21 April 2024 – 4th Sunday of Easter
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 20th – Jonathan Ainscough RIP
Monday 22nd – David Pickles RIP
Thursday 25th – 10am: Funeral Mass for Walter Horridge RIP
Saturday 27th – Parishioners
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
MASSES THIS WEEK
Monday at 10am
CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month, 27 April 4.15pm-4.45pm
READINGS FOR 21 APRIL
1st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12, This is the only name by which we can be saved.
Psalm 117: The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
2nd Reading: Letter of St John 3:1-2, We shall see God as he really is.
Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18, The good shepherd is the one who lays down his life for his sheep.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: The Good Shepherd is risen! He who laid down his life for his sheep, who died for his flock, he is risen, alleluia.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL
For the role of women
We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.
SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
23 April – St George, a soldier in the Roman army, who became a Christian; patron of England
24 April – St Adalbert / St Fidelis
25 April – St Mark, apostle
27 April – St Maughold, patron of the Isle of Man (said to have been baptised by St Patrick)
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Please pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead. Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister. Consider praying a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call.
SPECIAL COLLECTION AFTER MASS TODAY (Saturday 20 April): Priests’ Training Fund. Thank you in anticipation.
POPE FRANCIS’ MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH ON GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY: Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace
Often it seems that God does not exist: all around us, we see persistent injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty. But it is also true that in the midst of darkness something new always springs to life and sooner or later produces fruit” (Evangelii Gaudium, 276). Again, the Apostle Paul tells us that, “in hope we were saved” (Rom 8:24). The redemption accomplished in the paschal mystery is a source of hope, a sure and trustworthy hope, thanks to which we can face the challenges of the present.
To be pilgrims of hope and builders of peace, then, means to base our lives on the rock of Christ’s resurrection, knowing that every effort made in the vocation that we have embraced and seek to live out, will never be in vain.
For the full text, please use the link: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/vocations/documents/20240421-messaggio-61-gm-vocazioni.html
FAMILY PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Father, increase our family’s love for one another.
May we honour each other in times of happiness or hardship,
bearing with one another in love, just as you love us.
In a special way, help us strive for holiness in our current states of life.
Should you call some of us to the priesthood or religious life,
help us to respond with courage and joy.
Together, we make heaven our goal, and pledge, with your grace,
to help each other on life’s journey to you.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family:
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Amen
MISSIO THANK YOU
Thank you to generous parishioners who have donated a total of £489.66 over the last year, to the Mill Hill Missionaries, either through box donations, or direct debits to Mill Hill. Your contributions are most gratefully received.
MESSAGE FROM MARY’S MEALS: PRAY IN MAY WITH MARY’S MEALS
Mary’s Meals, named after Mary, the mother of Jesus, is built on a foundation of prayer and the many little acts of love offered by those who believe in our mission. Today more than 2.4 million precious children will receive life-changing school meals in 18 of the world’s poorest countries through Mary’s Meals. During the month of May, dedicated to Our Lady, we invite you to join us in praying for the hungry children who rely on our life-changing school meals, and for all the children and families around the world who live in poverty. Please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk to access prayer resources and see how you can support this remarkable – and very important – work.
PRAYER SHEETS WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK
LOTTERY WINNERS – APRIL
1st Mrs K Cooper, Heskin £50 (18)
2nd Mr Darbyshire, Bretherton £30 (79)
3rd Mr R Langton, Croston £20 (9)
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=yLxdb3ov-zE
Howard Goodall’s beautiful setting for the 23rd psalm is perfect for this Good Shepherd Sunday. Made famous as the theme for the BBC TV series ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, this is the original version, performed by the choir of Wells Cathedral.
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES THIS WEEK