READINGS FOR 21 JUNE
1^st Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13, He has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers
Psalm 69: In your great mercy, answer me O Lord.
2^nd Reading: Romans 5:12-15, The free gift is not like the trespass.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:26-33, Do not fear those who kill the body.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. The Spirit of truth will bear witness about me, says the Lord, and you also will bear witness.  
Communion antiphon: The eyes of all look to you Lord, and you give them their food in due season.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JUNE
For the value of sports
We pray that sports may be an instrument of peace, encounter and dialogue among cultures and nations, and that they promote values such as respect, solidarity and personal growth.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
22 June – Ss John Fisher & Thomas More
23 June – St Ethelreda
24 June – Birth of St John the Baptist (Solemnity)
27 June – St Cyril

DAY FOR LIFE COLLECTION TODAY – REFLECTION FROM ARCHBISHOP JOHN & BISHOPS
“The Wonder of the Child in the Womb”
Every year our Day for Life falls on Father’s Day and we wish fathers a blessed day.  Today we remember with gratitude the loving care and direction our parents gave to us, whether they are still with us or have gone to the Lord….
On this Day for Life 2026, we reflect on the wonder of human life from the moment of fertilisation. We remember how the Lord Jesus Christ himself sanctified and experienced the beginning of life in the world as an unborn child, hidden in the womb of Mary… Our Lady treasured Our Lord in her heart and womb until his birth. We, in our turn, commit ourselves to work and pray for our society to cherish the value of every little one, especially those at the earliest stage of human life, and to help our parish communities support all those in our midst who have suffered the loss of a child.

1^st COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION CHILDREN
We have enjoyed a very special two weeks, where nine children made their 1^st Communion and a further eight were confirmed by Archbishop John last Wednesday.  Thank you to all the wonderful young people and their families – and also to those who prepared them for their special day, as well as all  who helped with the refreshments after each celebration, the welcomers, the choir and Eucharistic Ministers.  It’s been a particularly joyous time and we thank Almighty God for it.  And thank you for all your support

GARDENER NEEDED FOR HOUSEBOUND PARISHIONER
One of our parishioners would be grateful for some help, probably a couple of hours, once a fortnight, to weed and cut back shrubs / deadhead flowering plants as required.  If you know of anyone who could help, please let Diane know by emailing the office (unfortunately, the office phone is currently out of order).

PARISH BBQ – 25 JULY
Tickets are now available (£10 adults / £4 children) for our annual summer BBQ.  Please see John or Emma or Vivienne.

FAMILY of PARISHES’ MASS OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Saturday 11 July at St Oswald’s, Longton
All parishioners are warmly welcome to attend, especially those receiving holy communion at home.  Please let Diane know if you would like to attend, (numbers needed for catering after the Mass).

LADYEWELL PILGRIMAGE 12 SEPTEMBER: Please sign the list in the porch.

WELCOMERS NEEDED 
We would love to expand our rota of welcomers, so please don’t be shy!  Have a chat with Father or Diane after Mass, if you’d like to find out a bit more, and see if it’s something that might interest you.

CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED
Our dedicated and hardworking choir would welcome two or three more voices to help swell the ranks.  Our Lady’s boasts one of the best churches for congregational singing amongst all the FoP, so we know there are some keen and enthusiastic singers amongst us. If you enjoy a ‘good, rousing sing’, then please have a word with Liz Cheetham after Mass, to find out a bit more.  You will be most welcome. 

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

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES / GIFT AID / STANDING ORDERS!
If you are a taxpayer then you can easily help the parish to claim 25% extra on top of every donation you make – and it won’t cost you a penny!  Eg: a donation of £10 per week would result in £12.50 going to the church. If you are able to use gift aid, please collect a form from the porch on your way out today, and return it to the Parish Office asap. 
If you are a taxpayer who makes regular cash donations, please consider using an offertory envelope instead of just placing your ‘loose’ donations in the basket. This is really important: it can bring in more than £1000 to the church every year, as we’ll be able to claim gift aid directly on every donation you make.  It won’t cost you anything at all, but it will make a huge difference to our finances.
Please contact the Parish Office if you’d like to use envelopes – they are free! 
Even better – you can donate ‘painlessly’ each month by setting up a standing order with your bank.  Forms are available in the porch.

PRAYERFUL REFLECTION BEFORE MASS
Some of our parishioners who like to pray and have a few moments of quiet reflection before the start of Mass.  And of course, we have every opportunity to have a chat and catch-up after Mass. 
Our monthly coffee mornings provide an ideal occasion for this! 

VOTIVE CANDLES
People have been asking how much they should donate for a votive candle.  Fr John is happy to leave it to your discretion, as all donations will be gratefully received – whenever they are made.

GLUTEN FREE SACRAMENT AVAILABLE
Please indicate to Fr John if you need to receive a gf host when you come to receive communion.

ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA: The Loving Generosity of Christ
He is generous to exhaustion and what is most wonderful is that he gives himself thus entirely, not once only but every
day, if we wish it.  Every fresh Communion is a new gift, which Jesus Christ makes of himself.