CONFESSIONS: Wednesdays 5.45pm to 6.05pm

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

READINGS FOR 15  MARCH
1^st Reading: I Samuel 16:1-13, David is anointed king of Israel.
Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
2^nd Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14, Arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.
Gospel Reading: John 9:1-41, He went and washed and received his sight.
Gospel acclamation: Peace and honour to you, Lord Jesus.  I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Peace and honour to you, Lord Jesus
Communion antiphon: The Lord anointed my eyes: I went, I washed, I saw and I believed in God.

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
17 March – St Patrick, Patron of Ireland
18 March – St Cyril of Jerusalem
19 March – St Joseph – Solemnity

FAMILY OF PARISHES MEETING
Update: The thoughts and reflections from parishioners across our FoP, amounted to over 30 pages!  There is a lot to consider and it will therefore take time for everyone to analyse all the comments.  We will hopefully be able to provide further updates in the next few weeks.

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY £162.05 was donated – thank you everyone and to all those who gift aided their donations as well. It will really help.

NUGENT COLLECTION NEXT WEEK: 22 March

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.

4^th SUNDAY IN LENT: LAETARE SUNDAY
Laetare is the first word — meaning “rejoice” — in the Latin text. On Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete Sunday) the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. The purple of Lent can be replaced by rose – a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter, just before we enter into the darker period of the Passion.

A PRAYER FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY
Dear Lord, we thank you for all those who care for us. We thank you for giving them compassion, grace and love.  We pray for new mums, for mums who struggle to bring children up in uncertain times, for mums in war zones – where safety and protection are not a constant. We pray for mums who have lost children or who couldn’t look after their own. We pray that those who have lost mums or care givers will have fond memories of the love they shared. We give thanks for those who have stepped up to take on the role of a mother, for grandparents, fathers, friends, step-families, those who care by fostering and adopting. And we pray for families and communities who struggle to feel and share love, that they may be brought together on this day and experience the peace and unity with which your all-embracing love surrounds us.  Amen.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT – OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES
Thank you to all those who read and took part in Friday’s Stations here at Our Lady’s.  It was as always, a deeply spiritual experience, and invaluable preparation for our Easter observances.
Next Friday, 20 March – St Oswald’s, Longton at 7pm.  All welcome.

HALL BOILER NEWS
APG Domestics have been working on the boiler over the last few days and we hope to be fully operational by next week.  A very heartfelt thank you, to the kind parishioner who has already made a very generous donation towards the cost of replacing the boiler.  It is very much appreciated and certainly most welcome!  Bless you.

EASTER CELEBRATION: ROAST DINNER EVENING
Saturday 11th April, 7.00pm in the (warm!) church hall
Tickets £15, two course meal.  Tickets available TODAY from members of the social committee.  Please contact Vivienne with any dietary requirements.  All welcome!

EASTER SERVICES: Fliers / posters are available with the times of all our services; please take and distribute to friends, neighbours, family and local shops / businesses, who may be able to display them.  Thank you.

FAMILY OF PARISHES NEWSLETTER FOR LENT & EASTER
Copies are available in the porch for you to take, or find it on St Mary’s website: www.leylandstmarys.org.uk

RUNNING A MARATHON FOR ALICE
Parishioner, Marc Sterry, will be running the London Marathon on 26 April, in support of Alice’s WonderDance, in loving memory of Alice Aguiar, following the sad events of 2024 in Southport.  Alice was baptised here and there are still family links.  Marc is honoured to be running at the request of Alice’s parents, Sergio and Alex, for a foundation that continues her legacy. Please consider sponsoring him to help raise funds and awareness for this special cause.
The weblink to the fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/page/marc-sterry-2
Sponsor forms are available or those who do not wish to use the link. Please speak to Marc in church after Mass. Thank you for your kindness, support and prayers.

CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST – PRAY FOR PEACE
God of peace, bearer of hope, we seek your help for the peoples of the Middle East.  Quiet the clamour of war, and guide us towards peace.  Where there is hatred and division, sow seeds of calm and openness.  Where there is destruction, help us to rebuild.  Where children are crying, bring an end to tears.  Shelter your peoples and protect them.  Guide them and keep them from harm.  Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear and breathe whispers of hope.  Amen.                                                                                                                  
Linda Jones/CAFOD

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.