7 January 2024 – Epiphany
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Saturday 6th 5.00pm – Parishioners
Monday 8th 10.00am – The Dead in Ukraine
Thursday 11th 10.00am – Josephine Ward RIP
Saturday 13th 5.00pm – Maria Mynett RIP
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MASS TIMES: SATURDAY VIGIL MASS at 5pm |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
OFFICE OPEN
Fridays 10am to 4pm
CONFESSIONS: Confessions will now be heard on the last Saturday of the month – 27 January, 4.15pm-4.45pm
READINGS FOR 7 JANUARY
1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6, Above you the glory of the Lord appears
Psalm 71: All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord
2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-6, It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, We saw his star and have come to do the new king homage
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the new king homage. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: We have seen his star in the east and have come with gifts to adore the Lord
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY
Diversity in the Church
Let us pray that the Spirit help us recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.
SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
12 January – St Aelred of Rievaulx
13 January – St Hilary
14 January – St Kentigern (2nd Patron of our Archdiocese)
REFLECTION – The Feast of the Epiphany
Most glorious Christ Child, our heavenly Father honoured your birth by placing a star over the place where you lay. Through that new star, your divine presence was made manifest to the world in the Magi who responded with faith and worship. Please manifest yourself to me within my own soul where you wish to be born, and give me the love and zeal I need to follow the example of the Magi, offering you my own gifts in adoration and trust.
GAZA COLLECTION
Thank you to everyone for your generous donations – a total of £335.00 has been sent to CAFOD for their Gaza Appeal.
MARY’S MEALS COLLECTION
Thank you again to everyone for your very generous donations. A total of £1144.30 (Including gift aided donations) has been raised, which due to the ‘Double-the-Love’ scheme, will now result in a grand total of £2288.60 going to this very important work.
GDPR FORMS
I have extended the deadline to 31 January for completing one of these forms (couples need only complete one). We will keep your contact details securely in the church office, for three years. They will not be passed on to anyone. Please complete a form before you leave after Mass – they are available in the narthex. Many thanks.
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. Please see the Thank You letter in the narthex: 501 visits to the foodbank in October and 1300 food parcels were given out! More help is needed. 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=GwBRLJt432U
The choristers of King’s College Cambridge perform the sublime, ‘Three Kings from Persian Lands’ by the German composer, Peter Cornelius – for the Feast of the Epiphany on Saturday 6 / 7 January.