First Sunday of Lent, 22nd February 2026. Cycle A
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
First Sunday of Lent 22nd February, 2026. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE EASY WAY OUT:Fr. Brown was the priest in a parish that was opening its new church. For some strange reason he'd put himself in charge of landscaping the garden area around the building. He started well with lots of earthmoving but as the big day drew near the parishioners couldn't help noticing and commenting on the fact that it was not going to be ready in time. He hadn't even planted anything. He shrugged off their worries and when they arrived on the day they were met with an amazing array of flowers in full bloom. Only a closer look showed that they were all plastic! We may laugh, but there's a bit of Fr Brown in all of us.
How many times have we "made do" with something when really we knew all the time that something more was required? And how many times have we been faced with something awkward and been tempted to take the easy way out?
Being tempted to take the easy way out comes in many different guises. If we see our neighbour's son buying drugs on the street corner do we say anything or do we just ignore it for a quiet life? If Auntie Elsie turns up in a body-hugging leopard skin dress do we comment on the badly distributed 17 stone or do we compliment her? Do we feed our family on wholesome food or do we just open a tin because it's easier? Do we give a few coins to the homeless rather than enquire what we can do to tackle the problem of homelessness? Do we take the time to talk to our children about their day at school or are we just grateful that the TV will occupy them? Of course, papering over the cracks also has more serious consequences:
At the root of all temptation is the easy way out. Temptation offers the chance, seemingly, to have our cake and eat it. The Devil even tried it with Jesus, offering him fame and glory without all the suffering that awaited him but Christ's response was clear and emphatic. As Lent begins we ask ourselves what quick exits we are tempted to take. And we prepare ourselves for the challenge of sticking to the road.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: When he calls me, I will answer him; I will deliver him and give him glory, I will grant him length of days.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Praise to you O Christ, king of eternal glory. Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
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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.
Friday is a Day of Special Prayer for the Needy & Hungry of the World
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £861.40p. Many thanks for your continued generosity and support.
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 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, 1st MARCH. All welcome.
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
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 Courses will start in March and June. Registration Forms can be obtained from the Parish Office 645 3324 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.
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.
World Day of Prayer: We are having a service about Nigeria at 2pm on Friday 6th March. The Theme is: "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30), focusing on peace, solace, and addressing burdens like poverty and systemic oppression. .
Day by Day: There are 2 booklets for sale on the table at the back of church. One for LENT and the other for EASTER. Cost £1.20p each. We have put in a regular order and the booklets will be available each month. They are a good resource to accompany the daily readings.
We know it is early, but we need volunteers to help with the Christmas Party on 6th December. We need more people to commit to helping otherwise it will not go ahead this year! If you can help, please contact Diane Baylis. Many thanks
We Dare to Ask: You can order your Five-week Lenten Course: We Dare to Ask which is a resource for small group faith-sharing and for individual meditation, featuring five sessions each exploring our baptismal vocation, preparing us for the renewal of our baptismal promises at Easter. The booklets can be ordered by emailing aec@rcaos.org.uk The resource can be ordered via this link: We Dare to Ask — Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis Please see poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Stop Assisted Suicide - further action needed! Please take 30 seconds to stop assisted suicide from being forced into law. Right To Life UK has made an EasyAction tool to email your MP asking them to oppose attempts to force assisted suicide into law by bypassing the House of Lords. Please visit www.righttolife.org.uk/ASCommons2026 to ask your MP to oppose forcing the assisted suicide Bill into law.
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Saturday 21st 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Terry & Norah Inglis B.day Rem RIP
Heidi Meehan RIP
First Sunday of Lent 22nd 9.30am Teodor Hanczaryk RIP
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 23rd 9.15am Ints Canon Niall 40th Anniversary of his Ordination
Tuesday 24th 9.15am Ints Bea Porter
Wednesday 25th 9.15am Novena with Lenten Reflections
7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 26th NO MASS
Friday 27th 9.15am In Honour of St John – For all Parishes, Young People & Good Friendship in the Parishes
Decd Relatives & Friends Bell & Nugent Families
Saturday 28th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm James Leiper 1st Annv. RIP
Second Sunday of Lent 1st 9.30am Parishioners of St John’s & St Luke’s
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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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 21st 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm For Sick, Health workers & Carers
First Sunday of Lent 22nd 11.00am Bishop Mark Davies Anniv of his ordination to the Episcopate
Ronnie Jones 1st Anniversary
Monday 23rd 12 Noon Margaret Feeley 90th B’Day
6.00pm First Forgiveness Service of FHC Candidates of St. Anne’s School
Tuesday 24th 12 Noon For all Parishioners of Sts. Anne, John & Luke and For Youth
Wednesday 25th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY - For Families
Thursday 26th NO MASS
Friday 27th 11.00am Stations of the Cross
12 Noon Joanne Jones 13th Anniversary
1-3 pm Rosary
Saturday 28th 6.30pm Julia Guo RIP
Second Sunday of Lent 1st 11.00am Joseph Varghese 4th RIP Anniversary
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