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

WEDNESDAY EVENING MASSES
Please Note: No Wednesday Mass this week

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

READINGS FOR 30 JULY
1^st Reading: I Kings 3:5, 7-12, You have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself
Psalm 118: lord, how I love your law!
2^nd Reading: Romans 8:28-30, God intended us to be true images of his Son
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-52, he sells everything he owns and buys the field
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  I call you friends, says the Lord, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all his benefits.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JULY
For a Eucharistic life
We pray that Catholics may place the celebration of the Eucharist at the heart of their lives, transforming human relationships in a very deep way and opening to the encounter with God and all their brothers and sisters.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST
For World Youth Day
We pray the World Youth Day in Lisbon will help young people to live and witness the Gospel in their own lives.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
31 July – St Ignatius of Loyola
1 August – St Alphonsus Liguori
2 August – St Eusebius of Vercelli
2 August – St Peter Julian Emyard
4 August – St John Vianney patron of all priests, who sometimes spent up to 16 hours a day hearing confessions and who preached to around 20,000 people a year, from all parts of France, such was his reputation for spiritual healing and counselling.
5 August – Dedication of St Mary Major

WELCOME & THANK YOU
To Fr Barry Matthews, who is saying Masses here and at Mawdesley and Eccleston this weekend.

LOURDES – PRAYER INTENTIONS
The O’Hare family will shortly be travelling to Lourdes and have kindly offered to present parishioners’ prayer intentions on their visit to the shrine of Our Lady.  If you would like to leave a prayer intention, please use the paper slips that are available on the table and leave in the labelled basket.  Deadline: Sunday 30 July.
Please don’t leave any offerings or donations

1st COMMUNION REGISTRATION 2023-24 – FINAL WEEK!
Registration forms are available in the porch for parents who wish to enrol their child on the Sacramental Programme for making their 1^st Holy Communion in June 2024.  Those eligible will be starting in Yr 4 in September. Please let family members and friends know.  The deadline is Sunday 6 August.

COFFEE MORNING – SUNDAY 6 AUGUST
Everyone is welcome to come along after 9.15am Mass next week and enjoy a chat over tea/coffee and biscuits in the hall.  Thanks to Emma and Joanne for organising an opportunity for parishioners to meet together and socialise.
Date for your dairies: Sunday 3 September – Meet Fr John!
All parishioners are warmly welcome to enjoy refreshments after 10am Mass on Sunday 3 September, and meet with Fr John, who is very much looking forward to getting to know his parishioners in a more relaxed and social environment.

NEW SUNDAY MASS TIMES FROM 3 SEPTEMBER
Please see last week’s letter from Fr John, where he explains that Sunday Masses will be at 10am from 3 September onwards.
Midweek Mass on Wednesdays at 6pm will remain unchanged for the time being – and will continue to include Confessions / Exposition and Benediction.

DONATIONS FOR IAT – MOSS LANE DEPOT
Please remember that unwanted clothing, bedding, tins of food, packs of dried food will be gratefully received by volunteers at our local depot, to help those thousands of Ukrainians affected by the flooding as a result of the recent bombing.  They are very grateful for all help received.  It really makes a difference.

ASLAND WAY PILGRIMAGE WALKS
the promise of better weather encourages us all to get out our walking shoes and discover more about our local area.  Representatives from our churches have been working to put together a series of walks and ted around Our Lady’s: A Tarleton Prayer Pilgrimage and a Tarleton Heritage Route.  Leaflets are available from the porch / to download from owo are basur Facebook page.

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!)

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.