12 March 2023 – 3rd Sunday of Lent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 11th – Parishioners
Monday 13th – Someone sick
Thursday 16th – Holy Souls NDL
Saturday 18th – John, Winefred & Mary Cobham RIP
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm SOCIALLY-DISTANCED SEATING: As far as possible, the side benches will be available for those who wish to remain cautious. **OFFICE HOURS : FRIDAYS, 10am to 4pm** |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
MASSES THIS WEEK
MONDAYS, 10am
THURSDAYS: 10.00am; 10.25am-11.00am: Exposition & Benediction
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT & PRAYER / REFLECTION: Fridays 11am to 1pm
CONFESSIONS: Last Saturday of the month ( 25 March): 4.15pm-4.45pm
ARCHDIOCESE PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
We ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We ask for you to be with all – especially children who are suffering as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates. For those who are anxious and fearful. For those who are bereaved, injured or who have lost their lives. And for those who have lost loved ones. Lord, hear our prayers.
We also pray for wise actions from global leaders – who have the power not only to start wars, but to stop them too.
Father in heaven, we cry out for an end to this crisis and for mercy, peace, and truth – that the healing power of your love will restore peace, families and communities.
Amen
COVID / ‘FLU AWARENESS & THE SUNDAY OBLIGATION
If you have a cough / sore throat / feel generally unwell with cold-like symptom, please take a Covid test right away. If it’s positive, then please stay at home, keep it to yourself and get better soon!
Whilst the Sunday Obligation has been restored, the Archdiocese advises parishioners to celebrate Mass at home, if they are unwell with coughs and colds – especially at the moment, with so many infections doing the rounds.
READINGS FOR 12 MARCH
1st Reading: Exodus 17:3-7, Give us water to drink
Psalm 94: O that today you would listen to his voice: ‘Harden not your hearts’.
2nd Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which has been given us.
Gospel: John 4:5-42, A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Gospel acclamation: Glory to you O Christ, you are the Word of God! Lord, you really are the saviour of the world; give me the living water so that I may never get thirsty. Glory to you O Christ, you are the Word of God!
Communion antiphon: For anyone who drinks it, says the Lord, the water I shall give will become in him a spring welling up to eternal life.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For Victims of Abuse
Let us pray for those who have suffered because of the wrongs done to them from members of the Church; may they find within the Church herself a concrete response to their pain and suffering.
SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
17 March – St Patrick, patron of Ireland
18 March – St Cyril of Jerusalem
18 March – Bls Roger Wrenno & Bls John Thules, Roger Wrenno was a weaver from Chorley, arrested for assisting priest John Thules. Executed at Lancaster in 1616.
CAFOD Family Fast Day – FINAL COLLECTION THIS WEEK
Please place your envelopes with the proceeds of your Friday 3rd March fast in the basket provided, or simply make a donation. Thank you.
LENTEN ALMS 2023
The Archbishop has selected Asylum Link as this year’s charity for the Lenten Alms.
Asylum Link is an organisation dedicated to assisting asylum seekers and refugees in Liverpool and to raising public awareness around refugee issues. It is a welcoming and safe place for people from all countries to meet, relax and find out about the city they have arrived in. Asylum Link provides friendship, help and advice and encourages the participation of asylum seekers and refugees in the service.
Please use the link for more information: www.asylumlink.org.uk
DEANERY SERVICES OF RECONCILIATION
Sunday 26 March, 3pm at St Gregory’s, Weld Bank, Chorley
Wednesday 29 March, 7pm at St Mary’s Leyland
MISSION TODAY MAGAZINES / RED MISSION BOXES
Mission Today magazines are available to take away, in the narthex. Please take one and pass it on for others to read. If anyone has a red Mission box that they would like emptying, please contact Sandra Cobham (01704 821609) who will be very happy to do this for you.
CATHOLIC PIC – MARCH EDITION
The March edition of the Catholic Pic is available in the narthex. Features include an article on world bishops’ pilgrimage to Jordan, Ince Benet retreat centre, the recent anniversary vigil for Ukraine, plus updates from our schools and colleges.
OUR LENTEN READINGS – Canon Philip Gillespie (in this month’s Catholic Pic)
This year we have the Gospel of St John to accompany is through the later Sundays of Lent. They speak to us of living water (3rd Sunday), restoration of true sight (4th), and the restoration of life for Lazarus (5th). These are beautiful texts which accompany those who are preparing for baptism of Easter – they speak of Jesus who relieves and fulfills our deepest yearnings, who enables us to see and recognise the actions of God in his world every day and who gives us the renewal and perfection of life.
For those of us already baptised, we are invited to walk alongside those who are preparing for baptism. We all need to be constantly renewed in the areas of our life, highlighted in these gospel passages, coming to Jesus who will quench our thirst and our longing for those things which are true and eternal – cherishing a life which is not mere existence, but a full and loving response to the gifts we have received from God’s loving providence.
SINGING DAY – 25 MARCH
Come and enjoy a good sing – the physical and mental health benefits of singing are well-known! – and join in the fun at Mawdesley Methodist Church on Saturday 25 March from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Music will be provided and light refreshments will be available. Only £10. Please bring your own lunch. Contact Steve on 01704 822478 or David on 01257 469030 for more details. All voices and abilities welcome!
DON’T FORGET! OUR PARISH FOODBANK – DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME: Thank you for donations already received, which have been taken to the foodbank centre at St Mary’s in Leyland
HOW TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH
Standing Orders – Many find this an easier alternative to trying to remember to bring cash along each week. Forms are available in the porch / from the Parish Office. You can determine the amount and when it is deducted each month. Please post compoleted forms to your bank.
Envelopes – easy, because they can be prepared before coming to church. They afford some ‘privacy’ for the amount donated. Please contact the Parish Office so we can arrange this.
Cash / cheque donations each week and very gratefully received.
Gift Aid – Important Clarification: If you are a taxpayer then you can easily help the parish to claim 25% extra on top of every donation you make. Eg: your donation of £10 per week could become £12.25 and a donation of £520per week would result in £25 going to the church. Filling in a simple form to register your name and address means we can claim an additional 25% of your gift
Please collect a form from the narthex on your way out today, complete and return to the Parish Office.
THANK YOU for your continuing support and generosity in these very challenging times.
FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: COURSES & RESOURCES
COST OF LIVING CRISIS: Warm and Cosy spaces in our parish centres
Venues continue to be open 1pm to 3.30pm across the archdiocese: more details here https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/warm-and-cosy-with-the-archdiocese-of-liverpool
AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS PODCAST
Please find below the link to January’s ‘At the Foot of the Cross’ podcast from the Bishops’ Conference.
Benedict XVI Rest in Peace | Episode 10
SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS TRAINING COURSE
The Spirituality Network is offering an Introduction to Spiritual Direction Course beginning on 20th April 2023. In order to discern the right people for this course, they would like to meet in person with those applying for an interview. These will be held at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Liverpool L15 6TW. If you are interested, please send application forms to ann.goddard@liverpool.anglican.org by 10am on Monday 6th March 2023
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND – Online
An opportunity to deepen your life and faith as a couple through this retreat. The next date available is 13 and 14 May 2023. The programme is delivered by experienced laity couples and a priest and is supported by the Bishops Conference. Full details of these experiences can be found on their website: https://wwme.org.uk.
UKRAINE APPEAL – INTERNATIONAL AID TRUST IS NOW IN HESKETH BANK
The IAT has recently moved from its depot in Lostock Hall to Hesketh Bank. It’s now based at The Barn, behind the bungalow at 255 Moss Lane. However, the move has meant that some volunteers are unable to relocate due to transport difficulties. The new depot is open from 10am to 4pm every weekday and they would love to hear from anyone who can help out for a couple of hours every week (or every other week).
As well as dried and tinned foodstuffs, plus toiletries and especially sanitary products, they are also in need of torches (as a result of blackouts due to Russian bombing of power supplies).
They are always very grateful for donations, which can be taken directly to the Moss Lane depot, or you can leave them at church on a Saturday and we’ll take them along.
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to find out more about this vital, life-saving work. Thank you.
COST OF LIVING CRISIS
The Archdiocese has created a network of warm and cosy spaces for winter with hot drinks, TV and internet access. Please see the list at http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/index.php?p=2561
Everyone will find warm & cosy parish centre, a warm cup of tea or coffee, biscuits or cakes and a chance to meet some new friends you haven’t met yet. Please spread the word. If you would like to get more involved or to find out more, please contact p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk
Our nearest churches are:
St Teresa’s, Penwortham PR1 0DS – Mondays, 1pm to 3.30pm
St Mary’s, Chorley PR7 2SR – Tuesdays, 1pm to 3.30pm
Please notify the Parish Office if you know of any other, more local, Warm Spaces, so that we can mention them in next week’s newsletter. Thank you.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PARISH
Now that parish activities are starting up again, there are a number of opportunities to become a bit more involved in parish life, particularly: stewarding/welcomers, driving deliveries to St Mary’s foodbank every other week, singing with the choir, flower arranging, church cleaning, altar serving, fund-raising. Help is welcome from all ages! Please contact the Parish Office by email or ring on Fridays, in order to find out more.
MUSICAL TREATS FOR THE WEEK
Streams Of Living Water…John 7 – YouTube
This week’s music reflects the text of the gospel which focuses on Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well. As always, this meeting gave Jesus’s followers pause for thought: he engages with a Samaritan, one who is known to have led a less than blameless life. This doesn’t matter to Jesus. He sees only what is inside a person. What matters to him is that she recognises him as the Messiah and believes in his redemptive power to heal and save. An important lesson for his followers then and now…
WITH EVERY BLESSING THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES
MAGNIFICAT
The Magnificat publication can be a wonderful aid to prayer and of course, you also get the readings for Mass for every day of the week! At a cost of a £1 a week, you may be interested in subscribing now: tel. 020 7448 3618; email: uk@magnificat.com or visit the website: www.catholic-herald.myshopify.com
ARCHDIOCESE RESPONSE TO UKRAINE
The fourth consignment of aid for Ukraine travelled last weekend taking dried food, thermal clothing, tools and generators. Please pray for peace https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pray-for-peace-in-ukraine/
RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring them to church when you attend Mass next weekend, or drop them off at the presbytery on Friday, between 10am and 4pm. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like someone to collect your box for you. Alternatively, please contact Sandra Cobham to arrange collection on 01704 821609. Thank you.
DON’T FORGET! PARISH FOODBANK – DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Thank you for donations already received, which have been taken to the foodbank centre at St Mary’s in Leyland. During Advent, we will be collecting Christmassy food items.
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAWDESLEY
RESPECT BELIEVE INSPIRE: Learning through Jesus. Opportunities for all to reach their full potential. Valuing all in our school family and the wider world. Encouraging everyone to be unique. Please ring the school office on 01704 822216 to find out about Open Days/Evenings, or check the website on https://www.sspeterandpaulsschoolmawdesley.co.uk/
CLOTHING DONATIONS FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES
Donations to Care4Calais are being collected in Aughton L39 5DW: Please email mcevoyden@gmail.com to arrange drop-off time / venue. Care4Calais is specifically asking for the following items, which must be in good condition: baby / children’s clothes & shoes (trainers), jeans and leggings, t-shirts, hoodies, & other winter clothes / shoes. You may wish to donate directly to Care4Calais: Care4Calais | Refugee Crisis Charity | Fundraise Donate Volunteer
EWTN – GLOBAL CATHOLIC TV & RADIO
Getting connected is easier than you might think. EWTN is free, there’s no subscription. You can stream live and on demand via the website: www.ewtn.co.uk/get-ewtn or get the app for your mobile (EWTN APP), or Amazon’s Echo Auto.
Every day: daily Mass at 1pm and Children’s Rosary every day, at 7.30pm
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES ON EWTN
Children’s religious programmes, based on the teachings of Jesus, are available on EWTN every week day, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm – and on Saturday mornings, from 9am to 10am.
WEEKLY MASS FOR CHILDREN: FREE RESOURCE BOOKLET
Redemptorist Publications is pleased to introduce Celebrate: an initiative designed to help children grow in their faith.
Each week they will provide a Children’s Liturgy in the form of a video of the week’s Gospel reading, a reflection and a final prayer.
Fun, engaging and practical worksheets/resources will also be provided to help children continue to practise their faith during this time. Please ring 01420 592974 or check the following link for the RP KidZone: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/celebrate-following-your-faith?utm