Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 28th September, 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 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28th September 2025. Cycle C.
IN FOCUS: NO RUSH?
Frank and Lilly were a happily married couple. He worked in a factory and she spent most of her time at home as the family grew to seven children. They didn’t have much time to themselves but Frank was a member of the parish Society of St Vincent de Paul, helping the poor and disadvantaged, and for the past twenty years had been elected to the local council where he was much respected by members of the public. They liked to go ballroom dancing every few months when they could find a baby-sitter and Frank’s hobby was carpentry, although the odd chair or table was about all he had the chance to make.
They didn’t have much in the way of savings but they always told themselves that they would build a workshop in the garden for Frank if they ever scraped the money together. With seven children they never quite managed it.
When he was 55, Frank had to retire from work on health grounds. He got a small lump sum and an even smaller pension. He and Lilly were quite looking forward to his retirement. Lilly had a part time job and Frank was looking forward to making some furniture for the grandchildren’s bedroom. They’d be able to do a bit more dancing now that the children were old enough to look after themselves, and they ordered a shed for Frank.
Frank’s brother Tom had lived a different life. He had done well for himself and lived in a luxury house a few miles away. He used to make fun of Frank’s work for the Church and for the council, and he had given up the practice of his faith after leaving school, concentrating instead on developing his haulage business. He and his wife had no children and kept themselves to themselves. When Frank talked to him about his faith he said he didn’t object to religion but he had other things on his plate and perhaps one day he would start practising again.
Tom was with Frank in the van on the way to pick up the shed from the DIY store when it crashed and they both died....
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgement, for we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments. But give glory to your name and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: My soul give praise to the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Remember your word to your servant, O Lord, by which you have given me hope. This is my comfort when I am brought low.
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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 28th SEPTEMBER IS A SPECIAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE HARVEST
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection: this week’s total is £595.70p. 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.
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, 5th OCTOBER 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 have begun on Friday 6.30pm to 7.30pm in St John's church. Those candidates who have already returned the registration forms have been notified by email. 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 th back of church for details.
Marriage preparation Courses- There are three courses for 2026. Each course runs over two consecutive Saturdays 9.30am to 4.30 pm each day 1. St Columbas Church Parish Hall on the 7th & 14th of February 2026 Address: Plas Newton Ln Chester, CH2 1SA or 2. Vincent de Paul Church Westleigh Parish Hall on the 28th of February & 7th of March 2026: Address: Groby Road Altrincham WA14 2BQ or 3. Shrewsbury Cathedral Parish Hall on the 21st & 28th of March 2026: Entrance Address: Town Walls Shrewsbury SY1 1UE
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.
Anointing & Healing Service: to be held at St John's on Friday 3rd October at 7pm. Theme "Then Jesus asked "Who touched me?"" Speaker: Fr Emeka Nwachukwu. Everyone is welcome. See the poster on the notice board at the back of the church.
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 Day 3rd October: 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.
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Saturday 27th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm In Honour of St John
David Charles Martin
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th 9.30am Gill Davenport
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 29th 9.15am Michael John Davidson –Successful Surgery
Tuesday –Our Lady of the Rosary 30th 2.00pm In St John’s Junior School
Sylvia & David Turner RIP
Wednesday 1st 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
World Peace
Thursday 2nd NO MASS
Friday 3rd 9.15am Ints Les Connor (Ireland)
7.00pm Anointing & Healing Service
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
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 27th 6.30pm Sr. Anne Marie Birthday
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ord Time 28th 11.00am For All Parishioners of St Anne’s, St John’s & St Luke’s & For Youth
George Albert Carl Howard
Special day of prayer for Harvest
Monday 29th 12 Noon Lilian Jones For the grace of a happy death
ShackletonFamily Special Ints
Tuesday 30th 12 Noon Eileen Smith RIP
1.00pm Funeral Service – Kathleen Campbell
Wednesday 1st 7.00pm MASS AT ST JOHN’S ONLY
Thursday 2nd NO MASS
Friday 3rd 12 Noon Tony Duff Bday Rem
Day of Special Prayer for the Needy and Hungry of the World
Saturday 4th 6.30pm Jose Mamczur RIP
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 5th 11.00am Rev Jin Armstrong B.day Rem
June Christina Sutton
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Pope Leo XIV Intentions for September
For Our Relationship with All Of Creation. Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
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On Tuesday 30th September, daily Mass will be held at St John’s Junior School at 2pm. The children in Year 4 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.
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