7th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

Jesus’ last testament is that his followers be brought into a loving union with the Father that he shares. Jesus knows that the apostles will meet rejection, opposition and persecution, but in spite of this, he sends them into the world to be his witnesses. Father, we pray for unity and your grace to enable us however difficult it may be that we work for the unity that our Lord and Saviour wanted in his Church and in the world. We pray for the strength and courage to achieve this ‘Pearl of Great Price’.

World Communications Day 

The Pope's message for World Communications Day follows the theme Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication . See the full message online at the Bishops’ Conference website.

First Communions 

At the two Masses this weekend, the following children will be making their First Communion: Alice Billows, Darren Crampton. Kourtney O’Brien, Lottie Fairchild, Timothy Ifionayi and Hollie Gerrard. Please pray for the children and their families.

Funerals 

The Funeral Mass for Joe Kerwin will take place here in St James’ on Friday 17th May at 11.30am. Please remember Joe and his Family in your prayers.

Deanery Retreat Day 

Dear parishioners/ friends, you are all warmly invited to a Deanery retreat day, Saturday 18th May, The Academy of St. John Bosco - formerly Savio High school, Netherton Way, L30. 9.30am-3.00pm.  The theme for the day is ‘One Body in Christ: Unity and Diversity in the Family of Parishes’. The day will be led by Deacon Mike Bennett ( St James’s Bootle). Please bring a packed lunch. Hot and cold drinks available throughout the day. This is an excellent opportunity to come together as a Deanery to spend time together not only in prayer but also socially. I do hope you’ll make a special effort to come along. Contact Fr Ged Callacher to book a free place g.callacher@rcaol.org.uk / 0151 525 3483. 

Two Cathedrals Celebration 

This year Pentecost Sunday 19th May 2024 will mark 100 years of Liverpool Cathedral and the 2 Cathedral Pentecost Service will be a family friendly event of celebration. The event starts at 3pm at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral where Monsignor John Devine OBE will be preaching. Then everyone will be taking a pilgrimage walk down Hope Street and will receive a final blessing at Liverpool Cathedral. It will be a family friendly event with live music and giant games.

6th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

If only the heart was right we could give so much more. But alas the heart is often empty. It is often cold and unwelcoming. It is often hard and unyielding. It is often weighed down with worry. It is often sad and lonely. It is often in darkness. It is often wounded. And it is sometimes broken. We have to heal the wounds of the heart in order to be able to love. Lord, touch our hearts and heal them, so that we may be able to bear the fruits of love. Amen.

Feast of the Ascension

Thursday of this week, 9th May, is Ascension Thursday and is a holyday of obligation. Masses that day will be at 10am and 7pm.

First Communions 

Children from the Parish will be making their First Communion in the next two weekends: Saturday 11th at 6.30pm Mass; Sunday 12th at the 10.30am Mass; and Sunday 19th May at the 10.30am Mass. Please say a prayer for the First Communicants and their families.

Funerals 

The Funeral Service for Philip Kelly will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 7th May at 1.30pm. Please keep Philip and his family in your prayers.

The Funeral Mass for Pat Cumiskey will take place here in St James’ on Friday 10th May at 12.30pm. Please remember Pat and her family in your prayers.

Deanery Retreat Day 

Dear parishioners/ friends, you are all warmly invited to a Deanery retreat day, Saturday 18th May, The Academy of St. John Bosco - formerly Savio High school, Netherton Way, L30. 9.30am-3.00pm.  The theme for the day is ‘One Body in Christ: Unity and Diversity in the Family of Parishes’. The day will be led by Deacon Mike Bennett ( St James’s Bootle). Please bring a packed lunch. Hot and cold drinks available throughout the day. This is an excellent opportunity to come together as a Deanery to spend time together not only in prayer but also socially. I do hope you’ll make a special effort to come along. Contact Fr Ged Callacher to book a free place g.callacher@rcaol.org.uk / 0151 525 3483. 

5th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

Lord, you said: “I am the vine you are the branches. Separated from me you can do nothing but united with me you will bear much fruit.”
Thank you, Lord for the bond you formed with us and thank you for the bond that exists among us because of our union with you. Thanks to this bond we have invisible riches to share with one another. Grant that we may never be separated from you, so that we may produce in the world the fruits of faith, hope and love.

RCIA the Mass for new Catholics 

We are celebrating the Mass for New Catholics on Thursday 20 June at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral at 7pm which will be celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm.
Anyone received into the church, both this year and previous years are welcome to attend with their families, friends, and Catechists.

Blessed Lawrence Johnson

Family of Parishes 

Our small Family of Parishes, made up of St James’, St Monica’s and St Francis de Sales, have adopted a local martyr as our patron. He is Blessed Lawrence Johnson, and his feast day is 30th May. More about him later!

Funeral 

The Funeral service for Harry Owens will take place here in St James’ on Friday 3rd May at 12.30pm. Please remember Harry and his family in your prayers.

A Day of Charismatic Renewal 

Join Irenaeus for a day of renewal on Saturday 11th May from 10am to 4pm as we invite the Holy Spirit to work among us and enlighten us. Guest speaker: Michelle Moran. This event is open to everyone, whether you're new to Charismatic Renewal or have been involved in the past. For more information and to register, please contact Moira at moira@ireaneus.co.uk

4th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

All work is empty save when done with love. And what is it to work with love? It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth. It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.
If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms from those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half of man’s hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine. Work is love made visible.

Salesian Vocations 

Today is Vocations Sunday, when we encourage young men and women to consider a vocation to religious life. Fr Gerry O’Shaughnessy, our Salesian Vocations Promotor, has sent various resources and handouts for Vocations Sunday.
Feel free to take them away with you and perhaps give the information to someone you think might be interested.

Do you feel called to religious life? Contact Fr Gerry directly, from the link below (gerry.oshaughnessy@salesians.org.uk):

Gift Aid 

If you are a tax payer, please consider joining the gift aid scheme. The parish can claim 25p from the taxman for every £1 you donate. Please see Bob if you wish to join. The envelopes for this year are now available at the back of church.

Pope’s Message for Vocations Sunday 

Dear brothers and sisters! Each year, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations invites us to reflect on the precious gift of the Lord’s call to each of us, as members of his faithful pilgrim people, to participate in his loving plan and to embody the beauty of the Gospel in different states of life...

3rd Sunday of Easter

Reflection

Those who care about others pick up a lot of wounds. There may be no great wounds, only a multiplicity of little ones. A host of scratches, wrinkles and welts but there can also be a lot of invisible wounds: The furrows left on the mind and the heart by hardship, worry and anxiety, disappointments, ingratitude and betrayal. These wounds are not things to be ashamed of, they are badges of honour. They are the proof of our love. Jesus didn’t hide his wounds and neither should we. By his wounds we are healed.

Salesian Academy Redevelopment proposal 

Notification of consultation
A public consultation on redevelopment proposals for the existing school site is underway. To view the proposals and leave any comments or feedback follow the link below.
A consultation drop-in event is also taking place in the school Main Hall, Salesian Academy of St John Bosco, Netherton Way, L30 2NA on Tuesday 16th April from 2pm to 7.30pm. The closing date for any comments to be provided is Thursday 18th April.

Gift Aid 

If you are a tax payer, please consider joining the gift aid scheme. The parish can claim 25p from the taxman for every £1 you donate. Please see Bob if you wish to join. The envelopes for this year are now available at the back of church.

2nd Sunday of Easter

Reflection

Defending the Christians before the Emperor Hadrian, Aristides, a non-Christian, said of them: “These Christians love one another. They never fail to help widows. They save orphans from those who would hurt them. If a man has something, he gives freely to the man who has nothing. If they see a stranger, Christians take him into their homes and treat him as a brother. And if they hear that one of them is in jail, or persecuted for professing the name of their redeemer, they all give him what he needs. If it is possible they bail him out. If one of them is poor and there isn’t enough food to go around, they fast several days to give him the food he needs. We are dealing with a new kind of person, there is something divine in them.”

Masses next week 

As Fr Brian is away at a Provincial Chapter meeting from Monday to Thursday this week, Fr Tony Frain has kindly agreed to say the Parish Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
We are very grateful to him for stepping in.

Pilot marriage preparation programme 

Joint Sefton Deaneries will be hosting a Pilot marriage preparation programme based on the resources created by Arundel and Brighton Diocese for existing Catechists participating in this pilot, with the Marriage and Family Life Coordinator from Arundel and Brighton, as well as Stefan and Ella Kaminsky from the Christian Heritage Centre. This will provide an opportunity to explore these resources as well as to revisit the theology of the sacrament of marriage.
Date – Saturday 13th April 10.00am-2.00pm(ish), St Monica’s Parish Centre, Stewart Road, Bootle L20. Hot and cold drinks available throughout the day. Please bring a packed lunch.

5th Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Each of us is like a grain of wheat planted by God. Just as a grain of wheat must die so as to produced a harvest, so we must die to self in order to bear the fruits of love. The dying to self is a gradual process and happens in little ways. Every act of humility involves dying to pride. Every act of courage involves dying to cowardice. Every act of kindness involves dying to cruelty. Every act of love involves dying to selfishness. Thus the false self dies and the true self, made in God’s image, is born and nurtured. It is by giving that we receive; It is by forgiving that we are forgiven; It is by dying that we are born to eternal life.

Holy Thursday 

We have decided to go ahead with the plan to celebrate The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, for the three parishes, St James, St Monica and St Francis de Sales, in one joint celebration. This year, this will take place in St Monica’s at 7pm. Anyone wishing to go who has transport difficulties, please let me know and we can sort something out. More details later.

Stations of the Cross 

Every Friday here in St James’ at 9.30am, just before Mass.
In St Monica’s: Thursday after midday Mass; In St Francis de Sales: Friday after Mass.

Funerals 

The Funeral Mass for Jimmy O’Leary will take place here in St James’ on Monday 18th March at 1pm. Please keep Jimmy and his family in your prayers.

The Funeral Service for Pat Halsall will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 21st March at 12 noon. Please keep Pat and her family in your prayers.

4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Reflection

In Christ there is no trace of darkness. His light shows up the darkness in us. His truth shows up our lies. His integrity shows up our falseness. His generosity shows up our selfishness. His peace shows up our conflicts. His openness to others shows how closed we are. However, we should not be afraid of his light. Rather, we should rejoice in it. Compared to his light other lights are mere flares in the night or candles in the wind.. Christ, radiant Light of the world, guide our steps through the gloom of this world to the kingdom of unfailing light.

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Happy mothers’ day to all the mothers in our Parish. May God bless you and reward you for all you do for your families. And may your families be extra kind to you today!

Stations of the Cross 

Every Friday here in St James’ at 9.30am, just before Mass.
In St Monica’s: Thursday after midday Mass; In St Francis de Sales: Friday after Mass.

Funerals 

The Funeral service for Chris Mullen will take place here in St James on Tuesday 12th March at 12.15pm. Please remember Chris and his family in your prayers.

The Funeral Mass for Christy Sheils will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 14th March at 12 noon. Please remember Christy and his family in your prayers.

Lourdes Easter bunny walk 

A 5k Easter walk is to take place on Monday April 1st at 11am in Lydiate from St Gregory’s, Liverpool Rd to Our Lady’s, Southport Rd and back. It’s £8 per person or £20 per family of 4. A water bottle, bunny ears and an Easter egg are included.

3rd Sunday of Lent

Reflection

The following prayer was found written over the door of a Church: “Lord, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship, narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and strife. Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, nor to straying feet. Make this house a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.”

Lent Talk 

The next Lent Talk organised by the Churches Together will be on Monday 4th March at 7.30pm in the Linacre Mission. The theme this week is “Let’s make a habit of Hope.”

Stations of the Cross 

Every Friday here in St James’ at 9.30am, just before Mass.
In St Monica’s: Thursday after midday Mass; In St Francis de Sales: Friday after Mass.

Funeral 

The Funeral Mass for Peter Culkin will take place here in St James’ on Friday 8th March at 12 noon. Please remember Peter and his family in your prayers.

Second Collection

Just to remind you that there is a second collection next Sunday, 10th March, for Nugent.

Heating 

At the moment, only one of our two boilers is working, which is why the radiators are not as hot as they should be. My apologies for this. The boilers were serviced three weeks ago and have been nothing but trouble ever since! The men from Senate are coming to overhaul both boilers on Monday, so hopefully normal heat will soon be restored. Meanwhile, keep wearing your winter woollies!

2nd Sunday of Lent

Reflection

Jesus often went into the hills to pray. He preached his most famous sermon from a hilltop. He was transfigured on Mount Tabor, died on Mount Calvary, and ascended to heaven from Mount Olivet. It seems that he loved hills and mountains. Why was this? Was it because he grew up among the hills of Galilee? Or was it because heights enlarge our vision and cause our spirits to soar? Lift us up, strong son of God, that we may see further. Strengthen our faith that we may see beyond the horizon. And when the valley closes in, help us to remember the view from the hilltop.

Provincial Visitation 

We welcome Fr Gerry Briody, our Provincial, who is here on visitation this week. He will be present for the weekend Masses and I know you will give him a warm welcome. Fr Gerry would like to meet with any of the Parish Team and Cooperators who are available on Tuesday 27th February at 7pm in the Parish house.

Stations of the Cross 

Every Friday here in St James’ at 9.30am, just before Mass.
In St Monica’s: Thursday after midday Mass; In St Francis de Sales: Friday after Mass.

Proposed Family of Parishes joint Holy Thursday Mass 

Dear Parishioners, we are looking at ways of coming together and building community and relationships in our newly formed ‘family of parishes’ of St James, St Monica and St Francis de Sales.  Holy Thursday Mass in all of our parishes has the lowest attendance of the Holy Week Services. We would like to propose to you that this year we come together as a family to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper together in one of our parishes. Have a think and let me know your honest thoughts and comments.

Lenten Talk 

The next Lenten talk will be on Monday 26th February at 7.30pm in the Linacre Mission.