Fifth Sunday of Lent, 22d March, 2026. Cycle A
Fifth Sunday of Lent 22nd March, 2026. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: HERE'S TO LIFE!
If heaven's so good, then why did Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead? This is a question that is often asked. Was Lazarus disappointed at being reunited with his two sisters so soon after dying? It must have been tempting to throw this in their face whenever an argument broke out!
Another question arises from St John's gospel story. Why was Jesus so distressed at the death of his friend? Surely the answer is simple: the gift of life is such a great thing that even faith in the afterlife cannot wipe away the tears we feel when a loved one dies. And even more, it shows how much we really value the life we live on this earth.
By raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus was letting the glory of his Father be seen by those who witnessed the miracle. He was letting them know that the Father had sent him. But he was also making a very positive statement about the value of human existence. There can be no greater gift than that of enjoying life. We experience life at its most complete when we know that we have been given it by God for a purpose. No one else has been made like us. God creates each one of us in a unique fashion so that we might reflect something of God's nature by the way we live. We have been given different gifts and talents, different personalities, different reasons for being loved by others and loving in return. To believe in Christ is to have the chance of fullness of life, getting every last ounce out of it, benefiting from all its opportunities.
"Life" is the last of the three themes of Lent this year: water, light and life. The Church makes use of this gospel passage to remind us that our baptism in Christ affords us the opportunity to live the same life as everyone else, but to see beyond the passing things of this world, to have our hearts set on a life that will dwarf even this one. Christians don't just exist. They thirst for the water that only God can give; they search for the light that God sheds on their journey through this world; and they live life to the utmost in all its glorious shapes and forms. And if this life is so good, then just think what the next one will be like!
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Praise to you O Christ, king of eternal glory. I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Everyone who lives and believes in me will not die for ever, says the Lord.
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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. All morning services will take place in St Anne’s house; at St John’s: Masses will be held in the Day Chapel.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £592.10p CADFOD Family Fast Day collection amounted to 565.40p. Many thanks for your continued generosity and support.
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: are now available to collect from the table at the back of church. If you are not a taxpayer please take the unmarked envelopes. They are all in numerical order. Many thanks to all those who took standing order and gift aid forms over the past weeks. There is a supply of the forms on the table if you are considering paying by standing order and gift aid. If you are paying by Standing Order/Gift Aid please DO NOT take your named box of envelopes. If you have taken your box, please return it to Ann Murray. Thank you.
Lenten Reconciliation Service will take place here at St John’s on Tuesday, 24th March at 7.00pm. All most welcome.
Mass on Monday and Tuesday this week will be celebrated at Plessington College in the College Hall at 9.15am. All parishioners are cordially invited. Please arrive at reception at 9.00am and you will be taken to where the Mass will be held.
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 IntentionsPlease complete an intentions envelope. If a particular date is requested give at least THREE weeks’ 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 the faithful departed that they may rest in the peace of Christ.
Children's Liturgy– takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
Sunday Morning Teas first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date will be SUNDAY, 5th APRIL All most welcome.
BAPTISMS: From the beginning of April Baptisms will be held on the Third Saturday and Sunday of each month only with a maximum number of 4 families on each day. When submitting the Baptism Application Form please bear this in mind. Meetings will be arranged with Fr Mario for the parents and Godparents before Baptisms take place. There will be no Baptisms during June and December. Please contact the Parish office with any queries on 645 3314 or by email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
First Holy Communion this year will take place on Sunday 24th May and Sunday 16th August. Preparation Class June dates will be available later. Registration Forms can be obtained from the Parish Office 645 3314 and by email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com. If your child attends a non-Catholic school Forms can also be obtained from the above. Please see poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Masses/Services for Easter at St John’s and St Anne’s
RECONCILIATION SERVICE AT ST JOHN’S Tuesday 24th MARCH at 7.00pm PALM SUNDAY 29th MARCH 9.30am AT ST JOHN’S 11.00am AT ST ANNE’S HOLY THURSDAY 2nd APRIL 7.00pm AT ST ANNE’S GOOD FRIDAY 3rd APRIL 3.00pm AT ST JOHN’S WALK OF WITNESS PORT SUNLIGHT VILLAGE AT 12 Noon EASTER VIGIL 4th APRIL 8.00pm AT St ANNE’S EASTER SUNDAY 5th APRIL 9.30am AT ST JOHN’S 11.00am AT ST ANNE’S SEE NOTICEBOARD AND WEEKLY NEWSLETTER FOR FURTHER LENTEN SERVICES
IMPORTANT NOTICE – TWO PILGRIMAGES: Assisi & Loreto Pilgrimage: Jubilee of St Francis: 28th-3rd July. Cost £995. 6 days from Manchester. For this year of St Francis we have arranged a pilgrimage to Assisi. It is important that we know soon who wants to go as we need twenty people for pilgrimage to go ahead AND Medjugorje: 15th-22nd September. Cost £799. 8 days from Manchester. See Posters at the back of church for more details. If you are interested, please contact Maria Fryer 07576243343.
Our Three Parishes Social Group are holding a little get together on Saturday 11th April to acknowledge Fr. Paschal's 90th Birthday. If you would like to pop in to 76 Church Road. Bebington between 1pm and 3pm you will be able to partake of some light refreshments and wish Fr. Paschal happy birthday. BUT please NOTE Father has specifically requested NOPRESENTS. So please abide by his wishes.
LIVERPOOL WELSH CHORAL: Will Todd's Passion Music 7.30pmSaturday 28th March 2026 The Tung Auditorium, Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, 6 Oxford Street Liverpool L7 3NY.The main piece, Will Todd's Passion Music is a beautiful and moving re-telling of the story of Holy Week, leading up to Easter, with new settings of the text of My Song is Love Unknown and Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Tickets at: www.lwcu.co.uk
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 .
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Saturday 21st 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Michael Schorfield RIP
Fourth Sunday of Lent 22nd 9.30am Ints Carol Dalziel
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 23rd 9.15am Mass at Plessington College Yr 10
Tuesday 24th 9.15am Mass at Plessington College Yr 11
7.00pm Reconciliation Service
Wednesday – The Annunciation of the Lord 25th 9.30am For Families
Thursday 26th 9.30am NO MASS
Friday 27th 9.15am In Honour of St John – For all Parishes, Young People, Good Friendship in the Parishes
Saturday 28th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Ints Christine Brockway
Fifth Sunday of Lent 29th 9.30am Joe, Edward & Margaret Moore RIP
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
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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Saturday 21st 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm Pauline Thompson
Fourth Sunday of Lent 22nd 11.00am Repose of the Soul of Sean McRory
Monday 23rd 12 Noon Intentions of Sr. Sandra
Tuesday 24th 12 Noon Funeral Mass – Catherine Marie Gouldson
Wednesday 25th 11.00am For Families
NO EVENING MASS AT ST ANNE’S
Thursday 26th NO MASS
Friday 27th 12 Noon For the Parishioners of Sts. Anne, John & Luke and For Youth
Saturday 28th 6.30pm Pauline Thompson
Fifth Sunday of Lent 29th 11.00am Martin Gorman & Charles Gorman RIP Anniversary
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Pope Leo’s Prayer intentions for March: For disarmament and peace: Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
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