Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. 5th 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 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 5th October 2025. Cycle C.
FAITH IN FOCUS: DOES PRAYER REALLY WORK? The first four Sundays of October this year invite us to consider different aspects of prayer. We can sense the frustration in today's first reading of someone who seems to be calling on God in distress and yet nothing appears to be happening. Is prayer nothing more than mouthing words that can have no real effect on our situation? Is God simply playing with us? A good question to ask is "What do I think I am doing when I pray?" Often we are letting God know what we feel and asking him to change things to the way we want them to be. At worst we end up thinking that we are informing God, and at best we find ourselves pouring our heart out. Pouring our heart out is no bad thing. In fact, it's what Jesus asks us to do in prayer. We don't actually have to use any words to do this: we can simply and silently place ourselves consciously in God's presence. And when we do this, we may find ourselves listening to God rather than talking. God is able to penetrate our busy thick skins and communicate his word to us. When we are aware that God wants to get through to us, we are on the first step to letting him change us. For prayer is not about changing God but about conforming ourselves to the will of God. This does not mean that we stop praying for people in need, for things to be otherwise, but it does mean that we start to ask God to mould us, to allow ourselves to be used as part of his plans. God will often turn our ideas upside down in prayer, especially by pointing out that we don't understand the whole picture. If we seem to pray and pray and nothing happens, then either we are doing something wrong or God couldn't care less. It's more likely to be the former. Prayer does work when we put our own interests second and ask God to change us.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: Within your will, O Lord, all things are established, and there is none that can resist your will. For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth, and all that is held within the circle of heaven; you are the Lord of all.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the soul that seeks him.
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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 12th OCTOBER IS A SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PRISONERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.
Year 2 children from St John’s Infant School will join us for Holy Mass on Tuesday morning.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £1005.75p. Many thanks for your continued support.
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
Dates for your Diary: On Sunday 12th October: we will be holding our annual International Mass. The Mass will include bidding prayers in languages spoken by our community. There are so many different cultures within St John’s & St Luke’s Parishes & we would like to encourage people to share with us. Please see the sheets at the back of church to sign up to be involved. Please also have a word with Fr Mario. It would also be a great privilege for people to come to Mass in their national dress. Reception at St Anne’s Parish Club 12 Noon. 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.
MFL Ministry retreat day in October – See poster at the back of church for details.
Stop assisted suicide - further action needed! As the assisted suicide Bill progresses through the Lords, Peers have made it clear that receiving physical letters will have the most influence at this stage of the process. Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/aspeersletter to send a letter to Peers asking them to oppose assisted suicide.
Ministers of the Word- Carmel is about to compile the new rota. This will be for seven weeks, taking us to Advent. The dates are 11th October to 23rd November. Can you let Carmel know as soon as possible, of your availability to read on these dates. Thank you.
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.
+55 Group's next meeting will be on Tuesday 7th October. Bring & Buy Sale. Proceeds towards the Christmas Party. Sheilagh would be grateful if those who have signed up for the fish and chips in November could pay their £7.50p at the October meeting. Many thanks.
FAMILY AND GROUP STAYS AT CASTLERIGG MANOR THIS OCTOBER HALF TERM: Castlerigg Manor is a Retreat Centre in the Lake District, owned by the Diocese of Lancaster, and they are opening their doors to family groups, individuals and other small groups once again during October Half Term (Oct 27-31). A good option for anyone looking for a budget get-away in a beautiful part of the country. Book at https://castleriggmanor.com/stay-with-us/ or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk
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.
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.
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
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Saturday 4th 10.00am Cenacle Mass
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Fr Malachy Anniv of Ordination
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 5th 9.30am Eileen Spencer RIP
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 6th 9.15am Frank & Vera Howell-In Thanksgiving for 65yrs Married
Tuesday – Our Lady of the Rosary 7th 9.15am Y2 Children –Terry McLoughlin RIp
2.00pm Rosary Service
7.00pm Novena
Wednesday 8th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Thursday- St John Henry Newman 9th NO MASS
Friday 10th 9.15am Ellen Kettle 25th Anniversary
Saturday 11th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Brian & Margaret Ellis RIP
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 12th 9.30am Oliver Newnes 18th Anniv 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 4th 6.30pm Jose Mamczur RIP
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ord Time 5th 11.00am Rev Jin Armstrong B.day Rem
June Christina Sutton
Monday 6th 12 Noon UCM Lilian Jones Repose of Soul
Jones & Shackleton Families Ints
7-8pm Holy Hour
Tuesday 7th 12 Noon Tom Vesey RIP
Wednesday 8th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Sr. Joan Farrel Intentions
Thursday 9th NO MASS
Friday 10th 12 Noon Bob & Frieda Rimmer Wedding Anniv
Saturday 11th 6.30pm Jim McAllister RIP 5yr Anniversary
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 12th 11.00am Brian Hughes 25th Anniv RIP
Day of special prayer for prisoners & their dependents
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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.
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