16 April 2023 – 2nd Sunday of Easter / Divine Mercy

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday 15 April – Bernard Swift RIP

Monday 17 April – The Cooper Family

Thursday 20 April – A Sick Person

Saturday 22 April – Parishioners

LATEST  UP-DATE 

 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. 

Parish office times change this week
The Parish Office will open on Friday 21 April from 9.30am to 12.30pm.  Apologies for any inconvenience.
(Normal times, 10am to 4pm, as from Friday 28 April)

 


 PARISH NEWSLETTER

MASSES THIS WEEK
MONDAY: 10am
THURSDAY: 10.00am; 10.25am-11.00am: Exposition & Benediction

CONFESSIONS: Last Saturday of the month ( 29 April): 4.15pm-4.45pm

CHURCH WILL BE OPEN FOR VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:   
Friday 21 April: 10am to 12 noon only.

REQUIEM MASS – Wednesday 19 April, 9.30am
Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Winifred Watkinson, who died recently.

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 16 APRIL
1st Reading: Acts 2:42-47, The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common.
Psalm 117:  Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
2nd Reading: Col1 Peter 1:3-9, In his great mercy he has given us a new birth as his children, by raising Jesus from the dead.
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31, Eight days later, Jesus came.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Jesus said, ‘You believe because you have seen me.  Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails and do not be unbelieving but believing, alleluia.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL
For a culture of peace and non-violence
We pray for the spread of peace and non-violence, by decreasing the use of weapons by states and citizens.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK

WHAT IS DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY?
During the course of Jesus’ revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The liturgical texts of that day, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, concern the institution of the Sacrament of Penance, the Tribunal of the Divine Mercy, and are thus already suited to the request of Our Lord. This Feast, which had already been granted to the nation of Poland and been celebrated within Vatican City, was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that “throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come.”

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY  – 16 APRIL
Everyone is very welcome to attend  Solemn Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Chaplet, Confessions and Rosary, followed by Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Brooke Street, Chorley PR6 0NG, at 3pm

FR MICHAEL O’DOWD – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Thursday 20 April at 7pm: Fr Michael will be received into St Agnes’ church and there will be a short service, followed by refreshments in the hall.
Friday 21 April: Fr Michael will be taken to St Mary’s Leyland for Requiem Mass at 12 noon.  He will be buried at Ss Peter & Paul’s in Mawdesley.

MISSIO / RED BOX COLLECTION
In 2022, parishioners at Ss Peter & Paul’s raised a magnificent £491.85 through the Red Boxes, including individuals who gave directly.  Thank you all so much.  Every penny raised makes a huge difference.  Please see the poster in the narthex.

NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES 2023-24
New boxes of envelopes are available for weekly offerings – in new ‘economy’ envelopes!  Please collect / distribute.  Thank you.

ADVANCE NOTICE
Archbishop McMahon will be saying a special Mass to confer the office of ‘Monsignior’ on Fr John Goddard at St Oswald’s, at the Saturday Vigil on 29 April.  All are welcome to attend to celebrate this special moment.  We will need to know numbers beforehand.

Metropolitan Cathedral launches new family trail and audio tour
The Metropolitan Cathedral has launched two brand new visitor resources.
Firstly, there’s a new  interactive family trail, especially designed for younger visitors. Free to access from any smartphone, Explore with Eva takes visitors on a treasure-hunt style journey around the Cathedral.
There is also an immersive audio tour, which enables local and international visitors to experience the sights and sounds of the Metropolitan Cathedral like never before. For more information, visit: https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/metropolitan-cathedral-launches-new-family-trail-and-audio-tour

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.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: LOURDES CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
This year will mark 100 years since the archdiocese’s first pilgrimage to Lourdes.
To mark this special occasion, we would love people to share their memories of Lourdes and any photographs or video clips you may have taken on any trips there over the years. We will collate these memories and use them on the archdiocesan website, social media channels and the Pic.
It could be that generations of your family have travelled to Lourdes, that you met your spouse there, you could have photos from decades ago or even that a member of your family went on our very first pilgrimage in 1923.
If you have anything you are happy for us to share publicly or if you would even like to record a video message for us, then please email any details to communications@rcaol.org.uk  and lourdespilgrimage@rcaol.org.uk  and  include your name, parish and year(s) you travelled to Lourdes.
We cannot guarantee that we will use them all depending on the volume of information we receive, but we will read and respond to all correspondence.
We look forward to hearing from you!

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 TREAT FOR THE WEEK
Easter Anthem – William Billings – YouTube
Colonial composer William Billings, the father of American choral music, was writing and publishing collections of sacred songs without any formal training in music and limited elementary education. The result was a vigorous, unique proclamation of faith for mixed voices in harmony that fed the Sacred Harp style of American worship songs, to which this Easter Anthem belongs.
This lively and energetic performance comes from the Chancel Choir.

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