The Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 10th September, 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 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 10th September, 2023. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE LOST ART OF CONFRONTATION
When the new Mother Superior abolished the mid-morning coffee break the convent was in uproar. She claimed that it was an unwelcome intrusion into work time & only encouraged the Sisters to slacken off & spend time gossiping.
Sister Fulgentia was knocking on the Superior's door as soon as she heard the news. She pointed out that the coffee break was a long-st&ing part of the timetable, was welcomed by all & gave everyone a much-needed break from the daily routine in the various workshops. She hoped that the Superior would reconsider & go back on this terrible decision.
Sister Ignorata kept complaining about it but decided she wouldn't bother to make her views known. There was no point, she said; no one would take any notice of her. & when the Superior privately asked her about it she said that she didn't have any problem with the decision. But in her heart of hearts she missed the coffee break.
Sister Delusa didn't want to cause any fuss either. Perhaps it was all a storm in a teacup & it wasn't worth making waves. It wasn't really a very important matter & all this bad feeling was getting her down. Anything for a quiet life. Some people would find fault with everything.
Sister Rose was quite disappointed when she found out. But instead of going to the Superior herself she tried to get others to take up the cause. She spent all lunchtime trying to persuade the young novices to form a delegation. It would be better, she thought, if others approached the Superior.
How do you h&le confrontation when something needs sorting out? Do you tackle it head-on like Fulgentia? Do you blow hot & cold like Ignorata? Do you find yourself simply in denial about the problem like Delusa? Or like Rose do you try to persuade others to tackle the problem?
Today's gospel reminds us of our Christian responsibility to confront wrong & harm. The way we react to the coffee break is a good guide to how we probably deal with the more serious issues of Christian life.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: You are just, O Lord, & your judgement is right: treat your servant in accord with your merciful love.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts,
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord, consecrate us in the truth.Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God: my soul is thirsting for God, the living God,
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Monday is a special day of prayer for Education. Remember all of our school children who have returned recently.
Pope Francis' prayer intention for the month of September is for people living on the margins.
Important Notice- A group of parishioners & Fr Mario will be travelling to Poland on Monday for the Divine Mercy Pilgrimage. A box will be at the back of church during all Masses so you can leave an intention for them to take with them. All Masses next week will be covered by Canon Niall & Fr Michael, please see the Mass timetable over the page for details.
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 £562.28p. Thank you for your generosity.
PETERS PENCE There will be a retiring collection over this weekend 9th/10th September. Thank you for your continued generosity & support.
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.
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAYS: For the next few weeks, the Thursday night Mass will alternate between St Anne’s & St John’s.
In Memoriam – Please pray for the repose of the souls of Patrick Guthrie who died on 25th August (Funeral Mass at St John’s on Tuesday 19th September at 9.30am followed by Landican Crematorium at 11am), also Canon Ted Harrington, formerly of our Diocese, who died in Ireland on 05/09 at the age of 96. His funeral has taken place already. Please pray for all those who have died recently. May they 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 will start on Thursday 14th September & run 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 st& 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.
WIRRAL HERITAGE OPEN DAYS September 2023 Choirs, music groups, singers & anyone who likes singing hymns! You are invited to a HYMNS BIG SING! At ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS RC CHURCH NEW HEY ROAD, WOODCHURCH CH49 5LE Led by St Joseph’s Choir Birkenhead SATURDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 11.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon.
A message from Canon Christopher Matthews: The Pause for Hope Chester service taking place on Sunday 17 September at 3pm at Saint Columba's church in Chester. Pause for Hope is an ecumenical service for those affected in any way by, those suffering from, those supporting those living with, & those who have lost loved ones to, cancer. It is an opportunity to come together to support & pray for each other. More information is available on the website http://www.pauseforhope.org.uk
Women’s Weekend- At the Irenaeus Centre on 22nd-24th September. See poster at the back of church for details.
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 14th October at 12 noon. All altar servers & their families are welcome to attend. Please see poster at the back of church for details.
Parish pilgrimage to Shrewsbury cathedral, on Thursday 19th October. Cost £20 per person to include coach travel & lunch. Please see poster at 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
Congratulations to Claudia Fryer & Lee Russell who were married in St John's last Saturday. May they be blessed mightily in their life together.
A HUGE thank you to the parishioners who so kindly our new keyboard. The generosity within our parish community is beyond words.
Please consider Fr Mario’s recent appeal for support towards payment of future church energy bills. Every little helps to keep our beautiful church open & warm! A big thank you to all who have responded with such generosity already. More details of how to support to follow next week.
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Saturday 9th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Dave Kenny Anniv RIP
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 10th 9.30am Mary Ebbrell RIP
1.00am Holy Souls (St Luke’s)
3.00pm Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 11th Mass at St Anne’s only, 12 Noon
Tuesday 12th 9.15am Gaby Woelk RIP
Wednesday 13th Mass at St Anne’s only, 12 Noon
Thursday 14th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
For all who Suffer Injustice
Friday 15th Mass at St Anne’s only, 12 Noon (Funeral)
Saturday 16th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm For Vocations
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 17th 9.30am Kevin Smith RIP
11.00am Brenda Meys 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 9th 6.30pm Wilfred White Bday Remb
Twenty Third Sunday 10th 11.15am Kay Harrop 80th Bday
Monday 11th 12 Noon Ints Doyle Family
Tuesday 12th MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY 9:15
Wednesday 13th 12 Noon Mary Mercer RIP
Thursday 14th MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY 7:00PM
Friday 15th 12 Noon Funeral Mass - Francis Anthony Lavin RIP
Saturday 16th 6.30pm Patrick Smyth RIP
Twenty Fourth Sunday 17th 11.15am Daniel Brett 1st Anniv
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On Saturday the 16th of September Pat Jones & family members will be doing the Cheshire Memory walk for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of her husb& who died earlier this year. If you would like to sponsor them you can donate on line on the just giving website. www.justgiving.com/MarieWilliams204 or there will be sponsor forms available soon. (when they arrive). Pat is available on 334 0111 or Marie on 201 5556. Thank you.
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WORD OF GOD: If you do not speak to the wicked man, I will hold you responsible for his death.(Ezekiel 33: 8)
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