HOLY WEEK MASSES / SERVICES
Wednesdays at 6.15pm followed by Exposition & Benediction
Confessions at 5.45pm

Church is open on Thursdays 11am to 1pm for private prayer & reflection before the Blessed Sacrament

READINGS FOR 6 OCTOBER
1^st Reading: Genesis 2:18-24, They become one body
Psalm 127: May the Lord bless us all the days of our life
2^nd Reading: Hebrews 2:9-11, The one who sanctifies and the ones who are sanctified are of the same stock
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16, What God has united, man must not divide
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! As long as we love one another, God will live in us and this love will be complete in us.  Alleluia! 
Communion antiphon: Though many, we are one bread, one body, for we all partake of the one Bread and one Chalice.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER
For a Shared Mission
We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
7 October – Our Lady of the Rosary
9 October – St John Henry Newman
10 October – St Denis  / St John Leonardi
11 October – St John XXIII
12 October – St Wilfrid

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY
Envelopes / donations need to be returned this Sunday, 6 October.  Thank you!

COFFEE MORNING & RAFFLE THIS WEEK, SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER
Everyone is very welcome to come along to the Halloween-themed Coffee Morning after 10am Mass.  Lots of cakes and bakes to enjoy – and a chance to have a welcome catch-up with friends.  Do come along if you can.

PARISH CURRY EVENING
Friday 18 October, 6.30pm in the hall (special dispensation for eating meat on a Friday!).
Thank you to all who have purchased / ordered tickets.  There is a choice of 3 dishes.  Please speak to Vivienne / Jo to order.

OTHER PARISH SOCIAL EVENTS
Saturday 9 November – Beetle Drive
Sunday 1 December – Christmas Coffee Morning & Fayre after Mass.  We’re collecting for two stalls: Festive Arts & Crafts and Festive Preserves.  There will also be a Christmas Raffle – donations of bottles welcome from next week and the chance to win a home-made Christmas cake with ‘Guess-the-Weight-of –the-Cake’.
Family & friends are warmly invited to join in the fun.
Tuesday 10 December – Christmas Bingo

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Meeting on Wednesday 9 October at 7.10pm, after Mass.  Please speak to Paul, Tony, Margaret, Diane, Keren, John & Emma O’H if you have any views about the closing of the church car park / wish to bring up any other matters at this week’s meeting.  Thank you.

PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE
Many thanks to the two parishioners who have volunteered to assist.  If anyone else, with financial skills feels able to help, please have a word with Fr John. 

NOVEMBER FEAST DAYS
Friday 1 November: All Saints Day – Mass at 7.00pm.  This will be a sung Mass; wine & nibbles to follow.  All welcome!
Saturday 2 November: All Souls Day – Mass at 10.00am.  All welcome to pray for the repose of our dear departed.
All Souls envelopes for your Holy Souls lists will be available from next Sunday.

MASS INTENTIONS
Mass intentions are welcome, not just for our dear departed, but for any other occasion eg in thanksgiving, 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 near as possible.

ALL SAINTS’ MOTHERS’ UNION SERVICE – 15 OCTOBER
Everyone is warmly welcome to attend a United Service at All Saints’ Church in Hesketh Bank, on Tuesday 15 October at 7.30pm.  There will be refreshments in the hall after wards.  Please contact Thelma Hornby by 9 October, if you would like to attend: telephone 07969 564026 or email thelmahornby@gmail.com

PARISH PRIEST VISITS
Now that we are beginning to return to ‘normal’ after the holidays, if you know of a parishioner who might like a visit from Fr John, please can you let him know (having checked with them first, as you’ll need to supply name and address and contact number).  Many thanks.

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. 
Please order online at www.magnificat.com or phone 020 3882 9432.

READERS’ TRAINING – BY THE ARCHDIOCESE
The Liturgy Commission are offering parish readers (existing or new) an opportunity to come together for some practical training and reflection on their important ministry this autumn.
Readers are welcome to come to any of the following mornings:
Saturday, 19th October: Irenaeus, Waterloo, L22 1RD
Saturday, 2nd November: St Mary’s Community Centre, Leyland, PR25 1PD
All 10am to 1pm (followed by lunch –  bring a packed lunch)
Please contact pa.stmaryleyland@rcaol.org.uk to reserve your places.

LITTLE THEATRES & MENTAL HEALTH / WELL-BEING
Chorley and Southport have their own theatres and Southport’s in particular, has just brought out its new season pamphlet of plays and productions for 2024-25.  Visiting the theatre can provide a welcome form of relaxation and enjoyment, and at Southport, the volunteers are very good at putting people at their ease. You will be sure of a grand welcome.   In addition, there is news of a number of special packages available, that afford real value for money.
The pamphlets, containing full details, are available in the porch.

THE HALL IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Our church hall is the envy of the area, for its size, its sprung dance floor and of course, its managed, licensed bar.
We now have vacant slots every evening, apart from Mondays and also during the day / evening on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Other times may also be available, on enquiry.
Hire charges = £20 an hour (inc. ‘get-in/out’).  If you know of anyone, or any group that is looking for accommodation, please let them know to contact the Parish Office on Thursdays.

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