Sunday 23 March 2025
Third Sunday of Lent
The painting on the front of this week’s Parish Newsletter is from St Mary of the Angels, a copy of the great Guido Reni’s work The Annunciation. This scene captures the moment when Archangel Gabriel announced to our Lady that God willed that she become His Mother. This week, on Tuesday, we celebrate the most important moment in human history: that God became Man and, by so doing, redeemed us. As we continue our Lenten penances, we ask God for the graces we need, through the intercession of our Blessed Lady.
Father Edmund
Pope Francis
Please pray for the Holy Father, who is seriously ill in Hospital in Rome at this time
School Meeting
On Tuesday evening I will meet with the Headteachers and Chairs of Governors of the 5 schools of the parish to plan for our shared future
Friday Stations
The Lent devotion of Stations of the
Cross every Friday of Lent, 7pm Our Lady Star of the Sea
Wirral Walk: Charity Walk Please Sign UP!
Join us for a special 12-mile charity walk along the scenic Wirral Way on Palm Sunday weekend to support our parish and raise funds for a number of maintenance and building projects. These essential improvements will help us create a safe, welcoming, and functional environment for our parish community to enjoy.
Prayer Requests
Maureen, Ray Hancock, Colin Wood, Nicola Avery, Baby Jake, Kevin Brady, Pat, Marion Andrew, Lisa Gilmore, Ella-May Ehlen, Pat, Edna, Anne Donnelly, David Fitzgeraldson, Jean Bowles, Tony Kemp, Pat McMahon, Margaret Kenny, Antoinette Denney, Francis Ellis, Babies Avery and Vincent White, Christine Fernandes, Christine Brown, Kath Leahey, Jim Shepherd, Joanne, Michael, Sophie, Elliott, David, Karen Seymour, Mavis O’Donnell, Baby Alana, Honora Ellis, Marie, Sheila, and Vincent Smith.
Please pray for those who have died: John Bjork, Sheila Hill, Keith Lockett, Fr Mark Turner, Josie Rice, Susana Llamas Camaligan, David Fitzsimons, and Jose Sanchez.
St Vincent de Paul Society
Lawrence Kearns, President of the Ellesmere Port and Hooton St Vincent de Paul Society writes:
On the last weekend of this month, the parish SVP will have a retiring collection to generate funds to support needy familiesin our area. Parish retiring collections represent our largest single source of funding and without your generosity we would be unable to provide the support we do to our local community.
Thank you so much for all you do to help us. In 2024 we were able to help more than one hundred families. The living conditions of
more than twenty families have been improved through practical support including white goods, furniture, carpets, curtains, beds
and bedding. Twelve families who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy a holiday were able to take breaks at our SVP holiday
home in North Wales. We have provided groceries and toiletries to families in our primary schools, particularly during the school holidays and to the Women’s Refuge in the town and to young people temporarily housed in our area through Forum Housing. Your donations will help us to continue to meet the most critical needs for families in our town. Thank you.
Women of the Bible Series
Wednesday 26 March at 7pm, with an exploration of several women who were Sisters and Wives in the Bible. The series concludes next Wednesday 2 April with looking at several women who were Pioneers of the Early Church.
Additional Mass Consultation
Deacon Tony writes:
Over 25 pilgrims and 10 young pilgrims from our Ellesmere Port parishes area who have indicated they will be joining in the Shrewsbury Diocese Jubilee Year 2025 Lourdes pilgrimage, from 25th July 2025 to 31st July 2025, led by Bishop Mark Davies. Booking forms for travel with the diocese by air or coach details are available at: www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk I and a number of pilgrims from Ellesmere Port and Hooton will be staying in the Hotel Lyes de Marie this year whilst in Lourdes. Do consider joining with us this year in the Holy Shrine of Lourdes. Details on the Shrewsbury website as above or speak with me.
Holy Year Retreat
Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday and continuing the Monday evening and Tuesday evening of Holy Week
A retreat to help u s enter into the drama and events of the most important week in human history: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord. This twilight retreat will take place over three evenings, with Holy Mass, an extended Sermon, and with
Confessions available following each evening.
Sunday 13 April 7pm
Jesus on Trial: I Wa s Born For This
Monday 14 April 7pm
Jesus in Gethsemane: Could You Not Watch One Hour?
Tuesday 15 April 7pm
Jesus on The Cross: Behold Your Mother
Palm Sunday Weekend Pathway Charity Walk
A 12-mile charity walk along the scenic Wirral Way on Palm Sunday weekend, Saturday 12 April. Funds raised will go towards essential maintenance and building projects. Sign up today! Entry is £5 per person or £10 for a group of 5. You can also support us by sponsoring a walker or making a donation. Register now via the website: rcchep.co.uk or email contact events@rcchep.co.uk
Have Your Say on Parish Social Events!
We want to make our parish social events more engaging and enjoyable for everyone! Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey and share your thoughts on the types of events you'd love to see, how often they should happen, and the best ways to keep you informed.
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Your feedback will help shape our future gatherings!
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Thank you for being part of our parish community!
Stations of the Cross
Our Lent devotion of Stations of the Cross is prayed every Friday of Lent, 7pm, Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Countess of Chester Hospital Mass
Deacon Tony Nuttall writes:
Mass is celebrated on the first Thursday of each month in the hospital chapel. April’s Mass will
be celebrated by Fr Paul Shaw on Thursday 3 April 2025 at 12.15pm. This Mass is for all the staff, patients, patient families, volunteers and parishioners of our area. If you are able to attend, we would love to welcome you to Holy Mass once a month in the hospital chapel. Also during Lent the Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the chapel at 12.15pm each Thursday.May God bless you
and your families.
Prayer for Pope Francis
Last week, the Vatican released a photograph of the Holy Father preparing to say Mass in the small chapel on the floor of the hospital where he is receiving treatment in Rome. It was good to see that he is well enough to be out of bed and off oxygen, nevertheless at 88 and with his underlying health issues and continuing to battle double pneumonia, we ought to keep praying for the pope.