23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Blessed are those who realise that they cannot live on bread alone but need the word of God too: they will be fully nourished.
Blessed are those who, when they have sinned, follow the example of the prodigal son and come back home to seek reconciliation: they will cause heaven to ring with joy.
Blessed are those who stop to attend to a wounded neighbour, pouring in the oil of compassion and the wine of hope: they are the Good Samaritans of today.
Blessed are those who remove the plank from their own eyes before telling their brother to remove the splinter from his: their efforts at reforming others will bear fruit.
And blessed are those who, having put their hand to the plough, refuse to look back: they will be found worthy of the Kingdom.

St Bernadette’s relics

The relics of St Bernadette will be at St Mary’s Chorley from 8:30pm on Thursday 15th until 9am on Saturday 17th when they will depart for the Metropolitan Cathedral with a service of welcome there at 3:30pm. They will stay at the cathedral until 7am on Tuesday 20th September.

For a schedule of events and to register for your free place click the link below.

Spanish Mass

Will take place in St Vincent’s Church, St James St L1 5JN every 2nd Sunday of the month at 4pm. Dates for the rest of this year are 11 Sep, 9 Oct, 13 Nov, 11 Dec.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Lord, we thank you for having us as guests at the banquet of the Eucharist. Here we have listened to your word and eaten the food of eternal life. May we go forth from here nourished, honoured, blessed, humbled yet exalted. May we be so sure of our worth before you that the honours of this world will never ensnare us. And in your goodness grant us a place at the heavenly banquet.
Amen.

St Bernadette’s relics

In September and October this year, the relics of St Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage to England, Scotland, and Wales for the very first time. This very special once in a lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes, in a church or cathedral near them.

The relics will visit the Archdiocese of Liverpool from 15-20 September, visiting St Mary’s Chorley, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. For the Metropolitan cathedral, the relics will be located in the main Cathedral space. To ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, visitors are asked to register their attendance in advance. Click the link below for a schedule of events and to register for your free place.

Funeral

The Funeral of Catherine Riley will take place here in St James’ on Friday 2nd September at 1pm.
Please pray for the repose of Catherine’s soul and for the comfort of her family.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Jesus said that there are two roads we can follow.
The first is wide and easy to travel.
It is downhill most of the way.
It is the way of comfort and ease, pleasure and self-seeking.
Many are fooled and travel down this road but in the long run it leads them nowhere. They die in the desert.
The second road is narrow and difficult.
It is uphill a lot of the way.
It is the way of struggle and sacrifice.
Few take this road but they are the lucky ones.
This road leads to the promised land.

RCIA

(Rite of Christian initiation of Adults)

Each year we run a series of meetings leading to full membership of the Catholic Church i.e. Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.
If you or anyone you know is interested, join us on Wednesday 24th August at 7:30pm in St James’ parish house.
Rita and Team
For more information contact Rita on 07716 396010

Funeral

The Funeral Mass for Mary McLoughlin will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 23rd August at 10am.

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

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

I asked for health that I might do great things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed

Renewal of vows

We congratulate Bro Nhan who renews his vows as a Salesian at Mass today, in the presence of our Provincial Fr Gerry Briody.

Please remember Bro Nhan in your prayers.

World Grandparents Day

Last year Pope Francis decided to institute a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the elderly. He declared it will be held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

This year the Second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly falls on Sunday 24th July. There are many ways we can celebrate this special day, in our homes and parishes.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

The Good Samaritan was someone who cared.
Blessed are those who care:
They will let people know they are loved.
Blessed are those who are gentle: they will help people to grow as the sun helps the buds to unfold.
Blessed are those who listen: they will lighten many a burden.
Blessed are those who know how to let go: they will have the joy of seeing people find themselves.
Blessed are those who, when nothing can be done or said, do not walk away, but remain to provide a comforting and supportive presence: they will help the sufferer to bear the unbearable.
Blessed are those who recognise their own need to receive: they will be able to give all the better.
And blessed are those who give without hope of return: they will give people an experience of God.

Confirmations

Young people from our Deanery will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in St Monica’s Church on Monday 11th July and Thursday 14th July at 7pm. Bishop Tom Neylon is celebrating the Sacrament on both nights.

Sea Sunday

Every year Churches around the world celebrate Sea Sunday. It is a day for people to come together to pray for seafarers and fishers and thank them for the vital role they play in all of our lives. Let us pray for God’s blessing on them today.

Former Parishioners of St. Richard’s

As you may be aware, The Archdiocese is now in a position to put the church up for sale. If you know of any families who had loved ones’ Ashes interred in the grounds of the Church, could you please contact St. Monica’s (on: 0151 922 4819) to let them know. If there is no-one available to take your call, could you please leave a message, and someone will get back to you.”

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Whose woods these are I hardly know.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
Seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
(St Francis of Assisi)

Confirmations

Young people from our Deanery will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in St Monica’s Church on Monday 11th July and Thursday 14th July at 7pm. Bishop Tom Neylon is celebrating the Sacrament on both nights.

Life is winning

As you have probably seen in the media, on Friday 24 June, the US Supreme Court struck down the Roe v Wade decision. The long-awaited victory for the pro-life movement means that the matter of abortion legislation is now returning to individual states.

There has been much misinformation spread online about the implications of this decision. Lord Alton has published an excellent piece that sets out the key facts on the decision. You can access the article from the link below.

Memorial Mass

The Memorial Mass for Maureen Burgess will take place here in St James’ on Friday 8th July at 12.30pm. Please remember Maureen and her family in your prayers.

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Whose woods these are I hardly know.
His house is in the village though;
he will not see me stopping here
to watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
to stop without a farmhouse near.,
between the woods and frozen lake
the darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
to ask if there is some mistake;
the only other sound is the sweep
of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep
but I have promises to keep;
and miles to go before I sleep
and miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

Saints Peter and Paul

Wednesday of this week, 29th June, is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul and is a holiday of obligation. Masses will be at 10am and 7pm.

First Communion 

Our last First Communion candidate, Isabell Bowden, will be making her First Communion this Sunday at the 10.30am Mass. Please remember Isabell and her family in your prayers.
 

Funerals 

The Funeral Mass for Paula Woods will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 28th June at 12 noon. Please remember Paula and her family in your prayers.

The Funeral Service for Ann Hall will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 30th June at 1.15pm. Please pray for Ann and her family. 

Corpus Christi

Reflection

Jesus said to his apostles: “Do this in memory of me.”
We all love to be remembered.
This was true even of Jesus.
But if we want to be remembered, we have a duty also to remember.
Memory is a powerful thing, wrongly used it brings death; rightly used it brings life and is a form of immortality.
It keeps the past alive.
Those we remember never die, they continue to walk and talk with us.
Lord, when we celebrate the Eucharist we are remembering you.
May that remembering bring us life here and hereafter.

New Priest

This Sunday, Feast of Corpus Christi, Fr Miroslav Kosiec (Mirek) from Poland, who has just been ordained to the priesthood, and who spent some time here as a brother, is coming to celebrate the 10.30 Mass.

I’m sure you will give him a warm welcome.

Tea and Coffee

Due to popular demand, from this Sunday, Feast of Corpus Christi, tea and coffee will be available at the back of Church after the 10.30 Mass. Another sign of our return to something near normality. Thank you to those parishioners whose generosity makes this possible.

Funeral

The Funeral Mass for Michael Hibberd will take place here in St James’ on Monday 20th June at 10am. Please remember Michael and his family in your prayers.

Collection

There is a mandatory collection this weekend for Day for Life

Trinity Sunday

Reflection

Nowadays, thanks to the security camera, we are often being watched. Watched by a cold dispassionate eye, intent only on catching us in wrong-doing. The feeling that someone is watching us is not a pleasant feeling. But the feeling that someone is watching over us is a lovely feeling. God is not watching us, God is watching over us. The conviction that God is watching over us gives us comfort in times of sadness, strength in times of weakness and hope in times of despair.

Please note there will be no 10am Mass on Thursday 16th June.

New Priest

Next Sunday, Feast of Corpus Christi, Fr Miroslav Kosiec (Mirek) from Poland, who has just been ordained to the priesthood, and who spent some time here as a brother, is coming to celebrate the 10.30 Mass.

I’m sure you will give him a warm welcome.

Tea and Coffee

Due to popular demand, from next Sunday, Feast of Corpus Christi, tea and coffee will be available at the back of Church after the 10.30 Mass. Another sign of our return to something near normality. Thank you to those parishioners whose generosity makes this possible.

Funeral

The Funeral Mass for Owen Ryan will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 16th June at 11.30am. Please keep Owen and his family in your prayers.

Pentecost

Reflection

On Pentecost Day the Apostles spoke a new language. It was the language of peace rather than war; the language of cooperation rather than of competition; the language of forgiveness rather than of vengeance; the language of hope rather than of despair; the language of tolerance rather than of bigotry; the language of friendship rather than of hostility; the language of unity rather than of division; the language of love rather than of hate. Through the gift of the Spirit, people of different languages learned to profess one faith, to the praise and glory of God. This is the real miracle of Pentecost, and it is a miracle which, thankfully, still happens.

Sunday Obligation

The bishops of England and Wales are to re-introduce the Sunday obligation at Pentecost, months after it was restored in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The resolution was issued last week, in which the English bishops said the ‘reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply.’

The obligation was suspended due to the pandemic whilst many Catholics watched Mass online. The resolution states that the ‘Virtual viewing of Mass online does not fulfil the Sunday obligation’. England and Wales are the last in the British Isles to reintroduce the obligation, which was reintroduced by the Scottish bishops on the First Sunday of Lent and the Irish bishops on Easter Sunday.

The reintroduction does not apply to those unable to attend Mass due to health concerns.” We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass,” the letter reads. “It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situation such as ill-health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday obligation.”

Two cathedrals Pentecost service

Join us on Sunday 5th June 2022 for the Pentecost and Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The celebrations start with an act of worship on the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral at 2:30. Worship continues with a family service at Liverpool Cathedral starting at 3:45. Following this, we have the Big Picnic for the Platinum Jubilee. With fun for all the family, we will be having a massive street party inside the cathedral. There are giant games like snakes and ladders, skittles and quoits, alongside crafts and a trail…. fun for all ages to celebrate.