WEEKDAY MASSES / SERVICES
From 4 September: Wednesday at 6.15pm, followed by Exposition and Benediction
Confessions: Wednesday 5.45pm – 6.10pm – or by private arrangement with Fr John.

READINGS FOR 1 SEPTEMBER
1^st Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-8, Add nothing to what I command you, keep the commandments of the Lord.
Psalm 14: The just will live in the presence of the Lord
2^nd Reading: St James 1:17-27, you must do what the Word tells you.
Gospel Reading: Mark 7:1-23, You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! By his own choice the Father made us his children by the message of the truth, so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he created.  Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: Happy are the peacemakers: they shall be called the sons of God.  Happy are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake: the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER
For the Cry of the Earth 
Let us pray that each of us hears with the heart the cry of the Earth and victims of natural disasters and climate change, personally committing to care for the world we inhabit.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
3 September – St Gregory the Great
4 September – St Cuthbert

SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEK, 8 SEPTEMBER: Catholic Education Service

1^st COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2024-25
Parents / Guardians are invited to register their child for our 1^st Communion programme which will begin in September.  The children must be about to start in Yr 4 in September.  Application forms are in the porch.  Please pass on to families who are Catholic but who do not always attend regularly.  

PARISH SOCIAL COMMITTEE MEETING: Wednesday 4 September at 7.15pm, after Mass.

PARISH COFFEE MORNING NEXT SUNDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER
Everyone is welcome to come along to the hall after 10am Mass next week and enjoy a catch-up with friends old and new, over a tea / coffee.  Light refreshments will be available: this month, it’s bacon butties and sausage barms.  There will be a raffle. All donations welcome for the Church Hall Repair Fund.

OFFERTORY BOXES & ENVELOPES 2024-25
The new set of envelopes are available for collection now – from the table in the porch. 

ORDINATION TO THE PERMANENT DIACONATE
William (Bill) McMahon will be ordained as a Permanent Deacon on Saturday 7^th September at 12 noon at St. Oswald’s by Bishop Tom Naylon.  This follows four years of discernment and study supported by the archdiocese. Bill, at his ordination, will be surrounded by his family, friends, parishioners and fellow members of the clergy from the deanery and archdiocese. You are most welcome to join us at Bill’s ordination as well as for refreshments afterwards in St. Oswald’s School Hall. Please remember Bill and his family in your prayers.

HYMN BOOK AMNESTY
It’s so easy to walk out of church and find you’re still clutching a hymn book!  Please can you have a look at home / in the car and check for any ‘strays’.  No one will be looking when you bring them back to church.  Many thanks!

PARISH PRIEST VISITS
Now that we are beginning to return to ‘normal’ after the holidays, if you know of a parishioner who might like a visit from Fr John, please can you let him know (having checked with them first, as you’ll need to supply name and address and contact number).  Many thanks.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING NOTES
The notes of last month’s Parish Council Meeting are available in the porch.

READERS’ TRAINING – BY THE ARCHDIOCESE
The Liturgy Commission are offering parish readers (existing or new) an opportunity to come together for some practical training and reflection on their important ministry this autumn.
Readers are welcome to come to any of the following mornings:
Saturday, 28th September: St Julie’s, Eccleston, WA10 6SE
Saturday, 19th October: Irenaeus, Waterloo, L22 1RD
Saturday, 2nd November: St Mary’s Community Centre, Leyland, PR25 1PD
All 10am to 1pm (followed by lunch –  bring a packed lunch)
Please contact pa.stmaryleyland@rcaol.org.uk to reserve your places.

MAGNIFICAT
The Magnificat is published monthly. For each day, it contains the readings and prayers for Mass, with a meditation from the great spiritual writers of the Church throughout history and prayers for morning and evening inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours.  You will also find the lives of the saints, articles on spiritual topics by contemporary writers, prayers at night, hymns, reflections and essay on a great example of Christian art in each issue. 
Ordering before 10 September means you will avoid the price increase caused by the reprinting due to the new authorised wording.  Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone 020 3882 9432.

LITTLE THEATRES & MENTAL HEALTH / WELL-BEING
Chorley and Southport have their own theatres and Southport’s in particular, has just brought out its new season pamphlet of plays and productions for 2024-25.  Visiting the theatre can provide a welcome form of relaxation and enjoyment, and at Southport, the volunteers are very good at putting people at their ease. You will be sure of a grand welcome.  The season opens in September with ‘Allo ‘Allo – featuring characters from the very popular BBC comedy series. Tickets (including Saturday matinees) are very reasonably priced and have not been increased at all since before the pandemic.  In addition, there is news of a number of special packages available, that afford real value for money.
The pamphlets, containing full details, are available in the porch.

THE HALL IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Our church hall is the envy of the area, for its size, its sprung dance floor and of course, its managed, licensed bar.
We now have vacant slots every evening, apart from Mondays and also during the day / evening on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Other times may also be available, on enquiry.
Hire charges = £20 an hour (inc. ‘get-in/out’).  If you know of anyone, or any group that is looking for accommodation, please let them know to contact the Parish Office on Thursdays.

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. 

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