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

ASCENSION OF THE LORD: Thursday 18 May
Mass at Ss Peter & Paul’s Mawdesley (with the school) – 11am
Mass at St Agnes Eccleston – 7pm

CHURCH OPEN
Thursdays 11am to 1pm, for visits to the Blessed Sacrament and quiet prayer, meditation.

ARCHDIOCESE PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
We ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We ask for you to be with all – especially children who are suffering as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates. For those who are anxious and fearful. For those who are bereaved, injured or who have lost their lives. And for those who have lost loved ones. Lord, hear our prayers.
We also pray for wise actions from global leaders – who have the power not only to start wars, but to stop them too.
Father in heaven, we cry out for an end to this crisis and for mercy, peace, and truth – that the healing power of your love will restore peace, families and communities.
Amen

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 14 MAY
1^st Reading: Acts 8:5-8,14-17, They laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit
Psalm 65: Cry out with joy to God all the earth.
2^nd Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18, In the body he was put to death, in the Spirit he was raised to life.
Gospel Reading: John 14:15-21, I shall ask the Father and he shall give you a new Advocate.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus says, ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we shall come to him.’ I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you forever, alleluia.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
For church movements and groups
We pray that Church movements and groups may rediscover their mission of evangelisation each day, placing their own charisms at the service of needs in the world.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
15 May – Our Lady of Fatima
19 May – St Dunstan
20 May – St Bernadine of Siena, a great communicator, preacher and peacemaker

PRIESTS’ TRAINING FUND LAST WEEK
Thank you – £69.56 was donated

CORONATION WEEKEND COFFEE MORNING – THANK YOU
A BIG Thank You to everyone who came along to last week’s Coronation Coffee Morning.  It was lovely to see so many people – especially children. A magnificent sum of £135.36 was raised for the Hall Refurbishment Appeal.  This will go towards the costs of the recent repainting the entrance area ceiling and the toilets.
Thank you also to those who have volunteered to help provide tea/coffee and biscuits for future coffee mornings.  (Help will be provided).  Please contact Diane at the Parish Office (or at home on 01772 815508) if you’d like to help out.

ANNUAL LADIES’ RALLY – MONDAY 15 MAY
Everyone is warmly welcome to attend the annual ladies’ rally at Mere Brow Methodist Church on Monday 15 May, at 7.30pm.  The speaker is Barbara Clarke and the soloist is Jennifer Pullin.  Please come and share together in friendship and fellowship.  Light refreshments will be served in the schoolroom following the Service.  Please contact Joan Lawson on 01772 814289 if you would like to attend (for catering purposes).

WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY 2023
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has designated Sunday 21 May as World Communications Day. A special collection will be taken after Mass next week.

FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: CELEBRATION OF PENTECOST, 28 May 2023, 3pm
Join us at 3 pm on Sunday 28 May 2023, as we mark Pentecost.
The Pentecost event will start at Liverpool Cathedral, and we will then walk up Hope Street to the Metropolitan Cathedral. Weather permitting there will be a service on the plaza outside the Metropolitan Cathedral and a party on the steps.
The theme of the service is Many Nations, and Bishop John Perumbalath, the new Bishop of Liverpool, will be preaching. Please visit www.ctmr.org.uk  for further details

10^th ANNIVERSARY: THE SILVER LINE – FREE SERVICE FOR ALL OVER 55s
TV presenter and campaigner Esther Rantzen launched this helpline for anyone struggling with loneliness, isolation, depression in 2013.  It’s a FREE, 24-hour service, so no matter what time of day or night, anyone can ring this number and will immediately be able to talk to a kind and sympathetic volunteer.  No judgements made.  Completely confidential.  The volunteers are happy to listen and to chat.  Many, many people (including some of our parishioners) have experienced the benefits of this wonderful service (it comes highly-recommended) so please pass these details on to anyone you think might also benefit.
Call 0800 4 70 80 90.   https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
The Silver Line is also happy to train volunteers, so if you’re interested please contact them via the website.  Thank you.

“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

HELP NEEDED
The advent of warmer weather means that weeds are beginning to make their annual unwelcome appearance along the paths around the church, at the back of the presbytery and around the car park.  Please consider spending an hour or so – in the fresh air! – helping us to keep our church looking tidy, cared-for and inviting. The more, the merrier.  (No prior experience needed!)

PARISH FOODBANK: Thank you to all those who so generously donated during Lent.  We will continue to collect foodstuffs over the next few months.

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 – Important Clarification: If you are a taxpayer then you can easily help the parish to claim 25% extra on top of every donation you make.  Eg: a donation of £3 per week could become £3.75 and a donation of £5 per week would result in £6.25 going to the church. Filling in a simple form to register your name and address means we can claim an additional 25% of your gift.  If you are able to help, 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.

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.

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.