31 March 2024 – Easter Sunday
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 30th Easter Vigil 7.30pm – Parishioners
Thursday 4th April – A Sick Person
Saturday 6th April – Garth Owen RIP
LATEST UP-DATE |
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
MASSES THIS WEEK
Thursday at 10am, followed by Exposition and Benediction
CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month, 27 April 4.15pm-4.45pm
READINGS FOR 31 MARCH
1st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43, We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.
Psalm 117: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-4, You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
Gospel Reading: John 20:1-9, He must rise from the dead
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Christ our Passover has been sacrificed; let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Christ has become our paschal sacrifice; let us feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, alleluia.
THE SEQUENCE
Christians, to the Paschal Victim, offer sacrifice and praise.
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb,
And Christ, the undefiled
Hath sinners to his Father reconciled.
Death with life contended: combat strangely ended!
Life’s own Champion, slain, yet lives to reign.
Tell us Mary, say what thou didst see upon the way.
The tomb the living did enclose;
I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!
The angels there attesting,
Shroud with grave-clothes resting.
Christ, my Hope, has risen: he goes before you into Galilee.
That Christ is truly risen from the dead, we know.
Victorious king, thy mercy show!
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL
For the role of women
We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.
SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
EASTER MESSAGE
‘This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad!’
My thanks to the choir, organist, flower arrangers, servers, welcomers and readers for their work in preparing the church and the liturgy, so enabling us to celebrate this special feast.
Happy Easter and God’s blessings on you and your families.
Christ is Risen – alleluia, alleluia!
THE EASTER VIGIL: REFLECTION & PRAYER
Dearest Mother Mary, on that first Holy Saturday, you kept vigil for your Son. You allowed the divine gift of hope to grow within you, and you allowed that hope to be your strength in the midst of the horror of the Cross. Pray for me that I may ponder your beautiful heart this day so that I, too, may be filled with hope as I endure the challenges of this earthly life. Give me a heart of joyful anticipation as I await the grace of new life our loving Lord desires to bestow on me.
Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
LENTEN ALMS BOX
Parishioners raised £216.98 for the Children of Gaza. Thank you everyone.
OFFERTORY BOXES
Offertory boxes for April 2024-25 are now available for collection from the narthex. Please email / phone the office if you would like to use offertory envelopes and Diane will arrange. (Apologies: not all boxes were put out last week).
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY – 7 APRIL
Everyone is very welcome to attend Solemn Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Chaplet, Confessions and Rosary, followed by Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Brooke Street, Chorley PR6 0NG, at 3pm. Fliers, with more details, are available in 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=QxGwrNGyyWg
A wonderful Easter treat: Gesualdo Six perform the completely joyful hymn, ‘This joyful Eastertide’: beautiful harmonies and dynamic, plus perfect diction and a brisk tempo. A wonderful start to our Easter rejoicings!
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL EASTER THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES