HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Wednesday at 6pm, followed by Exposition, Confessions and Benediction

READINGS FOR 16 JUNE
1^st Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24, I make low trees grow
Psalm 91: It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.
2^nd Reading: Corinthians 5:6-10, Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing the Lord.
Gospel Reading: Mark 34:26-34, It is the smallest of the seeds, yet it grows into the biggest shrub of them all.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! I call you friends, says the Lord, because I have made known to you everything I have learned from my Father. Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JUNE
Migrants & Refugees
Let us pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys fraught with danger and violence, may find welcome and new living opportunities in their host countries.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
18 June – St John Rigby
19 June – St Romuald
20 June – St Alban
21 June – St Aloysius Gonzaga
22 June – Ss John Fisher & Thomas More

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEK – 16 June: Day for Life
Message from the Bishops of England, Ireland and Scotland
There has been much discussion in the media recently about ‘assisted suicide’, whereby people who feel they are overburdened by suffering will be facilitated in bringing their lives to a premature end by a change in legislation. The Catholic Church opposes this.
As Catholics, along with many people of other faiths and none, we share a different vision about what it is to be fully human, especially when we are suffering and approaching death in the hope of eternal life…. We are called to defend this gift of life to its natural end and to protect vulnerable citizens from a culture that could pressure them into assisted suicide. We support people with the companionship of a listening ear, appropriate treatment, and the best of care, so that their last days can be times of grace, intimacy and love.
Bishop John Sherrington (England and Wales), Bishop Kevin Doran (Ireland), and Bishop John Keenan (Scotland)

PARISH LUNCH FOR BISHOP HABILA – SUNDAY 21 JULY
Date Change: Apologies for the misprint in last week’s newsletter: the lunch to welcome Bishop Habila is on Sunday 21 July (not June!).  Please amend your diaries.  See Vivienne for tickets and further details.

HELP WITH THE PRESBYTERY GARDEN AREA
Last year, kind parishioners donated perennials and bedding so that we could renovate the small garden by the front door of the presbytery.  The area is now in desperate need of a tidy up.  Many of the perennials have survived, but are in danger of being submerged under all the weeds.  If you’ve an hour to spare this next week, when the weather is dry(!) please consider coming along to help clear some of the weeds, so that the flowers have a fighting chance of being seen.  Any help will be very much appreciated.

PARISH EVENTS – DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday 6 July: Tarleton Scarecrow Festival Weekend.  Volunteers are needed for help on the day, plus donations of tombola prizes will be very welcome.  Please leave prizes in the labelled box in the porch, or hand to Vivienne.  Please also let her know if you’re able to help out on the day.
Sunday 21 July:  Parish Lunch for Bishop Habila, to welcome him to our parish and enable him to meet as many parishioners as possible.  Tickets (£5) from Vivienne.
Saturday 24 August: Parish Pilgrimage to Ladyewell Shrine, Fulwood.  This should be a lovely day out for parishioners, with Mass at 12 noon and Benediction before we leave at 3.30pm.  Picnic lunch. 
Please sign the list in the porch

LOST PROPERTY!
There are an ever-increasing number of personal items that have been left in church over the last few months.  Please check the table in the porch, to reclaim, before they go off for recycling.  Many thanks.

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. 

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.