Third Sunday of Easter, 4th May 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
Third Sunday of Easter, 4th May 2025. Cycle C.
FAITH IN FOCUS: CALL-FALL-RECALL
Peter's at the heart of today's gospel story. Jesus has been risen from the dead for some time by now. The disciples seem to have gone back to their old jobs for a while as we meet them up north in Galilee, fishing on the lake. Given all that went on in Jerusalem you could be forgiven for thinking that Jesus might be better off without them. He'd prepared them for their mission and spent three years getting them ready, teaching them day in and day out. Then when it came to the crunch, as he was facing his trial, they all deserted him. Peter famously denied three times that he even knew him. His northern accent nearly gave him away. Yet the risen Jesus revisits the old haunts of Galilee, the same place that he had multiplied the loaves and fish. Once again some sort of miracle takes place as the fishermen catch a huge haul of fish, and once more they share a meal on the banks of the lake like they had done on that glorious day with the 5,000 people in the crowd. Peter, like you and me, had been called by Jesus. He'd been given a mission, to tell the world that God has a plan for living that puts all other ways of life in the shade. To believe in Jesus is to light the blue touch paper. Like you and me Peter was found wanting. He turned his back on Jesus when things got hot and he deserted him for the quiet life, the life that he'd known before meeting Jesus. What does Jesus do? He simply asks Peter whether or not he loves him. Three times, as many times as Peter had denied him. And when Peter professes his devotion Jesus reinstates him, telling him to feed his sheep, to look after those entrusted to him. Call, fall and recall: the story of our lives. In our hearts we want to serve the God who has called us, yet we so often fail, giving up when something seemingly more attractive comes along. We're not evil, just unreliable. Like Peter. And the supreme way that we are recalled by this risen Lord, who constantly comes to raise us up again, is by eating and drinking with him. Not merely bread and fish, but his risen body and blood.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise, alleluia.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: I will praise you. Lord, you have rescued me.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us. Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Jesus said to the disciples; Come and eat. And he took the bread and gave it to them, alleluia.
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Sunday 11th May is a day of special prayer for Vocations.
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: From Monday 31st March all Masses will be held in the Main Church.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £673.69p. Many thanks for your continued support and generosity.
Further to the recent Boiler appeal, a separate bank account has now 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 for the further generous donations received towards the Boiler Fund.
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 0151-645-3314 You can get in touch with Ann Murray on 07745490279 regarding general parish queries.
Mass Intentions Please complete an intentions envelope which are on the table at the back of church. If a particular date is requested please 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. Let us continue to pray for the soul of our dear Pope Francis. Please also continue to pray for all our parishioners who have recently died and 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. mThe next date is SUNDAY, 4th May 2025.
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.
First Sacraments: Please continue to pray for all our young people preparing for their First Holy Communion and all the prayer sponsors who are supporting them.
Parishes of Saints Anne, John & Luke Pilgrimage to St Josephs (Eucharistic Shrine), Stockport Thursday 5th June Price £15 per person. The list is now closed. Diane Baylis will be collecting your money after Mass on Saturday evenings and Liz Jones will be available after Mass on Sunday mornings.
FATIMA & MEDJUGORIE 2025: if you are interested in joining Fr Mario on pilgrimage to Fatima on 10th June for 5 days (£650) or to Medjugorie on 16th September for 8 days (£749), please contact Maria Fryer on 07576243343. Flying from Manchester, airport transfer, tour guide, bed, breakfast and evening meal included.
Supporting the Vocation to Marriage & Family Life: Calling those interested in supporting the vocation of marriage and family a retreat day on 7th June, 9.30am-4.00pm at Parish Hall, Holy angels Church, Wicker Lane, Hale Barnes WA15 0HG. To Register please contact: Monika at monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07549226794 or Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435.
Assisted suicide Bill - less than 2 weeks left! Report Stage of the assisted suicide Bill is 16 May. It is vital that you contact your MP urgently about this issue. Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/ASVote to email your MP - it takes just 30 seconds! If you have the time, please also visit your MP - you can arrange a meeting now by visiting www.righttolife.org.uk/meetyourMP
A Vacancy for an Energy Contracts Officer has arisen in the Interdiocesan Fuel Management Department (IFM) based at the Curial Offices in Birkenhead. Salary: £27-£30K depending on experience. Hours: 35 per week. Further details of the post can be found on the Diocesanwebsite https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ CV with covering letter should be directed to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshewsbury.org Closing date: 9 May 2025.
The Governors of St John’s Catholic Infant School would like to let all Parishioners and their families know that the school has places available for children starting Foundation 2 and Pre School this coming September 2025. For further information, please contact the school office –Tel. 0151 645 5291 or email schooloffice@stjohns-infant.wirral.sch.uk St John’s Infant School provides a loving and caring Catholic Christian community where everyone works together to make a happy, enjoyable and successful learning environment. Following a successful OFSTED inspection in November 2023, we were awarded an overall grade of Good, with behaviour as Outstanding. Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding- Pupils’ attitudes towards their learning are exemplary. From the start of the early years, children learn to focus on each task and to take responsibility for their own learning. (Ofsted Nov 23)
St Andrews Church, Bebington are advertising for a part time Administrative Officer to work in our church office, and would be grateful if you can advertise this at St John’s (feel free to pass it on to anyone else you know who may be interested). The deadline for applications is 11 May.
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Saturday 3rd 5.00pm Helen Westerside RIP
Third Sunday of Easter 4th 9.30am Winifred Shaw
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 5th 9.30am Philly McLean Bday Rem.
Tuesday 6th 9.15am Janina Hanczaryk 16th Anniv
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 7th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Patricia Henbury
Thursday 8th NO MASS
Friday 9th 9.15am Pamela Burke RIP
Saturday 10th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Winifred Shaw
Fourth Sunday of Easter 11th 9.30am Betty & Eric Crebbin RIP
3.00pm Benediction
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 3rd 6.30pm Anne Tighe RIP
Third Sunday of Easter 4th 11.00am Gerard Edwards RIP
Eileen Armstrong Bday Anniversary
Monday 5th 12 Noon UCM Marie Morgan RIP
Tuesday 6th 12 Noon Less Duff Bday Remembrance
Wednesday 7th 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 8th NO MASS
Friday 9th 12 Noon Joan & Mary Graham
Saturday 10th 6.30pm Pat Belmar (Get Well Soon)
Fourth Sunday of Easter 11th 11.00am Mary Francis Petris 2nd Anniv RIP
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O God, immortal shepherd of souls, look on your people's prayers and grant that our servant Pope Francis, who presided over your Church in charity, may, with the flock entrusted to his care, receive from your mercy the reward of a faithful steward.
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