Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord, 13th April, 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
Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord, 13th April, 2025. Cycle C
FAITH IN FOCUS: GOING WITH THE FLOW?
When the word “crowd” is used in the gospels it’s almost as if it is some sort of audience. The crowd follows Jesus here and there wanting to relish the cut and thrust of the arguments between him and the authorities; it’s there for something to eat in the desert, to see the scribes and the Pharisees put in their place or to enjoy a good miracle. Jesus says it’s like sheep without a shepherd. And most of all it is fickle. It can change allegiance as quickly as the wind can change direction.
So on Palm Sunday we see the crowd gathering to watch its hero as he approaches Jerusalem. The people even spread their coats on the floor in front of him and cheer him as their great white hope in shining armour, even though he is unarmed and riding on donkey. But by Friday the mood changes and the crowd bays for his blood. Offered the chance of releasing a prisoner they choose Barabbas, a well-known criminal. Never trust a cheering crowd.
But before we get on our high horses and throw scorn at the crowd, let’s admit that we’re just the same. We have our moments of great faith and devotion and then the next minute we behave in ways that are far from the gospel.
During this Holy Week we are inevitably going to be in the crowd, but we are offered the opportunity of standing out from it, of not simply going with the flow. On Maundy Thursday we are given the chance of pledging ourselves once more to service of each other, symbolised by the Washing of the Feet, a service that culminates in Eucharist. On Good Friday we praise God for the victory of the cross and offer ourselves to be taken, broken and used in whatever way God chooses to use us. And on Holy Saturday, as the Easter event becomes clear, we celebrate the core of our faith that Jesus has conquered all evil and that he invites us to share life to the full. Singing our alleluias means that we are signing on the dotted line to be permanent witnesses of this by our lives.
So let’s take our place in the crowd. But let’s not simply go with the flow.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Six days before the Passover, when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, the children ran to meet him; in their hands they carried branches and with a loud voice they cried “Hosanna in the highest. Blessed are you who have come in your abundant mercy!
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him a name which is above all names. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Father, if this chalice cannot pass without drinking it, your will be done.
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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. THERE WILL BE NO DEVOTIONS ON SATURDAY, 19TH APRIL
All morning services will take place in St Anne’s house; at St John’s: From Monday 31st March all Masses will be held in the Main Church.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £838.10p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Further to the recent Boiler appeal, a separate bank account has now 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.
Thank you for the further generous donations received towards the Boiler Fund.
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 0151-645-3314 You can get in touch with Ann Murray on 07745490279 regarding general parish queries.
DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION: to be held at St John’s Church on Sunday 27th April at 2.30pm. All most welcome.
Mass Intentions Please complete an intentions envelope which are on the table at the back of church. If a particular date is requested please 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 our parishioners who have recently died and their grieving families. May they 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 Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date is SUNDAY, 4th May 2025.
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 of church.
First Sacraments: Thank you to all those who have signed up to be prayer sponsors for our children making their First Sacraments this year. Please keep the children in your prayers. Just a reminder, that on Tuesday 29th April at 2.00pm, there will be a special Mass for Prayer Sponsors in St John’s Junior School. Please telephone the school on 0151 645 9615 to let us know if you are able to attend or not. Many thanks.
Parishes of Saints Anne, John & Luke Pilgrimage to St Josephs (Eucharistic Shrine), Stockport Thursday 5th June Price £15 per person. The list is now closed. Diane Baylis will be collecting your money after Mass on Saturday evenings and Liz Jones will be available after Mass on Sunday mornings.
FATIMA & MEDJUGORIE 2025: if you are interested in joining Fr Mario on pilgrimage to Fatima on 10th June for 5 days (£650) or to Medjugorie on 16th September for 8 days (£749), please contact Maria Fryer on 07576243343. Flying from Manchester, airport transfer, tour guide, bed, breakfast and evening meal included.
+55 Group : The meeting being held on Tuesday, 6th May at 12.30pm is to Celebrate 80 Years Since the End of WW2. Cost £7. There will be a buffet, raffle & entertainment. If you are attending, please contact Sheila McAllister as she needs to know numbers for catering purposes - RSVP 07484285954. THERE IS A SIGN UP SHEET ON THE TABLE AT THE BACK OF CHURCH.
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday, 13th April: 9.30am Mass at St John’s
11.00am Mass at St Anne’s
Maundy Thursday, 17th April: 7.00pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St John’s ONLY
Good Friday, 18th April: 10.00am Stations of the Cross by the Children at St Anne’s
12 Noon: Good Friday Churches Together Parade is gathering at 12pm at the Sundial in Port Sunlight Village
3.00pm The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at
St Anne’s ONLY
Holy Saturday, 19th April: 8.00pm Holy Mass at St John’s ONLY
Easter Sunday, 20th April: 9.30am Mass at St John’s
11.00am Mass at St Anne’s
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Visit of the Relics: On Saturday 19th April (Holy Saturday) there will be a briefing session for all those who have volunteered to help during the visit of the relics at 10.30am in St Anne's Church.
Anyone who would still like to volunteer, but has not signed up, you are welcome to attend the briefing.
Divine Mercy and St Michael Retreat is being held on Friday 2nd May 2.00– 3.30pm at Birkenhead Carmelite Monastery Grosvenor Place, Birkenhead, Prenton, Merseyside CH43 1UA. See poster on the notice board at the back of church for details.
Cafod Myanmar Earthquake Appeal: Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, CAFOD is responding through the Catholic Church. You can donate on line at Cafod.org.uk/myanmar or by calling 0303 303 3030. You can also text EARTHQUAKE to 70450 to donate £10
HELP NEEDED PLEASE: to move a large commercial photocopier from the presbytery and take it to the electrical section of the local council tip. It is too big for a car or SVU. It will need someone with a van and a licence to go into the tip. If you can help, please contact Ann Murray 07745490279 or ring the Parish office 0151 645 3314.
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Saturday 12th 10.00am The Northern Team of Our Lady Day of Recollection
5.00pm Philip White RIP
Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord 13th 9.30am John McNulty RIP
3.00pm Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 14th 9.15am Ints of St John’s SVP
Tuesday 15th 9.15am Ints Carol Dalziel
Wednesday 16th NO EVENING MASS AT ST ANNE’S
Holy Thursday – The Lord’s Supper 17th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Baby Cody Bateman RIP
Good Friday - Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 18th 12 Noon Walk of Witness: Starting at the Sundial in Port Sunlight Village
3.00pm SERVICE AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Vigil Mass of Easter 19th 8.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Parishioners of Our Three Parishes
Easter Sunday 20th 9.30am Brian Jones 2nd Anniv.
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 For Prison Staff
Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord 13th 11.00am Mary Basden RIP
Lew & Christopher Doyle Remb.
Monday 14th 12noon Joseph Locke RIP
Tuesday 15th 12noon Noreen O’Riordan RIP
Wednesday 16th 10.00am Funeral Mass - Eileen Dunbavin
NO EVENING MASS
Holy Thursday – The Lord’s supper 17th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Good Friday – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 18th 10.00am Stations of the Cross by the Children
12 Noon Walk of Witness: starting at the sundial in Port Sunlight Village
3.00pm CELEBRATION OF THE PASSION AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Vigil Mass of Easter 19th 8.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Easter Sunday 20th 11.00am Mark McKenzie RIP
Daniel Brett Remb.
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Good Friday Churches Together Parade is gathering at 12pm at the Sundial in Port Sunlight Village
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