The Fifth Sunday of Lent, 26th March, 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 Fifth Sunday of Lent, 26th March, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: HERE'S TO LIFE! If heaven's so good, then why did Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead? This is a question that is often asked. Was Lazarus disappointed at being reunited with his two sisters so soon after dying? It must have been tempting to throw this in their face whenever an argument broke out! Another question arises from St John's gospel story. Why was Jesus so distressed at the death of his friend? Surely the answer is simple: the gift of life is such a great thing that even faith in the afterlife cannot wipe away the tears we feel when a loved one dies. And even more, it shows how much we really value the life we live on this earth. By raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus was letting the glory of his Father be seen by those who witnessed the miracle. He was letting them know that the Father had sent him. But he was also making a very positive statement about the value of human existence. There can be no greater gift than that of enjoying life. We experience life at its most complete when we know that we have been given it by God for a purpose. No one else has been made like us. God creates each one of us in a unique fashion so that we might reflect something of God's nature by the way we live. We have been given different gifts and talents, different personalities, different reasons for being loved by others and loving in return. To believe in Christ is to have the chance of fullness of life, getting every last ounce out of it, benefiting from all its opportunities."Life" is the last of the three themes of Lent this year: water, light and life. The Church makes use of this gospel passage to remind us that our baptism in Christ affords us the opportunity to live the same life as everyone else, but to see beyond the passing things of this world, to have our hearts set on a life that will dwarf even this one. Christians don't just exist. They thirst for the water that only God can give; they search for the light that God sheds on their journey through this world; and they live life to the utmost in all its glorious shapes and forms. And if this life is so good, then just think what the next one will be like!
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Everyone who lives and believes in me will not die for ever, says the Lord.
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The 9.30am Mass on Sunday, 26th March is in Honour of St Anne and the intention is to pray for all families.
The 9.15am Mass on Monday 27th March is in Honour of St John and the intentions are for all parishioners, young people and good friendship in the 3 parishes.
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. Also, during Lent, there will be Adoration from 10:30 to 12 noon. All most welcome.
DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATION AND VENERATION OF 1st CLASS RELIC OF ST FAUSTINA: Led by Fr Peter Prusakiewicz from Poland who travels the world proclaiming and explaining the Divine Mercy devotion and talking about his experience of St Michael the Archangel and Holy Angels, please join us at St Anne’s Rock Ferry from 12 o’clock to 2.30pm on Wednesday 19th April for Holy Mass and a talk, followed by a Eucharistic healing service with veneration of a 1st class relic of St Faustino. There will also be an opportunity to purchase rosaries and the Angels magazine, also information about a Divine Mercy pilgrimage to Poland being organised for September.
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
ACCESS TO WEEKDAY MASSES AT ST JOHN’S: If the main doors to the church are locked please gain access to the church via the side door located down the passage at the side of the presbytery.
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.
Children's Liturgy – is during the 9.30am Mass, all are most welcome.
Tea and Coffee: is still suspended for now.
Mini Vinnies will be doing a sponsored walk/run this coming week for Mary’s Meals and Caritas. Details available from Eileen Fahey.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £520.77p. Thank you for your generosity in these difficult times.
In Memoriam- For those parishioners and friends of Peggy McAllister who would like to send cards and/or Mass cards, the address is John & Denise, 85 Hooton Road, Willaston, Cheshire CH64 1SQ. Peggy’s Funeral Mass will be here at St John’s on Monday 3rd April at 11.00am followed by Cremation at Landican at 12.30pm. You are welcome to join the family for refreshments at The Saddle Club, Roman Road, Prenton, CH43 3DB. May all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ.
Readers: Please advise Dot Humphrey if you are available during Holy Week and Easter.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: There will be a meeting for all Ministers in Church, St John’s, on Saturday, , 1st April, 10.00am-11.30am. Please make a special effort to attend. Many thanks.
The Chrism Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s, Dunkery Road, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe, M22 0WR on Wednesday, 5th April at 7pm.
CAFOD Family Fast: CAFOD envelopes are available on the table at the back of church. (If you are a taxpayer, please complete the Gift Aid section). Envelopes can be returned up to and including Palm Sunday, 2nd April.
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.
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 IN MARCH AND APRIL: You may have noticed from the Mass Intentions section that some changes to the Thursday evening Mass schedule have taken place; the timetable until the end of April is as follows:
Thursday 30/03: 7pm Mass at both Churches
Thursday 06/04, Holy Thursday: Masses at both St John’s & St Anne’s
Thursday 13/04: 7pm Mass at St John’s only
Thursday 20/04: 7pm Mass at both Churches
Thursday 27/04: 7pm Mass at St Anne’s only
Watch this space for any updates!
Confirmation 2023 for St John’s and St Anne’s will be held at St John’s on Wednesday, 22nd November at 7.00pm. Will all candidates in Years 9 and above (or their parents) please contact Mike Daly as soon as possible to record their interest.
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Saturday 25th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Anne & Chris Oakley 1st Wed Annv
Fifth Sunday of Lent Cycle A 26th 9.30am In Honour of St Anne
11.00am Ints Brian Jones (St Luke’s)
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 27th 9.15am In Honour of St John
Tuesday 28th 9.15am Ints Pope Francis (10th Annv. of him becoming Pope on
13th March 2013)
Wednesday 29th 9.15am Joan Kelly RIP
Thursday 30th 7.00pm Desmond Capper RIP
Friday 31st 9.15am Teresa Young B.day Annv RIP
Saturday 1st 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Brian & Margaret Ellis Wed Annv.
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 2nd 9.30am Rev Philip White RIP
11.00am Janina Hanczaryk Annv. (St Luke’s)
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
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 during Lent
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 25th 6.30pm Brockway Family Intentions
Fifth Sunday of Lent 26th 11.15am For Families
Monday 27th 12 Noon All Parishioners of our 3 Parishes & Young People
Tuesday 28th 12 Noon Brian Glover Annv.
Wednesday 29th 12 Noon Michael Higgins Special Intention
Thursday 30th 7.00 pm Ann & Robert Ashuikeka
Friday 31st 12 Noon Mary Capper Special Intention
Saturday
Saturday 1st 6.30pm Nicholas Codd 11th Anniversary
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 2nd 11.15am Martin Patrick Gorman 1st Annv.
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