READINGS FOR 24 MAY
1^st Reading: Acts 2:1-11, They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak.
Psalm 104: Send forth your spirit O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.
2^nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, In one Spirit, we were all baptised into one body.
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-23, As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.  Receive the Holy Spirit.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia. 
Communion antiphon: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke of the marvels of God, alleluia.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
That everyone might have food
We pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food and to ensuring that everyone has access to quality food.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
25 May – Mary, Mother of the Church
26 May – St Philip Neri
27 May – St Augustine of Canterbury
28 May – Jesus Christ, Eternal High priest
29 May – St Paul IV, Pope

PENTECOST SUNDAY
Today, the Church celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, and the first disciples gathered in Jerusalem. It is the moment when the anxious followers of Jesus were strengthened to proclaim the gospel to the world.  The same Holy Spirit who descended on the apostles continues to guide the Church, sanctify the faithful, and strengthen Christians to proclaim Jesus Christ.
Pentecost reminds us that the Christian life cannot be lived by human effort alone. We need the Holy Spirit to fill us with grace and courage and ‘kindle in us the fire’ of God’s great love.

THANK YOU – FROM FR JOHN
You are an amazing parish. Thank you for all your messages assuring Vivienne and I of your love and prayers. All has gone superbly well, better than expected. After three hours, it was plain that the best scenario had worked beyond expectations.  I will  not be with you today (I will celebrate Mass at home), but there is no reason why I cannot celebrate Mass next Sunday, so I’m looking forward to being with you next week.
Many thanks to Fr Michael for today.
Fr John                           

NO MIDWEEK MASS
No Wednesday Masses now until Fr John has made a good recovery.  We offer prayers and today’s Mass for a very speedy recovery.  God bless you, Father and Vivienne.

1^st HOLY COMMUNION
Our (nine) children will be making their 1^st Holy Communion on two Sundays, 7 and 14 June. Their final preparation session will be held after Mass today, 24 May.  Please remember all our children and their families in your prayers.

CONFIRMATIONS AT OUR LADY’S – WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE, 7pm
Please sign the list in the porch, to say what you can bring to our Faith Supper afterwards.  Many thanks.

HELP NEEDED FOR WEEDING!
All the recent rain and now the higher temperatures have, predictably, encouraged a real growth spurt amongst the weeds around the church and church hall.  If you’ve a spare hour in the week and feel ready for a bit of physical (but very productive) exercise, please pop along with relevant tools, to do a bit of clearing.  We’ve three very important dates over the next few weeks, with 1^st Communions and Confirmations coming up, and it would be great if the church could look its best.  Thank you in anticipation.

OUR LADY’S TARLETON BEREAVEMENT TEAM
Our Parish Council (PPC) has agreed that we should establish a Bereavement Team, to provide support for individuals and families dealing with loss, by offering emotional, practical and pastoral assistance.  Members of this team may assist Fr John and the family with funeral arrangements (as required), signpost other support agencies, discuss memorial/Requiem services, anniversary cards and prayer groups.  It is hoped that we can engage in the necessary training together, with our Family of Parishes.  Safeguarding (DBS) requirements will apply.
If you are interested in finding out more, with a view to joining the team, please speak to Paul Allison after Mass or ring him on 07562 709219.  Thank you.

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. 

MARY’S MEALS – ‘PRAY IN MAY’
Mary’s Meals is a movement of people who are committed to tackling world hunger through one simple solution: providing a daily meal for every child at school. During the month of May, we’d like to invite you to join us in praying for this work and for all those connected with Mary’s Meals around the world.
Leaflets are available in the porch
The Mary’s Meals Prayer
Our Father, give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us for the times when we take more than our share
of the bread that belongs to all.
Let us help you fill the starving with good things,
and not with scraps from our table.
Teach us how to share what is not ours to keep.
Clothe us with your love that we may complete
each good work you created us to do.
Place in our hearts your compassion for each starving child
and use our little acts of love so that they may starve no more.  Amen

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.