24 May 2020
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK – Both parishes
Parishioners
Fr Kevin Ashton RIP
Kathleen & Bert Edwardson RIP
Holy Souls NDL
Michael Anthony Kelly RIP
Irene Forest RIP
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OUR LADY’S and Ss PETER & PAUL’S – No Masses or services. Church can no longer open for private prayer. Fr Anders will continue to say Mass for the intentions listed above. |
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E. Minister | Reader |
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JOINT PARISH NEWSLETTER
ASCENSION DAY – THURSDAY 21 MAY
However you celebrated the beautiful feast of the Ascension of Our Lord – and whichever streamed or televised service you joined last Thursday, let us as a community, think about the new ways that Jesus can be present with us now. Our faith encourages us to follow St Paul’s teaching in his letter to the Ephesians (1:17-32), to receive the spirit of wisdom and perception so that our minds are enlightened, as they need to be – to fulfil Jesus’ mission, to make his words and his love known throughout the world. We all have a responsibility to do our bit, in our own corner of the world, to make Christ a very visible presence for people today. The apostles stayed rooted to the spot, trying to see Jesus as the cloud obscured him until the two men in white informed them that they were looking in the wrong place (Acts 1:1-11). We must take our cue from them and be pro-active in showing God’s love in our kind words and deeds to others. Thankfully, we know that Jesus is always there to help us when we struggle to do this – we don’t need to look up to the sky – he’s right by our side, always!
NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: 22 – 30 MAY Preparing for Penetcost
Follow the links on the Archdiocesan website https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com
Prayer & Other Resources….Novena to the Holy Spirit
Some would say that the Novena to the Holy Spirit is the oldest of Novenas. It was initiated by Jesus himself when he told the Apostles to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Spirit.
We are invited to pray this Novena from Friday 22 May to Saturday 30 May 2020 (the eve of Pentecost).
Each day we pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit to be more present in our lives.
You are invited to read the passage of scripture and reflect upon what it is challenging you to do and to recognise where you need the power of the Spirit.
Take time each day to pray this Novena and invite the Holy Spirit to be more and more active in your life.
THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL REFLECTION: Fr Chris Thomas
A couple of years ago, I was invited to go and lead a retreat for a group of sisters. The highlight of the week for me was a conversation I had with a 95-year-old who had been with her order for 77 years. She was as bright as a button with an outlook on life and the Church that belied her years. She told me that she had been a teacher and eventually a head mistress of a girls’ school. When she retired from school, she moved into parish ministry and from there had opened a drop -in centre for those living with HIV/Aids, so her life had been full and varied. A couple of years before I met her, she had retired from the centre and the parish and now occupied herself by helping to teach English to asylum seekers. She was a great woman whose constant activity had kept her mind alert. She was witty and an absolute delight to be with. As you can imagine the conversation took some time and as it drew to an end, she finally told me why she had come to see me. She hadn’t wanted to come on the retreat, but it was an expectation within her order that a retreat would be made every year. Then she began to cry and took hold of my hand and said to me ‘You see, I never knew’. It took a while to get it out of her but eventually I discovered that it was all to do with the love of God and her lack of awareness that she was a beloved child of God. It had taken 77 years of a committed religious life for her to suddenly realise that she was loved by God. Her tears were tears of joy and as she left, she said to me, ‘All I will do for the rest of my life is say thank you’.
The farewell speeches of great men often ended with a prayer of protection for their followers and for their
teaching to be lived out in them. This is what is happening in this part of John’s Gospel. In it, Jesus pulls together all the strands of his life, as he tries to show all that he’s believed in and all that he’s held important that he wants us to hold on to as well. A little further on in this chapter he will pray for unity. However, at this point Jesus is inviting us to focus on the wonder and beauty of the relationship we are called into with God and with one another. So we find John telling us today, as he often has through the Gospel, that real life only comes through knowing Jesus in the intimate way that the word ‘knowing’ meant for the Hebrews. It’s all about relationship. Much of the latter half of John’s Gospel goes round and round in circles as the author tries to communicate the power of relationship. It uses beautiful words and phrases when reflecting on God’s love and the lavishness of that love poured out on the world and on humanity.
John seems to want us to know that when we understand that love, then in time we come to recognise that we are cherished by God with that intimate, wonderful, relationship that many parents have with their children. I came across this quotation from Ronald Rolheiser. He said when reflecting on the relationship between God and God’s children, ‘God, like any parent, takes a huge risk in having children. To have children is to leave yourself painfully vulnerable. It is also to be called upon for an understanding, a patience, and a self-dethroning that, literally, can empty you of self. That is as true of God as of any mother or father.’
God’s love for us has made God vulnerable and needy. It’s hard for us to image God in that way, but that’s how great God’s love is for each one of us. God has emptied Godself for the sake of each human being, whom God loves as if they were the only one. What incredible love that is! We are the recipients of a
generous self-giving love that God has for those who have been created.
I remember recently going to see a young woman who had given birth to a baby girl. I asked her how she felt, and she said to me ‘Everything I have has now been given to another. My life isn’t my own any longer.’ Everything God has, has been given to us. God’s life is no longer God’s own. It is an extremely powerful truth. How can we not have value and worth when we are loved in that way? If only we would believe that life, real life and not just existence, comes through knowing Jesus and, that if we allow God to possess us and envelop us, then we can find life, love and peace. That leads us to live in what John calls the glory of God. So spend time each day inviting God to draw you deeply into relationship and begin to live.
READINGS FOR 24 MAY
1st Reading: Acts 1: 12-14: All joined in continuous prayer
Psalm 26: I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living
2nd Reading: 1 Peter 4: 13-16: It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ
Gospel: John 17: 1-11 – Father, glorify your Son.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Father, I pray that they may be one as we also are one, Alleluia.
THE ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS DURING THE LOCKDOWN
The Archdiocese has now issued a set of guidelines for priests and parishioners – and also set up a direct online-giving facility.
They advise against offertory envelopes being posted through presbytery doors because this increases the number of non-essential journeys being made by vulnerable people. It also requires the counting and retaining of cash in the presbytery and subsequent trips to banks / post offices – all increasing the likelihood of spreading infection.
The Archdiocese therefore recommends that parishioners who are able to and who wish to continue with their offertory donations can do one of the following:
1. Wait until the crisis is over and then write out 1 cheque only, payable to the parish, and place in that particular week’s offertory envelope / an envelope with your offertory number on (so that it can be identified for Gift Aid, if appropriate)
2. Take out a standing order with your bank. You will need the parish account name, sort code and account number. Please either email the parish office for this information, or phone the Tarleton presbytery on 01772 812242 and we will send you (mail / email) a Standing Order Mandate form. You may wish to make your offering to the parish on a monthly basis, rather than weekly in this instance.
3. Via Liverpool Archdiocese’s online giving website: Each parish has its own unique link on the website and a photograph of your church is shown to provide additional reassurance to donors that they are donating to their parish. All donations will go to the parish selected by the donor.
Here is the link for Our Lady’s in Tarleton: https://donate.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/our-lady-help-of-christians-tarleton
Here is the link for Ss Peter & Paul, Mawdesley: https://donate.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/ss-peter-and-paul-mawdesley
MASSES ONLINE
Daily Mass can be viewed from Bishop Barron’s Chapel at 1.15pm on You Tube
Locally, there is St Clare’s, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood: www.stclares.co.uk which streams Mass daily at 10am. Please follow the easy links on the website.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en Pope Francis
https://www.churchservices.tv/whats-on-now/ Great selection of Masses and other Church services https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes/ Mass and daily at 2pm, the Rosary in English
https://www.livemass.org Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal)
Sky Channel 588 – for daily Mass at 1pm
Use the website links to EWTN, or the Archdiocese to access daily Masses
On the radio: Catholic Radio Channel 0147
Also, you may wish to try the Pray as you Go phone app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.foxcode.prayasyougo&hl=en
PRAYERS from the Archdiocese, for Stations of the Cross etc: https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/
Please email the Parish Office with details of any other online services you know of that may help parishioners at this very difficult time. We will try to include them in next week’s Newsletter.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY WITH CAFOD / REDEMPTORISTS
cafod.org.uk/parishes – provides tips for CHILDREN’S activities
They also have a programme of online talks about their response work as well as a weekly live-streamed Mass and Sunday Children’s Liturgy.
Redemptorist Publications: the weekly worksheet for children can be accessed and downloaded on line by emailing marketing@rpbooks.co.uk
Tapestry Starter Kits for Children: Try contacting Hayes & Finch for some tapestry starter kits for children…http://www.hfltd.com/category/jacksons-of-hebden-bridge/
FEAST DAYS THIS COMING WEEK
25 May – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) – (see article in this week’s Universe)
26 May – St Philip Neri (1515-1595) priest and well-known confessor (penances apparently included making people carry large dogs round Rome, or writing a history of the Church)
27 May – St Augustine of Canterbury, monk and evangeliser of the Anglo-Saxons 597-604
29 May – Pope St Paul VI, successor of Pope St John XXIII (1897-1978)
30 May – St Joan of Arc (see article in this week’s Universe)
USEFUL CONTACTS: GETTING HELP – WEST LANCS PARTNERSHIP
Everyone should have received leaflets from WLBC outlining the help and support being offered to vulnerable families and individuals during this crisis.
If you haven’t received anything, then please ring 0800 616 667 between 7am and 7pm.
West Lancs Together can help with food deliveries, collecting prescriptions, financial help, social isolation (loneliness and anxiety).
Other specific helplines include:
Victim /Domestic Abuse – 0300 323 0085
Macmillan Care – 01695 402164
Dial-a-Ride, for wheelchair users – 0845 121 7686
Alzheimer’s Society – 01772 788700
Foodbank referrals – 0800 616 667 / info@ormskirk.foodbank.org.uk – emails are checked daily
Minor injuries requiring medical attention – 01695 402180
Southport & Ormskirk & Preston A & E – open as usual; please don’t be put off by fears of contracting the virus: they use completely different areas of the hospital. Also, don’t forget to have children immunised against deadly diseases like Measles, Mumps, Rubella.
THE ARCHDIOCESE ALSO RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING HELP LINES
Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk) – using a web browser or mobile, this cloud-based web application allows anyone, anywhere, to find the nearest source of support for any mental health issue, as well as providing a ‘talk now’ button, connecting users directly to the Samaritans (tel. 116 123)
Silver Line (www.thesilverline.org.uk/ or 0800 470 80 90) – a free confidential helpline offering information, friendship and advice to older people. Available 24 /7.
Domestic Abuse – 0808 2000 247; if you are in immediate danger, ring 999. If you call 999 from a mobile and cannot speak, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard. Police can track your location and come to assist.
Childline – 0800 1111
LOCAL SHOPS / BUSINESSES THAT DELIVER
Spar, Tarleton – 01772 814175
Creme de la Creme Delicatessen, Tarleton – 01772 816052
Olive Tree Cafe, Tarleton – 01772 812000
The Vestry Tap Room, Tarleton – order on their website thevestrybar.co.uk
Booths Hesketh Bank – 01772 811493
Taylor Produce Hesketh Bank 07771661846 / 01616272520 or message them on Facebook. Also 01772 815733
GIVING HELP
Some parishioners and their friends / family have been – and still are – helping to shop for food for those who are vulnerable, as well as collecting prescriptions for them. If you know of a neighbour or friend who needs this sort of help, please contact Diane on 01772 815508. For more specialist help, please contact WLBC – see above.
BE ALERT – BE SCAM SMART!
a. Don’t give credit / debit card PIN numbers to anyone you don’t know and trust
b. Don’t believe anyone who rings and tells you they’re from your bank / building society / telephone provider etc
c. Don’t order medicines on-line without checking with family / friends first
d. Don’t give cash to anyone you don’t know, who says they’ll get shopping in for you
e. Don’t give your pension book to anyone other than a family member / known friend
f. Finally, if in doubt, say you need to check with family / friends to any caller you don’t know
NEWS ITEMS FEATURED IN THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSE THIS WEEK
• Cardinal Nichols led prayers and tributes to the ‘endlessly patient, warm and kind’ Bishop Vincent Malone, who died earlier this week after testing positive for Covid-19. He was 88 and had served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese from 1989 util his retirement in 2006.
• The Jesuit Refugee Service UK has asked the government to allow access to essential services to migrants coming to the UK. This is in the wake of a High Court ruling that judged government policy of denying migrant families access to welfare was unlawful.
• Bishop Tom Burns has praised the Catholic Police Guild for police use of tact and good humour to keep the peace during lockdown.
• On-line gambling shows worrying increase during the lockdown – an increase of 40% during March.
• The Vatican is planning to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment with a year-long series of activities dedicated to safeguarding and caring for the earth. This ‘Laudato Si’ year runs from 24 May 2020 to 24 May 2021.
• Brazil continues to fail to balance public health and safety with economic problems
• St Bede: the ‘Father of English History’, whose feast falls on 25 May.
• In Ireland: praise for volunteers helping local communities during the pandemic
• St Joan of Arc – the centenary of her canonisation in 1920, 500 years after her martyrdom.
CHURCH OPENING: There are no plans for churches to open in England and Wales at present. Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Bishops have made representation to the Government for churches to open for private prayer.
As and when that day comes, both Our Lady’s in Tarleton and Ss Peter & Paul in Mawdesley will be ready to facilitate safe distancing and safe hygiene. You will be kept fully informed of developments, and as always….
…. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR NEED ANY HELP, PLEASE CONTACT FR ANDERS AT THE PRESBYTERY IN TARLETON ON 01772 812242, OR EMAIL EITHER OFFICE.
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR THE COMING WEEK