CONFESSIONS:  Wednesdays, 5.45pm to 6.10pm

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays, from 11am to 2pm for reflections before the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 25 JANUARY
1^st Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4, In Galilee of the nations, the people have seen a great light.
Psalm 27: The Lord is my light and my salvation
2^nd Reading: I Corinthians 1:10-17, I appeal to you that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:12-23, Jesus went to Capernaum so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom and healed every affliction among the people. Alleluia.
Communion antiphon: Look towards the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.

POPE LEO’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY
For Prayer with the Word of God
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
26 January – Ss Timothy & Titus
27 January – St Angela Merici
28 January – St Thomas Aquinas
31 January – St John Bosco
St Thomas Aquinas: I thank You Lord, Almighty Father, Everlasting God, for having been pleased, through no merit of mine, but of your great mercy alone, to feed me, a sinner, and your unworthy servant, with the precious body and blood of your Son, our  Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for my judgment and condemnation, but for my pardon and salvation.  Amen.

WORD OF GOD SUNDAY
This Sunday, the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time is the ‘Sunday of the Word of God’ – a day, instituted by Pope Francis on the Feast of Saint Jerome in 2019, devoted to the celebration and study of Sacred Scripture.

“Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.”    Pope Francis, Aperuit illis 

CONFESSION TIMES
Wednesdays from 5.45pm ie half an hour before Mass starts at 6.15pm.  The latest time therefore is approx. 6.05pm, which will allow Father time to prepare to say Mass from 6.10pm onwards.  Thank you.

PARISH ADULT & CHILDTREN’S SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMMES
It is very encouraging to note that our sacramental programme is thriving.  This year, 10 young people are preparing to make their 1^st Holy Communion in June and a further three are preparing for Confirmation.  In addition, a number of adults are also receiving instruction.  If you would like to find out more, please have a word with Fr John.  Adults are also very welcome to join Father each month after Mass, for informal talks and explorations of the sacred liturgy (tea & coffee available). The next session will be in February.  More details to follow.

COFFEE MORNING NEXT WEEK – 1 FEBRUARY
Everyone is warmly welcome to come and enjoy a hot brew and home-baked treats after Mass next week.  Best of all, come and enjoy some great company, to chase those winter ‘blues’ away.  If you’ve not been before – or not for a while – please come and give it a go: you’ve nothing to lose and we would love to see you there!

TARLETON WALKING DAY QUIZ NIGHT
The annual Quiz Night takes place on Friday 6 February, in our church hall, beginning at 7.30pm.  All are most welcome to come along to enjoy a really lovely, fun evening.  Tickets = £8 and include a very acceptable hot pot supper.  Please see Emma O’Hare for tickets and also notify her of any dietary requirements.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKES: Tuesday 17 February
Our annual Shrove Tuesday pancake (and pizza) evening will take place on Tuesday 17 February.  Tickets (£5 each) are now available.  Please see Vivienne asap – and let her know of any dietary requirements.

APRIL SOCIAL – SATURDAY 11 APRIL
A date for your diaries: the Social Committee will be hosting a ‘Roast Dinner Evening’.  More details to follow

CARLO ACUTIS: FIRST CLASS RELIC AND EXHIBITION OF EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES
Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) had a great devotion to the Eucharist. Using his knowledge of computers, he created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles, thereby bringing the truth of the mystery of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist to the forefront of people’s understanding.
Our Lady and All Saints Church, Parbold are privileged to be able to host a First Class Relic of Saint Carlo Acutis for nine days in February. The Relic will be sited in the Church (Lancaster Lane, WN8 7HS).
At the same time, they will be holding an exhibition of 30 (of the 160) Eucharistic miracles he curated. Each miracle will be displayed as a poster panel and each accompanied by historical details and scientific analysis. The Exhibition will be located in the adjacent Our Lady and All Saints school (Brandreth Drive, Parbold WN8 7HB) – a short walk from the church.
Both events will run from Saturday 14^th to Sunday 22^nd February and opening times are:
Saturdays and Sundays: 11:30am to 3:00pm; Monday to Friday: 11:30am to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
There is parking and accessibility at both locations and Exhibition notes, prayer cards and children’s activities will be available at the exhibition. (All children must be accompanied by an adult).
Contact details are 01257 463248, email: parbold@hotmail.com, or via the parish website: www.ourladysparbol.org.uk

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! 

CHURCH CLEANING / FLOWER ARRANGING
Thank you to those who have already said that they’d be interested in helping out.  Diane would like to start putting rotas together, so please can you let her know your availability.  Church cleaning is only twice a month and flower arranging is every other week.  Please have a word with her after Mass today, or ring on 07876 363779. Thank you.

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.