The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. 11th 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
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Sunday 11th January, 2026. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: PERSONAL STEREO RELIGION
Life seems to become more and more privatised as the days go by. For whatever reason, we don’t see many children playing games together in our streets or our parks. Buses and trains are full of people who don’t talk to each other because they sit listening to music on their own personal stereos. Teenagers are said to spend many hours a week by themselves in their bedrooms on the computer. And families claim that life is so frenetic that they have to make a special effort to eat a brand of gravy together once a week.Of course, there are some people whose religion is exactly the same. It’s about them and God, about them getting holy and going to heaven. If others can do the same, all well and good; but they don’t actually affect them in any way. These are the sort of people who prefer a “private” wedding or a “private” funeral. After all, it’s about them, not the rest of the parish. Or is it? The feast of the Baptism of the Lord turns all of this on its head. For it reminds us that at our own baptism we were anointed by the priest or deacon. We were anointed with oil so that we could become “priests…prophets…and kings (or queens).” To be a priest means that we offer every moment of our lives to God that they may become sanctified and profitable. To be a prophet means that by our words and actions we are to speak out to our world as spokesmen and women. We are to say what God wants the world to hear. To be a king or queen means to accept responsibility for our world as well as for the kingdom of God. The world we have been given is on loan to us; we are to watch over it, to protect it and hand it on to the next generation in even better condition.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: After the Lord was baptised, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The Lord will bless his people with peace
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The heavens opened and the Father’s voice resounded: “This is my Beloved. Listen to him” Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Behold the One of whom John said: I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God
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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 £612.65p. Many thanks for your continued generosity and support. There will be a retiring collection the weekend of 17/18th January for 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. Thank you to the generous donation received last week.
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 Martin Long who died recently. Funeral Mass to be held at St John’s on Wednesday 14th January at 12 noon followed by Landican Crematorium at 1.30pm. Please also pray for Anne Else who died recently. Funeral arrangements to follow. Please keep Martin and Anne and their families 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 .
St John Plessington Catholic College Foundation Governor Vacancy
A vacancy for a Foundation Governor has arisen at St John Plessington Catholic College and expressions of interests are being sought from practising committed Catholics for the role. Governors have key roles in ensuring clarity of vision, holding the school to account, and financial oversight. Foundation Governors are appointed by Bishop Mark, to represent his and the catholic communities interests, to ensure that the religious character of the school is preserved, and religious education is delivered in accordance with the Bishop’s policy. If you are interested in the role, further information is available from Peadar McLoughlin (Head Teacher) or Chris Lamb (Clerk to the Board) the who can be contacted on 0151 645 5049.
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.
PRAYER:
As we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, we remember our own Baptism.
We thank you for claiming us as your children, and for calling us into lives of meaning and purpose.
Call your people to view all water in the same way that we view the water in the Baptismal font; as your previous life giving gift.
Help us to care for the gift of water, striving to make clean water accessible for all people.
In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.
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Saturday 10th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Trefor Morgan-Hayes
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 11th 9.30am Nigel Salisbury RIP
3.00pm Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday – St Hilary 12th 9.15am Peter John Hughes
Tuesday 13th 9.15am Infants Yr 2 to join us today
Mary Capper RIP
Wednesday 14th 12 Noon MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Funeral Mass – Martin Long
Thursday 15th NO MASS
Friday 16th 9.15am Cath Shore RIP
Saturday – St Anthony 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
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 10th 6.30pm Joseph & Dorothy Watkin
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord 11th 11.00am Lewis Doyle 7th Anniversary RIP
Monday 12th 12 Noon For Maisie & Joan Graham
Tuesday 13th 12 Noon For the Parishioners of Saints. Anne, John & Luke in Gratitude
Wednesday 14th MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 15th NO MASS
Friday 16th 12 Noon Pat Cotter RIP
Saturday 17th 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm Wilfred White B’Day Remembrance
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 18th 11.00am For Maureen & Chris Bowsley & their Family
A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE
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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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