MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK

Saturday 21 May – Dec members Dilworth family

Sunday 22 May – Michael Mackley RIP

Wednesday 25 May – Dec members of Kelly family

Friday 27 May – Dec members of Tuson family

Saturday 28 May – Dec members of Dilworth family

Sunday 29 May – Parishioners

REGULAR MASSES
CHURCH IS OPEN FOR WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday Vigil: 6.45pm and Sunday, 9.30am.  PLEASE PHONE / EMAIL ON THURSDAYS between 10.30am to 3pm to book a place if you wish to sit in the socially-distanced area of church on SUNDAYS (only)  – no need to book for the Saturday Vigil.

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This Week
Ministry	E. Minister	Reader
Saturday
Sunday

Next Week
Ministry	E. Minister	Reader
Saturday
Sunday

 

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PARISH NEWSLETTER

THIS WEEK’S NOTICES & READINGS / REFLECTIONS

We join Pope Francis’ prayer intention for May:
For faith-filled young people
We pray for all young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.

Let us pray
That all Christians may strive for holiness by repenting of past sins;
That all who doubt or distrust the Gospel message may recognise the risen Christ in the goodness and kindness of others and learn to turn to God in faith and love;
That the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ for all people may teach us that there is no such thing as a worthless life, or a person God does not love;
That as Covid restrictions are lifted and more people receive their vaccinations, may the bonds of our relationships be renewed and strengthened

We pray now in the words Jesus gave us:
Our Father, who art in heaven…

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK
25 May – St Bede the Venerable
27 May – St Augustine of Canterbury

WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY: 29 MAY
The theme of this year’s message, “Listening with the ear of the heart,” invites us to reflect that listening involves more than simply the sense of hearing.
Writing in his World Communications Day message in January, Pope Francis expressed concern that people were “losing the ability to listen,” both in the Church and wider public life. “A synodal process has just been launched,” he wrote. “Let us pray that it will be a great opportunity to listen to one another. Communion, in fact, is not the result of strategies and programs, but is built in mutual listening between brothers and sisters.”
He went on, “Among the five senses, the one favoured by God seems to be hearing, perhaps because it is less invasive, more discreet than sight, and therefore leaves the human being more free,” he wrote. “Listening corresponds to the humble style of God. It is the action that allows God to reveal himself as the One who, by speaking, creates man and woman in his image, and by listening recognizes them as his partners in dialogue.”
The Pope signed this message on 24 January, the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists. His message concluded, “In order to provide solid, balanced, and complete information, it is necessary to listen for a long time. To recount an event or describe an experience in news reporting, it is essential to know how to listen, to be ready to change one’s mind, to modify one’s initial assumptions.”

COLLECTION NEXT WEEK: World Communications Day

BISHOP BARRON : SILENCE AND THE MEANING OF THE MASS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYkcyuVwjrY&list=PL-oDSUr7MWtcbz5-KyLrmt2AUd-4wKM22
Another extremely thought-provoking and interesting reflection from Bishop Barron.  To find this 10-minute clip on You Tube, simply type in ‘Bishop Barron Silence Meaning of Mass’ in the Search box and you’ll find it very easily.  His message here is very timely, given our celebration of World Communication day next Sunday.

LAUDATO SI WEEK: 22-29 May
On Earth Day, the Church invites Catholic communities around the world to participate in Laudato Si’ Week 22 – 29 May 2022.
This weeklong global event will mark the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on creation care, and unite the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics to listen and respond to the cry of God’s creation.
The theme for the week is “Listening and Journeying Together.” The eight-day global event will be guided by the following quote from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’:
“Bringing the human family together to protect our common home” (LS 13)
Locally, thousands of events will bring the message of Laudato Si’ to every Catholics, helping bring this global celebration to life and changing countless communities around the world. For events globally ad to find local news, see https://laudatosiweek.org/allevents/ 

OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PARISH
Now that parish activities are starting up again, there are a number of opportunities to become a bit more involved in parish life, particularly: help with the Little Church group on Sundays, mowing the grass, singing with the choir, flower arranging, church cleaning, altar serving, fund-raising.  Help is welcome from all ages!  Please contact the Parish Office by email or ring on Thursdays, in order to find out more.

PRAYING THE ROSARY FOR PEACE
You are invited to pray the rosary during Our Lady’s month of May for peace in our world, particularly in Ukraine. A link to the migrants’ rosary is below.
https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/Rosario/rc_pc_migrants_rosario_en.html  

THE ROSARY IN MAY
“You must know that when you ‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you.  She is utterly courteous and pleasant.  If you greet her, she will answer you right away and converse with you.”
St Bernadine of Siena – feast day: 20 May

OUR LITTLE CHURCH GROUP
Our children have continued to meet up regularly via Zoom during the pandemic and our Little Church seems to be happily thriving. If anyone is interested in attending, or knows any children who would like to be involved, you are more than welcome to join in the fun!  Please contact Emma O’Hare on 07813275574.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – WITH BROTHER FRANCIS
You Tube animated stories and songs each week.  
https://brotherfrancis.com/

MASS INTENTIONS
Mass offerings may also be made for important family occasions such as anniversaries and weddings, successful outcomes (exams / operations) as well as for our dear departed.  Please write your intention and place with your offering in an envelope in the offertory basket, or pop it through the presbytery door. Please note that that the intention may not be able to celebrated on the day specified as another intention may have already been booked, or there may not be Mass on that particular day. Thank you for your understanding.

RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring them to church when you attend Mass next weekend, or drop them off at the presbytery on Thursday, between 10am and 4pm. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like someone to collect your box for you.  

COVID GUIDANCE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: The Archdiocese remains cautious in its current guidance and advises the wearing of face masks in churches, out of consideration for others.  The infection rate in West Lancs – and in Tarleton – has experienced a slight fall this week, though hospitalisations are increasing, so please continue to take care.

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THE UKRAINE CRISIS – HOW TO HELP

LIVERPOOL ARCHDIOCESE
The Archdiocese has set up text numbers for anyone wanting to make a financial donation. All donations will be sent to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.
The text numbers are:

• Text HELPUKRAINE to 70085 to donate £2 
• Text HELPUKRAINE to 70450 to donate £3 
• Text HELPUKRAINE to 70460 to donate £5 
• Text HELPUKRAINE to 70470 to donate £10

(Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.)
More information can be found on our website: http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/ukraine-s

Donations can be made by bank transfer to: Account name: Archdiocese of Liverpool
Sort code: 40-29-12       Account: 01551493  Reference: Help Ukraine
Or by cheque made payable to “Archdiocese of Liverpool” and with “Help Ukraine” written on the reverse.  Please post to Finance Department: St Margaret Clitherow Centre, Liverpool Archdiocesan Office, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool, L17 1AA

OTHER FORMS OF HELP

• First and most important is prayer and fasting, that God may strengthen and protect the Ukrainians, and other persecuted peoples, and thwart their aggressors.  Prayer cards available in the narthex plus Info Sheets detailing more local help and prayers.
• On the website of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in London, details are available of the appeal by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (www.augb.co.uk ).
• The Polish shop U Miska, 27 Steeley Lane, Chorley PR6 0RD (opposite Kingprint) T. 01257 273676 is collecting clothing, footwear, blankets, nappies, women’s hygiene products, baby milk and other humanitarian help for refugees.  
• Donations can be made directly on the crowdfunding website:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpukraine  or Direct to the central appeal fund – Barclays Bank, Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Limited, 80038237, 20-65-89, with reference HelpUkraine. This is a joint undertaking of: 
  The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, [Ukrainian Cathedral House, 22 Binney Street, London, W1K 5BQ – cheques could be sent here too]Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Great Britain
  Association of Ukrainians (AUGB)
  Association of Ukrainian Women (AUW)
  Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM)
  Plast Ukrainian Scouts in Great Britain
  Association of Ukrainian Teachers (AUT)

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LOCAL COMMUNITY CAFÉ & SHOP
Every Friday from 12noon to 2pm at Hesketh Bank Community Centre: come and enjoy a hot meal, make and meet new friends, help reduce food waste at the Drop-In shop.  No charge, but donations are welcome.
See www.heskethbankcommunitycentre.org.uk for more details.

COVID UP-DATE FOR TARLETON & HESKETH BANK
Fewer and fewer people are testing now, so weekly figures lack the accuracy that they used to have.  The weekly Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, published every Thursday, have always been the most accurate.
Please see Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
A lot of people are still extremely worried about catching Covid, so small churches (like Our Lady’s) will still encourage parishioners to wear face masks, in order to protect everyone from possible transmission.
To keep up-to-date with local figures, go to www.coronavirus.data.gov.uk and enter your postcode. There is also information on vaccinations.

MUSICAL TREAT FOR THE WEEK
For Ascension Day this coming Thursday (26 May)
Thomas Weelkes ‘O Lord Arise’ – Anthem for Ascension Day – YouTube
Performed by  Sine Nomine – a virtual choir, based in Sussex, singing a sacred anthem in madrigal form (acapello – unaccompanied), by the 16^th century organist, chorister and composer Thomas Weelkes.

WITH EVERY BLESSING FOR THE NEXT WEEK FOR PARISHIONERS & FAMILIES

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LET’S KEEP TALKING – SUPPORT FOR ANYONE SUFFERING IN ANY WAY AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC
Please pick up a leaflet on your way into/out of church, from Lancs & S Cumbria Mental Health Support.  Help is out there if you’re struggling to cope, or you know someone who is struggling.

UPDATES  FROM WEST LANCS COUNCIL
If you have been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, you are less to become severely ill if you catch COVID-19. You are also less likely to spread COVID-19 to other people, but it is still possible for this to happen.
Household Support Fund – West Lancashire Borough Council are now receiving applications from residents who do not have enough resources to meet their immediate short-term needs and require assistance with essential items over the winter period. This grant can be used to help towards the cost of:
 food
 energy / water needs
 essentials linked to energy / water needs
 wider essentials such as household bills, clothing, and white goods.
 help towards transport costs for COVID-19/booster vaccinations
It is not intended to cover debt advice or general financial hardship support which is not linked to food, warmth and/or hygiene. The fund is not intended to cover housing costs as there are other benefits and support available to help with these for example Discretionary Housing Payments. Awards will be made where there is no alternative means of meeting the need. To find out if you are eligible, visit The Household Support Fund: Household Support Fund – West Lancashire Borough Council (westlancs.gov.uk)

LOCAL ACTIVITIES / CLASSES YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN…
In addition to the classes and activities in our own church hall, there are a range of activities taking place in Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, as follows…
FREE HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES AT TARLETON LIBRARY
All activities are carried out by experienced tutors. There are limited places, and booking is essential.
You can book at the Library desk or by ringing 0300 123 6703
Mondays: Parent/Grandparent and Baby/ Child Yoga, 10am-11am, mats provided.
Tuesdays: Health Walks, 1.15pm -2.15pm and Chair Based Yoga 4-5pm
Thursdays: Qigong (benets similar to Tai Chi) 4-5pm
Fridays: Weight Management 11-12noon
LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
No need to book.
Monday: Story Time, 9.30am-10am; and Family History Helpdesk on the first Monday of the month 10am-12noon
Thursday: Creative Writing Group from 10am -12 noon, Craft Group from 2-3.30 pm
Friday: Baby Bounce and Rhyme, 9.30am-10am
HESKETH BANK COMMUNITY CENTRE: offers Zumba Gold, Dance Classes (Adult/Children), Burlesque, Tai Chi, Chair-Based Exercises, Circuits, Dog Training, Gymskool, Nippon Martial Arts, Gardening Made Easy, Singing For All Ages, Slimming World.
More details on their website, which can be found at: https://www.heskethbankcommunitycentre.org.uk/

LOCAL HELP FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES
You’ll have realised that a lot of local areas are trying to work out how they can best support refugees from Afghanistan over the next weeks and months.  In Hesketh Bank and Tarleton, donations of clothes are being accepted by the Christian Centre (off Moss Lane) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9.30am and 11.30am.  The initial response from locals has been extremely encouraging, so the Christian Centre is currently storing a lot of items ready to hand over to Care4Calais, as and when they need it.  Care4Calais is specifically asking for the following items, which must be in good condition:

• baby / children’s clothes & shoes (trainers)
• jeans and leggings
• t-shirts
• hoodies

Donations are also being collected in Aughton L39 5DW: Please email mcevoyden@gmail.com to arrange drop-off time / venue.
You may wish to donate directly to Care4Calais: Care4Calais | Refugee Crisis Charity | Fundraise Donate Volunteer 

 

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REGULAR WEEKLY NOTICES

MASS ON SUNDAYS
As you may be aware, our Bishops have lifted the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
To keep Sundays holy, it might be helpful to spend some time reading the Scriptures.  Besides your Bible, the Magnificat publication can be a wonderful aid to prayer and of course, you also get the readings for Mass for every day of the week!  At a cost of less than £1 a week, you may be interested in subscribing now: tel. 020 7448 3618; email: uk@magnificat.com or visit the website: www.catholic-herald.myshopify.com

Masses will continue to be live-streamed and televised for many months yet, so you can still take part in Sunday worship and the Act of Spiritual Communion will continue to be an important part of people’s worship for the foreseeable future.  
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

THE ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

MASSES ONLINE WILL CONTINUE TO BE STREAMED INDEFINITELY
Locally, there is St Clare’s, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood: www.saintclares.co.uk which streams Mass daily at 9.30am. Please follow the easy links on the website.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en Pope Francis
https://www.churchservices.tv/whats-on-now/ Great selection of Masses and other Church services https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes/ Mass and daily at 2pm, the Rosary in English
https://www.livemass.org Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal)
Use the website links to EWTN, those who have Sky can tune in on Channel 588, or the Archdiocese to access daily Masses
On the radio: Catholic Radio Sky Channel 0147
Also, you may wish to try the Pray as you Go phone app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.foxcode.prayasyougo&hl=en

PRAYERS from the Archdiocese, for Stations of the Cross etc: https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/

Please email the Parish Office with details of any other online services you know of that may help parishioners at this very difficult time. We will try to include them in next week’s Newsletter.

EWTN – GLOBAL CATHOLIC TV & RADIO
Getting connected is easier than you might think.  EWTN is free, there’s no subscription.  You can stream live and on demand via the website: www.ewtn.co.uk/get-ewtn or get the app for your mobile (EWTN APP), or Amazon’s Echo Auto.
Every day: daily Mass at 1pm and Children’s Rosary every day, at 7.30pm

CLASSES IN OUR CHURCH HALL FROM SEPTEMBER
The relaxing of some restrictions means that our church hall can now be used by local groups.
Please contact the parish office if you would like to know more about the following:
Fizzical – adult workout to jazz (with Julie Kershaw) – Monday evenings, 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Parents & Toddlers, (with Jade McCormick) – last Tuesday of the month, 10am-11.30am
Tai Chi  (with Mark Humphries)  – Tuesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm
Family Martial Arts (with Alex Molyneux) – Tuesdays, 6.15pm to 7.15pm

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS:  These are available to order directly from the publisher (www.thecatholicuniverse.com  or 0161 820 5722). It can be posted to you each week. Introductory offers: printed copies for three months – £25; twelve months – £99; or digital copy £55 for twelve months.

WEEKLY MASS FOR CHILDREN: FREE RESOURCE BOOKLET
Redemptorist Publications is pleased to introduce Celebrate: an initiative designed to help children grow in their faith. 
Each week they will provide a Children’s Liturgy in the form of a video of the week’s Gospel reading, a reflection and a final prayer.  
Fun, engaging and practical worksheets/resources will also be provided to help children continue to practise their faith during this time.  Please ring 01420 592974 or check the following link for the RP KidZone: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/celebrate-following-your-faith?utm 

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES ON EWTN
Children’s religious programmes, based on the teachings of Jesus, are available on EWTN every week day, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm – and on Saturday mornings, from 9am to 10am.

OFFERTORY DONATIONS
Many thanks to generous parishioners who have sent in donations to our churches. Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated.
Instead of putting money in offertory envelopes each week, those who are able to make an offering are asked to complete a Standing Order Mandate for your bank, from either your parish office. We can email the document to you, if you wish, so that you can print off, complete and send to your bank.
Alternatively, you may still wish to write a  cheque (payable to ‘Our Lady Help of Christians Church’ ) and post to the presbytery with a covering letter and one offertory envelope for gift aid purposes.
Donating by text / online: Please check the May Newsletters and use the links provided.

HELP IS AT HAND! Don’t forget that local volunteers from Hesketh Bank and Tarleton Helpers stand ready to help anyone who needs support – with errands, shopping, collecting prescriptions – and friendly telephone calls for those who are feeling isolated. Please call Diane Mackley (one of the HH Team members) on 01772 815508. 

OTHER HELP AVAILABLE  IN WEST LANCS
Citizens Advice Lancashire West – Advice on housing, employment, debt, benefits, consumer problems, energy advice (billing, supply, switching etc.) and much more.
Contact: Guy Simpson – gsimpson@calw.org.uk or Sarah Bennett – sbennett@calw.org.uk Tel. 0344 245 1294

South West Lancashire ICAN [South West Lancashire Independent Community Advice Network]
Provides free independent and confidential advice from specialists regarding redundancy, welfare rights, employment law, disability living allowance, tribunal appeals, personal independence payments, IT and digital support, debt, those in work-low income (including for the self-employed or small business owners during the pandemic), furloughing.
Contact: Paul McConnell or Jan Fitzsimons admin@swlican.org. Tel. 01695 726269

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR NEED ANY HELP, PLEASE CONTACT FR ANDERS AT THE PRESBYTERY IN TARLETON ON 01772 812242, OR EMAIL THE OFFICE (olhct@rcaol.org.uk)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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