29 January 2023 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 28th – Parishioners
Monday 30th – Holy Souls NDL
Thursday 2nd – Holy Souls NDL
Saturday 4th – The Barlow family
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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
MASSES THIS WEEK
MONDAYS, 10am
THURSDAYS: 10.00am; 10.25am-11.00am: Exposition & Benediction
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT & PRAYER / REFLECTION: Fridays 11am to 1pm
CONFESSIONS: last Saturday of the month (28 January / 25 February): 4.15pm-4.45pm
COVID / ‘FLU AWARENESS & THE SUNDAY OBLIGATION
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!
Whilst the Sunday Obligation has been restored, the Archdiocese advises parishioners to celebrate Mass at home, if they are unwell with coughs and colds – especially at the moment, with so many infections doing the rounds.
READINGS FOR 29 JANUARY
1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:3; 12-13, In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people
Psalm 145: How happy are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven
2nd Reading: I Corinthians 1:26-31, God chose what is foolish by human reckoning
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12, How happy are the poor in spirit
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, never let me be put to shame, for I call on you.
INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for January
For educators
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February
For parishes
We pray that parishes, placing communion at the centre, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need.
SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
31 January – St John Bosco
2 February – Presentation of the Lord
3 February – St Blaise
3 February – St Ansgar, patron saint of Denmark
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD – 2 February
This feast commemorates how Jesus, as a baby, was presented to God in the Temple in Jerusalem. This presentation finds its complete and perfect fulfilment in the mystery of the passion, death and Resurrection of the Lord. The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is a combined feast, commemorating the Jewish practice of the purification of the mother after childbirth and the presentation of the child to God in the Temple and his buying back (redemption) from God. It is also known as the Feast of the Purification of Mary, and the Feast of Candlemas. It is also called the Feast of Encounter because the New Testament, represented by the baby Jesus, encountered the Old Testament, represented by Simeon and Anna.
Fr Antony Kadavil
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-01/sunday-reflection-vatican-news3.html
OUR CHURCH CRIB
The crib has remained in place over the last few weeks, but on Thursday – the Feast of the Presentation – it will be dismantled. This is in line with the Vatican and other churches around the world. It provides an opportunity for us to ‘present’ our prayers to Our Lady and the Child Jesus, confident in the knowledge that they will be heard.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2023
Any young person in Year 8 can register for Sacramental preparation at www.liverpoolcalled.co.uk
While the registration period is open, Animate will visit Catholic schools in the diocese to promote the Sacrament. At the same time our Catholic schools will teach about the Sacrament in their RE classes.
The period of registration is open from 16 January to 17 March.
Please contact the Parish Office to let us know once you have registered your child for the Confirmation programme. And please help us to spread the word. Thank you.
LOTTERY WINNERS FOR JANUARY & FEBRUARY
JANUARY
1st Mrs K Wilkinson, Rufford £50 (7)
2nd Mr M Ainscough, Dalton £30 (50)
3rd Mr Fazakerley, Mawdesley £25 (68)
FEBRUARY
1st Mrs T Philbin, Mawdesley £50 (142)
2nd Mr Derbyshire, Bretherton £30 (79)
3rd Mrs Brown, Leyland £20 (72)
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE – 29 JANUARY
Sefton’s annual HMD Service takes place this Sunday, 29 January at Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport. This is an inter-faith service and all are welcome to attend, to commemorate the many innocents who were systematically murdered during the Nazi Holocaust and other 20th century genocides. The Service begins at 1.30pm.
UKRAINE APPEAL – INTERNATIONAL AID TRUST IS NOW IN HESKETH BANK
The IAT has recently moved from its depot in Lostock Hall to Hesketh Bank. It’s now based at The Barn, behind the bungalow at 255 Moss Lane. However, the move has meant that some volunteers are unable to relocate due to transport difficulties. The new depot is open from 10am to 4pm every weekday and they would love to hear from anyone who can help out for a couple of hours every week (or every other week).
As well as dried and tinned foodstuffs, plus toiletries and especially sanitary products, they are also in need of torches (as a result of blackouts due to Russian bombing of power supplies).
They are always very grateful for donations, which can be taken directly to the Moss Lane depot, or you can leave them at church on a Saturday and we’ll take them along.
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to find out more about this vital, life-saving work. Thank you.
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
Please notify the Parish Office if you know of any other, more local, Warm Spaces, so that we can mention them in next week’s newsletter. Thank you.
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 TREATS FOR THE WEEK
Lumen ad Revelationem – Catholic Songs, Gregorian Chant – YouTube
A sublime recording of this popular Catholic anthem celebrating the ‘Nunc Dimittis’ of Simeon, in honour of this week’s feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
WITH EVERY BLESSING THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES
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
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 the school office on 01704 822216 to find out about Open Days/Evenings, or check the website on https://www.sspeterandpaulsschoolmawdesley.co.uk/
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.