Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 22nd September, 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 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 22nd September, 2024. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS:THE MADNESS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN
Billy, aged four, and his brother Tommy, aged six, were arguing about who was going to get the first pancake that their grandmother was making at the stove. She took the opportunity to teach them a lesson, telling them that Jesus would let his brother have the first pancake. Tommy turned to Billy and said, “Ok, Billy. Go on then, you be Jesus.”
Self-preservation seems to lead to selfishness, just as the instinct for survival tends to make us want to be the “alpha male”. Even in the Garden of Eden it had already started when Adam and Eve were convinced that eating the fruit of the forbidden tree would make them just as good as God. No longer would they be in second place.
Yet Jesus tells us that being first in the kingdom of heaven means being last on this earth. It’s the paradox at the heart of Christianity that says to get the most out of life you must give up your life, to rule people you must be their servant, and to be first you must make yourself last.
There’s no doubt that such an attitude goes against the grain. We seem to be programmed to want to be at the front of the queue. Adverts in magazines and on television pamper to the fact that we “deserve” this or that, that we should adopt a me-first approach to getting what we want in our no-win no-fee society. Knowing your rights and getting everything you’re entitled to has become the norm. It’s a dog-eat-dog world and you’re worth it.
Nothing could point more clearly to the fact that Christianity is not a socially comfortable religious position to adopt. To follow Jesus means to stand out as a sign of contradiction to the views that our society takes as normal and normative. That’s why Christianity is not merely a question of “being nice”. It’s a choice to forego many of the values and attitudes that are prized by most of our fellow citizens. It’s an option to set aside a self-serving approach to what we can get out of life, and instead to live life in a way that puts others first. Is this madness? Billy and Tommy clearly think so. Most people would think so. But Christians wouldn’t.
————————————————————————————————————-
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: The Lord upholds my life.
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: You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.
————————————————————————————————————
Sunday is a special day of prayer for the Harvest.
————————————————————————————————————
Weekly Evening Masses: There will no longer be a 7pm Mass on Thursday evening. From 2nd October the evening Mass will move to Wednesday at 7pm. The first Mass will be celebrated at St Anne's and alternating each week with St John's. There will be no Wednesday morning Mass
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 £652.58p. Many thanks for your continued support.
The total for Evangelii Gaudium Sunday (formerly Home Mission Sunday) will be announced next week.
CAFOD Family Fast Day, Friday, 4th October: CAFOD 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. There is also a poster on the back of the main church door with details. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Christmas Piety Table: This weekend 21st /22nd September. Items available: Boxes of holy cards, advent calendars, cards, candles and Catholic diaries. Please help to support our churches.
If you have any queries regarding parish matters or if you wish to arrange a Baptism, Wedding or Funeral please contact Fr Mario on 0151-645 3996. 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 6th OCTOBER
St John Plessington Catholic College – will be holding their final Open Mornings on Tuesday 24th September at 9am. These are suitable for all parents/ pupils in Year 5 & 6.
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. We would like to invite all young people in Year 7 and above for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation will begin on 27th September at 6.30pm – 7.30pm in St Anne’s Presbytery. Please speak to Fr Mario and/or contact St John's by email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com if you would like to receive this special Sacrament.
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
The Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis will be visiting St Anthony’s, Wythenshawe, between 20 and 23 September 2024. On the occasion of the visit of the Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis to the Diocese of Shrewsbury . Please be aware that the Youth Vigil for the visit of the relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, on the evening of Saturday 21st September at Sacred Heart Church is open to ages 18 – 35 only. Anyone wishing to attend this vigil must register in advance by emailing youth@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Registration for veneration is now open and can be found at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/relic-of-blessed-carlo-acutis-tickets-1010291297467?aff=ebdssbdestsearch See the poster at the back of church.
MacMillan Coffee Morning: On Friday 27th September at St Anne's Parish Centre, Highfield Road, Rock Ferry from 10am to 1pm – Cakes, Raffle, Friendship. £3. All welcome.
Anointing & Healing Service to be held at St John's on Friday, 4th October at 7pm. Theme: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he has anointed Me" (Luke 4: 18) Speaker: Fr Sam Thotamala. All welcome.
October Month of the Rosary: A pilgrim statue will circulate the parish as usual. If you would like to partake in this Rosary Chain of Prayer, please see Maria Fryer.
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.
HARVEST (September 27th): Lord of the Harvest, we celebrate our harvest, and give thanks for all our food. We praise you for all you have done and for all that you have given: for shelves that are laden and cupboards that are full; for food that is available, varied, and affordable; for taste and for flavour; for a healthy appetite and the ability to satisfy it; for all in the food chain, from field to factory, retailer to consumer, each one depending on the others. Creator and sustainer of all, we thank and praise you. As we raise our harvest praise may our expressions of gratitude never deafen us to the cries of those in need. And in celebrating your goodness may we never forget your call to share with others in the power of your love. Amen.
—————————————————————————————————————
Saturday 21st 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm For prisoners & their families
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 22nd 9.30am Jack McGree Anniv.
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 23rd 9.15am For the sick in mind, body & spirit
Tuesday 24th 9.15am Freda Doreen White RIP
Wednesday 25th 9.15am For the hungry in our World
Thursday 26th NO MASS (Pray for families)
Friday 27th 9.15am In honour of StJohn- pray for all parishes, young people & good friendships in parishes.
Saturday 28th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Christine Clewlow RIP
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 29th 9.30am Intentions Eileen Spencer
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.
————————————————————————————————————
ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 21st 6.30pm Billy Rossister RIP
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 22nd 11.00am June Martin RIP
Monday 23rd 12 Noon Eileen O’Rourke Healing
Tuesday 24th 12 Noon Joseph Whitty RIP
Wednesday 25th 12 Noon For Families
Thursday 26th NO MASS
Friday 27th 12 Noon For Parishioners of St. Anne’s, St. John’s & St. Luke’s and For the Youth
Saturday 28th 6.30pm Jimmy Entwistle RIP
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 29th 11.00am Louis Browne K.C Wellbeing
————————————————————————————————————
Pope Francis's Prayer Intentions for September:
For the cry of the Earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climate change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live.
————————————————————————————————————-
