The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 16th July, 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 and Fr Emmanuel Chukwujekwu
Deacon: Revd Michael Daly Phone: 0151 645 3314
Email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites http://www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th July, 2023, Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS:SOME FELL ON STONY GROUND
Arthur loved going to church. Every Monday he searched out the readings for the following Sunday and tried to think about them during the week so that he would get the most out of them at Mass when they were read.
The reader began: "A reading from the prophet Isaiah…" At this point Arthur was disturbed by the McDonald clan who as usual arrived late and made their way into the pew in front of him, sorting themselves out into their favourite seats. This took longer than usual.
Behind Arthur was Mr Thompson who was mumbling to Mrs O'Connell about the rain that was lashing down outside. She wasn't listening to him because she was reading the newsletter. Arthur tried to concentrate again on what the reader was saying, hoping it would mean more to him when read in church than it had during the week. The microphone wasn't working properly and he had to strain to make out where the reader was now up to.
At this point Tom Morgan's prayer book fell off the pew and a flurry of holy picture cards showered all over the floor. People were kind enough to help him pick them up as some of them had got wedged under the kneeler. He thanked everyone quietly but they seemed pleased at the distraction from Isaiah's prophecy.
As Arthur settled down once more the musicians started motioning to each other with the music for the psalm they were about to sing and the priest called a server over to check that the book had been put out with the prayer intentions for the Intercessions. Then the reader said, "This is the word of the Lord." And everyone replied, "Thanks be to God."
We are incredibly powerful people. We can blank out God. God promises to speak to us personally when the words of scripture are addressed to us each week at the Eucharist. But we don't have to listen to them. We can treat them as if they are just some ancient stories and be glad when they're over. Or alternatively…
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, Alleluia! Speak , Lord, your servant is listening; you have the message of eternal life.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.
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Devotions/Adoration: Saturday Morning Devotions will be prayed in Church (the Rosary, Divine Mercy and Divine Praises) from 10:30am-11:30am. Fr Mario will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation between 10.30 and 11.00am. All most welcome.
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.
Please continue to keep all of our sick parishioners in your thoughts and prayers., especially this week, as we honour St Luke the Physician and pray for the sick, health workers and carers.
Children's Liturgy – is during the 9.30am Mass, all are most welcome.
In Memoriam - Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Russell Cooke who died recently. All services will take place at St Winefride’s, Neston. Tuesday, 25th July will be the Reception of the Body and Vigil Mass at 7pm. Requiem Mass on Wednesday, 26th July at 11.30am. Please keep Fr Russell, his family and friends in your prayers at this time. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of John Carroll who died on 3rd July and whose Funeral Service will be held at St John’s on Thursday, 20th July at 1pm followed by burial at Landican at 2pm. Please keep John and his family in your prayers.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £594.11p.
This weekend 15/16th July there will be a retiring collection for Sea Sunday (formerly Apostleship of the Sea).
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help support your Foodbank with food and funds. All donations need to be non-perishable, please refer to the list on the notice board of items urgently needed. Please continue to support this as much as you can in these difficult times.
There is also the Foodbank Newsletter on the notice board at the back of the church. Please take time to look through it.
Altar-Servers - Please encourage any child who has made their First Holy Communion to consider becoming an Altar-Server. Please give names to Mike Daly, who will arrange for their training and support.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAYS : For the next few weeks, the Thursday night Mass will alternate between St Anne’s and St John’s.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: It is a requirement for all parish groups, using the presbytery and day chapel for meetings, to sign in upon entry to the presbytery and sign out when leaving. The book is located on the hall stand next to the office door. Thank you.
Divine Mercy Pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland 11th to 15th September & led by Fr Mario. Guided tour to Divine Mercy Chapel, John Paul II Centre, Marian shrine Czestochowa, Wawel Cathedral & Bishop’s Palace. Flying from Manchester. 5 days and includes bed, breakfast & evening meal. £585 per person sharing or £685 for single room. If interested please see Fr Mario or telephone Maria on 07576243343
We continue our reflections on Vatican II, in Part III On The Church. This time, we ask the question: ‘Why is the Church?’ Why does she exist...? The Council's answer is that her mission is to call all people of all times to holiness, which is why she must evangelise. What this means for us is given in Lumen Gentium Chaps 5 and 6, taken together. Podcast 9 and its handout are now available on the diocesan website at dioceseofshrewsbury.org in the section on 'News and Events'. A leaflet outlining the content of all of the podcasts is available in the parish. If you have difficulty accessing this material or have questions and reflections, please don’t hesitate to contact Barbara via E: barbara.davies@dioceseofshrewsbury.org or T: 07730 526821
St John Plessington, priest and martyr 1637-1679. Born near Blackburn, John trained for the priesthood at St Omer and Valladold. He ministered for 16 years in Holywell and on the Wirral before being arrested in the “Popish Plot” scare and hanged, drawn and quartered at Chester on this day 1679. He is buried in Burton churchyard in the parish of St Winefride’s, Neston where his vestments are preserved.
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Saturday 15th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th 5.00pm Sr Carmel Callaghan RIP
9.30am Graham Sabino RIP
11.00am Mary & Alan Buchanan 60th Wedding Anniv (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 17th 9.15am Fr Russell Cooke RIP
Tuesday 19th St John Plessington 9.15am Simmons Family
Thursday 20th 1.00pm Funeral Service - John Carroll
7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Ints Mary Bevan
Friday 21st 9.15am Mary Moore Special Intention
Saturday 22nd 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Mary Ebbrell RIP
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 23rd 9.30am St John’s Parishioners
11.00am Jenny Inglis Annv (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 and quiet devotion. Please enter the church quietly and remain so. Thank you.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 15th 6.30pm Judy Danaher RIP
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th 11.15am Martin Ward Anniv
Monday 17th 12 Noon Special Intention
Tuesday 18th 12 Noon The sick, health workers and carers
Wednesday 19th 12 Noon Mary Whitty RIP
Thursday 20th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 21st 12 Noon Ann Blakemore Bday Rem
Saturday 22nd 6.30pm Catherine Walker RIP
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 23rd 11.15am Clare Roberts Special Intention
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WORD OF GOD: The word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do. (Isaiah 55: 11)
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