MASSES / SERVICES THIS WEEK

CONFESSIONS:  By appointment 

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays 11am to 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament (closed on Thursday 31 July)

READINGS FOR 27 JULY
1^st Reading: Genesis 18:20-32, O let not the Lord be angry and I will speak.
Psalm 138: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.
2^nd Reading: Colossians 2:12-14, God made you alive together with him, having forgiven all trespasses.
Gospel Reading: Luke 11:1-13, Ask, and it will be given to you.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ Alleluia.
Communion antiphon: Bless the Lord, O my soul and never forget all his benefits.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JULY
For formation in discernment
Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life, and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.
HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST
For Mutual Co-existence
Let us pray that societies where co-existence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.

FEAST & SAINTS DAYS THIS WEEK
29 July    – Ss Martha, Mary & Lazarus
30 July   – St Peter Chrysologus
31 July    – St Ignatius of Loyola
1 August  –  St Alphonsus Liguori

2^nd COLLECTION LAST WEEK – PRIESTS IN RETIREMENT: £61.30  Thank you

WELCOME (AGAIN!) TO FR MICHAEL
Welcome and thank you once more, to Fr Michael (and Deacon Bill) for saying Mass with us last week and this week.  Fr John will be back from next Saturday, 2 August, so the next weekday Mass will be on 6 August, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.
If you need to contact a priest before next Saturday, please ring Fr Michael on 01772 612136 or Fr Ian on 01772 370539.

COFFEE MORNING NEXT WEEK – 3 AUGUST
Everyone is most welcome to pop in for a coffee and some homemade bakes and sandwiches after 10am Mass next Sunday.  These monthly coffee mornings are a great opportunity for a catch-up and a chance for us to get to know each other a bit better.  Please come along if you can.

ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: 23 JULY – 1 AUGUST
This year 36 young people from the Lancashire area are travelling on Coach 5 as part of the annual Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.  Whilst in Lourdes our young people will serve our assisted pilgrims from the Archdiocese.  Coach 5 covers the areas around Penwortham, Chorley, Leyland and Orrell. The theme this year is ‘With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope’ – in line with the Jubilee theme for Lourdes.
Ten handouts are available for parishioners who would like to follow the pilgrimage with prayers and daily readings, so that we can offer spiritual support to our young people.  Copies available from the welcomers.

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION – 15 AUGUST
Sung Mass here at 7pm for this glorious Holyday of Obligation.  Wine & nibbles in the porch afterwards.  All welcome.

GDPR FORMS
We are legally obliged to destroy all contact details of our parishioners every 3 years, in order to protect private information.  That time has come again, so please help us to continue to keep in touch with you by completing the GDPR form (in the porch). 
There is a labelled box for your slips.  Thank you.
Update: 14 received so far (thank you) – only another 55 to go!

CURRY EVENING – SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
Our next social event: Saturday 6 September.  Tickets are available now, from John O’Hare / members of the Social Group.  Don’t miss this great night out!

PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LADYEWELL – SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
Please sign the list in the porch and indicate your ability to provide lifts – or need for a lift.  Please make a note in your diary.

CHURCH FOODBANK UP-DATE FOR SUMMER 2025
We are suspending our foodbank collections over the summer months and will resume in the autumn. 
However, help is still available to purchase weekly vouchers for the Tarleton Food Pantry (Monday mornings).

RED MISSION BOXES
Please bring your red boxes to church over the next few weeks, so that they can be counted and the money go to the APF Missions, which is much needed.   Please let Diane know if you’d like to arrange collection of your box.

1^ST COMMUNION PROGRAMME REGISTRATIONS 2025-26
Forms are available in the porch for parents / carers to complete if they wish their child / children to register for the new programme, which will start on 14 September, for the 1^st Communion Mass in June 2026.
FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE PARISH OFFICE BY 10 AUGUST.  THANK YOU!

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! 

OUR CHURCH IS 75 YEARS OLD IN 2027
As announced last week, our 75^th anniversary is Holy Cross day, 2027.  Watch this space…

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.