Second Sunday After Christmas.4th January, 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
Second Sunday After Christmas, 4th January, 2026. Cycle A
Extract taken from “Seasons of the Word” by Fr Denis McBride CssR
In today’s gospel we hear the magnificent Prologue to St John’s Gospel: how in the beginning there was the Word through whom all things came to be. When John comes to speak about Jesus you notice how he goes back beyond the time of Jesus’ birth and conception to the very beginning of time itself. He sees Jesus as the Word that was with God, the Word that was God, this Word was not only at the beginning - it made the beginning for all creation. The Word of God worked. It was not just an empty word decorating the air – it was a Word that had power to make the beginning of the world.
At Christmas we celebrate the great mystery of God among us. This is very difficult to grasp: that God gave himself away in the person of Jesus, that he chose to reveal himself in the reality of the life and death of Jesus. This is a unique story in the history of religions. We believe that our main resource for understanding God is the person of his Son, Jesus. In Jesus we have everything there is to know about God. At Christmas we celebrate the humility of God who came among us himself. We celebrate the love that waits for an answer. We know that if our words fail, the Word of God never fails. It has power still. That is why we pray before communion “Lord, I am not worthy to enter under your roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”. We pray that God will speak his Word again in us. That just as he made the beginning through his Word, he will make a new beginning in us.
In this Eucharist we pray that the Word will grow in us; that it will influence all our own words so that we will be as good as our word. For this to be done, the Word of God and our own word will become one. And our own word will then work.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: When a profound silence covered all things and night was in the middle of its course. Your all-powerful Word, O Lord, bounded from heaven’s royal throne.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The Word was made flesh, and lived among us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the pagans; Glory be to you, O Christ. Believed in by the World. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: To all who would accept him, he gave the power to be children 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.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: Christmas Collection £834.90p. Last Weekend’s Collection £697.90p.
Many thanks for your continued generosity and support. There will be a retiring collection the weekend of 17/18th January for Priest’s Retirement Fund.
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 pray for the soul of Martin Long who died recently. Funeral Mass to be held at St John’s on Wednesday 14th January at 12 noon followed by Landican Crematorium at 1.30pm. Please keep Martin and his family 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. The next date is THIS SUNDAY, 4th JANUARY 2026. 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 .
THE BIG CARD is on the table at the back of church. Please write your Christmas message at a suggested minimum donation of £1. All proceeds will go towards the work of The Ark. Please support this very good cause and thank you for your support over the years
+55 Group will be meeting THIS Tuesday, 6th January at 12.30pm in St Annes Parish Hall. Speaker James Tyrell with an update on Laughter Africa. All most welcome,
St John Plessington Catholic College
Foundation Governor Vacancy A vacancy for a Foundation Governor has arisen at St John Plessington Catholic College and expressions of interests are being sought from practising committed Catholics for the role. Governors have key roles in ensuring clarity of vision, holding the school to account, and financial oversight. Foundation Governors are appointed by Bishop Mark, to represent his and the catholic communities interests, to ensure that the religious character of the school is preserved, and religious education is delivered in accordance with the Bishop’s policy. If you are interested in the role, further information is available from Peadar McLoughlin (Head Teacher) or Chris Lamb (Clerk to the Board) the who can be contacted on 0151 645 5049. MASS/SERVICE TIMES FOR NEW YEAR AT ST JOHN’S & ST ANNE’S
Monday 5th January THERE WILL BE NO MORNING MASS AT ST JOHN’S
Mass at ST ANNE’S at 12 Noon
Vigil Mass of the Epiphany 6.00pm at
ST JOHN’S ONLY
Tuesday 6th January The Feast of the Epiphany
Mass 9.30am at ST JOHN’S
Mass 11 am at ST ANNE’S
Wednesday 7th January NO MASS AT ST ANNE’S
Friday 9th January Mass 12 Noon AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Wednesday 14th January Mass 7.00pm at ST JOHN’S ONLY
WEDNESDAY EVENING MASS AT 7.00pm WILL THEN CONTINUE AT ST JOHN’S’ AND ST ANNE’S ON ALTERNATE WEEKS
St John’s Infant School: will be holding an Open Evening on Wednesday, 7th January at 3.30pm-5pm. For more details: 645 5291
All most welcome. See poster on the notice board at the back of church.
EPIPHANY: The idyllic scene of the wise men coming from the ends of the earth to worship the child is a sign of the universal nature of Epiphany’s revelation from God. But it is also a fact that the Lord Jesus loves to reveal himself to those who dare to take the bleak side of the hill with him. Epiphany, tranquil though it may be, points the way to Calvary. (Elizabeth Fuller) Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. (Leo Buscaglia)
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Saturday 3rd 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Dec’d Rels/Fnds of Brannon & Kenny Families RIP
Second Sunday After Christmas 4th 9.30am David Dobson RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday - Vigil Mass of the Epiphany of the Lord 5th NO MORNING MASS AT ST JOHN’S
6.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Luciana Sadri B.day Remembrance
Tuesday - Solemnity of The Epiphany of the Lord 6th 9.30am Family & Friends of Moore Family
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 7th NO MASS
Thursday 8th NO MASS
Friday 9th 12 Noon MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Saturday 10th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Trefor Morgan-Hayes
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 11th 9.30am Nigel Salisbury RIP
3.00pm Benediction
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 3rd 6.30pm For All Prison Staff
Second Sunday After Christmas 4th 11.00am Fr Liam Lawton
Brian & Maher Families
Monday 5th 12 Noon UCM
Sue McCreesh
7-8pm Holy Hour
Tuesday The Epiphany of the Lord 6th 11am Ellen Hornby RIP
St Anne’s School will be joining
Wednesday
7th NO MASS
Thursday 8th NO MASS
Friday 9th 12 Noon MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
1.30 pm Funeral Service – Paul Gordon Scott
Saturday 10th 6.30pm Joseph & Dorothy Watkin
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 11th 11.00am Lewis Doyle 7th Anniversary RIP
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Pope Leo’s Prayer Intentions for January
Let us pray that praying with the word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.
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