The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28th January, 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 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 28th January, 2024, Cycle B,
FAITH IN FOCUS: TELLING IT AS IT IS:
Lazy preachers use religious words. It's easier than getting down to the nitty-gritty but it doesn't help people to connect their faith with their lives. So whenever you hear a sermon that is peppered with words like salvation, ecclesial, redemption, Christological, justification, metanoia, eschatology, sanctifying grace or beatific vision, then you know that the preacher is using shorthand. Of course, there's nothing wrong with any of these words; they are theological ways of expressing our faith and the work of God in our lives. But they remain on a cerebral level. They engage the mind but more often than not don't reach the heart. They are not geared to connecting faith with life in a way that most people readily understand.
When the Jewish religious teachers preached they appear to have fallen into the same trap. What they said was right, but it was stale. People found it hard to become enthusiastic when they heard them preach.
Then Jesus came along. People related to what he said because they could see that it had meaning for the way they were trying to live. It connected with their struggles, their fears and their hopes. When they described his teaching, people said that he taught "with authority". By this they did not mean that he took an official stance or that he talked down to people as if they were ignorant. It meant that they could see that his teaching was going to have a beneficial effect on their lives. It made sense and they could grasp its significance.
Authority meant that his words had clout. The word authority comes from a Latin word that at its root means to increase or grow. To speak with authority meant that what Jesus was saying to them would make them grow, cause them to develop, to fulfil their potential. Unlike the scribes who simply told people all the rules that they had to obey, Jesus' teaching was a liberating experience that spoke about the value and worth of the human person before God. It encouraged people, offered them hope, gave them confidence and made them want to be part of the message and to tell others about it. It was more than just words. And it still is today.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Save us , O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
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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.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £491.07p. Donation for fuel was £300. Many thanks for your continued support in these difficult times.
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.
Mass Intention Requests; Please give at least three week’s notice for your Mass intention 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.
In Memoriam: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Philomena Fletcher who died recently. Philomena’s Funeral Mass will be held at St John’s on 31st January at 9.30am followed by Landican South Chapel at 11.30am Please also pray for the repose of the soul of David Dobson who died on 6th January. David’s Combined Funeral Service will be held at Blacon Crematorium on
Wednesday 31st January at 12 Noon. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Honor Evans who died last Sunday. Honor’s Funeral Mass will be at St John’s on Tuesday, 6th February at 1.45pm followed by Blacon Crematorium at 3.20pm. Please keep Philomena’s, David’s and Honor’s families, and all those parishioners and friends who have died, 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 items urgently needed are listed on the notice board at the back of church. Please continue to support this as much as you can in these difficult times.
Sunday Morning Teas will be restarting on the first Sunday of each month commencing on the 4th February. Come along for tea/coffee and biscuits whilst enjoying a chat with your fellow parishioners.
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 WELCOME St John’s Junior School Candidates for First Sacraments who will be joining us, with their parents/carers, this Sunday, 28th January for their Enrolment Mass during which they will also receive their enrolment medals.
Anointing & Healing Service The next Service will be held on Friday, 1st March at 7pm. 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.
WOMENS' GRACE GROUP: We met on Tuesday 9th January after quite a long time, due to recent events! We studied the Book of Ruth, with its themes of compassion, family loyalty, consideration and commitment, and will go on to consider the role of women in other parts of the Bible. We are looking for new members and hope to provide an opportunity for friendship and understanding of the Scriptures in our everyday lives. Our activities? In fact much is up to you, though we do have ideas and structures! For example Building on the success of our Christmas party with other events to follow, "Talk and Walk" sessions [short walks ending with suitable refreshment], and attending talks and events given by known speakers. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 13th February in the side chapel at St John’s, at 7.00pm. We would love to see you there. Tea and biscuits provided!
Vocations Weekend for Women (20s & 30s) Theme: Discerning God's Call in your life Dates: 16-18 February 2024 Location: Liverpool. The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). For more information contact Sr Lynne FCJ at fcjvocationeurope@gmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org
Home for Ukraine Gathering will be held at Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford M3 6DP on Saturday, 3rd February at 2pm.Duration 90 minutes. To register contact https://forms.office.com/e/7HCQtt5xxg. A great opportunity to learn about Ukrainian refugees in the UK and ask any questions you might have.
THE NEXT ‘COME & SEE’ DAY IS COMING SOON: On 3rd of February, we welcome Dr Christine Dodd. Christine is a former Adult Education Advisor for the Diocese of Hallam. She is in much demand as a spiritual director and retreat-giver. She has led workshops for us before, so it’s with great delight that we welcome Christine back again. See poster at the back of church for more details. Diocesan Choir Festival – ‘Sing a New Song’ You are invited to come along and sing as part of a diocesan choir. Learn music throughout the day and lead the singing for Mass at 5pm. We will learn Schutz: Praise to you Lord Jesus, Schubert: Mass in G and more, on Saturday 24 February, 10.30am-4.30pm with Mass beginning at 5pm. At St Anthony’s, Dunkery Road, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe, M22 0WR. Refreshments and registration from 10.30am, rehearsals begin at 11am. Tea and coffee will be provided, please being a packed lunch. The cost is £5 per person, payable on the day. Book by completing the form at HTTP://TINYURL.COM/DIOCESANCHOIRFESTIVAL The deadline for bookings is Friday 16 February. For more information contact reception@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
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Saturday 27th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Pray for all Parishes, young people & good friendship in the parishes
The Fourth Sunday in Ord Time. Cycle B 28th 9.30am Enrolment Mass for 1st Sacrament Candidates
Ian Butler
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 29th 9.15am Yvonne Rezler-Kennedy RIP
Tuesday 30th 9.15am Graham Sabino RIP
Wednesday 31st 9.30am Funeral Mass - Philomena Fletcher
Thursday 1st 7.00pm MASS AT STJOHN’S ONLY
Rel/Fnds Belmont & Nugent Families
Friday 2nd 9.15am Jack & Nora McCormick & Decd Mbrs of McCormick Family
Saturday 3rd 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Phillie McLean
The Fifth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B 4th 9.30am Maurice O’Gorman
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 27th 6.30pm Jerry Lynn RIP
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th 11.00am Mary Ward 2nd Anniv.
Monday 29th 12 Noon All parishioners of St Anne’s, St John’s + young people
Tuesday 30th 12 Noon Fr Terry Murray OMI RIP
Wednesday 31st 12 Noon Thomas Belmar Birthday
Thursday 1st 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 2nd 12 Noon Rose & Clive Larkin
Saturday 3rd 6.30pm Norah White Birthday Annv.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4th 11.00am Anne & George McGrory Rem
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Pope Francis' Intentions for January: "We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all."
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