15 January 2023 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time / Peace Sunday
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 14th Barbara Melia RIP
Thursday 19th – The Marten family
Saturday 21st – Les Christopher 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
THURSDAY: 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 (28 January): 4.15pm-4.45pm
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 15 JANUARY
1st Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6, I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 39: Here I am Lord! I come to do your will
2nd Reading: I Corinthians 1:1-3, May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.
Gospel: John 1:29-34, Look, there is the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens! Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for January
For educators
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.
SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
17 Jan – St Anthony, abbot
20 Jan – St Sebastian, martyr
21 Jan – St Agnes, virgin + martyr
THANK YOU! – Many thanks to Fr John Goddard for saying Mass here for us this weekend.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 18 to 25 January
Theme for 2023: Do good; seek justice (Isaiah 1:17)
Prayer sheets will be available at Mass thisweek.
PEACE SUNDAY 15 JANUARY 2023
Theme of Pope Francis’ World Peace Day:
“No one can be saved alone. Combatting Covid-19 together, embarking together on paths of peace.”
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE
God, our Creator and Redeemer,
May we see the sorrow of war in the eyes of those who suffer
and have known only violence in their lives.
Give us a voice for those who have no voice and are not heard;
those who know that there is no tomorrow in war,
and that the violence of weapons
destroys both the beauty of creation and the joy of life.
That way, with your help, will we become true instruments of your peace.
Amen
(adapted from Pope Francis’ Address for the World Day of Prayer for Peace, Assisi, 2016
MARY’S MEALS CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING
Please see the Thank You letter from Mary’s Meals to parishioners for your wonderful donation over Christmas. It’s on the table in the narthex.
CHRISTMAS TREE & CRIB
The Catholic Christmas season ends on 8 January, with the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, so our Christmas tree and decorations have come down. However, the crib will remain in place, until Candlemas / Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (2 February), in common with the Vatican and other churches around the world. We can therefore address our prayers to Our Lady and the Child Jesus, confident in the knowledge that they will be heard.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2023
Any young person in Year 8 can register for Sacramental preparation at www.liverpoolcalled.co.uk
While the registration period is open, Animate will visit schools in the diocese to promote the Sacrament. At the same time schools will teach about the Sacrament in their RE classes.
The period of registration is open from 16 January to 17 March.
Please contact the Parish Office to let us know once you have registered your child for the Confirmation programme. And please help us to spread the word. 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
Peace Is Flowing Like a River – Carey Landry [Official Lyric Video] – YouTube
A perfect background for meaningful meditation and reflection this week, when we focus on Peace Sunday – and in particular pray for the much-needed peace that still eludes so many people in so many countries around the world.
This lovely interpretation of the popular hymn is a prayer in itself.
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 less than £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
THE UNIVERSE CATHOLIC WEEKLY
The Universe Catholic Weekly has launched their new online newspaper with the full support of their first subscriber, none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Order your Digital copy by going to www.universecatholicweekly.co.uk or ring 0743661 7650 and ask for Michelle.
Special offer: Only £20 for 3 months
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
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OFFERTORY DONATIONS
Instead of putting money in offertory envelopes each week, those who are able to make an offering are asked to either:
- Write a monthly cheque (payable to ‘Ss Peter & Paul Church’) and post to the presbytery with a covering letter and one offertory envelope for gift aid purposes.
- Contact the office (by phone or email) to request a Standing Order mandate for your bank –
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss this further.