HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Monday (Solemnity of the Annunciation), at 10am
Church will be open on Thursday between 11am and 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 7 APRIL
1^st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 4:32-25, United heart and soul.
Psalm 117:  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his love has no end
2^nd Reading: Letter of St John 5:1-6, Anyone who has been begotten by God has already overcome the world
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31, Eight days later, Jesus came
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Jesus said, ‘You believe because you can see me.  Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’  Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: Jesus spoke to Thomas: Put your hand here and see the place of the nails.  Doubt no longer, but believe, alleluia.

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
8 April – Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
11 April – St Stanislaus
13 April – St Martin I / Bld Milo (Miles) Gerard of Ince, Wigan (martyr)

WHAT IS DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY?
During the course of Jesus’ revelations to St Faustina about the Divine Mercy, he asked that a feast day should be dedicated to this cause.  The feast was adopted by Poland and then widened to the whole Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr Faustina on 30 April, 2000.  A Vatican decree was published a month later stating that, “the 2^nd Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday as an invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine mercy, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come.’
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY SERVICE & MASS TODAY
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 porch.
LEAFLETS AVAILABLE: Please collect a leaflet with the novena prayers and chaplet, if you wish to commemorate this special feast at home.

EASTER COFFEE MORNING TODAY!
Everyone is very welcome to join us for our Easter Coffee Morning after Mass today.  Lots of special Easter bakes & cakes, plus an Easter raffle.  Do come along and bring family and friends for a cuppa and a chat.

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TALENTS
Our prayer time during Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the talents with which God has blessed us, and a chance to consider how (rather than burying our talents away), we might develop them and use them for the benefit of our parish. 
Many parishioners already perform a number of roles and we couldn’t function without them – may God bless them for their many gifts, talents and the time they spend in helping. Please think about what you might be able to do to help our church grow and develop.  We’d love to hear your ideas. Leaflets are available for you to collect from the porch and return next week, with your thoughts and suggestions.

MASS INTENTONS
Mass intentions are welcome, not just for our dear departed, but for any other occasion eg in thanksgiving, successful outcome (exams / operation), wedding / anniversary blessings. Please write your name and intention, with the preferred date – if applicable – on a piece of paper and place in an envelope, along with your offering, either in the weekly offertory basket or through the presbytery door.  Every effort will be made to find a date as near as possible. 

PARISH FOODBANK
Rev Dave wishes to pass on his thanks and blessings to all those who regularly donate foodstuffs.  There is still a need for dried foods eg pasta and rice, breakfast cereals, plus tins of vegetables, meat and fish.  Your generosity is a real help to our local families, especially now that autumn has set in and energy bills are increasing again.  Please ensure that donated items are all well within their Best Before dates – Thank You!
DISUSED GLASSES / SPECTACLES
Please have a rummage at home and bring old prescription glasses along.  They can be used by opticians in Africa to help local communities. 

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES + 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: a donation of £5 per week would result in £6.25 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.  If you are able to help, please collect a form from the porch on your way out today, complete and return to the Parish Office.
In addition, you may wish to consider using an offertory envelope (they are free and use re-cycled paper) in which to make your weekly donation.  It’s akin to ‘wrapping up your gift’ for Our Lord!  Again, please contact the Parish Office if you’d like to start using them.

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

DONATIONS FOR IAT – MOSS LANE DEPOT
Please remember that unwanted clothing, bedding, tins of food, packs of dried food will be gratefully received by volunteers at our local depot, to help those thousands of Ukrainians affected by the flooding as a result of the recent bombing.  They are very grateful for all help received.  It really makes a difference.