Sunday 21 April 2024
Fourth Sunday of Easter
This Sunday is World Day of Prayer for Vocations and we are called particularly to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood. Priests are needed by all of us - even priests need priests! I cannot absolve myself of my sins nor can I anoint myself when I might be suddenly or gravely ill. I did not baptise myself nor did I give myself my first Holy Communion or Confirmation! I need a priest as we all need a priest. Today, then, might be a moment to thank God for all the priests that we have had in our lives as Catholics: the priest who baptised us, the priest who absolved us in our first Confession, gave us our first Holy Communion. The priest who perhaps blessed our wedding, who buried our parents, the priest who gave the Last Sacraments to our husband or wife. We are in real need of priests, and priests come from families and from parishes like your family and our parish. Please pray that God will give us what would be a little miracle: that one of the boys or young men of our parish might consider becoming a priest. Please say a prayer for that intention now, as you read this week’s Parish Newsletter. Thank you. God bless us all in the week ahead.
Father Edmund
1HC Course
The second session of the preparation for Holy Communion for children at non Catholic schools is Monday at 6.30pm
Confessions
Please pray for children from three of our four Primary Schools who make their first Confession on Tuesday
St George
Say a prayer for England as we mark the feast of our patron saint, George
Update: Deacon Tony and Sandra Nuttall
Deacon Tony writes:
Thank you so much for all the supportive messages and prayers that myself, Sandra and our family have received since my stroke, it certainly has been a humbling experience. I was fortunate that it was only my speech that was affected, which thankfully has fully returned. A little rest prescribed, medication for life now, a few appointments and family watching over me.
My recovery is progressing really well, daily walks undertaken and plenty of time for reflective ministry, and of course, all of you and your families are in my prayers. God willing you will see me over the next couple of weeks as I integrate back into parish and hospital ministry. God bless you all.
Parish Prayer Requests
Please pray for: Margaret Kenny, Winnie Harty, Deacon Tony Nuttall, Mary Howard, Antoinette Denney, Francis Ellis, Babies Avery and Vincent White, Angela Oldroyd, Christine Fernandes, Christine Brown, Kath Leahey, Jim Shepherd, Baby Isaac, Joanne, Michael, Sophie, Elliott, David, Karen Seymour, Mavis O’Donnell, Baby Alana, Chris Laycock, Honora Ellis, Marie, Sheila, and Pat Doyle.
Please pray for the repose the souls of: Marie Dunne, Patrick Grant, Ethel Doyle, James Hunter, and Georgina Walker.
Safeguarding: Photos and Videos at Mass
In the efforts of good safeguarding practice please refrain from taking photos of the children during the Mass. If any parents/carers wish to take a photo of their child with work from Children’s Liturgy you are more than welcome to stay behind after the Mass and take a picture of your own child/ren.
First Confessions
This Tuesday evening, three of our four Catholic Primary Schools will present children to make their first Confession.
Hearing the confessions of children is always a privilege and a moment of grace for them and their families: they learn that being sorry and asking forgiveness is important, they learn that anything can be forgiven if we are truly sorry and strive, through God’s grace, not to sin in that way again. They learn that our actions can have negative consequences for those around us and that in asking forgiveness we must try to put right that which we have done wrong.
One can appreciate what a significant time this is for the children in that they are now regarded as being able to make moral choices and to take responsibility for their actions both in their lives with others and in their life with God. Please pray for them. And, if it has been sometime since your last confession, let the example of the children encourage you to return to this beautiful Sacrament yourself.
Holy Communion: Non-Catholic Schools
I am very grateful to Pauline and Margaret, and the team, that is coming together to prepare children at non-Catholic schools for their first Confession and their first Holy Communion.
Preparation Session 1
Monday 15 April, 6.30pm
Preparation Session 2
Monday 22 April
Preparation Session 3
Monday 29 April
Preparation Session 4
Monday 13 May
First Confession
Saturday 18 May 2024 at 10.30am (in Church)
First Holy Communion
Saturday 25 May 2024 at 10.30am (in Church)
Parish Pilgrimage to Rome
Thank you to all those who have booked so far for the pilgrimage to Rome 2-5 September. 24 pilgrims so far - we can have as many as 30, so If any parishioners are considering Rome, please do be in touch.
Congratulations,
Mr and Mrs Britten!
Congratulations to Sue and Steve who were married at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 3pm yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. Please pray for them. My thanks especially to all those who have helped get Sue and Steve to their special day, remembering with gratitude Pauline, Margaret, and all who helped. Congratulations, Sue and Steve.
Vigil Mass Refreshments: A Break
There will be no tea and coffee after 5pm Mass 20 April 2024 and 27 April 2024.
Missio
Noreen Darwent writes:
In 2023 our parishes in Ellesmere Port raised the magnificent sum of £3,250.23 through our Red boxes and donat ions to Missio and the Mi l l Hi l l missionaries. Our missionary community here in Ellesmere Port is a part of a worldwide network of people supporting missionaries overseas through prayer and financial assistance. Thank you all very much.
Netflix Series: Moses
Parishioners may be interested to know, if you subscribe to Netflix, that there is an interesting documentary about the life of Moses now available to stream on this service. Moses is perhaps the most significant figure of the Old Testament and a forerunner of Christ.