The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Sunday, 24th December, 2023.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 of Advent 24th December, 2023. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE COMFORT ZONE
Mary could have had a comfortable life. She seems to have been an ordinary girl and could have hoped for a good husband, a few children and a reasonably normal and happy existence in Nazareth. Then the angel appeared on the scene. She was asked to be the mother of a child, given the boy's name and told that she didn't need a husband because the Holy Spirit would be taking care of things. Who on earth would agree to this? Yet she did. Let what you have said be done to me. Then it all started: the difficulties of the birth in a cold stable while going to Jerusalem to register for the census, the scandal of not being married, the strange goings on with the star, the wise men and the angels, the prophecy by Simeon that she would end up heart-broken, the trouble when Jesus started preaching, his arrest and execution. She could have stayed in her comfort zone and just said no. But then she would never have become the mother of God and never experienced the challenge of the adventure of her life. It turned out that, far from being a comfort to Mary, God set out to discomfort her. Advent faith means being prepared to come out of our comfort zones. It means agreeing like Mary to give birth to Jesus. Each of us is called to take steps that will cause us discomfort and trouble. It would be easier if we treated religion as a hobby. We could attend church from time to time and just enjoy the music. Or we could throw ourselves fully into the uncomfortable business of standing up for Jesus in all the circumstances of our lives. We can be couch-Christians or Cross-Christians. But only the latter will lead us to the adventure which is God. Advent asks us to reflect on how much we are prepared to be disturbed in our profession of faith. Do we want to watch as others do the work of bringing the Good News to our world or do we want to be on the front line? Are we comfortable in the waiting room or do we want to give birth? Do we simply want to carry the plaster statue of the baby in the crib or are we prepared to take on his flesh and bones with all that this entails?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Drop down dew from above, you heavens; let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me. Alleluia.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.
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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 £788.38p. Collection for Red Boxes amounted to £435.59p. Thank you for your continued generosity 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 weeks’ 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 Christopher Maloney who died recently. Christopher’s Funeral Service will be held at St John’s on Thursday,28th December at 10.00am followed by burial at Landican Cemetery at 11.00am. Please keep Christopher’s family, 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.
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.
Sunday Morning Teas will be restarting as soon as possible. We are looking for volunteers from St John’s and St Luke’s to form a rota system. If you are interested, please contact Noelene Evans on 645 6055.
Lourdes Hospitality Update Further to the recent AGM, the officers have been meeting monthly to discuss the issues raised and future plans. A face-to-face meeting for all members will be held on Saturday 20th January 2024 (venue and time to be confirmed). In the meantime, if you have any questions for us, please send an email to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk Clare Marchmont, Secretary, Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality.
THE BIG CARD will be 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.
A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Secretary at the parish of Holy Cross, Our Lady & St Paul, Birkenhead. Hours: 12 per week, to be spread over Tuesday to Friday mornings (flexible). hourly rate: £11 to £13 depending on experience. For further details please see the Diocesan Website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ Applications in the form of a CV and covering letter should be sent to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date: 15 January 2024.
MASS TIMES FOR THE NEW YEAR AT ST JOHN’S AND ST ANNE’S
New Years Day Monday
1st January Mass at St John’s 10.00am
Holy Hour at St Anne’s 11am
Followed by Mass at 12 Noon
2nd January MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY 9.15am
3rd January MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY 12 Noon
4th January MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY 7.00pm
5th January MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY 12 Noon
THERE IS A FULL LIST OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SERVICES ON THE BOARD NEXT TO THE BAPTISMAL FONT AT THE BACK OF CHURCH
The Parish Christmas Party was a great success, raising £370 for Parish funds. We had a visit from Father Christmas, to the delight of the children, young and old! The Ceilidh went down a storm. Many thanks to Diane Baylis for organising the night and to all those who helped make the party very enjoyable.
Your donations at the Crib during the Christmas Season are for Caritas Shrewsbury who offer care and support to refugees and needy families and individuals on the Wirral and throughout the Diocese.
St Anne’s Over 55’s Club will restart on Tuesday, 9th January at 12.30pm in Lourdes Hall.
A Service of Anointing and Healing will be held at St John’s on Friday, 5th January at 7pm. The Theme will be “Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God!'(Jn: 11: 41). All most welcome.
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Saturday 23rd 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
2.00pm Christmas Crib Service
5.00pm Decd Members of Elliot Family
The Fourth Sunday of Advent Cycle B 24th 9.30am For All Refugees
Vigil Mass of Christmas 7.00pm St John’s & St Luke’s Parishioners
Nativity of the Lord 25th 9.30am The Homeless
Tuesday 26th 10.00am For Families
Wednesday 27th 10.00am MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY For all Parishes, Young People & Good Friendship in the Parishes
Thursday 28th 10.00am Funeral Service – Christopher Maloney
7.00pm MASS AT STANNE’S ONLY
Friday 29th 9.15am Nance & Alf Shipman Wed Annv RIP
Saturday 30th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Ints Maria Fryer
The Holy Family 31st 9.30am Margaret Brannock RIP
New Year’s Day 1st 10.00am Decd Rels/Fnds Bell & Nugent Fams
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 23rd 6.30pm Helen Otuisa RIP
The Fourth Sunday of Advent Cycle B 24th 11.00am Fr Terry Murray OMI RIP
Vigil Mass of Christmas 5.00pm Fred Woolfall Remb
9.00pm Francis Lavin RIP
Nativity of the Lord 25th 11.00am For Families
Tuesday 26th 12 Noon Andrea King 8th Ann.
Wednesday 27th NO MASS TODAY St John’s only at 10.00am
Thursday 28th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY Ann Vesey Special Int
Friday 29th NO MASS TODAY St John’s only at 9.15am.
Saturday 30th 6.30pm Norah & Wilf White Rem
The Holy Family 31st 11.00am Eddie McGlone Ann.
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