CONFESSIONS: Wednesdays 5.45pm to 6.05pm

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

READINGS FOR 8 MARCH
1^st Reading: Exodus 17:3-7, Give us water to drink.
Psalm 95: O that today you would listen to his voice!  Harden not your hearts.
2^nd Reading: Romans 5:1-8, Love has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit who has been given to us.
Gospel Reading: John 4:5-42, A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Gospel acclamation: Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God. Lord, you are indeed the Saviour of the world; give me living water, so that I will not be thirsty.  Glory to you, you are the Word of God. 
Communion antiphon: For anyone who drinks it, says the Lord, the water that I shall give will become in him a spring welling up to eternal life.

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH
For disarmament and peace
That nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

SAINTS / FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK
9 March – St Francis of Rome

FAMILY OF PARISHES MEETING
Following on from our lively parish meeting on 25 February, all your responses have been passed on to our Family of Churches, for review at the next meeting of priests and parish reps on Saturday 14 March.  Fr John and John O’Hare will be representing Our Lady’s and parishioners will be updated on the outcome. A big thank you again to everyone
who has contributed.

EASTER SERVICES: Fliers / posters are available with the times of all our services; please take and distribute to friends, neighbours, family and local shops / businesses, who may be able to display them.  Thank you.

FAMILY OF PARISHES NEWSLETTER FOR LENT & EASTER
Copies are available in the porch for you to take, or find it on St Mary’s website: www.leylandstmarys.org.uk

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY: FINAL CHANCE TO RETURN ENVELOPES
Envelopes and donations will be collected today. Please remember to gift aid your donation, if you can: it makes a huge difference.  Thank you.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT – OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES
Next week – 13 March – we are here at Our Lady’s at 7pm.  It will be good to see you.  Please come if you can, to this very special, reflective service: it really helps us to focus clearly on Christ’s Passion and God’s limitless love for us.

CONFIRMATION & 1^st COMMUNION PREPARATION TODAY – 8 MARCH
Our children will continue their preparations after Mass today.

HALL BOILER NEWS: Work will start 11 March.

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

NUGENT APPEAL: 15 MARCH
This year’s appeal invites us to put into action Jesus’ call to love our neighbour by supporting those within our communities who are most in need. Each year, Nugent is able to continue offering practical support to people facing homelessness, young care leavers, families experiencing poverty, and those escaping domestic violence.  Every prayer, every donation, and every act of kindness helps in serving those struggling in our archdiocese.

LENTEN ALMS
Our Lenten Alms box will be available throughout Lent for donations. Lenten almsgiving is one of the three traditional pillars of Lent (alongside prayer and fasting), focusing on selfless giving to those in need – especially the poor – as an expression of our love, our sense of justice, and our repentance during this special season.

RE-ADVERTISED POST: PARISH ADMINISTRATOR AT Ss PETER & PAUL’S, MAWDESLEY
The role is being re-advertised: 6 hours a week (usually Fridays)  A full job description and the application form are on the Archdiocesan website: Friday 13 March  https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/careers
Please pass this message on to family members / friends who live relatively locally and who may be interested in some part-time admin work, supporting this lovely church and parish. Closing date: Friday 13 March.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT – OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES

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.