The First Sunday of Advent, 30th November, 2025. 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 First Sunday of Advent, 30th November, 2025. Cycle A
FAITH IN FOCUS: DISTRACTIONS
The story goes that at the time of Noah people gave no thought to their relationship with God. While Noah was preparing to save himself from the Flood, the rest of society was eating, drinking and marrying as if there were nothing to worry about. Then the waters came with a vengeance and they were all swept away. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes, Jesus tells his disciples. So stay awake.Today, the First Sunday of Advent, is the Church’s New Years Day. It’s a time for taking stock, for new resolutions about how we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit in establishing the kingdom of God on earth. What will Christ find when he comes again? Some people think Christ will come again in a literal fashion, on the clouds with a trumpet blast to judge the living and the dead. Others are always on the lookout for natural disasters and wars which they say augur the beginning of the end. There are those who think that the world will gradually become a better and better place until the dawn of that day when the values of God’s kingdom will be those of the universe and all its peoples.
But lots of people don’t think anything about the end of the world. They are too distracted with eating and drinking, marrying, doing this and that. They have their little plans and dreams and these don’t ever come into contact with anything as long-term as their role in ushering in the kingdom.
It’s easy for us to become distracted from the fact that as Christians we are called to be signs of God’s kingdom, to embody those values that Christ preached and taught during his stay on earth. We are invited to be the leaven of society, the signposts to a better quality of living and the bearers of good news. Advent is a reminder that we can become so distracted with the mundane goings-on in our daily life that we end up never giving the kingdom a second thought. Or we can stay awake to the signs of its coming among us.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: I rejoiced when I heard them say let us go to God’s house.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia. Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
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,
WEDNESDAY 3RD DECEMBER IS A DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR ALL MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
On Tuesday 2nd December, St John’s Junior School will be joining us for Mass. The children in Year 5 will be leading the service and we would love as many parents, grandparents and parishioners as possible to join us on this day. We look forward to seeing you there.
Advent Services of Reflection will be held at St John’s and St Anne’s: ST ANNE’S: SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER 3pm. ST JOHN’S SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER 3pm. Both Services will end with Benediction. All most welcome.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: total is £433.95p. Many thanks for your continued generosity and support.
There will be a retiring collection over the weekend of 13th/14th December for Caritas Crib Offering.
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 Norah Martin who sadly died recently. Funeral Mass at St John’s on Tuesday, 2nd December at 12 Noon followed by Landican Crematorium at 1.30pm. Please also pray for Chris Foster who sadly died recently. Chris was involved in the Brownies at St John’s and was also a classroom assistant. Chris’s Funeral will be at Christ the King on Monday 8th December at 9.00am followed by Landican. Please keep Norah and Chris’s 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. Due to the Parish Christmas Party, the next date is SUNDAY, 4TH JANUARY 2026. All welcome.
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.
Advent Day by Day Booklets: containing daily readings throughout Advent are on sale for £1.20p and are on the table at the back of church.
Christmas Party – Our parishes of St John’s, St Luke & St Anne will be celebrating our Christmas Party at St Anne’s Social Club on Sunday 7th December from 12-4pm. See poster at the back of church for further details. Father Christmas will be there! Donations for raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated and placed in the box at the back of church. Tickets are now on sale. Donations of sandwiches and cakes would be gratefully received. If you are able to contribute please fill in and ingredients sheet (on the back table) and bring it with you.
+55 Group: will be holding their Christmas Party at St Anne’s Parish Hall on Tuesday, 9th December at 12.30pm. If you have not already signed up to come along please contact Sheila McAllister as she needs to know the numbers for catering purposes. (07484 285954)
Mary’s Meals – Double the Love: Mary’s Meals’ Double the Love campaign is now running, which means that any donations made will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1million. You can give hope this Christmas to hungry children, with life changing school meals. Your gift will help Mary’s Meals keep our promise into 2026 and beyond to the world’s poorest communities in countries such as Ethiopia, Haiti and South Sudan, where conflict and the devastating impacts of climate change mean our nutritious meals are needed more than ever. There are many ways to get involved, find out more at https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/
Preparation Classes for First Holy Communion: will start today, Sunday 16th November, during the Children’s Liturgy. The Sacrament will be celebrated on Christmas Day here at St John’s. Application Forms can be obtained from the Parish office and by email to stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com
From Clare Marchmont, Secretary, Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality: Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality: There will be midday Mass St Mary's Crewe on 8th December to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Refreshments will be available after Mass, everyone is welcome.
Advent Prayer
In this Season of Advent, inspire us to be a people of hope. Encourage us not to be greedy for material possessions, but for justice and truth. Enflame us with a love for others, which crosses the boundaries of race, religion and nationality. Stir within us an appreciation of the immense beauty of the earth. Be with us, Lord, at this time, that we may be a people of hope. Amen.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Saturday 29th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Jamie Armstrong B.day Rem RIP
The First Sunday of Advent Cycle A 30th 9.30am Sandy Bryan 1st Annv RIP
Alcira Rico de Garcia RIP
Azubike Emmanuel Nnadi RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 1st 9.15am Mary & Arthur Davies RIP
Tuesday 2nd 9.15am Junior School to join us today - For the Homeless
12 Noon Funeral Mass – Norah Martin
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday – St Francis Xavier 3rd 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Decd Members of Quinlan Family
Thursday - St John Damascus 4th NO MASS
Friday 5th 9.15am Norah Martin RIP
Saturday – St Nicholas 6th 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Joe Moore RIP
The Second Sunday of Advent 7th 9.30am Christine McLoughlin 1st Annv. RIP
Azubike Emmanuel Nnadi RIP
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 29th 6.30pm Norah White Anniversary
The First Sunday of Advent 30th 11.00am Christopher Doyle RIP 7th Annv.
Andrea King B’day Remembrance
Monday 1st 12 Noon UCM
7-8.00pm Holy Hour
Tuesday 2nd 11.00am Agnes McDonald RIP
Wednesday 3rd 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Day of Special Prayer all Migrants & Refugees
Thursday 4th NO MASS
Friday 5th 12 Noon Kath Ward RIP
Saturday 6th 6.30pm Lilian Jones RIP
The Second Sunday of Advent 7th 11.00am Andrea King Remembrance
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for December The pope is calling on the faithful to pray for pilgrims of hope for his December prayer intentions. Pope Leo is inviting all to spend this Advent season praying that all Christians bring hope into the world, especially amongst great suffering.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
