Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 13th 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
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 13th October, 2024. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: HOW TO BE REALLY HAPPY
If we take a close look at the man in today’s gospel, who asks Jesus how to get eternal life and happiness, then we can glean quite a lot.
He was humble; he actually ran up and knelt at Jesus’ feet before speaking to him. He clearly had good motives because he wanted to know how to inherit eternal life. And he had good sense; enough to know that from what he heard of him Jesus was the right person to help him with this. So he was nobody’s fool.
What we usually remember about him is that he was rich. But it’s clear that his riches couldn’t satisfy his deep down needs. That’s why he came to Jesus looking for something that went beyond the grave. His wealth couldn’t give meaning to his life. He was restless and seeking something more than the trappings that money can bring.
And of course it’s not as if he were some sort of villain who would find it hard to accept religion. He already was a religious person and a morally upright character. He said that he had kept all the commandments from his earliest days, so he had probably also fasted from food and tithed some of his wealth.
When the other gospel writers recall this episode they tell us that the man was young and that he came from one of the leading families. So by anybody’s reckoning he’s got a lot going for him: young, rich, reputable, religious, moral, thoughtful, common-sensed and humble.
Yet he went away sad because the demands that Jesus made of him were more than he was prepared to accept. The incredible happened: God in Jesus told him exactly what to do in order to have eternal life. He had to give up all his wealth and give it to the poor. But this would affect his status, his reputation and his lifestyle.
What gives meaning to your life? What do you consider the point of living is? Where do you look for what makes real sense of your days? Where have you put your treasure? Is it invested in the here and now or have you got your sights on something that will outlast this mortal existence? Being young, rich and even religious cannot get you into heaven. And when Jesus tells you how to inherit eternal life do you go away sad or do you start rejoicing?
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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: Fill us with your love that they may rejoice.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. 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 prisoners and their dependents.
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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.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £528.46p. Many thanks for your continued support.
CAFOD Family Fast Day, : envelopes are available on the table at the back of church. (If you are a taxpayer, please complete the Gift Aid section). Envelopes can be returned up to and including 27th October. Poster on the back of the main church door with details.
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
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).
Tuesday we welcome Y2 children and families from St John’s Infant School to our 9.15am Mass.
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.
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
October Month of the Rosary: A pilgrim statue is now circulating the parish as usual. If you would like to partake in this Rosary Chain of Prayer, please see Maria Fryer.
May and October: Traditionally the months of May and October are particularly associated with the Virgin Mary. In the past, May saw many street processions to the Virgin Mary and these were often accompanied by the crowning of her statues. In recent years such acts of devotion have become much rarer although the month of May always celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Fatima and often houses Pentecost in which Mary’s role of waiting for the Spirit is recalled. The month of October boasts a feast of Mary that gives a flavour to all of its weeks: The Feast of the Holy Rosary. Most people are familiar with the rosary as a prayer and with the Hail Mary that makes up most of it. But there are other prayers to Mary that are worth our attention because they each express a different aspect of Mary’s role in salvation by consenting to become the mother of Jesus.
Due to the promotion of a highly respected Headteacher, there is an opportunity for an inspirational, resilient and dedicated Catholic leader to be the next Headteacher of St Werburgh’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School. Visits to our school are warmly welcomed. Please telephone Cheryl Gardner at the school office on 0151 647 8404 to arrange this. Closing date: Monday, 14 October 2024 at 10am. Shortlisting date: Tuesday, 15 October 2024.Interview Dates: Tuesday, 22 October 2024. Completed applications should be sent to Julie English Julie.English@dioceseofshrewsbury.org. Further details can be found via the Diocesan website https://educationshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/
November Lists: Please ensure that all names for the November List are handed into the presbytery by Sunday, 20th 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.
LIVERPOOL WELSH CHORAL present: Fauré: Requiem and Gounod: Saint Cecilia Mass Christ Church Port Sunlight Saturday 9th November. Tickets £20, available from www.lwcu.co.uk
WORDS FOR WORSHIP
In a world that offers us so much that is only fleeting, let us pray that we may set our sights on that treasure which will last, as we pray for our daily bread in the words that Jesus taught us: Our Father….
Sunday 20th October Mission Sunday: The Mass will include prayers and hymns in languages spoken by our community. There are so many different cultures within St John’s and St Luke’s Parishes and we would like to encourage people to share with us. Please see the sheets at the back of church to sign up to be involved. Please also have a word with Fr Mario. It would also be a great privilege for people to come to Mass in their national dress. There will be a joint parish celebration in St Anne’s Parish Hall after the 11.00am Mass to share food from different countries. Please bring along your favourite national dish.
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.
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Saturday 12th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Thomas Brennan RIP
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 13th 9.30am For Our Parish Family
3.00pm Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 14th 9.15am Thanksgiving for our Priests
Tuesday 15th 9.15am Thomas & Mary McLoughlin
(Year 2 children attending)
Wednesday 16th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 17th NO MASS
Friday 18th 9.15am In honour of St Luke- For the sick, health workers & carers
Saturday 19th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm For prisoners & dependents
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th 9.30am For Christians throughout the World
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 12th 6.30pm Ann Vesey Birthday Rem
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 13th 11.00am Jim McAllister 4th Anniversary
Monday 14th 12 Noon Anne Grealis (Wellbeing)
Tuesday 15th 12 Noon Ashleigh & Sean (Newly Weds)
Wednesday 16th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Joe Whitty RIP
Thursday 17th NO MASS
Friday 18th 12 Noon For Sick, Health Workers & Carers
Saturday 19th 6.30pm For Prisoners & their Families
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th 11.00am Frank Chew RIP
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Pope Francis's Prayer Intentions for October:
We pray that the Church continues to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people.
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