The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, 15th January, 2023, 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 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 15th January, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE LAMB OF GOD
When John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God” what did his hearers think he was talking about? To us it seems such a strange thing to say. Was it any less strange for the people on the banks of the River Jordan?
Those who knew about the scriptures would think of two things. They would remember some mysterious passages in the prophecies of Isaiah, and their minds would also go back to the Exodus and its annual celebration at Passover.
At one stage in their history the Jews were deported to Iraq, to Babylon, close to Baghdad. Their hopes seemed dashed as for about fifty years they were separated from Jerusalem and the proper practice of their religion. At that time Isaiah (or one of his disciples) begins to talk about a mysterious “suffering servant” who would take on the troubles of the people and ultimately save them by giving his own life.
The Jews in today’s gospel might have been back home in Jerusalem but once more they were under army occupation, this time by the Romans. When John points Jesus out as the “Lamb of God” his hearers would have made the connection with the “suffering servant” of Isaiah. Some would have hoped for a revolutionary leader to overthrow the Romans, but others would remember the perfect disciple of God who proclaims the true faith in the midst of errors, who suffers to atone for the sins of the people and who is ultimately glorified by God.
Of course, not everyone would have immediately taken all this in. But every Jew would have made the connection with the Exodus and the Passover. For the lamb was the animal by which the people were saved from Egyptian slavery and brought into the Promised Land. It was with the blood of the lamb that sacrifices were made daily in the Temple and at the annual celebration of Passover it was a lamb that was eaten. The lamb was a central spiritual symbol.
So when John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God” it started to ring bells for his hearers. Who was this man? What did he want? What would he do?
Little did they suspect. And little did they know.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens! Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
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Sunday is a Special Day of Prayer for World Peace. Wednesday sees the beginning of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity and ends on 25th January.
There will be a Carmelite Mass on Saturday 21st January at 10am. All are most welcome.
Christian Unity Week of Prayer is 18th to 25th January. Whilst there is no gatherings of churches together, the theme praying for unity amidst injustice and titled Be-Longing can be followed on http://www.ctbi.org.uk/
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.
Children's Liturgy will resume when the repairs are completed at St John’s. Tea/Coffee is also suspended for the time being. All group meetings are also still suspended until the repairs have been completed.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £420.01p. Please try to be as generous as you can during 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. Please check the website/ at weekend Mass to see if is happening. All most welcome.
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 have connected our church with a catholic church in Nigeria. The idea is to share, care and show God’s love to one another. If you would like to write a card or letter or give a further donation, please place them in the general collection, clearly marked 'Nigeria' and they will be forwarded by Fr. Mario. The recent collection from St John’s for Nigeria amounted to £846.32. Thank you to all those who contributed.
Wirral Foodbank Christmas Appeal: Please help support your Foodbank with food and funds this New Year. 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 so the weekend of 14th /15th January and 21st/22nd January. Please be as generous as you can in these difficult times.
Altar-Servers - Could you please encourage any child who has made their First Holy Communion to consider becoming an Altar-Server. If you could give their names to Mike Daly, he will arrange for their training and support. We were renowned for our team of 'servers' and it would be great to create such a team again.
St John’s Catholic Pre School - St John's Catholic Infant School If your child will be 3 years of age by 31st August 2023, they will be able to join us for their Pre School year in September 2023. Please come along to our OPEN EVENING, Tuesday 24th January 2023 4.00pm – 5.00pm where you will be able to collect an application pack and view our setting. Please note this is for ADULTS ONLY, we are unable to accommodate children at this time. Any queries please email Bernadette at Preschooloffice@stjohns-infant.wirral.sch.uk
Lord Jesus, you are showing us that the more intense our activities are, the more we should pray. Help us to internalize this lesson. Amen.
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Saturday 14th 5.00pm Decd Rel/Fnds of Kenny & McDyre Families Second Sunday of the Year
15th 9.30am Ints Sheila Plaistone
11.00am Decd Rel/Fnds of Dunion & McCormick Fams
Monday 16th 9.15am For Our Retired Priests
Tuesday 17th 9.15am Ints Joshua Soloman
Wednesday 18th 9.15am For World Unity
Thursday 19th 7.00pm Monica & Charles Heaney RIP
Friday 20th 9.15am For Those Who Are Sick
Saturday 21st 10.00am Carmelite Mass
5.00pm Pat & Simon Byrne RIP
Third Sunday of the Year 22nd
9.30am Fnds/ Rels of McManus & Harrison Families
11.00am Mary Grey RIP
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It is great to be able to return to our beautiful church after the recent flooding in the house. Although Masses have resumed please be aware to check the website for other activities until all relevant repairs are completed. THE CORRECT WEBSITE ADDRESS IS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THIS NEWSLETTER.
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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WORDS FOR WORSHIP
May God the Father make you a light for the nations and a beacon of faith in the midst of his people. Amen.
May Jesus Christ show you the way that leads to salvation and happiness, to justice and peace. Amen.
May the Holy Spirit come upon you with the fire of his love and inspire you to proclaim the Good News to the ends of the earth. Amen.
And may almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
