28 January 2024 – 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday  28th       5.00pm  –   Thomas & Winifred Watkinson RIP

Saturday   3rd         5.00pm –     Parishioners

LATEST  UP-DATE 

 MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm

 PARISH NEWSLETTER

OFFICE OPEN ON FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY: 11am to 4pm

CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month – 24 February, 4.15pm-4.45pm

READINGS FOR 28 JANUARY
1st Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, I will raise up a prophet and I will put my words into his mouth.
Psalm 94:  O that today you would listen to his voice!  Harden not your hearts.
2nd Reading: I Corinthians 7:32-35, An unmarried woman can devote herself to the Lord’s affairs; all she need worry about is being holy.
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:21-28, He taught them with authority.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and the shadow of death, a light has dawned.  Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY
The Terminally Ill
That terminally ill patients and their families always receive the necessary medical and human care and support.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
31 January – St John Bosco
2 February – Presentation of the Lord*
3 February – St Blaise / St Ansgar
*The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas Day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in the liturgy.
Founded by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997, 2 February is also the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. He attached it to “Candlemas Day” because the consecrated men and women are to be the light in the world, imitating Jesus, the Light of the World.
PRAYER FOR CANDLEMAS DAY
Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever,
Amen.

LOTTERY WINNERS IN JANUARY
1st     Mrs Brown, Leyland          £50 (no.72)
2nd  Mrs Patton, Eccleston        £30 (no.28)
3rd   Mr K Sharrock, Bispham   £20 (no.87)

THANK YOU FROM CAFOD
We have received a letter from Michelle Oakland (Head of Supporter Relations at CAFOD), saying “Thank you for donating to the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal.  We are actively responding through local experts in both Gaza and Israel.  Your donation (£335) is helping to provide essentials like emergency shelter, food, water and psychosocial support…Thank you so much for being there for our global family.”

ARCHDIOCESAN CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME – YEAR 8 CHILDREN
Information sheets are available in the porch for parents and children interested in receiving this very special sacrament.  Children must be registered (online) at www.liverpoolcalled.co.uk between 15 January and 15 March.  The Confirmations will take place during the summer term this year

GDPR FORMS
I have extended the deadline to 31 January for completing one of these forms (couples need only complete one).  We will keep your contact details securely in the church office, for three years.  They will not be passed on to anyone.  Please complete a form before you leave after Mass – they are available in the narthex.  Many thanks.

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=-sFBrzVQo1k
Soloists and choristers from King’s College Cambridge perform a truly uplifting version of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ that echoes today’s readings: ‘the people who lived in darkness have seen a great light’.  An inspiration for us all, especially in these extremely challenging times.

WITH EVERY BLESSING THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES