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

MASS ON WEDNESDAYS
Holy Mass – 6.00pm
Eucharistic Exposition 6.25pm-6.55pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation: 6.25pm-6.55pm, Benediction: 6.55pm

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 1 OCTOBER
1^st Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28, When the sinner denounces sin, he shall certainly live.
Psalm 24: Remember your mercy, Lord.
2^nd Reading: Philippians 2:1-11, In your minds, you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:28-32, He thought better of it and went.  Tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the Kingdom of God before you.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: This is how you know what love is: Christ gave up his life for us, and we too must give up our lives for our brothers.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER
For the Synod
We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
1 October – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus – the Little Flower of Lisieux “I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth”.
4 October – St Francis of Assisi
5 October – St Faustina Kowalska – promoter of the Divine Mercy
6 October – St Bruno
7 October – Our Lady of the Rosary – the start of a month of meditation on the mysteries of Christ, in union with Mary.

COFFEE MORNING TODAY: SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER
A reminder that everyone is very welcome to join us for refreshments after Mass.  Fr John is also very keen to meet up with everyone again, so please come along if you can and enjoy some home baking! (GF available).

HARVEST FOODBANK
During this harvest season, we thank God for his goodness in providing earth, the labour of farm workers, the sun and (lots of) rain to help us to feed ourselves and each other.  It’s therefore a good time for us to help those who are struggling to put food on the table.  Any food donations will be collected over the next few weeks (please leave in the box in the porch) and taken to Rev Dave’s Church House Foodbank at All Saints.  Thank you for the generous gifts already received.

CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY – FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER, 2023
This year our contributions will help people in Pakistan, by providing mobile health clinics for people unable to get to hospital.  Cafod provided invaluable help earlier in the year during the floods, when thousands of people lost their homes and were reduced to living out in the open.
Envelopes are now available from the porch.  Please gift aid donations, if you can and bring them along to Mass next Sunday 8^th  / the following Sunday 15^th October.  Many thanks.

PRISONERS’ SUNDAY – 8 OCTOBER
Prisoners’ Sunday is an important opportunity to direct our thoughts and prayers to the needs of prisoners and their families and those who work to support them in the criminal justice system.  Pact (Prison Advice & Care Trust) aims to keep families together, reduce re-offending and secure safer prisons, basing its ethos on Jesus’ promptings: “I was in prison and you visited me”.  Envelopes are available if you would like to support this important work.

IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES: BISHOP TOM NEYLON VISITATION – SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER
We’re delighted that Bishop Tom Neylon, the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool will be celebrating 10am Mass with us on Sunday 5 November.  He’s looking forward to meeting with as many parishioners as possible at the Coffee Morning afterwards, so please make a note in your diaries (especially if you don’t usually come along).  This is a unique and therefore very important occasion, so please take advantage of this this special opportunity to meet the Bishop!

CONCERT AT ST TERESA’S
All Hallows Community Choir will be presenting a concert at St Teresa’s Centre, Penwortham on Tuesday 3 October at 7.30pm.  Tickets: £4 – pay on the door.  All welcome.

LOW GLUTEN HOSTS AVAILABLE
Parishioners with wheat / gluten intolerances (eg coeliac disease) may request a low gluten consecrated host when they come up to receive.  Please say “gluten free” to Fr John as you are about to receive and he will arrange this for you.

ENTERTAINMENT IN OUR HALL: SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER, 2.30pm
Southport’s Hoghton Players Gilbert & Sullivan Society will be performing a selection of popular music from ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘Trial by Jury’ in our church hall on Saturday 14 October at 2.30pm. Tickets are available at church each week (or contact Diane Mackley on 01772 815508).  Refreshments provided: tea/coffee and homemade cakes.  It sounds a fun afternoon that is sure to raise the spirits!  Spread the word and bring some friends along.  Proceeds to Our Lady’s and Queenscourt Hospice.

UNITED SERVICE FOR ALL – ALL SAINTS, 17 OCTOBER
The Hesketh Bank Mothers’ Union is organising a united service for all parishioners of all churches on Tuesday 17 October, at All Saints Church, beginning at 7.30pm.  Refreshments will be served after the service.
If you are able to attend, please ring Joan McDaid (01772 813056) as they need to know numbers, by 9 October.   Many thanks.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Meeting on Wednesday 11 October at 7.15pm

LOURDES WATER FOR PARISHIONERS
Emma and John O’Hare  very kindly brought back a container of Lourdes water, from their recent family pilgrimage.  This is available for parishioners.  Please bring along a small clean bottle or container when you come to Mass, in order to take some next week.  Thank you Emma and John!

PARISH GARDEN: PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN
Thanks to the tremendous efforts of parishioners back in June, we now have a lovely patch of colour brightening up the front of the presbytery – much appreciated by increasing numbers of pollinators.  However, the recent rain and the current heatwave mean that the weeds are overwhelming the flowers! 
If any parishioner is able to spare an hour during the next couple of weeks to pop along at any time (no appointment needed!), in order to weed / de-head it would be very much appreciated.  Please bring your own kneeler / trowels – and water.  Garden waste can be put straight into the brown bin.  Many thanks.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES + GIFT AID
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 £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.

In addition, you may wish to consider using an offertory envelope (they are free and use re-cycled paper) in which to make your weekly donation.  It’s akin to ‘wrapping up your gift’ for Our Lord!  Again, please contact the Parish Office if you’d like to start using them.

CATHOLIC PICTORIAL
Keeping you up to date with all the news from around the Archdiocese online: www.catholicpic.co.uk
Postal subscriptions are available: 3 issues = £9.50, 6 issues = £19 and 12 issues = £37.50.
Email enquiries@cpmmmedia.com or ring 0151 709 7567.
Digital copies are also available.  Please use the phone number / email address above

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.

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.