CONFESSIONS: Wednesdays 5.45pm to 6.05pm

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays, from 11am to 2pm for reflections before the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 22 FEBRUARY
1^st Reading: Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7, The creation and sin of our first parents
Psalm 51: Have mercy on us O Lord, for we have sinned.
2^nd Reading: Romans 5:12-19, Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted.
Gospel acclamation: Glory and praise to you, O Christ.  One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Glory and praise to you, O Christ
Communion antiphon: One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY
For children with incurable diseases
We pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and emotional support, never losing strength and hope.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For disarmament and peace
That nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
23 February – St Polycarp
27 February – St Gregory of Narek

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKES: THANK YOU!
Huge thanks to Vivienne and Fr John for placing themselves and their home at the disposal of the parish, when they very generously hosted  last Tuesday’s Pancake & Pizza Social.  It was a lovely evening (as always), with thanks also to the Social Committee.  In more good news, a donation on £200 from the proceeds has been made towards the cost of a new hall boiler.  Thank you everyone and all those who supported.

MESSAGE FROM FR JOHN: FAMILY OF PARISHES – MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY (25^th)
7.00pm to 8.30pm
Your thoughts and feedback are absolutely essential.  Post-it notes are available for you to identify the preferred option / least preferred option / any other thoughts.  Fr Matthew Nunes will be leading an evening for all parishioners this coming Wednesday 7pm to 8.30pm, in church. 
Please help us to find a way forward in discerning our future as a parish.  I feel it is vital for a good number of parishioners to meet up after Mass on Wednesday, in order to have a full conversation with Fr Nunes. He will try to answer queries and explain the implications and possible consequences of the four models / scenarios. This is the only chance we have to meet him like this.
Your view matters, so I hope that there will be a good turn-out, to show just how much we all care about Our Lady’s as a parish.  Spare copies of the background notes are available in the porch.
Fr John

HALL BOILER UPDATE
We are currently securing a number of quotes for a new boiler.  We hope to be in a position to make a decision later this week, so that work can start asap.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
PPC members will be meeting after Mass on Wednesday, 4 March at 7.00pm. 
If you’ve any queries or concerns about anything that you think should be raised, please speak with Diane, Paul, Keren, John, Emma, Mark, Tony or David.

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY: 27 FEBRUARY
This year’s contributions are being used to help families in different parts of the world with new ways to grow crops – even in areas where there is either too much, or too little water.
Envelopes are now available and can be returned at next week’s Sunday Mass, ie 1 March.
Please remember to gift aid your donation, if you can: it makes a huge difference.  Thank you.

LENTEN ALMS
Our Lenten Alms box will be available throughout Lent for donations. Lenten almsgiving is one of the three traditional pillars of Lent (alongside prayer and fasting), focusing on selfless giving to those in need – especially the poor – as an expression of our love, our sense of justice, and our repentance during this special season.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2026 INVITATION
Everyone is warmly welcome to attend this year’s Day of Prayer, which is on Friday 6 March at Hesketh Lane Church (opposite TCP), beginning at 7.30pm.  This year the service has been prepared by the women of Nigeria, who have taken as their theme: ‘I will give you rest: come’.  The service consists of prayers, reflections and songs; representatives from our eight local churches will be taking part.  The service will last approx. one hour and there will be light refreshments afterwards.  Do come along if you’re able – and bring a family member / friend.

CARLO ACUTIS: RELIC AND EXHIBITION OF EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES – FINAL DAY
This event finishes this Sunday at 3:00pm, with a Holy Hour and final opportunity to venerate and receive a blessing with the Relic. The Relic is on display at Our Lady and All Saints Church, Lancaster Lane, Parbold WN87HS.
The Exhibition is held at Our Lady and All Saints School, Brandreth Drive, Parbold WN87HD.
Opening times are: Saturday and Sunday: 11:30am – 3:00pm. 
There is parking and accessibility at both sites and extra parking on Lancaster Lane. 
Contact details: (01257) 463248 or email: parbold@hotmail.com

MASS INTENTIONS
Mass intentions are welcome, not just for our dear departed, but for any other occasion eg in thanksgiving, A 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 close as possible.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES / GIFT AID / STANDING ORDERS!
If you are a taxpayer then you can easily help the parish to claim 25% extra on top of every donation you make – and it won’t cost you a penny!  Eg: a donation of £10 per week would result in £12.50 going to the church. If you are able to use gift aid, please collect a form from the porch on your way out today, and return it to the Parish Office asap. 
If you are a taxpayer who makes regular cash donations, please consider using an offertory envelope instead of just placing your ‘loose’ donations in the basket. This is really important: it can bring in more than £1000 to the church every year, as we’ll be able to claim gift aid directly on every donation you make.  It won’t cost you anything at all, but it will make a huge difference to our finances.
Please contact the Parish Office if you’d like to use envelopes – they are free! 
Even better – you can donate ‘painlessly’ each month by setting up a standing order with your bank.  Forms are available in the porch.

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! 

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.