Trinity Sunday

Reflection

Of all the great feasts we celebrate within the Church throughout the year, today’s Solemnity presents us with a Mystery that is so deep and transcendent that our eternity will be spent in perpetual contemplation. The Trinity, the life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will never get old, never be fully understood, and will be the cause of our everlasting adoration and joy. Though the Church has used philosophical concepts to explain the Trinity, no human concept or description will ever fully explain Who God is. Though we can point to some general truths about God, we will never be able to fully depict the inner essence, depth, beauty and omnipotence of the Trinity. As we consider that fact, it’s important to understand that the Trinity is not first a theological mystery we try to define. Rather, the Trinity is first a communion of Persons we are invited to know. We do not primarily come to know God through intellectual deduction. We come to know God through prayerful union with Him. Though theology is exceptionally useful and important, the essence of God is beyond any and every philosophical concept we can define.

Brother Ste’s ordination  

A number of people have asked me if the Parish intends to give Bro Ste Lloyd some kind of present for his Ordination. The answer is Yes! If you would like to contribute something towards that present, you will find envelopes at the back of Church with his name on. Please put any donation you want to give into the envelope and return it any time you come to Mass. Can I ask for any donations to be in by the end of June. Thank you.

Second Collection

Second collection for “Day for Life” on Sunday 18th June. Another Mandatory Collection.

RCIA—Mass for new Catholics 

The Mass for the New Catholics will now take place on 21st June 2023 at the Metropolitan Cathedral at 7pm. Anyone who has been involved in the RCIA journey would be very welcome to attend. If you have any further questions, please email rcia@rcaol.org.uk.

Pentecost

Reflection

It was late spring and the buds still refused to open. Tightly wrapped up in themselves, they were as hard as stones. The wind shook them. The hail beat them. The frost squeezed them in a fist of iron. All three shouted, “Open up! Open up! Instead of opening up, the buds reinforced their shells and retreated even more deeply into themselves. Then along came the sun. It issued no threats and made no demands, it just created a more friendly climate. And what happened? Almost overnight the buds began to soften and expand. Then their shells cracked and they burst out. If you love, you are gentle and there are certain tasks which only gentleness can accomplish.

Brother Ste’s ordination  

A number of people have asked me if the Parish intends to give Bro Ste Lloyd some kind of present for his Ordination. The answer is Yes! If you would like to contribute something towards that present, you will find envelopes at the back of Church with his name on. Please put any donation you want to give into the envelope and return it any time you come to Mass. Can I ask for any donations to be in by the end of June. Thank you.

Churches Together - Two Cathedrals Walk

Sunday 28th May 3-5pm, a walk from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral to Metropolitan Cathedral. This year the 2 Cathedrals Pentecost walk and celebration will begin at Liverpool Cathedral, led by Bishop John Perumbalath. The celebrations are entitled: ‘One Church’, Many Nations, Journeying Together in Hope. For further information, please click the link below.

First Communions 

The children making their First Communion this Sunday: Mia Godlewska, Oscar Malicki, Harriet Taylor, Kitty McLeod, Libby Simpson, Adaeze-Rea Onuorah, Lucas Hughes, Nina Paniewska, Mason Hughes, Alex Ras.

Please keep them in your prayers.

Funeral 

The Funeral service for George Muirhead will take place here in St James’ on Friday 2nd June at 11.45am. Please remember George and his family in your prayers.

7th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

As we await the great feast of Pentecost, this Sunday’s scriptures remind us to wait united in prayer. Prayer is not a waste of time. The Holy Spirit will bring us the joy and peace that we cannot find in this world. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence among us. It is this love that unites us. After Jesus’ Ascension, the disciples needed reassurance that they are not abandoned. May the guidance of the coming Holy Spirit make us truly thankful as we strive to be One in the God who calls us into life.

World Communications Day  

This year’s World Communications Day is celebrated on Sunday 21 May 2023. The theme comes from Ephesians 4:15 Speaking with the heart—”The truth in love”. In his message to mark the day, Pope Francis stresses the need to listen before speaking the truth with a pure heart to “see beyond appearances and overcome the vague din which, in the field of information, does not help us discern in the complicated world in which we live.” The Holy Father, warning against indifference and indignation, hails the example of the great Dr of the Church, St Francis De Sales, in particular his commitment to patient, heartfelt dialogue. A gifted theologian, his phrase “Heart speaks to heart” inspired many, none more so than the recently canonised Saint John Henry Newman, who chose the phrase as his cardinalatial motto, “Cor ad cor loquitur”. Catholics in England and Wales will remember with affection that “Heart speaks unto heart” was also the theme for Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to the UK in 2010. You will find information, resources, prayers and more on the Bishops’ Conference website.

Churches Together - Two Cathedrals Walk

Sunday 28th May 3-5pm, a walk from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral to Metropolitan Cathedral. This year the 2 Cathedrals Pentecost walk and celebration will begin at Liverpool Cathedral, led by Bishop John Perumbalath. The celebrations are entitled: ‘One Church’, Many Nations, Journeying Together in Hope. For further information, please click the link below.

First Communions 

The children making their First Communion this Sunday are:
Niamh Sandford, Poppy-Lea Loftus, Francisca Braz, Dorian Krefta and Kaiden Reynolds.

Please keep them in your prayers.

5th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

Going to Heaven! I don’t know when, pray do not ask me how. Going to Heaven! How dim it sounds! And yet it will be done as sure as flocks go home at night unto the shepherd’s arm. If you should get there first, save just a little place for me close to the two I lost. The smallest “robe” will fit me and just a bit of “crown”; for you know we do not mind our dress when we are going home.
Emily Dickinson

Thanksgiving Mass for Bishop Tom Williams  

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon will celebrate a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop Tom Williams’ 20 years’ ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool on Wednesday 17 May 2023 at 7.00pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
Everyone is invited to the Mass and the Drinks Reception which will follow.

Prayer for King Charles

O God, to whom every human power is subject, grant to your servant, our sovereign Charles, success in the exercise of his high office so that, always revering you and striving to please you, he may constantly secure and preserve for the people entrusted to his care, the freedom that comes from civil peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. God, forever and ever. Amen
 

Holy Communions 

Please pray for Jack Windsor, Simon Enagbare Williams and Reece Bailey, who are making their First Communion this Sunday. We ask God’s blessing on them and their Families.

RCIA—Mass for the New Catholics 

The Mass for the New Catholics will now take place on 21st June 2023 at the Metropolitan Cathedral at 7pm. Anyone who has been involved in the RCIA journey would is welcome to attend. For further information email rcia@rcaol.org.uk

4th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

Compassion is not learned without suffering. Unless we have suffered and wept, we really don’t understand what compassion is, nor can we comfort someone who is suffering. Unless we have walked in darkness, we can’t help wanderers to find their way. But if we have suffered we become pathfinders for others and it is by reaching out to others that we ourselves are healed. Jesus bore the marks of a violent world on his body. These wounds were the proof of his love They were the mortal wounds the Good Shepherd picked up in caring for his sheep.

  

Vocation Sunday

Today we are encouraged to pray in a special way for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. In our diocese, Archbishop Malcolm will be Ordaining Hugh Donleavy as a Deacon in a little over a month at St Charles Church in Aigburth, followed, hopefully, by 3 more ordinations to the Diaconate in Rome towards the end of the college academic year. In our Salesian Province we have a number of seminarians preparing for priesthood, and we hope to witness Deacon Ste Lloyd's ordination this summer. Please pray for our seminarians and for all those discerning a vocation to the priesthood within our Archdiocese and our Salesian Province.

If you feel the Lord might be calling you to the priesthood why not speak to your Parish Priest about it, or make contact with the Vocations Director.

Second Collection

There is a mandatory Second collection this weekend for the Priests’ Training Fund.
 

Holy Communions 

There will be three children making their First Holy Communions at the 10:30am Mass next Sunday, 7th May.

3rd Sunday of Easter

Reflection

All through life’s day, you walk with us Lord but often we don’t recognise you for we are blinded by work and worry, doubt, confusion and fear and so you remain a stranger to us. Before the day’s end we will ask many questions, experience many sorrows and disappointments and then suddenly, whether we are young, middle-aged or old, we will find that night is approaching. In that moment we pray that, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, our eyes will be opened and that we will recognise you and you will not vanish from our sight but stay with us to guide us to the Father’s house.

Coronation invitation  

James Hansen, a former pupil of Savio school has been invited to Buckingham Palace to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. His mum, Elizabeth, a cleaner in All Saints has been invited to accompany him. What an honour for our parish and local community. James will be representing Sefton.

Second Collection  

The next mandatory Second collection is for the Priests’ Training Fund, and will be taken on Sunday 30th April.
 

Divorced? Separated? 

Meet in a small group for a gentle day of accurate information, non-intrusive support and confidential encouragement. Saturday 13th May from 10am to 4pm at the Iranaeus Centre, Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Free but donations welcome. A light lunch will be provided. For more information or to make a booking (essential), please contact Frances Trotman on 0151 727 2195

Easter

Reflection

As long as the sun comes over the hills, scatters the darkness and fills the world with light; as long as the fields get green again and the primroses and violets return; as long as the trees fill up again with leaves, there is hope for us and for the world. So come, let us follow the footsteps of spring for the snow has melted and life is awakening from its sleep and wanders through the hills and valleys. Come let us ascend the heights and gaze upon the waving greenness of the plains below. O come let us rejoice on this Easter Day for death has folded up his tent and gone away.

Happy Easter!  

Fr Brian, Fr Jim and the Salesian Community would like to wish all our parishioners a very Happy Easter. May the Risen Lord bless your families and grant peace and hope to all who are suffering throughout the world.

Archbishop’s Easter Message

As we continue to see so much uncertainty in the political sphere, both local and global, we are called to return to the source, to the risen Jesus, who reminds us that there will be suffering, but ultimately glory; the glory of the life of God given to each of us in His son, Jesus Christ. The glory given to us is the culmination of a journey – a journey of hope. The disciples hoped for the Messiah and found him in Jesus, yet their journey wasn’t an easy one. They experienced that darkness of Good Friday and felt lost as their hope turned to despair, as their lives were turned upside down. Yet, three days later on Easter morning their lives were completely transformed as the tomb was empty and the risen Lord was truly with them again. It is hope which is part of the journey of so many - refugees and asylum seekers longing for peace, safety and a better life – may we welcome them with the peace of the risen Christ. May we bring light to the darkness of the people of Ukraine and join with them in their hope for peace. May we welcome the light of the Risen Christ into the darkness of our lives so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. May the Risen Lord touch our hearts and lives with His hope, peace, and life this Easter Day.

Gift Aid 

Please consider joining the gift aid scheme if you are a taxpayer. We can claim 25p from the taxman for every £1 you donate. Please see Bob if you wish to join.

Palm Sunday

Reflection

Lord, remember not only people of good will but also people of ill will. Do not remember only the sufferings that have been inflicted on us but remember too the fruit we have bought as a result of this suffering. The comradeship and loyalty, the humility and courage, the generosity and greatness of heart that has grown out of it. And when they come to judgement, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.

Holy Week And Easter Services  

Holy Thursday
Mass of The Lord’s Supper, 7.30PM

Good Friday
Walk of Witness, 11AM;
Celebration of the Lord’s passion, 3PM

Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil, 8PM

Easter Sunday
Easter Mass, 10.30AM

Twelve Apostles

We need 12 people to volunteer to have their feet washed at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday 13th. If you feel generous and brave enough to do this please give your name to Bob. Thank you!
 

Second Collection 

The next second collection is for Holy Places and will take place during the Good Friday service.

New carpet  

In case you hadn’t noticed, we have a new carpet on the sanctuary! It was put down between Monday and Tuesday of last week. I would like to thank Tommy, Peter, Monica and Rita who took up the old carpet on the Monday and then cleaned up the perished underlay and dust left behind. They were ably assisted by our cleaning ladies who helped clean the dust from the floor and benches.

Many thanks to all the above for their generous work.

5th Sunday of Lent

Reflection

I believe in death. I believe that it is part of life. I believe that we are born to die, to die that we live more fully; born to die a little each day to selfishness, to pretence and to sin. I believe that every time we pass from one stage of life to another, something in us dies and something new is born. I believe we taste death in moments of lonliness, rejection, sorrow, disappointment and failure. I believe that we are dying before our time when we live in bitterness, in hatred and in isolation. I believe that each day we are creating our own death by the way we live. For those with faith, death is not the extinguishing light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.

Holy Week And Easter Services  

Holy Thursday
Mass of The Lord’s Supper, 7.30PM

Good Friday
Walk of Witness, 11AM;
Celebration of the Lord’s passion, 3PM

Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil, 8PM

Easter Sunday
Easter Mass, 10.30AM 

Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Malcolm

Stations of the Cross

Join us for Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent at 9.30am, just before Mass.

Second Collection 

The next second collection is for Holy Places and will take place during the Good Friday service.

Gift Aid  

The gift aid scheme begins again in April. Please consider joining if you are a taxpayer. That means we can claim 25p from the taxman for every £1 you donate. Please see Bob if you wish to join.

4th Sunday of Lent

Reflection

One night a few years ago there was a total eclipse of the moon. Everybody was talking about it. Many stayed up until the small hours in the hope of witnessing it. I asked myself: ‘Why all this interest in the moon, simply because it is disappearing?’ I was convinced that most of those people wouldn’t see a full moon in the sky, much less stop to admire it. It brought to mind the words of Emerson: ‘The fool wonders at the unusual; the wise person wonders at the usual.’

Happy Mother’s Day  

Wishing all our lovely mums, nans, aunties and every lady in our Parish, and beyond, a very happy and blessed Mother's Day. Thank you to you all for everything you do for us!

Stations of the Cross

Join us for Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent at 9.30am, just before Mass.

Second Collection 

The second collection this weekend is for Nugent Care. This is a mandatory collection.
Reminder: CAFOD envelopes can be handed in any time during Lent.

Funerals  

The funeral service for Frank Johnson will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 21st March at 11am. Please pray for the repose of Frank’s soul and the comfort of his family.

The funeral service for Tony Brady will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 23rd March at 12 noon. Please remember Tony and his family in your prayers.

 
Lent Talks 

The next Lent Talk from Churches Together will be on Monday 20th March in Linacre Mission. All are welcome.