Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 29th 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 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 29th September, 2024. Cycle B
FAITH IN FOCUS: JEALOUS OR ZEALOUS?
Moses and Jesus faced a similar problem. Moses picked seventy people who received the spirit of prophecy. But people complained that two other men had received the same gift even though they hadn’t been picked by Moses. And in today’s gospel John tries to stop a man from casting out devils because he wasn’t one of the disciples.
Both Moses and Jesus deal with the problem in the same way: if only everyone could prophesy; if only everyone could cast out devils; if only everyone were so zealous. Anyone not against us must be on our side. So leave them alone and just be happy that they’re doing something good!
You can’t help thinking that there’s a bit of jealousy and envy in these two scenes. Why else would you complain about someone doing good, unless you were jealous of them? But jealousy easily parades as righteousness.
Jealousy is a strange emotion. On a human level it involves us feeling that we should be in the same position as the other person. We should be as popular, as important, as rich or as valued as the other. But on a religious level it shows a lack of trust in God: if we are jealous of others then we are fearful that God hasn’t given us enough.
If we find we’re envious of other people then it’s a sure sign that we’re not at ease with ourselves and with our relationship with God. For God loves each person as if they were the only one to exist. God doesn’t have favourites and he gives to each of us according to our needs. Maybe if some people “have all the luck” then it’s a sign that they need it? As for jealousy about other people having more money or possessions than us, St James puts it into perspective in today’s reading. What’s the point of flaunting your temporary wealth on this earth if you fail to prepare yourself for the life that will last for ever?
Oddly enough, we sometimes talk about God being a jealous God. What this means is that God is zealous for his people. God will never let us down. He will never leave us wanting and he promises us all we need. So if we try to become like God then we need to be zealous about our faith, not jealous.
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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: The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord, consecrate us in the truth. 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.
Friday is a special day of prayer for the needy and hungry of the world.
Weekly Evening Masses: 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 £885.00p. Many thanks for your continued support.
The total for Evangelii Gaudium Sunday(Home Mission Sunday) was £304.76p , thank you.
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. Poster on the back of the main church door with details. CAFOD’s Family Fast Day – Harvest (Friday 4 October) Daniel, a young man in Democratic Republic of the Congo, is carving a better future for his family with carpentry skills he learned in a CAFOD-funded training centre. Give to CAFOD today and you’ll fund training, tools, equipment and safe spaces so more people like Daniel can learn new skills and fulfil their God-given potential. Use the envelope in church or give online at cafod.org.uk/envelope.
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 6th OCTOBER.
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
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. October is sometimes called the month of the Rosary and today we remind ourselves of this ancient devotional practice that focuses our minds and hearts on those episodes that are connected with the unfurling of our salvation in Jesus Christ, with particular reference to the role played by his mother, the Virgin Mary. Rosary means a crown of roses, a spiritual bouquet given to the Mother of God. It is sometimes called the Dominican Rosary, to distinguish it from other rosary-like prayers such as the Franciscan or the Servite Rosaries. It is also, in a general sense, a form of chaplet or corona (crown), of which there are many varieties in the Church. In English it has been called “Our Lady’s Psalter” or “the beads”. This last term derives from an Old English word for prayers (bede) coming from the word to request (biddan or bid).
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/
Holy Family of Bordeaux: The Holy Family of Bordeaux is a World Wide Family of five different vocations. Lay Members, Apostolic Sisters, Contemplative Sisters Consecrated Secular Women, Priest Associates. Inspired by Jesus Mary and Joseph and the first Christian Communities we live our commitment to God within our families, communities, neighbourhoods and places of work through presence, prayer and service. To find out more – a meeting in the Holy Family convent next to St Anne’s Church 7:00pm 17th October.
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
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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
Monday 30th 9.15am Ints Philip & Joan Price
Tuesday 1st 9.15am Sophia Francesca Fryer-Russell B.day Cel.
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 2nd 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 3rd NO MASS
Friday 4th 9.15am Thanksgiving for the Harvest
7.00pm Anointing & Healing Service
Saturday 5th 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Harries Family
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 6th 9.30am Sabra-Ellen Kettle 24th Anniv.
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 28th 6.30pm Jimmy Entwistle RIP
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 29th 11.00am Louis Browne K.C Wellbeing
Monday 30th 12 Noon UCM
Tuesday 1st 12 Noon Marie Codd Sickness
Wednesday 2nd 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Tony McGettrick RIP
Thursday 3rd NO MASS
Friday 4th 12 Noon Tony Finn RIP
Saturday 5th 6.30pm For the Needy & Hungry of the World
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 6th 11.00am For Homeless
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Aid to the Church in Need: Rachel Buckley will be giving a short talk after Mass over the weekend 5th/6th October. Rachel will have a display of religious items for sale at the back of church. Please make her feel very welcome.
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