timid. We have to speak up, to testify about Jesus, to witness to the power of his resurrection. So when the van turns up on your doorstep and asks you about him, what sort of statement will you make?
————————————————————————————————————
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face; hide not your face from me, alleluia.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: The Lord has set his sway in heaven.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Father, I pray that they may be one as we also are one, alleluia.
———————————————————————————————————-
Sunday 12th May is a special day of prayer for World Communications.
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 & 11.00am. All are welcome.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £599.00p. Many thanks for your continued support.
World Communication Day- There will be a retiring collection THIS weekend 11th/12th May.
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 for the repose of the soul of Margaret Ellis (Louise Murray’s mother) who died this week. Funeral details to follow. Please keep Louise and the family in your prayers and 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
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. Wirral Foodbank. We would like to start a new rota to drop off the donations to the warehouse in Birkenhead.. me know that you are interested my tel no is 07901105591 so we can have a chat Thank you.
Sunday Morning Teas continue on the first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. Sunday 2nd June is the next date.
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORIE WITH FR MARIO. 22nd to 26th June. Flying from Manchester for the 43rd Anniversary. Telephone Maria Fryer on 07576243343 if interested.
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.
A VACANCY has arisen for a Parish Secretary at the parish of St Anne’s, Rock Ferry. Hours: 15 per week, to be spread over Monday to Friday mornings (flexible). Hourly rate: £12.50 to £13.50 depending on experience. For further details please see the Diocesan Website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ Applications in the form of a CV and covering letter should be sent to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date: this Friday 17th May 2024.
Confirmation 2024 for St John’s and St Anne’s will be held at St Anne’s on Wednesday 27th November at 7.00pm.
Evening of Reflection for Readers & Eucharistic Ministers from our 3 Parishes, to be held at St John’s Presbytery PLEASE NOTE Date changed to Friday 17th may at 7-8pm.
Grace Group meeting HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL TUESDAY, 11th JUNE, 7PM. They will be discussing Sarah & Hagar.
Mary’s Meals “Pray in May” for Ethiopia Crisis. Please see poster on the notice board at the back of church for more details.
Year of Prayer 2024 Come and join our online webinar with Sycamore. Pope Francis has asked that 2024 be a ‘Year of Prayer’, as a preparatory year for the Jubilee Year of 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to get the most out of the prayer pathway on Sycamore! This Wednesday 15th May 7pm-8pm. Email Natalie Orefice for the link to join: Natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.
The Rosary- During the month of May The Rosary is intended as a “mesmerising” prayer. By repeating over and over again certain prayers the mind can be freed from the words and allowed to meditate on the principal mysteries of faith, taken mainly from the scriptures.
DO JUSTICE is an invitation to parishes to become a more synodal & missionary Church, a Church that adores God & serves the men & women of our time, going forth to bring everyone the consoling joy of the Gospel. The sessions will run for the next 2 Monday evenings, at 7pm in Our Lady’s church, Birkenhead. Each session begins with a short time of prayer & should last no longer than 90 minutes. Everyone is welcome.
Rev. Anthony Grace, Missio Diocesan Director requests the pleasure of your company for a Shrewsbury Diocesan Mass for Missio Saturday 1st June 2024 at 11.00 a.m. St Michael & All Angels Church, New Hey Road, Woodchurch, Birkenhead CH49 5LE Celebrant: Rt Rev. Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury Followed by refreshments in St Michael’s Primary School (next to the Church) To assist us with planning, please RSVP by 24th May: e-mail redbox@missio.org.uk or tel. 07593 544625.
A Day for Confirmation Catechists You are invited to a day with the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and Bishop Mark Davies for confirmation catechists and all those interested. It is a day exploring the Sacrament of Confirmation, best practice and an opportunity to network with catechists from across the diocese. The Mission for Catechesis Team and the Diocesan Youth Team will in attendance to offer their support on the day. Join us on May 18th, 10am-4pm at St Mary’s Parish. Centre, 65 Delamere St, Crewe, CW1 2JX. To find out more contact Natalie Orefice on 07730 526826 or natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewbury.org or sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-day-for-catechists-in-the-diocese-of-shrewsbury-tickets-851383700567
SVP Charity Night in Aid of the Summer Youth Camp: A performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” will be held at Gladstone Theatre Port Sunlight on Wednesday, 5th June. Tickets £10 can be purchased at the door or from Steve Bell 07854 622522.
Life in the Eucharist for Teens: Sponsored by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. It will be presented by teens from Cleveland, Ohio, 10am-6.30pm, and is being held on Saturday, 8th June at the Blessed Sacrament Shrine, 4 Dawson Street, Liverpool L1 1LE. Registration and enquiries to iverpoolshrine@gmail.com
—————————————————————————————————————
Saturday 11th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm World Peace
Seventh Sunday of Easter 12th 9.30am Ints Nonie Elliott
3.00pm Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 13th 9.15am Lorraine Corr RIP
Tuesday 14th 9.15am Kevin Fitzpatrick RIP
Wednesday 15th 12.00 Noon MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 16th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Sheila Lunt LD
Friday 17th 9.15am Ints Christine Gallagher
Saturday 18th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Ints Michael Coughlan Senior
Pentecost Sunday 19th 9.30am George Elliot 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.
————————————————————————————————————
ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 11th 6.00pm Chris Locke RIP
Seventh Sunday of Easter 12th 11.00am Mary Frances Petris 1st Anniv
Monday 13th 12 Noon Heather Smith RIP
Tuesday 14th 12 Noon Funeral Mass for Terry Malone
Wednesday 15th 12.Noon Ints. Vera Woolfall
Thursday 16th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 17th 12 Noon Thomas Sarson B’day Remb
Saturday 18th 6.00pm Les Duff Annv.
Pentecost Sunday 19th 11.00am Maurice Maher Annv.
—————————————————————————————————————
As mentioned at Mass last Saturday, 5pm Mass on Saturday 18th May will be slightly longer than usual as we will be celebrating the Vigil Mass of Pentecost. The 9:30am Mass on Sunday 19th May will be in the usual format.
————————————————————————————————————-
