READINGS FOR 31 MAY
1^st Reading: Exodus 34: 4-9, The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious.
Psalm: Daniel 3, To be praised and highly exalted forever!
2^nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:11-14, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Gospel Reading: John 3:16-18, God sent his Son, in order that the world might be saved through him.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, the God who is, who was and who is to come.  Alleluia. 
Communion antiphon: Since you are children of God, God has sent into your hearts the Spirit of his Son, the Spirit who cries out: Abba, Father.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY
That everyone might have food
We pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food and to ensuring that everyone has access to quality food.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JUNE
For the value of sports
We pray that sports may be an instrument of peace, encounter and dialogue among cultures and nations, and that they promote values such as respect, solidarity and personal growth.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
1 June – St Justin
2 June – Ss Peter & Marcellinus
3 June – St Charles Lwanga & Companions
5 June – St Boniface
6 June – St Norbert

NO MIDWEEK MASS
No Wednesday Masses now until Fr John has had a chance to fully recover

POPE LEO’S FIRST ENCYCLICAL
Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ In it, he appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.
“Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build a city in which God and humanity dwell together”. Amongst many aspects of modern life, he focuses particularly on the growing problems associated with artificial intelligence.
Magnifica humanitas has an underlying theme: technology is not “a force antagonistic to humanity”, nor is it “inherently evil”.  However, “technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it”.  Pope Leo XIV appeals for people to build “for the common good” and to “remain human”, emphasising our shared responsibility and communion, so that the world “will come to recognise the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell”.
Use the link for access to the encyclical: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/vatican-article-magnifica-humanitas/

1^st HOLY COMMUNION
Please note that pews will be reserved for our children making their 1^st Holy Communion next at next Sunday’s 10am Mass (7 June) and also on the following Sunday, 14 June. Nine children altogether will be celebrating this very special sacrament, with their families.
Everyone is welcome to go to the hall afterwards, each Sunday, for light refreshments – and the 1^st Communion cake!

CONFIRMATIONS – WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE, 7pm
Please sign the list in the porch, to say what you can bring to our Faith Supper afterwards.  Many thanks.
There will be a rehearsal with the children in church, on Monday 15 June at 6pm.

URGENT: HELP NEEDED FOR WEEDING!
All the recent rain and now the higher temperatures have, predictably, encouraged a real growth spurt amongst the weeds around the church and church hall.  If you’ve a spare hour in the week and feel ready for a bit of physical (but very productive) exercise, please pop along with relevant tools, to do a bit of clearing.  We’ve three very important dates over the next few weeks, with 1^st Communions and Confirmations coming up, and it would be great if the church could look its best.  Thank you in anticipation.

OUR LADY’S TARLETON BEREAVEMENT TEAM
Our Parish Council (PPC) has agreed that we should establish a Bereavement Team, to provide support for individuals and families dealing with loss, by offering emotional, practical and pastoral assistance.  Members of this team may assist Fr John and the family with funeral arrangements (as required), signpost other support agencies, discuss memorial/Requiem services, anniversary cards and prayer groups.  It is hoped that we can engage in the necessary training together, with our Family of Parishes.  Safeguarding (DBS) requirements will apply.
If you are interested in finding out more, with a view to joining the team, please speak to Paul Allison after Mass or ring him on 07562 709219.  Thank you.

FAMILY of PARISHES’ MASS OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Saturday 11 July at St Oswald’s, Longton
All parishioners are warmly welcome to attend, especially those receiving holy communion at home.  Please let Diane know if you would like to attend, (numbers needed for catering after the Mass).

LADYEWELL PILGRIMAGE 12 SEPTEMBER: Please sign the list in the porch.

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.

CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED
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.