29 December 2024 – The Holy Family
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 28th 5.00pm A Sick Person
Monday 30th 10.00am Walter Horridge RIP
Thursday 2nd 10.00am Michael Wane
Saturday 4th 5.00pm Parishioners
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm PARISH OFFICE IS NEXT OPEN ON FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER from 10am to 1pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
MASSES THIS WEEK
Monday at 10am
Thursday at 10am followed by Exposition and Benediction, 10.25am
CHURCH OPEN Church is open on Fridays from 11am to 1.00pm for prayers before the Blessed Sacrament
CONFESSIONS: Next confessions: last Saturday of the month – 27 January, 4.15pm to 4.45pm
READINGS FOR 22 DECEMBER
1st Reading: Micah 5:2-5 From you shall come forth one who is to be ruler in Israel.
Psalm 80: Bring us back, O God, let your face shine forth and we shall be saved.
2nd Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10, Behold, I have come to do your will.
Gospel Reading: Luke 1:39-45, Why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.
POPE’S INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY
For the right to an education
Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
SAINTS & FEASTS DAYS THIS WEEK
1 January – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
2 January – St Basil the Great & St Gegory of Nazianzen
3 January – The Most Holy Name of Jesus
SSPPM FUNDRAISING GROUP CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2024 – THANK YOU!
Donations are still arriving for Mary’s Meals but today is the last day to give iF you wish. There are envelopes and Gift Aid forms in the narthex if you need them.
Thank you to everybody that has been so generous. We will announce the total early in the New Year.
The raffle for the Christmas Hamper was drawn last week and the lucky winner was……Mrs K Cooper of Heskin.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Ged Tyrer (Chair SSPPM, FRC)
CRIB OFFERINGS
This year, offerings will be sent to Nugent Care (Archdiocesan Social Services). Thank you.
NEW YEAR MESSAGE AND THANK YOU
First of all a very heartfelt Thank You to everyone who prepared the church and the Mass for Christmas: the flowers, the crib and then the wonderful music and readings, the readers, acolytes, welcomers, collectors and counters. The church looked and sounded magnificent – and truly worthy of the sacred celebration of Christ’s Nativity.
Many thanks for your kind gifts and cards – they are much appreciated.
May I wish all parishioners and visitors a very happy and blessed New Year. May God be with you, always.
REFLECTION – THE HOLY FAMILY
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of his cathedral St John Lateran today.
‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.’ (Luke 2:41-52)
‘Whatever you do, secure wisdom, for wisdom is supreme.’ (Proverbs 4:7). Where do we begin? How do we acquire wisdom? The Bible suggests that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding’ (Proverbs 9:10).
Fear, even fear of God, doesn’t seem to be the best starting point to anything. However, fear of the Lord isn’t the same as ordinary fear. Of course, we naturally fear terrorism, natural disasters, failure, sickness and so on. Whereas fear of the Lord has to do with a deep and profound reverence, wonder and awe for God’s majesty, power and glory.
James says (3:17) ‘The wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, it is peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy and good fruit; impartial and sincere.’
Prayer: Dear Lord, may I grow in fear of you, in humility and wisdom, and learn the art of listening carefully, keeping a sense of perspective and having a sense of humour.
LOST PROPERTY – MANY PAIRS OF GLASSES!
Over the last few weeks we have acquired a number of pairs of glasses and their cases. Please collect them from the table in the narthex. 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.
MAGNIFICAT
Now is a good time to buy a yearly subscription to Magnificat. It works out at less than £1 per week at £49 pa.
The Magnificat is published monthly. For each day, it contains the readings and prayers for Mass, with a meditation from the great spiritual writers of the Church throughout history and prayers for morning and evening inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours. You will also find the lives of the saints, articles on spiritual topics by contemporary writers, prayers at night, hymns, reflections and essay on a great example of Christian art in each issue.
Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone Margaret Hiscock on 020 3882 9432.
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.
LITTLE THEATRES & MENTAL HEALTH / WELL-BEING
Chorley and Southport have their own theatres and Southport’s in particular, has just brought out its new season pamphlet of plays and productions for 2024-25. Visiting the theatre can provide a welcome form of relaxation and enjoyment, and at Southport, the volunteers are very good at putting people at their ease. You will be sure of a grand welcome.
In addition, there is news of a number of special packages available, that afford real value for money.
The pamphlets, containing full details, are available in the narthex.
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=Wit-jGD4wCw
The immensely haunting Coventry Carol is performed with great delicacy here by the all ladies choral group, Anúna at St Bartholomew’s Church in Dublin, in 2015. A glorious musical treat especially for Christmas.
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR A VERY HAPPY AND PEACE-FILLED NEW YEAR