The Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 15th October, 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 Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 15th October, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: DRESS CODE
The parable of the king's wedding feast at first seems easy enough to understand. He invited guests to his son's wedding but they all found excuses not to come. And so he sent his servants out onto the streets to gather in anyone they could find so that the celebration could go ahead, the feast could begin and the food and drink would not be wasted.
Discerning readers will realise that Jesus has been goading the chief priests and the elders of the Jews. In this parable he's telling them that although they inherited the promises of God, they have lost sight of what this means and as a result no longer qualify as guests at the wedding. They are going to miss the festivity while common and garden people are going to take their places.
So far so good, you may think. But what about the man who has no wedding garment and is thrown out of the reception hall? This sting in the tail throws us and makes us wonder why Jesus has gone and ruined such a nice story. Surely the man couldn't help the way he was dressed?
Unlike today, when some people make a safari out of shopping for a "new wedding outfit", the people invited to a wedding in Jesus' time did not need to worry about what they wore. The family of the bride and groom provided the clothes so that no one looked out of place.
What seems to have happened at this wedding is that the man deliberately chose not to wear the required garment. He refused the dress code and thought he could carry on, on his own terms, without respecting the custom and convention.
By our baptism we have accepted our wedding invitations. We are invited to the feast of the kingdom of God. But are we coming on God's terms or our own? Do we stand in solidarity with the Church, the Bride of Christ, or do we have our own particular ways of interpreting the "rules" especially when they make demands of us? Do we consider some of the Church's teaching to be for other people but not for us? Do we happily share the riches of the banquet of life with only a nod in the direction of our responsibilities as guests? Are we wearing the white garment of our baptism at the wedding feast of life?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, O God of Israel.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The word was made flesh and lived among us: to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.
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Sunday is a special day of prayer for World Missions
WORLD MISSION DAY: World Mission Sunday is an opportune occasion to increase our awareness of the urgent necessity to participate in the evangelising mission undertaken by the local communities and many Church organisations, in particular the Pontifical Mission Societies and the Missionary Institutes. This mission requires the support not only of prayer and sacrifice, but also of concrete material offerings. I take this opportunity to recall once again the valuable service rendered by the Pontifical Mission Societies and I ask you all to support them generously with spiritual and material co-operation.
World Mission Sunday: There will be a retiring collection over the weekend 21st/22nd October. Many thanks for your continued generosity. There are envelopes on the table at the back of the church, pl ease take one. If you are a taxpayer, please fill in the section at the back of the envelope. Envelopes can be returned by weekend 4th/5th November.
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 £427.83p.
Thank you for your generosity.
St John’s SVP Collection – raised £217.38p. Thank you.
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 coming soon!
CAFOD Family Fast Day. Envelopes will be available on the table at the back of the church. If you are gift aided, please fill in the section on the envelope. Envelopes can be returned up to and including the weekend of 28th/29th October. Many thanks for your continued support to CAFOD.
The children from Y2 will be attending the morning Mass on Tuesday this 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 – is during the 9.30am Mass, all are most welcome.
Shrewsbury Diocese Catechetical Conference : Saturday 21/10/23 from 10am to 4pm at St Columba’s Church Hall, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PL, on the theme of ‘A Witness of Faith & a Keeper of the Memory of God’. All Catechist welcome to attend - full details on the Diocesan website, or call Anthony Timothy, Diocesan Mission Secretary, on 0151 652 9855.
In Memoriam – Please pray for those who have recently died, 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.
Confirmation Programme 2023: Enrolment for this year has now closed. The Confirmation Mass will be celebrated on 23/11/23.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Meeting at St John’s Church on Saturday 28th October at 9:15am. Please try to attend.
HEALTH & SAFETY: It is a requirement for all parish groups, using the presbytery & day chapel for meetings, FOR EACH to sign in upon entry to the presbytery & sign out when leaving. The book is located on the hall stand next to the office door. Thanks!
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: The Health & Safety Officer for the Diocese issued the following M&ATORY 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.
A Weekend Retreat The Shrine, Holywell 27-29 October 2023 18:00 Friday, 27 October –> 16:00 Sunday, 29 October 2023 Contact: Barbara Davies M: 07450 252 733 barbara.davies@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
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.
St Anne’s Parish Event- All our welcome to an evening of music and entertainment by Mal King on Friday 27th October in St Anne’s Parish Centre from 7pm. Raffle, refreshments and Irish Bingo, tickets £5 from Sheila McAlister – 07484285954. Fundraising for MNDA.
November Lists: Please ensure that all names for the November List are handed into the presbytery by Sunday, 22nd October. This allows time to compile the lists. Please make the envelopes "For the attention of Ann Murray" and please print all names clearly. Many thanks.
Foundation Governors: The Governors at St John’s Catholic Junior School are currently recruiting Foundation Governors.The role would suit someone with an interest in serving our community and supporting the needs of our school children. Access to a range of training is available as well as induction and mentoring. Foundation Governors are appointed by the Bishop, therefore candidates are required to be a practising Catholic. Anyone interested should send an email with an overview of their experience and skills for the attention of Gillian Dyche and Tony Rutherford (Co Chairs) to schooloffice@stjohns-junior.wirral.sch.uk An informal chat can also be arranged if preferred by sending an email to this address.
OCTOBER MONTH OF THE ROSARY: As usual a pilgrim statue will go from house to house to form a rosary chain of prayer. If you would like the statue for a day, please contact Maria on 07576243343.
Healing Service- our next healing service will be on Friday 3rd November at 7pm. If you didn’t attend the first one you missed a very enjoyable, prayerful and reflective hour. All most welcome.
CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY INTERNSHIPS : Castlerigg Manor (The Lancaster Diocese Youth Service) are looking for young Catholics aged 18-25 to join their Youth Ministry Internship Programme. The scheme lasts for one or two years and gives participants wide ranging experience, skills, training, and qualifications as well as the opportunity to work with a fantastic team based in the Lake District. For more information contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk
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Saturday 14th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Graham Sabino RIP Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 15th 9.30am Theresa Rossiter RIP
11.00am Barry Robinson (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 16th 9.15am William Halpin RIP
Tuesday 17th 9.15am Anna Guttridge
Wednesday 18th 9.15am In Honour of St Luke
Thursday 19th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 20th 9.15am John Mullins RIP
Saturday 21st 10.00am Carmelite Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Billy Ryan
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 22nd 9.30am Alwyn & Tony Weedon 50th Wedding Anniv
11.00am Georgina Barrett Recently Dec’d (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 14th 6.30pm Thanksgiving for prayers answered
Twenty Eighth Sunday 15th 11.15am Jim McAllister 3rd Anniv
Monday 16th 12 Noon Barbara Simmons Bday Remb
Tuesday 17th 12 Noon .Geraldine O’Brian RIP
Wednesday 18th 12 Noon The Sick, Health Workers & Carers
Thursday 19th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Peace in Israel and Palestine
Friday 20th 12 Noon Doyle Family Intentions
Saturday 21st 6.30pm Women Suffering from Abuse
Twenty Ninth Sunday 22nd 11.15am David Bardon RIP
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WORD OF GOD On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of food rich and juicy, of fine strained wines. (Isaiah 25: 6).
Pope Francis' Intention for October: For the Synod: We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.
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