The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Reflection

Today’s Feast is a wonderful occasion to reflect on the mission of the Church and, indeed, of our own Diocese. There is much hope for each and every one of us in the lives of these two great saints. Both had their frailties: St Peter could be impetuous and, when the moment of his greatest test came, he denied the Lord. Yet, Jesus, seeing the faith and love that were in him, called him to be the foundation on which the Church is built. St Paul, a one-time persecutor of the Church, comes to preach the Resurrection of Christ across the known world of his time. In these two men, therefore, there is hope for us. Despite our own faults, failings and weaknesses, Jesus calls us to be his disciples, to be those who – with lives built on the relationship of love that is our prayer, with faith nourished and deepened in the life of His Church – are his witnesses in our present age.  This is a time, a moment, when that witness is needed in so many ways. (Bishop Richard Moth.)

Parish Meeting 

The last Parish open meeting to discuss the Diocesan Pastoral Plan will be on Tuesday 1st July at 7pm in the Parish house. The topics for discussion are:
Becoming a Church where synodality is embedded.
Becoming a Church that renews its organisational structures and administers its property to serve its mission.
Everyone is welcome to share their views.

Congratulations 

We congratulate Fr Hugh Preston and his twin Fr Francis as they celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their priesthood on the 5th July. Over the next two weekend they are celebrating in Bollington and in London. We ask God to reward them for their years of dedicated ministry and for all the good they have done to so many people. May God bless them with good health as they continue their wonderful ministry.

The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Reflection

The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is more than a liturgy — it’s when heaven and earth unite. Rooted in Easter, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday, it celebrates divine love made visible in the Eucharist. Bread, the fruit of earth and heaven, becomes Christ himself—love that transforms and gives hope. This feast reminds us that God is love, and in that love there is renewal, relationship, and the strength to live with faith.

Family Picnic (more details) 

All families are welcome to attend this Family Picnic on Saturday 28 June (11am-3pm) at St Anne Church, Prescot Rd, Ormskirk, L39 4TG. We especially wish to invite those families with children who are being baptised, making their holy communions or confirmations. Mass will be celebrated at 12pm. Families are encouraged to bring their own food. There will be games for younger children, children’s liturgy, Animate Youth activities for teenagers and reflection time for adults. If you are interested, please sign up here Family Picnic Link or using the QR code and for more information please contact Ian at i.parrott@rcaol.org.uk

Visitors 

This Sunday we are joined by pupils and staff from a Salesian school in Mexico. Please be nice to them, as you always are, and practice your Spanish!

Eucharistic Ministers 

If any of our Eucharistic Ministers feel able to take Communion to some of our sick and housebound parishioners, could they see Fr Brian sometime soon. Thanks.

Pentecost

Reflection

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost. On the fiftieth day after Jesus’ Resurrection, ten days after His Ascension, the disciples were once again gathered in the upper room when they experienced something beyond their imagination. From the sky came a noise like a strong driving wind. Tongues, as of fire, fell upon all gathered, and they were given the gift of tongues. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples went out into the community of Jerusalem and began to boldly proclaim the Gospel to all. Pentecost was the birthday of the Church. Holy Spirit, come to us and bestow upon us Your seven-fold gifts, so that we can grow closer to Christ Jesus and act more faithfully as a members of His Body.

Message from Father Brian 

On Sunday 6th July this year, I will be celebrating forty years as a Salesian priest (my Ruby Jubilee). Since I have spent the last ten years here in St James’ Parish, I want to invite you to celebrate with me and some of my family and friends.
The 10.30am Mass on 6th July will be a celebration Mass, followed by a buffet lunch in the school hall at All Saints Primary. You are all invited to join me for the Mass and the buffet. For catering purposes, if you would like to come to the buffet could you sign up on the sheets at the back of Church by 22nd June, so that we have an idea of numbers.
I look forward to celebrating with you. Thank you.

Family of Parishes’ Lourdes Pilgrimage - Important Notice 

We are having a final meeting on MONDAY, 7TH JULY AT 7:00pm. IN ST. MONICA’S PARISH CENTRE, AND ALL OUTSTANDING BALANCE PAYMENTS MUST BE PAID AT THIS MEETING - THIS IS THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR YOUR BALANCE TO BE PAID.
For those in a Single Room, the balance owing is £595.00.
For those in a twin-shared room, the balance is £475.00.
Please note, PAYMENT IN CASH, in an envelope with your name, address & contact number clearly written on it, and brought to this meeting on 7th July.
Any questions you have regarding the Pilgrimage will be addressed on the night. (If for any reason you are unable to attend, please ensure that FULL PAYMENT OF YOUR BALANCE IS PAID to either Mike Langan or Fr. Ged, BEFORE THE DATE OF THE MEETING).

2 Cathedrals' Walk 

On the 8th of June at 3pm, walk with us in a powerful celebration of Pentecost, as we journey together between Liverpool Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The celebrations begin with a short act of worship at Liverpool Cathedral and include the story of Pentecost, a walk along Hope Street,  hymns, stalls on the piazza of the Metropolitan Cathedral ending with giant family games. The choirs of both cathedrals and a Salvation Army Band will be involved.

7th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

Come, Holy Spirit. Come with strength for the weak. Courage for the fearful. Light for those in darkness. Comfort for the sorrowful. Healing for the sick and injured. Guidance for those who are lost. Faith for those who are in doubt. Hope for those who have no hope and love for those who have no love. Come, Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love and we shall renew the face of the earth.

Thank you 

Fr Brian would like to thank Mrs Vicky Carlin and the class teachers from All Saints for preparing the children for their First Communion. Thank you to Mrs Rita Shannon for preparing those not in the primary school, and thanks to Mrs Marie Savin for organising the children on the First Communion days.
Your work is much appreciated.

SVP Appeal 

The SVP has issued an appeal for mugs and men’s clothes. Please see Ann Kirby for details.

Parish Meeting 

The next Parish open meeting to discuss the Diocesan Pastoral Plan will be on Tuesday 3rd June at 7pm in the Parish house.
The topics for discussion are: Becoming a Church where young people and young adults flourish; and Becoming a Church that cares for its priests. Everyone is welcome to come and give their opinion!

6th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

To be glad of life because it gives you a chance to love, to work, to play and to look up at the stars. To despise nothing in the world except what is false and mean. To fear nothing except what is cowardly. To be guided by what you admire and love, rather than by what you hate. To envy nothing that is your neighbour’s except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manner. To think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends and every day of Christ. And to spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit, in God’s out-of-doors. These are little signposts on the footpath of peace.

First Communions 

Our final round of First Communions:
Saturday evening Mass: Anthony Joseph Hickey, Layton-James Berry and Leighton-Garvey Porter.
Sunday morning Mass: Gracie Azubuike Nduka, Elijah Roberts, Ruby Johnson and Mason Smith.

Funeral 

The funeral Mass for Pauline Costello will take place here in St James’ on Wednesday 28th May at 12 noon.
Please pray for the repose of Pauline’s soul and the comfort of her family.

Feast of the Ascension 

Thursday of this week is Ascension Thursday, and is a Holyday of Obligation.
Masses will be at their usual times of 10am and 7pm.

5th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

It’s easy to love at a distance but not so easy to love at close quarters. It’s easier to give a few pounds to relieve famine in Africa than to relieve the loneliness of someone living next door. It’s easy to love people who are far away but not always easy to love those who are close at hand. Yet, these are the people Christ asks us to love. We must begin by loving the people near us. That is where our love must start. But, of course, it doesn’t have to end there. And it shouldn’t.

First Communions 

Children making their First Communion this weekend:
Saturday evening Mass: Mason O’Brien, Nathaniel Chigutsa and Sam Curran.
Sunday morning Mass: Aleigha Kelly, Harry Gardner, Ameera Adan, Amelia Jones, Szymon Janiszewski, Nancy Tierney, Enzo Goodaker-Green and Natalie Okuduwa.

Funeral 

The Funeral Mass for Pat Williams will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 22nd May at 12 noon. Please pray for the repose of Pat’s soul and the comfort of her family.

Two Cathedrals Walk 

On Sunday, 8th of June at 3pm, walk with us in a powerful celebration of Pentecost, as we journey together between Liverpool Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Starting at Liverpool Cathedral this symbolic walk unites all communities in faith, reflection and joy. Come and be part of this special tradition! The celebrations will begin with a short act of worship at Liverpool Cathedral and include the story of Pentecost, hymns and stalls on the piazza of the Metropolitan Cathedral. The choirs of both cathedrals and a Salvation Army Band will be involved. All are welcome

4th Sunday of Easter

Reflection

The deepest wound of all is that which affects the heart: The feeling that one has not been loved, that one is not precious to anyone. Many people today are wounded at heart. Each of us can do something to heal their wounds. We have hands that make things and minds that can understand things but above all we have hearts that can give life. We are not sterile people, we can give life to people who are inwardly broken. We can show them that they are important and so bring life to them. Today, Good Shepherd Sunday, is also vocations Sunday. But all vocations are vocations to love.

First Communions 

Please pray for the children making their First Communion this week:-
Nelly Jamrozy, Maggie Briscoe, Elizabeth Dewsbury, Dana Ogbonna Nzadi and Rafael Fecheta.
We ask God to bless them and their families.

Parish meeting 

As part of the process of implementing the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, we would like to hear the views of the Parishioners on the six points that are part of the plan.
There will be three meetings over the next three months to discuss two points at each meeting. We would invite the Parish Team and anyone else interested to join us for the first Meeting on 15th May at 7pm in the Parish house. The two topics to discuss at the first meeting are: Becoming a Church that accompanies people through life; and, Becoming a Church that honours the vocation of all the Baptised. Each meeting will only last an hour and we would like to see you there.

3rd Sunday of Easter

Reflection

It can happen that we lose interest in people and even become blind to their strengths, when we discover their limitations. During his passion, Jesus discovered the limitations of Peter, yet he didn’t write him off. He continued to believe in him and in time he came good. Like Peter we are weak human beings who are inconstant in our beliefs. We need someone who understands our weaknesses, who realises that it may take time for us to overcome them and who doesn’t write us off because we don’t produce the goods at once.

First Communions 

Starting next Sunday, 11th May, our children will be making their First Holy Communion during the Sundays in May and on some of the Saturday nights.
Please say a prayer for them and their families.

Parish Development Strategy 

There are some leaflets at the back of church with information about Implementing the Pastoral Plan.
Please take one.

Funerals 

Funeral 1
The funeral service for Patricia Cain will take place here in St James’ on Wednesday 7th May at 11.30am. Please remember Patricia and her family in your prayers.
Funeral 2
The funeral Mass for Mary Hibbard will take place here in St James’ on Friday 9th May at 12 noon. Please pray for the repose of Mary’s soul and the comfort of her family.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Reflection

While Jesus was alive, Thomas was as strong as an oak but when Jesus was put to death, he became a reed shaking in the winds of doubt. The truth was, though he didn’t realise it at the time, that it was the master who was the oak. He was a mere sapling growing in his shade. When the oak fell he was defenceless. All of us are shaken by the winds of doubt. We need to look at the Lord’s wounds and hear his gentle voice saying to us: - “Cease doubting and believe.” Then, with Thomas, we shall make bold to say:- “My Lord and my God."

May Procession 

Missionaries of Charity's May Procession will begin Saturday 31st May at 2pm starting at St Peters square (off Seel Street) and continue via Seel Street, Berry Street, Bold Street, Church Street, Whitechapel to Queens Square finishing at the Shrine.
A special Invitation is extended to those who are making their 1st Holy Communion in 2025.
To join in or for more information, please contact Mr Jim Ross either via email: jimmy.ross7@gmail.com or via phone: 07766 706 766

Parish Development Strategy 

To help us in the implementation of the Pastoral Plan, each Deanery is being asked to work together to produce a strategy for the future. You will hear about this at mass this weekend and you will receive a leaflet giving you more details. The first part of this strategy is to gather detailed information about each of the parishes in our Deanery. 
We will all need to be involved in this. The Parish Development Strategy is being rolled out across the whole Diocese in the next 2 years – but we are one of the 3 pilot Deaneries – along with the other two Sefton Deaneries. Each parish has a member of a Deanery Steering Group: ours is Peter Tobin. This work will also be done in collaboration with the Deanery Synodal Councils.

Easter Sunday

Reflection

On Easter Day we still feel pain. Our own pain and the pain of others. But a new element has been introduced. It doesn’t remove the pain but gives it a meaning and lights it up with hope. All is different because Jesus is alive and speaks his words of peace to us. Therefore there is a quiet joy among us and a deep sense of peace. Jesus has broken the power of death and given us the hope of eternal life. Lord, guard this hope with your grace and bring it to fulfilment in the kingdom of heaven.

Happy Easter! 

Fr Brian, Fr Hugh and the whole Salesian Community would like to wish the Parishioners of St James’ a very Happy and Holy Easter.
May the Risen Lord bless you and your families with peace and joy at this time of celebration.

Funeral 

The Funeral service for Joan Sheridan will take place here in St James’ on Friday 25th April at 12.30pm.
Please remember Joan and her family in your prayers.

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.