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 22 JANUARY
1^st Reading: Isaiah 28:23-9:3, In Galilee of the nations the people have seen a great light.
Psalm 26:  The Lord is my light and my help
2^nd Reading: I Corinthians 1:10-13:17, Make up the difference between you instead of disagreeing among yourselves.
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23, He went and settled in Capernaum: in this way, the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom and cured all kinds of sickness among the people. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your face not be abashed.

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
24 Jan – St Francis de Sales
25 Jan – Conversion of St Paul
26 Jan – S Timothy & Titus
27 Jan – St Angela Merici, founder of the Ursuline sisters
28 Jan – St Thomas Aquinas*

*PRAYER BY ST THOMAS AQUINAS FOR THIS WEEK
Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
Amen.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 18 to 25 January
This week, let us remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches and ecclesial communities. Theme for 2023: Do good; seek justice (Isaiah 1:17)
For this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we are guided by the churches of Minneapolis as we seek to explore how the work of Christian unity can contribute to the promotion of racial justice across all levels of society. Please use this link for useful prayer resources and reflections: https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2023/
Please use this link to access messages from a range of clergy on this year’s theme, from a number of Racial Justice Champions: https://vimeo.com/782874124
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.

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.

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 Catholic schools in the diocese to promote the Sacrament. At the same time our Catholic 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.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY SERVIC – 29 JANUARY
Sefton’s annual HMD Service takes place next Sunday, 29 January at Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport.  This is an inter-faith service and all are welcome to attend, to commemorate the many innocents who were systematically murdered during the Nazi Holocaust and other 20^th century genocides.  The Service begins at 1.30pm.

INTERNATIONAL AID TRUST IS NOW IN HESKETH BANK – HELPERS NEEDED!
The IAT has recently moved from its depot in Lostock Hall to Moss Lane, right on our doorstep!  It’s now based at The Barn, next to 255 Moss Lane.
However, the move has meant that some volunteers are now unable to relocate due to transport difficulties.  The new depot is open from 10am to 4pm every weekday and they would love to hear from anyone who can help out or a couple of hours every week (or every other week).
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to find out more about this vital, life-saving work.  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.