MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday   15^th     5.00pm    Parishioners

Monday    17^th    10.00am    David Mawdsley RIP

Thursday  20^th    10.00am    John Sexton RIP
Saturday   22^nd     5.00pm    Fr Barry McAllister RIP

LATEST  UP-DATE
MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm PARISH OFFICE: Fridays from 10am to 4pm

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 PARISH NEWSLETTER

MASSES THIS WEEK
Mondays and Thursdays at 10am; Thursdays, Mass followed by Exposition & Benediction

CHURCH OPEN
Church is open every Friday from 11am to 1pm for private prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament

CONFESSIONS: Next confessions: last Saturday of the month – 22 February, then 29 March, 4.15pm to 4.45pm

READINGS FOR 16 MARCH
1^st Reading: Genesis 15:5-18, God enters into a covenant with Abram, the man of faith.
Psalm 27: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
2^nd Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1, Christ will configure us to his glorious body.
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36, As Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face was altered.
Gospel acclamation: Glory and praise to you, O Christ.  From a bright cloud, the Father’s voice was heard, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him”. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
Communion antiphon: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.  Listen to him

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For families in crisis
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, re-discovering each other’s gifts, even their differences.

SAINTS & FEASTS DAYS THIS WEEK

POPE FRANCIS
Let us keep Pope Francis in our thoughts and prayers whilst he remains in hospital.

HOW TO MAKE THIS LENT EXTRA SPECIAL
The holy season of Lent allows us to focus on the three key aspects of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Prayer: consider saying your favourite prayer more slowly, or thoughtfully; look for opportunities to raise your heart to God whilst active during the day; allocate an extra 10 minutes to daily prayers (spending precious time with God), or perhaps try to attend a weekday Mass.
Fasting: physical fasting keeps us focussed and mindful of God’s presence, but we can also fast for our souls by avoiding occasions of sin.
Almsgiving: Jesus sought out the poor and those in need and now is the time for us to think practically about supporting those in need.  We are all members of society; we are all God’s children and all brothers and sisters in Christ.  It’s a privilege and a joy to be able to help others in greater need than ourselves.
The Lenten Alms box will be in the porch for your kind donations throughout Lent.  Thank you.

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT: ST AGNES ECCLESTON
Mass at 6.00pm followed by Stations of the Cross at 6.30pm
All welcome.

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY LENTEN APPEAL – FRIDAY 14 MARCH – COLLECTION AFTER MASS TODAY
Envelopes are available for much-needed donations.  Please remember to gift aid.  It makes a huge difference!

LOTTERY WINNERS – MARCH
Congratulations to this month’s winners:
1^st            Mr Darbyshire, Bretherton      £50      (79)
2^nd       Mrs P Harvey, Heskin                £30     (123)
3^rd        Miss T Culshaw, Mawdesley     £20     (108)

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
The boxes for April 2025 to March 2026 are now available for collection in the narthex.

ARCHDIOCESAN DIRECTORIES 2025
There is one directory remaining – only £4.  It includes details and information on all our parishes.

CRAFTING THE WORD OF THE LORD – IN 30 KNITTED SCENES
Holy Family Parish Hall, Brompton Rd, Southport PR8 6AS
Free entry to see this unique interpretation of the Bible created by Francesca Vause on Sunday 16^th and Monday 17^th March: 12noon to 1pm and 3pm to 4pm.  This is a stunning exhibition and well worth making the effort to go and see. Refreshments available.  All welcome!  (Previously on display at the Metropolitan Cathedral)

THE JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE: December 2024 – January 2026
This Jubilee or Holy Year, decreed by Pope Francis, will be used by the Church to proclaim a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation.  The last jubilee year was in 2000, to mark the start of the new millennium.  This year’s Jubilee has the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and is a year of hope and trust for a world suffering the impacts of wars, the on-going impacts of the Covid pandemic and the increased threats to the environment.
For more information, please use www.giubileo-2025.it/en
Booklets (priced £1.50) are available to purchase in the narthex.

CHURCH FLOWERS
We’re always grateful to our flower arrangers, Ann & Tony and Shirley & Paul, who makes sure our church is filled with beautiful flower arrangements every week.  Many of the flowers are sourced from their garden and also the grounds of the church, but inevitably many flowers also need to be bought and this incurs costs.  Any donations therefore are particularly welcome and will help to ensure that our altars continue to provide a fitting tribute to Our Lord.

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.   They are particularly short of tinned pasta, tinned meat / fish and puddings. 
Please check that donations are well before their BB date!
Thank you all for your kind-hearted generosity.  It makes such a big difference.

CATHOLIC PICTORIAL
Keeping you up to date with all the news from around the Archdiocese online: www.catholicpic.co.uk
Postal subscriptions are available: 3 issues = £9.50, 6 issues = £19 and 12 issues = £37.50.
Email enquiries@cpmmmedia.com or ring 0151 709 7567.
Digital copies are also available.  Please use the phone number / email address above.

THE UNIVERSE CATHOLIC WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS
These are available to order directly from the publisher (www.thecatholicuniverse.com  or call Michelle on 0743 661 7650. ). It can be posted to you each week. A 3 months print subscription is £42.00 – 6 months is £75.00 and the year at £140.00.

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 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  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.

MUSICAL TREAT FOR THE WEEK
Light of the World – Michael Card – w lyrics
A really lovely, very gentle song, that perfectly sums up God’s goodness to us.

WITH EVERY BLESSING  FOR A VERY HAPPY AND PEACE-FILLED WEEK

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