HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Wednesday at 6pm, followed by Exposition, Confessions and Benediction
Other times: Please see above

READINGS FOR 28 JULY
1^st Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44, They will eat and have some left over.
Psalm 144: You open wide your hand, O Lord, and grant our desires.
2^nd Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6, One Body, One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Gospel Reading: John 6:1-15, Jesus gave out as much as was wanted to all who were sitting ready.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.  Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: Happy are those who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.  Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JULY
For the pastoral care of the sick
Let us pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick grants the Lord’s strength to those who receive it and to their loved ones and that it may become for everyone an ever more visible sign of
compassion and hope.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST
For political leaders
We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
29 July – Ss Mary, Martha & Lazarus
30 July – St Peter Chrysologus
31 July – St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order
1 August – St Alphonsus Liguori
2 August – St Eusebius of Vercelli  /  St Peter Julian Eymard

COLLECTION LAST WEEK (21 JULY):  Priests in Retirement:  £67.50 Thank you, everyone.

THANK YOU LAST WEEK’S  PARISH LUNCH WITH BISHOP HABILA
It was a joy to welcome Bishop Habila to our Mass and parish lunch last week – and especially to hear something of the important work being carried out in his home diocese in Nigeria.  Currently, a total of £381.50 has been raised for the new school – thank you everyone.  Special thanks for co-ordinating the whole event and for supplying much of the wonderful food goes to Vivienne and the new Social Committee, with additional support from John on the Bar, those who helped to set up the hall and clear up afterwards – and the doughty washer-uppers and behind-the-scenes volunteers, Marian, Angie and Diane.  Thank you all so much, on behalf of the Bishop – who enjoyed himself immensely

BISHOP HABILA’S FINAL SUNDAY WITH US
Bishop Habila is currently in London but will be back next week for his final Mass with us on 4 August.  There will be a final collection for his school project after Mass today, for those who were unable to donate at the Lunch last week.

COFFEE MORNING NEXT WEEK: 4 AUGUST
Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy tea, coffee and cakes after Mass next Sunday.

AUGUST DATES
15 August: Assumption of Our Lady – Mass at 7pm, with hymns.  Holy day of Obligation.  Wine & nibbles after Mass in church.  All welcome.
24 August:  Parish Pilgrimage to Ladyewell, Shrine of Our Lady. 
Meet at the parish church 11.00am for a short service of dedication. Walk to Shrine (if able) for Mass at 12noon.  There’s a picnic lunch afterwards.  Then at 2.30pm Sprinkling, 3.30pm Benediction and departure.
Please sign the list in the porch.

LITTLE THEATRES & MENTAL HEALTH / WELL-BEING
Chorley and Southport have their own theatres and Southport’s in particular, has just brought out its new season pamphlet of plays and productions for 2024-25.  Visiting the theatre can provide a welcome form of relaxation and enjoyment, and at Southport, the volunteers are very good at putting people at their ease. You will be sure of a grand welcome.  The season opens in September with ‘Allo ‘Allo – featuring characters from the very popular BBC comedy series. Tickets (including Saturday matinees) are very reasonably priced and have not been increased at all since before the pandemic.  In addition, there is news of a number of special packages available, that afford real value for money.
The pamphlets, containing full details, are available in the porch.

THE HALL IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Our church hall is the envy of the area, for its size, its sprung dance floor and of course, its managed, licensed bar.
We now have vacant slots every evening, apart from Mondays and also during the day / evening on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Other times may also be available, on enquiry.
Hire charges = £20 an hour (inc. ‘get-in/out’).  If you know of anyone, or any group that is looking for accommodation, please let them know to contact the Parish Office on Thursdays.

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. 

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