Second Sunday of Easter, 27th 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
Second Sunday of Easter, 27th April 2025. Cycle C. Feast of th Divine Mercy
FAITH IN FOCUS: SHALOM
After the tumultuous events of Holy Week, Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his subsequent trial and execution, where were the disciples? Not out on the streets preaching and teaching, not mounting a campaign to prove the innocence of the dead Jesus, but all huddled together in a rented room with the doors locked. They were afraid. Perhaps they feared that the guards would come and look for them as they had done for their master. The gospel simply says the doors were locked "for fear of the Jews". What Jesus says to them, when like a ghost he appears in the locked room, is "Shalom". They would have known this to be the usual greeting which people exchanged on meeting. Yet Jesus says to them a second time "Shalom". Shalom doesn't simply mean "peace". It means that deep-down feeling of health, prosperity, security and freedom. It is a positive thing rather than just the absence of disquiet. Shalom is that unshakeable sensation that we are held in the palm of God's hand and nothing can ever separate us from him. When we feel afraid or disquieted it's a comfort to know that even the disciples found it hard to be calm all the time. When we begin to doubt the substance of our faith, when we become discouraged and think we're getting nowhere, Jesus has one simple word for us: "Shalom". Faith in the risen Lord does not mean that everything becomes rosy, that we wander through life with no problems or concerns. You could argue that the more a person believes, the deeper the questions and doubts that arise. But what it does mean is that we are able to view the same realities from a different perspective, through a different lens. The fact that Jesus is risen from the dead means that we no longer face things alone. We no longer are held in the grip of anxiety and fear. Jesus rose not to abandon us but to be by our side. He is as present to us today as he was in that room with the disciples. And, whatever our fears are, his presence offers us Shalom.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Receive the joy of your glory, giving thanks to God, who has called you into the heavenly kingdom, alleluia, alleluia.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: “You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe”. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails, and do not be unbelieving but believing, alleluia, alleluia.
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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 OR CENACLE MASS ON SATURDAY 3rd MAY
Rosary & Divine Mercy Devotions: to be held at St John’s on Sunday, 27th April at 2.30pm. Speaker: Fr Mario Ashuikeka. All most welcome
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 £1411.66p. Many thanks for your continued support and generosity.
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.
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 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.
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.
Supporting the Vocation to Marriage & Family Life: Calling those interested in supporting the vocation of marriage and family a retreat day on 7th June, 9.30am-4.00pm at Parish Hall, Holy angels Church, Wicker Lane, Hale Barnes WA15 0HG. To Register please contact: Monika at monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07549226794 or Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435.
Vote against the Assisted Suicide Bill: Postcards are at the back of the church to write to the MP to vote against the Bill. Kindly send these postcards to the MP as soon as possible.
A Vacancy for an Energy Contracts Officer has arisen in the Interdiocesan Fuel Management Department (IFM) based at the Curial Offices in Birkenhead. Salary: £27-£30K depending on experience. Hours: 35 per week. Further details of the post can be found on the Diocesan website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ CV with covering letter should be directed to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshewsbury.org Closing date: 9 May 2025.
The Governors of St John’s Catholic Infant School would like to let all Parishioners and their families know that the school has places available for children starting Foundation 2 and Pre School this coming September 2025. For further information, please contact the school office – Tel. 0151 645 5291 or email schooloffice@stjohns-infant.wirral.sch.uk St John’s Infant School provides a loving and caring Catholic Christian community where everyone works together to make a happy, enjoyable and successful learning environment. Following a successful OFSTED inspection in November 2023, we were awarded an overall grade of Good, with behaviour as Outstanding.Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding- Pupils’ attitudes towards their learning are exemplary. From the start of the early years, children learn to focus on each task and to take responsibility for their own learning. (Ofsted Nov 23)
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Saturday 26th 5.00pm Pope Francis RIP
Second Sunday of Easter Feast of the Divine Mercy 27th 9.30am Pope Francis RIP
2.30pm Divine Mercy & Rosary
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 28th 9.15am Pope Francis RIP
Tuesday 29th 9.15am All Victims of War and Conflict
Wednesday 30th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 1st NO MASS
Friday 2nd 9.15am Roy Turner RIP
Saturday 3rd 5.00pm Helen Westerside RIP
Third Sunday of Easter 4th 9.30am Winifred Shaw
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 26th 10.00am Holy Mass – Pope Francis RIP
11-3pm Veneration
4.00pm Benediction
6.30pm Holy Mass for Families
Second Sunday of Easter 27th 11.00am Pope Francis RIP
Blessing with the Relics
Monday 28th 12 Noon Pope Francis RIP
Tuesday 29th 12 Noon Sr. Imelda Coyne 90th B’day
Wednesday 30th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Eithne Waldron RIP
Thursday 1st NO MASS
Friday 2nd 12 Noon Joseph Locke RIP
Saturday 3rd 6.30pm Anne Tighe RIP
Third Sunday of Easter 4th 11.00am Gerard Edwards RIP
Eileen Armstrong Bday Anniversary
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