The Nativity of the Lord, 25th December, 2022, 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.comWebsites http://www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com www.lpa24.org
The Nativity of the Lord 25th December, 2022. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
C is for Christos (Christ) which means the one anointed by God. Jesus was appointed to be prophet, priest and king of all nations. He is the one whom people were waiting for, the one sent by God as a champion for the people.
H is for Hope. The birth of Jesus encourages us that we have a God who is so concerned about us that he stoops as low as he can get, to become a little baby. The birth of Christ renews our hope in the promises of God.
R is for Redeemer. Helpless as he was in the manger of Bethlehem, he was born to die. His life led him to an inevitable conflict with the authorities that came to its climax on Calvary. Through his death and resurrection he has bought us back from the slavery that sin and evil exercise over us.
I is for Immanuel. The Christmas feast cheers us with news that Jesus is Immanuel/Emmanuel, God-with-us. We have a God who feels our pain, knows our struggle and shares our joys, for he is not far away in the heavens but is with us here on earth in the person and presence of Jesus.
S is for Son. Jesus reveals a God to us who is not a distant sovereign but a parent. He referred to God as his Father and through our baptism we share the closeness and intimacy of a relationship as sons and daughters.
T is for Truth. Jesus took our human form as a baby in order to lead us into the truth, to provide us with a recipe for happiness and peace. He claimed that he himself was the way, the truth and the life. To follow Jesus is to have eternal life.
M is for Mercy. The incarnation of Jesus is God's gift of mercy to us. None of us is worthy to speak to God or to claim any favours from him. Yet in Jesus God shows us mercy and forgiveness, blotting out our guilt and wiping away our sins. That same mercy is given to us on condition that we pass it on to others.
A is for Alleluia, a word which means Praise the Lord! Christmas and Easter are the springboards for Christians not only to rejoice and enjoy the wonders that God works for us, but also to proclaim far and wide God's marvellous intervention.
Sis for Song. Christians cannot keep silent about the consequences of Christ's birth. Our songs and carols tell the everlasting story of our God who sets us free. Our worship recalls the events of 2000 years ago and makes them come alive once more today. Have a happy C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S!
———————————————————————————————————————————— ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: A child is born for us, a son is given to us; his sceptre of power rests upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Messenger of great counsel.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
As you can see from the Mass Table ALL MASSES will be celebrated at St Anne’s until repairs are completed at St John’s. Please be aware of the change of time for the Sunday 11.00am Mass to 11.15am. THERE IS AMPLE PARKING BEHIND ST ANNE’S CHURCH.
Devotions/Adoration: ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
If you have any queries or ideas, please 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.
Mike Daly’s Homilies are now available on the Parish Website. Log in details to the Website are www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
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.
CARITAS AT CHRISTMAS APPEAL: As a result of the burst pipes and the moving of all our services to St Anne’s until repairs are completed, AND, AS WE CELEBRATE OUR SERVICES, PLEASE DONATE YOUR OFFERINGS TO STANNE’S CARITAS CRIB APPEAL. Your offerings at the Crib during the Christmas Season will support the work of Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury (formerly the Catholic Children’s Society) who offer much care and support to needy families. 100% of your donations will go to those in the most vulnerable situations within the diocese, ensuring they receive crisis food vouchers and practical support as quickly as possible when it is most needed. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Children's Liturgy will resume when the repairs are completed at St John’s.
Tea and Coffee after 9.30am Mass each Sunday. To be held in the Meeting Room through the Music Store Room, but the exit will now be via the front door of the house. All are welcome. THERE WILL BE NO TEA/COFFEE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £595.46P. Thank you. Please try to be as generous as you can to our parish in these difficult times.
The Loop System in the church is now fully operational. To benefit, please set your hearing aid to the "T" setting and adjust your volume as appropriate.
Mother’s Prayers - Please see the poster about this group of mothers from our parish who meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7pm, to pray for their children and grandchildren and offer each other support. The next meeting is Tuesday 16th January. All most welcome, DEPENDING UPON THE REPAIR OF THE LEAK.
If you know of any St John's parishioners, who would welcome a home visit by members of the S.V.P, please email St John's with details and we will pass on the information, which is treated confidentially, to Steve Bell, President of St John's SVP. Please ask the person or persons involved if they would like a visit before passing
on their details. stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
Partnering Nigeria: Fr. Mario and Fr. Emmanuel are going to connect our church with a catholic church in Nigeria. The idea is to share, care and show God’s love to one another. We are starting at Christmas. If you would like to write a card or letter and enclose a donation, they will be collected by Maria Fryer and forwarded to Nigeria by Fr. Mario. See Poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Wirral Foodbank Christmas Appeal: Please help support your Foodbank with food and funds this Christmas. In the weeks leading up to Christmas the Foodbank will provide over 800 food parcels for local individuals and families in crisis. 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 and thank you for your continued generosity.
THE BIG CARD: Due to the situation with the burst pipes, we will hold a retiring collection for The Ark when we return to church after repairs are completed.
CHRISTMAS COME AND SING! WEDNESDAY 4th JANUARY 2023 is being held at ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS’ CHURCH WOODCHURCH: A last opportunity to sing carols and Christmas songs before the Epiphany! Doors open at 10.00 Tea and coffee will be served from 10.00am Singing from 10.45am-12.00 Noon. St Joseph’s Choir, St Michael’s Music Group, Wirral 3Ls Choir and other groups will lead the music and a warm invitation is extended to parishioners.
If you have a notice for the bulletin, please email it to the parish email address or put it through the presbytery letter box by 12 noon on Wednesdays. Many thanks.
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Saturday 24th Christmas Eve
Vigil Mass of Christmas –
ALL SERVICES BEING HELD AT ST ANNE’S
3.00pm Crib Service
7.00pm For The Homeless
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Sunday 25th The Nativity of the Lord - ALL SERVICES BEING HELD AT ST ANNE’S
9.30am For the Poor and Needy
11.15am Teresa Fitzmaurice L.D
NO PRAYER MEETING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Monday 26th
Feast of St Stephen
9.15am Guild of St Stephen
12 Noon
Both Masses at St Anne’s
Tuesday 27th Feast of St John the Evangelist
9.15am Intentions St John’s SVP
12 Noon
Both Masses at St Anne’s
Wednesday 28th
12 Noon
Mass at St Anne’s
Thursday 29th
12 Noon
Mass at St Anne’s
Friday 30th
12 Noon
Mass at St Anne’s
Saturday 31st
Sunday 1st
Mary, Mother of God - ALL MASSES AT ST ANNE’S
5.00pm Elspeth Foister RIP
9.30am Shaun Corrigan RIP
11.15am Stan Korn Annv RIP
NO PRAYER MEETING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
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A Christmas Prayer:
ON THIS DAY
On this day Bring back to mind God’s love and mercy for all mankind
On this day may you recall a tiny babe in a manger lay
On this day remember when Christ died and rose again
On this day thank the Lord in heaven above for his sacrificial gift of love
On this day may you be blessed with quiet peace and holy rest
Minsty Lensk
Please take a copy of the Parish Newsletter for anyone else who would appreciate receiving a copy. Also, there is a selection of cards in the Card Rack; please put money in the box provided.
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