CHURCH OPEN: Thursdays 11am to 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament and quiet prayer, meditation.

MASS ON WEDNESDAYS
Holy Mass – 6.00pm
Eucharistic Exposition 6.25pm-6.55pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation: 6.25pm-6.55pm, Benediction: 6.55pm
FRIDAY 29 September at 10am

ARCHDIOCESE PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
We ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We ask for you to be with all – especially children who are suffering as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates. For those who are anxious and fearful. For those who are bereaved, injured or who have lost their lives. And for those who have lost loved ones. Lord, hear our prayers.
We also pray for wise actions from global leaders – who have the power not only to start wars, but to stop them too.
Father in heaven, we cry out for an end to this crisis and for mercy, peace, and truth – that the healing power of your love will restore peace, families and communities.
Amen

READINGS FOR 24 SEPTEMBER
1^st Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9, My thoughts are not your thoughts
Psalm 144: The Lord is close to all who call him
2^nd Reading: Philippians 1:20-24, 27, Life to me is Christ
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16, Why be envious because I am generous
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory I the highest heavens! Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: You have laid down your precepts to be faithfully kept.  May my footsteps be firm in keeping your commands.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER
For people living on the margins
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
26 September – Ss Cosmos & Damian
27 September – St Vincent de Paul
28 September – St Wenceslaus / St Lawrence Ruiz
29 September – Ss Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, archangels
30 September – St Jerome

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS THIS MONTH
Last week: £71.00  for the Home Missions.  Thank you.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Notes from the recent meeting are available for collection from the porch, or they can be emailed to you, if you wish.

COFFEE MORNING NEXT WEEK: SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER
A reminder that everyone is very welcome to join us for refreshments after Mass.  Fr John is also very keen to meet up with everyone again, so please make a note in your diaries!

NEW LECTERN FOR FR JOHN – THANK YOU
A donation has been received for the lectern – with many thanks for the kindness and generosity.

HARVEST CELEBRATION
We will celebrate a harvest Mass next Sunday, 1 October

HARVEST FOODBANK
During this harvest season, we thank God for his goodness in providing earth, the labour of farm workers, the sun and (lots of) rain to help us to feed ourselves and each other.  It’s therefore a good time for us to help those who are struggling to put food on the table.  Any food donations will be collected over the next few weeks (please leave in the box in the porch) and taken to Rev Dave’s Church House Foodbank at All Saints.  Thank you for the generous gifts already received.

CAFOD FAST DAY –  6 OCTOBER (Harvest Appeal)
Cafod envelopes will be available next Sunday (1 October).  This year, Cafod is hoping to raise funds for mobile clinics that can bring immediate aid to those who have lost their homes in the flooding this year: pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.  Please give what you can and gift aid, if possible.  Every penny counts!

IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES: BISHOP TOM NEYLON VISITATION – SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER
We’re delighted that Bishop Tom Neylon, the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool will be celebrating 10am Mass with us on Sunday 5 November.  He’s looking forward to meeting with as many parishioners as possible at the Coffee Morning afterwards, so please make a note in your diaries (especially if you don’t usually come along).  This is a unique and therefore very important occasion, so please take advantage of this this special opportunity to meet the Bishop!

CONCERT AT ST TERESA’S
All Hallows Community Choir will be presenting a concert at St Teresa’s Centre, Penwortham on Tuesday 3 October at 7.30pm.  Tickets: £4 – pay on the door.  All welcome.

LOW GLUTEN HOSTS AVAILABLE
Parishioners with wheat / gluten intolerances (eg coeliac disease) may request a low gluten consecrated host when they come up to receive.  Please say “gluten free” to Fr John as you are about to receive and he will arrange this for you.

ENTERTAINMENT IN OUR HALL: SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER, 2.30pm
Southport’s Hoghton Players Gilbert & Sullivan Society will be performing a selection of popular music from ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘Trial by Jury’ in our church hall on Saturday 14 October at 2.30pm. Tickets are available at church each week (or contact Diane Mackley on 01772 815508).  Refreshments provided: tea/coffee and homemade cakes.  It sounds a fun afternoon that is sure to raise the spirits!  Spread the word and bring some friends along.  Proceeds to Our Lady’s and Queenscourt Hospice.

LOURDES WATER FOR PARISHIONERS
Emma and John O’Hare  very kindly brought back a container of Lourdes water, from their recent family pilgrimage.  This is available for parishioners.  Please bring along a small clean bottle or container when you come to Mass, in order to take some next week.  Thank you Emma and John!

PARISH GARDEN: PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN
Thanks to the tremendous efforts of parishioners back in June, we now have a lovely patch of colour brightening up the front of the presbytery – much appreciated by increasing numbers of pollinators.  However, the recent rain and the current heatwave mean that the weeds are overwhelming the flowers! 
If any parishioner is able to spare an hour during the next couple of weeks to pop along at any time (no appointment needed!), in order to weed / de-head it would be very much appreciated.  Please bring your own kneeler / trowels – and water.  Garden waste can be put straight into the brown bin.  Many thanks.

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.

MAGNIFICAT
The Magnificat is published monthly. For each day, it contains the readings and prayers for Mass, with a meditation from the great spiritual writers of the Church throughout history and prayers for morning and evening inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours.  You will also find the lives of the saints, articles on spiritual topics by contemporary writers, prayers at night, hymns, reflections and essay on a great example of Christian art in each issue.
The current special offer of £49 for 13 issues for the next 12 months, will end on 31 October 2023.  Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone 020 3882 9432.

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.

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.