CONFESSIONS:  By appointment 

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays 11am to 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament 

PLEASE NOTE – NO MIDWEEK MASSES
No Mass on Wednesday 10 September, as Fr John will be away on retreat. 

READINGS FOR 7 SEPTEMBER
1^st Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18, Who can discern what the Lord wills?
Psalm 90: O Lord you have been our refuge for generation to generation.
2^nd Reading: Philomen 9-17, Have him back no longer as a bondservant but as a beloved brother.
Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-33, Anyone who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Let your face shine forth on your servant, and teach me your decrees. Alleluia.
Communion antiphon: Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; my soul is thirsting for God, the living God.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER
For our relationship with all of creation
Let us pray that, inspired by St Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
15 September – Our Lady of Sorrows
16 September – St Cornelius / St Cyprian
17 September – St Hildegard of Bingen / St Robert Bellarmine
19 September – St Janarius
20 September – Ss Andrew Kim Taegon & Companions

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEK – 6 SEPTEMBER
There is a special retiring collection for Archbishop Emeritus Malcolm, in thanksgiving for his services to the archdiocese since his appointment in 2014.

2^nd COLLECTION AFTER MASS NEXT WEEK (14 SEPTEMBER):  Catholic Education

EDUCATION SUNDAY – 14 SEPTEMBER
The theme for 2025 is ‘Lost and Found’
In our schools, colleges and universities, there are many young people who feel lost, or appear to be lost. This can be because the institutions are so big that they don’t feel noticed, because don’t feel they fit with the expectations of the institution or their peers or because of the unseen struggles at home. Others appear to us to be lost because of the way they behave or fail to engage.    
All our churches are focussing on how they can work together to help these children and young people and collating resources and professional expertise in order to make a difference.  Your donations will be a direct help.  Thank you.

CURRY EVENING LAST NIGHT
Many thanks to Vivienne and members of the Social Committee who worked so hard to provide such a wonderfully enjoyable evening yesterday.  And a big thank you to all who came along to support, enjoy the wonderful food and particularly the marvelous company.

COFFEE MORNING THIS WEEK: 7 SEPTEMBER
Our first Coffee Morning of the ‘new’ academic year is after Mass today.  All parishioners and their families are very welcome to come along to enjoy the lovely home-baked cakes and range of sandwiches, but especially to enjoy a bit of friendly company.  Do join us if you can.

1^st COMMUNION PREPARATION STARTS NEXT WEEK
Five of our local children will be starting their preparation for making their 1^st Holy Communion next week.  Please remember Lucas, Aria, Ruben and Naraya and their families in your prayers.

GDPR FORMS
We are legally obliged to destroy all contact details of our parishioners every 3 years, in order to protect private information.  That time has come again, so please help us to continue to keep in touch with you by completing the GDPR form (in the porch).  There is a labelled box for your slips. 
Update: 58 received so far (thank you) – only another 12 to go!

MESSAGE FROM CAFOD: RESPONSE IN GAZA
Donations to Gaza since the start of the conflict have been a vital lifeline. Right now, CAFOD’s partner, Caritas Jerusalem, is delivering essential medical treatment to displaced people and providing medicines to treat chronic illnesses.
CAFOD has helped 1,400 households with cash to buy supplies in the last month and they are currently feeding 2,000 people with new stocks of flour and rice. Despite the restrictions on aid coming into Gaza, CAFOD’s local partners are working tirelessly to help people. And with ongoing support, they will do all in their power to keep doing so.
You can find out more about how you can make a difference in Gaza at www.cafod.uk/  
Thanks to all parishioners and supporters for backing CAFOD’s work through holding collections for the Family Fast Day appeals and for continuing to pray for peace in the Middle East.

CURRY EVENING – SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
Our next social event: Saturday 6 September.  Tickets are available now, from John O’Hare / members of the Social Group.  Don’t miss this great night out!

PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LADYEWELL – SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
Please sign the list in the porch and indicate your ability to provide lifts – or need for a lift.  Please make a note in your diary.
11.00 Meet at the parish church in Fernyhalgh PR2 5ST (car park just before the church). Short service
Walk together to the shrine
12noon Mass
12.45 lunch – bring you own picnic, (there is a cafe to buy drinks)
2.15 Sprinkling
3.00 Benediction & depart
Plenty of room for more to come, please sign on the list.

CHURCH FOODBANK UP-DATE FOR SUMMER 2025
We are suspending our foodbank collections over the summer months and will resume in the autumn. 
However, help is still available to purchase weekly vouchers for the Tarleton Food Pantry (Monday mornings).

RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring your red boxes to church over the next few weeks, so that they can be counted and the money go to the APF Missions, which is much needed.   Please let Diane know if you’d like to arrange collection of your box.

COULD YOU BE A RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLOR?
Interested in training and volunteering as a Relationship Counsellor with Marriage Care? We are a Catholic organisation specialising in relationship support and are currently looking for those who would be interested in training via our Certificate in Relationship Counselling (CRC) course. We are reaching out early to give you the opportunity to benefit from a new and additional pathway we are offering – the option to volunteer with our marriage preparation service prior to the CRC selection. To find out more and to register your interest either for entry at this stage or prior to our CRC selection process in Autumn 2026 please visit: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk

PRAYERFUL REFLECTION BEFORE MASS
Some of our parishioners who like to pray and have a few moments of quiet reflection before the start of Mass.  And of course, we have every opportunity to have a chat and catch-up after Mass. 
Our monthly coffee mornings provide an ideal occasion for this! 

OUR CHURCH IS 75 YEARS OLD IN 2027
As announced last week, our 75^th anniversary is Holy Cross Day, 2027.  Watch this space…

CHURCH CLEANING / FLOWER ARRANGING
Thank you to those who have already said that they’d be interested in helping out.  Diane would like to start putting rotas together, so please can you let her know your availability.  Church cleaning is only twice a month and flower arranging is every other week.  Please have a word with her after Mass today, or ring on 07876 363779. Thank you.

VOTIVE CANDLES
People have been asking how much they should donate for a votive candle.  Fr John is happy to leave it to your discretion, as all donations will be gratefully received – whenever they are made.

GLUTEN FREE SACRAMENT AVAILABLE
Please indicate to Fr John if you need to receive a gf host when you come to receive communion.

ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA: The Loving Generosity of Christ
He is generous to exhaustion and what is most wonderful is that he gives himself thus entirely, not once only but every
day, if we wish it.  Every fresh Communion is a new gift, which Jesus Christ makes of himself.