3 March 2024 – 3rd of Lent

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday  2nd     5.00pm  –    Errington & Jacquier families

Saturday  9th     5.00pm –    Winifred & Thomas Watkinson RIP

LATEST  UP-DATE 

 MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm


 PARISH NEWSLETTER

NO MIDWEEK MASSES THIS WEEK

CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month, 23 March 4.15pm-4.45pm

READINGS FOR 3 MARCH
1st Reading: Exodus 20:1-17, The law was given through Moses
Psalm 18:  You Lord, have the message of eternal life
2nd Reading: I Corinthians 1:22-25, Here we are preaching a crucified Christ, an obstacle to men, but to those who are called, the wisdom of God..
Gospel Reading: John 2:13-25, Destroy this sanctuary and in three days, I will raise it up.
Gospel acclamation: Praise to you O Christ, king of eternal glory!  God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; everyone who believes in him has eternal life. Praise to you O Christ, king of eternal glory!
Communion antiphon: The sparrow even finds a home, the swallow finds a nest wherein to place her young; near to your altars Lord of hosts, my King, my God!  How happy are they who dwell in t=your house!  Forever they are praising you.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For the new martyrs
We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
4 March – St Casimir
7 March – Ss Perpetua & Felicity
8 March – St John of God, a champion of the poor and sick

LENTEN ALMS BOX
The Lenten Alms box will be available in the porch, for kind donations at all of / any of the Lenten services. 
The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Let us use this year’s Lenten top observe these special practices as closely as we can.
This year, our donations will be sent via the Archdiocese to the Children of Gaza & the Holy Land.

PRAYERS DURING LENT
We are asked to pray for the following intentions
Candidates for the Sacraments (especially on Sundays); Women (World Day of Prayer on Friday 1 March); the Needy and Hungry of the World; Penitents and Wanderers.

REFLECTION: LENT WEEK 3
Jesus had the deepest respect for the Temple in Jerusalem.  Joseph and Mary had presented him there forty days after his birth.  Aged only twelve, he remained in the Temple, reminding his parents that he was about his Father’s business.  For him, the Temple was a privileged place for an encounter with God. – the dwelling place of his Father, a house of prayer.  The ruthless pursuit of profit and commerce by the traders and merchants was therefore blasphemous, offensive and sacrilegious.  Filled with a holy anger and zeal for God’s will, Jesus drove them out.
In a similar way, St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (6:19) tells us that our own bodies are ‘temples’ of the Holy Spirit, and God’s will is that we too, should rid them of anything offensive to God.  Through an examination of our lives, sincere repentance and contrition, together with the mercy and loving forgiveness of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can be healed and cleansed.      Lent is the perfect time for us to put our own ‘house’ in order – and God’s gift to us through Reconciliation makes it so accessible.    From ‘Walk with Me’ (Alive Publishing)

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY – LAST CHANCE THIS WEEKEND
Envelopes for donations are still available.  Please gift aid if possible.  Final collection this week, 2 March.  Thank you.

PARISH LOTTERY – FEBRUARY WINNERS
Philip Dawson, Mawdesley           £50  (38)
Mr Darbyshire, Bretherton            £30  (79)
Lenora McNulty, Hesketh Bank   £20  (48)

RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring your box to church when you attend Mass next Saturday and leave in the narthex for Sandra Cobham.  Or, if you’re unable to get to church, please give Sandra a ring on 01704 821609 and she will arrange to collect. 
Many thanks.
Copies of the spring edition of ‘Mission Today’ are now available from the narthex.

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=gtPD24Bvn38
A very old and well-loved hymn – perfect for Lent: it acknowledges our sins and promises us the loving redemption and forgiveness of a very loving Father.
This version of ‘Lord Jesus think on me’ has the words written for us – to sing along with or to meditate on.

WITH EVERY BLESSING THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES