Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27th October, 2024. Cycle B
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
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27th October, 2024. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: RISING TO THE OCCASION
The blind man in today’s gospel, Bartimaeus, was no shrinking violet. He was a beggar at the entrance to the bustling town of Jericho and if he didn’t make his presence felt then he would go home at the end of the day with nothing to show for his hours in the baking sun. And this affected what he did on the day Jesus passed by.
Bartimaeus didn’t complain about his lot in life; he accepted responsibility for it, not sitting back and expecting someone else to stand in for him because of his disability. And he was strong-minded enough to know what he really needed and wanted: to be able to see. Never giving up hope, he believed that things could be different and that he could change. And when other people told him to be content with his lot he took no notice. He wasn’t bothered about what others would think of him and he resisted their attempts to silence him. This coloured his approach to Jesus since he knew that this might be the only occasion he would ever get to attract Jesus’ attention. Throwing off his official beggar’s coat, jumping up and shouting was a dramatic way of catching Jesus’ eye. But Bartimaeus rose to the occasion and took his chance. And when Jesus cured him, Bartimaeus followed him along the road.
In this short episode we can see our own lives reflected very clearly. In our relationship with God we carry so much baggage that prevents us from seeing things clearly. We can be spiritually blind in so many ways. We can fumble our way through life always several paces away from God. For a while we sit back and moan but eventually we have to face up to the fact that in many areas we are the architects of our own problems. God did not make us spiritually disabled yet we choose to remain so. What do I really need to happen in my life in order to come closer to God, and do I believe that with God’s help I can change? What holds me back from asking for God’s help? Is it because I’m afraid of what others will say and think? Is it because I don’t think now is quite the right time to do it?
Am I prepared to make a definite move in God’s direction, to rise to the occasion with some bold and decisive step to reply to God’s invitation? Do I really want to see? Do I really want to follow? Do I really want a Bartimaeus moment?
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the world, says the Lord, anyone who follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: We will ring out our joy at your saving help and exhult in the name of our God.
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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 11.00am- 11.30am.
From now on all morning services will take place in St Anne’s house and from Monday 28th October all morning services will take place in St John’s presbytery.
Please note changes to Mass times for All Saint’s day Masses. St Anne’s Vigil Mass at 6.30pm on Thursday. 10am Mass on Friday at St John’s and 12noon at St Anne’s.
LastWeeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £602.62p. Many thanks for your continued support.
CAFOD Family Fast Day, : This is the last weekend to return your envelopes.
Clergy Education & Training Fund: There will be a retiring collection over the weekend 2nd/3rd November. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Bookings for the reception & Celebration of Sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation & Wedding, Please enquire & arrange for these through the parish emails / Secretaries of St. Anne’s & St. John’s. Also contact the Parish Priest/ Administrator through 0151-645-3314 You can also get in touch with Carol Dalziel on 07808975011 or Ann Murray on 07745490279 regarding general parish queries.
SJE’s Parish Safeguarding Officer is Celia Daly, who can be contacted on 0151-645 9256 on all safeguarding matters.
Mass Intentions If you would like to have a Mass said for your own or someone else’s intentions , fill in one of the Mass offering envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it & put it through the Presbytery letterbox. Please give at least three weeks’ notice as we are receiving a large number of requests for particular dates and days.
In Memoriam: Please pray for all the faithful departed that they may rest in the peace of Christ.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
Sunday Morning Teas continue on the first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date is SUNDAY 3rd NOVEMBER.
For this popular social gathering to continue more volunteers are needed. If you can spare some time, please contact Noelene Evans on 645-6055.
St John's Infant's are looking for a parish representative to join our Governing Body as a foundation governor. If you are interested in taking on this role, can you please speak to Fr Mario or give Miss Sharkey a call at school (645 5291).
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help to support our local Foodbank as much as you can with both food & funds. All items urgently needed are listed on the notice board at the back of church. Thank you.
Confirmation 2024 for St John’s & St Anne’s will be held at St Anne’s on Wednesday 27th November at 7.00pm. Preparation is each Friday at 6.30pm – 7.30pm in St Anne’s Presbytery.
St John's Altar Servers: We are looking for some more altar servers for our Masses & special occasions. Any boy or girl who has made their First Holy Communion is eligible to become an altar server. If interested, please have a word with Fr Mario or make contact through the parish email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
Missio Red Box Collection : Thank you to all who contribute to Missio via the Red Boxes; please return the current contents of your boxes to St John's. There are also offertory envelopes at the back of church. If you are a taxpayer, please complete the back of the envelope and return them and the Red Boxes by the end of October.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sunday 3rd November 2024 at 6.30pm at St Michael and All Angels, New Hey Road, Woodchurch, Wirral CH49 5LE. See poster at the back of church.
Kim Leadbeater MP is introducing a bill to introduce assisted suicide, which will be voted on by MPs on the 29 November. We know that assisted suicide laws in other jurisdictions have had devastating consequences for the poor, disabled and marginalised. This is the biggest threat to the vulnerable in a decade, and we need a huge effort to lobby MPs. Please contact your MP by visiting www.livesworthliving.org.uk . As Bishop Mark instructed in his address on Sunday, silence is not an option. Please take the time to make your feelings known to your MP before 29th November.
October Month of the Rosary: A pilgrim statue is continuing to circulate the parish as usual. If you would like to partake in this Rosary Chain of Prayer, please see Maria Fryer.
Christ Church Port Sunlight Saturday 9th November. Tickets £20, available from www.lwcu.co.uk
Wirral Bazaar supported by North West Cancer Research is being held at Hulme Hall Port Sunlight on Monday 4th November 2-9pm and Tuesday 5th November 9.30am-3pm. There are 55 stalls. Entrance £5. See poster at the back of church.
A Huge thanks to everyone who made the International Mass last Sunday such an uplifting celebration in which we listened to the bidding prayers from different cultures within our parish family. The display of national dress was an array of styles and colours which can be seen in the photograph. I hope you were able to join with St Anne's to share food with an international flavour.
Over 55's Group: will be holding a Bring and Buy Sale on Tuesday, 5th November at 12.30pm in St Anne's Parish Hall, Highfield Road, Rock Ferry. All are welcome. All proceeds will go towards the Over 55's Christmas Party.
Don’t forget to put your clocks back one hour this weekend.
(26/27th)
