The Feast of Christ the King, 26th November, 2023, Cycle A
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 Feast of Christ the King, 26th November, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: FINAL TALLY
Peggy Jones was a local woman who had lived in the village all her life. She kept herself to herself, rarely joined in with any community activities and was a member of no club or society. When she died people were at a loss to know what to put on her tombstone since she'd done nothing of any significance. Eventually the stonemason carved the following epitaph: Here lie the bones of Peggy Jones, Whose life never knew any terrors. She lived an old maid, And she died an old maid: No hits, no runs and no errors.
Was Peggy a good woman or a bad one? It's hard to say. She never did any harm to anyone but at the same time she never put herself out to do anyone any good. And if she didn't do anyone any good then you could argue that she wasn't a particularly good person.
Many people think that they are good people because they don't steal, cheat, lie or murder. They pay their taxes and keep themselves to themselves. And many Christians think that they never sin because they too never do anyone any harm.
The parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew's gospel today should put us on our guard against this attitude. Jesus tells us that we will be judged just as much for what we failed to do as for what we actually did. Most of us are not headline sinners. But when we face the judgement that Christ is speaking about at the end of our life we will be measured by the way we responded to those in need, to the hungry, the thirsty, those in prison etc. He reminds us that we can commit wrong and this is a sin. But we can also omit to do good. Both commission and omission are equally guaranteed to alienate us from God. So as we look around at our world today, what are the situations we're closing our eyes and ears to? And are we aware that we're doing it?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honour. To him belong glory and power for ever and ever.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The Lord sits as King for ever. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
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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 November: For the Pope:
We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfils his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £559.14p. Mission Sunday Collection (Not the Red Boxes) between St John’s & St Luke’s: £411.61p of which £95.00p was gift aided.
Thank you for your continued generosity in these difficult times.
Cards and Gift Bags in aid of the SVP: There are some new cards and gift bags on the table at the back of Church; proceeds from all sales go to St John's SVP. Christmas cards arriving THIS weekend.
If you have any queries or ideas, continue to contact Deacon Mike Daly on 07542463319 or Carol Dalziel on 07808975011 on any Parish matters, or if you wish to arrange a Baptism, Wedding or Funeral. Also use the box at the back of church for your suggestions. Mike Daly’s Homilies are available on the Parish Website. Log in details are www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
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.
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 earlier this week. Margaret has been a faithful parishioner to St John’s for many years. Margaret’s Funeral Mass will be held at St Anne’s on Wednesday, 13th December at 12 Noon followed by Cremation at Landican at 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.
The Service of Confirmation was held last Wednesday evening at St John's and it was a very moving service well supported by parishioners and the candidate’s families and friends. Please keep all our candidates in your prayers as they continue on their faith journey. Many thanks to all those involved in the preparation programme, the service and hospitality.
HEALTH & SAFETY: IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: The Health & Safety Officer for the Diocese issued the following MANDATORY instruction. “No electrical equipment is to be brought in & used in church without evidence of a recent PAT-test & then only with the express permission of the Parish Priest.” If in doubt please speak to Tony Delaney, Health & Safety Officer for St John the Evangelist.
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.
We were all shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Fr Mario’s younger sister, Helen. If you would like to make a contribution to assist Helen’s family at this difficult time, please see Maria Fryer, who is co-ordinating a collection for them.
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.
As you will be aware, we are having problems with the church organ / keyboard. Rest assured work is in progress behind the scenes to rectify this asap.
Wirral 3Ls Choir Christmas Concert will be held at St John’s on Wednesday, 6th December, 10.45am-12.15pm (Tea/coffee available from 10am). Admission £4 available from choir members and Wirral 3Ls Office. See Poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Hour of Prayer for Peace will be held at Our Lady & St John’s Church, Heswall on Friday, 1st December and the following first Friday of each month. See poster on the notice board at the back of church.
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Saturday 25th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Rev Philip White RIP
The Feast of Christ the King 26th 9.30am In Honour of St Anne – Pray for Families
11.00am Frank Bushell RIP (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 27th 9.15am In Honour of St John - Pray for all Parishes; Young People & Good Friendship in the Parishes
Tuesday 28th 9.15am Margaret Brannock RIP
Wed 29th 9.15am Shelagh Jones
Thurs 30th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 1st 9.15am St John’s Junior School Joining us
Jimmy Brown RIP
Saturday 2nd 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Pat & Ted Bevan RIP
The First Sunday of Advent Cycle B 3rd 9.30am Teresa Young RIP
11.00am Georgina Barrett RIP (St Luke’s)
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 25th 6.30pm Norah White Anniv
Feast of Christ the King 26th 11.15am Pray for Families
Monday 27th 12 Noon Funeral Mass Margaret Kennish
Tuesday 28th 12 Noon Helen Otuisa RIP
Wednesday 29th 12 Noon Dec’d members Whelan & Rodgers Families
Thursday 30th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Andrea King Birthday Rem
Friday 1st 12 Noon Christopher Doyle 5th Annv.
Saturday 2nd 6.30pm Frank Lavin RIP
The First Sunday of Advent 3rd 11.15am Kathleen Cartmell RIP
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WORD OF GOD
I shall look for the lost sheep, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them. (Ezekiel 34:16)
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