The Fourth Sunday of Lent, 10th March, 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 of Lent, Sunday, 10th March, 2024, Cycle B,
FAITH IN FOCUS: GOD ON OUR SIDE
On television you can sometimes see people in the crowd at sports events holding up a placard that simply says “John 3:16”. They are Christians who want to get you to find out what the text says in John’s gospel: “God loved the world so much that he sent his only Son so that anyone who believes in him may not be lost but have eternal life”. You can see why they hold up that particular reference. In a sense it sums up the whole purpose of the incarnation. It captures the heart of the gospel message in one verse. And yet it comes as something of a surprise to many people. In popular culture God is portrayed as a severe character, as someone who is just dying for us to put a foot wrong so that he can send down lightning bolts, earthquakes and floods and condemn the whole lot of us. However, as this text from today’s gospel reminds us, God sent his Son not because he detested the world but because he loves it so much. And the purpose of the Son’s coming to earth was not to wreak destruction but to ensure salvation. God became one of us. A fellow human being is also our God: Jesus the Christ. And strange though it seems, God is on our side and is rich in love. When we choose to ignore what’s good for us we come face to face with God. But what’s God’s preferred remedy? Is it punishment and death? No. It’s mercy and grace.
People who try to discredit religion say that it thrives on fear, that it only makes its followers psychologically dependent on a greater being that holds the threat of annihilation over them. Maybe they should read this text. God sent his Son because he loves us and doesn’t want us to miss out on the fullness of life.
So as we continue our journey through Lent we move towards the Easter manifestation of God’s true glory, of his victory over all that threatens to hold us down and drag us back. While we ready ourselves for the great feast we can rejoice in the fact that God is on our side and we can thank him just for being our God and for bothering to have us as his sons and daughters, the ones he loved so much that he sent his only Son to.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Praise to you O Christ, King of eternal glory! God so loved the world he gave up his only Son: everyone who believes in him has eternal life.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord.
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Mass Times for the Solemnity of St Joseph: Vigil Mass on 18th March at St John’s at 6.30pm (No 9.15am morning Mass on this day); 19th March 9.30am at St John’s; 12 Noon at St Anne’s.
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 £501.05p. Many thanks for your continued support.
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
First Forgiveness: The children of St John’s Junior School (St Peter’s and St Paul’s Groups) will be making their First Forgiveness on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th March here at St John’s 1.00-2.30pm. Please keep all the children in your prayers as they continue to grow as they take their next step on their journey of faith.
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 contact Fr. Mario on 645 3996 or let me know that you are interested my tel no is 07901105591 so we can have a chat .Thank you.
Wirral Foodbank is recruiting for a Community Organiser and Campaigns Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team. You who will be responsible for developing and delivering a campaign strategy that addresses the issues that drive poverty, making a positive change to the local community of Wirral, and nationally through Trussell Trust. The post is fully funded by Trussell Trust and is for two-year fixed contract. For more information go to Community Organiser and Campaigns Manager.
Sunday Morning Teas continue on the first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee and biscuits whilst enjoying a chat with your fellow parishioners. Next date is Sunday 7th April.
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.
PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORIE WITH FR MARIO: 22nd to 26th June £549 pp sharing or £635 for a single room. Flying from Manchester, 4 star hotel including breakfast and evening meal, local guide and we will be in Medjugorie for the 43rd Anniversary. Telephone Maria on 07576243343 if interested.
CAFOD Family Fast Day: 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. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
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 leaders will be Fliss Salisbury and Liz Saalmans.
MASSES/SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK BEING HELD AT
ST JOHN’S AND ST ANNE’S
Holy Thursday to be held at St Anne’s at 7.00pm
Good Friday Children’s Stations of the Cross to be held at St Anne’s at 10.00am
Good Friday to be held at St John’s at 3.00pm
Saturday Easter Vigil Mass to be held at St Anne’s at 8.00pm
Easter Sunday Mass times as normal:
9.30am St John’s; 11.00am St Anne’s
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 13th and 20th March. For more details email stevens.dstevens2@gmail.com
Readers: A copy of the Rota is on the notice board by the Foodbank. Please let me know if you are available for the Good Friday Service at St John’s at 3.00pm.
Please also advise if you are available for the 5.00pm weekly Saturday night Mass (New readers are always most welcome). Please give your name, Tel. No. and email address to Fr Mario, or myself or post through the Presbytery letter box. I usually attend the 9.30am Sunday Mass. Thank you. Carmel Harrison.
Lenten Reconciliation Service: will be held at St Anne's on Tuesday, 12th March at 7.00pm.
Chrism Mass: will be held at St Michael & All Angels, Woodchurch on Wednesday, 27th March at 7.00pm.
Evening of Recollection: for all Eucharistic Ministers and Readers from St John’s & St Luke’s and St Anne’s to be held at St Anne’s on Tuesday, 26th March 6-7.30pm to prepare for Holy Week and Easter.
Lent Course: Father Michael Coughlan has asked us to share information about the Lent Course entitled: Journeying with Jesus: a companion’s guide by Fr Denis McBride CSsR, each Tuesday evening in Lent at 7.00pm in Our Lady’s Presbytery, Cavendish Street CH41 8AQ. The playlist can be accessed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8fO6FLk0X8&list=PLAxn1pJuKMKrNTQYvfoUW9VG1Alb_pT86
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Saturday 9th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Jacqueline Bell RIP
Fourth Sunday of Lent 10th 9.30am Terry Norcott
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 11th 9.15am Mona Heaney RIP
Tuesday 12th 9.15am Ints of Jane Hearty
Wednesday 13th 9.15am Victims of Domestic Abuse
Thursday 14th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Vocations
Friday 15th 9.15am Ints of Joan Turner
Saturday 16th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Philomena Fletcher RIP
Fifth Sunday of Lent 17th 9.30am Brian Corr RIP
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 9th 6.30pm Eva O’Toole RIP
Fourth Sunday of Lent 10th 11.00am Martin Patric Gorman Bday Rem
Monday 11th 12 Noon Danny Jones 90th Birthday
Tuesday 12th 12 Noon Betty Birch Get well
Wednesday 13th 12.Noon Baby Teddy Reynolds RIP
Thursday 14th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 15th 12 Noon Locke Family intentions
Saturday 16th 6.30pm Michael Noglik Sp.Int.
Fifth Sunday of Lent 17th 11.00am Martin Patric Gorman 2nd Annv.
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Pope Francis’ Intentions for March: For New Martyrs
Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive.
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