24 March 2024 – Palm Sunday

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday     23rd     5.00pm  –    Harold & Anne Cooper RIP

Monday      25th   10.00am  –  Holy Souls NDL

Saturday  30th Easter Vigil   7.30pm  –  Parishioners

Thursday    4th April –

Saturday     6th April – Garth Owen RIP

LATEST  UP-DATE 

 MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm


 PARISH NEWSLETTER

OFFICE OPENING NEXT WEEK:  Please note that the Parish Office will be open on Wednesday 27 March from 10am to 12.30pm.  It will be closed all day on Good Friday.

MASSES THIS WEEK
Monday 10am

CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month, 23 March 4.15pm-4.45pm (Next month: 27 April)

READINGS FOR 24 MARCH
1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7, I did not cover my face against insult – I know I shall not be shamed.
Psalm 21:  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
2nd Reading: Philippians2:6-11, He humbled himself, but God raised him high
Gospel Reading: The Passion Reading: Mark 14:1-15:47
Gospel acclamation: Praise to you O Christ, King of eternal glory!  Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.  But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names.  Praise to you O Christ, King of eternal glory! 

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For the new martyrs
We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

LENTEN ALMS BOX – FINAL WEEK 
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 & the Holy Land.

EASTER AT Ss PETER & PAUL’S / ST AGNES, ECCLESTON
Palm Sunday: Vigil Mass (Saturday 23 March) at 5pm
Maundy Thursday (28 March) at St Agnes, Eccleston at 7pm
Good Friday, Solemn Liturgy of the Passion  (29 March) at St Agnes Eccleston at 3pm
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil Mass (30 March) at 7.30pm
Easter Sunday (31 March) at St Agnes, Eccleston at 11am

REFLECTION: PALM SUNDAY
We pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation’, knowing that God does not lead us astray.  St James says, ‘When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me”, for God cannot tempt evil and nor can he be tempted by evil’ (James 1:13).  But no one is exempt from temptation, yet we are not tempted beyond what we can bear or can cope with.  Jesus was tempted, so it’s not a sin to be tempted!  Temptation to gossip, to act with pride, with arrogance and conceit, with dishonesty, are things that we all experience and have to do battle with.  It’s how we deal with the temptation to sin that is the key thing: do we give in, or do we turn away and place ourselves in God’s saving mercy, just as Jesus did?
From ‘Walk with Me’ (Alive Publishing)

SACRAMENT OF 1st HOLY COMMUNION
Please remember our children in your prayer: Lola, Romi, Rafa, Poppy, Gabby, Evie and Riva as they meet together to continue their preparations, for the great day when they meet Jesus in a very special way, making their 1st Holy Communion this summer.  May Almighty God bless them, and Sarah & Phil Dawson, who are instructing them.

OFFERTORY BOXES
Offertory boxes for April 2024-25 are now available for collection from the narthex.  Please email / phone the office if you would like to use offertory envelopes and Diane will arrange.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY  – 7 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.  Fliers, with more details, are available in the narthex.

RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring your box to church when you attend Mass next Saturday and leave in the narthex for Sandra Cobham.  Or, if you’re unable to get to church, please give Sandra a ring on 01704 821609 and she will arrange to collect. 
Many thanks.  Copies of the spring edition of ‘Mission Today’ are now available from the narthex.

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=yALiXuYqdWE
No one quite sums up the pain of the crucifixion like Pergolesi in his profoundly moving ‘Stabat Mater’.  This sublime recording allows us to stand with Mary, at the foot of the cross, contemplating both the humanity and divinity of Christ.

WITH EVERY BLESSING THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES