Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 8th 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 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 8th September, 2024. Cycle B
The Jewish people couldn’t wait for the Messiah to come. The prophets had promised that when he did arrive, things would be very different and it would be a time of great rejoicing. Isaiah paints a picture of blind people seeing once more, deaf people hearing again and disabled people jumping like deer. There was a tremendous feeling of longing and yearning for the Messiah, especially since the land was currently occupied by a foreign army.
So when Jesus appears on the scene people begin to wonder whether or not he might be the Messiah they were expecting. By the end of today’s gospel they have made their minds up. “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak”, they say, quoting what Isaiah had predicted would happen.
Jesus hasn’t gone away. He’s still with us till the end of time through the Spirit. So what about these “happy days”, these Messianic signs? Have they disappeared? Or is Jesus still doing “all things well”?
To have faith means to see and hear things differently. We often speak about people having the eyes of faith. It doesn’t mean that they see different things but that they are able to see things in a different perspective, from God’s perspective. That’s why when they see grief and suffering they feel the same pity as an atheist but they are able to see beyond the grave. When they walk in the countryside and listen to the singing of the birds they are aware of nature but they know that there is someone who created our natural world around us.
Faith in Jesus the Messiah opens our eyes to what lies beyond physical sight; it opens our ears to hear good news in the midst of the world’s troubles; it provides us with a cause for joy because it reminds us that God will not abandon us.
The Jewish people did not fear the coming of the Messiah, because they had an expectant hope that he would set them free from all that prevented them from living the life that their God had promised them. Christians too welcome Jesus as Messiah, for he comes to set us free, to release us from a blurred vision of our world, from being deaf to the voice of God in our surroundings. He invites us to sing for joy!
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: You are just, O Lord, and your judgement is right: treat your servant in accord with your merciful love.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: My soul give praise to the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. 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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SUNDAY IS A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR EDUCATION
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Fr Mario has now returned safely to the parishes of St Anne’s, St Luke’s and St John’s. This means Mass times resume as normal from this week. We thank God that he is back to lead us in our faith journey, renewed and refreshed. We also thank Fr Sam and Fr Michael for leading our worship during his break.
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 10.30am & 11.00am.(Please note there will be no Benediction until further notice)
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £529.42p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Retiring Collection-There will be a retiring collection for Evangelii Gaudium Sunday(formerly Home Mission Sunday) over the weekend of 14th /15th September. Please be as generous as you can.
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 the repose of the soul of Christine Clewlow, Liz de Seine's sister, who died last week. Funeral details to follow. Please keep Christine and her family in your prayers. 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
Autumn Plant and Book Sale – A huge thank you to all those involved in last Sunday’s activities (special thanks to Colette Sarson for the idea and to all our wonderful Dust Busters - Noelene, Pat, Eileen, Jo, Jayne, Maureen and Ann). From those who donated to all who supported on the day and sold/bought raffle tickets a massive £500 was raised for our parish.(£450 plus a donation) Thank you for being you.
Parish Raffle: The raffle was drawn on Tuesday morning 3rd September and a list of the winners and their numbers is on the notice board at the back of church. All winners have been notified and can collect their prizes after Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
St John Plessington Catholic College – will be holding an Open Evening on Wednesday 11th September at 6pm and Open Mornings on Wednesday 18th September at 9am and Tuesday 24th September at 9am. These are suitable for all parents/ pupils in Year 5 & 6.
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 in September. 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.
Face book: St John’s now has a new Face book page which will advertise Mass times & information on various church events. Please ‘like,’ follow & share to make this page more widely known & relevant. To find our page, search on Facebook for St John the Evangelist New Ferry
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 Parents, grandparents & parishioners -please encourage our young people to become involved in this important ministry.
Pause for Hope is an ecumenical service for all those suffering from cancer, those caring for family or friends with cancer, and those affected in any way by cancer. This year the service takes place on Sunday 15th September at 3pm in Saint Columba’s church, Chester. It is an opportunity to come together to pray and to support one other.
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL - OCT 2024:7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 (Euros) per person sharing. Airport transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you. Tel. 020 3239 8662 or website www.med-irishcentre.com
TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS (September 14th)Begun around the seventh century as a result of rediscovering fragments of the cross of Christ, the feast of the Triumph or Exaltation of the Cross celebrates the victory that Christ won on Calvary over evil, sin and death. It reminds us that salvation is offered to us by Jesus’ sacrifice and that from now on there is nothing on this earth that can ever hold permanent sway over our lives since Christ has conquered all that stands in the way of fullness of life.
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Saturday 7th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm In Thanksgiving (JM)
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 8th 9.30am Nena (PA)
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 9th 9.15am For all our school children
Tuesday 10th 9.15am Ann Hoptroff
Wednesday 11th 9.15am Emma Lowton (Sick)
Thursday 12th 9.15am MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 13th 9.15am Donna Maria (Private Intention)
Saturday 14th 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Nicole Packer RIP
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 15th 9.30am The McLean Family
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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Saturday 7th 6.30pm Anna Ashuikeka 9th Anniv.
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 8th 11.00am Jack McCormich Remb.
Monday 9th 12 Noon UCM
Tuesday 10th 12 Noon For all students
Wednesday 11th 12 Noon Marie & Doyle Wedd Anniv. Remb
Thursday 12th 9.15am SCHOOL MASS
Tony Sinnott RIP
Friday 13th 12 Noon Joe Whitty RIP
Saturday 14th 6.30pm Margaret McLaughlin (Special Inten)
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 15th 11.00am Daniel Brett Anniv.
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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.
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