Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 21st 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
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 21st July, 2024. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: A GOD WHO CARES
One of the most striking aspects of the gods of ancient peoples is that they inspired fear. It’s a common feature in these ancient deities that they had to be avenged. They were a moody lot. So it was quite common for some enormous sacrifice to be made in order to appease them and prevent them from venting their spleen on those who were unfortunate enough to be their subjects and followers.When Moses came back down the mountain it must have come as a relief to the Hebrews to find out what sort of God they had made a deal with. One who would keep them under his thumb or one who would let them grow?
People who don’t believe in God often find it necessary to lampoon the God they don’t believe in. So they invent a ludicrous image and then proceed to knock it down with either sarcasm or humour.
Christians would probably be content with a God who as creator was responsible for the wonderful world we live in and for the gift of life that we all enjoy. If we could have a God who was also just and not given to flights of angry vengeance then that would be a bonus. To have a God who took time off from holding the universe together and occasionally showed that he knew of our world’s existence would be like winning the lottery.
Of course, having a God who was personally interested in each of us would presumably be out of the question? Surely God has got more important things to do than be concerned about me as an individual with all my likes and dislikes, my wants and needs?
So when God speaks in today’s scripture about shepherding his flock and taking care of them, and when Jesus feels sorry for his listeners and takes pity on them for they’re like sheep without a shepherd, what’s going on? Is it a lie? Or do I need to look again at the type of God we’ve got?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul. I will sacrifice to you with willing heart, and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The Lord, the gracious, the merciful, has made a memorial of his wonders; he gives food to those who fear 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 £421.76p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Apostleship of the Sea/ Sea Sunday/Stella Maris: Gift Aid envelopes, which are on the table at the back of church, can be returned this weekend 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 and days.
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. Sunday 4th August 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 & 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 receive this special Sacrament.
Anointing and Healing Service: There will be no Service in July. The next Service will be Friday, 2nd August at 7pm with Deacon Mike Daly. Theme: “Jesus... imparted to them authority over every demon and the power to heal every disease” Luke 9:1.
Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly - Sunday 28th of July 2024: We will celebrate this day in honour of all grandparents & elderly members of our congregation next week. This is the closest Sunday to the feast of St Anne & St Joachim, which we celebrate the Friday before on the 26th of July 2024.
Facebook: St John’s now has a new Facebook page which will advertise Mass times & information on various church events. Please ‘like,’ follow & share to make this page more widely known & relevant. To find our page, search on Facebook for St John the Evangelist New Ferry
St John's Altar Servers: We are looking for some more altar servers for our Masses & 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 & parishioners -please encourage our young people to become involved in this important ministry.
Pilgrimage to Walsingham in Preparation for the Sanctity of Life, Saturday, 3rd August. Led by Rt Rev. Dr David Oakley Bishop of Northampton. For details contact: www.prolifepilgrimage.org or call 01858 571242 / 07779 122365. See poster at the back of church for details.
National Eucharistic Congress at Oscott on Saturday 14th September. We have been allocated a limited number of tickets to this event & all attendees, including clergy, must arrive by coach. The Diocese has paid for the tickets & asks that parishes with parishioners attending make a donation towards the cost of the coach. It is hoped that the coach will pick up at three or four locations within the diocese (depending on attendees). The full programme for Adoremus can be found on the poster displayed at the back of church.
Arc Renewal Community: will be holding a Summer Invitation to Community 3rd-10th August 2024. Theme: “Do not be afraid for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1. For more information contact Chris Rolfe-Moore Arcrenewalcommunity@gmail.com or Tel. 07769 680259 See poster at the back of church for more details.
Wirral Coastal Walk: Orbis/3rd World Eyesight: If you sponsored Richard Williams for the above walk could you please leave your sponsorship money on the table at the back of church, in the box provided & tick "paid" against your name. Richard will be calling shortly to collect the sponsorship money. He expresses his thanks for all your support.
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Saturday 20th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm St John’s & St Luke’s Parishioners
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st 9.30am Jenny Inglis 3rd Anniv.
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 22nd 9.15am Sean Connor RIP
Tuesday 23rd 9.15am Colette Sarsons B.day Intentions
Wednesday 24th 9.15am Tim Delaney RIP
Thursday 25th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Private Intention
Friday 26th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Saturday 27th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm For all Parishioners, Young People and Good Friendship in 3 Parishes
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th 9.30am For Grandparents & Elderly Members of the Congregation
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
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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 20th 6.30pm Dec’d members Browne Family
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st 11.00am World Peace
Monday 22nd 12 Noon Ann Blakemore Bday. Remb.
Tuesday 23rd 12 Noon Harry Edwards RIP
Wednesday 24th 12.Noon Ints. Fr Phil Moore
Thursday 25th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 26th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
St Anne’s Parishioners
Jack Stormont Bday. Remb.
Saturday 27th 6.30pm For Families
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th 11.00am Terry McMahon 8th Anniv.
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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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