The First Sunday of Lent, 18th February, 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
The First Sunday of Lent, Sunday, 18th February, 2024, Cycle B,
FAITH IN FOCUS: DO-IT-YOURSELF GRACE?
The problem with temptation is that we only recognise it after it’s over. When we are actually being tempted we see what’s on offer as completely normal. That’s why the smoker really believes that this little after-dinner light-up will not get them hooked once more, why the gambler is convinced that this bet on the cert means he’ll never need to worry about money again, and the woman passing the pub is confident that she can enjoy this tipple without stepping onto the downward spiral.
When the Spirit led Jesus out into the desert he was tempted by the devil. It’s reassuring to know that even Jesus was tempted. But how was he able to resist the temptations? He could do it because he wasn’t there alone; he was living in the Spirit. It was this close link with the Spirit that allowed him to refuse to give in.
Our society is hooked on the idea that we can improve ourselves by our own merits. Buy a self-help book and you’ll be able to levitate, speak a new language in three days and cook gourmet meals while composing your latest harpsichord sonata. All you have to do is pull yourself together and make the effort.
Sometimes Christians are guilty of borrowing this flawed attitude and applying it to the way we relate to God and the way we deal with the spiritual challenges of our lives. So we end up thinking that when it comes to temptation the only solution is to be firm, to exercise our willpower and everything will fall into place. This is usually referred to as the “muscular Christian” syndrome.
But however many little victories we may win by using this method, the only way to defeat temptation permanently is recognise that we need God’s help, God’s grace, the life of his Spirit. We cannot save ourselves; only Jesus Christ can. We cannot flex our spiritual muscles and overcome sin; only God’s grace can do that for us. If it were otherwise, then there would have been no need for Christ to die on the cross.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will deliver him and give him glory, I will grant him length of days.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Your ways, Lord, are faithfulness and love for those who keep your covenant.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON The Lord will conceal you with his pinions, and under his wings you will trust.
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Please pray for Bishop Mark on the anniversary of his ordination to the episcopate in 2010, on Thursday. Friday is a special day of prayer for the needy & hungry of the world as well as being Family Fast Day.
In Memoriam-Please pray for the repose of the soul of Kyle Williams who has recently died. The Funeral Service will be held at St John's on Wednesday, 28th February at 1.00pm & then Landican Centre Chapel at 2.00pm. Please keep Kyle's family & all those parishioners and friends who have died in your prayers; may they and all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ.
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.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £696.50p. Plus a donation of £100. Many thanks for your continued support in these ever-difficult times.
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.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome. From the 1st Sunday of Lent, 18th February the children will be invited onto the sanctuary, with their catechists & parents, from the offertory until the sign of peace.
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.
Wirral Foodbank . We would like to start a new rota to drop off the donations to the warehouse in Birkenhead. The food is all non perishable & can be dropped off at the Wirral warehouse anytime Monday to Thursday between 10am & 1.30pm. My name is Cecily Sabino; I go to 9.30am mass on Sunday. If you can help please ask Fr Mario or Mike to let me know that you are interested or phone me on 07901105591 so we can have a chat . Thank you.
Sunday Morning Teas will be on the first Sunday of each month from now on. Come along for tea/coffee and biscuits whilst enjoying a chat with your fellow parishioners. Next date is Sunday 03 March.
Please continue to pray for St John’s Junior School Candidates who will be receiving their Sacraments of Forgiveness & Holy Communion soon.
Anointing & Healing Service The next Service will be held on Friday, 1st March. Speaker: Fr Chris Thomas from the Irenaeus Project, Liverpool. Theme: “If you only knew what God is offering....” (John 4:10)”. Leaflets will be on the table at the back of church. See also the poster.
CHURCH CAR PARK : Please continue to be thoughtful when parking, and park as closely together as safety allows while not blocking in other cars. Thank you for your cooperation.
Lourdes Overland by Jumbulance (Wirral & Chester Across Groups) taking sick & disabled people to Lourdes. Thursday 30 May to Saturday 9th June & Thursday 15th to 24th August. Contact Tony Murphy 07881 656 974. Please see poster at back of Church..
Mission for Evangelisation, Catechesis, Marriage & Family: the Our Father Resource is now available to download from the Diocesan website. We have created a Year of Prayer page & have uploaded a couple of other resources for both parishes & individuals. This is the link to the page: https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/faith-and-life/year-of-prayer-resources/
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024: Brochures & booking forms are now available on the Pilgrimage website : www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk or by ringing 07773 324264, or if you are aged 16 – 22 please email youth@dioceseofshrewsbury.org for an application form to join the youth section of our Pilgrimage. This year our Pilgrimage dates are: by air from Friday 26 July to Thursday 1 August, by coach from Thursday 25/07 to Friday 02/08 & for our young people from Wednesday 24/07 to Friday 02/08. If you are a first-time pilgrim or a returning pilgrim, we look forward to you joining us in Lourdes this year.
Stations of the Cross will be held at 3:00pm each Sunday during Lent & will be led by a different group each week. This Sunday’s leader will be John Fullerton.
CAFOD Family Fast Day, Friday, 23rd February: 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 & including Palm Sunday, 24th March. There is also a poster on the back of the main Church door with details. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Fasting is more effective than charity, because charity is done with money but fasting can only be done with one’s very self. (The Talmud)
Lenten Day by Day Booklets containing daily readings throughout Lent are on the table at the back of the church. They are £1 but feel free to take a copy & if you are able to, please leave a donation in the Books & Cards Box by the card table/stand".
Lent Talks: Are you thinking of doing something extra during Lent? Why not join us for Being the Beloved, a series of short talks by Henri Nouwen, priest & influential spiritual writer & teacher. Each week we will listen to a short talk, think about what we’ve heard & share ideas in small, informal groups. Parish members David & Dee Stevens will lead the sessions, which will take place at St Anne’s at 6pm on Wednesday 21st February, then Wednesdays 6th , 13th and 20th March. For more details email stevens.dstevens2@gmail.com
** Lenten Reconciliation Service: will be held at St Anne's on Tuesday, 12th March at 7.00pm **
CANTORES OEUMENICA are Presenting "Olivet to Calvary" on Palm Sunday 24th March 2024 at 4pm in Holy Angels RC Church, Wicker Lane, Hale Barns WA15 0HF. The Soloists both have a background of Glyndebourne Opera & all are accompanied by the International Organist Jonathan Scott. Entry is FREE with a retiring collection for charity. ALL donations will go to the named charities. For further details, including directions to venue , follow this link http://cantoresoec.org/
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Saturday 17th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Private Intention (MM)
First Sunday of Lent 18th 9.30am In Honour of St Luke – for the sick, health workers and carers.
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 19th 9.15am Cecilia Starkey
Tuesday 20th 9.15am Gordon Halewood
Wednesday 21st 9.15am Doreen & Danny Tooley
Thursday 22nd 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 23rd 9.15am Nance Shipman Anniv RIP
Saturday 24th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Philomena Fletcher RIP
Second Sunday of Lent 25th 9.30am Jenny & Norah Inglis B/day Anniv
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 & quiet devotion. Please enter the church quietly & remain so. Thank you.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 17th 6.30pm Jimmy & Eileen Barrett
First Sunday of Lent 18th 11.00am Tom Farnworth 2nd Anniv
Monday 19th 12 Noon Anne McGrory RIP
Tuesday 20th 12 Noon Thanksgiving
Wednesday 21st 12.Noon Raymond Chapman RIP
Thursday 22nd 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Mary Maguire
Friday 23rd 12 Noon Marie Byrne Special Int.
Saturday 24th 6.30pm Pauline Codd 20th Annv. RIP
Second Sunday of Lent 25th 11.00am Joanne Jones Annv.
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Pope Francis’ Intentions for February: is that the sick, who are in the final stages of life, and their families, receive the necessary medical and human care and accompaniment.
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