CONFESSIONS: Wednesdays 5.45pm to 6.05pm

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays, from 11am to 2pm for reflections before the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 1 MARCH
1^st Reading: Genesis 12:1-4, The call of Abram, the father of the People of God.
Psalm 33: May your merciful love be upon us as we hope in you, O Lord.
2^nd Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10, God calls and enlightens us.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9, His face shone like the sun.
Gospel acclamation: Glory to you, O Christ, Wisdom of God the Father.  From a bright cloud, the Father’s voice was heard: ‘This is my beloved Son, listen to him’. Glory to you, O Christ, Wisdom of God the Father. 
Communion antiphon: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For disarmament and peace
That nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
4 March – St Casimir
7 March – Ss Perpetua & Felicity

FAMILY OF PARISHES MEETING
It was wonderful to see so many parishioners at last Wednesday’s meeting with Fr Matthew Nunes.  Thank you for attending and for all the very valuable comments and questions.  There is a lot for us to consider and everyone’s views and thoughts are important.  If you have any further thoughts or if you have yet to provide any, we have extended the deadline to this coming Wednesday 4 March.  Please send via email or place in an envelope and post through the presbytery door.
Diane will collate them (including the post-it notes) and set them out in a document.  This will be considered, along with the views of all our FoP parishioners, at the next working group meeting, later in March.  The document will also be made available for all our parishioners.
You’ll be updated at every stage during this challenging process.

FAMILY OF PARISHES NEWSLETTER FOR LENT & EASTER
Copies are available in the porch for you to take, or find it on St Mary’s website: www.leylandstmarys.org.uk

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
PPC members will be meeting after Mass on Wednesday, 4 March at 7.00pm.  If you’ve any queries or concerns about anything that you think should be raised, please speak with Diane, Paul, Keren, John, Emma, Mark, Tony or David.

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY: PLEASE RETURN ENVELOPES TODAY
This year’s contributions are being used to help families in different parts of the world with new ways to grow crops – even in areas where there is either too much, or too little water.
Envelopes and donations will be collected today and next week.
Please remember to gift aid your donation, if you can: it makes a huge difference.  Thank you.

LENTEN ALMS
Our Lenten Alms box will be available throughout Lent for donations. Lenten almsgiving is one of the three traditional pillars of Lent (alongside prayer and fasting), focusing on selfless giving to those in need – especially the poor – as an expression of our love, our sense of justice, and our repentance during this special season.

RE-ADVERTISED POST: PARISH ADMINISTRATOR AT Ss PETER & PAUL’S, MAWDESLEY
The role is being re-advertised: 6 hours a week (usually Fridays)  A full job description and the application form are on the Archdiocesan website: Friday 13 March  https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/careers
Please pass this message on to family members / friends who live relatively locally and who may be interested in some part-time admin work, supporting this lovely church and parish. Closing date: Friday 13 March.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT – OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES
Weekly Stations, each Friday begin on Friday 6 March, at St Mary’s in Leyland, at 7pm.
The following week – 13 March – we are here at Our Lady’s at 7pm.  It will be good to see you!
Friday 20 March: St Oswald’s; Friday 27 March: St Mary Magdalen

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2026 INVITATION
Everyone is warmly welcome to attend this year’s Day of Prayer, which is on Friday 6 March at Hesketh Lane Church (opposite TCP), beginning at 7.30pm.  This year the service has been prepared by the women of Nigeria, who have taken as their theme: ‘I will give you rest: come’.  The service consists of prayers, reflections and songs; representatives from our eight local churches will be taking part.  The service will last approx. one hour and there will be light refreshments afterwards.  Do come along if you’re able – and bring a family member / friend.

MASS INTENTIONS
Mass intentions are welcome, not just for our dear departed, but for any other occasion eg in thanksgiving, A successful outcome (exams / operation), wedding / anniversary blessings. Please write your name and intention, with the preferred date – if applicable – on a piece of paper and place in an envelope, along with your offering, either in the weekly offertory basket or through the presbytery door.  Every effort will be made to find a date as close as possible.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES / GIFT AID / STANDING ORDERS!
If you are a taxpayer then you can easily help the parish to claim 25% extra on top of every donation you make – and it won’t cost you a penny!  Eg: a donation of £10 per week would result in £12.50 going to the church. If you are able to use gift aid, please collect a form from the porch on your way out today, and return it to the Parish Office asap. 
If you are a taxpayer who makes regular cash donations, please consider using an offertory envelope instead of just placing your ‘loose’ donations in the basket. This is really important: it can bring in more than £1000 to the church every year, as we’ll be able to claim gift aid directly on every donation you make.  It won’t cost you anything at all, but it will make a huge difference to our finances.
Please contact the Parish Office if you’d like to use envelopes – they are free! 
Even better – you can donate ‘painlessly’ each month by setting up a standing order with your bank.  Forms are available in the porch.

PRAYERFUL REFLECTION BEFORE MASS
Some of our parishioners who like to pray and have a few moments of quiet reflection before the start of Mass.  And of course, we have every opportunity to have a chat and catch-up after Mass. 
Our monthly coffee mornings provide an ideal occasion for this! 

CHURCH CLEANING / FLOWER ARRANGING
Thank you to those who have already said that they’d be interested in helping out.  Diane would like to start putting rotas together, so please can you let her know your availability.  Church cleaning is only twice a month and flower arranging is every other week.  Please have a word with her after Mass today, or ring on 07876 363779. Thank you.

VOTIVE CANDLES
People have been asking how much they should donate for a votive candle.  Fr John is happy to leave it to your discretion, as all donations will be gratefully received – whenever they are made.

GLUTEN FREE SACRAMENT AVAILABLE
Please indicate to Fr John if you need to receive a gf host when you come to receive communion.

ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA: The Loving Generosity of Christ
He is generous to exhaustion and what is most wonderful is that he gives himself thus entirely, not once only but every
day, if we wish it.  Every fresh Communion is a new gift, which Jesus Christ makes of himself.