5 December 2021 – 2nd Sunday of Advent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Lucy Glover/Ann Philp RIP
Frank Culshaw RIP
Special Intention (Thursday)
Parishioners
Elsie Redmond RIP
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PARISH NEWSLETTER
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES & MASS READINGS / REFLECTIONS
IMPORTANT – PLEASE CONTINUE TO BOOK
You only need to pre-book if you wish to sit in the designated section (side pews), for social-distancing. Please telephone on Fridays, 10.30am-3pm / email by 3pm
DURING MASS: Please wait for the stewards to direct you when going up to receive Holy Communion. Thank you.
QR CODE: Please continue to register your attendance at church by using the NHS QR code, displayed as you enter / leave the building. Infection rates are extremely high, so helping to support the Track & Trace programme is more important than ever now. Thank you.
PRIVATE PRAYER: Church will be open for private prayer next Friday from 11am to 1pm. No need to book
HOLY MASS: Thursdays, 10am
FUNERAL SERVICE: Tuesday 7 December, 11.30am – for William & Margaret Hartley. May their souls rest in peace.
READINGS FOR 5 DECEMBER
1st Reading: Baruch 5:1-9, God means to show your splendour to every nation
Psalm 125, What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad.
2nd Reading: Philippians 1:4-6,8-11, Be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6, All mankind shall see the salvation of God.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Jerusalem arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.
REFLECTION FOR THE 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
St Luke places the start of John the Baptist’s teaching very firmly in its historical context. This is important. John the Baptist’s mission is the culmination – being ‘crowned’ so to speak, by the advent of the Messiah – of a very long, historical progression: the preparation of the Jews, the ‘Chosen People’.
The descendants of Abraham were to be God’s people who would carry through the centuries the ‘good news’, that God would be sending a man who would save every person from the effects of the fall from grace of their first ancestor. A man who would be able to offer them a hope of achieving holiness and immortality.
During this time of preparation many men and women were chosen, taught and trained: prophets, who were not always well-received, of course. But they were sent by God to encourage hope, anticipation and love.
John was the last of these prophets and – as our Lord himself said – the greatest of them all.
PRAYER INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Archbishop Malcolm has asked us to pray the following at this time of crisis:
God Our Father, each person is precious to You.
You are the Giver of life.
Have mercy on us and protect us at this time, as the coronavirus threatens health and life.
You are an ever-present Helper in time of trouble.
Watch over those who are suffering, give strength to those who are aiding the sick and give courage to all in this time of anxiety.
We ask this of you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for December:
Catechists
Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray…
That all Christians may strive for holiness by repenting of past sins;
That all who doubt or distrust the Gospel message may recognise the risen Christ in the goodness and kindness of others and learn to turn to God in faith and love;
That the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ for all people may teach us that there is no such thing as a worthless life, or a person God does not love;
That as Covid restrictions are lifted and more people receive their vaccinations, may the bonds of our relationships be renewed and strengthened
We pray now in the words Jesus gave us:
Our Father, who art in heaven…
SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
6 December – St Nicholas, remembered for his patronage of children
7 December – St Ambrose
8 December – Immaculate Conception
9 December – St John Diego Cuahtlatoatzin
10 December – Our Lady of Loreto, Basilica of the Holy House in Loreto, Italy
11 December – St Damasus I
BIBLE SUNDAY TODAY
In many denominations this Sunday is known as Bible Sunday. This originates from the Collect for this Sunday in the Book of Common Prayer. Advent is a time when the Church ‘re-reads and re-lives the great events in salvation history in the ‘”today” of her liturgy’. [CCC 1095]Prayer of the Faithful: We pray for our openness to the Word, so that we may hear God speaking to us each day. And for all called to proclaim the word, that they may communicate God’s message to all.
SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION
Our 1st Communion children (four of them) made their first confessions at the weekend. A really joyful experience for them and their families. May God continue to bless and watch over them.
WEEKLY REFLECTION
You should always serve God with peace and joy; remember our God is a God of peace (Sr Genevieve of St Teresa, Carmelite 1805-91)
OUR CHRISTMAS APPEAL
This weekend marks the launch of the Fundraising Committee’s Christmas Appeal. This year we are raising funds for the CAFOD Water Project, which aims to provide clear, pure running water for all those in desperate need. We are contacting parishioners by post / email and hoping to reach those who, because of the pandemic, have not been able to return to church as yet. Letters are available from the narthex – with Gift Aid envelopes. Our target is to raise £750.Your help is much appreciated.
ADVENT FOODBANK: 28 NOVEMBER – 12 DECEMBER
Please bring in seasonal, as well as the usual cupboard staples such as cereals, tins of fruit and veg, tea /coffee etc. Don’t forget to check the sell-by dates to ensure that the items will last throughout the Christmas period. Thank you in anticipation, for your generosity. FINAL WEEK NEXT WEEK (12 December)
FINAL WEEKEND: GREETINGS CARDS TO THE LATIN PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM – CHRISTMAS 2021
‘This is a beautiful act of solidarity.’ Fr David Neuhaus SJ
Liverpool Archdiocese Justice & Peace Commission is asking parishes twinned with others in Palestine, Jerusalem and Jordan, to once again send Christmas greetings to our fellow Christians. Our parish is twinned with St Joseph’s in Jifna (Palestine). Their parish priest, Fr Johnny Bahbah, is extremely grateful for the lovely messages we have sent in previous years, which really help to spread Christ’s message of love to those in need.
Please bring a (small-ish) Christmas card, with your Christmas message written inside and address it to Fr Johnny Bahbah, St Joesph’s, Jifna and leave it in the labelled basket in the porch when you come to Mass next week. Many thanks. Deadline: 5 December
THE ARCHDIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN: SYNOD 2020-21
The synodal process, which was launched in 2019 has now, after more months than originally anticipated, has resulted in a Pastoral Plan which will be outlined at every Mass in our Archdiocese this weekend.
Key themes of the Plan include:-
- Becoming a Church that accompanies people through life
- Becoming a Church that honours the vocation of all the baptised
- Becoming a Church where synodality is embedded
- Becoming a Church that renews its organisational structures and administers its property to serve its mission
- Becoming a Church where young people and adults flourish
- Becoming a Church that cares for its priests
Cards, identifying these key themes are available in the narthex, as well as leaflets summarising the main points of the Plan. The full text can be accessed on www.liverpoolpastoralplan.org.uk or you may wish to order a copy (£2 + P&P) from Pauline Books on 0151 709 1328.
Pastoral Plan Open Meetings
To find out more, you are welcome to any of these open meetings (no booking required):
- Tuesday 7 December 7pm – 8.30pm in Holy Rosary Church, Aintree L10 2LG
- Thursday 9 December 7pm – 8.30pm on Zoom. You can access the zoom meeting via a link on the pastoral plan website: liverpoolpastoralplan.org.uk or directly via
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86421512557?pwd=SVd5cFhtQ0dwUFJzQjhLSlQ5VjJJQT09 . Meeting ID: 864 2151 2557 Passcode: 132667
ADVENT MONDAYS
Advent Reflections: On 29 November, the Archdiocese invites you to a Zoom time of reflection and discussion for an hour each Advent Monday from 7pm. Please register for your Zoom link on https://forms.gle/ygGnFTySdvNZZ2776
RESOURCES FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR DECEMBER
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God Who Speaks December Resources Focus on Dreams and Revelations: godwhospeaks.uk/dreams-and-revelations Dreaming with Joseph this Christmas: On Dreaming in a Time of Crisis (Part 1 & 2) by David McLoughlin: Why wasn’t Jesus born in the Temple by Fr Michael Hall: godwhospeaks.uk/dreams-and-revelations/christmas-the-lord-who-enters-his-temple Christmas Creation Commandment No. 9 by Fr Michael Hall: godwhospeaks.uk/commandment-9-let-the-child-make-all-things-new Fleur chooses our Top Ten Nativity Animal Paintings: godwhospeaks.uk/top-ten-nativity-animal-paintings Christmas Resources: godwhospeaks.uk/christmas-resources Family Advent Wreath Resource from Bishop Peter Brignall: godwhospeaks.uk/christmas-resources/traditional-advent-resources Donkey Detective Story and Make your own Donkey Activity: godwhospeaks.uk/the-christmas-donkey |
CAFOD WORLD CHRISTMAS GIFTS / CATALOGUES
Catalogues are available from the porch that include gift ideas such as buying chickens, goats, water, mosquito nets: small things which mean so much to those who desperately need them. In addition, with COP26 in mind, there are some new ones, such as buying an energy-saving stove and fighting fires in the Amazon.
LET’S KEEP TALKING – SUPPORT FOR ANYONE SUFFERING IN ANY WAY AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC
Please pick up a leaflet on your way into/out of church, from Lancs & S Cumbria Mental Health Support. Help is out there if you’re struggling to cope, or you know someone who is struggling.
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
MUSICAL TREATS FOR THE WEEK
“Messiah”. Ouverture & Aria “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted”. S/T: ENG – ESP. – YouTube
A real classical treat this week – the 12-minute opening sequence of Handel’s ‘The Messiah’, featuring tenor John Mark Ainsley singing ‘John the Baptists’ aria, ‘Comfort ye… Every mountain shall be exalted’. This was recorded at King’s College, Cambridge in the 1980s, and is one of the best renditions ever!
MASS ON SUNDAYS REGULAR WEEKLY NOTICES
As you may be aware, our Bishops have lifted the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
To keep Sundays holy, it might be helpful to spend some time reading the Scriptures. Besides your Bible, 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
Masses will continue to be live-streamed and televised for many months yet, so you can still take part in Sunday worship and the Act of Spiritual Communion will continue to be an important part of people’s worship for the foreseeable future.
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
THE ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
MASSES ONLINE
Locally, there is St Clare’s, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood: www.saintclares.co.uk which streams Mass daily at 9.30am. Please follow the easy links on the website.
https://www.vaticannews.va/enPope Francis
https://www.churchservices.tv/whats-on-now/ Great selection of Masses and other Church serviceshttps://www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes/ Mass and daily at 2pm, the Rosary in English
https://www.livemass.org Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal)
Use the website links to EWTN (Sky Channel 588)) or the Archdiocese to access daily Masses
On the radio: Catholic Radio Sky Channel 0147
Also, you may wish to try the Pray as you Go phone app:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.foxcode.prayasyougo&hl=en
PRAYERS from the Archdiocese, for Stations of the Cross etc: https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/
Please email the Parish Office with details of any other online services you know of that may help parishioners at this very difficult time. We will try to include them in next week’s Newsletter.
YEAR OF ST JOSEPH
With his apostolic letter, ‘Patris Corde’ (‘With a Father’s heart’), Pope Francis has proclaimed a ‘Year of St Joseph’ running from 8 December 2020 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) to December 2021.
At the end of the letter, he asks us to pray the following prayer to St Joseph:
Hail Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you, God entrusted his only Son,
In you, Mary placed her trust,
With you, Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
Show yourself a father
And guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage
And defend us from every evil.
Amen
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
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OFFERTORY DONATIONS DURING THE LOCKDOWN
Many thanks to generous parishioners who continue to support the parish during this extremely challenging year.
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.
HELP DURING THE PANDEMIC
COVID VACCINES – IMPORTANT
IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, PLEASE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BOOSTER VACCINE & EVERYONE SHOULD CONTINUE TO WEAR FACE MASKS, IN ORDER TO PROTECT OTHERS.
1st & 2nd DOSE VACCINES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR ALL
Please note that the Catholic Church has given its full support to the vaccine (all of them) and is keen to assure Catholics that there are no moral issues linked to the science of the vaccines, whatsoever. The vaccines are safe. The Archbishop of Liverpool is anxious to dispel any myths and urges Catholics to have the vaccines.
Unfortunately some people are trying to exploit the fears of others, so be on the alert for so-called vaccine scammers, who will try and charge you for a vaccine.
There is NO CHARGE.
The vaccines are free.
GP surgeries are not paid. The government is paying for the whole programme.
Please also note that there are some scammers pretending to be the NHS. There is only one official NHS email address, which is www.nhs.uk
The NHS will never ask for details like family maiden names of bank accounts / credit & debit cards. Nor will they require you to pay anything for the vaccines. If you are contacted by a group claiming to be the NHS and they’ve asked for these details, it is a scam and you must ignore it. Then report it!
It is essential to continue to observe the ‘basics’: hand hygiene, face masks, social-distancing – and lots of good ventilation – at all times
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR NEED ANY HELP, PLEASE CONTACT FR ANDERS AT THE PRESBYTERY IN TARLETON ON 01772 812242, OR EMAIL THE MAWDESLEY OFFICE (ssppm@rcaol.org.uk)
WISHING ALL PARISHIONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES EVERY BLESSING FOR THE COMING WEEK