The Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 22nd 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 Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 22nd October, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
The Pharisees & Herodians were bitter opponents; the Pharisees favoured Israel's independence as a religious homeland, the Herodians supported the Roman occupation. Both feared Jesus as a troublemaker so they made an alliance to try & catch him out.
The question about taxes in today's gospel boils down to this: Are you in favour of Rome or Israel? Whatever the answer he was sure to step into the trap. We know what happened: Give to Caesar what is Caesar's & to God what is God's.
Besides being a very clever answer it also points to something much deeper than the obvious. Jesus is not some sort of revolutionary who invites his followers to overthrow the civil authorities. He recognises their legitimacy but he alludes to something beyond the here & now, to the things of God.
Is there anything that does not belong to God? Is there any arena of public interest that belongs only to politicians & has nothing to do with the divine? Presumably not, given that the world is God's; it is God whose design is stamped upon it.
Nothing weakens the impact of our faith more than putting it into a neat religious compartment. Never discuss religion or politics, they say. They only say it because they're scared of what might happen if we do, so we're lured into the social convention of thinking that it's somehow not decent to wear our religion on our sleeve. Religion should be a personal matter, they say. That's because it has uncomfortable consequences when we display it in the light of day. When politicians know that they have produced legislation that is questionable, they usually try to silence religious leaders by claiming that they should keep religion out of politics, should stick to hymns & prayers rather than public demonstration.
Faith must be the leaven of society, not one of its side-shows. That's because the image stamped on our tax coins may well be Caesar's, but the image stamped on those who pay the taxes is unmistakably God's.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Give the Lord glory and power.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord, consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.
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Pope Francis has called for a day of prayer & fasting on Friday 27th October. The Holy Father asks us to fast & pray for peace in the Holy Land & in the world. According to local circumstances, let us share in this prayer of intercession in the celebration of Mass that day; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Prayers of the Rosary at St John’s at 08.20am & at St Anne’s at 11.00am. An hour of prayer for peace will take place at St Peter’s Basilica from 6.00pm on 27th.
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, please 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 £397.20p. Also donations of £404 for bills. Plus a further £50 for the SVP. Thank you for your generosity in these difficult times.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 this 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.
November events at Irenaeus: On Saturday 11th we’ve got the next ‘Come & See’ day then, on Sunday 12th we’ve having the Remembrance Mass followed by the Blessing of the Rose Garden. If you want to donate a rose for someone you love, please contact us. Everyone is very welcome to both events. See posters at the back of church for further details of these events.
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 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 Rec Decd (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 23rd 9.15am For Peace in the World
Tuesday 24th 9.15am For all Carers
Wednesday 25th 9.15am For all Prisoners
Thursday 26th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
In Honour of St Anne
Friday 27th 9.15am In Honour of St John
Saturday 28th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Lilly & Harold Thwaite Anniv
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 29th 9.30am For all our School Children
11.00am Mary & Ernie Turner (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.
With effect from 23/10, the weekdays Masses on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at St John’s will be celebrated in the Side Chapel.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 21st 6.30pm Women Suffering from Abuse
Twenty Ninth Sunday 22nd 11.15am David Bardon RIP
Monday 23rd 12 Noon Mary Mercer RIP
Tuesday 24th 12 Noon .Ann Vesey Bday Wishes
Wednesday 25th 12 Noon For Families
Thursday 26th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Friday 27th 12 Noon All members of The Holy Family of Bordeaux (living and dead)
Saturday 28th 6.30pm Frederick Woolfall Bday Remb
Thirtieth Sunday 29th 11.15am Robert Henderson 1st Anniv RIP
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WORD OF GOD: Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God. (Matthew 22:21)
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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