30 April 2023 – 4th Sunday of Easter

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday 29 April – Successful Examinations

Thursday 4 May – Someone Sick – followed by Exposition & Benediction

Saturday 6 May –  Holy Souls

Friday 5 May: Funeral Service & Burial: Daniel Brady Young RIP

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.  


 PARISH NEWSLETTER

MASS: Thursday, 10am

CONFESSIONS: Last Saturday of the month ( 29 April / 27 May): 4.15pm-4.45pm

CHURCH WILL BE OPEN FOR VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT- Fridays, 11am to 1pm.

ARCHDIOCESE PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
We ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We ask for you to be with all – especially children who are suffering as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates. For those who are anxious and fearful. For those who are bereaved, injured or who have lost their lives. And for those who have lost loved ones. Lord, hear our prayers.
We also pray for wise actions from global leaders – who have the power not only to start wars, but to stop them too.
Father in heaven, we cry out for an end to this crisis and for mercy, peace, and truth – that the healing power of your love will restore peace, families and communities.
Amen

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 30 APRIL
1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 36-41, God has made him both Lord and Christ
Psalm 22: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
2nd Reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25, You have come back to the shepherd of your souls.
Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10, I am the gate of your sheepfold.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  I am the good shepherd, says the Lord, I know my own sheep and my own know me.  Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL
For a culture of peace and non-violence
We pray for the spread of peace and non-violence, by decreasing the use of weapons by states and citizens.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
For church movements and groups
We pray that Church movements and groups may rediscover their mission of evangelisation each day, placing their own charisms at the service of needs in the world.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
1 May – St Joseph the Worker
2 May – St Athansius
3 May – Ss Philip & James
4 May – English Martyrs

MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS: WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS, 30 APRIL
Dear brothers and sisters,
… vocation is a gift and a task, a source of new life and true joy. May the initiatives of prayer and of activity associated with this Day strengthen an awareness of vocation within our families, our parish communities, our communities of consecrated life, and our ecclesial associations and movements. The Spirit of the risen Lord dispels our apathy and grants us the gifts of sympathy and empathy. In this way, he enables us to live each day born anew as children of the God who is love (1 Jn 4:16) and in turn to offer that love to others. To bring life everywhere, especially in places of exclusion and exploitation, poverty and death, in order to enlarge the spaces of love, so that God may reign ever more fully in this world.
May the prayer that Saint Paul VI composed for the first World Day of Vocations, 11 April 1964, accompany us on our journey:
O Jesus, divine Shepherd of souls, you called the apostles and made them fishers of men. Continue to draw to yourself ardent and generous souls from among the young, in order to make them your followers and your ministers. Give them a share in your thirst for the redemption of all… Open before them the horizons of the entire world… By responding to your call, may they prolong your mission here on earth, build up your Mystical Body which is the Church, and be ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world’ (Mt 5:13)”.
May the Virgin Mary watch over you and protect you. With my blessing.
FRANCIS
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 30 April 2023, Fourth Sunday of Easter.

PRIESTS’ TRAINING FUND
There will be a 2nd collection after Mass next Saturday(6 May) for this Archdiocesan collection.

CORONATION PRAYER CARDS
Prayer cards for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are available.  Please take a few to distribute amongst family and friends. The Bishops of England & Wales ask each citizen to pray this triduum of prayer from 3 to 5 May, when we ask God’s continuing blessing on our new King and Queen.

ST JOSEPH THE WORKER
St Joseph has two feast days: 19th March, as husband of Mary and step-father of Our Lord, and also 1st May as Joseph the Worker (because of his association with carpentry/joinery).  Arguably something of an unsung hero in the Gospels (he only appears occasionally in Matthew and Luke), he is the patron saint of all workers. We couldn’t have a more effective patron!

APRIL LOTTERY WINNERS
1st    Mr G Tyrer, Bispham        –  £50  (151)
2nd  Mrs K Cooper, Heskin       –  £30  (18)
3rd   Mrs J Coxon, Mawdesley  –  £20  (45)

DON’T FORGET! OUR 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

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 – Important Clarification: 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 and a donation of £520per week would result in £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.

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 TREAT FOR THE WEEK
The Lord is My Shepherd by Howard Goodall – YouTube
There are a lot of versions of this gloriously uplifting psalm, set by composer Howard Goodall.  Famously used as the theme tune for the BBC’s immensely popular series, ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ this lovely arrangement deserves to be heard just as Goodall wrote it.  Perfect.

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 a £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.

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

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