CHURCH OPEN: Thursdays 11am to 1pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament and quiet prayer, meditation.

MASS ON WEDNESDAYS
Holy Mass – 6.00pm
Eucharistic Exposition 6.25pm-6.55pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation: 6.25pm-6.55pm, Benediction: 6.55pm

ARCHDIOCESE PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
We ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We ask for you to be with all – especially children who are suffering as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates. For those who are anxious and fearful. For those who are bereaved, injured or who have lost their lives. And for those who have lost loved ones. Lord, hear our prayers.
We also pray for wise actions from global leaders – who have the power not only to start wars, but to stop them too.
Father in heaven, we cry out for an end to this crisis and for mercy, peace, and truth – that the healing power of your love will restore peace, families and communities.
Amen

READINGS FOR 3 SEPTEMBER
1^st Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9, The word of the Lord has meant insult for me.
Psalm 62: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.
2^nd Reading: Romans 12:1-2, Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-27, If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: O Lord, how great is the depth of the kindness which you have shown to those who love you.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER
For people living on the margins
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
4 September – St Cuthbert
8 September – Birthday of the Blessed Virgin
9 September – St Peter Claver

WELCOME TO MGR JOHN GODDARD
This week marks the start of Fr John’s ministry here at Our Lady’s.  All parishioners join together to wish him the very best for his new period of service here and in the wider community, and pray that God will bless him and all of us, as we embark on a new and exciting season of spiritual growth.

OUR NEW PARISH FAMILY
Coinciding with the appointment of Fr John to Our Lady’s, comes news of a new Archdiocesan initiative, that has been rolled out in many other dioceses around the country.  From now on, Our Lady’s will be part of a ‘family of parishes’, within the deanery, which includes St Oswald’s in Longton (Fr Michael Barrett) and St Mary Magdalen (Fr Ian McParland) and St Teresa’s, Penwortham. 
Catholic Church in Penwortham & Longton | The Catholic Churches of St. Teresa, St. Mary Magdalen & St. Oswald (catholic-penwortham-longton.co.uk)

COFFEE MORNING TODAY – PLEASE JOIN US IF YOU CAN, TO WELCOME FR JOHN!
All parishioners are warmly welcome to enjoy refreshments after 10am Mass TODAY and meet with Fr John, who is very much looking forward to getting to know his parishioners in a more relaxed and social environment.
Tea, coffee, light refreshments and a raffle!

LOURDES WATER FOR PARISHIONERS
Emma and John O’Hare have very kindly brought back a container of Lourdes water, from their recent family pilgrimage.  This is available for parishioners.  Please bring along a small clean bottle or container when you come to Mass, in order to take some next week.  Thank you Emma and John!

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS THIS MONTH
Please note: there are two special Archdiocesan collections this month:
Next week: 10 September – Catholic Education
Following week: 17 September – Home Missions

A SPECIAL BLESSING FOR ALL PUPILS, TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF WHO START A NEW TERM THIS WEEK, especially those who are beginning at a new school, or starting school

MORE ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SAINTS / FEASTS
St Cuthbert
St Cuthbert was born in Dunbar, in Scotland – a saint of the early Northumbrian church in the Celtic tradition.  He was a monk, hermit and closely associated with the monasteries at Lindisfarne and Melrose.
Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Catholic Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin on its traditional date of 8 September, being nine months after the 8 December celebration of her Immaculate Conception –  the daughter of Ss Joachim and Anne
St Peter Claver
St Peter Claver was a Jesuit priest in the 16^th century who helped and supported African slaves when they arrived in the South American port of Cartegena.  He was persecuted by slave owners and traders for his compassion in feeding the hungry and caring for the many sick and dying.  He preached the gospel with great fervour and baptized over 300,000 during his forty-year ministry.

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.

PARISH GROUNDS & GARDEN NEED HELP!
Thanks to the tremendous efforts of parishioners back in June, we now have a lovely patch of colour brightening up the front of the presbytery – much appreciated by increasing numbers of pollinators.  However, the continuous rain has taken its toll and the lovely flowers are now engaged in a battle with a lot of weeds.  The grounds of the church are also succumbing to weeds.  If any parishioner is able to spare an hour during the next couple of weeks to pop along at any time (no appointment needed!), in order to weed / de-head it would be very much appreciated – especially as we’d like to be able to welcome Fr John to a beautiful church and grounds.  The more who ca

MAGNIFICAT
The Magnificat is published monthly. For each day, it contains the readings and prayers for Mass, with a meditation from the great spiritual writers of the Church throughout history and prayers for morning and evening inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours.  You will also find the lives of the saints, articles on spiritual topics by contemporary writers, prayers at night, hymns, reflections and essay on a great example of Christian art in each issue.
The current special offer of £49 for 13 issues for the next 12 months, will end on 31 October 2023.  Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone 020 3882 9432.

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.

ASLAND WAY PILGRIMAGE WALKS
the promise of better weather encourages us all to get out our walking shoes and discover more about our local area.  Representatives from our churches have been working to put together a series of walks and ted around Our Lady’s: A Tarleton Prayer Pilgrimage and a Tarleton Heritage Route.  Leaflets are available from the porch / to download from owo are basur Facebook page.

PLEASE CONSIDER OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR PARISH
We are very grateful for offers of help already, with regards to gardening jobs and keeping the grounds of the church neat and tidy.  Thank you!
However, there are still a number of opportunities for our parishioners to become a bit more involved in parish life and your help is both needed and much appreciated.  Areas where help is needed include with the Little Church group on Sundays, singing with the choir, flower arranging, church cleaning, altar serving and some serious fund-raising.  Help is welcome from all ages, and advice / training will be provided. Please contact the Parish Office by email or ring on Thursdays, in order to find out more.