30 March – 4th Sunday of Lent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 29th 5.00pm Parishioners
Monday 31st 10.00am Jean Quinn RIP
Thursday 3rd 10.00am LISCF
Saturday 5th 5.00pm Marian Pickles RIP
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm PARISH OFFICE: Fridays from 10am to 4pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
MASSES THIS WEEK
Mondays and Thursdays at 10am; Thursdays, Mass followed by Exposition & Benediction
CHURCH OPEN
Church is open every Friday from 11am to 1pm for private prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament
CONFESSIONS: Next confessions: last Saturday of the month – 29 March / 26 April, 4.15pm to 4.45pm
READINGS FOR 30 MARCH
1st Reading: Joshua 5:9-12, ‘The people of God entered the promised land and there kept the Passover.
Psalm 34: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
2nd Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, God who through Christ, reconciled us to himself.
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-32, Your brother was dead and is alive..
Gospel acclamation: Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus. I will arise and go to my father and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you’. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus.
Communion antiphon: You must rejoice my son, for your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For families in crisis
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, re-discovering each other’s gifts, even their differences.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS – APRIL
For the use of new technologies
That the use of new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person and will help us face the crises of our times.
SAINTS & FEASTS DAYS THIS WEEK
2 April – St Francis of Paola
4 April – St Isidore
5 April – St Vincent Ferrer
4th SUNDAY OF LENT: LAETARE SUNDAY (Joyful Sunday)
Traditionally, this Sunday marks a day of hope, when Easter is in sight. It is often regarded as a day of relaxation from the riguors of Lent. Rose-coloured vestements may be worn in some churches. It is also Mothering Sunday, so we wish all mothers, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers and other ladies in our parish who care for others, all the blessings of this special day.
COLLECTION THIS WEEK: National Shrine for Our Lady at Walsingham
COLLECTION NEXT WEEK: Nugent
Nugent is a Liverpool charity supporting individuals and local communities in need of help in areas such as health and poverty: affecting adults and children across the region.
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY LENTEN APPEAL
A further cheque for £65.00 was sent out to CAFOD, in addition to the £206.00 sent last week. Thank you for your generosity.
DEANERY LENTEN SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION – Sunday 6 April
Everyone is welcome to attend the Reconciliation Service for the Deanery at St Gregory’s Church, Weld Bank, Chorley at 3pm on Sunday 6 April. There will be opportunities for individual confessions
HOW TO MAKE THIS LENT EXTRA SPECIAL
The holy season of Lent allows us to focus on the three key aspects of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Prayer: consider saying your favourite prayer more slowly, or thoughtfully; look for opportunities to raise your heart to God whilst active during the day; allocate an extra 10 minutes to daily prayers (spending precious time with God), or perhaps try to attend a weekday Mass.
Fasting: physical fasting keeps us focussed and mindful of God’s presence, but we can also fast for our souls by avoiding occasions of sin.
Almsgiving: Jesus sought out the poor and those in need and now is the time for us to think practically about supporting those in need. We are all members of society; we are all God’s children and all brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a privilege and a joy to be able to help others in greater need than ourselves.
The Lenten Alms box will be in the porch for your kind donations throughout Lent. Thank you.
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT: ST AGNES ECCLESTON
Mass at 6.00pm followed by Stations of the Cross at 6.30pm
All welcome.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
The boxes for April 2025 to March 2026 are now available for collection in the narthex.
THE HOLY YEAR JUBILEE BOOKLET / ARCHDIOCESAN DIRECTORIES 2025
We have a number of copies of the booklet which accompanies our Holy Year. The booklet provides information and prayers for the year, all based on the theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Booklets cost £1.50. The 2025 Directories are also available and cost £4 each. There are labelled baskets for your donations. 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.
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.
MUSICAL TREAT FOR THE WEEK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gl7lN2umUs
The sublime VOCES8 sing the delightful motet – a beautiful prayer in itself and one we can repeat throughout the day, especially during this season of Lent.
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR A VERY HAPPY AND PEACE-FILLED WEEK