8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

When I was young and fired with the love of God, I thought I would convert the whole world. But soon I discovered that it would be quite enough to convert the people who lived in my town and I tried for a long time to do that but did not succeed. Then I realised that my program was still too ambitious so I concentrated on those in my own household but I found that I could not convert them either. Finally it dawned on me: I must work on myself. When people complain about what’s wrong with the world, they are usually blaming somebody else. They should look at themselves first. That way, they will know they are making a difference in at least one life. We can’t take anyone farther than we’ve gone ourselves.

Survive Miva

There is a second collection this Sunday for Survive Miva. Someone from the organisation will give a short appeal at the end of each Mass.

Prayer for peace in Ukraine

God of Mercy,
We pray for Ukraine.
For all of humanity distorted by war.
For all the lives lost, homes seized and peace broken.
May the Spirit of comfort and compassion envelop all who dwell in fear.
May the Spirit of wisdom and humility enliven our leaders.
May we affirm the dignity and rights of all.
May we seek peace.
Amen

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday of this week, 2nd March, is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a day of Fast and Abstinence. Masses in the Parish will be at 10am and 7pm. At both Masses ashes will be blessed and distributed.

Funeral

The funeral of Angela Rice will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 1st March at 11am. Please pray for the repose of Angela’s soul and the comfort of her family.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

There are those who give but only on condition that they receive something in return and receive it immediately.
There are those who give on condition that they receive something in return later on and with a handsome profit.
And there are those who give without expecting anything in return now or ever: they scatter the seeds of the heart without looking for any harvest. These are imitating the generosity of God, who bestows his love on good people and bad and grants mercy to saints and sinners.

Survive Miva

Next weekend at both Masses there will be an appeal on behalf of Survive Miva. Someone from the organisation will come to talk to us and there will be a second collection for them.

Marriage Encounter

Want to give your marriage a boost? Treat yourselves to a life changing Marriage Encounter Experience. Our next experiences are 4-6 March, 14 & 21 May and 11-12 June.

Fr Provincial

We welcome Fr Gerry Briody, our Provincial, who is with us on visitation for the next few days. He will lead the Parish Masses this weekend and be meeting various groups and people while he is here.

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Blessed are the clean of heart;
they will see God.
Blessed are the humble of heart;
they will find rest for their souls.
Blessed are the warm-hearted;
they will radiate goodness.
Blessed are those who work with the heart;
they will find joy in their work.
Blessed are those who do not lose heart;
they will find the strength to persevere.
And blessed are those who set their hearts on the Kingdom of God;
everything else will be given to them.

CAFOD’s walk against hunger Lent challenge

There are 200 million children in the world whose lives are at risk from malnutrition. This Lent, challenge yourself to walk 200km and help give hunger its marching orders. Do 5k a day, your way, for 40 days, get sponsored and you’ll conquer your 200km in time for Easter and help people round the world to live free from hunger. To take part, click the link below.

Funeral

The Funeral Mass for Letty Larkin will take place here in St James’ on Friday 18 Feb at 11.30am. Please pray for the repose of Letty’s soul and the comfort of her family.

Provincial visitation

Our Provincial, Fr Gerry Briody, will be doing the official visitation of our community from 19th -24th February. He will preside at both Masses next weekend and be with us for the days following. I know you will give him a warm welcome when you see him around.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Could you be a deacon?

Our Synod Pastoral Plan sets out concrete actions to change our ways of working so our Church becomes more inclusive and engaged with those on the margins.

The ministry of deacons will continue to evolve in the service of the presthood. If you feel this may be your calling, please join Archbishop Malcolm and the diaconate team in a meeting for men who are wondering if they are called to serve and what the formation involves. Wives and supporting priests or deacons are also welcome.

It is on Tuesday 22 Feb 7:30-9 (Refreshments from 7) St Gregory’s Parish house, Weldbank Lane, Chorley PR7 3NW

Funeral

The funeral Mass for Mike Hogan will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 8th February at 11.30am. Please pray for the repose of Mike’s soul and the comfort of his family.

Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes

This will take place at Christ the King Church, Queens Drive, Childwall, L15 6YQ on Tuesday 11th February at 7:30pm

The Feast of St John Bosco

Reflection

The Holy Spirit spoke to Don Bosco through many different means, including dreams. As a nine year old boy, the Spirit revealed to him the scope and purpose of his life: to teach the young the ugliness of sin (life outside the life giving power of the Spirit) and the beauty of virtue (a life crafted in response to the Spirit's promptings).

To the young, the poor and the abandoned of Turin’s Industrial revolution, the Holy Spirit sent Don Bosco to stir up new flames of hope from the ashes of despair, to breathe transforming dignity into places of shame, and to enkindle a network of meaningful relationships through education, faith formation and responsible social service. Thus, generations were freed from the bleak, dehumanizing cycle of poverty and exploitation… and the ever-expanding Salesian family was born.

In apostolic times, the Holy Spirit commissioned Christian disciples to become witnesses of the Lord, even to the ends of the earth. That same Spirit would inspire Don Bosco to send Salesian missionaries beyond Italy to every continent on the planet. Ever since November 11, 1875, Salesian missionaries have brought the Gospel to every continent, to peoples awaiting the Springtime of Divine Love, inviting them to join the symphony of joy and optimism that comes through knowledge of Christ and active membership in his Body, the Church.

Summary of latest Covid guidelines from the Archbishop

Face coverings are strongly recommended for everyone attending services. There should be the opportunity to sanitise hands before and after entry into church. There should be a return to the normal mode of celebrating Mass and other liturgies though Holy Communion will remain under one kind only (The Sacred Host). There is no longer any need for social distancing. Good ventilation should continue. Holy Water, the sign of peace and use of hymn books can be restored.

Funeral

The funeral Mass for Mary Dunne will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 3rd February at 10am. Please pray for the repose of Mary’s soul and the comfort of the family.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Jesus stood up to read from the prophet Isaiah. It was a passage about the coming Messiah. Here he is announcing himself as the Messiah: “the spirit of the Lord has been given to me”. What follows is a “mission statement” of his kingdom - bringing good news to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind. Jesus is the servant king. We are called to be the same. Jesus tells his hearers that, with his own coming, God is visiting his people right now. And he’s visiting every single one of his people, from that day to this.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Any young person currently in Year 8 (or above) is welcome to register to receive the sacrament of confirmation. Registration will close on Monday 21st March. To register they can visit the link below and click ‘Register for Confirmation’ at the top right hand side of the page. Information about the preparation scheme that young people will follow can also be found on the Liverpool Called website.

Feast of John Bosco

Next Sunday, 30th January, we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Bosco, founder of the Salesians, here in the Parish. We are delighted to say that the new Bishop, Bishop Tom Naylon, has agreed to come and celebrate the Mass with us on the Sunday at 10.30am. I know you will give him a warm welcome.

Second Collection

The second collection today is for the White Flower Appeal on behalf of SPUC. There is information material at the back of Church to take away.

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Jesus brought the wine of God’s love into the world.
Everywhere he went the old was made new.
For the couple at Cana he changed water into wine.
For the widow of Nain he changed tears into joy.
For Zacchaeus he changed selfishness into love.
For the thief on Calvary he changed despair into hope.
And on Easter morning he changed death into life.
Lord, be present with us today and throughout our lives.
And when through human weakness the wine of love is found wanting, touch our hearts and strengthen our wills so that we may taste the wine of unselfish love.

Thank you from CAFOD

Thank you to all parishioners at St James for your generous support of Cafod this year and for your latest donation of £496.87.

Universal Synod 2023

Archbishop Malcolm is calling us to take part in the listening phase of the Universal Synod on synodality 2023, which Pope Francis has invited us all to join. Although we have already engaged with the process as part of Synod 2020, we may find ourselves in a different place on our journey. This may include fresh insights, which will be submitted to the Bishops’ Conference with the summary of the listening phases of Synod 2020. Download discussion questions and submit your responses from 10 Jan to 10 March by clicking on the link below.

Second Collection

Next Sunday, 23rd January, there will be a second collection for the White Flower Appeal on behalf of SPUC. There will be some information material at the back of Church to take away.

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The Baptism of the Lord

Reflection

Lord Jesus, touch our eyes so that we may see the signs of your presence in our lives and in the world.
Touch our ears so that we may hear your word.
Touch our tongues so that we may profess our faith.
Touch our hands so that we may give and receive.
Touch our feet so that we may walk in your paths.
Touch our minds so that we may understand your ways.
Touch our wills so that they may be in tune with your will.
Touch our hearts so that we may bring your love to our brothers and sisters, to the praise and glory of God.
Amen

Tuesday Mass

Tuesday Mass is back to 7pm for the next few weeks but whether we continue with this time is under discussion.

Universal Synod 2023

Archbishop Malcolm is calling us to take part in the listening phase of the Universal Synod on synodality 2023, which Pope Francis has invited us all to join. Although we have already engaged with the process as part of Synod 2020, we may find ourselves in a different place on our journey. This may include fresh insights, which will be submitted to the Bishops’ Conference with the summary of the listening phases of Synod 2020. Download discussion questions and submit your responses from 10 Jan to 10 March by clicking on the link below.

Funeral

The Funeral for Sarah Hardacre will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 11th January at 11.30am.

Please pray for the repose of her soul and the comfort of her family.

Happy Christmas

Christmas greetings from the Parish Team at St James’ Parish, Bootle.

Thank you for all your support and help over this past year and may 2022 bring you ever greater joy and blessing.

Christmas Mass Times

Please join us for family Eucharist for Christmas

Friday December 24th, 2021
7.30pm-First Mass of Christmas

Saturday December 25th, 2021
10.30am-Christmas day Mass

Sunday December 26th, 2021
10.30am Mass of The Holy Family

Saturday January 1st, 2022
10.30am Mary the Mother of God

Sunday January 2nd, 2022
10.30am Second Sunday after Christmas

Monday January 3rd, 2022
10.00am The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Thursday 6th January, 2022
10.00am Mass of the Epiphany

Merry Christmas!

Fr Brian, Fr Jim and the whole Salesian Community would to wish all our Parishioners and friends a very Happy and Joy-filled Christmas.
We hope you have an enjoyable but safe time with your families.

Christmas Message from the Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon

Christmas is a special time and at the heart of our celebrations is the fact that God became man for us. Two thousand years ago there wasn’t a feast of Christmas yet there was still expectation as people longed for the coming of the Messiah.

I am sure celebrations were far from the minds of the shepherds on a cold, bleak hillside yet suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to them. The first words of the angel were “Do not be afraid...” We need those words today as, weighed down with the cares of life we fear for the future but Christmas gives us hope as we know that Christ is with us.

The message of peace and goodwill means it is a time for us to reach out to others, especially those in need. During the pandemic we have renewed our spirit of care and generosity, we have reached out to others and offered them hope and readily give thanks to those who care.

When we gather as far as restrictions allow, remember what it is to be a family no matter how few we are or how distant from one another. May our families have the child Jesus at their centre as a source of love and strength. May this Christmas time be happy, blessed and peaceful.

2nd Sunday of Advent

Reflection

Not long ago the trees were loaded with golden leaves. Though pretty to look at, they robbed me of the world beyond. But now that the leaves have fallen I am able to look through the skeletal branches to the deep blue sky beyond.

Teach us, Good Lord, how to take care of our material needs without neglecting our spiritual needs; how to take care of ourselves without neglecting others; and how to live joyfully in this world without losing sight of the world to come.

The Pastoral Plan open meetings

The Pastoral Plan for the archdiocese was launched by the Archbishop last weekend. You can access the full plan in PDF and audio format from the link below. To find out more you are welcome to any of these open meetings:

Tuesday 7 Dec 8:30pm in Holy Rosary Aintree L10 2LG
Thursday 9 Dec 8:30pm on zoom (access the meeting from the link below).  

SVP Foodbank

In the lead up to Christmas, our SVP are asking for donations of dried food and toiletries etc for those who are struggling in our locality. If you could place your donations in the box at the back of Church, we would be very grateful.

First Confessions

The children who are due to make their First Communion next May, will be making their First Confession here in St James’ on Monday 6th December at 7pm. Please pray for the children and their families.