READINGS FOR 25 JULY
1^st Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10, behold, your king is coming to you humble.
Psalm 145: I will bless your name forever, my God and king.
2^nd Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13, If, by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:25-30,  I am gentle and lowly in heart.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed the secrets of the kingdom to little children, alleluia.
Communion antiphon: Come to me all who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JULY
For respect for human life
We pray for the respect and protection of human life, in all its stages, recognising it as a gift from God.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
6 July – St Maria Goretti
9 July – St Augustine Zhau Rong & Companions
11 July – St Benedict

CAFOD PRAYER FOR THE VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE CRISIS
Faithful God, even when the earth shakes, your love remains firm. You are our refuge and help.
Be near the people of Venezuela, in this time of grief and fear.
Welcome into your light those who have died, comfort those who mourn,
be close to those who are injured and bring renewed hope to those who have lost all that they built.
Move us, and the world, to respond urgently and generously, in this time of crisis
and keep us united in solidarity, walking with the people of Venezuela, in the long journey of recovery ahead.  Amen.
DONATIONS: ENVELOPES / ONLINE
You can help our neighbours affected by the 24 June earthquakes in Venezuela with emergency shelter, water and food. CAFOD is already working with local Church partners to support people who have lost their homes, but we need your support to help more survivors. Your donation will provide essential supplies and help families rebuild their lives.
Donate to the CAFOD-DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal today: cafod.org.uk/Venezuela or call 0300 999 0030.
Please keep our neighbours in Venezuela in your prayers.

COFFEE MORNING TODAY – 5 JULY
Our monthly coffee mornings recommence after this morning’s Mass: lots of sweet treats, including strawberries and cream.  Everyone is very welcome to come along and enjoy a bit of company – and a cuppa!  Do come if you can.
All donations will go to the DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal

ABSOLUTELY FINAL NOTICE!
FAMILY of PARISHES’ MASS OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Saturday 11 July St Oswald’s, Longton – 11am
All parishioners are warmly welcome to attend, especially those receiving Holy Communion at home. 
Deadline: Please let Diane know, by Monday (tel: 07876 363779), if you would like to attend,
(numbers needed for catering after the Mass).

CARE WITH VOTIVE LIGHTS
Please be very careful when lighting or moving votive lights, to avoid spilling the hot wax everywhere.  Thank you.

PARISH SUMMER  BBQ – Saturday 25^th July
Tickets (£10 adults / £4 children) are available from John and Emma, or phone 07866 571200.
Bouncy castle, fun and games – and lots of delicious food!  Fliers available in the porch.

KITCHEN FRIDGE NEEDED FOR THE HALL
Please let Fr John or Diane know if you know of a good, second-hand fridge that might become available in the next week or so.  We need a replacement fridge for the hall kitchen.  Many thanks.

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.