READINGS FOR 26 JULY
1^st Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-12, You have asked for yourself understanding.
Psalm 119: O Lord, how I love your law!
2^nd Reading: Romans 8: 28-30, He predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-46,  He sells all that he has and buys that field.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JULY
For respect for human life
We pray for the respect and protection of human life, in all its stages, recognising it as a gift from God.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST
For evangelization in the city
That in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness, we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
29^th July – Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus
30^th July –  St Peter Chrysologus
31^st July – St Ignatius of Loyola
1^st August – St Alphonsus Liguori

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED:  The Office will be closed next Thursday 30^th July, but will be open on Wednesday morning (29^th) instead, from 9.30am to 1pm.

SPECIAL COLLECTION LAST WEEK:  Priests in Retirement – £52.40  Thank you

FREE EDITIONS OF THE CATHOLIC POST & MISSION TODAY MAGAZINES
Parishioners are welcome to take a copy of the Catholic Post, from the porch after Mass.  It’s free!
Also free, are copies of the Mission Today magazines (Missio collect our ‘red Boxes’, so it’s good to read all their news).

MIDWEEK MASSES DURING AUGUST
Please note, there will not be any Wednesday Masses during August, up to and including 2 September.  They will re-commence on 9 September.  Confessions can still be arranged, by contacting Fr John.

1^st COMMUNION REGISTRATION / APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Registration forms are available in the porch for parents of children going in to Yr 4 in September.  This is for the 1^st Communion Mass in June 2027.  The closing date for applications in 31 August.  Please help to spread the word.

NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: available soon

STANDING ORDERS’ THANK YOU – PLEASE LET US KNOW!
Two parishioners have recently set up standing orders with their banks – thank you so much – but we would be grateful if you could let Diane know who you are!  Both SOs made their payments at the end of June.  Thank you.

OTHER IMPORTANT PARISH THANK YOUs
Firstly, to Eric, Ann and Charlie, who kindly braved the heat recently, to cut back a lot of overhanging shrubbery along Spencer Drive.
Then to Ruth who has kindly provided (and laminated) rosary sheets, which will be available on Thursday mornings for parishioners wishing to come in to church for quiet prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.
And finally, to a very generous parishioner who has bought a new fridge for the hall kitchen.  Fantastic!
God bless you all.

NEXT COFFEE MORNING – 9 AUGUST
Due to holidays and other commitments, our next Coffee Morning will be held after 10am Mass on Sunday 9 August.

LADYEWELL PILGRIMAGE 12 SEPTEMBER
Please sign the list in the porch.  Fliers available with more details, in the porch.  deadline: 6 September.

FUTURE SOCIAL EVENTS – DETAILS TO FOLLOW…
Saturday 10th October, 2026: Curry Evening
2027
5^th February:  Walking Day Quiz
20^th March:  Connor Banks at Mere Brow
11^th September: Band Concert
14^th September: Visit of Archbishop, Mass, supper and All Hallows choir

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.

NEW CHOIR MEMBERS WELCOME
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. 

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.