The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 16th February, 2025. Cycle C
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 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th February 2025, Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: FEELING HAPPY?
When we read the Beatitudes we can find ourselves becoming cynical. Do we really want to be poor? Do we yearn to weep? Do we long to be hated and hungry? Probably not. So how do we make sense of what Jesus is teaching his disciples? Do we simply pass the Beatitudes off as nice spiritual thoughts, maybe for nuns and monks enclosed in their monasteries, but thoughts that we really don’t want to embrace ourselves?
Often we misunderstand the words that Jesus is using. Take “poor”, for example. The word does not refer to economic conditions but to an attitude of mind. Instead it means someone who is devoted, who knows their absolute dependence on God. The opposite word, “rich” means self-reliant, self-sufficient or satisfied. So what Jesus is saying is not that poor people are better off than those with money but that it’s better to rely on God than to think we can go it alone. Those who know that the Lord holds them in the palm of his hand at every moment already possess the kingdom of God.
Our translations sometimes say “Happy are you…” or “Blessed are you…” The happiness of the Beatitudes is something that is not affected by circumstances. It is the bliss that God enjoys, one that is profound and unchanging. To believe in the promises of the Beatitudes means to be so centred on our relationship with God that the troubles and strife of this life cannot shake our faith.
So the obvious question for us when we listen to Jesus today is “Are we really happy?” Do we experience a great joy and comfort from our faith or do we find it a bind, an extra burden that non-believers are spared? Would life be easier for us if we didn’t have to practise our religion? Would we miss it if it weren’t there or would we be relieved?
When Jesus says that the kingdom of God “is” ours he is speaking on two levels. Our perseverance will win us eternal happiness in heaven. But it’s also ours here and now. Living the Beatitudes means enjoying the kingdom day in and day out. So the final question is clear: Do you feel blessed and are you happy?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: They ate and had their fill, and what they craved the Lord gave them; they were not disappointed in what they craved.
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SUNDAY IS A SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.
Saturday please pray for Mark, eleventh Bishop of Shewsbury on the anniversary of his ordination to the episcopate (2010)
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 11.00am- 11.30am.
All morning services will take place in St Anne’s house. At St John’s, Monday and Friday Masses will be held in the Day Chapel, Tuesday and Wednesday Masses will remain in the main Church.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total was £511.91p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Lourdes Appeal: Tony Murphy will be visiting St John's over the weekend 22nd/23rd February to appeal on behalf of Across Jumbulance to Lourdes.
Further to the recent Boiler appeal, a separate bank account has now been set up specifically to ‘ring fence’ contributions to the new boiler fund. Please make cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry and write 29001/NFJ/DU on the reverse. Cash donations should be placed in an envelope with 29001/BNFJ/DU written on the outside.
Thank you for the further generous donations received towards the Boiler Fund.
Bookings for the reception & Celebration of Sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation & Wedding, Please enquire & arrange for these through the parish emails / Secretaries of St. Anne’s & St. John’s. Also contact the Parish Priest/ Administrator through 0151-645-3314 You can also get in touch with Carol Dalziel on 7808975011 or Ann Murray on 07745490279, regarding general parish queries.
SJE’s Parish Safeguarding Officer is Celia Daly, who can be contacted on 0151-645 9256 on all safeguarding matters.
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. We are receiving numerous Mass intentions for the same dates. Every effort is taken, but it is impossible to fulfil every request as dates have already been filled and, therefore, we will deal with them on a first come first serve basis. If a particular date is requested please give at least THREE week’s notice. If the date has been filled, we will put your intention in as near as possible to the original date. Thank you for your patience and co-operation.
In Memoriam: Please continue to pray for all our parishioners who have recently died and their grieving families. May they and all the faithful departed, rest in the peace of Christ.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
Sunday Morning Teas continue on the first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date is SUNDAY 2nd MARCH 2025.
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.
The Registration for First Holy Communion Preparation Classes has now started and the preparation classes for the children will commence at the beginning of February. Kindly contact the parish office for the registration form. These forms are for children who do not attend a catholic school.
Discover Catholic Social Teaching – An Online Course for Parishes Are you ready to explore the heart of Catholic Social Teaching? Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) invites you to join Catholic Social Teaching: An Introduction, a dynamic online course designed specifically for parishioners, staff, and volunteers. Whether you’re new to Catholic Social Teaching or looking for a refresher, this course will inspire and empower you to bring your faith to life. When and Where?
Five one-hour Zoom sessions
📅 Every Tuesday in March and Tuesday, 1 April 2025
🕒 Convenient and flexible timing for all
What’s in Store? Learn the key principles of Catholic Social Teaching in an accessible and engaging way. Hear real-life stories from CSAN members working on the frontlines of poverty and exclusion, bringing theory to life. Be inspired to put your faith into action within your parish and community. Just £95 for all five sessions!
This includes a copy of Raymond Friel’s "Catholic Social Teaching: An Introduction for Schools, Parishes, and Charities." Ready to Take the Next Step?
For any questions, feel free to reach out to Bernadette at bernadette.durcan@csan.org.uk. Let’s deepen our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and work together to transform our communities with the love and justice of Christ!
Lenten lunches- Soup will be served after 12 o’clock Mass at St Anne’s church every Friday during Lent. If you are available to help please contact Paddy on 07862 11712
From Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality: There will be a meeting of Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality at St Columba's Church (Newman Room ),Plas Newton Lane Chester CH2 1SA on Saturday 1st March at 2.00pm. Please forward any apologies, or items to be discussed under AOB, to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk
The Chair of St. Peter, represented in the apse of the Vatican Basilica, is a monumental sculpture by Bernini. It is a symbol of the unique mission of Peter and his Successors to tend Christ's flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity.
CAFOD Family Fast Day 16th March: Please take a CAFOD envelope, available on the table at the back of church. (If you are a taxpayer, please complete the Gift Aid section). Envelopes can be returned by SUNDAY, 16th MARCH. Thank you for your continued support and generosity to CAFOD.
+55 Group: Sheila McAllister sends her sincere thanks to all who attended last Tuesday's meeting and raised £298 for the Laughter Africa appeal.
Day by Day Booklets for Lent are now on sale, price £1. They are on the table at the back of the church.
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Saturday 15th 5.00pm Patricia Doolan
The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th 9.30am Linda McCaffery RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 17th 9.15am Ralph Fryer RIP
Tuesday 18th 9.15am In honour of St Luke – Pray for the sick, health workers and carers.
Wednesday 19t h 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 20th NO MASS
Friday 21st 9.15am Decd Rel/Fnds Blakeway Family
Saturday 22nd 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Angela McIvor RIP
The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 23rd 9.30am Lily & Harold Thwaite RIP
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 15th 12 noon Carmelite Mass
6.30pm Phillip O’Sullivan RIP
The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 16th 11.00am Pat & Phil McCarthy
Monday 17th 12 noon Rose & Clive Larkin
Tuesday 18th 12 noon For the Sick, Health Workers & Carers
Wednesday 19th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Defeat of the A.S Bill &
All the Ints of Sr Sandra
Thursday 20th NO MASS
Friday 21st 12 noon Ints Allan & Helen Hughs
Saturday 22nd 6.30pm Bishop Mark Davis Anniversary of his ordination to the Episcopate
The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 23rd 11.00am Chris Brett RIP
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Pope Francis’s Prayer Intentions for February 2025
For vocations to the priesthood and religious life
Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ's mission in the priesthood and religious life.
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