Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Sunday 23rd November, 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
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Sunday 23rd November 2025. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: STRANGE KINGDOM
The scene on Calvary seems at first an odd gospel to fit the feast of Christ the King. Christ is on the cross with two criminals, one on each side. What has this to do with his kingship? Surely it's more a scene of defeat and humiliation? Yet if we look more closely at what's going on we begin to get an idea of the type of king Jesus is. The unrepentant criminal mocks Jesus and calls upon him to perform an escape act for all three of them. The repentant one simply accepts Jesus and asks, even in the midst of all his troubles, for a place in the kingdom. St Luke emphasises Christ's kingdom by drawing attention to his mercy. For it is by mercy that Jesus exercises his power. He preached that his kingdom was not of this world. But it is established in this world and its values are at odds with all the secular empires and kingdoms that we live with today.
Jesus is king because he is capable of breaking the power of evil, of snapping the grip of sin and death, and of restoring us to a former glory that God intended for us. As a result the "constitution" of this kingdom differs vastly from those of the world. Only a person who really loves can show mercy. And the mercy of Jesus's kingdom is seen in the type of society that he urges us to build: an eternal kingdom that aims to embrace and redeem the whole human race, and in which there are no strangers. Calling Christ our king means collaborating in building up this kingdom.
If today we are crowning Christ as king of our lives then we must do it by creating a society that respects truth and fosters life in all its forms. God's unusual kingdom is one that tries to live by imitating his holiness and living by his grace. It is the community of those who have a thirst for justice rather than a hunger for profit, who extend the hand of love and care rather than the boot of competitiveness, and who seek not to cause conflict and division but always to promote peace.
And how do we enter this strange kingdom? Like the repentant criminal on the cross, by acknowledging our need for God's mercy.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honour. To him belong glory and power for ever and ever.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The Lord is King with majesty enrobed
Alleluia! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our father David! Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The Lord sits as King for ever. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
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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.
SUNDAY 23RD NOVEMBER IS A SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
On Tuesday 25th November, daily Mass will be held at St John’s Junior School at 2pm. The children in Year 6 will be leading the service and we would love as many parents, grandparents and parishioners as possible to join us on this day. We look forward to seeing you there.
Advent Services of Reflection will be held at St John’s and St Anne’s: ST ANNE’S: SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER 3pm. ST JOHN’S SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER 3pm. Both Services will end with Benediction. All most welcome.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: total is £672.60p. The collection for the Clergy Education & Training Fund amounted to £255.25p. 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. Many thanks for the generous donation received last weekend.
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 pray for the soul of Norah Martin who sadly died last weekend. Funeral Mass at St John’s on Tuesday, 2nd December at 12 Noon followed by Landican Crematorium at 1.30pm. Please keep Norah and her family, especially Billy, in your prayers and 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. Due to the Parish Christmas Party, the next date is SUNDAY, 4TH JANUARY 2026. 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 was held in St John’s last Wednesday evening. Please continue to keep all the candidates in your prayers, as they continue their journey of faith.
Following two very successful one-day conferences in London, the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis for the Diocese of Shrewsbury and the Baptism Collaborative are organising a similar opportunity for northern-based clergy, catechists and all interested to Reimagine Baptism. It is taking place on Friday 28 November 2025 for Clergy and repeated on Saturday 29 November 2025 for all others. It will be held at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Tatton Street, St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1EJ. To book a place email natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org. Please find poster attached. The Keynote talk will be given by Abbot Hugh Allen O.Praem, the recently appointed Mission Director at the Bishops’ conference.
Advent Day by Day Booklets: containing daily readings throughout Advent are on sale for £1.20p and are on the table at the back of church.
Christmas Party – Our parishes of St John’s, St Luke & St Anne will be celebrating our Christmas Party at St Anne’s Social Club on Sunday 7th December from 12-4pm. See poster at the back of church for further details. Father Christmas will be there! Donations for raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated and placed in the box at the back of church. Tickets are now on sale. Donations of sandwiches and cakes would be gratefully received. If you are able to contribute please fill in and ingredients sheet (on the back table) and bring it with you.
+55 Group: will be holding their Christmas Party at St Anne’s Parish Hall on Tuesday, 9th December at 12.30pm. If you have not already signed up to come along please contact Sheila McAllister as she needs to know the numbers for catering purposes. (07484 285954)
Festive Stays 2025: Could you lay an extra place at your table this Christmas for an international student? Each year the charity EIL UK receives hundreds of applications from international students studying at British universities hoping to experience Christmas or New Year in a British home. If you could offer friendship and host an overseas university student for a 3 night stay between 24th and 27th December 2025, drop us a line at host@wiluk.org to find out more about this rich and rewarding experience and how you can be part of the HOST UK programme.
Preparation Classes for First Holy Communion: will start today, Sunday 16th November, during the Children’s Liturgy. The Sacrament will be celebrated on Christmas Day here at St John’s. Application Forms can be obtained from the Parish office and by email to stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
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Saturday 22nd 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Parishioners of St John’s & St Luke’s
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 23rd 9.30am Margaret Brannock 1st Annv RIP
Azubike Emmanuel Nnadi RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 24th 9.15am Mary & Arthur Davies RIP
Tuesday 25th 2.00pm Mass in Junior School - Vocations
Wednesday 26th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
For Families
Thursday 27th NO MASS
Friday 28th 9.15am Lily & Harold Thwaite RIP
Saturday 29th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Jamie Armstrong B.day Rem RIP
The First Sunday of Advent 30th 9.30am Sandy Bryan 1st Annv RIP
Azubike Emmanuel Nnadi 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 22nd 6.30pm Kathleen Murphy RIP
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 23rd 11.00am Pat Simmons RIP
DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Monday 24th 12 Noon Peggy Marmion RIP
Tuesday 25th 12 Noon Kath Ward RIP
Wednesday 26th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
For Families
Thursday 27th NO MASS
Friday 28th 12 Noon For the deceased of our Nursing Homes in 2025
1-3pm Rosary
Saturday 29th 6.30pm Norah White Anniversary
The First Sunday of Advent 30th 11.00am Christopher Doyle RIP 7th Anni.
Andrea King B’day Remembrance
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Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for November
For the prevention of suicide
Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
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