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
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 14th September 2025. Cycle C.
Extract taken from “Seasons of the Word” by Fr Denis McBride C.Ss.R The cross as a sign of hope is a paradox. It is like the writing we can read on tombs in old graveyards; Ave crux, unica spes – Hail cross, our only hope. That is a good summary of the Christian faith; in the cross of Jesus, our hope has dawned. Death and hope seem unsuitable companions. We say “Where there’s life there’s hope”. As long as we live we’re able to open ourselves to the future. Our hope gives shape and direction to our lives; it gives us a reason for getting up in the morning. But we know that when we hope we become vulnerable. Hoping is always a risk because it looks to what is not here. To avoid the pain of disappointment some people give up hoping. They follow the sad advice; expect nothing and you will never be disappointed. But those who live without hope become bitter and cynical. To lose hope is to die in the midst of life. Like the people of Israel in today’s first reading, they stop hoping in God because of the pain that goes with their new freedom. They want freedom without wilderness; they want liberation without suffering. God sends a plague of serpents and the people get stung. Sometimes we get smart after we have been stung! Moses makes an image of the brazen serpent so that those who looked on it might be saved. Another paradox: the serpent as saviour. The God who sent the serpent later sends his beloved Son – one who would not sting the people into freedom but who would be stung to death himself. In Jesus it is God himself who is stung, it is the crucified God who pays the price for freedom. And the price is paid by Jesus himself. He is nailed to the cross. He does not die a natural death; he is put to death. In all this, he does not despise what is human. As Paul says, Jesus does not cling to his equality with God, but becomes a servant. He enters the deprivation of humanity and the forsakenness of death. And God raises him and gives him a name which is higher than all names. In the resurrection, hope is born again. That is why we hope. Hope is born out of realism; it is born out of love. Christian hope is born out of the death of Jesus. In the cross there can be triumph. And that is what we celebrate today.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Never forget the deeds of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you; because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Neither death nor life nor any created thing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ.
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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: all Masses will be held in the Main Church.
Sunday is a special day of prayer for Education.
No Sunday Prayer Meeting until 21st September.
Pilgrimage of the Jubilee icons, will be arriving at St John’s Infant school on Monday 15th September.
Medjugorje pilgrimage- We wish all those parishioners and Fr Mario a safe and fruitful trip to Medjugorje this week. May they return next week renewed, refreshed and fulfilled.
Be aware of Mass changes as a result for this week and next week. Thank you.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £583.94p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Home Mission Sunday- There will be a retiring collection for this over the weekend of 20th/21st September.
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 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 continue on the first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date is SUNDAY, 5th OCTOBER 2025. All welcome.
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.
Confirmation: Confirmation, this year, is at St John's on Wednesday 19th November at 7.00pm. Confirmation preparation classes began on Friday 12th September 6.30pm to 7.30pm in St John's church. Those candidates who have already returned the registration forms have been notified by email.
Jubilee for Catechists with Bishop Mark Davies, the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and Natalie Orefice, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis. On Saturday 15th November at St Joseph's Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. Book a free place here: https://bit.ly/Jubilee-for-Catechists PLEASE SEE THE 2 POSTERS ON THE NOTICE BOARD AT THE BACK OF CHURCH
SVP- Turning Concern Into Action -If you know of anybody who needs help or a listening ear, please contact the SVP at St John's/St Anne's by calling or sending a text message to 07391644871
Jubilee of Social Justice: to be held at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday, 20th September for all those involved in catholic social action within England and Wales. Holy Mass at 12 Noon, followed by light lunch and Social Action Exhibition in Pontifical Hall. See poster on the notice board at the back of church.
Dates for your Diary: On Sunday 12th October: we will be holding our annual International Mass. The Mass will include bidding prayers in languages spoken by our community. There are so many different cultures within St John’s & St Luke’s Parishes & we would like to encourage people to share with us. Please see the sheets at the back of church to sign up to be involved. Please also have a word with Fr Mario. It would also be a great privilege for people to come to Mass in their national dress. Reception at St Anne’s Parish Club 12 Noon. On Sunday 19th October Bishop Mark Davies will be at St John’s for his Pastoral visit. There will be an opportunity to speak to the Bishop after Mass.
MFL Ministry retreat day in October – See poster at the back of church for details.
Marriage preparation Courses- There are three courses for 2026. Each course runs over two consecutive Saturdays 9.30am to 4.30 pm each day 1. St Columbas Church Parish Hall on the 7th & 14th of February 2026 Address: Plas Newton Ln Chester, CH2 1SA or 2. Vincent de Paul Church Westleigh Parish Hall on the 28th of February & 7th of March 2026: Address: Groby Road Altrincham WA14 2BQ or 3. Shrewsbury Cathedral Parish Hall on the 21st & 28th of March 2026: Entrance Address: Town Walls Shrewsbury SY1 1UE
The Hospitality AGM will take place on Sunday 21st September at 2pm in the Parish Centre at St Hugh and St John Manchester Road, West Timperley, WA14 5NB . ( Access to the main car park is via St Hugh's Close WA14 5HL ) All hospitality members are invited to attend .
Following the success of last year’s Day of Reflection, Fr Sean Henry has kindly offered to run another such day for Hospitality members. This will take place on Sat 18 October at Shrewsbury Cathedral. Details to follow.
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Saturday 13th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Vera Brockway RIP
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time- The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 14th 9.30am Brenda Hawes
3.00pm Benediction
Day of special prayer for Education
Monday- Our Lady of Sorrows 15th 9.15am Mary & Ernie Turner RIP
Tuesday 16th MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Wednesday 17th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Ron Edwards RIP
Thursday 18th NO MASS
Friday 19th MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Saturday 20th 5.00pm Laurence Reavey RIP
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Evangelii Gaudium 21st 9.30am Hannah Tunna
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 13th 6.30pm Jose Mamczur RIP
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ord Time 14th 11.00am Lewis & Marie Doyle 60th Wedding Anniversary Remembrance
Monday 15th 12 Noon Effie-Jones Wallis
Tuesday 16th 12 Noon Innocent Ashuikeka RIP
Daniel Brett 3rd Anniv RIP
Wednesday 17th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 18th NO MASS
Friday 19th 12 Noon Rose & Clive Larkins 50th Wedding Anniversary
Saturday 20th 6.30pm For the Sick, Health Workers & Carers
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st 11.00am Mary English RIP
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Pope Leo XIV Intentions for September
For Our Relationship with All Of Creation. Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
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Thank you to all who supported last Saturday's cream tea afternoon in any way. £326 was raised for the food bank and McMillan
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