MASS ON WEDNESDAYS – Holy Mass – 6.00pm
Followed by Exposition / Confessions & Benediction

READINGS FOR 4 FEBRUARY
1^st Reading: Job 7:1-7, Restlessly I fret till twilight falls.
Psalm 146:  Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted.
2^nd Reading: I Corinthians 9:16-23, I should be punished if I did not preach the Gospel.
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:29-39, he cured many who suffered from diseases of one kind or another.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! He took our sickness away, and carried our diseases for us.  Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be consoled; blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall have their fill.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY
The Terminally Ill
That terminally ill patients and their families always receive the necessary medical and human care and support.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
5 February – St Agatha
6 February – St Pail Miki & Companions
8 February – St Jerome Emiliani
8 February –  St Josephine Bakhita*
10 February – St Scholastica, sister of St Benedict and the first Benedictine nun
*St Josephine Bakhita was born in the Sudan but sold into slavery as a young girl.  She was eventually brought to Italy where she was baptised.  She joined the Canossian Daughters of Charity, a Venitian order, in 1896, until her death in 1947.  She was canonised in 2000 and is the patron of Sudan and Victims of Human Trafficking.
8 February is also the Day for Victims of Human Trafficking.

8 February is also the Day for Victims of Human Trafficking
Loving Father,
We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved.
For those forced into labour, trafficked into sexual slavery, and denied freedom.
We beseech you to release them from their chains.
Grant them protection, safety, and empowerment.
Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning.
Show us how we might end exploitation by addressing its causes.
Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of human trafficking.
Make us instruments of your spirit for their liberation.
For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen

COFFEE MORNING THIS WEEK: 4 FEBRUARY
Do join us after Mass today, for tea, coffee, cakes, butties and some very friendly company.  There’s also a raffle, with lots of prizes.  All are very welcome to come along.

QUIZ NIGHT – FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY
Tarleton Ecumenical Walk of Witness is holding its annual fundraising Quiz Night in our hall next Friday.  Tickets are £8 each and include a hot-pot supper.  Please see Diane Mackley at the Coffee Morning after Mass today – or contact the Parish Office – for tickets asap!  Please inform of any dietary requirements.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING NOTES
Notes of the recent Parish Council Meeting are available for collection, in the porch.  Or you may wish to receive an e-copy.  Please let the Welcomers know, if so.

PIZZA & PANCAKE PARTY NEXT WEEK: SHROVE TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY
Everyone is welcome to come along to the presbytery for 7pm for a social, to mark the start of Lent on Wednesday.  There is no charge, but please see Vivienne for tickets if you wish to come along, for catering purposes.  Many thanks!  Please bring a bottle.  There will also be a raffle.

ASH WEDNESDAY: Two Masses here: at 10.00am and at 6pm on Wednesday 14 February.

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.

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.