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

READINGS FOR 17 MAY
1^st Reading: Acts 1:12-14, All, with one accord, were devoting themselves to prayer.
Psalm 27: I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness, in the land of the living.
2^nd Reading: 1 Peter 4:13-16, If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed.
Gospel Reading: John 17:1-11, Father, glorify your Son.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord.  I am going away and I will come to you and your hearts will rejoice. Alleluia. 
Communion antiphon: Father, I pray that they may be one, as we also are one, alleluia.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
That everyone might have food
We pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food and to ensuring that everyone has access to quality food.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
19 May – St Dunstan
20 May – St Bernadine of Siena
21 May – St Christopher Magallanes
22 May – St Rita of Cascia

ASCENSION DAY & PENTECOST
Last Thursday, forty days after Easter Sunday, we observed the ascension of of Our Lord into heaven – the last earthly appearance of Jesus.  Ten days later, we will celebrate the feast of Pentecost (24 May next week) and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, giving them the grace and courage to continue Christ’s holy work.

THE ROSARY IN MAY
“You must know that when you ‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you.  She is utterly courteous and pleasant.  If you greet her, she will answer you right away and converse with you.”  St Bernadine of Siena

NO MIDWEEK MASS
No Wednesday Masses now until Fr John has made a good recovery.  We offer prayers and Masses for a very successful outcome for him.  God bless you, Father.
We will welcome Fr Michael Barrett here, to say Mass for us next Sunday.

SCARECROW FESTIVAL – SATURDAY 16 MAY
Thank you to everyone who donated tombola prizes and who supported the event in any way.  Special thanks to Joanne and the children for a magnificent scarecrow – and to Vivienne and the Social Committee for all their hard work in making it such a success.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Three of our ‘All Hallows’ children celebrated their Confirmation at St Mary’s in Leyland on 30 April.  Our blessing and congratulations to Rebecca, Summer and Sophie.
Our ‘parish’ children will be finalising their preparations after Mass today, ready to celebrate this special sacrament on 17 June, with the Archbishop.

1^st HOLY COMMUNION
Our (nine) younger children will be making their 1^st Holy Communion on two Sundays, 7 and 14 June.
Their final preparation session will be held after Mass next week, 24 May.
Please remember all our children and their families in your prayers.

OUR LADY’S TARLETON BEREAVEMENT TEAM
Our Parish Council (PPC) has agreed that we should establish a Bereavement Team, to provide support for individuals and families dealing with loss, by offering emotional, practical and pastoral assistance.  Members of this team may assist Fr John and the family with funeral arrangements (as required), signpost other support agencies, discuss memorial/Requiem services, anniversary cards and prayer groups.  It is hoped that we can engage in the necessary training together, with our Family of Parishes.  Safeguarding (DBS) requirements will apply.
If you are interested in finding out more, with a view to joining the team, please speak to Paul Allison after Mass or ring him on 07562 709219.  Thank you.

WELCOMERS NEEDED 
We would love to expand our rota of welcomers, so please don’t be shy!  Have a chat with Father or Diane after Mass, if you’d like to find out a bit more, and see if it’s something that might interest you.

CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED
Our dedicated and hardworking choir would welcome two or three more voices to help swell the ranks.  Our Lady’s boasts one of the best churches for congregational singing amongst all the FoP, so we know there are some keen and enthusiastic singers amongst us. If you enjoy a ‘good, rousing sing’, then please have a word with Liz Cheetham after Mass, to find out a bit more.  You will be most welcome. 

MARY’S MEALS – ‘PRAY IN MAY’
Mary’s Meals is a movement of people who are committed to tackling world hunger through one simple solution: providing a daily meal for every child at school. During the month of May, we’d like to invite you to join us in praying for this work and for all those connected with Mary’s Meals around the world.
Leaflets are available in the porch
The Mary’s Meals Prayer
Our Father, give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us for the times when we take more than our share
of the bread that belongs to all.
Let us help you fill the starving with good things,
and not with scraps from our table.
Teach us how to share what is not ours to keep.
Clothe us with your love that we may complete
each good work you created us to do.
Place in our hearts your compassion for each starving child
and use our little acts of love so that they may starve no more.  Amen

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! 

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.