23 March – 3rd Sunday of Lent

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday   22nd     5.00pm    Fr Barry McAllister RIP
Monday    24th    10.00am    Foundation Mass
Thursday  27th    10.00am    May Williams RIP
Saturday  29th       5.00pm    Parishioners

LATEST  UP-DATE 

 MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm

PARISH OFFICE: Fridays from 10am to 4pm

 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 –  29 March, 4.15pm to 4.45pm

READINGS FOR 23 MARCH
1st Reading: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15, ‘I AM’ has sent me to you.
Psalm 103: The Lord is compassionate and gracious.
2nd Reading: I Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, The way of life of the people with Moses in the desert was written down for our instruction.
Gospel Reading: Luke 13:1-9, Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Gospel acclamation: Glory to you O Christ, you are the Word of God.  Repent, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Glory to you O Christ, you are the Word of God
Communion antiphon: The sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.  Blessed are they who dwell in your house, forever singing your praise.

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
25 March – The Annunciation of the Lord
Prayer to Our Lady on the Annunciation
O Virgin Mother of God, Mother of God’s Eternal Light, hear the prayers of your humble servants,
so that by your holy intercessions we may be found worthy to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Amen

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.

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

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

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY LENTEN APPEAL
Thank you to our generous parishioners: a cheque for £206.00 has been sent to CAFOD.

THE HOLY YEAR JUBILEE BOOKLET / ARCHDIOCESAN DIRECTORIES 2025
We have a number of copies of the booklet which accompanies our Holy Year.  The booklet provides information and prayers for the year, all based on the theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.  Booklets cost £1.50. The 2025 Directories are also available and cost £4 each. There are labelled baskets for your donations.  Thank you.

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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gl7lN2umUs
The sublime VOCES8 sing the delightful motet – a beautiful prayer in itself and one we can repeat throughout the day, especially during this season of Lent.

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