12 April 2020
| Mass Intentions: Our Lady’s | Mass Intentions: Ss Peter & Paul |
|---|---|
| Pat Finn RIP | Roy Boyle RIP |
| Jean Cliffe RIP | Parishioners |
| Carol Ann Moore RIP | Lisa Clark RIP |
| UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE |
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OUR LADY’S and Ss PETER & PAUL’S – No Masses or services. Church can no longer open for private prayer. Fr Anders will continue to say Mass for the intentions listed above. When Holy Mass is offered each Sunday (or Saturday evening) and Holydays of Obligation for the Parishioners’ intentions, it is offered for the parishioners of both parishes, not just the parish where it is being offered. |
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| Ministry |
E. Minister | Reader |
| Saturday | ||
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| Ministry | E. Minister | Reader |
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JOINT PARISH NEWSLETTER
A MESSAGE FROM FR ANDERS
In the midst of these most unusual and difficult circumstances, may I wish everyone a Blessed and Happy Easter!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
You are all in my thoughts and prayers, especially during the celebration of Holy Mass.
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL REFLECTION: John 20:1-9 He must rise from the dead
It is no coincidence that Mary Magdalen was the first to the tomb. After all, she had been there at the foot of the cross, and she had a deep personal relationship with Jesus, despite (or because of?) the fact that she had been a great sinner. She tells Peter and the other disciple (John), “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” but not one of them makes the connection with the three days in the tomb and the resurrection that Jesus had told them about. Eventually, the penny drops and they remember what Jesus had kept telling them. It can be a consolation to us today, to see how often the disciples failed to understand what Jesus had said to them. They didn’t hear ‘with the ears of the Spirit’ and they tried to interpret events from a very human perspective.
If those who were closest to Jesus when he was here on earth had this difficulty, then little wonder that we too either don’t hear or don’t understand what he is saying to us today. What we need to pray for is the capacity to listen to that ‘inner voice of the Holy Spirit’ and then for a further grace to be able to put into practice what that voice is telling us.
The more we are able to do this, the closer we will become to Jesus, so that we can truly live our lives with him as his apostles.
From ‘Faith on Sunday’
THE EASTER READINGS
Easter Vigil: Of the seven Old Testament readings at least three will be used, including the obligatory reading from Exodus, as follows: Genesis 1:1-2:2; Genesis 22:1-18; EXODUS 14:15-15:1; Isaiah 54:5-14; Isaiah 55:1-11; Baruch 3:9-15, 32-34:4; Ezekiel 36:16-28; St Paul’s Letter to the Romans 6:3-11; Gospel St Matthew 28:1-10
EASTER SUNDAY: Acts 10:34, 37-43 – We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection; Psalms 117: This day was made by the Lord, we rejoice and are glad; Colossians 3:1-4 – You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is; SEQUENCE:
Christians, to the Paschal Victim offer sacrifice and praise.
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;
And Christ, the undefiled, hath sinners to his Father reconciled.
Death with life contended: combat strangely ended!
Life’s own Champion slain, yet lives to reign.
Tell us Mary, say what thou didst see upon the way.
The tomb the living did enclose:
I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!
The angels there attesting, shroud with grave clothes resting.
Christ my hope has risen: he goes before you into Galilee,
That Christ is truly risen from the dead, we know.
Victorious King, thy mercy show!
Gospel – St John 20:1-9
Easter Message from the Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool
It was early in the morning on the first day of the week when the women went to the tomb taking spices to anoint the body of Jesus according to their custom. When they got to the tomb they found the stone rolled away and the body of Jesus had gone, instead they saw a young man dressed in white, an angel, who told them ‘He has risen, he is not here, see the place where they laid him’. Their reaction wasn’t one of delight, they couldn’t understand what was happening, they were afraid, and they ran to tell the disciples. Peter and John ran to the tomb, they saw, and they believed, but like the women they did not understand what had happened.
The Risen Lord then appeared to Mary Magdalen who, thinking that his body had been stolen, was standing by the tomb weeping. She didn’t recognise him, she thought he was the gardener, and it was only when he spoke her name that she knew him and having seen him understood.
That same day two of the disciples were walking to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem, when another traveller, Jesus, joined them on the road. They didn’t recognise him and told him about everything that had happened. When they reached Emmaus they invited the ‘mystery traveller’ to stay with them and when he broke the bread at the table they recognised Jesus and, even though it was late, they went back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples.
It was eight days later when Jesus appeared to the disciples that Thomas recognised the Risen Lord. He had refused to believe, he wanted proof and Jesus gave him that proof saying, ‘doubt no longer but believe’. He then went further and said, ’have you believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’.
The followers of Jesus didn’t understand his resurrection. The hope which had been taken from them days before was now about to be realised and they didn’t know it. They saw and they believed but it was only when the Risen Lord actually appeared to them that they understood.
The Risen Lord is the same for us today as he was for his disciples. In these days in particular, we do not understand what is happening around us, but we can see the Risen Lord in the lives and work of others. Those who are caring, those who are helping and are giving their time for the good of others.
When Jesus was crucified his followers lost everything, all they had hoped for had gone, there was no future. The resurrection changed all that and hope returned. We too can have that same hope for the future if we recognise the Risen Lord and allow him into our lives.
Let us pray that on this Easter Day the Risen Lord will greet us as he did his disciples with the words ‘Peace be with you’, will ease our anxieties and calm our fears that we may truly have a Happy Easter.
12 April 2020
CELEBRATING EASTER WITH EWTN
The easiest way to receive EWTN is if you have Sky television. It’s on channel 588. However, there are other ways of getting EWTN and you can find help with this on EWTN UK.
Many, if not all, the liturgies during Holy Week and at Easter itself, with Pope Francis, will be transmitted from the Vatican. The ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing (to the city and the world) is normally at 10am on Easter Sunday morning (our time).
Pope Francis will celebrate the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday at 5pm and the Way of the Cross at 8pm, then the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night at 8pm.
Apart from Good Friday, when Fr Anders will celebrate the Lord’s Passion at 3pm, he will celebrate these Masses at the same time as the Holy Father – we can all unite in spirit and in prayer.
HOW DO I MAKE A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION?
Alone or together with others in your household
Make the sign of the cross
You could read the Gospel of the day
Then share prayer intentions quietly or aloud
Say the Lord’s Prayer
Then make an Act of Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
WHEN MASS CANNOT BE SAID PUBLICALLY – AN ALTERNATIVE FOR DAILY PRAYER
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
These words from Psalm 26 were penned by David in the twilight of his life. Having experienced many ups and downs as King of Israel, he reflects on the one steadfast thing, the love of God for him. In these difficult times when our worlds can seem to be upside down and the familiar patterns of life are removed from us, we turn to God and rely on his mercy and loving compassion for us all.
These notes / this prayer format have/has been provided as a help for prayer when Mass is not available to us.
Our priests will continue to offer Mass for the Church and the world at this time, and we can unite ourselves to their celebrations through a spiritual communion.
St Thomas Aquinas described Spiritual Communion as, ‘an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the most holy sacrament and lovingly embrace him’. As our pattern of life changes, we should endeavour to keep a pattern of prayer and praise in our days, and this is one way we can unite ourselves in prayer to our Lord and his world. Be assured of my prayers for you all at this time.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols President Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Introduction
Some will find it helpful to have a space as a focus for their prayer. This might include a crucifix, icon or other holy image, and a lighted candle.
Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Examen
Before listening to the Word of God take a moment to reflect:
For what am I grateful to God for today?
Where did I stray from God: through words, actions or things I did not do?
How might I do better tomorrow?
What grace do I ask from God in order to live more closely in his love?
You may wish to conclude by saying:
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Word of God
The readings for the Mass of the Day can be found in a People’s Missal or online Universalis [https://universalis.com/mass.htm].
Either read all the texts or choose just to read the Gospel of the Day.
Psalm – Example: Psalm 85 (1-6, 11, 15-16)
Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am faithful: save the servant who trusts in you.
You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord, for I cry to you all the day long.
Give joy to your servant, O Lord, for to you I lift up my soul.
O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call.
Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my voice.
Show me, Lord, your way so that I may walk in your truth.
Guide my heart to fear your name.
You, God of mercy and compassion,
slow to anger, O Lord, abounding in love and truth,
turn and take pity on me.
Gospel – Example: Mark 4:35–41
On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
Silent reflection
Pause for a moment of silent reflection.
Prayers / Intercessions
• Pray for family and loved ones so that they may be held in God’s compassionate care.
• Pray for other countries who are struggling with the effects of the COVID 19 virus.
If the following intentions are said in a family or other group you may wish to conclude each one with the response: Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer
• For those in authority: may they offer advice with care and integrity, may they seek to protect the poor and vulnerable.
• For all who work in healthcare: give strength to all who look after the sick so that they may bring comfort and relief to the suffering.
• For the Church: may she offer prayers and consolation for all those affected.
• For our local community and all for those in need: may those who are isolated know the support and service of their neighbours.
The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father…
Spiritual Communion
Prayer of St Alphonsus
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Conclusion
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
MASSES ONLINE
There are a huge number of churches that are live streaming Masses and other services.
Locally, there is St Clare’s, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood: www.stclares.co.uk which streams Mass daily at 10am. Please follow the easy links on the website. All the Easter services will be streamed.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en Pope Francis
https://www.churchservices.tv/whats-on-now/ Great selection of Masses and other Church services https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes/ Mass and daily at 2pm, the Rosary in English
https://www.livemass.org Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal)
Sky Channel 588 – for daily Mass at 1pm
Use the website links to EWTN, or the Archdiocese to access daily Masses
On the radio: Catholic Radio Channel 0147
Also, you may wish to try the Pray as you Go phone app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.foxcode.prayasyougo&hl=en
PRAYERS from the Archdiocese, for Stations of the Cross, Holy Week, the Triduum etc. https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/
Please email the Parish Office with details of any other online services you know of that may help parishioners at this very difficult time. We will try to include them in next week’s Newsletter.
FOOD BANKS
Our local food banks are desperate for supplies, especially fresh milk, bread, toilet rolls, soap, tinned fruit and tinned potatoes. Whilst we cannot collect from church any more, local supermarkets are keen to continue this work, especially Booths in Hesketh Bank, Booths in Burscough and Tesco in Burscough. All contributions will be very gratefully received.
The recent lockdown has seen a huge increase in applications for Universal Credit. Processing these applications means that many families won’t be receiving any benefits until the end of May – in the meantime, they are desperate for food.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Archdiocese is keen to encourage people who feel able to volunteer to contact West Lancs Council (Steve Kent) on Stephen.Kent@westlancs.gov.uk and Lancs County Council (Dan Holden) on https://ourlancashire.org.uk. Help is needed with deliveries, food banks, phone calls. It’s the NHS and volunteer workers who will help us to survive this crisis. Please encourage non-parishioner friends and family to get involved and spread the word. Everyone has the power to make a difference!
NEWS ITEMS FEATURED IN THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSE & CATHOLIC TIMES THIS WEEK
• Cardinal Nichols urges all Catholics to ‘remain strong in faith, for the Lord is risen’. In spite of the pandemic and the news of those who recklessly ignore lockdown instructions that jeopardise the vulnerable, it is important to focus on the great acts of charity made by generous and very ordinary people – often people in our own local communities who volunteer to shop for others, or ring up and chat to worried parishioners.
• The National Catholic Champion for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers has called for solidarity with their communities, especially as they are particularly badly hit by the pandemic. They urge the government to remember that no one should be excluded from emergency support.
• Catholic MP Tom Tugendhat (Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee) has asked Britons to share their stories and experiences of those who were stranded abroad in order to evaluate for the future, whether embassies were providing an effective and consistent service.
• Google searches for ‘prayer’ have surged worldwide, in line with the increase in cases of Covid-19. Apparently, search intensity doubles for approx. every 80,000 new cases.
• The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has approved a special ‘Mass in the Time of Pandemic’, to plead for God’s mercy and the gift of strength in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Mass opens with a prayer that God will ‘look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to the mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and courage to reach out to all in love’.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU, AND ALL YOUR LOVED ONES – AND BRING YOU THE PEACE OF HIS EASTER BLESSINGS