Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 15th February, 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
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 15th February, 2026. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: New standards for living: We notice a potentially fruitful tension between the Gospel and the first reading from Sirach. While Jesus makes the commandments even more demanding, Sirach claims that we can keep the commandments if only we really want to. Both readings are very direct and there’s no missing the message. One approach to today’s Scriptures would be to take them as pointers and ideals for Christian morality. Jesus forbids not merely murder, as the most extreme form of disregard for another person, but also lesser forms of injuring others. What unites the three faults he lists (losing one’s temper, using insulting names and of refusing to forgive) is that in each case another person’s feelings are trampled underfoot. The importance of forgiveness is shown by the fact that it comes before strictly religious duties, and presumably the same priority is assigned to the other two matters. So the point Jesus makes is that one must respect not simply people’s right to life but also their right to dignity and self-respect. Then he speaks about sexual purity, but broadening it out to purity of intention in general. A mere legal observance is utterly insufficient for Jesus. The words about self mutilation have never been understood literally by the Church and are best understood as a parable to express vividly the disastrous effects of sin. The correction he makes of the Old Law disallows an abuse which Moses tolerated, namely remarriage after divorce. The exceptive clause (“except on the ground of unchastity”) has long been debated, but its main interpretation in the Catholic Church is that it refers to a previous marriage that was prohibited by Jewish laws. The only divorce permitted is one where there was no real marriage, and Jesus was simply reaffirming the sanctity of the marriage bond, as in Genesis “the two shall become one flesh” — a loving, interdependent unity. The prohibition of oaths has not been taken as literally by the Catholic Church as it has by some other Christians. Jesus held that oaths should not be necessary at all, if there is a general atmosphere of trust and truth-telling. In such a society reinforcement by oaths would not be needed. This it is an atmosphere of openness and mutual confidence which Jesus promoted. What he teaches by his corrections of the Law is a morality of values held from the heart.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Be my protector, O, God a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: They are happy who follow God’s law
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: They ate and had their fill, and what they craved the Lord gave them; they were not disappointed in what they craved.
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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 IS A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: amounted to £470.25p
Altar Flowers Collection amounted to £323.61p. A big thank you from the flower ladies – Kath & Joan. Many thanks for your continued generosity and support.
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 Betty Houston (the mother of our organist Maria) who died recently. Funeral Mass to be held at St John’s on Thursday, 19th February at 12 Noon followed by Landican Crematorium at 2.00pm. Please keep Betty 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 first Sunday of each month. Come along for tea/coffee & biscuits whilst enjoying a chat. The next date will be SUNDAY, 1st MARCH. 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
First Holy Communion this year will take place on Sunday 24th May and Sunday 16th August. Preparation Courses will start in March and June. Registration Forms can be obtained from the Parish Office 645 3324 and by email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com. If your child attends a non-Catholic school Forms can also be obtained from the above. Please see poster on the notice board at the back of church.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – TWO PILGRIMAGES: Assisi & Loreto Pilgrimage: Jubilee of St Francis: 28th-3rd July. Cost £995. 6 days from Manchester. For this year of St Francis we have arranged a pilgrimage to Assisi. It is important that we know soon who wants to go as we need twenty people for pilgrimage to go ahead AND Medjugorje: 15th-22nd September. Cost £799. 8 days from Manchester. See Posters at the back of church for more details. If you are interested, please contact Maria Fryer 07576243343.
World Day of Prayer: We are having a service about Nigeria at 2pm on Friday 6th March. The Theme is: "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30), focusing on peace, solace, and addressing burdens like poverty and systemic oppression. .
Day by Day: There are 2 booklets for sale on the table at the back of church. One for LENT and the other for EASTER. Cost £1.20p each. We have put in a regular order and the booklets will be available each month. They are a good resource to accompany the daily readings.
A Big Welcome to: Finlay Ellis and Isabelle Boyle who were baptised here at St John’s during the month of January and are now members of our Parish community. We welcome them and their parents to become active members of St John’s as we journey together in our faith.
We know it is early, but we need volunteers to help with the Christmas Party on 6th December. We need more people to commit to helping otherwise it will not go ahead this year! If you can help, please contact Diane Baylis. Many thanks
The Diocese Lourdes Pilgrimage Management Committee invites you to drop in to our road show to learn about joining our annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2026, as we celebrate our 75th annual pilgrimage. The road show is being held at Christ the King on 21st February 11am-12.30am. All most welcome.
We Dare to Ask: You can order your Five-week Lenten Course: We Dare to Ask which is a resource for small group faith-sharing and for individual meditation, featuring five sessions each exploring our baptismal vocation, preparing us for the renewal of our baptismal promises at Easter. The booklets can be ordered by emailing aec@rcaos.org.uk The deadline is 19th January 2026. The resource can be ordered via this link: We Dare to Ask — Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis Please see poster on the notice board at the back of church.
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Saturday 14th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Thanksgiving for safe delivery of Baby Luke Connor
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 15th 9.30am Joan Isabella Maher RIP
Ints Charlie Hosie & Pete Houldin
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 16th 9.15am Roy Turner 1st Annv RIP
Tuesday 17th 9.15am NO MASS TODAY
ASH WEDNESDAY 18th 9.30am In Honour of St Luke – for the Sick, Health Workers & Carers
Thursday 19th NO 9.15am MASS TODAY
12 Noon Funeral Mass – Betty Huston
Friday 20th 9.15am Norah Martin RIP
Saturday 21st 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Terry & Norah Inglis B.day Rem RIP
Heidi Meehan RIP
First Sunday of Lent 22nd 9.30am Teodor Hanczaryk RIP
3.00pm Stations of the Cross
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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Saturday 14th 6.30pm Chester Belmar RIP
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 15th 11.00am Emmanuel Ezeh
Timothy Harrington RIP Anni.
Day of Special Prayer for the Unemployed
Monday 16th 12.30pm Funeral Mass – Julia Guo
Tuesday 17th NO MASS
Ash Wednesday 18th 12 Noon For Pope’s Ints – For Children with Incurable Diseases
Thursday 19th NO MASS
Friday 20th 11.00am Stations of the Cross
12 Noon Ronnie Jones 1st Anniversary
Kevin Leneghan RIP Anniversary
Saturday 21st 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm For Sick, Health workers & Carers
First Sunday of Lent 22nd 11.00am Bishop Mark Davies Anniv of his ordination to the Episcopate
Ronnie Jones 1st Anniversary
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