Seventh Sunday of Easter, 1st June, 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
Seventh Sunday of Easter, 1st June 2025. Cycle C.
FAITH IN FOCUS: ENJOY! The seventh week of Easter is a difficult period to celebrate. It's hard to get real about it when the Ascension has taken place and we know that Pentecost is to come in seven days time. We can be forgiven for wanting to jump the gun and move straight to the Whit Sunday feast. We find ourselves in a liturgical limbo. There's nothing unusual about this. We do the same in December when we curtail Advent because we can't wait to get to Christmas. Have we got so used to broadband internet conditions that the old dial-up speed no longer satisfies us? But part of the celebration is the waiting. Part of the richness of God's gift of the Spirit consists in the anticipation of what is to come. Maybe there was something in the now-forgotten idea of novenas, periods of preparation (usually 9 days) when we go through a gradual build-up to the feast itself. Moreover, our eagerness to be "where it's at" is an indication that modern men and women have lost the ability to savour life, to change down a gear, to recover the enjoyment that comes with expectation. It's seen in restaurants where people have decided what they're having even without looking at the menu. It's heard from the woman in the supermarket who buys fast food because an hour is too long to wait for the meat to cook in the oven. Sometimes we're forced to wait whether we like it or not. Babies don't come in much less than nine months, and if Aunt Ethel can only visit us from Australia in the last two weeks of August then there's nothing to be done. Except, of course, to look forward to it and relish the prospect of her being with us. The last week of Easter is a rare opportunity to take delight in God's promises to us. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God within our very being, a spirit that will encourage and stimulate us, console and support us, inspire and enthuse us. We already possess the Spirit from our baptism, but the feast of Pentecost offers the chance to deepen our awareness of that Spirit and to be captivated even more by what God is inviting us to in the future. Coming to terms with such an epic gift is not something to be rushed.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face; hide not your face from me, alleluia.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will be full of joy. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Father, I pray that they may be one as we also are one, alleluia.
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SUNDAY 1ST OF JUNE IS A SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR WORLD COMMUNICATIONS
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 7th June due to First Holy Communion Masses and none on 14th June.All morning services will take place in St Anne’s house; at St John’s: all Masses will be held in the Main Church.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £647.68p. Many thanks for your continued support and generosity.
Special Collection- There will be a special collection this weekend 1st June for World Communications Day.
Wirral Coastal Walk: Deacon Mike is taking part in the Wirral Coastal Walk next month to raise funds for our parish SVP and is asking for as much support as we can all possibly manage. His Sponsor Form is at the back of church and will be there these next two weekends. Many thanks.
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 0151-645-3314 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. Let us continue to pray for the soul of our dear Pope Francis . Please keep Margaret McMahon and all our parishioners who have recently died, with their grieving families, in your prayers. 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 S unday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat.
The next date is this SUNDAY, 1st June 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.
+55 Group will meet on Tuesday, 3rd June at 12.30pm in St Anne’s Parish Centre for afternoon tea. All welcome.
First Sacraments: Please continue to pray for all our young people preparing for their First Holy Communion and all the prayer sponsors who are supporting them. They will be making their First Holy Communion on Saturday 7th June. Pray for them and their families on this special day.
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: 07549226794or Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435.
MARRIAGE HELP - Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next date: 20-22 June www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983
Celebration of Marriage Mass Sunday 22nd June: At the 9.30am Mass (St Johns) and 11am Mass (St Anne’s) Masses will be offered for married people. From 12-3pm a social celebration will be held at St Anne’s Parish Hall, All are welcome.
No to Abortion Up to Birth - action needed!Labour MP, Tonia Antoniazzi, has tabled a new extreme abortion up to birth amendment ahead of Report Stage of the Crime and Policing Bill. This change would likely lead to a tragic rise in the number of babies’ lives being ended through late-term abortions carried out at home. Please help us stop this! Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/uptobirth to email your MP - it takes just 30 seconds!
Birkenhead and East Wirral Pastoral Forum Meeting, which take place on Monday, 30th June, 7.00pm at Our Lady’s, Cavendish Street, Birkenhead
Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation: First Communion will take place on the 15th August, The Feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the programme begins at the beginning of June. Confirmation, this year, is at St John's on Wednesday 19th November. All pupils in Year 9 and upwards are eligible to be confirmed. Registration Forms for both Sacraments are available from the Parish office and online: stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
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.
Reflection Day led by CAFOD: Faith in action during the Jubilee Year. Join us to reflect on the theme of hope and how we can make a difference to our global family and more locally. Hear from various parish groups who have already taken on this challenge and be inspired to be a Pilgrim of Hope. Saturday 14th June, 10-3.30 at St Alban’s RC Church, Liscard, Wallasey. For more info and to register: kkeenan@cafod.org.uk or call 07920 232 936. Light refreshments provided but please bring a packed lunch.
On June 8th, Pentecost Day- to mark this special day, please wear the colours of flames – red, orange or yellow – symbolising the fire of the Holy Spirit. We encourage everyone to say the Our Father in their own language, reflecting the diversity & unity of our Parish community.
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Saturday 31st 5.00pm Barry Miller
Seventh Sunday of Easter 1st 9.30am Smythe & Sabino Families
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 2nd 9.15am Pamela Burke RIP
Tuesday 3rd 9.15am David Black RIP
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 4th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Patricia Henbury RIP
Thursday 5th NO MASS
Friday 6th 9.15am Joe Moore RIP
Saturday 7th 5.00pm For all the children who made their First Holy Communion today.
Pentecost Sunday 8th 9.30am John McNulty 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 31st 10.00am Rosary Service
6.30pm Nonie Elliott RIP
Seventh Sunday of Easter 1st 11.00am Mary Ward 100th Bday Remem
Monday 2nd 12 Noon UCM-Mrs Joan Jenkins 103 Birthday
Tuesday 3rd 12 Noon Rose Larken B’day & Ronie Jones RIP
Wednesday 4th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 5th NO MASS
Friday 6th 12 Noon Eileen Dunbavin RIP
Saturday 7th 6.30pm Elizabeth Aisedian RIP
Roy Turner RIP
Pentecost Sunday 8th 11.00am Chidimma Amuh
Day of Special Prayer for the Church
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Pope Leo XIV Intentions
Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity and that society might be humanized.
Come Holy Spirit
Come Spirit like rain, refresh, renew, revitalise.
Come Spirit like fire, embolden, enlighten, enable.
Come Spirit like a mighty wind, move, challenge, enkindle.
Come Spirit like wave, move, tear down, lift up.
Come Spirit, come Breath, draw us close, make song, bring intimacy.
Come Spirit, come Love, make one, make justice, make peace.
Come Spirit, come Kingdom, come Love.
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