The Feast of the Holy Family, 29th 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
The Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday, 29th December, 2024. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: FAMILY
There’s a certain irony about the timing of the feast of the Holy Family. It comes just after Christmas which is one of the most stressful times of the year for families. Our society puts so much emphasis on the trappings of Christmas that when our expectations are not met we tend to become frustrated with those around us at home and there are probably more family rows at Christmas than any other time of the year. So it’s quite comforting to know that things didn’t run smoothly for the Holy Family either. We can be sure that Mary and Joseph’s incident with Jesus in the Temple was probably just one of many that the two parents had with their soon-to-be teenage son. It would be unreal to believe that they enjoyed uninterrupted bliss together! Of course, this begs the question of what families are for in the first place. Are they merely an accident of birth? Is it the case that families just happen to be a small link in the vast biological chain that is brought about by people being born? Are they just natural practical units, like a pride of lions or a shoal of fish? In which case it shouldn’t matter where children are brought up as long as there is someone there to feed and clothe them. Or are families a sign and symbol of something greater, something spiritual and something to do with God’s plan for those he has created? Could it be that the family is actually the most fundamental vocation that men and women are called to be part of? Unlike animals we are gifted with God’s grace. This means that being in God’s image and likeness allows us to share in that creative love of God’s when we bring children into the world and agree to take care of them. You could argue that in a certain sense the family is a type of “sacrament”, a sign of God’s abiding and loving presence in our most basic domestic unit. To celebrate the feast of the Holy Family shouldn’t mean to become depressed at our own family’s shortcomings. It should be a challenge to keep before us the privileged task of producing God’s gift of life and sustaining it, the commission to live in communion with each other because that’s how we want to live with God, and the charge of sharing each other’s lives so that we may live with God by finding him in those he has given to us.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: The shepherds went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in a manger.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! May the peace of Christ rein in your hearts; let the message of Christ find a home with you. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Our God has appeared on the earth, and lived among us.
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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 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 £696.00p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Sincere thanks for the further anonymous donations received towards the Boiler Fund.
A BIG thank you to the parishioner who has donated the Christmas tree
Further to the recent Boiler 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 Marguerite Long who did recently. Funeral Mass to be held at St John’s on Wednesday, 15th January at 10.30am followed by Landican at 12.Noon. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Nigel Salisbury who died recently. Funeral Mass at St John’s on Wednesday, 8th January at 2pm followed by Landican at 3.30pm. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Kenny Daly (Deacon Mike’s brother) who died recently. Please keep Marguerite’s, Nigel’s and Kenny’s families in your prayers. May Marguerite, 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:
Saturday 28th December – Mass at 5.00pm
Sunday 29th December - Mass at 9.30am
Monday 30th December – NO MASS
Tuesday 31st December – NO MASS
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
Christmas is a time to celebrate God’s gifting of Himself through His Son Jesus Christ — Love-gifting. This gifting is to teach us about His love, and how to cherish Christmas. Your gifts, kind messages and good wishes to me are all expressions of God’s Love-gifting. Huge thank you, all of you, for such great love, kindness and support. You are my joy and crown. May the birth of Christ increase His love, grace, peace and joy in you all. Merry Christmas, and grace-filled New Year. Fr Mario. Pax
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Saturday 28th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Nance & Alf Shipman Wed. Annv. Rem RIP
The Feast of the Holy Family 29th 9.30am Liam Rolston & Stan Korn Annivs. RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 30th NO MASS
Tuesday 31st NO MASS
Wednesday
Mary Mother of God 1st 10.00am World Peace
Thursday 2nd NO MASS
Friday 3rd 12 Noon MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Saturday 4th 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Brannon & Kenny Families
The Epiphany of the Lord 5th 9.30am Dec’d Rels & Fnds of Armstrong Family
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 28th 6.30pm Frederick Woolfall
The Feast of the Holy Family 29th 11.00am Gerda McArdle B.Day Rem. & 5yr Annv.
Monday 30th NO MASS
Tuesday 31st NO MASS
Mary Mother of God 1st 11-12 Holy Hour
12 Noon New Year Mass
Fr. Mario Ashuikeka B.day Wishes
Thursday 2nd NO MASS
Friday 3rd 12 Noon MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Eddie McGlone Anniversary
Saturday 4th 6.30pm John & Anne Tishe Christmas &
New Year Blessings
The Epiphany of the Lord 5th 11.00am Tom McGenity RIP
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Anointing and Healing Service will be held at St John’s on Friday, 3rd January at 7pm. Theme: “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mk 4:40) Speaker: Mark Saunders. All most Welcome.
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