MASS ON WEDNESDAYS – Holy Mass – 6.00pm
No Mass this Wednesday

READINGS FOR 7 JANUARY
1^st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6, Above you the glory of the Lord appears
Psalm 71:  All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord
2^nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-6, It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, We saw his star and have come to do the new king homage
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the new king homage.  Alleluia!
Communion antiphon: We have seen his star in the east and have come with gifts to adore the Lord

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY
Diversity in the Church
Let us pray that the Spirit help us recognise the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.

SAINTS & FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
12 January – St Aelred of Rievaulx
13 January – St Hilary
14 January – St Kentigern (2^nd Patron of our Archdiocese)

REFLECTION – The Epiphany
Most glorious Christ Child, our heavenly Father honoured your birth by placing a star over the place where you lay. Through that new star, your divine presence was made manifest to the world in the Magi, who responded with faith and worship. Please manifest yourself to me within my own soul where you wish to be born, and give me the love and zeal I need to follow the example of the Magi, offering you my own gifts in adoration and trust.

NEW YEAR COFFEE MORNING – 7 JANUARY
Everyone is welcome to enjoy tea, coffee, cakes and refreshments after 10am Mass TODAY.  There will be an excellent raffle, with some top prizes!  Do come and join us for a post-Christmas catch-up, if you can.

BAPTISM
We welcome Louie James Tyson into our parish community.  Louie was baptised here just before Christmas.  May God bless him and his family.

1^st COMMUNION PROGRAMME
Our 1^st Communion children will be meeting after 10am Mass next Sunday (14 January) for their fourth preparation session, focusing on how Jesus helps and heals people.  Please remember them in your prayers.

PARISH CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING DRAW 2023
Most prizes have been claimed but there are a few outstanding, so please check your ticket numbers: Blue 425, Blue 51, Blue 106, Blue 88, Green 206, Green 496. Please ring the office to arrange collection.  Thank you.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE
O God of the nations,
as we look to that day when you will gather people
from north and south, east and west,
into the unity of your peaceable Kingdom,
guide with your just and gentle wisdom all who take counsel
for the nations of the world, that all your people may spend their days in security, freedom, and peace,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen

FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: MIDDLE EAST (GAZA) APPEAL
The international charity Christian Aid is appealing for more help in boosting funds to continue to support its local partners.  Every amount will make a difference: £6 will pay for a basic hygiene kit, while a donation of £37 will pay for a food parcel for a family of five in Gaza.   For further details on how to make a donation, please use the following link: www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/middle-east-crisi-appeal

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.