9 January 2022 – The Baptism of Our Lord

 

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday 8th  Joe Keeley RIP

Sunday 9th  Parishioners

Thursday 13th  Monica Weld-Richards RIP

Saturday 15th  Joan Gerstel RIP

Sunday 16th  Holy Souls NDL

LATEST  UP-DATE 

WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE FOR SS PETER & PAUL, MAWDELSEY!
 Please ring or email to book places for weekend Masses on Fridays between 10.30am and 3.00pm if you wish to sit in the social-distancing areas. 

 

PARISH NEWSLETTER
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES & MASS READINGS 

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.  Contact the parish Office on Fridays, between 10.30am and 3pm.  Thank you.
DURING MASS: Please wait for the stewards to direct you when going up to receive Holy Communion

QR CODE: Please continue to register your attendance at church by using the NHS QR code, displayed as you enter / leave the building.

PRIVATE PRAYER: Church is open every Friday between 11am and 1pm.

READINGS FOR 9 JANUARY
1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11, The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it
Psalm 103, Bless the Lord, my soul!  Lord God, how great you are.
2nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7, He saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit
Gospel: Luke 3:15-22 While Jesus, after his own baptism, was at prayer, heaven opened.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Someone is coming, said John, someone greater than I.  He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Behold the One of whom John said,: I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.

REFLECTION FOR THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
On one occasion during their journey from Egypt into the desert, God called Moses and the leaders of the people to the Tent of Meeting: “When the Spirit came on them, they prophesised – but only once”.  Even two leaders who did not attend this meeting were also able to prophesise.  When Joshua heard this, he called on Moses to stop them, but Moses exclaimed, “If only all Yahweh’s people were prophets and Yahweh had given them his Spirit!”
That prayer of Moses’ is more than fulfilled in Jesus.  John the Baptist said, “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!”  At baptism, every Christian receives, through Jesus, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, forever.
If Christians can be faithful to the Divine life they have been given at baptism, then they become the people of the Spirit.  The Spirit of Gd is Love: a guide, a friend, a sanctifier. 
Our brothers and sister, the saints and all holy souls, have left us perfect examples of that Spirit of Love.  And they encourage us to imitate them, so that we too may join them in that sacred communion of saints.

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 January:
For true human fraternity
We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.

 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
13 January – St Hilary (French bishop)
14 January – St Kentigern (2nd patron of the Archdiocese)

1st COMMUNION PREPARATION
Our children and their parents have met this week with our catechists, in order to continue their preparation for making their 1st Holy Communion in June.  Please remember them and their families in your prayers.

PEACE SUNDAY, 16 JANUARY
This year Pope Francis asks us to think about ‘Education, work and dialogue between generations: tools for building lasting peace’.
The need for peace in the world is obvious. People are struggling against violence and conflict, growing inequalities, the effects of climate change and the Covid pandemic. How can we harness the gifts and energy of all generations in the work of peace-making? In this country we have an active Catholic peace movement in Pax Christi, which does a great deal of good work to promote peace and non-violence through parishes, schools and social media.
Their website suggests many ways we can all become better peacemakers. There are activities for families to do at home, including a peace liturgy for young children. https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2022
Pax Christi needs our support to keep going. If you’d like to make a donation, small or large, here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/yxfcw67x  Or you may wish to send a cheque payable to ‘Pax Christi’ to: Pax Christi, St Joseph’s, Watford Way, London NW4 4TY. Tel: 0208 203 4884

OCTAVE OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY: 18 to 25 January

ORDINARY TIME (WINTER)
During Ordinary Time in winter – up to Lent – we are asked to pray for the following intentions:

  • Peace on earth
  • Openness to the Word of God
  • Christian Unity
  • Victims of trafficking and those who work to combat it
  • The sick and those who care for them
  • The unemployed

THE UNIVERSAL SYNOD – MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
Archbishop Malcolm is calling us to take part in the listening phase of the Universal Synod on synodality 2023, which Pope Francis has invited the whole Church to join. Although we have already engaged with the synodal process in the Archdiocese as part of Synod 2020, we may find ourselves in a different place on our journey. This may include fresh insights, which will be submitted to the Bishops’ Conference together with the summary of the listening phases of Synod 2020. To participate in this world wide listening process, you can access and download the discussion questions from Monday 10 January 2022, as well as submit your responses online at: www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/synod2023]www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/synod2023  
The deadline for submissions is 10 March 2022.  For queries: vaticansynod@rcaol.org.uk .

COVID UP-DATE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
Anyone who has not yet received any vaccine is strongly encouraged to start now.  To be effective against the new, highly contagious Omicron virus, a course of 3 vaccines is required (a first dose, followed by a second dose, after 8 weeks, then a 3rd dose – or booster – 12 weeks after the 2nd dose).  This applies to everyone over the age of 18 years.  It will take 2 weeks for booster immunity to build up, so the sooner, the better, especially if mixing with others over the Christmas period.

  • Take regular LFT tests (2 or 3 a week), particularly before going out and mixing with others.
  • Avoid going out if you feel unwell or test positive
  • Wear a face mask at all times in enclosed spaces – especially in church, throughout the services
  • Ensure churches and other venues, including private houses, are always well-ventilated. This might mean wrapping up with extra layers.

It’s worth remembering that anyone hesitating to start the course of vaccines because they are concerned about the chemicals used, could potentially end up being treated in hospital –  with a range of chemical medicines!

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.

MUSICAL TREATS FOR THE WEEK
And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed – YouTube
Taking our inspiration this week from Isaiah, the first reading, here is the sublime choir from King’s College Cambridge with their 2018 recording of this beautiful chorus from Handel’s ‘Messiah’.

WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES!

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.

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

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

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
BOOSTER VACCINES ARE NOW BEING GIVEN TO ALL OVER 18s – THEY CONFER OVER 75% PROTECTION AGAINST SEVERE ILLNESS, including from Omicron
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