MASSES DURING HOLY WEEK
Monday – Wednesday: 10am
MAUNDY THURSDAY – 28 March: Mass at 7pm, followed by a 2-hour vigil. Please sign up to watch at the Altar of Repose, from 8pm to 10pm.  Thank you
FRIDAY 29 March – Passion of Our Lord at 2pm – a day of fasting and abstinence
EASTER VIGIL MASS – Sat 30 March at 7.30pm

Additional Confessions: please contact Fr John.

READINGS FOR 24 MARCH
1^st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7, I did not cover my face against insult – I know I shall not be shamed.
Psalm 21:  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
2^nd Reading: Philippians2:6-11, He humbled himself, but God raised him high
Gospel Reading: The Passion Reading: Mark 14:1-15:47
Gospel acclamation: Praise to you O Christ, King of eternal glory!  Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.  But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names.  Praise to you O Christ, King of eternal glory! 

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For the new martyrs
We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

LENTEN ALMS BOX – FINAL WEEK !
Our Lenten Alms this year will be donated to the Children of Gaza & the Holy Land.  Let us continue to pray, with increasing urgency, for peace in Our Lord’s homeland and an end to the suffering of so many innocents on all sides in this terrible conflict.

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TALENTS
Our prayer time during Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the talents with which God has blessed us, and a chance to consider how (rather than burying our talents away), we might develop them and use them for the benefit of our parish. 
Many parishioners already perform a number of roles and we couldn’t function without them – may God bless them for their many gifts, talents and the time they spend in helping. Please think about what you might be able to do to help our church grow and develop.  We’d love to hear your ideas. Leaflets are available for you to collect from the porch and return next week, with your thoughts and suggestions.

EASTER FLOWERS: If you would like to donate towards the flower arrangements for Easter this year, a basket will be left in the porch for contributions.  Thank you.

PARISH EASTER MEAL
Please collect a flier / booking form from the Welcomers about our Parish Social on Friday 5 April at the Cock and Bottle in Tarleton.  We look forward to welcoming as many parishioners as possible to this lovely, friendly evening.

EASTER COFFEE MORNING
Our next Coffee Morning will be after Mass on 7 April.  Lots of special Easter bakes & cakes, plus an Easter raffle.
Do come along and bring family and friends for a cuppa and a chat.

REFLECTION: PALM SUNDAY.
We pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation’, knowing that God does not lead us astray.  St James says, ‘When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me”, for God cannot tempt evil and nor can he be tempted by evil’ (James 1:13).  But no one is exempt from temptation, yet we are not tempted beyond what we can bear or can cope with.  Jesus was tempted, so it’s not a sin to be tempted!  Temptation to gossip, with pride, with arrogance and conceit, with dishonesty are things that we all experience and have to do battle with.  It’s how we deal with the temptation to sin that is the key thing: do we give in, or do we turn away and place ourselves in God’s saving mercy, just as Jesus did?
From ‘Walk with Me’ (Alive Publishing)

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. 

PARISH FOODBANK
Rev Dave wishes to pass on his thanks and blessings to all those who regularly donate foodstuffs.  There is still a need for dried foods eg pasta and rice, breakfast cereals, plus tins of vegetables, meat and fish.  Your generosity is a real help to our local families, especially now that autumn has set in and energy bills are increasing again.  Please ensure that donated items are all well within their Best Before dates – Thank You!
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.