MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday 8 April (Easter Vigil) – Easter Lists

Thursday 13 April – Ukraine Victims

Saturday 15 April – Bernard Swift 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.  **OFFICE HOURS : FRIDAYS, 10am to 4pm**

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 PARISH NEWSLETTER

MASSES THIS WEEK
THURSDAY: 10.00am; 10.25am-11.00am: Exposition & Benediction

VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT & PRAYER / REFLECTION:  Fridays, 11am to 1pm

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

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 9 APRIL
1^st Reading: Acts 10:34-43, We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection
Psalm 117:  This day was made by the Lord, we rejoice and are glad.
2^nd 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 our Passover has been sacrificed, alleluia; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth, alleluia, 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.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK

EASTER LISTS
The Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday 8 April will be offered for intentions on the Easter List. If you wish to participate in this, please write your intentions, for the living and the faithful departed, and place them in a sealed envelope marked  “Easter List”

THE EASTER VIGIL – SATURDAY 8 APRIL – 8.30PM at SS PETER & PAUL’S
This year, both the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday (7pm) and the Solemn Passion on Good Friday (3pm) will be at St Agnes’ church, Eccleston.

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!

FR MICHAEL O’DOWD – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Thursday 20 April at 7pm: Fr Michael will be received into St Agnes’ church and there will be a short service, followed by refreshments in the hall.
Friday 21 April: Fr Michael will be taken to St Mary’s Leyland for Requiem Mass at 12 noon.  He will be buried at Ss Peter & Paul’s in Mawdesley.

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.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY  – 16 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

NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES 2023-24
New boxes of envelopes are available for weekly offerings – in new ‘economy’ envelopes!  Please collect / distribute.  Thank you.

MISSION TODAY MAGAZINES / RED MISSION BOXES
Mission Today magazines are available to take away, in the narthex.  Please take one and pass it on for others to read.  If anyone has a red Mission box that they would like emptying, please contact Sandra Cobham (01704 821609) who will be very happy to do this for you.

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.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: LOURDES CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
This year will mark 100 years since the archdiocese’s first pilgrimage to Lourdes.
To mark this special occasion, we would love people to share their memories of Lourdes and any photographs or video clips you may have taken on any trips there over the years. We will collate these memories and use them on the archdiocesan website, social media channels and the Pic.
It could be that generations of your family have travelled to Lourdes, that you met your spouse there, you could have photos from decades ago or even that a member of your family went on our very first pilgrimage in 1923.
If you have anything you are happy for us to share publicly or if you would even like to record a video message for us, then please email any details to communications@rcaol.org.uk  and lourdespilgrimage@rcaol.org.uk  and  include your name, parish and year(s) you travelled to Lourdes.
We cannot guarantee that we will use them all depending on the volume of information we receive, but we will read and respond to all correspondence.
We look forward to hearing from you!

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
This joyful Eastertide (hymn) – YouTube
Here are the Gesualdo Six (old favourites) singing, with typical musicality this wonderfully joyful and uplifting him.  What a way to start our Easter celebrations!

WITH EVERY BLESSING THIS WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES

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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.

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.   During Advent, we will be collecting Christmassy food items.

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

 

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