Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 13th July, 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
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time , 13th July 2025. Cycle C.
FAITH IN FOCUS: KITCHEN SINK HEROES: Jesus rubs up everyone in today’s gospel. First he angers the Jewish establishment by telling a story about a man who was mugged, ignored by two clergymen and helped by a member of the hated ethnic minority. Then he shuts the legal boffins up by saying that you don’t need a degree in jurisprudence to understand God’s Law. Just a bit of common sense will do. You can know the Law but still be incapable of love. In fact, that’s what God said through Moses in today’s reading from Deuteronomy: “This Law is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach... it is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart.” Yet we have problems thinking that God’s Law should be so easy. Coming from a superhero culture we tend to expect some great heroic sacrifice will be asked of us, some death-defying feat that will hit the front pages of the newspapers. But God simply says: look around and make sure your neighbour is OK. Christian morality is as simple as that. Love your neighbour. Today’s Samaritans are not those who go off to save the Third World but those who keep an eye out for the elderly or sick person on their street. They’re the kitchen sink heroes whose daily acts of kindness show that everyone is their neighbour. We shouldn’t need to ask, “Who is my neighbour?” Rather, we should listen for the call within us to become close to those in need around us. St David said, “Do the little things well”. Perhaps that’s what God is trying to tell us today. For if we want to fulfil God’s Law, then we will do so by opening our eyes and ears and responding to people of all races and creeds when they need us. This is not something so difficult that only professionals can grasp it. It’s obvious, says God. It’s what we would want others to do for us, and we can do it for others simply by doing the little things well.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON; As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young; by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.
———————————————————————————————————————————
SUNDAY IS A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR SEAFARERS.
———————————————————————————————————————————
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. All morning services will take place in St Anne’s house; at St John’s: all Masses will be held in the Main Church. Please note Mass time changes this week.
There will be end of year Masses for all our schools.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £453.76p. Many thanks for your continued support .
Special Collection- This weekend 12th/13th July for The Apostleship of the Sea.
Wirral Walk-Deacon Mike completed his Wirral Walk last Sunday to raise funds for the SVP of our Parish Communities. He thanks all those who have sponsored him in this, and asks that those who are yet to pay him do so this coming weekend to enable him pass the raised funds over to the SVP.
The Boiler appeal- a separate bank account has 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.
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 3996.
Funerals should be booked through the Parish Offices by the funeral directors.
Mass Intentions Please complete an intentions envelope. If a particular date is requested 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 the soul of Mary Williams whose Funeral Service will take place at St John's this Monday at 10am followed by Landican Crematorium at 11.00am. .May she 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 S unday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date is SUNDAY, 3rd August 2025.
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help t o 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.
Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation: First Communion will take place on the 15th August, The Feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the programme is underway. Confirmation, this year, is at St John's on Wednesday 19th November. All pupils in Year 9 and upwards are eligible to be confirmed. Registration Forms for both Sacraments are available from the Parish office and online: stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes this summer in this Jubilee Year of 2025. Currently we have 15 seats available on the coach, 1 seat left on the pilgrimage plane, and 3 seats left on a flight from Luton (coach travel transfer included). This is the last call for any pilgrims wishing to travel to Lourdes with the Diocese this year, we are very close to now closing the bookings for our 2025 pilgrimage. Booking forms are still available on our website www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk
Retreat at Loreto Convent: 12th-14th September 2025. Cost £70 contact for more information: ritawilkinson18@gmail.com.
Poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Lourdes by Jumbulance: Chester Across Group are going to Lourdes on 14th to 23rd August. There are vacancies for sick and disabled pilgrims and for nurses and helpers. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk See Poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Join March for Life UK on Saturday 6th Sept in London! The right to life underpins every other right we have and without it every other right is rendered meaningless. Unite with thousands of others at this family-friendly event where we recognise the value of life from conception and stand up for all those impacted by abortion. A coach leaves from St Winifride’s Church, 187 Crowmere Rd, Shrewsbury SY2 5LA (6.30am), Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 542 Cannock Rd, Wolverhampton WV10 8PG (7.15am), St Mary’s The Mount, Glebe St, Walsall WS1 3NX (8am). Seats cost £30 for adults, £10 under 16, payable in advance. For more info/to book a seat contact Isabel 07773501721, Ben 07885505116 info@marchforlife.co.uk
Foundation GovernorsThe Governors at St John’s Catholic Junior School are currently recruiting additional Foundation Governors. The role would suit someone with an interest in serving our community and supporting the needs of our school children. Being a school governor is about supporting the school leadership in their strategic direction, holding the leadership to account for school performance and ensuring good financial management. Training is provided and this is also a great professional development opportunity. Anyone interested in finding out more about the role can contact the school to arrange an informal chat: Tel: 0151 645 9615 Email: schooloffice@stjohns-junior.wirral.sch.uk or we can be contacted directly via email at chair-governors@stjohns-junior.wirral.sch.uk Gillian Dyche and Tony Rutherford, Co Chairs of Governors
Notice to Team Members: Parish Pastoral Team next meeting will be held on Tuesday 15th July at 6.30pm in the day chapel. Please make every effort to attend.
Lourdes Hospitality: The Lourdes Hospitality Predeparture Mass, for this year’s Pilgrimage, will take place at 11.00am on Sunday 20th July at St Mary's Church, Gatefield Street, Crewe CW1 2JP. This will be followed by light refreshments in the Caritas Centre and a Hospitality Meeting starting at 1.15pm. All Hospitality members are invited to attend.
The Lourdes Management Team have launched a ‘wish list’ to support our assisted pilgrims. Supporters of the pilgrimage can directly help by purchasing equipment to support their care in the Accueil alongside items to enhance and enrich their all-round experiences in Lourdes. To view the Wishlist and purchase items for the Pilgrimage please scan the QR code below or follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/42FRNUVO3GUX?ref_=wl_share
Days of Prayer- St. John’s church open for a day of prayer on 23rd July Wednesday from 9am till 4 pm.
St. Anne’s Church open for a day of prayer on 26th July Saturday from 10.30am. All are welcome to mark your own Pilgrimage in this Year of Hope.
Let us pray for the safety and happiness of all our school children and their families as they begin their school holidays at the end of the week. We also pray for all the staff leaving St John’s Junior School this Summer, that their new journeys be fruitful for them and their loved ones. Amen
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
Saturday 12th 10.30pm Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Michael Scarisbrick
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 13th 9.30am Robert & Frances Sullivan RIP
3.00pm Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 14th 9.15am For those awaiting Exam Results
10.00am Funeral Service- Mary Williams
Tuesday 15th 9.00am For St John’s Infant Children and their Families
Wednesday 16th 9.15am For St John’s Junior School Leavers Children and Staff
MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 17th NO MASS
Friday 18th 9.15am In Honour of St Luke- For our sick parishioners
Saturday St John Plessington 19th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Peter Hughes
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th 9.30am Eileen Spencer Bday Rem RIP
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.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 12th 6.30pm Jimmy Blong RIP
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 13th 11.00am Brendan Darcy RIP
Day of Special Prayer for Seafarers
Monday 14th 12 Noon Thomas Sarson RIP 6yrs
Margaret Sarson
Tuesday 15th 12 Noon Marriott Family
Wednesday 16th 11.00am St Anne’s School End of Year Mass- Led by Year 6
Thursday 17th NO MASS
Friday 18th 12 Noon For Sick, Health Workers & Carers
Saturday 19th 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm Ron Jones RIP
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th 11.00am Fr Mario-Benedict Priesthood Blessing
—————————————————————————————————————————
Pope Leo XIV Intentions for July
Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel. He prays that the Holy Spirit may inform our decisions and that we may learn to listen attentively to God’s gentle voice.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
