The Third Sunday of Lent, 3rd 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 Third Sunday of Lent, Sunday, 3rd March, 2024, Cycle B,
Extract taken from Seasons of the Word” by Fr Denis McBride C.S.s.R.
DISTURBING THE PEACE: In the story of today’s Gospel Jesus is openly aggressive . Words give way to actions; verbal opposition gives way to forceful defiance. Jesus moves into the arena of the chief priests to work against the power that devalues his beliefs. There is no politeness or subtlety about the scene. His verbs were clearly aggressive making a whip, driving traders and cattle out of the Temple, knocking over tables of money. Where there was peace, he brings total disruption; where there was business as usual, he brings unusual hostility. Jesus command is clear: “Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market”. After Jesus clears the Temple, the holy place is reclaimed for the worship of God. But soon enough, as John tells us, the Temple will be replaced by a new sanctuary where people can meet God – in the person of the risen Jesus himself. The portrait of Jesus in today’s Gospel is a world away from the storybook caricature of Jesus, the meek and mild figure whose harmlessness looks indistinguishable from blankness. Jesus did use force in the Temple; he was certainly aggressive. But he did not use force to secure a coup d’etat he was not a nationalist leader. Nor did he use aggression to gain power for himself – his kingdom could not be established with violence. Jesus’ aggression was at the service of his Father’s house, for the advancement of the kingdom of God. The casualties of his aggression turned out to be displaced traders and cattle. If our own aggression could be employed for the advancement of God’s kingdom, perhaps God’s kingdom could be a more obvious domain in today’s world. But we hang back from confronting the powers that devalue our beliefs. In drawing back we continue to give permission to the traders to occupy the Temple. Sometimes disturbing the peace is the only Christian option.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues my feet from the snare. Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: You, Lord, have the message of eternal life.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Praise to you O Christ, King of eternal glory! I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord, whoever believes in me will never die.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
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In Memoriam- Please keep all those parishioners/friends who have died in your prayers; and may they & all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ.
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 £545.40p. 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. From now on, the children will be invited onto the sanctuary, with their catechists & parents, from the offertory until the sign of peace.
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 ask Fr Mario or Mike to let me know that you are interested or phone me on 07901105591 so we can have a chat . Thank you.
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 3rd March.
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.
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 leader will be the Grace Group Diane Baylis.
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 onhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8fO6FLk0X8&list=PLAxn1pJuKMKrNTQYvfoUW9VG1Alb_pT86
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. There is also a poster on the back of the main Church door with details. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
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 6th, 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 Saturday night Mass (New readers are always most welcome).Please give your name, Tel. No. And email address to Fr Mario, Deacon Mike or myself or post through the Presbytery letter box. I usually attend the 9.30am Sunday Mass. Thank you. Carmel Harrison.
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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
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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.
FURTHER THREAT TO THE UNBORN OF ABORTION UP TO BIRTH: In the next couple of weeks an attempt is to be made to widely decriminalise abortion up to the birth. This is a further assault on the sanctity of human life in our society. This extreme amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill is being made by Diana Johnson MP and parliamentarians will be under pressure to support the amendment on grounds of compassion for mothers who seek to abort their unborn child beyond the legal limits. The effect would be to withdraw legal protection from the unborn. It is important to make our voice heard in support of the unborn child. Please contact your Member of Parliament to ask that they oppose the decriminalization of abortion up to birth (Insert name and e-mail or postal address of your local Member of Parliament). The Right to Life website has details under ‘Take Action’ which enables you to find and contact your MP directly and the website of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has helpful information under ‘Resources.’ The Right to Life website also has details of an alternative amendment by Caroline Ansell MP to reduce the legal limit for abortion from 24 to 22 weeks on the basis of the increased survival rates for babies being born at 22 and 23 weeks. We cannot doubt the impact which your e-mail or letter will have in making known opposition to decriminalizing abortion up to birth and in support of the value of every human life.
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Saturday 2nd 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Kathleen Connolly RIP
Third Sunday of Lent 3rd 9.30am Colleen Edge RIP
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 4th 9.15am Phillie McLean
Tuesday 5th 9.15am Margaret Brannock RIP
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 6th 9.15am Alf Shipman B.day Rem
Thursday 7th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 8th 9.15am World Peace
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
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 24th 6.30pm Special Ints Elaine Newell
Third Sunday of Lent 25th 11.00am Chris Locke RIP
Monday 26th 12 Noon UCM
Tuesday 27th 12 Noon Audrey Zost RIP
Wednesday 28th 12.Noon Elaine Curry Sp. Int.
Thursday 29th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Michael Mannion RIP
Friday 1st 12 Noon Ronald Cowle RIP
Saturday 2nd 6.30pm Eva O’Toole RIP
Fourth Sunday of Lent 3rd 11.00am Martin Patric Gorman BdayRem
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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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