CONFESSION FOR EASTER
Service of Reconciliation, with Confession on Saturday 28 March at 10am.  All are most welcome.

CHURCH IS OPEN – Thursdays, from 11am to 2pm for reflections before the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 5 APRIL
1^st Reading: Acts 10:3-4, We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
Psalm 118: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
2^nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-4, Seek the things that are above, where Christ is.
Gospel Reading: John 20:1-9, He must rise from the dead.
Gospel acclamation: 
Communion antiphon: Christ our Passover has been sacrificed, alleluia; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth, alleluia, alleluia.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL
For priests in crisis
For priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that their communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

EASTER MESSAGE
He is risen!  He is risen indeed, alleluia!
So, from the darkness of Good Friday – the worst that they could do to our Saviour – when he offered himself to the cross and then cried out, “It is finished”; this points to an end of his suffering and Passion whilst it also marks a start to the hope that lies ahead.  Sin’s power has been broken and death rules no more.  At dawn on Easter Day, the empty tomb shows the victory: darkness has been overcome by he who is the Light; all darkness has been overcome and this gives us the hope of eternal glory.  We must live in this hope.  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!

EASTER THANKS & BLESSING
This is always a very busy season in the Church’s year and it therefore relies heavily on our willing volunteers and lay people.  Many, many thanks therefore to all our servers and acolytes, Linda, Liz and the choir, our welcomers, our readers and Eucharistic Ministers, plus cleaners and the flower arrangers.  They ensure that our lovely church is looking its best at this very special time and that we can hold all the Masses and services that are required.  And finally, thank you to our parishioners and all our visitors, who have come to worship here over the last week.  God bless you all!

WELCOME TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY
We were delighted to welcome three of our parishioners into a deeper union with Our Lord at the Easter Vigil Mass: Emma made her 1^st Holy Communion, Ruth received the sacrament of Confirmation and Marc was received into the Catholic Church.  It was a very special occasion and we ask for God’s blessings on them all.  Please remember them in your prayers.

FLOWER DONATIONS: £72.50  Thank you, everyone

PARISH GIVING LAST WEEK
Last week’s offertory: £255.85 Thank you, everyone.

EASTER CELEBRATION: ROAST DINNER EVENING – RAISING FUNDS FOR THE HALL BOILER!
Saturday 11th April, 7.00pm in the (warm!) church hall
Tickets £15, two course meal.  Tickets available TODAY from members of the social committee.  Please contact Vivienne with any dietary requirements.  All welcome!

RUNNING A MARATHON FOR ALICE
Parishioner, Marc Sterry, will be running the London Marathon on 26 April, in support of Alice’s WonderDance, in loving memory of Alice Aguiar, following the sad events of 2024 in Southport.  Alice was baptised here and there are still family links.  Marc is honoured to be running at the request of Alice’s parents, Sergio and Alex, for a foundation that continues her legacy. Please consider sponsoring him to help raise funds and awareness for this special cause.
The weblink to the fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/page/marc-sterry-2
Sponsor forms are available or those who do not wish to use the link. Please speak to Marc in church after Mass. Thank you for your kindness, support and prayers.

CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST – PRAY FOR PEACE
God of peace, bearer of hope, we seek your help for the peoples of the Middle East.  Quiet the clamour of war, and guide us towards peace.  Where there is hatred and division, sow seeds of calm and openness.  Where there is destruction, help us to rebuild.  Where children are crying, bring an end to tears.  Shelter your peoples and protect them.  Guide them and keep them from harm.  Show us how to break down the barriers of history and fear and breathe whispers of hope.  Amen.                                                                                                                  
Linda Jones/CAFOD

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! 

CHURCH CLEANING / FLOWER ARRANGING
Thank you to those who have already said that they’d be interested in helping out.  Diane would like to start putting rotas together, so please can you let her know your availability.  Church cleaning is only twice a month and flower arranging is every other week.  Please have a word with her after Mass today, or ring on 07876 363779. Thank you.

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.