18 February 2024 – 1st of Lent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 17th 5.00pm – Parishioners
Monday 19th 10.00am – Ruth Croft RIP
Thursday 22nd 10.00am – Bill & Stephen Higham RIP
Saturday 24th 5.00pm – Parishioners
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
MASSES THIS WEEK
Monday 10am
Thursday, 10am – followed by Exposition & Benediction
CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month – 24 February, 4.15pm-4.45pm
READINGS FOR 18 FEBRUARY
1st Reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7, The creation and sin of our first parents
Psalm 50: Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.
2nd Reading: Romans 5:12-19, However the number of sins committed, grace was even greater
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus fasted for forty days and the tempter came.
Gospel acclamation: Praise to you O Christ, king of eternal glory! Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise to you O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Communion antiphon: The Lord will overshadow you and you will find refuge under his wings.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY
The Terminally Ill
That terminally ill patients and their families always receive the necessary medical and human care and support.
SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
21 February – St Peter Damian
22 February – See* of St Peter *The highest papal authority
23 February – St Polycarp
St Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John and friend of Ignatius of Antioch. He went to confer with Pope Anicetus to discuss a uniform date for the celebration of easter. Neither could agree, so they eventually agreed to differ, out of mutual respect and fraternity. Polycarp is a key link between the apostles and the early Church
LENTEN ALMS BOX
The Lenten Alms box will be available in the porch, for kind donations at all of / any of the Lenten services.
The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let us use this year’s Lenten top observe these special practices as closely as we can.
This year, our donations will be sent via the Archdiocese to the Children of Gaza Appeal.
PRAYERS DURING LENT
We are asked to pray for the following intentions
Candidates for the Sacraments (especially on Sundays); Women (World Day of Prayer on Friday 1 March); the Needy and Hungry of the World; Penitents and Wanderers, CAFOD’s Family Fast Day: Friday 23 February
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY, 23 FEBRUARY
Envelopes for donations will be given out next week (17 February). Please gift aid if possible. Thank you.
Steve Redfern and John Woods will speak to us at all Masses this weekend on CAFOD’s behalf about James the fisherman in Liberia who is supported with resources, tools and training so he canfeed his family for good through our donations.
Give today using the envelope or online at https://cafod.org.uk/ and please join us in praying with James that our sisters and brothers around the world have what they need to feed their families.
If you have a few hours to spare every now and again, please talk to Steve or John about how you can help CAFOD here in your parish too, or contact Ged Edwards on 07779 804241 or gedwards@cafod.org.uk.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – 1 MARCH
A note for your diaries: This year, the service will take place at St Peter’s C of E church in Mawdelsey, on Friday 1 March, beginning at 2pm. The service has been organised and planned by the women of Palestine and the theme is ‘I beg you, bear with one another in love’ (Ephesians 4:2) – an immensely powerful message. The Christian Women of Palestine call us to connect with the land from where Jesus came; where he was born, ministered and died – and from where our faith began and is rooted.
Despite living in an area of the world where there is ongoing conflict and the future is uncertain, the women of Palestine remind us that they are there, and they want to give hope to everyone.
Please use the link for further information and access to resources: https://www.wwdp.org.uk/
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.
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJXe6B7g5gE
The Guesaldo Six perform this very traditional hymn, ‘Forty Days and Forty Nights’ for us this week. The beautiful setting is provided by St Bartholomew the Great in London.
WITH EVERY BLESSING THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES