The Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1st 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 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1st October, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE TWO SONS
There are three ways of reading today's parable about the two sons who were asked to go and work in the vineyard.
One way is to view it as a simple story about two men. The first told his father that he would go and work, but he broke his promise and never bothered to do what he had agreed to do. The second son ignored his father's request but later thought better of it and went to the vineyard to work. Jesus asks his audience which of the two sons they think did the father's will. It's obvious that it's the second son.
Another way of looking at this parable is to realise that Jesus was addressing it to the religious leaders rather than the ordinary people. They were represented by the first son. They had learnt all the laws and customs of their religion, they went to the synagogue and the Temple, but they were lukewarm in their love of God and neighbour, knowing how to do the minimum and still stay on the side of right. The second son symbolised the ordinary people who perhaps were not as involved as the religious leaders but nevertheless delivered the goods when it mattered. Jesus told this parable in the last week of his life when the religious leaders stepped up their attack on him. It's not surprising that they were annoyed!
Or perhaps the best way of reading this parable, in order to make sense of it here and now, is to recognise that each of us has a bit of both sons in us. There's a part of us that has said yes to God but when it's crunch time we know that we largely go through the motions when it comes to our faith. We are seen at Church but we're not prepared really to get involved in our community and we leave that up to those who usually can be relied on to step forward when help is needed. And yet there's another part of us, the second son, which realises our need to respond in a deeper fashion to God's call. We don't want to be thought of as religious maniacs but in our heart of hearts we know that God is calling out to us and we put in just enough effort to stay on the books.
Maybe this parable is inviting us to be clear about those areas where we're slow to act on our faith, and to do something about it?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgement, for we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments. But give glory to your name and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Remember your mercy Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Remember your word to your servant, O Lord, by which you have given me hope. This is my comfort when I am brought low.
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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. Saturday 7th October is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, with a Rosary Service at 10.30am, preceded by the Cenacle Mass at 10:00am, These will replace the usual morning devotions this week.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £686.47p. Thank you for your generosity.
HOME MISSIONS SUNDAY: There will be a retiring collection this weekend, 30th Sept/1st October..
There will be a retiring collection for St John's SVP over the weekend of 7th/8th October.
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.
Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies: The diocesan Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) have resumed, with both an online course or daytime classes in Wythenshawe. Details are at: www.educationshrewsbury.org/formation-development/ccrs or enquiries to ccrs@diocseofshrewsbury.org
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: the Confirmation Programme for St Anne's, St John's & St Luke's is on a Thursday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at St John's Presbytery. It will run each week up to the day of the actual Confirmation which is on Wednesday 22nd November. Please contact Mike Daly at - daly.m@sky.com - to enrol. Please note - no applications will be taken after Sunday 08/10, when this year's programme will be closed.
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.
This year’s National Mass for Altar Servers is being hosted by the Archdiocese of Cardiff at the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint David on Saturday 14 October at 12 noon. All altar servers & their families are welcome to attend. Please see poster at the back of church for details.
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. The role of a School Governing Body is: · Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and direction of the school · Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils · Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent . 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
ROSARY SUNDAY The rosary is the most common of Catholic devotional prayers. The term derives from the Latin rosarium [rose garden], which by the fourteenth century had come to mean a collection of devotional texts. The rosary as we know it received its present form in the sixteenth century. On the other hand, its roots extend into the distant past. The custom of using knotted strings as a device for keeping count of prayers is found in many religious traditions. Christians also used such means to help in the continuous repetition of biblical passages or other text. By the eleventh century, the custom of saying 150 Our Fathers as a substitute for the psalms was widespread among the devout laity. This "poor person's breviary" was often was divided, as was the Psalter, into three sets of fifty; the strings of beads used to count them were called "pater nosters" [Our Fathers].
In the twelfth century, as Marian piety increased, the Angelic Salutation from Luke's Gospel was added to these, and soon the words of Elizabeth at Mary's Visitation as well. The development of a "rosary" consisting primarily of Hail Marys took place. The friars of the Dominican Order did the most to make it a general, popular prayer by propagating it through their preaching and the foundation of rosary confraternities, as well as by introducing a number of simplifications that standardised the prayer in its present form. Because of its practical simplicity and warmth it remains a widely popular prayer.
55's Club: Fish and chips at St Anne's Club at 12.30pm on Tuesday 3rd October. Please ring Sheila McAllister 07484285954
SYCAMORE WEBINAR A webinar about the Sycamore, a tool for evangelisation in parishes, will take place on Thursday 5th October at 7pm. Clare Dancaster and Natalie Orefice will provide the story of Sycamore, introducing the pathways, how to get started, a walkthrough of resources and support and training. This is an opportunity to discover how to use Sycamore in your parish. For more information or if you have any questions, please email: natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org telephone: 07730 526826 or to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/x/sycamore-webinar[1]tickets-676609335737. Online Event Page | Eventbrite
LET'S END POVERTY FOUNDING ASSEMBLY 14TH OCTOBER: We know that poverty in the UK is an avoidable, solvable problem that can be fixed. Will you join us to build the movement towards ending poverty in the UK? Find out more and book your place: https://letsendpoverty.co.uk/assembly/.
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Saturday 30th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm For Our World’s Harvest
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st 9.30am For All Workers
11.00am Ellen Kettle Anniv (St Luke’s)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 2nd 9.15am Bernard Brown RIP
Tuesday 3rd 9.15am Ints Pauline Morgan (Hospital)
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 4th 9.15am Graham Sabino RIP
Thursday 5th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 6th 9.15am For the Needy and Hungry in the World
Saturday 7th 10.00am Cenacle Mass, followed by Rosary Service at 10:30 for The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
5.00pm For Bishop Mark and all Church Leaders
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 8th 9.30am Mary Halpin RIP
11.00am Holy Souls (St Luke’s)
3.00pm Benediction
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 30th 6.30pm Betty McNally RIP
Twenty Fifth Sunday 1st 11.15am Jim Armstrong Bday Remeb
Monday 2nd 12 Noon UCM
Tuesday 3rd 12 Noon Tony Duff Bday Anniv
Wednesday 4th 12 Noon Anthony Sullivan Get Well
Thursday 5th 7.00pm Mary Cox RIP
MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 6th 12 Noon Larry Sullivan 100th Bday Remem
Saturday 7th 6.30pm Natalie Clinton RIP
Twenty Sixth Sunday 8th 11.15am Jack Ulyett 1st Anniv
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WORD OF GOD: I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. (Matthew21: 31)
CAFOD Family Fast Day is on 7th October. 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.
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