WEDNESDAY EVENING MASSES
Wednesday evenings, at 6pm – with Eucharistic Exposition: 6.25pm-6.55pm, Benediction: 6.55pm and Sacrament of Reconciliation: 6.25pm-6.55pm

CHURCH OPEN
Thursdays 11am to 1pm, for visits to the Blessed Sacrament and quiet prayer, meditation.

ARCHDIOCESE PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
Heavenly Father, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
We ask for peace for those who need peace, reconciliation for those who need reconciliation and comfort for all who don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We ask for you to be with all – especially children who are suffering as the crisis in Ukraine deteriorates. For those who are anxious and fearful. For those who are bereaved, injured or who have lost their lives. And for those who have lost loved ones. Lord, hear our prayers.
We also pray for wise actions from global leaders – who have the power not only to start wars, but to stop them too.
Father in heaven, we cry out for an end to this crisis and for mercy, peace, and truth – that the healing power of your love will restore peace, families and communities.
Amen

COVID / ‘FLU AWARE & SUNDAY OBLIGATION
If you have a cough / sore throat / feel generally unwell with cold-like symptom, please take a Covid test right away.      If it’s positive, then please stay at home, keep it to yourself and get better soon!
Whilst the Sunday Obligation has been restored, the Archdiocese advises parishioners to pray and watch Mass online/TV at home, if they are unwell with coughs and colds – especially at the moment, with so many infections doing the rounds.

READINGS FOR 9 APRIL
1^st Reading: Acts 10:34-43, We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection
Psalm 117:  This day was made by the Lord, we rejoice and are glad.
2^nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-4, You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is
Gospel Reading: John 20:1-9, He must rise from the dead
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia!  Christ our Passover, has been sacrificed; let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord.  Alleluia!
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 a culture of peace and non-violence
We pray for the spread of peace and non-violence, by decreasing the use of weapons by states and citizens.

SPECIAL FEASTS THIS WEEK

HOLY WEEK MASSES
St Oswald’s, Longton: Easter Vigil for Holy Saturday, 8 April at 7.30pm
The Easter Vigil Mass (8.30pm) on Holy Saturday will be at St Peter & Paul’s, Mawdesley.The Easter Vigil Mass (8.30pm) on Holy Saturday will be at Ss Peter & Paul’s, Mawdesley.

EASTER MESSAGE
‘This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad!’
My thanks to the choir, organist, flower arrangers, servers, welcomers and readers for their      work in preparing the church and the liturgy, so enabling us to celebrate this special feast.
Happy Easter and God’s blessings on you and your families.
Christ is Risen – alleluia, alleluia!

COFFEE MORNING THIS SUNDAY – EASTER SUNDAY, 9 APRIL
A very special Thank You to Philippa & Martin McGrath who have provided delicious cakes, bakes and sandwiches for the last few years at our monthly coffee mornings.  They also provide refreshments for other parish events such as the recent World Day of Prayer and our 1^st Communion celebrations.  They will be ‘retiring’ from this role at Easter, so 9 April will be their final Coffee Morning.
We would therefore love to hear from any parishioners who would be interested in joining a rota, to provide just tea/coffee and biscuits once a month, so that we can still enjoy meeting up after Mass.   If you’d like to help, please have a word with Diane after Mass, or contact the Parish Office for more details.

FR MICHAEL O’DOWD – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Thursday 20 April at 7pm: Fr Michael will be received into St Agnes’ church and there will be a short service, followed by refreshments in the hall.
Friday 21 April: Fr Michael will be taken to St Mary’s Leyland for Requiem Mass at 12 noon.  He will be buried at Ss Peter & Paul’s in Mawdesley.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY  – 16 APRIL
Everyone is very welcome to attend  Solemn Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Chaplet, Confessions and Rosary, followed by Holy Mass at Sacred heart Church, Brooke Street, Chorley PR6 0NG, at 3pm.

ADVANCE NOTICE
Archbishop McMahon will be saying a special Mass to confer the office of ‘Monsigneur’ on Fr John Goddard at St Oswald’s, at the Saturday Vigil on 29 April.  All are welcome to attend to celebrate this special moment.  We will need to know numbers beforehand.

LENTEN FOODBANK: Thank you to all those who so generously donated during Lent.  We will continue to collect foodstuffs over the next few months.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE: LOURDES CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
This year will mark 100 years since the archdiocese’s first pilgrimage to Lourdes.
To mark this special occasion, we would love people to share their memories of Lourdes and any photographs or video clips you may have taken on any trips there over the years. We will collate these memories and use them on the archdiocesan website, social media channels and the Pic.
It could be that generations of your family have travelled to Lourdes, that you met your spouse there, you could have photos from decades ago or even that a member of your family went on our very first pilgrimage in 1923.
If you have anything you are happy for us to share publicly or if you would even like to record a video message for us, then please email any details to communications@rcaol.org.uk  and lourdespilgrimage@rcaol.org.uk  and  include your name, parish and year(s) you travelled to Lourdes.
We cannot guarantee that we will use them all depending on the volume of information we receive, but we will read and respond to all correspondence.
We look forward to hearing from you!

HOW TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH
Standing Orders – Many find this an easier alternative to trying to remember to bring cash along each week.  Forms are available in the porch / from the Parish Office.  You can determine the amount and when it is deducted each month. Please post the form to your bank.
Envelopes – easy, because they can be prepared before coming to church.  They afford some ‘privacy’ for the amount donated.  Please conact the Parish Office so that we can arrange this for you.
Cash / cheque donations each week and very gratefully received.
Gift Aid – Important Clarification: 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 £3 per week could become £3.75 and 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.
THANK YOU for your continuing support and generosity in these very challenging times.

COST OF LIVING CRISIS: Warm and Cosy spaces in our parish centres
Venues continue to be open 1pm to 3.30pm across the archdiocese: more details here https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/warm-and-cosy-with-the-archdiocese-of-liverpool

UKRAINE APPEAL – INTERNATIONAL AID TRUST IS NOW IN HESKETH BANK
The IAT has recently moved from its depot in Lostock Hall to Moss Lane – right on our doorstep!  It’s now based at The Barn, behind the bungalow at 255 Moss Lane.
However, the move has meant that some volunteers are now unable to relocate due to transport difficulties.  The new depot is open from 10am to 4pm every weekday and they would love to hear from anyone who can help out for a couple of hours every week (or every other week).
As well as dried and tinned foodstuffs, plus toiletries and especially sanitary products, they are also in need of torches (as a result of blackouts due to Russian bombing of power supplies. 
They are always very grateful for donations, which can be taken directly to the Moss Lane depot, or you can leave them at church on a Sunday and we’ll take them along.
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to find out more about this vital, life-saving work.  Thank you.

KEEPING WARM THIS WINTER
We have access to blankets, snuggle blankets, ‘oodies’ and treated wood (for wood burners).  Please contact the Parish Office if you know of locals (neighbours, friends, any age), who could do with some help. 
Please do all you can to help us publicise details of local Warm Spaces

COST OF LIVING CRISIS
Our  LOCAL warm spaces include:

• Tarleton Library (opening hours Monday to Saturday),
• Christian Centre, Moss Lane (Monday mornings, 9.30am to 12.30pm) and
• Holy Trinity church, Tarleton (Monday – Saturday 9am to 4pm; Coffee & Chat: Fridays 10am to 12 noon).
• Hesketh Bank Community Centre (Mondays – Saturdays)

Warmth, hot drinks, light refreshments, good company, help and advice are on offer at all these places. 
Our local residents’ charity, Hesketh Bank & Tarleton helpers provides lunches every Friday: 12am to 2pm at Hesketh Bank Community Centre.

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.