Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, 18th 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 in Ordinary Time, 18th January, 2026. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE LAMB OF GOD
When John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God” what did his hearers think he was talking about? To us it seems such a strange thing to say. Was it any less strange for the people on the banks of the River Jordan? Those who knew about the scriptures would think of two things. They would remember some mysterious passages in the prophecies of Isaiah, and their minds would also go back to the Exodus and its annual celebration at Passover. At one stage in their history the Jews were deported to Iraq, to Babylon, close to Baghdad. Their hopes seemed dashed as for about fifty years they were separated from Jerusalem and the proper practice of their religion. At that time Isaiah (or one of his disciples) begins to talk about a mysterious “suffering servant” who would take on the troubles of the people and ultimately save them by giving his own life.The Jews in today’s gospel might have been back home in Jerusalem but once more they were under army occupation, this time by the Romans. When John points Jesus out as the “Lamb of God” his hearers would have made the connection with the “suffering servant” of Isaiah. Some would have hoped for a revolutionary leader to overthrow the Romans, but others would remember the perfect disciple of God who proclaims the true faith in the midst of errors, who suffers to atone for the sins of the people and who is ultimately glorified by God.Of course, not everyone would have immediately taken all this in. But every Jew would have made the connection with the Exodus and the Passover. For the lamb was the animal by which the people were saved from Egyptian slavery and brought into the Promised Land. It was with the blood of the lamb that sacrifices were made daily in the Temple and at the annual celebration of Passover it was a lamb that was eaten. The lamb was a central spiritual symbol. So when John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God” it started to ring bells for his hearers. Who was this man? What did he want? What would he do? Little did they suspect. And little did they know..Our religion is the expression of our baptism. We are baptised into a living, believing community that worships collectively, that publicly makes its stand for the power of God’s word in our world and is ready to come to the aid of those whose human dignity is under threat. That’s because our baptism calls us to be other Christs in our world. Far from being a private hobby it is a reminder that our vocation is to be part of the ever-advancing People of God. And if we’re to be part of a people, then we need others.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing your name, O Most High!
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens! Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
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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 18th January is Peace Sunday and a Day of Special Prayer for World Peace.
We welcome St John’s Juniors Yr3 to Mass on Sunday 18th January for their Enrolment Mass.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: Last Weekend’s Collection £488.50p.
The Big Christmas Card collection for The Ark raised £144.60p. which included a donation from The Dust Busters. Many thanks for your continued generosity and support. There will be a retiring collection THIS weekend for the 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 Anne Else who died recently. Funeral Mass to be held at St John’s on Wednesday 28th January at 9.15am followed by Landican Crematorium at 10.30am. Please keep Anne and her 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 will be SUNDAY, 1st FEBRUARY. 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
To ALL Readers: A Blessing Service for Ministers of the Word will take place during both Masses over the weekend of 24th/25th January.
Thank You Celebration: Fr. Mario would like to invite all the Parish Volunteers and Helpers to a thank you celebration to be held in the Pariah Hall on Sunday 25th of January 2026 after the 11am Mass.
Updated information on the Betrothed – Marriage Preparation. Courses: These courses are offered by the Diocese of Shrewsbury in 2026 and updated information can be found on the posters on the notice board at the back of church.
St John’s Junior School: We are looking for people to be prayer sponsors for the 50 children who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion this year. If this is something that you would be willing to do, then please speak to the member of school staff at the back of church this weekend. They will take your name and give you some more information. We are only looking for one prayer sponsor for each child (although you can pray for all of them!). If someone you are looking for is taken, please select another child.
On Tuesday 27th January we will be having a special Mass at 2:00pm at St John’s Junior School for all those who volunteer to be prayer sponsors. Please put the date and time in the diary. Don’t worry if you cannot attend this Mass – we would still very much like you to put your name down. Thank you on behalf of the children. Your prayers are very much appreciated.
Chaplain's vacancy at Upton Hall: For application forms and further details contact the school or visit the web site. Application Forms only together with supporting paperwork (no CVs) to be returned by email recruitment@uptonhall.org. Closing date: 2 February 2026 at 10.00am. Interviews: 10 February 2026.
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Saturday 17th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Norah Martin RIP
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 18th 9.30am Enrolment Mass for Yr3 Juniors
In Honour of St Luke – For the Sick, Health Workers and Carers
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday – St Wulstan 19th 9.15am Decd Members of the Thwaite Family
Tuesday – St Sabastian 20th 9.15am Ints Tony Delaney
Wednesday – St Agnes 21st 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 22nd NO MASS
Friday 23rd 9.15am Ralph Fryer RIP
Saturday – St Francis de Sales 24th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Ruth Smith (Carmelite Community)
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 25th 9.30am David McDermott 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.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 17th 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm Wilfred White B’Day Remembrance
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 18th 11.00am Maureen & Chris Bowsley & their Family
A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE
Monday 19th 12 Noon For Sick, Health Workers & Carers
Tuesday 20th 12 Noon Terry Birch RIP Anniv. 26yrs
Wednesday 21st 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 22nd NO MASS
Friday 23rd 12 Noon Jack Stormont RIP
Saturday 24th 6.30pm For Maisie & Joan Graham
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 25th 11.00am Pat & Philip McCarthy & their Family
Day of Special Prayer For the openness to the Word of God
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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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