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
THURSDAY 21 September at 10am

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 17 SEPTEMBER
1^st Reading: Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7, Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
Psalm 102: The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.
2^nd Reading: Romans 14:7-9, Alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35, I do not tell you to forgive seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Speak Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: The cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ; and the bread that we break is a communion with the body of the Lord.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER
For people living on the margins
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
19 Sept – St Januarias / St Theodore of Canterbury
20 Sept – Ss Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang & Companions
21 Sept – St Matthew, apostle
23 Sept – St Pius of Pietrecina, ‘Padre Pio’, who received the stigmata in 1918

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS THIS MONTH
This week: 17 September – Home Missions
Last week: £37.00  for the Catholic Education Service.  Thank you.

HOME MISSION SUNDAY 2023
This weekend, is a time to remind ourselves of the essential mission of the church to spread the joy of the gospel – the Good News – not just in far flung places, but here at home in our own backyard. The title comes from the powerful and challenging Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, ‘The Joy of the Gospel’, where he says:
‘I dream of a…. missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be channelled for the evangelisation of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.’ It is crucial to recognise that the Church has the fundamental calling to be open and share the joy of the Gospel in our world, in our own country and locality, as we face the many difficulties, problems, and challenges of our time.            
We pray for our parish as part of the local church that we never lose sight of our calling to be missionary disciples and always look for ways to share with others the joy which comes from the Gospel we hold in our hearts, Lord hear us.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME FOR 1^ST COMMUNION
After Mass today, four of our parish children begin their preparations for making their 1^st Confessions and then their 1^st Holy Communions next June.  The theme of this first session recalls our baptism: our very first steps in our relationship with our loving Lord.  Please remember the children and their families in your prayers.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Notes from the recent meeting are available for collection from the porch, or they can be emailed to you, if you wish.

OUR NEW PARISH FAMILY
Coinciding with the appointment of Fr John to Our Lady’s, comes news of a new Archdiocesan initiative, that has been rolled out in many other dioceses around the country.  From now on the Lancashire Deanery will consist of 4 families of parishes: 3 in Chorley and 1 in South Ribble.  Our ‘family is made up of the parishes of St Catherine Labouré (Farington), St Mary’s (Leyland), St Oswald’s (Longton) and St Mary Magdalen and St Teresa’s (Penwortham).  We hope to work together to support each of our parish communities.  The Deanery is under the patronage of the Lancashire Martyrs.  May they pray for us.

NEW LECTERN FOR FR JOHN
Fr John’s new lectern cost £70.  Some parishioners have kindly enquired about making a donation towards the cost.  Please have a word with Father about this, if you wish to contribute – and many thanks.

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.

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.

MAGNIFICAT
The Magnificat is published monthly. For each day, it contains the readings and prayers for Mass, with a meditation from the great spiritual writers of the Church throughout history and prayers for morning and evening inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours.  You will also find the lives of the saints, articles on spiritual topics by contemporary writers, prayers at night, hymns, reflections and essay on a great example of Christian art in each issue.
The current special offer of £49 for 13 issues for the next 12 months, will end on 31 October 2023.  Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone 020 3882 9432.

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.