The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 29th February, 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
The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 19th February, 2023. Cycle A
Extract from “Seasons of the Word” Fr Denis McBride C.Ss.R The story is told of a holy man who used to meditate every morning under a large tree on the banks of the river Ganges in northern India. The place he chose was near a site of pilgrimage where Hindus came to wash in the sacred river and cleanse themselves from sin. One morning, after he had finished his meditation, the old man noticed a large scorpion floating helplessly on the strong current of the river. The more is struggled to free itself the more entangled in became in the twining roots. The old man reached out to free the scorpion and as soon as he touched it, the scorpion lifted his tail and stung him wildly, but the old man reached in and freed it. A young man passing shouted “Old man, what’s wrong with you, you must be mad! Why bother risking your life to save such an ugly, useless creature”. The old man turned, and in his pain there was a question. “Friend, because it is the nature of the scorpion to sting, why should I give up my own nature to save?” The story of the old man and the scorpion raises a problem that we all face; do we take our cue from the treatment we receive from others, or do we continue in the way of graciousness even when we get stung ourselves? Jesus argues that the love his disciples give people is not related to the love they receive from others: it is not a social contract or a fair bargain. The disciple loves because that is what the nature of discipleship involves. A disciple is the child of the Father – and look at the Father’s graciousness. Jesus does not believe that love transforms enemies into friends. Love did not solve all Jesus’ problems with his enemies. In the end he was the one who reached out to free others and was stung in the process. He was stung to death, but he stayed with his supreme value because that emerged from who he was as the Son of the Father. Love is his way and it stays his way no matter what appears on the agenda, Even the scorpions.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: The Lord is compassion and love.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON ; I recount all your wonders, I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
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Weekend Masses - Please note that the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed immediately before each mass. Please use this as a time for prayer and quiet devotion.
Devotions/Adoration: From now on, Saturday Morning Devotions will be prayed in Church (the Rosary, Divine Mercy and Divine Praises) from 10:30am- 11:30am. Fr Mario will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this time 10.30-11.00am. All most welcome.
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. Please also use the box at the back of church for your suggestions.
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. Remember Mass intentions can be for anything you choose. Thank you.
Please continue to keep all of our sick parishioners in your thoughts and prayers.
Children's Liturgy – is during the 9.30am Mass, all are most welcome. Tea and Coffee :is still suspended for now.
Mother’s Prayers - The next meeting will be this Tuesday 21st February at 7pm. All are most welcome to attend; please use the presbytery door.
In Memorium- Please pray for the repose of the soul of Frank Morris. Funeral Mass at St Johns on Monday 13th March 2023 at 11.00am followed by burial at Bebington (Town Lane ) 12.30pm. May he and all the faithful departed Rest In Peace.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £533.85p. The Retired Priests Collection raised £465.74p. Thank you for your generosity in these difficult times.
Wirral Ark- have written thanking St John's and St Luke's for the very kind donation of £360. " Your incredible donation helps provide accommodation and support to many of our residents". Many thanks for your generosity. The letter will be on the main noticeboard at the back.
CAFOD Family Fast: 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 and including Palm Sunday, 2nd April. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
MISSALS : A number of parishioners commented that they appreciated the Missals which are handed out at Masses at St Anne’s, We have looked into buying some for St John’s but this would be quite an expensive exercise. If you feel that you would like to have these Missals available here, and so that we can gauge the genuine level of interest, please leave a comment to this effect in the Suggestion Box between now and Easter Sunday.
School Holidays- As half term begins we wish all our school community a happy & peaceful time. For any family in need of school uniforms, there is an abundance available for free from Lower Bebington Methodist Church, Bromborough Rd., which can be collected from Margaret Allen each Wednesday & Friday between 1-4pm. Please pass this message on.
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
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.
Altar-Servers - Please encourage any child who has made their First Holy Communion to consider becoming an Altar-Server. Names to be given to Mike Daly, who will arrange for their training and support.
CAFOD Syria-Turkey Earthquake Appeal : CAFOD is responding with support of provision of food, water, shelter, medical assistance etc. for survivors. Your donations in recent months have made a quick response possible. Let us join CAFOD in praying for our sisters & brothers affected by the earthquakes & the winter weather. Your support for CAFOD throughout the year allows our Catholic agency to act quickly when disasters strike. More details on CAFOD’s Syria Turkey Emergency Appeal online at : https://cafod.org.uk/give
Birkenhead Gang Show 2023- Birkenhead Scouts Present “Together we Can” at the Gladstone Theatre Wednesday 22nd February to Saturday 25th February. Booking Office- 0151 652 3737. Further details on the poster at the back of church.
Materials for reflection following the Synodal Submissions
In submissions to the Synodal Process, many people expressed a desire for formation ie.g. Scripture, spirituality and, specifically, the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. To meet these requests, the Department for Evangelisation is offering an introduction to the Council, together with a presentation of two of its major Documents: Dei Verbum (on Revelation) and Lumen Gentium (on the Church). The aim is simply to give an overview of both documents, and enough insight into their content and ongoing importance to encourage people to read the texts for themselves, copies of both of which are available at the CTS or on the Vatican website.This presentation will take the form of a recorded conversation between Miss Barbara Davies (Coordinator for New Evangelisation) and Dr Stephen Yates (Senior Mission Catechist). The mp3 audio file will be available on the diocesan website from the beginning of Lent; the material will not, however, be time-bound. Printable handouts will enable individual and group reflection. For further information, please contact either Barbara (07730 526821) or Stephen (07842 487978).
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Saturday 18th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Ints Christine Brockway
Seventh Sunday of the Year 19th 9.30am Mario Jonathan Lesmana RIP
11.00am Patricia Whitacker RIP (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 20th 9.15am For Unemployed People
Tuesday 21st 9.15am Ints Sir David Attenborough
Ash Wednesday 22nd 10.00am For Mark, Eleventh Bishop of Shrewsbury
Ordination Anniversary
7.00pm Ints Peter Hooper
Thursday 23rd 7.00pm Mrs Robson
Friday 24th 9.15am Rondy Gazeley RIP
Saturday 25th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Ints Burnell Family
First Sunday of Lent 26th 9.30am Alf Shipman Birthday Anniv
11.00am Vincent Schoenstein RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 18th 6.30pm Paula Richards Martin 6thAnniv.
Seventh Sunday of the Year 19th 11.15am Godwin Raymon Special Int.
Monday 20th 12 Noon Mary Blakemore Anniv.
Tuesday 21st 12 Noon Augustina Clement Get well
Ash Wednesday 22nd 12 Noon The Turkish/Syrian people affected by the Earthquake
Thursday 23rd 7.00pm Gerard Corkish RIP
Friday 24th 12 Noon Margaret Doyle Anniv.
Saturday
Saturday 25th 6.30pm Eileen Law Annv.
First Sunday of Lent 26th 11.15am Joanne Jones 10th Anniv.
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