St James Bootle
3rd Sunday of Easter
3rd Sunday of Easter
St James Bootle
Divine Mercy Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday
St James Bootle
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday
St James Bootle
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
St James Bootle
5th Sunday of Lent
5th Sunday of Lent

4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is when the Church takes a bit of a breather from Lenten practice. On this Sunday, we look with expectation to Easter for which we have been preparing during the Lenten season. Laetare Sunday is meant to give us hope and encouragement as we slowly progress towards the Paschal Feast.

The Light of Christ

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 in the way of truth and goodness

and lead us through the gloom of this world

to the kingdom of unfailing light.

Holy Week

We have received instructions from the Archdiocese that we will be able to celebrate Holy Week and Easter this year, but the services will be simplified because of the usual safety concerns.

Our numbers will stay restricted to 58 for each service.

More information nearer the time.

Funerals

The Funeral of Thomas Goscombe will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 18th March at 1.15pm.

Please pray for the repose of Thomas’ soul and for the comfort of his family.

3rd Sunday of Lent

Reflection

The House of God

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."


Second collection

There will be a second collection next Sunday, 14th March, for Nugent Care.

Please put your offerings in the separate basket at the back of Church.

The next second collection will be on 2nd April (Good Friday) for the Holy Places.


Funerals

The Funeral Service for Thomas William Lunt will take place here in St James’ on Monday 8th March at 11.30am.

Please remember Thomas and all the family in your prayers.

The Funeral Service for Alex Colton will take place here in St James’ on Friday 12th March at 11.15 am.

Please pray for the repose of Alex’s soul and the comfort of his family.


The month of St Joseph

The month of March is traditionally dedicated to St. Joseph, Foster-father of Our Lord. St Joseph, pray for us!

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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 us in, help us to remember the view from the hilltop.

CAFOD collection

This Sunday there is a second collection for the work of CAFOD .

Please put your CAFOD envelope or offering in the separate basket at the back of Church.

The next second collection will be on 14th March for Nugent care.

Funerals

The Funeral Service for Peter Shiels will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 2nd March at 11am.

Please pray for the repose of Peter’s soul and the comfort of his family.

The Funeral Service for Paula Bell will take place here in St James’ on Wednesday 3rd March at 11am.

Please remember Paula and her family in your prayers.

Christmas cribs

The children from All Saints school were challenged by the Headteacher, Mrs Holleran, to make a home-made crib.  These are now on display at the back of Church for the Christmas period.  Have a browse: some of them are brilliant.

Christmas Arrangements at St James'

The situation in the country at present means that our celebration of Christmas will be more subdued and controlled.  On Christmas Eve our First Mass of Christmas will be at 8pm.  On Christmas day there will be Masses at 10am and 11.15am.  The Masses will be simple and with no singing, only quiet music played over the speakers.

Following guidelines sent by the Diocese, entrance to all the Masses will be by ticket only, to limit the numbers in Church.  56 tickets are available for each Mass.  10 of these tickets can be “Family tickets” which allows up to 4 people from the same family or bubble to sit together.  The rest are individual tickets.

Tickets will need to be booked in advance.  For tickets for the Christmas Eve Mass at 8pm please ring Rita on 07716396010  or on Email at nshannon@sky.com.  For Christmas Day tickets ring the Parish office on 0151 933 8022.   Once all the tickets have gone for a particular Mass, no one else will be allowed in.  This is not what we would have wanted, but we recognise the safety demands of our gatherings.  The stewards on duty will show people to their seats.

Our intention is to “live stream” the 10am Mass on Christmas morning, which might help those unable to attend.


MASSES DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON


BOXING DAY:                          MASS 10AM.

27TH DECEMBER:                     MASS 10AM

28TH DECEMBER:                     MASS 10AM

29TH DECEMBER:                     MASS 7PM.

30TH DECEMBER:                     MASS 10AM.

31ST DECEMBER:                     MASS 10AM.

1ST JANUARY:                          MASS 10AM.

2ND JANUARY:                         NO MASS.

3RD JANUARY:                          MASS 10AM.

4TH JANUARY ONWARDS:         NORMAL WEEKLY PATTERN FOR MASSES.

Online Christmas Market

The joyous Christmas season is approaching! The season that is filled with love, family and, most importantly, God.

As you may be aware, Sisters from the St. Elisabeth Convent (Minsk, Belarus) are unable to participate in annual Christmas markets in our region due to travel restrictions. Nevertheless they have found a great way to spread the Christmas joy, love and deeds of mercy.

They are launching the very first Online Christmas Market this year, so that people from all over the world can purchase Christmas presents and souvenirs made with love and continuous prayer.

Please, click here to participate:

Through purchasing beautiful Christmas gifts each one of us will be able to serve the poor, sick, homeless and lonely people. Because every item purchased at the Online Market is a donation towards one of the Convent’s ministries.

The Online Christmas Market of St. Elisabeth Convent offers a range of unique handmade items that will make memorable Christmas gifts, including:

  • traditional hand painted Christmas ornaments;

  • wooden toys and souvenirs;

  • Santa Claus and Father Frost figures;

  • handcrafted Christmas tree baubles;

  • Nativity scenes and sets;

  • Christmas themed ceramics and glass products;

  • Orthodox Nativity icons;

  • Russian matryoshka dolls and much more.

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Sisters are sending their prayers and blessings from Minsk.

PS - Throughout the pandemic and shutdowns, the Sisters were able to continue running and supporting their multiple social ministries that care for the vulnerable and sick nearby the Convent. Their biggest inspiration has been Saint Elisabeth who helped the sick and the needy during her lifetime.

National Youth Sunday 2020

National Youth Sunday is a unique opportunity to celebrate the role and significance of young people in the Catholic Church in England and Wales today.

Celebrated on the Feast of Christ the King, National Youth Sunday is an opportunity to recognise young people as a gift in the Church, enable the youth ministry and parish community to celebrate young people and affirm the contribution of young people in the Church and those who work with them. NYS takes place on Sunday 22nd November 2020.

This year the theme is Together. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of life. The way we live, work, study, play and pray has all changed. The most significant change has been that we have not been able to do many of those things together. This year’s theme recognises what it means to be ‘together’; with ourselves, with others and with God.

To come out of this crisis better than before, we have to do so together; together, not alone. Together. Alone no, because it cannot be done. Either it is done together, or it is not done. We must do it together, all of us, in solidarity.

Pope Francis, September 2020

As we learn to live together again alongside the COVID-19 virus, the world isn’t quite the same as it was. But there is still much to make us hopeful.

There is something special about being together – being a part of a community – it is our togetherness which tells us who we are. It heals us and makes us complete.

Let’s celebrate National Youth Sunday together!

Visit the Youth Sunday website:

 
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