Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19th October, 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
The Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19th October 2025. Cycle C. IN FOCUS: DON'T GIVE UP: The widow in today's gospel was worried. She had a legal grievance and she needed a "man" to unlock the doors of Jewish society. Because she had no clout the judge kept putting her off until eventually he heard her case just for a quiet life.
Jesus uses this story to teach us that we should never stop praying. Prayer increases our faith and feeds our life with God. The great Christians of the past constantly tell us that we should keep going in our prayer, no matter how worried we are and no matter how long it seems to take.
Worry is a destructive thing. It only allies us to thoughts of disaster and unpleasantness. It causes us to fall into the rut of negative thinking and this starts to erode our mindset and curtail our happiness. Yet it is possible to channel worry into prayer. If, instead of sitting and thinking the worst, we make our worries into petitions to God and begin to praise and thank God for what we do have, we can get a sense of the wholeness of God's presence and come to an understanding of that peace of God that cannot be taken away from us.
Even the greatest men and women get knocked down in life, but what separates them from the rest is that they get right back up. Perseverance in prayer is a virtue. That's because it's the actual praying that gives us the strength to go on. Giving up praying when in trouble is like giving up eating when you are ill. You are only going to get worse.
But we have to pray positively. If we feel that God won't answer, then he probably won't. We need to pray with confidence, firmly believing that God wants us to have what we need and what is good for us. Jesus would not have told us that our prayers will be answered if it were not true.
And how do we know that our prayer has "worked"? Only God can grasp the full picture of what is good for us. Sometimes our prayer can be answered speedily. At other times God has reasons for delaying. Sometimes God may improve on our prayer by granting us something even better than what we asked for. And do remember that even when the answer is "No", it's still an answer to prayer. So don't give up.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.
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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: all Masses will be held in the Main Church.
SUNDAY 19th OCTOBER IS A SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR WORLD MISSIONS.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £906.20p. Many thanks for your continued support.
Mission Sunday –This weekend there will be a special collection to support World Missions.
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. A big thank you to the two recent donations received.
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 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. Please 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 is SUNDAY, 2nd NOVEMBER 2025. 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.
Confirmation: Confirmation, this year, is at St John's on Wednesday 19th November at 7.00pm. Confirmation preparation classes are on Friday 6.30pm to 7.30pm in St John's church.
Jubilee for Catechists with Bishop Mark Davies, the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and Natalie Orefice, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis. On Saturday 15th November at St Joseph's Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. Book a free place here: https://bit.ly/Jubilee-for-Catechists PLEASE SEE THE 2 POSTERS ON THE NOTICE BOARD AT THE BACK OF CHURCH
SVP- Turning Concern Into Action -If you know of anybody who needs help or a listening ear, please contact the SVP at St John's/St Anne's by calling or sending a text message to 07391644871
On Sunday 19th October Bishop Mark Davies will be at St John’s for his Pastoral visit. There will be an opportunity to speak to the Bishop after Mass.
Rosary Retreat Day and Jubilee Pilgrimage at Saint Joseph’s, Stockport on Saturday 25th October: Bishop Mark Davies will lead this Jubilee Pilgrimage at the Eucharistic Shrine of Saint Joseph’s, Stockport on Saturday 25th October. The Rosary Retreat will begin at 9.30 am with reflections and the praying of the Mysteries of the Rosary scriptural meditations. Holy Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop at 11.00 am. The day will conclude with a Eucharistic Procession and Solemn Benediction at 3.30 pm. Please bring a packed lunch.
You are warmly invited to sign up for The Bible Timeline Course—a world-renowned, FREE OF CHARGE 8-week course presented LIVE ONLINE by Mauro Iannicelli. Register- comeandsee.org See poster in church.
OCTOBER MONTH OF THE ROSARY: As usual a pilgrim statue of Our Lady will be circulating the parish in October. If you would like to have the statue in your home please see Maria Fryer. The statue has also visited St John’s Junior School and Infant School this year.
VACANCY FOR FOOD BANK TRUSTEE: Closing date for applications is Friday 31st October 2025. Please email manager@wirralfoodbank.org.uk and include in the subject header “Trustee Wirral Foodbank.” In your email, please outline your background and what you think you would bring to the role, mentioning any specific skills/experiences that you think are important. For further information please email manager@wirralfoodbank.org.uk or contact Richard Roberts, General Manager, Wirral Foodbank: 07518034579. Full job description on the Foodbank Notice board at the back of church
JOB VACANCY: The Diocese of Wrexham is currently looking to appoint a Personal Assistant to the Right Rev Bishop Brignall, the position will be based in Wrexham. For a job description/more information please Pauline.McCulloch@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date: November 10th, 2025. Interview dates: 18th and 19th November, 2025. Part time, permanent (25 Hours, 5 hours each day)
November Lists: Please ensure that all names for the November List are handed into the presbytery by Sunday, 26th October. This allows time to compile the lists. Please mark the envelopes "For the attention of Ann Murray" and please print all names clearly. Many thanks.
PAUSE FOR HOPE – An ecumenical service for anyone in anyway affected by cancer. Sunday 19th October at 3:30pm in Saint Michael & All Angels church,
CAFOD Family Fast : Please take a CAFOD envelope, available on the table at the back of church. (If you are a taxpayer, please complete the Gift Aid section). Please return your envelopes by SUNDAY, 26th October. Thank you for your continued support to CAFOD.
Missio Red Box Collection: Thank you to all who contribute to Missio via the Red Boxes; please return the current contents of your boxes to St John's. There are also offertory envelopes at the back of church. If you are a taxpayer, please complete the back of the envelope and return them and the Red Boxes by the end of October.
The LMA 9 Pro-Life Group is hosting Ira Winter, of Fiat Fertility Care, for a talk on "God's Design For Fertility" to which all are welcome. Her talk will bring out the wonders of procreation in ways which are still too little known. She will also explain the potential of Natural Reproductive Medicine for couples struggling to conceive or wishing to space pregnancies. The talk will take place on Thursday, 30th October at 7pm at St Mary's Caritas Centre, Delamere Rd, Crewe CW1 2JX. Stop assisted suicide - further action needed!Sending a physical letter carries particular weight with Members of the House of Lords. Right To Life UK has created a simple tool that generates personalised letters to Peers, each focused on a specific area of concern. You can then print them, or copy them out by hand, sign, and post them.Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/aspeersletter to send a letter to Peers asking them to oppose assisted suicide.
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Saturday 18th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm In Honour of St Luke – Conrad & Joan Westerside RIP
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 19th 9.30am Parishioners of St John & St Luke
Azubike Emmanuel Nnadi RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 20th 9.15am For World Peace
Tuesday 21st 9.15am Joe Barrett
Wednesday 22nd 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday 23rd NO MASS
Friday 24th 9.15am For Missionaries
Saturday – St Luke 25th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Theresa Duggan RIP
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - St Anne 26th 9.30am In Honour of St Anne
Lynne & Jack Murray 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 18th 12.30pm Carmelite Mass
6.30pm For Sick, Health workers & Carers
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ord Time 19th 11.00am Franklin Family Intentions
Day of Special Prayer for Missions
Monday 20th 12 Noon Mary Casey RIP
Tuesday 21st 12 Noon Paddy McMannomon RIP
Wednesday 22nd 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Bob & Frieda Rimmer Wedding Anniv.
Thursday 23rd NO MASS
Friday 24th 12 Noon Funeral Mass- James Murphy
Saturday 25th 6.30pm Fredrick Woolfall Birthday
Shirley Cooper RIP
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 26th 11.00am Helen Otuisa(Nee Ashuikeka) RIP
For Families
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Pope Leo's Intentions for October:
October is the time to turn with a renewed dedication to praying the Rosary and seeking Our Lady's intercession for the protection of human life and an increased respect for human dignity. We must continue to pray for a culture of life in our state, nation, and world
Remember clocks go back one hour on Saturday 25th October.
A very big thank you to everyone who helped to make last Sunday’s Mass so special and to all who shared their countries meals.
Bishop Mark visited all our schools last week to encourage all our children to celebrate and put their faith into action.
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