The Third Sunday of Advent, 14th December, 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 Third Sunday of Advent, 14th December, 2025. Cycle A
IN FOCUS: SOAP OPERA GOD?
Have you noticed in the TV soap operas that anytime a character is introduced into the plot who has a religious side to them, they are nearly always portrayed as some sort of weird influence? They are usually elderly people who wander around quoting chapter and verse from the bible, interfering mothers-in-law ruining families, or impressionable people ending up with a nervous breakdown.
Maybe this is because the scriptwriters have bought into all the extremes of religiosity and combined them into individual people. Certainly, you never see a happy family on its way back from church on Sunday. This wouldn't fit in with the media idea of the soap opera or the Church.
Sometimes Christians can be guilty of giving this impression of God and religion. God becomes someone of whom they are basically frightened, a God who imposes strict rules and then sits back waiting to catch people out before returning to unleash awful torment on them.
Today's liturgy, and the season of Advent, shows that things are quite the opposite. We wait for the second coming of our God, because we are sure that God comes to set us free. Isaiah speaks about a desert blooming again, sick people being cured, and general gladness and festivity. In fact, the keyword for today's liturgy is "rejoice".
Like the people in the scripture today, we too are blind, deaf and lame. There are areas of our lives that could be productive, but we continue to hobble along making do with what we are used to. The coming of Jesus is for us as well and it's intended as a liberation not a life sentence.
Advent summons us to yearn for God's coming, to live our lives with longing for his return among us, and to proclaim by the way we live that Jesus is the most important thing in our lives. Christianity is not some sort of club for repressed maniacs who fear their God, but a calling to enjoy God's favour and protection and to ache for its fulfilment in the heavenly kingdom. The Lord who is to come is not merely a baby smiling in a manger. He is the Lord of life and he wants us to enjoy it here and now. Despite what you see on the soaps..
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice, the Lord is near
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: To you O Lord I lift up, I lift up my soul my God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The spirit of the Lord has been given to me to bring good news to the poor. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.
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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,
Advent Service of Reflection will be held at ST JOHN’S THIS SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER at 3pm. The service will end with Benediction. All most welcome.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: total is £674.75p. Many thanks for your continued generosity and support.
There will be a retiring collection over THIS WEEKEND for Caritas Christmas Appeal 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 Edward Haggerty who died recently. Funeral at St John’s on Wednesday, 17th December at 9.15am followed by Landican Crematorium at 10.30am. Please keep Edward and his 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 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 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
A Big thank you to the parishioners of St John’s and St Luke’s for all your efforts in supporting all seafarers and fishermen this Christmas. Your gifts will bring them great joy. In gratitude – Chris – Stella Maris NW
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 .
“The Advent Candle of Joy”, lit on the third Sunday (Gaudete Sunday), symbolises the growing anticipation and gladness for Jesus' birth, representing the shepherds' joy and a shift from penitence to celebration as Christmas nears, often marked by a pink or rose candle to signify this rejoicing. It's about finding deep, God-given joy in salvation and the coming Light of the World, not just fleeting happiness.
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MASS/SERVICE TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR AT
ST JOHN’S & ST ANNE’S
Tuesday 16th December Advent Service of Reconciliation Service 7.00pm to be held at ST ANNE’S
Christmas Crib Service organised by the Children’s Liturgy Group Sunday 21st December at 3.00pm to be held at ST JOHN’S.
Christmas Eve - 24th December
Children’s Mass at 5.00pm at ST ANNE’S
Mass at 8.00pm for the 3 parishes to be held at ST ANNE’S.
Christmas Day – 25th December – Mass 9.30am at ST JOHN’S
Mass 11.00am at ST ANNE’S
Friday, 26th December – NO MASS AT ST JOHN’S
Saturday, 27th December – Feast of St John –
Mass 5.00pm at ST JOHN’S
Mass 6.30pm at ST ANNE’S
Sunday, 28th December – Mass 9.30am at ST JOHN’S
Mass 11.00am at ST ANNE’S
Wednesday 31st December - NO MASS AT ST JOHN’S OR AT ST ANNE’S
NEW YEAR’S DAY 1st January – Mass 10.00am at ST JOHN’S
Holy Hour 11.30am-12 Noon at ST ANNE’S
Mass 12 Noon at ST ANNE’S
Friday 2nd January Mass 9.15am at ST JOHN’S ONLY
Saturday 3rd January Mass 5.00pm at ST JOHN’S
6.30pm at ST ANNE’S
Sunday 4th January Mass 9.30am at ST JOHN’S
Mass 11.00am at ST ANNE’S
Monday 5th January THERE WILL BE NO MORNING MASS AT
ST JOHN’S
Mass at ST ANNE’S at 12 Noon
Vigil Mass of the Epiphany 6.00pm at
ST JOHN’S ONLY
Tuesday 6th January The Feast of the Epiphany
Mass 9.30am at ST JOHN’S
Mass 12 Noon at ST ANNE’S
Wednesday 7th January Mass 7.00pm at ST ANNE’S ONLY
Wednesday 14th January Mass 7.00pm at ST JOHN’S ONLY
WEDNESDAY EVENING MASS AT 7.00pm WILL THEN CONTINUE AT ST JOHN’S’ AND ST ANNE’S ON ALTERNATE WEEKS
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Saturday 13th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Decd Rels/Fnds of McGree Family
The Third Sunday of Advent Cycle A 14th 9.30am Oliver Newnes RIP
Alcira Rico de Garcia RIP
Azubike Emmanuel Nnadi RIP
3.00pm Advent Reflection & Benediction
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 15th 9.15am Baby Francis Fryer RIP
Tuesday 16th 9.15am Terry McLoughlin RIP
Wednesday 17th 9.15am Requiem Mass– Edward Haggerty
NO EVENING MASS
Thursday 18th NO MASS
Friday 19th 9.15am Dec’d Rels & Fnds of Bell & Nugent Families
Saturday 20th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Dec’d Rels & Fnds of Davenport Family
The Fourth Sunday of Advent Cycle A 21st 9.30am Norah Martin 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.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 13th 6.30pm For the Family of Sr. Josie
The Third Sunday of Advent 14th 11.00am Lewis & Christopher Doyle B’Day Rem
Monday 15th 12 Noon Tony McWilliams RIP
Tuesday 16th 12 Noon For Sick, Health workers & Carers
7.00pm Advent Reconciliation
Wednesday 17th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 18th NO MASS
Friday 19th 11.00am Gerda McArdle RIP
Zeke Parks RIP
Saturday 20th 12.30 pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm Frederick Woolfall
The Fourth Sunday of Advent 21st 11.00am Anne McGrory 2nd Anniversary
George McGrory & Catherine Remembrance
DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
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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.
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