27 November 2022 – 1st Sunday in Advent

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday 26th – Holy Souls

Monday 28th – LISCF

Thursday 1st December – Margaret Busby RIP

Saturday 3rd December – Bernadette Welch 

APOLOGY: The letters ‘RIP’ were added to Bernadette Welch in error and we offer our sincere apologies for this mistake and the distress that it has caused for Bernadette, her family, friends and all who know her.

LATEST  UP-DATE 

 MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm

SOCIALLY-DISTANCED SEATING:  As far as possible, the side benches will be available for those who wish to remain cautious. 

OFFICE HOURS : FRIDAYS, 10am to 4pm


 PARISH NEWSLETTER

VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT & PRAYER / REFLECTION:  Fridays 11am to 1pm

HOLY MASS: MONDAYS, 10am; THURSDAYS 10.00am, with Exposition & Benediction: 10.25am-11.00am

CONFESSIONS: last Saturday of the month: 4.15pm-4.45pm

COVID / ‘FLU AWARENESS
If you have a cough / sore throat / feel generally unwell with cold-like symptom, please take a Covid test right away. If it’s positive, then please stay at home, keep it to yourself and get better soon!

READINGS FOR 27  NOVEMBER
1st Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5, The Lord gathers all nations together into the eternal peace of God’s kingdom
Psalm 121: I rejoiced when I heard them say, ‘Let us go to God’s house’
2nd Reading: Romans 13:11-14, Our salvation is near
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44, Stay awake so that you may be ready
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Let us see O Lord your mercy, and give us your saving help. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: The Lord will bestow his bounty and our earth shall yield its increase.

INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for November
For children who suffer
We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for December
For volunteer not-for-profit organisations
We pray that volunteer non-profit organisations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
30 November – St Andrew
1 December – St Edmund Campion
3 December – St Francis Xavier

SPECIAL COLLECTION LAST WEEK : Animate Youth: £66.00 Thank you.

FUNDRAISING: OUR CHRISTMAS APPEAL FOR 2022           
Please collect a letter from the Fundraising Committee, available in the narthex, which outlines details of our Christmas Collection for Mary’s Meals.  This is the charity supported by our own Archdiocese.  It only costs £15.90 to feed a child for a whole year, so we have the potential to help a tremendous number of children around the world.  If you can gift aid your donation, even better – it frees up 25%-40% more of your donation to go directly to Mary’s Meals.  We know this is asking a lot of people, especially as so many of us are facing our own financial and economic challenges, but we hope you’ll feel able to donate even a small amount.  It all helps!  There are plenty of leaflets in the narthex to collect on your way out. Thank you.

THE 1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT  – A NEW LITURGICAL YEAR
The new liturgical year begins on the first Sunday of Advent and for 2023 the Pope is asking us to start preparing for the Jubilee year of 2025, with prayers and acts of faith and love that focus on bringing hope to those who have none.  In his letter announcing the Jubilee earlier this year, Pope Francis wrote:
The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope. This will indeed be the case if we are capable of recovering a sense of universal fraternity and refuse to turn a blind eye to the tragedy of rampant poverty that prevents millions of men, women, young people and children from living in a manner worthy of our human dignity. Here I think in particular of the many refugees forced to abandon their native lands. May the voices of the poor be heard throughout this time of preparation for the Jubilee, which is meant to restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone.

CARING FOR GOD’S GOOD EARTH
“The Lord comes that we might find him in this world of ours.” Laudato Si’ #236
As the UN conference on Environment closed last week, we were reminded how the poorest countries are paying the highest cost for the environmental crisis. During advent, CAFOD is offering daily prayers to help us reflect on this season, and as we remember the Holy Family, how we too can respond to the call of the poor. More can be found at https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Advent-prayers
Light up our lives Christ, come into our world of darkness
Light up our lives with your coming.
Fulfil all our longings with the joy of your birth
Strengthen our resolve to work for change in our world
And to share the hope of your birth that each Advent brings. Amen.
Sr Bridgetta Rooney/CAFOD

NOVEMBER LOTTERY WINNERS
1st         Mrs K Ricketts, Mawdesley          £50
2nd        Mr P Fletcher, Hesketh Bank      £30
3rd        Mrs P Harvey, Heskin                   £20

COST OF LIVING CRISIS
The Archdiocese has created a network of warm and cosy spaces for winter with hot drinks, TV and internet access.  Please see the list at http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/index.php?p=2561
Everyone will find warm & cosy parish centre, a warm cup of tea or coffee, biscuits or cakes and a chance to meet some new friends you haven’t met yet. Please spread the word. If you would like to get more involved or to find out more, please contact p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk
Our nearest churches are:
St Teresa’s, Penwortham PR1 0DS – Mondays, 1pm to 3.30pm
St Mary’s, Chorley PR7 2SR – Tuesdays, 1pm to 3.30pm

ARCHDIOCESE RESPONSE TO UKRAINE
The fourth consignment of aid for Ukraine travelled last weekend taking dried food, thermal clothing, tools and generators. Please pray for peace https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pray-for-peace-in-ukraine/

RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring them to church when you attend Mass next weekend, or drop them off at the presbytery on Friday, between 10am and 4pm. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like someone to collect your box for you.   Alternatively, please contact Sandra Cobham to arrange collection on 01704 821609.  Thank you.

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.   During Advent, we will be collecting Christmassy food items.

SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAWDESLEY
RESPECT BELIEVE INSPIRE: Learning through Jesus. Opportunities for all to reach their full potential. Valuing all in our school family and the wider world. Encouraging everyone to be unique. Please ring Mrs A Parkinson on 01704 822216 to find out about Open Days/Evenings, or check the website on https://www.sspeterandpaulsschoolmawdesley.co.uk/

UKRAINE AID FUND The International Aid Trust no longer requires clothing, but would be grateful for non-perishable foodstuffs, toiletries and medical supplies eg plasters, bandages, antiseptic wipes, paracetamol, ibuprofen.  The depot is at Lostock Hall, Sherdley Road.

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.

       
       
       

LET’S KEEP TALKING – SUPPORT FOR ANYONE SUFFERING IN ANY WAY AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC
Please pick up a leaflet on your way into/out of church, from Lancs & S Cumbria Mental Health Support.  Help is out there if you’re struggling to cope, or you know someone who is struggling.

MUSICAL TREATS FOR THE WEEK
O Come, O Come Emmanuel | Anna Hawkins – Filmed in Israel (Hebrew & English) – YouTube
Some wonderful scenes from Israel, Our Lord’s home – plus a lovely performance of this favourite Advent hymn by Anna Hawkins, sung in both English and Hebrew.

WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES THIS NEXT WEEK


MAGNIFICAT
The Magnificat publication can be a wonderful aid to prayer and of course, you also get the readings for Mass for every day of the week!  At a cost of less than £1 a week, you may be interested in subscribing now: tel. 020 7448 3618; email: uk@magnificat.com or visit the website: www.catholic-herald.myshopify.com

CLOTHING DONATIONS FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES
Donations to Care4Calais are being collected in Aughton L39 5DW: Please email mcevoyden@gmail.com to arrange drop-off time / venue. Care4Calais is specifically asking for the following items, which must be in good condition: baby / children’s clothes & shoes (trainers), jeans and leggings, t-shirts, hoodies, & other winter clothes / shoes. You may wish to donate directly to Care4Calais: Care4Calais | Refugee Crisis Charity | Fundraise Donate Volunteer

THE UNIVERSE CATHOLIC WEEKLY
The Universe Catholic Weekly has launched their new online newspaper with the full support of their first subscriber, none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Order your Digital copy by going to www.universecatholicweekly.co.uk or ring 0743661 7650 and ask for Michelle.
Special offer: Only £20 for 3 months

EWTN – GLOBAL CATHOLIC TV & RADIO
Getting connected is easier than you might think.  EWTN is free, there’s no subscription.  You can stream live and on demand via the website: www.ewtn.co.uk/get-ewtn or get the app for your mobile (EWTN APP), or Amazon’s Echo Auto.
Every day: daily Mass at 1pm and Children’s Rosary every day, at 7.30pm

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES ON EWTN
Children’s religious programmes, based on the teachings of Jesus, are available on EWTN every week day, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm – and on Saturday mornings, from 9am to 10am.

WEEKLY MASS FOR CHILDREN: FREE RESOURCE BOOKLET
Redemptorist Publications is pleased to introduce Celebrate: an initiative designed to help children grow in their faith. 
Each week they will provide a Children’s Liturgy in the form of a video of the week’s Gospel reading, a reflection and a final prayer.  
Fun, engaging and practical worksheets/resources will also be provided to help children continue to practise their faith during this time.  Please ring 01420 592974 or check the following link for the RP KidZone: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/celebrate-following-your-faith?utm

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OFFERTORY DONATIONS
Instead of putting money in offertory envelopes each week, those who are able to make an offering are asked to either:

  • Write a monthly cheque (payable to ‘Ss Peter & Paul Church’) and post to the presbytery with a covering letter and one offertory envelope for gift aid purposes.
  • Contact the office (by phone or email) to request a Standing Order mandate for your bank –

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss this further.