HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Wednesdays, 6.00pm, followed by Confessions, Exposition and Benediction
Friday 3 May, 10.00am 

Church will be open on Thursday between 11am and 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 28 APRIL
1^st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31, Barnabus explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul on his journey
Psalm 21:  You Lord, are my delight in the great assembly
2^nd Reading: Letter of St John 3:18-24, His commandments are these: that we believe in his Son and that we love one another
Gospel Reading: John 15:1-8, Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! Make your home in me as I make mine in you.  Whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty.  Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord; he who lives in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, alleluia!

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL
For the role of women
We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognized in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
29 April – St Catherine of Siena
30 April – St Pius V
1 May – St Joseph the worker
2 May – St Athanasius
3 May – Ss Philip & James
4 May – English Martyrs

SPECIAL COLLECTION AFTER MASS ON SUNDAY (28 April): Priests’ Training Fund.  Thank you in anticipation.

MESSAGE FROM MARY’S MEALS: PRAY IN MAY WITH MARY’S MEALS
Mary’s Meals, named after Mary, the mother of Jesus, is built on a foundation of prayer and the many little acts of love offered by those who believe in our mission. Today more than 2.4 million precious children will receive life-changing school meals in 18 of the world’s poorest countries through Mary’s Meals. During the month of May, dedicated to Our Lady, we invite you to join us in praying for the hungry children who rely on our life-changing school meals, and for all the children and families around the world who live in poverty. Please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk to access prayer resources and see how you can support this REMARKABLE – and very important – work.
PRAYER SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PORCH

NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: WEDNESDAY 1 MAY, 7.15pm
Members of the Parsh Council are currently holding regular meetings to focus on the targets and actions set by a recent Archdiocesan Health & Safety Review.  They are also working with our ‘family of parishes’ (ie St Oswald’s and St Mary Magdalen/St Teresa’s), within the deanery, to review the resources available in our parish.  Details will be published next month, but if you have any queries in the meantime, please speak to any member of the PC for further information: Paul Allison, Tony Crivaro, Emma & John O’Hare, Diane Mackley, Margaret Rouse, Keren Standing.

COFFEE MORNING NEXT WEEK: 5 MAY & PRESENTATION ON OUR HERITAGE PARK
Do come along to our Coffee Morning after Mass next week.  Everyone is very welcome to come and enjoy delicious home-baked cakes and tasty butties.  In addition, Julie Postlethwaite, from the Hesketh & Becconsall Heritage Park will be coming along to give a short presentation and to answer questions about the Park – so even more of an incentive to come along!

MASS INTENTONS
Mass intentions are welcome, not just for our dear departed, but for any other occasion eg in thanksgiving, 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 near as possible. 

PARISH FOODBANK
Rev Dave wishes to pass on his thanks and blessings to all those who regularly donate foodstuffs.  There is still a need for dried foods eg pasta and rice, breakfast cereals, plus tins of vegetables, meat and fish.  Your generosity is a real help to our local families, especially now that autumn has set in and energy bills are increasing again.  Please ensure that donated items are all well within their Best Before dates – Thank You!
DISUSED GLASSES / SPECTACLES
Please have a rummage at home and bring old prescription glasses along.  They can be used by opticians in Africa to help local communities. 

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.

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.