St James Bootle
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
St James Bootle
Christmas
Christmas
St James Bootle
4th Sunday of Advent
4th Sunday of Advent
St James Bootle
3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
St James Bootle
2nd Sunday of Advent
2nd Sunday of Advent

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Helen Keller, who went blind and deaf at nineteen months, said, “The greatest calamity that can befall people, is not that they should be born blind, but that they should have eyes, yet fail to see.”

Reminder

From next weekend, 30th and 31st October, the Parish Masses will be:

Saturday 6:30pm
Sunday 10:30am

Daily Masses:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Mass at 10am.
Tuesday only — Mass at 7pm

World Mission Sunday

This year, World Mission Sunday falls on Sunday, 24 October. On this day the whole Church unites in prayer for its missionary activity, and in collecting funds to support Catholic communities across the world living in situations of poverty and privation. The theme chosen by the Holy Father is: ‘We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard’ (Acts 4:20). In his message for World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis says: ‘Once we experience the power of God’s love we cannot help but proclaim and share what we have seen and heard. Jesus’ relationship with his disciples and his humanity shows us the extent to which God loves our humanity and makes his own our joys and sufferings, our hopes and our concerns’. All donations go to the Universal Solidarity Fund in order to meet the spiritual and material needs of peoples and young churches throughout the world, for the salvation of all. Thank you for your ongoing support of Missio through prayer and charity. Please do all you can to celebrate this day in solidarity with the whole Church. For more information about World Mission Sunday, click the link below.

Cop 26 Climate Talks

In preparation for the COP 26 talks between 31st October and 12th November, the Bishops’ Conference have asked us to pray for the success of the talks. At the back of Church you will find a limited number of Prayer cards with a nice prayer on them. Please take one home and pray for a good outcome from the talks.

Fr Michael Cunningham SDB

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Michael Cunningham SDB who died last week in Nazareth House, Prestwich. Please keep him, his family, his Community and all friends in your prayers. The funeral of Fr Michael will take place in Bolton on Saturday 30th October. May he rest in peace. Amen.

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

James and John were two opportunists. Their one aim was to rise in the ranks. To achieve their end they did not hesitate to beg. They did not mind how much envy and resentment they aroused in their companions. Their aim was to scramble up the career ladder. But at what price to themselves? In the course of their rise to the top, people lose themselves, their own souls, whatever they do or achieve will be worthless. Power hardens the human heart.

Mass times going forward

After much thought and observation, we have decided that, as from 30th October, the Mass time will be as follows:

Saturday 6:30pm—First Mass of Sunday
Sunday 10:30am—Main Sunday Mass

Daily Masses: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Mass at 10am
Tuesday only—Mass at 7pm (to be reviewed after a few months)

There will be no Saturday morning Mass.

We see this as an opportunity to refresh our Parish Worship and we would encourage as many people as possible to join us, particularly for our two Sunday Masses.

Please Note: the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday, which is suspended at the moment, comes back into operation on the First Sunday of Advent, 27/28 November.

Funerals

The Funeral Mass for Patrick Powell will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 19th October at 10am.
Please remember Patrick and his family in your prayers.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Jesus saw that the rich young man had great potential so he invited him to enter the world of sharing. But he wasn’t up to it—riches got in the way. As he went away a sadness descended on him, the sadness that descends on us when we choose to live for ourselves. Even though Jesus was sad to see him go, nevertheless he let him go. There’s no point in forcing people to make sacrifices. If you take things from people they are impoverished; but if you can get them to give them up, they are enriched. People are essentially good but this goodness has to be awakened and called forth, if they are to enter the kingdom of love.

Prisoners’ Sunday

Today is Prisoners’ Sunday and the start of Prisoners’ Week, sponsored by the Catholic charity PACT. We are asked to remember in our prayers not only those in Prison, but also the families left behind to cope.

Funerals

The Funeral Mass for Joyce Waldron will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 12th October at 11.45am. Please pray for the repose of Joyce’s soul and the comfort of her family.

The Funeral Service for Carol McKenzie will take place here in St James on Thursday 14th October at 11.15am. Please remember Carol and her family in your prayers.

Lourdes is back!

Applicants are welcome for next year’s Lourdes youth pilgrimage from 21st—30th July. The cost is £540. If you are aged 15-22 click the link below for more information.

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Youth is not a time of life, it is a state of mind. Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years; people grow old only by deserting their ideals. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear and despair, these are long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. So long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer, courage, grandeur and power from the earth, from man, from the infinite, so long are you young. When the heart is covered with the snow of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then I am grown old indeed, and may you, Lord, have mercy on my soul.

General Douglas MacArthur

Season of Creation

The Season of Creation culminates in the feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October. St Francis is the patron of all God’s creatures and the environment. One of the issues that demands our urgent attention is how we treat animals. The current pandemic is a wake-up call. God did not give us animals to do with as we like. He entrusted them to us – we are their custodians. Many animals suffer appalling cruelty because of our demand for food and sport. Christians have a duty of care to God’s creatures. We can’t keep turning a blind eye!

Year 7 Welcome Mass

Last Friday we have celebrated our annual Welcome Mass for the new students of Savio Salesian College. It was a great opportunity to gather together in prayer and ask God for the blessings for the year ahead. Click the link below for photos and more information.

Funerals

The Funeral Service for Margaret Doran will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 7th October at 1.30pm. Please remember Margaret and her family in your prayers.

Pilgrimage to Knock

Details about a Pilgrimage to Knock from 11th October, can be found at the back of Church.

Cafod Collection

Your CAFOD envelope can be left in the baskets at the back of Church any time in the next few weeks.

More envelopes available at back of Church.

Y7 Welcome Mass

Last Friday we have celebrated our annual Welcome Mass for the new students of Savio Salesian College. It was a great opportunity to gather together in prayer and ask God for the blessings for the year ahead.

Around 90 pupils, staff and parents gathered in the school hall. Before the Mass, Mr Costello, the headteacher, welcomed all gathered and explained why this event is so important for our community.

The Mass was led by Fr Jacob Ruszniak, College Chaplain. During the sermon, he spoke about the unique talents and gifts given by God to every person. He has also encouraged the pupils to use their gifts and to build a community of respect and love. Later, in the offertory procession, students presented gifts including a large board with a list of things they hope to achieve this year.

The celebration, was followed by social time: tea, coffee and biscuits. Parents had a chance to talk to the Head of Year and other members of staff.

We keep every young person of our school in our prayers, and we hope that they may fully enjoy their time in Savio. May it be a place where they grow, develop and  experience the love of God and the joy of Salesian spirit.

Brother Nhan

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Jesus warned those who would lead the little ones astray, but he blessed those who care for them. One of the most touching things about children is their openness. But this same openness leaves them extremely vulnerable. They may not say much but they feel everything. They are like crocuses which appear in the open in February—frail, delicate, beautiful creatures—innocents abroad in an unpredictable climate. If they are embraced by the sun, they will bloom to their full potential. But if they are assailed by hail, they will die a premature death. Love is to a child what sunshine is to a flower.

Youth Active Summer Trips 2021

A big thank you to the Youth Active team for organising a week of trips for the young people of our parish in August. The week commenced with a day in Croxteth Park, playing games, visiting the farm and being together. Great fun was had by all. One of the trips featured a day at the seaside and a visit to New Brighton. The group really enjoyed the time on the beach, making sandcastles, and digging moats to be filled by water that was gone in a second.

Click the link below for the full report and plenty of photos!

Brownies are back

Our Brownies have returned. Here are some who have recently made their promise. If you would like your daughter to join the Brownies, contact Sue McCormick. There are still a few places available.

First Communions

The First Communion Programme for children in Year 5 is about to begin. The lessons for the children involved will be during class time in All Saints and will not take place during after school sessions as we have done in the past.

If you have a child in Year 5, who does not attend All Saints school, and you want them to make their First Communion next year, please contact Fr Brian at St James’ for an application form. Please note: this only applies to families living in St James’ Parish.

The Little Church

As the numbers at Sunday Mass are increasing, we felt it was time to bring back the Little Church for the children. So starting on Sunday 3rd October, we will re-introduce the Little Church for the children during the readings and homily at Mass.

Funerals

The Funeral Service for Andy Stenson will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 28th September at 11.45 am. Please remember Andy and his family in your prayers.

Cafod’s Harvest Fast Day

As we enter the last week of the Season of Creation, we are invited to give thanks to God for the gift of creation and the fruits of the earth which sustain us. Many churches and schools do this through Harvest Festivals – bringing the fruits of the earth and the work of human hands and sharing these offerings with those in need.

In the UK, for the last sixty years, the Catholic Church has marked harvest time by observing CAFOD’s Harvest Fast Day on the first Friday in October. So, this coming Friday, 1 October, we are invited to give thanks by going without a meal or some form of amusement and giving what we save in this way to CAFOD. CAFOD uses our offerings to help those across the world who don’t have access to the fruits of the earth because of extreme poverty, food shortages, conflicts and natural disasters.

To contribute to CAFOD’s FAMILY FAST COLLECTION, please take an envelope from the back of Church and bring it back next Sunday. (Or some time soon!)

Youth Active Summer Trips 2021

During August, the Youth Active team at St.James parish, organised a week of trips for members of our Youth Active club – it was great to get back to being able to do this again!

The club had re-commenced in June, and we hoped that this week would not only be an enjoyable week for our current youth club members,  but may also serve to encourage more local young people to join in the fun.

The week commenced with a day in Croxteth Park, playing games, visiting the farm and being together. We followed that by a full day in Crocky trails, near Chester, exploring and completing the nature trail walk and then having a great time on all the slides and activities in the adventure playground. Great fun was had by all.  We then moved on to a day at the seaside and visited New Brighton. The group really enjoyed the time on the beach, making sandcastles, and digging moats to be filled by water that was gone in a second. We were not very successful at crab fishing, but we tried, and the day ended with some time on the fair.

We had been blessed by beautiful weather for the start of our adventures.

Thursday, the rain was coming, but it didn’t matter – we were going to Flip Out for party fun at the trampoline park. We were also able to celebrate the birthday of one of our members that day.

We had planned to finish the week with a celebration day on the lawn at St.James Church however the weather had other ideas, and the thunder storms meant we had to change the date. Fortunately our re-arranged day was a great success and we had a day full of craft, games, football, a bouncy castle and an inflatable assault course.

The children and volunteers really enjoyed the week – having fun together, sharing stories, jokes, and packed lunches!  It was also gave some well needed respite time for families.  We will still be able to offer a further trip for Bowling, thanks to the support we have received, and are looking to create more opportunities for teenage members.

We would like to thank the Salesians for their generous grant towards our trip week.

We would also like to thank Fr Brian and the community for their on-going support of Youth Active since we resumed, on the church lawn, in June, and their support for the week of trips;  and to  Mr Costello at Savio Salesian College for use of their mini-buses.

It has been a true parish, church, and school venture.

Here’s to many more youth sessions!

 

Youth Active Team

St.James Church

Bootle

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

God’s inspiration is at work in everyone. However, there are people in whom divine inspirations seems to have no effect; people who commit crimes cold-bloodedly and who never rejoice at the sight of the true and the beautiful. Even though they may seem to prosper, their punishment is assured even in this world. The anxieties and fears that assail them make their prosperity a bitterness to them. As for the just, even though their passage through life is often dogged by misfortune, the inward satisfaction of obeying divine inspiration gives them great strength and sufficient reward in this world and eternal life in the next.


Funerals

The funeral Mass for Thomas Hurley will take place here in St James’ on Monday 20th September at 12:30pm.
Please pray for the repose of his soul and the comfort of his family.

Seasons of Creation

Next Sunday is the annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees. A day the Church has kept since 1914. It is appropriate that this day falls during the Season of Creation because, in addition to war and persecution, the climate emergency is a direct cause of migration. Towards an ever wider “we” is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s Word Day of Migrants and Refugees. It’s an appeal to build a universal “we” rather than a national “we”. Instead of repeating mantras we’ve heard such as “our country is full”, or “they come over here and take our jobs”, Pope Francis invites us to look at the reality of why people leave their homes and countries and to enter into the experience of these vulnerable people who are running from situations we can’t imagine and pray for them as they face so many challenges. Pope Francis also asks us to become aware of the opportunities migration offers of countries and communities. The Vatican has a website to help the Church and others, which aims to help the Church and others, to accompany those forced to flee and make sure they are not shut out or left behind.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

A watch may have a gold chain but if it doesn’t tell the time it is useless. A fruit tree may be teeming with blossoms but if it doesn’t produce fruit it is useless. A lamp may be studded with diamonds but if it doesn’t give light it is worthless. And a faith that doesn’t result in good works is dead. The fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace.

Funerals

The Funeral Mass for William Francis Woods will take place here in St James’ on Wednesday 15th September at 1.00pm.

The funeral service for Terence Hansen will take place at Thornton Crematorium on Thursday 16th September at 10:30am.

The funeral Mass for Thomas Hurley will take place here in St James’ on Monday 20th September at 12:30pm.

Please pray for the repose of their souls and the comfort of their families.

Seasons of Creation

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021. COP means “conference of parties”. Leaders from 197 countries, including Pope Francis, who have signed up to the UN’s climate change treaty, will travel to Glasgow to take part in the conference. This will be the largest gathering of world leaders ever to take place on British soil. CAFOD invite us to sign a petition urging the Prime Minister to make sure the hardest hit communities are listened to at COP26. Click the link below to sign the petition.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

To do the work of Christ is really quite simple. It means to be faithful in little things, for to be faithful in little things is a big thing. It means to do one’s task, no matter how humble, not only thoroughly but joyfully. It means to make oneself available yet never to seek the limelight. It means to make oneself useful without seeking to push oneself. It means to carry one’s own burden without, as far as possible, becoming a burden on others. In a word, it means to be at one’s post, helpful and faithful, loyal and constant. Lord make me an instrument for the building of your kingdom.

Sea Sunday

Apostleship of the Sea is the Catholic Church’s maritime agency that provides spiritual and welfare support to seafarers arriving in Great Britain and ports around the world. Its extensive network of port chaplains and ship visitors offer pastoral and practical assistance to seafarers who work far from home, separated from their families, and in sometimes harsh working conditions.

Nearly 95% of what we consume in Britain arrives by ship crewed by seafarers and we are dependent upon them to bring us what we need. Due to advances in technology, modern ships no longer spend weeks in port but these days unload and load their cargoes within days or hours. Seafarers, many of whom come from Catholic countries such as the Philippines, Poland and India, spend up to nine months at a time at sea, away from their families.

AoS port chaplains and ship visitors offer seafarers practical assistance such as providing phone cards and internet access so they can communicate with their loved ones back home, and spiritual and emotional support including arranging for Mass and prayer services on board ships and being a friend to them.


Forthcoming second collections

There are second collections coming up over the next two weekends.
The first one is this Sunday, for the Apostleship of the Sea;
The second is next Sunday, 18th July, for Retired Priests.