Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 20th July, 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
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time , 20th July 2025. Cycle C.
FAITH IN FOCUS: HOW TO AVOID GOD
We have defined ourselves by what we do, not by what we are. When first meeting a person we often ask “What do you do?” And we seem to be impressed by how busy they are. Somebody with a full diary, with a frenetic lifestyle and a backlog of texts on their mobile phone is considered a success. To have no time is thought of as a status symbol. But we may still not know who we are.
If we always respond to the urgent, we may end up missing the essential. By keeping busy we can easily stave off what we know we should really be doing. Where we set our priorities often says more about how we would like to be thought of than it does about who we really are.
It’s easy to hear the episode about Jesus visiting Martha and Mary and to come out on Mary’s side. She was the one who sat and talked while Martha was going frantic in the kitchen. The gospel tells us that Martha was “distracted” by all the work that had to be done for the meal and the entertaining.
But both Martha and Mary were needed. The guest did not come just for food but for company too. Mary played her part by entertaining Jesus and by allowing herself to be enriched as she listened to what he had to say. Martha’s role was to get everything just right so that the meal would go without a hitch.
It might be a bit harsh to say that the whole occasion smacked of devotion on Mary’s part and of duty on Martha’s. But what is certain is that Martha allowed herself to be “distracted” by important things that could have waited until she’d shown the basic courtesies. Maybe she’d got into the habit of doing everything in the kitchen and then feeling sorry for herself and blaming others? She wouldn’t be the first!
In our relationship with God, do we feel that we have always got to be doing something? Always active, proving our love of God? A faith without any sign of good works would be a lazy one. But if we never slow down enough to talk to God, to rest in God’s presence and to listen for what God is trying to tell us, then we will end up running on very low batteries. And we might find that what we thought was crucial just turns out to be a way of distracting ourselves and avoiding God.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON; See, I have God for my help. The Lord sustains my soul. I will sacrifice to you with willing heart, and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM; The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Open our hearts, O Lord to accept, the words of your Son. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The Lord, the gracious, the merciful, has made a memorial of his wonders; he gives food to those who fear him.
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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: all Masses will be held in the Main Church.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £595.50p. Many thanks for your continued support .
Special Collection: for The Apostleship of the Sea final total to be announced soon..
Wirral Walk-Deacon Mike completed his Wirral Walk to raise funds for the SVP of our Parish Communities total to be announced soon.
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 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 pray for the souls of Bridgit Reilly and Pat Walton who have recently died also for 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 S unday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date is SUNDAY, 7th SEPTEMBER 2025. There is no tea/biscuits during August.
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.
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 is underway. Confirmation, this year, is at St John's on Wednesday 19th November.
Confirmation preparation classes will start on 12th September 6.30pm to 7.30pm in St John's church. Those candidates who have already returned the registration forms will be notified by email.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes The theme for the Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Lourdes is With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope'. Our Youth section leaves on Wednesday, the main pilgrimage coach and the Juniors coach leave on Thursday, and the planes on Friday. There are almost 430 pilgrims this year, which is our biggest number since covid. Many thanks for your help and support in encouraging parishioners to join us in Lourdes this year.
On Sunday 27 July we will be joining the International Mass at 9.30am (8.30am UK time) and on Monday 28 July we will be joining with Hexham & Newcastle Diocese at the Grotto for Mass at 10am (9am UK time). Both Masses and other liturgies will be available to watch on Lourdes TV which can be accessed via www.lourdes-france.com .
The Lourdes Management Team have launched a ‘wish list’ to support our assisted pilgrims. Supporters of the pilgrimage can directly help by purchasing equipment to support their care in the Accueil alongside items to enhance and enrich their all-round experiences in Lourdes. To view the Wishlist and purchase items for the Pilgrimage please scan the QR code below or follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/42FRNUVO3GUX?ref_=wl_share
Join March for Life UK on Saturday 6th Sept in London! The right to life underpins every other right we have and without it every other right is rendered meaningless. Unite with thousands of others at this family-friendly event where we recognise the value of life from conception and stand up for all those impacted by abortion. A coach leaves from St Winifride’s Church, 187 Crowmere Rd, Shrewsbury SY2 5LA (6.30am), Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 542 Cannock Rd, Wolverhampton WV10 8PG (7.15am), St Mary’s The Mount, Glebe St, Walsall WS1 3NX (8am). Seats cost £30 for adults, £10 under 16, payable in advance. For more info/to book a seat contact Isabel 07773501721, Ben 07885505116 info@marchforlife.co.uk
Foundation GovernorsThe Governors at St John’s Catholic Junior School are currently recruiting additional Foundation Governors. The role would suit someone with an interest in serving our community and supporting the needs of our school children. Being a school governor is about supporting the school leadership in their strategic direction, holding the leadership to account for school performance and ensuring good financial management. Training is provided and this is also a great professional development opportunity. Anyone interested in finding out more about the role can contact the school to arrange an informal chat: Tel: 0151 645 9615 Email: schooloffice@stjohns-junior.wirral.sch.uk or we can be contacted directly via email at chair-governors@stjohns-junior.wirral.sch.uk Gillian Dyche and Tony Rutherford, Co Chairs of Governors
Days of Prayer- St. John’s church open for a day of prayer on 23rd July Wednesday from 9am till 4 pm.
St. Anne’s Church open for a day of prayer on 26th July Saturday from 10.30am. All are welcome to mark your own Pilgrimage in this Year of Hope.
Request for help.- If anyone has a serviceable wheelchair that they would be willing to donate to St John’s church to be available for use in any emergency within church, the Parish Team would be very grateful. Please contact via email or phone if you are able to help. Thank you.
Summer Prayer
Help me enjoy the summer days at hand the seductive sound of bird songs and the long days listening to the melody of trees swaying in the wind. Remind me to appreciate creation as my feet gently touch down on green grasses. As I stand blissfully under Your blue skies. I simply say, Thank You, God.
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Saturday 19th 10.30pm Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Peter Hughes
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th 9.30am Eileen Spencer Bday Rem RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 21st 9.15am For those experiencing War
Tuesday St Mary Magdalene 22nd 9.15am Pat Bevan Anniversary
Wednesday St Bridget 23rd 9.15am MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 24th NO MASS
Friday St James Ap 25th 9.15am For Fishermen and their Families
Saturday Ss Joachim & Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary 26th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises 5.00pm In Honour of St Anne – Sister Jeanette Connell (Recovery)
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 27th 9.30am In Honour of St John – Jenny Inglis
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 19th 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm Ron Jones RIP Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 20th 11.00am Fr Mario-Benedict Priesthood Blessing
Monday 21st 12 Noon Eileen Dunbavin RIP
Tuesday 22nd 12 Noon For the Parishioners of St Anne’s, St John’s & St Luke’s in gratitude.
Wednesday 23rd 9.30am MASS AT STANNE’S ONLY
Funeral Mass – Mrs Helen Valdez
7.00pm Ronnie Jones RIP
Day of Special Prayer for Europe
Thursday 24th NO MASS
Friday 25th 12 Noon Thanksgiving to St Joseph
1-3pm Rosary
Saturday 26th 10.30am Church Opens for a Day of Prayer
6.30pm For Families
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 27th 11.00am For Fr Mario & the Parishioners of St Anne’s – With Thanks
12 Noon St Anne’s Feast Day Celebration in the Parish Centre
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Pope Leo XIV Intentions for July
Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel. He prays that the Holy Spirit may inform our decisions and that we may learn to listen attentively to God’s gentle voice.
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