WEDNESDAY EVENING MASSES
Wednesday evenings, from 18 January at 6pm – with Eucharistic Exposition: 6.25pm-6.55pm, Benediction: 6.55pm and Sacrament of Reconciliation: 6.25pm-6.55pm

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

COVID / ‘FLU AWARE & SUNDAY OBLIGATION
If you have a cough / sore throat / feel generally unwell with cold-like symptom, please take a Covid test right away.      If it’s positive, then please stay at home, keep it to yourself and get better soon!
Whilst the Sunday Obligation has been restored, the Archdiocese advises parishioners to pray and watch Mass online/TV at home, if they are unwell with coughs and colds – especially at the moment, with so many infections doing the rounds.

READINGS FOR 15 JANUARY
1^st Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6, I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 39:  Here I am Lord! I come to do your will
2^nd Reading: I Corinthians 1:1-3, May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.
Gospel: John 1:29-34, Look, there is the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens! Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.

INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for January
For educators
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
17 Jan – St Anthony, abbot
20 Jan – St Sebastian, martyr
21 Jan – St Agnes, virgin + martyr

THANK YOU! – Many thanks to Fr John Goddard for saying Mass here for us this weekend.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 18 to 25 January
Theme for 2023: Do good; seek justice (Isaiah 1:17)
Prayer sheets will be available at Mass this week.
ECUMENICAL SERVICE at HESKETH BANK CHRISTIAN CENTRE, 22 January at 3.30pm
Praying for Unity amidst Injustice – all are welcome to this important service.  Refreshments afterwards.

PEACE SUNDAY 15 JANUARY 2023
Theme of Pope Francis’ World Peace Day:
“No one can be saved alone. Combatting Covid-19 together, embarking together on paths of peace.
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE
God, our Creator and Redeemer,
May we see the sorrow of war in the eyes of those who suffer
and have known only violence in their lives.
Give us a voice for those who have no voice and are not heard;
those who know that there is no tomorrow in war,
and that the violence of weapons
destroys both the beauty of creation and the joy of life.
That way, with your help, will we become true instruments of your peace.
Amen
(adapted from Pope Francis’ Address for the World Day of Prayer for Peace, Assisi, 2016

LITTLE CHURCH
Our children are welcome to attend Little Church during Mass this Sunday.  If any parents wish to come along to help, please speak to Emma O’Hare / Keren Standing, regarding applying for DBS registration.  Thank you.

CHRISTMAS TREE & CRIB
The Catholic Christmas season ends on 8 January, with the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, so our Christmas tree and decorations have come down.  However, the crib will remain in place, until Candlemas / Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (2 February), in common with the Vatican and other churches around the world.  We can therefore address our prayers to Our Lady and the Child Jesus, confident in the knowledge that they will be heard.

1^ST COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Our children will be meeting for their fourth session after Mass this next Sunday, 15 January.
The theme is Jesus does wonderful things to help people.  Please keep the children and their families in your prayers.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2023
Any young person in year 8 can register for Sacramental preparation at www.liverpoolcalled.co.uk
While the registration period is open, Animate will visit schools in the diocese to promote the Sacrament. At the same time schools will teach about the Sacrament in their RE classes.
The period of registration is open from 16 January to 17 March.
Please contact the Parish Office to let us know once you have registered your child for the Confirmation programme.  Thank you.

QUIZ NIGHT – FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY, 7.30pm
The annual Quiz Night for Tarleton’s Ecumenical Walk of Witness takes pace in the church hall on 3 February.  There is a hotpot supper, plus raffle – and the bar will be open.
All are welcome to this very friendly and sociable event, that will help to lift our spirits during these dark winter days.
Tickets are £7.50 and available from Mass on Sundays, or from the Parish Office during opening hours on Thursdays.  Come along and join the fun – and bring your friends!

KEEPING WARM THIS WINTER
We have access to blankets, snuggle blankets, ‘oodies’ and treated wood (for wood burners).  Please contact the Parish Office if you know of locals (neighbours, friends, any age), who could do with some help. 
Please do all you can to help us publicise details of local Warm Spaces

COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Our  LOCAL warm spaces include:

• Tarleton Library (opening hours Monday to Saturday),
• Christian Centre, Moss Lane (Monday mornings, 9.30am to 12.30pm) and
• Holy Trinity church, Tarleton (Monday – Saturday 9am to 4pm; Coffee & Chat: Fridays 10am to 12 noon).
• Hesketh Bank Community Centre (Mondays – Saturdays)

Warmth, hot drinks, light refreshments, good company, help and advice are on offer at all these places. 
Our local residents’ charity, Hesketh Bank & Tarleton helpers provides lunches every Friday: 12am to 2pm at Hesketh Bank Community Centre.

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.

HELP FOR RESIDENTS & OUR LOCAL FOODBANK: We will continue to support the amazing work being done by Rev Dave Dickinson at All Saint’s in Hesketh Bank, by collecting non-perishable foodstuffs for local families.  Thank you for all donations made so far.  They are helping to support three local families who are really struggling at the moment.  This is likely to increase as fuel prices start to have an effect this autumn and winter.  Please let Diane Mackley know if you have any concerns about neighbours over the next few months and we’ll do our best to help them, 01772 815508.