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: THURSDAYS : 11am to 1pm, for visits to the Blessed Sacrament and quiet prayer, meditation.

A PRAYER FOR THE TURKISH / SYRIAN PEOPLE
Lord, at times such as this, when we realise that the ground beneath our feet is not as solid as we had imagined, we plead for your mercy.
As life crumbles about the people in Turkey, help us realise how small we all truly are on this ever-changing, ever-moving, fragile planet we call home. Give us the strength to hear, to care, to act.
Today, so many people are hurt and afraid.
Yet, you are the God who hears the cries of your people. And you have promised never to forget us.
So, comfort them, Lord, in this disaster. Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still and shelter them when their homes no longer exist.
Embrace in your arms those who have died. Console the hearts of those who mourn and ease their pain. Pour your healing balm on the injured.
Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion,
we who watch from afar, safe in our homes.
Move us to act swiftly, to give generously, to help.
Give us grace to pray unceasingly for those without hope. Let us not forget that we are all your children, and they our brothers and sisters.
We are all the work of your hands, and our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever.
Amen

CAFOD Syria-Turkey Earthquake Appeal
CAFOD is responding with support of provision of food, water, shelter, medical assistance and winter kits for survivors. Your donations in recent months have made that quick response possible. Let us join CAFOD in praying for our sisters and brothers affected by the earthquakes and the winter weather. Your support for CAFOD throughout the year allows our Catholic agency to act quickly when disasters strike. For more details visit CAFOD’s Syria Turkey Emergency Appeal online at https://cafod.org.uk/give.

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 12 FEBRUARY
1^st Reading: Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20, He never commanded anyone to be godless
Psalm 118:  They are happy who follow God’s law!
2^nd Reading: I Corinthians 2:6-10, God predestined wisdom to be for our glory before the ages began
Gospel: Matthew 5:17–37, You have learned how it was said to our ancestors; but I say this to you
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Speak Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: They ate and had their fill and what they craved, the Lord gave them; they were not disappointed in what they craved.

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
14 February – Ss Cyril & Methodius
17 February – Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

1^st COMMUNION PREPARATION THIS WEEK (12 February)
Our children will be meeting together after Mass today 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.

DAYS OF SPECIAL PRAYER THIS MONTH
19 February – Day for the Unemployed
22 February – Ash Wednesday: Day of Fasting & Abstinence

HOW TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH
Standing Orders – Many find this an easier alternative to trying to remember to bring cash along each week.  Forms are available in the porch / from the Parish Office.  You can determine the amount and when it is deducted each month. Please post the form to your bank.
Envelopes – easy, because they can be prepared before coming to church.  They afford some ‘privacy’ for the amount donated.  Please conact the Parish Office so that we can arrange this for you.
Cash / cheque donations each week and very gratefully received.
Gift Aid: If you don’t gift aid donations, then the parish loses 20% of your donation.  Filling in a simple form, registering your name and address means we can reclaim the money that had been donated.  So instead of it going to HMRC, it can support church funds!  Please collect a form from the porch on your way out today, complete and return to the Parish Office.
THANK YOU for your continuing support and generosity in these very challenging times.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2023
We are hosting this annual service this year, which takes place here at 7.30pm on Friday 3 March.  This year the service has been organised by the Christian women of Taiwan.  Theme this year: I have heard about your faith.
Refreshments will be available in the hall after the service.
All are very welcome to attend.

CAN YOU HELP WITH THE HISTORY OF OUR LADY’S?
A number of local churches are working together to compile a series of walks around the parishes of Hesketh Bank, Tarleton, Mere Brow, Holmeswood and Rufford. These informative walks are for everyone to enjoy next spring and summer, taking in local history, local wildlife and learning about each other’s churches.  If you have any stories / photographs about the history of Our Lady’s that you think would be of interest (or photos / other materials for a display), we would love to hear from you. PHOTOS ESPECIALLY WELCOME! Please write / email the parish office.

Pathways to social action:  Supporting refugees and asylum seekers
“This is church…”,  Participant in SHARe Knowsley event
From Pablo Guidi at the Archdiocese
My work this month has taken me to Support and Helping Asylum seekers and Refugees (SHARe) Knowsley.  This project started at St Aidan’s when parishioners started helping asylum seekers in the Hayton area.  They’ve gone from volunteers serving hot drinks, to 5 staff seeing hundreds of people a week.  They offer English classes, welfare support and a warm welcome to people of all faiths and none.  While they don’t press any faith, one participant said, “this is what church feels like”. If you would like to find out how you can get involved in refugee work, join our “Refugee network event for parishioners”: 6.30pm, 29th March 2023 – please get in touch with me, Pablo Guidi, at p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk, to register.

FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: COURSES & RESOURCES
COST OF LIVING CRISIS: Warm and Cosy spaces in our parish centres
Venues continue to be open 1pm to 3.30pm across the archdiocese: more details here https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/warm-and-cosy-with-the-archdiocese-of-liverpool
AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS PODCAST
Please find below the link to January’s ‘At the Foot of the Cross’ podcast from the Bishops’ Conference.
Benedict XVI Rest in Peace | Episode 10
SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS TRAINING COURSE
The Spirituality Network is offering an Introduction to Spiritual Direction Course beginning on 20th April 2023. In order to discern the right people for this course, they would like to meet in person with those applying for an interview. These will be held at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Liverpool L15 6TW. If you are interested, please send application forms to ann.goddard@liverpool.anglican.org by 10am on Monday 6th March 2023
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND – Online
An opportunity to deepen your life and faith as a couple through this retreat. The next date available is 13 and 14 May 2023. The programme is delivered by experienced laity couples and a priest and is supported by the Bishops Conference. Full details of these experiences can be found on their website: https://wwme.org.uk.

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.