HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Wednesdays at 6.15pm followed by Exposition & Benediction
Confessions at 5.45pm

Church is open on Thursdays 11am to 1pm for private prayer & reflection before the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 29 SEPTEMBER
1^st Reading: Numbers 11:25-29, Are you jealous on my account?  If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets!
Psalm 18: The precepts of the Lord gladden the heart.
2^nd Reading: St James 5:1-6, Your wealth is all rotting
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-48, Anyone who is not against us is for us.  If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord; consecrate us in the truth.  Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: By this we came to know the love of God: that Christ laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER
For a Shared Mission
We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
30 September – St Jerome
1 October – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus*
2 October – Guardian Angels
4 October – St Francis of Assissi
5 October – St Faustina Kowlaska

*St Thérèse (1873-97) – under obedience to her Mother Superior – wrote a short autobiography, which has become a spiritual guide for many millions around the world, entitled ‘The Story of a Soul’.  Her ‘Little Way’ of blind faith in the loving mercy and forgiveness of God has encouraged others, including priests, religious and popes, to follow her example of putting others first and placing themselves last. She is a doctor of the Church and patron of the missions.

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY – FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER
Message from CAFOD:
This Harvest, donations will help CAFOD to support people like Daniel, a young man in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  By joining a local carpentry training project funded by CAFOD, Daniel now has his own workshop where he makes furniture to order and thus ekes out a sustainable living for himself and his family.  More projects like this are desperately needed.
The vastness of global struggles can feel overwhelming.  However, we are not asked to solve every problem on our own, but simply to respond to the needs we see before us.  In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the king says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  As Pope Francis says, “For God, no act of love, no matter how small, will ever be lost.”
Envelopes are available from the porch.  Please remember to gift aid, if you can.  Thank you.

THE NEW PROGRAMME FOR 1^st HOLY COMMUNION STARTS THIS WEEK, 29 SEPTEMBER
Six of our children have enrolled for the course that prepares them for making their 1^st Holy Communion next June.
Please remember Ricardo, Letticia, Nadia, Milosz, Nurya and Rebecca in your prayers.
Their first session starts after 10am Mass TODAY.  The theme: ‘Come to the Water – Being Baptised’

HARVEST FESTIVAL THIS WEEK
Our generous parishioners regularly donate foodstuffs to All Saints’ Foodbank, but it would be lovely if we could also offer some fresh fruit and vegetables, to our local residents in need, as well as giving thanks to the Lord for all the good things that we receive from the land.

WEDNESDAY BENEDICTION: Accompanist needed!
Is there anyone who would be able to play hymns for Benediction, please?

COFFEE MORNING & RAFFLE NEXT WEEK, SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER
Everyone is very welcome to come along to the Halloween-themed Coffee Morning next week after 10am Mass.  Lots of cakes and bakes to enjoy – and a chance to have a welcome catch-up with friends.  Do come along if you can.

FUTURE SOCIAL EVENTS
Please note the following dates and events that the Social Committee is planning:
Friday 18 October – Curry EveningTickets: £10.00 from members of the Social Committee.  We need to know numbers asap.
Saturday 9 November – Beetle Drive
Tuesday 10 December – Christmas Bingo
Social Committee meeting after Mass on 29 September.

ALL SAINTS’ MOTHERS’ UNION SERVICE – 15 OCTOBER
Everyone is warmly welcome to attend a United Service at All Saints’ Church in Hesketh Bank, on Tuesday 15 October at 7.30pm.  There will be refreshments in the hall after wards.  Please contact Thelma Hornby by 9 October, if you would like to attend: telephone 07969 564026 or email thelmahornby@gmail.com

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.

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. 
Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone 020 3882 9432.

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.

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