19 December – 4th Sunday of Advent
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Carole Ann Moore RIP
Parishioners
Parishioners (Christmas Eve)
Christmas Lists (Christmas Day)
Holy Souls NDL (Christmas Sunday 26 Dec)
| REGULAR MASSES |
|---|
|
THE CHURCH IS NOW OPEN FOR WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday Vigil: 6.45pm and Sunday, 9.30am. PLEASE PHONE / EMAIL ON THURSDAYS between 10.30am to 3pm to book a place if you wish to sit in the socially-distanced area of church. Face masks must be warn at all times in order to protect all who come to church. Thank you! |
| This Week | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ministry |
E. Minister | Reader |
| Saturday | ||
| Sunday |
| Next Week | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ministry | E. Minister | Reader |
| Saturday | ||
| Sunday |
PARISH NEWSLETTER
THIS WEEK’S NOTICES & READINGS / REFLECTIONS
We join Pope Francis in his prayer intention for December:
Catechists
Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit
Let us pray
That all Christians may strive for holiness by repenting of past sins;
That all who doubt or distrust the Gospel message may recognise the risen Christ in the goodness and kindness of others and learn to turn to God in faith and love;
That the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ for all people may teach us that there is no such thing as a worthless life, or a person God does not love;
That as Covid restrictions are lifted and more people receive their vaccinations, may the bonds of our relationships be renewed and strengthened
We pray now in the words Jesus gave us:
Our Father, who art in heaven…
SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
OUR ADVENT FOODBANK
Our very generous parishioners have made a huge contribution to local families struggling with food poverty through their extremely thoughtful and generous donations over the last few weeks. This will make an enormous difference to many of our local residents and especially the children. Rev Dave Dickinson and his team of helpers from All Saints Church in Hesketh Bank have been busy distributing Christmas food parcels over the last couple of weeks and will continue to do so over the Christmas period. Your gifts have been much appreciated.
COVID UPDATE – CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING CANCELLED
Given the concerns about keeping everyone safe and the measures introduced last week by the government, it has been agreed that we should cancel the Christmas Coffee Morning.
COVID UP-DATE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE THIS CHRISTMAS
The Archdiocese has sent round very clear guidance on how to keep safe and to keep others safe over the next – very difficult – month, as follows:-
- Anyone who has not yet received any vaccine is strongly encouraged to start now. To be effective against the new, highly contagious Omicron virus, a course of 3 vaccines is required (a first dose, followed by a second dose, after 8 weeks, then a 3rd dose – or booster – 12 weeks after the 2nd dose). This applies to everyone over the age of 18 years. It will take 2 weeks for booster immunity to build up, so the sooner, the better, especially if mixing with others over the Christmas period.
- Take regular LFT tests (2 or 3 a week), particularly before going out and mixing with others.
- Avoid going out if you feel unwell or test positive
- Wear a face mask at all times in enclosed spaces – especially in church, throughout the services
- Ensure churches and other venues, including private houses, are always well-ventilated. This might mean wrapping up with extra layers.
- The Sunday obligation remains lifted.
MUSICAL TREAT FOR THE WEEK
Carol Of The Bells | Genesis Sixteen | A Classic FM Christmas – YouTube
A fabulous Christmas treat from the acapella group, The Sixteen, recorded last Christmas. We’re all in need of some cheer at the moment and this really helps to lift the spirits!
RESOURCES FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE FOR DECEMBER
|
God Who Speaks December Resources Focus on Dreams and Revelations: godwhospeaks.uk/dreams-and-revelations Dreaming with Joseph this Christmas: On Dreaming in a Time of Crisis (Part 1 & 2) by David McLoughlin: Why wasn’t Jesus born in the Temple by Fr Michael Hall: godwhospeaks.uk/dreams-and-revelations/christmas-the-lord-who-enters-his-temple Christmas Creation Commandment No. 9 by Fr Michael Hall: godwhospeaks.uk/commandment-9-let-the-child-make-all-things-new Fleur chooses our Top Ten Nativity Animal Paintings: godwhospeaks.uk/top-ten-nativity-animal-paintings Christmas Resources: godwhospeaks.uk/christmas-resources Family Advent Wreath Resource from Bishop Peter Brignall: godwhospeaks.uk/christmas-resources/traditional-advent-resources Donkey Detective Story and Make your own Donkey Activity: godwhospeaks.uk/the-christmas-donkey |
WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR A HAPPY & HEALTHY CHRISTMAS FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES!
LET’S KEEP TALKING – SUPPORT FOR ANYONE SUFFERING IN ANY WAY AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC
Please pick up a leaflet on your way into/out of church, from Lancs & S Cumbria Mental Health Support. Help is out there if you’re struggling to cope, or you know someone who is struggling.
LATEST UPDATES FROM WEST LANCS COUNCIL (w/e 12 December)
Face Masks: Whilst there are no longer legal requirements for face coverings, their use is strongly advised in hospitals, healthcare settings and enclosed, crowded public spaces eg shops, cafes and restaurants.
Our Area: Data extracted shows that the total number of confirmed cases for the last 7 days in West Lancashire is 413 (a slight fall in the last week) and we have the seventh lowest rate across the 14 districts in Lancashire. The most significant number of cases is NOW AMONGST 45-55 YEAR OLDS.
VACCINATIONS, BOOSTERS and FACE MASKS are strongly advised by the NHS, if we are to bring down the rate of infections and the spread of the disease.
Young People / Children: Young people aged 12 to 15 in England are now being offered one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Parental consent will be sought prior to vaccination. Healthy school-aged children aged 12 to 15 will primarily receive their COVID-19 vaccination in their school, to prevent passing on serious illness to others and to protect the children themselves.
Shielding Advice: The advice on shielding has now changed – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/shielding-programme-endsfor-most-vulnerable
Flu Jabs: It’s crucial that those who are eligible get their flu jab when offered as well as their COVID booster jab. This will help boost immunity to flu and COVID as well as helping protect the lives of those you come into contact with – and of course, the NHS, which is already struggling.
Financial Problems?: West Lancashire Borough Council is launching the Get Money Fit campaign for anyone struggling with debt who needs help to manage their income and outgoings. It can be difficult to know where to start and who to speak to when money becomes a real worry so it’s vital that everyone is able to access the support they need. To help, WLBC has put together a directory of organisations who can provide support and advice. You may also be unaware of what you could be entitled to when it comes to benefits, so they’ve also launched a benefits calculator and budgeting tool you can use to get an estimate of what you could be claiming to maximise your income. To use the directory and budgeting tool, visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/getmoneyfit/
LOCAL ACTIVITIES / CLASSES YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN…
In addition to the classes and activities in our own church hall, there are a range of activities taking place in Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, as follows…
FREE HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES AT TARLETON LIBRARY
All activities are carried out by experienced tutors. There are limited places, and booking is essential.
You can book at the Library desk or by ringing 0300 123 6703
Mondays: Parent/Grandparent and Baby/ Child Yoga, 10am-11am, mats provided.
Tuesdays: Health Walks, 1.15pm -2.15pm and Chair Based Yoga 4-5pm
Thursdays: Qigong (benets similar to Tai Chi) 4-5pm
Fridays: Weight Management 11-12noon
LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
No need to book.
Monday: Story Time, 9.30am-10am; and Family History Helpdesk on the first Monday of the month 10am-12noon
Thursday: Creative Writing Group from 10am -12 noon, Craft Group from 2-3.30 pm
Friday: Baby Bounce and Rhyme, 9.30am-10am
HESKETH BANK COMMUNITY CENTRE: offers Zumba Gold, Dance Classes (Adult/Children), Burlesque, Tai Chi, Chair-Based Exercises, Circuits, Dog Training, Gymskool, Nippon Martial Arts, Gardening Made Easy, Singing For All Ages, Slimming World.
More details on their website, which can be found at: https://www.heskethbankcommunitycentre.org.uk/
LOCAL HELP FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES
You’ll have realised that a lot of local areas are trying to work out how they can best support refugees from Afghanistan over the next weeks and months. In Hesketh Bank and Tarleton, donations of clothes are being accepted by the Christian Centre (off Moss Lane) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9.30am and 11.30am. The initial response from locals has been extremely encouraging, so the Christian Centre is currently storing a lot of items ready to hand over to Care4Calais, as and when they need it. Care4Calais is specifically asking for the following items, which must be in good condition:
- baby / children’s clothes & shoes (trainers)
- jeans and leggings
- t-shirts
- hoodies
Donations are also being collected in Aughton L39 5DW: Please email mcevoyden@gmail.com to arrange drop-off time / venue.
You may wish to donate directly to Care4Calais: Care4Calais | Refugee Crisis Charity | Fundraise Donate Volunteer
REGULAR WEEKLY NOTICES
MASS ON SUNDAYS
As you may be aware, our Bishops have lifted the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
To keep Sundays holy, it might be helpful to spend some time reading the Scriptures. Besides your Bible, the Magnificat publication can be a wonderful aid to prayer and of course, you also get the readings for Mass for every day of the week! At a cost of less than £1 a week, you may be interested in subscribing now: tel. 020 7448 3618; email: uk@magnificat.com or visit the website: www.catholic-herald.myshopify.com
Masses will continue to be live-streamed and televised for many months yet, so you can still take part in Sunday worship and the Act of Spiritual Communion will continue to be an important part of people’s worship for the foreseeable future.
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
THE ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
MASSES ONLINE WILL CONTINUE TO BE STREAMED INDEFINITELY
Locally, there is St Clare’s, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood: www.saintclares.co.uk which streams Mass daily at 9.30am. Please follow the easy links on the website.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en Pope Francis
https://www.churchservices.tv/whats-on-now/ Great selection of Masses and other Church services https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes/ Mass and daily at 2pm, the Rosary in English
https://www.livemass.org Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal)
Use the website links to EWTN, those who have Sky can tune in on Channel 588, or the Archdiocese to access daily Masses
On the radio: Catholic Radio Sky Channel 0147
Also, you may wish to try the Pray as you Go phone app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.foxcode.prayasyougo&hl=en
PRAYERS from the Archdiocese, for Stations of the Cross etc: https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/
Please email the Parish Office with details of any other online services you know of that may help parishioners at this very difficult time. We will try to include them in next week’s Newsletter.
EWTN – GLOBAL CATHOLIC TV & RADIO
Getting connected is easier than you might think. EWTN is free, there’s no subscription. You can stream live and on demand via the website: www.ewtn.co.uk/get-ewtn or get the app for your mobile (EWTN APP), or Amazon’s Echo Auto.
Every day: daily Mass at 1pm and Children’s Rosary every day, at 7.30pm
YEAR OF ST JOSEPH (Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Liverpool): With his apostolic letter, ‘Patris Corde’ (‘With a Father’s heart’), Pope Francis has proclaimed a ‘Year of St Joseph’ running from 8 December 2020 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) to December 2021.
At the end of the letter, he asks us to pray the following prayer to St Joseph:
Hail Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you, God entrusted his only Son,
In you, Mary placed her trust,
With you, Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
Show yourself a father
And guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage
And defend us from every evil.
Amen
PRAYER CARDS FOR THE YEAR OF ST JOSEPH: Prayer cards are available – please notify the Parish Office and we will send one out to you so that you can say the prayer to St Joseph during the week. We know we can rely on his guidance and protection in every difficulty and challenge. And his intercessions are certainly much-needed by us all at the moment!
CLASSES IN OUR CHURCH HALL FROM SEPTEMBER
The relaxing of some restrictions means that our church hall can now be used by local groups.
Please contact the parish office if you would like to know more about the following:
Fizzical – adult workout to jazz (with Julie Kershaw) – Monday evenings, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Parents & Toddlers, (with Jade McCormick) – last Tuesday of the month, 10am-11.30am
Tai Chi (with Mark Humphries) – Tuesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm
Family Martial Arts (with Alex Molyneux) – Tuesdays, 6.15pm to 7.15pm
CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS: These are available to order directly from the publisher (www.thecatholicuniverse.com or 0161 820 5722). It can be posted to you each week. Introductory offers: printed copies for three months – £25; twelve months – £99; or digital copy £55 for twelve months.
OUR LITTLE CHURCH GROUP
Our children have continued to meet up regularly via Zoom during the pandemic and our Little Church seems to be happily thriving. If anyone is interested in attending, or knows any children who would like to be involved, you are more than welcome to join in the fun! Please contact Emma O’Hare on 07813275574.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – WITH BROTHER FRANCIS
You Tube animated stories and songs each week.
https://brotherfrancis.com/
WEEKLY MASS FOR CHILDREN: FREE RESOURCE BOOKLET
Redemptorist Publications is pleased to introduce Celebrate: an initiative designed to help children grow in their faith.
Each week they will provide a Children’s Liturgy in the form of a video of the week’s Gospel reading, a reflection and a final prayer.
Fun, engaging and practical worksheets/resources will also be provided to help children continue to practise their faith during this time. Please ring 01420 592974 or check the following link for the RP KidZone: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/celebrate-following-your-faith?utm
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES ON EWTN
Children’s religious programmes, based on the teachings of Jesus, are available on EWTN every week day, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm – and on Saturday mornings, from 9am to 10am.
OFFERTORY DONATIONS DURING THE LOCKDOWN
Many thanks to generous parishioners who have sent in donations to our churches. Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated.
Instead of putting money in offertory envelopes each week, those who are able to make an offering are asked to complete a Standing Order Mandate for your bank, from either your parish office. We can email the document to you, if you wish, so that you can print off, complete and send to your bank.
Alternatively, you may still wish to write a cheque (payable to ‘Our Lady Help of Christians Church’ ) and post to the presbytery with a covering letter and one offertory envelope for gift aid purposes.
Donating by text / online: Please check the May Newsletters and use the links provided.
HELP IS AT HAND! Don’t forget that local volunteers from Hesketh Bank and Tarleton Helpers stand ready to help anyone who needs support – with errands, shopping, collecting prescriptions – and friendly telephone calls for those who are feeling isolated. Please call Diane Mackley (one of the HH Team members) on 01772 815508.
OTHER HELP AVAILABLE IN WEST LANCS
Citizens Advice Lancashire West – Advice on housing, employment, debt, benefits, consumer problems, energy advice (billing, supply, switching etc.) and much more.
Contact: Guy Simpson – gsimpson@calw.org.uk or Sarah Bennett – sbennett@calw.org.uk Tel. 0344 245 1294
South West Lancashire ICAN [South West Lancashire Independent Community Advice Network]
Provides free independent and confidential advice from specialists regarding redundancy, welfare rights, employment law, disability living allowance, tribunal appeals, personal independence payments, IT and digital support, debt, those in work-low income (including for the self-employed or small business owners during the pandemic), furloughing.
Contact: Paul McConnell or Jan Fitzsimons admin@swlican.org. Tel. 01695 726269
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR NEED ANY HELP, PLEASE CONTACT FR ANDERS AT THE PRESBYTERY IN TARLETON ON 01772 812242, OR EMAIL THE OFFICE (olhct@rcaol.org.uk)
WISHING ALL PARISHIONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES EVERY BLESSING FOR THE COMING WEEK