11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

On many an idle day have I grieved over lost time. But it is never lost, my Lord. You have taken every moment of my life in your own hands. Hidden in the heart of things you are nourishing seeds into sprouts, buds into blossoms, and ripeneing flowers into fruitfulness. I was tired and sleeping in my idle bed and imagining all work had ceased. In the morning I woke up and found my garden full with wonders of flowers.
(Rabindranath Tagore)

New Community Member 

Brother Alfred Augustine Unuakhe SDB (known as Augustine), recently ordained Deacon down in Battersea, will be joining our Salesian Community for the next six months. He will be doing Pastoral work both in school and in the Parish. I know you will give him a warm welcome when you meet him!

Final Profession 

The Final Profession of Brother Solomon will take place here in St James’ on Sunday 30th June at the 10.30am Mass. We hope you will join us as we celebrate and pray for Solomon as he dedicates his life to God and to the Salesian Society.

Deanery Bulletin 

At the back of Church you will find a copy of the first edition of the Deanery Bulletin in full colour! It gives you information about the Deanery Synodal Council and the Family of Parishes. Please take one home and read it. In connection with this we are inviting you to an open meeting, here in the Parish house on Tuesday 18th June at 7pm. This is for all ages and will be an opportunity to learn more about the Deanery Pastoral Plan and give your own opinion. Please come and join us for that evening.

School Chaplaincy Newsletter 

At the back of Church you will also find a copy of the Chaplaincy Newsletter of the Salesian Academy of St John Bosco. We encourage you to take one home and read it. A digital copy is also available here:

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.

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

A kingdom that is divided within itself cannot stand. I myself am a divided kingdom; I am divided within myself. The good that I want to do, I do not do, the evil that I want to avoid I find myself doing. I am like a field in which wheat and weeds are struggling for supremacy. Who will save me from myself? Who will keep my kingdom from falling down? You, Lord, who overpowered Satan, will heal the division within me and help me to take complete possession of my house. Then I will be free, united and at peace.

Family of Parishes 

At a recent Deanery meeting, we chose Blessed Lawrence Johnson as the Patron of our Family of Parishes and our local Deanery. Blessed Lawrence is a local English Martyr, and you can find a prayer card at the back of Church with details of his life and a prayer which we would invite you to say when you can. Please take one with you.

Final Profession 

The Final Profession of Brother Solomon will take place here in St James’ on Sunday 30th June at the 10.30am Mass. We hope you will join us as we celebrate and pray for Solomon as he dedicates his life to God and to the Salesian Society.

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.

The Most Holy Trinity

Reflection

We make the sign of the cross to put us in the mind of the Blessed Trinity. With all our heart and voice, we acknowledge, we praise and we bless you, God the Father unbegotten; you, the only-begotten Son; you, the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, O holy and undivided Trinity.

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.

The Feast of Mary Help of Christians 

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of Mary Help of Christians. This is a very special day for the Salesians and it was marked with a beautiful Mass celebrated both here in the parish of St James and at The Salesian Academy of St. John Bosco. In the evening the celebration continued - we have invited our altar servers and the young people from SASJB for a trip to Southport, where they enjoyed bowling, laser and a meal with friends. We are very grateful to the Salesian Youth Ministry UK for their support.

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Message from Fr Brian 

I’m away on Retreat in Leeds this coming week, so Fr Tony Frain has agreed to say the morning Masses from Monday to Friday. I’m very grateful to him for doing this.

Second Collections

There will be a second collection on Sunday 16th June for The Day for Life; and there will be a second collection on Sunday 30th June, Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, for Peter’s Pence. 

Pentecost

Reflection

Do not let yourselves be guided by the spirit of self-indulgence. Look at the legacy self-indulgence produces: bad temper. Fighting. Jealousy, cruelty, meanness, revenge, fornication, idolatry and drunkenness. These are ugly things and make life miserable. Rather, let yourself be guided by the Spirit of God. Look at the legacy the Spirit brings: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are beautiful things, and make life joyful. They are a foretaste of the joy of heaven. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.

First Communions 

At the 10.30 Mass this weekend, the following children will be making their First Communion: Daisy Dewsbury, Nevaeh Brown, Ethan Willetts, Ella Ridout, Eva Gregson, Evie Donegan, Filip Trochym, Michelle Uamai. Please pray for these children and their families.

Men of St. James', St. Monica's, St. Francis de Sales 

You are invited to a social gathering at St. Monica’s Parish Hall @ 7pm on Tuesday, 21st May. Our purpose is to come together, to get to know each other better, to build community. Some light refreshments will be available but feel free to bring your own, if you have particular tastes or requirements, and don’t skip your tea! Hope to see you there!

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.

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.