The Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19th November, 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
Deacon: Revd Michael Daly Phone: 0151 645 3314
Email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites http://www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
The Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19th November, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: CAPITAL GROWTH
Young Antonio's voice was high and squeaky and so he did not pass the auditions for the Cremona Boys' Choir. When he took violin lessons, the neighbours persuaded his parents to make him stop. Yet Antonio still wanted to make music.
His friends gave him a hard time because his only talent was whittling wood. When Antonio was older he served as an apprentice to a violinmaker. His knack for whittling grew into a skill of carving and his hobby became his craft. He worked patiently and faithfully. By the time he died, he left over 1,500 violins, each one bearing a label that read, "Antonio Stradivarius." They are the most sought-after violins in the world and sell for more than £1,000,000 each. Antonio couldn't sing or play or preach or teach but his responsibility was to use his ability, and his violins are still making beautiful music today.
Our potential is God's gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to God. Are you investing what you've been given, regardless of how much it is? Or, have you buried your blessing and kept it hidden from others?
We can sometimes confuse hiding our talents with humility, with not wanting to push ourselves forward. Yet if we stop to think for just a moment we'll soon realise that, whatever our talent is, it is God-given. God has entrusted us with skills and talents to be used for his divine purpose. And no one else can ever be you and me. We're unique, with unique gifts that God has welded into our character and personality. And it's part of God's plan from the beginning of time that we should use what we have been given so that the good news of the gospel might be spread and people should come to experience God through you and me.
Today's gospel reminds us that life will not last forever on this earth. The master is returning and we are returning to our master. What answer will we have to give him when he asks what we have done with all that he gave us? Will we have buried it, or will we have produced a capital return?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction. You will call upon me, and I will answer you, and I will lead back your captives from every place.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: O blessed are those who fear the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Even if you have to die, says the Lord, keep faithful, and I will give you the crown of life. Alleluia.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: to be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in the God the Lord.
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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.
Pope Francis’s Intentions for November: For the Pope:
We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfils his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £731.35p. Cafod Collection between St John’s & St Luke’s: £526.00p of which £295.00p was gift aided. Thank you for your continued generosity in these difficult times.
Clergy Education & Training Fund: There will be a retiring collection over THIS weekend 18th/19th November. Thank you for your support.
Cards and Gift Bags in aid of the SVP: There are some new cards and gift bags on the table at the back of Church; proceeds from all sales go to St John's SVP. Christmas cards and novelties coming next week!
If you have any queries or ideas, 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. Also use the box at the back of church for your suggestions. Mike Daly’s Homilies are available on the Parish Website. Log in details 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.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
In Memoriam Please keep all those parishioners and friends who have died recently in your prayers and may they and all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ.
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help support your Foodbank with food & funds. All donations need to be listed on the notice board of items urgently needed. Please continue to support this as much as you can in these difficult times.
Food Christmas Appeal: A Reverse Advent Calendar has been produced and copies are on the table at the back of church. If you are able to help, do take a copy, this would be an ideal way to assist less fortunate families in our area. Thank you for your continued generosity to all our appeals for help. They are greatly appreciated. Wirral Foodbank.
Confirmation Programme 2023: There will be a Service of Reconciliation for those making their Confirmation at 7.00pm on Monday 20th November at St John's. The Service of Confirmation is on Wednesday 22nd November at 7.00pm at St John's and ALL are welcome to offer their prayers and support. Please keep all our candidates in your prayers as they approach this great Sacrament and continue their faith journey.
HEALTH & SAFETY: IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: The Health & Safety Officer for the Diocese issued the following MANDATORY instruction. “No electrical equipment is to be brought in & used in church without evidence of a recent PAT-test & then only with the express permission of the Parish Priest.” If in doubt please speak to Tony Delaney, Health & Safety Officer for St John the Evangelist.
Fr Mario's Appeal - How to help: The easiest way to contribute to parish funds is via the collection plate - cash or cheques (made payable to St John's New Ferry) are equally acceptable .If you are a tax payer and have an existing Gift Aid declaration and envelopes, please use these so that tax can be claimed back. Bank transfers: Lloyds Bank, sort code 30-15-52, account no. 54641168, in the name of St John's New Ferry. Please use your name as a reference so that Gift Aid can be claimed if possible. Or contact Carol on 07808 975011.
We were all shocked and saddened to learn of the death last week of Fr Mario’s younger sister, Helen. If you would like to make a contribution to assist Helen’s family at this difficult time, please see Maria Fryer, who is co-ordinating a collection for them.
St John’s Parish Christmas Party will be held on Friday 15th December at 7pm in the Lyceum Club, Port Sunlight. Tickets are £5 adults, £2.50 children. Tickets on sale after Mass. We will also hold a raffle to raise funds for the Parish. Donations will be gratefully received, please put in the box at back of church.
As you will be aware, we are having problems with the church organ / keyboard. Rest assured work is in progress behind the scenes to rectify this asap.
A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Secretary at the parish of Holy Cross, Our Lady & St Paul, Birkenhead. Hours: 12 per week, to be spread over Tuesday to Friday mornings (flexible). hourly rate: £11 to £13 depending on experience. For further details please see the Diocesan Website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ Applications in the form of a CV and covering letter should be sent to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date: 1 December 2023.
Caritas is hosting its first Christmas Fair on Tuesday, 21st November at St. Joseph’s Social Club, Birkenhead. The link to the website https://www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk/2023/10/17/christmas-fair-and-market/
CAFOD: There is an Emergency Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal notice on the notice board at the back of church.
A Prayer for the work of Mary's Meals: We ask you Lord to bless the work of Mary's Meals; that it will continue to reach more desperately hungry children who will then be fed at school and receive an education that can give them hope for the future.
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Saturday 18th 10.00am Carmel Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 19th 5.00pm Norman Comyns Annv.
9.30am Rod Caird RIP
11.00am Brian Jones RIP (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 20th 9.15am Helen Otuisa RIP
7.00pm Sacrament of Reconciliation for Confirmation Candidates
Tuesday 21st 9.15am Joe Moore RIP
Wednesday 22nd NO MORNING MASS TODAY
7.00pm Sacrament of Confirmation
Thursday 23rd 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Dec’d Members of Thwaite Family
Friday 24th 9.15am Dec’d Rels & Fnds Davenport Fam
Saturday 25th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Rev Philip White RIP
Sunday - Feast of Christ the King 26th 9.30am In Honour of St Anne – Pray for Families
11.00am Frank Bushell RIP (St Luke’s)
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 18th 6.30pm Franklin Family Intentions
Thirty Third Sunday 19th 11.15am Dec’d members of Jones and McClure Families and friends
Monday 20th 12 Noon Margaret Kennish RIP
Tuesday 21st 12 Noon Mary Kane RIP
Wednesday 22nd 12 Noon Eileen Cantillon RIP
Thursday 23rd 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 24th 12 Noon Dec’d Mbrs of Edwards and Power Families
Saturday 25th 6.30pm Norah White Anniv
Feast of Christ the King 26th 11.15am Pray for Families——————————————————————————————————-
