HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Wednesday, 6pm followed by Exposition and Benediction
Church will be open on Thursday between 11am and 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 14 APRIL
1^st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19, You killed the prince of life, however God raised him from the dead.
Psalm 4:  Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
2^nd Reading: Letter of St John 2:1-5, He is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours, but the whole world’s.
Gospel Reading: Luke 24:35-48, So you see how it is written that Christ would suffer and on the third day, rise from the dead.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.  Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.  Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day.  In his name, penance for the remission of sins is to be preached to all nations, alleluia.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL
For the role of women
We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
16 April – St Bernadette of Lourdes
Also on 16 April:
Bld James Bell, who travelled round Lancashire helping poorer Catholic families.  He was martyred at Lancaster Castle in 1584. 
In addition: Bld John Finch, another Lancashire martyr, from Eccleston, also martyred at Lancaster, with James Bell in 1584.

WELCOME & THANKS TO FR MICHAEL
Fr Michael Barrett (St Oswald’s, Longton) is saying Mass for us today, during Fr John’s brief absence.  We, and St Oswald’s, are members of the same ‘family’ of parishes and it’s lovely to welcome him here again.

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TALENTS – FINAL CALL!
Many parishioners already perform a number of roles and we couldn’t function without them – may God bless them for their many gifts, talents and the time they spend in helping. Please think about what you might be able to do to help our church grow and develop. 
A small number of forms that have been returned, so please think about how you can help and post your form through the presbytery door this week.  Thank you.

EASTER COFFEE MORNING LAST WEEK
Thank you to everyone who supported last week’s Coffee Morning – and thanks again to Joanne, Rebecca and Diane for all the home-baked treats we enjoyed, plus the Easter chocolate goodies on the tables and the beautiful festive flowers.  Donations received came to £74.80 for the Hall Refurbishment Fund – thank you all.  Next month’s Coffee Morning is on Sunday 5 May, with Cakes & Butties.  Please make a note in your dairies!

PARISH EASTER MEAL
A wonderful evening of friendship and great food, was enjoyed last Friday at the Cock & Bottle.  A total of 24 parishioners joined the fun.  Huge thanks to John & Emma O’Hare for organising it all.  It was a great evening!

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. 

PARISH FOODBANK
Rev Dave wishes to pass on his thanks and blessings to all those who regularly donate foodstuffs.  There is still a need for dried foods eg pasta and rice, breakfast cereals, plus tins of vegetables, meat and fish.  Your generosity is a real help to our local families, especially now that autumn has set in and energy bills are increasing again.  Please ensure that donated items are all well within their Best Before dates – Thank You!
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. 

ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS
Special blessings and congratulations to parishioners Mary & Maurice Mussell, who recently celebrated their 72^nd wedding anniversary.  May God bless them for many years to come.

CONFIRMATIONS THIS YEAR
It is lovely to hear that a number of our young people are currently receiving instruction to help prepare them for their confirmations later this year.  May the Holy Spirit bless and protect Niall O’Hare, Ethan Taylor and Sophia Roocroft.

Visit from Fr Gabriel, Parish Priest at Holy Family in Gaza – Sunday 28 April 
Fr Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Holy Family Parish, Gaza, has accepted an invitation from the Catholic Bishops to visit the UK at the end of April. During the visit, Fr Gabriel will meet the Bishops to thank them for their continued support; he will speak to MPs and Lords in Parliament before a brief visit to Glasgow. He will spend a few days in English Martyrs parish, Litherland, before returning to the Holy Land. On Sunday, 28 April, he will join English Martyrs for Mass at 10.30; Bishop Tom Neylon will be the principal celebrant and Knights & Dames of the Holy Sepulchre will also attend. All are welcome.

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.