Easter Sunday, 20th April 2025. Cycle C
St John the Evangelist
128 Bebington Road,
New Ferry, CH62 5BJ
Diocese of Shrewsbury (reg. charity 234025)
Parish - Priest: Fr Mario Ashuikeka
Deacon: Revd Michael Daly Phone: 0151 645 3314
Email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites http://www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
Easter Sunday, 20th April, 2025. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT!
Whenever Christians celebrate liturgy they do more than merely remember the past; they make its effects really present and active here and now through the power of the Holy Spirit. So when we celebrate the Eucharist we make Christ really present in word and sacrament within this very act of worship. And on the Easter feast we actuate, make effectively present, the saving act of Jesus who conquered sin and rose from the dead to fullness of life. Easter is about celebration and it is yours for the feasting! It’s impossible to do justice to the feast of Easter. It’s the day that all of history converged upon from the beginning of time and the day from which our lives take their ultimate meaning. At Easter, God in Jesus Christ radically transformed our lives, so that we are no longer held in the grip of mediocrity, no longer the plaything of sin, the hapless victim of evil or the amusing toy of death, but are set free to live a life that here and now enjoys the full force of God’s creation and the future promise of total bliss. Easter is cosmic and it’s yours for the asking! The empty tomb confounds those who thought of Jesus as merely a clever philosopher or an astute politician. Death could not contain Jesus because he is the Lord of Life. And by taking on our earthly existence with all its highs and lows he has redeemed our human nature at its roots, where we feel most vulnerable and susceptible. Easter is the victory-feast of God who has taken on darkness and shattered it with his light. It’s the victory-feast of God who has shown evil to be ultimately powerless when confronted by his might and who has laughed in the face of death. Easter is about redemption and it’s yours for the taking! So Easter explodes with praise and rejoicing and its keyword is “Alleluia”! Our songs, hymns, psalms and prayers proclaim that all those things which would seek to drag us down, to frighten us and to hold us in their power have been defeated by the infinite strength of a loving God who made us to enjoy fullness of life and who has redeemed us for eternity by rising from the dead. Easter is about song and it’s yours for the singing
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia. You have laid your hand upon me, alleluia. Too wonderful for me, this knowledge, alleluia, alleluia.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed; let us 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.
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Devotions/Adoration: Saturday Morning Devotions will be prayed in Church (the Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises) from 10:30am-11:30am. Fr Mario will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation between 11.00am- 11.30am. THERE WILL BE NO DEVOTIONS ON SATURDAY 26TH APRIL.
All morning services will take place in St Anne’s house; at St John’s: From Monday 31st March all Masses will be held in the Main Church.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £791.99p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Further to the recent Boiler appeal, a separate bank account has now been set up specifically to ‘ring fence’ contributions to the new boiler fund. Please make cheques payable to St John’s New Ferry and write 29001/NFJ/DU on the reverse. Cash donations should be placed in an envelope with 29001/BNFJ/DU written on the outside.
Thank you for the further generous donations received towards the Boiler Fund.
Bookings for the reception & Celebration of Sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation & Wedding, Please enquire & arrange for these through the parish emails / Secretaries of St. Anne’s & St. John’s. Also contact the Parish Priest/Administrator through 0151-645-3314 You can get in touch with Ann Murray on 07745490279 regarding general parish queries.
Mass Intentions Please complete an intentions envelope which are on the table at the back of church. If a particular date is requested please give at least THREE week’s notice. If the date has been filled, we will put your intention in as near as possible to the original date. Thank you for your patience and co-operation.
In Memoriam. Please continue to pray for all our parishioners who have recently died and their grieving families. May they and all the faithful departed, rest in the peace of Christ.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
Sunday Morning Teas continue on the first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date is SUNDAY, 4th May 2025.
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help to support our local Foodbank as much as you can with both food & funds. All items urgently needed are listed on the notice board at the back of church.
First Sacraments: Thank you to all those who have signed up to be prayer sponsors for our children making their First Sacraments this year. Please keep the children in your prayers. Just a reminder, that on Tuesday 29th April at 2.00pm, there will be a special Mass for Prayer Sponsors in St John’s Junior School. Please telephone the school on 0151 645 9615 to let us know if you are able to attend or not. Many thanks.
Parishes of Saints Anne, John & Luke Pilgrimage to St Josephs (Eucharistic Shrine), Stockport Thursday 5th June Price £15 per person. The list is now closed. Diane Baylis will be collecting your money after Mass on Saturday evenings and Liz Jones will be available after Mass on Sunday mornings.
FATIMA & MEDJUGORIE 2025: if you are interested in joining Fr Mario on pilgrimage to Fatima on 10th June for 5 days (£650) or to Medjugorie on 16th September for 8 days (£749), please contact Maria Fryer on 07576243343. Flying from Manchester, airport transfer, tour guide, bed, breakfast and evening meal included.
Supporting the Vocation to Marriage & Family Life: Calling those interested in supporting the vocation of marriage and family a retreat day on 7th June, 9.30am-4.00pm at Parish Hall, Holy angels Church, Wicker Lane, Hale Barnes WA15 0HG. To Register please contact: Monika at monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07549226794 or Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435.
Vote against the Assisted Suicide Bill: Postcards are at the back of the church to write to the MP to vote against the Bill. Kindly send these postcards to the MP as soon as possible.
YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL 2025 - Taking place in the grounds of Ampleforth College from Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August and provides young adults (aged 16-35) from across the UK the opportunity to come together and explore faith, build relationships and find hope. This four-day festival includes great speakers, social time, break-out sessions, Daily Mass, 24/7 Adoration and much more! Register your place at: youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025.
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumph high, Alleluia!
Sing, you heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Easter Joy!
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is with great joy that I send out this message to you all. The grace of the Lord saw us through the long forty days of the Holy Season of Lent, and we have been renewed in faith by the great power of the Passion of Jesus Christ. His Death has become our life; His Resurrection, our salvation; and His Glory, our victory! May the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, His victory over death be at work in your homes and families, and may this victory be our glory. Amen.
We are Easter people, and Alleluia is our song.
Happy Easter! Fr Mario
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Vigil Mass of Easter 19th 8.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Parishioners of Our Three Parishes
Easter Sunday 20th 9.30am Brian Jones 2nd Anniv.
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 21st 9.30am MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
World Peace
Tuesday 22nd 12 Noon FUNERAL MASS AT ST ANNE’S
Wednesday 23rd 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Vocations
Thursday 24th NO MASS
Friday 25th SERVICES AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
5.00pm Arrival of the Relics of St. Columba, St. Andrew & St. Margaret
6.00pm Holy Mass - For the Sick, Health Workers and Carers
7-8 pm Veneration & Confession
Saturday 26th 5.00pm In Honour of St Anne - Pray for Families
Second Sunday of Easter 27th 9.30am In Honour of St John - Pray for all Parishes, Young People & Good Friendship in the Parishes
2.30pm Divine Mercy Devotions and Rosary
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Weekend Masses - Please note that the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed immediately before each Mass. Please use this as a time for prayer & quiet devotion. Please enter the church quietly & remain so. Thank you.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Vigil Mass of Easter 19th 8.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Easter Sunday 20th 11.00am Mark McKenzie RIP
Daniel Brett Remb.
Monday 21st 9.30am MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Tuesday 22nd 12 Noon FUNERAL MASS AT ST ANNE’S
Wednesday 23rd 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 24th NO MASS
Friday 25th 5.00pm Arrival of the Relics of St. Columba, St. Andrew & St. Margaret
6.00pm Holy Mass - For the Sick, Health Workers and Carers
7-8 pm Veneration & Confession
Saturday 26th 10.00am Holy Mass – Private Intention
11-3pm Veneration
4.00pm Benediction
6.30pm Holy Mass for Families
Second Sunday of Easter 27th 11.00am For all Parishioners of Saints Anne, John & Luke; and For the Youth
Blessing with the Relics
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