PARISH OFFICE OPENS ON THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY, 9.30am-12noon (HALF DAY ONLY THIS WEEK)

WEDNESDAY EVENING MASSES
Wednesday evenings, at 6pm – with Eucharistic Exposition: 6.25pm-6.55pm, Benediction: 6.55pm and Sacrament of Reconciliation: 6.25pm-6.55pm

CHURCH OPEN: THURSDAY 9 FEB, 10am -11.30am, for visits to the Blessed Sacrament and quiet prayer, meditation.

COVID / ‘FLU AWARE & SUNDAY OBLIGATION
If you have a cough / sore throat / feel generally unwell with cold-like symptom, please take a Covid test right away.      If it’s positive, then please stay at home, keep it to yourself and get better soon!
Whilst the Sunday Obligation has been restored, the Archdiocese advises parishioners to pray and watch Mass online/TV at home, if they are unwell with coughs and colds – especially at the moment, with so many infections doing the rounds.

READINGS FOR 5 FEBRUARY
1^st Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10, Then will your light shine like the dawn
Psalm 111:  The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.
2^nd Reading: I Corinthians 2:1-5, During my stay with you the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus Christ as the crucified Christ
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16, You are the light of the world.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  I am the Light of the World, says the Lord, anyone who follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men, for he satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry he fills with good things.

INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February
For parishes
We pray that parishes, placing communion at the centre, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
6 Feb – St Paul Miki & Companions
8 Feb – St Jerome Emiliani  / St Josephine Bakhita: Day for Victims of Trafficking
10 Feb – St Scholastica (sister of St Benedict)
11 Feb – Our Lady of Lourdes: Day for the Sick

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING: Wednesday 8 February, 7.15pm

PARISH COFFEE MORNING THIS SUNDAY (5 February)
Our Parish Coffee Morning will be held after 9.15am Mass this Sunday, in the hall.  Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be available – thanks to Philippa and Martin McGrath (+ helpers) for organising this.  Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an opportunity to catch up with old and new friends.

1^st COMMUNION PREPARATION NEXT WEEK (12 February)
Our children will be meeting together after Mass next Sunday for their fifth session, which will help them to prepare for their 1^st Communion in June.  The theme this month is ‘Jesus is the Bread of Life’.  Please remember the children and their families in your prayers.

FISH & CHIP BABY JUMPERS – CORRECTION
Thanks for jumpers already received!
Please note there is an error in the pattern: after casting off 26 stitches for the head, the next row should tell you to cast ON 26 stitches, before continuing in rib.
Apologies for the confusion.

DAYS OF SPECIAL PRAYER THIS MONTH
5 February – Racial Justice Day
8 February – Day for Victims of Trafficking (and those who help to prevent it)
11 February – Our Lady of Lourdes / World Day of Prayer for the Sick & those who care for them.  Copies of the message from Pope Francis are available in the porch.
19 February – Day for the Unemployed
22 February – Ash Wednesday: Day of Fasting & Abstinence

RACAL JUSTICE SUNDAY 2023 – 5 FEBRUARY
As Catholics we believe that every human being is created equally in the image of God. It is important to consider how we can better reflect this in our own actions, both as individuals and part of the wider Church.
The theme for Racial Justice Sunday is:
“All are included in the mission of Christ and His Church. Let us walk together, pray together and work together”

Prayer for Racial Justice Sunday
God of our past, present and future, 
you created each one of us in your image and likeness,
help us to recognise you in each person.
As we pray for end to suffering caused by racism
lead us this day to walk with one another,
pray with one another and work together,
so that we create a future based on justice and healing,
where all can fulfil the hope you have for all peoples. 
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen

PARISH COFFEE MORNING THIS SUNDAY (5 February)
Our Parish Coffee Morning will be held after 9.15am Mass this Sunday, in the hall.  Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be available – thanks to Philippa and Martin McGrath (+ helpers) for organising this.  Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an opportunity to catch up with old and new friends.

PARISH GIVING LAST WEEK
Standing Orders – £230* (* approx. equivalent from monthly SOs)
Sunday Mass Offertory – £169
Total: £399.00  Thank you, everyone.

UKRAINE APPEAL – INTERNATIONAL AID TRUST IS NOW IN HESKETH BANK
The IAT has recently moved from its depot in Lostock Hall to Moss Lane – right on our doorstep!  It’s now based at The Barn, behind the bungalow at 255 Moss Lane.
However, the move has meant that some volunteers are now unable to relocate due to transport difficulties.  The new depot is open from 10am to 4pm every weekday and they would love to hear from anyone who can help out for a couple of hours every week (or every other week).
As well as dried and tinned foodstuffs, plus toiletries and especially sanitary products, they are also in need of torches (as a result of blackouts due to Russian bombing of power supplies. 
They are always very grateful for donations, which can be taken directly to the Moss Lane depot, or you can leave them at church on a Sunday and we’ll take them along.
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to find out more about this vital, life-saving work.  Thank you.

KEEPING WARM THIS WINTER
We have access to blankets, snuggle blankets, ‘oodies’ and treated wood (for wood burners).  Please contact the Parish Office if you know of locals (neighbours, friends, any age), who could do with some help. 
Please do all you can to help us publicise details of local Warm Spaces

COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Our  LOCAL warm spaces include:

• Tarleton Library (opening hours Monday to Saturday),
• Christian Centre, Moss Lane (Monday mornings, 9.30am to 12.30pm) and
• Holy Trinity church, Tarleton (Monday – Saturday 9am to 4pm; Coffee & Chat: Fridays 10am to 12 noon).
• Hesketh Bank Community Centre (Mondays – Saturdays)

Warmth, hot drinks, light refreshments, good company, help and advice are on offer at all these places. 
Our local residents’ charity, Hesketh Bank & Tarleton helpers provides lunches every Friday: 12am to 2pm at Hesketh Bank Community Centre.

PLEASE CONSIDER OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR PARISH
We are very grateful for offers of help already, with regards to gardening jobs and keeping the grounds of the church neat and tidy.  Thank you!
However, there are still a number of opportunities for our parishioners to become a bit more involved in parish life and your help is both needed and much appreciated.  Areas where help is needed include with the Little Church group on Sundays, singing with the choir, flower arranging, church cleaning, altar serving and some serious fund-raising.  Help is welcome from all ages, and advice / training will be provided. Please contact the Parish Office by email or ring on Thursdays, in order to find out more.

HELP FOR RESIDENTS & OUR LOCAL FOODBANK: We will continue to support the amazing work being done by Rev Dave Dickinson at All Saint’s in Hesketh Bank, by collecting non-perishable foodstuffs for local families.  Thank you for all donations made so far.  They are helping to support three local families who are really struggling at the moment.  This is likely to increase as fuel prices start to have an effect this autumn and winter.  Please let Diane Mackley know if you have any concerns about neighbours over the next few months and we’ll do our best to help them, 01772 815508.