HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Wednesdays, 6.00pm, followed by Confessions, Exposition and Benediction

READINGS FOR 12 MAY
1^st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 1:15-26, We must choose one of these to be a witness to his resurrection with us.
Psalm 102:  The Lord has set his sway in heaven
2^nd Reading: Letter of St John 4:11-16, Anyone who lives in love lives with God, and God lives in him.
Gospel Reading: John 17:11-19, That they may be one like us!
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: This is the prayer of Jesus: that his believers may become one as he is one with the Father, alleluia!

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
For the formation of religious and seminarians
We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
14 May – St Matthias, apostle
15 May – Our Lady of Fatima
18 May – St John I, Pope

COLLECTION THIS WEEK: World Communications Day
Theme for 2024:  “Artificial intelligence and wisdom of the heart: for a fully human communication”
AN EXTRACT FROM POPE FRANCIS I’s MESSAGE
I think of the reporting of wars and the “parallel war” being waged through campaigns of disinformation. I think too of all those reporters who have been injured or killed in the line of duty in order to enable us to see what they themselves had seen. For only by such direct contact with the suffering of children, women and men, can we come to appreciate the absurdity of wars.
The use of artificial intelligence can make a positive contribution to the communications sector, provided it does not eliminate the role of journalism on the ground but serves to support it. Provided too that it values the professionalism of communication, making every communicator more aware of his or her responsibilities, and enables all people to be, as they should, discerning participants in the work of communication.
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/communications/documents/20240124-messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html

MESSAGE FROM MARY’S MEALS: PRAY IN MAY WITH MARY’S MEALS
During the month of May, dedicated to Our Lady, we invite you to join us in praying for the hungry children who rely on our life-changing school meals, and for all the children and families around the world who live in poverty. Please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk to access prayer resources and see how you can support this remairkable – and very important – work.
PRAYER SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PORCH

COFFEE MORNING LAST WEEK
Many thanks to everyone who supported our monthly Coffee Morning last week – and especially to Joanne Barron and Diane Mackley, who provided such wonderful sandwiches and home bakes.  A big Thank You also to George Wright, who singlehandedly cleared away all tables and chairs afterwards.  A total of £101.20 was raised in donations for the refurbishment of the hall.  Thank you for your generosity.
Our next Coffee Morning is a very special one: we will be celebrating the 1^st Communions of Lily and Ashley.  There will be a special cake and a buffet for everyone to enjoy, so please make a note in your diaries: Sunday 2 June!
Please let Diane know if you can help to set up the hall on the Saturday beforehand / clear away tables and chairs etc after the buffet.  Any help will be much appreciated.  Thank you.

PARISH PASTORAL MEETINGS – NOTES
Notes from the recent PPC meetings are available from the porch.  Everyone is welcome to read them to find out what’s happening ‘behind-the-scenes’ at our church.

SOCIAL & FUNDRAISING GROUP (Fellowship & Finances)
PPC members have agreed to set up a parish group that will focus on building up our parish fellowship (as well as finances).  If you are interested, please have a word with Fr John or Vivienne after Mass.  Ideas and practical help are very much appreciated!

BAND CONCERT AFTERNOON: Sunday 12 May Church Hall at 2.30pm
Everyone is welcome to join in the fun next Sunday afternoon.  Tickets are £10 and include afternoon tea.  No charge for primary school children.  Phone booking is essential for catering purposes: 01772 814817

ANNUAL LADIES’ RALLY: MONDAY 20 MAY, 7.30pm
Everyone is welcome to attend the annual rally at Mere Brow Methodist Church.  Speaker: Shirley Potts and Soloist: Joyce Tindsley.  Light refreshments will be served afterward.  Please contact Joan Lawson on 01772 814289.

MASS INTENTONS
Mass intentions are welcome, not just for our dear departed, but for any other occasion eg in thanksgiving, 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 near as possible. 

RCIA – A MASS FOR NEW CATHOLICS
 A Mass for New Catholics has been arranged for Thursday 20 June at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral at 7pm and will be celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm. Anyone received into the church, both this year and previous years is welcome to attend with their families, friends, and Catechists

DISUSED GLASSES / SPECTACLES
Please have a rummage at home and bring old prescription glasses along.  They can be used by opticians in Africa to help local communities. 

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.