Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Today we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord. Fr Brian, Fr Jim and the whole Salesian Community at St James’ would like to wish all our Parishioners a very Happy and Joy-filled Christmas. May God bless your families with peace and rest and may Santa be good to you!

Message from Archbishop Malcolm

Our times may be uncertain, and our Christmas may be different this year but the reason for our celebrations remains unchanged. Our annual celebration of Christmas is one of love and peace and nothing can change that. We believe that our love for one another is a sign of God’s love for us - ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son’ – and through our celebrations we give thanks to God for sending us Jesus, born of Mary in Bethlehem, announced by the angels, and visited by those shepherds and later by wise men. It is the love of God that shines through this great feast, and we show that love by the ways in which we reach out to those around us. To our relatives and friends, to those alone at Christmas, to those in need who have much less than ourselves and by the way in which we welcome those seeking refuge in our country. May this Christmas be a time of hope for us all. I wish you a happy, peaceful and blessed Christmas.

Guiding Star

Lord, the sight of the guiding star brought hope, courage and joy to those who had journeyed to find you. When our journey seems long, when hope seems far away, when our courage is failing fill us with faith and trust; shine your light on our fears, lift our hearts with your joy. Help us to recognise you in our brothers and sisters throughout the world; show us how we can work together so that we may all come to share in the life promised to us by Jesus, the Saviour of us all. Amen

4th Sunday of Advent

Reflection

As Christmas approaches, people’s hopes soar. However the substance of these hopes is often dictated by commercial interests. Little wonder, then, that when the sun goes down on Christmas Day, many feel disappointed. Those who pin their hopes on what the merchants promise will always be disappointed. Not because they promise too little but too much—of the wrong thing. What our hearts long for is a taste of what the angels announced to the shepherds: ‘Behold, I bring news of great joy; today a saviour has been born to you.’ This joy is the real hope of Christmas. Let us open our hearts to receive it.

Christmas Mass Times

Saturday, 24th December 2022
7:30pm - First Mass of Christmas

Sunday, 25th December 2022
10:30am - Christmas day Mass

Friday, 30th December 2022
10:00am - Mass of The Holy Family

Saturday, 31st December 2022
6:30pm - Vigil of Mary the Mother of God

Sunday, 1st January 2023
10:30am - Mary the Mother of God

Tuesday, 3rd January 2023
10:00am - The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Friday, 6th January 2023
10:00am and 7pm - Mass of the Epiphany

The rest of the Masses at normal times. At the back of the church there is also a small leaflet which gives the above Mass times. Feel free to take a leaflet home for your information.

Confession for Christmas

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available on Wednesday 21st December between 11.30am and 12.30pm. The Sacrament is, of course, available any time on request.

CAFOD Christmas Fun Run

 As usual this will take place on 27th December at Wavertree Athletics Stadium, Wellington Road, Liverpool, L15 4LE. Registration is at 10am for 11am start. Click the link below for more information.

Churches together Carols

 Churches Together in Bootle are Carol Singing in ASDA on Monday 19th December between 6pm and 7pm. If anyone would like to join us, we would be delighted to see you.

3rd Sunday of Advent

Reflection

John the Baptist was no reed swaying in the wind. A reed swaying in the wind is a symbol of those who are easily influenced, who go along with whatever is popular and who have no convictions of their own.
But the humble reed can teach us something. The fact that it is light means that it is at the mercy of every wind that blows. But it has great strength too. The greatest storm cannot uproot it, even when giant oaks come crashing down, the slender reed still stands secure.

Lord, teach us that there is strenght in weakness and suppleness and give us the wisdom to know when to bend and when to stand firm.

Carols by Candlelight

There is a Carols by Candlelight service to be held on Wednesday 14th December at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, L22 1RD. All are welcome. There is no charge but any donations are gratefully received. To book send an email to jenny@irenaeus.co.uk

CAFOD Advent prayers and resources

 'Pray this Advent' and 'Prayers for Christmas' Daily Advent calendar reflections are available on the CAFOD's website. You can receive them straight to your inbox if you sign up from the link below

Justice and Peace Advent Reflection Resources

 Prepared for the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, this has an A4 sheet for each week of Advent on the themes: living in harmony with nature; inviting Christ into our lives; waiting with joyful expectation; and bringing hope. Visit the link below to download.

2nd Sunday of Advent

Reflection

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet never in extremity
It asked a crumb of me.

Emily Dickinson

Sponsored walk

If you wish to support our Deacon, Mike Bennett, in his fundraising efforts to take children to Lourdes, the link below to sponsor Mike is still active and the sponsor forms are still available at the back of church.

First Confession

This Monday, 5th December, the children who are due to make First Communion, will be making their First Confession here in the Church at 7pm. Please pray for the children and their families.

Funeral

The Funeral service for Margie Tyman will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 6th December at 11.30am.
Please pray for the repose of Margie’s soul and the comfort of her family.

1st Sunday of Advent

Reflection

God's plan of salvation is centred in Christ and realised through him. Advent looks back at the promise of his first coming, when that plan was announced. And it looks forward to his second coming, when that plan will reach it’s fulfilment. And, of course, it celebrates his actual coming in time. The First Readings of the Advent Sundays (from Isaiah) are concerned with the Messiah and the messianic times. Isaiah kept the hopes of the people alive in very dark times. In today’s reading we have the theme of universal peace and salvation. The Gospel and the Second Reading deal with the Lord’s second coming, which the first Christians believed was imminent. Both readings convey a sense of urgency through phrases such as, ‘Wake up’, ‘Stay awake’, ‘Stand Ready’.

Sponsored walk

Deacon Mike Bennett will be taking part in a sponsored walk on Sunday 18th December dressed as a reindeer! The event is to support the All Saints Kirkby Lourdes Pilgrimage where Mike is aiming to take 40 students on pilgrimage. Click the link below to sponsor the pilgrimage or use one of the sponsor forms available at the back of church.

Encircling prayer

Circle me Lord. Keep protection near; keep danger afar.
Circle me Lord. Keep hope within; keep doubt without.
Circle me Lord. Keep light near; keep darkness afar.
Circle me Lord. Keep peace within; keep strife without.
Circle me Lord. Keep love within; keep hate without.
Amen.

Christ the King

Reflection

On the cross Jesus endured insults and mockery yet his heart remained open, even to his enemies. He absorbed all the violence, transformed it and returned it as love and forgiveness. One’s pain can so easily turn into rage so that one wants only to lash out blindly at whoever happens to be within range. From the depths of his own pain, Jesus reached out to comfort the thief. Some people are like sugar cane: even when crushed in the mill, what they yield is sweetness. Jesus stretches our capacity for compassion, He challenges our idea of love. Each of us has a great capacity for love. The pity is that it often goes unused. By our love, people will know that we are followers of Christ the King.

National Youth Sunday

This weekend, on the Feast of Christ the King, the Church in England and Wales celebrates National Youth Sunday. On this day, we celebrate the young people in our parish and community and all the gifts and talents they share with us. This year the theme is 'Rise up!' —inspired by Flame 2023. Today is the chance for all our young people to be re-awakened and reconnected to this call to live.

Memorial Mass

The annual Memorial Mass, when we pray for those who have died in the last year, will be held here in St James’ on Saturday 26th November at 11am. Everyone is invited to join us for the occasion.

Funeral

The funeral Mass for Mary Nelson will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 24th November at 12 noon. Please pray for the repose of Mary’s soul and the comfort of her family.

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

It is only with the heart that we can repent rightly. Repentance must involve a change of heart. Anything less won't produce a new being. It will be like decapitating weeds while leaving their roots intact. But if we change our hearts, then we will change our lives too. After his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus' heart burst into life like a desert landscape after a rainfall. Fear can't produce a conversion of heart; only an encounter with love can. Zacchaeus' conversion was a conversion to goodness. All of us stand in need of such a conversion. We need to move from a closed heart to an open heart, from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh.

Holiday of Obligation

Tuesday of this week is the Feast of All Saints and is a Holyday of Obligation.

Parish Masses will be at 10am and 7pm.

November Dead Lists

Available at the back of church are forms for listing your dead family and friends to be remembered during the month of November. Like last year, there are no envelopes because we would ask you not to put money with the lists. We will say one Mass each week in November for the Holy Souls, but we are unable to say any more. We have too many Masses already.

Sick List

In an attempt to update our Sick List, could you let us know if there is someone who no longer needs to be on the list. I'm sure some of the babies must be at school by now!

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

If the Pharisee had his way, the Tax-Collector would not have been allowed into the Temple at all. Some people believe that sinners should never go to church. They cry “hypocrites” at those who do. According to them only saints should be admitted to church but that would result in a very small church and would make as little sense as a repair shop that only accepted sound things, or a hospital that accepted only healthy people. We go to church, not because we are worthy but because we need to. We are brave enough to admit our sinfulness but are willing to strive for something better.

World Mission Sunday

Today, Sunday, 23 October 2022 is World Mission Sunday. World Mission Sunday is being celebrated in every Catholic parish around the world today! It supports missionaries who work alongside communities that are poor or in need, regardless of their background or belief. By supporting Missio, the Pope’s charity for world mission, you will help missionaries like Maria witness to their faith and offer vulnerable women in Ethiopia hope for a better future. Please pray for the mission of the Church throughout the world and give what you can to this very important collection which will sustain the future of our Church. If you use the donation envelopes to give by credit/debit card, please return the envelopes directly to Missio. Do not put them in the Church collection. Please call 020 7821 9755 (office hours) or visit Missio’s website to give a single gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if possible.

Cost of living crisis

The Archdiocese has now created a network of warm and cosy spaces for winter with hot drinks, TV and internet access (click the link below to see the list). Everyone will find: warm & cosy parish centre; a warm cup of tea or coffee; some delicious individually wrapped biscuits or cakes; the ability to watch television or read books; a chance to meet some new friends you haven’t met yet. Please spread the word. If you would like to get more involved please contact p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

My little children, your hearts, are small, but prayer stretches them and makes them capable of loving God. Through prayer we receive a foretaste of heaven and something of paradise comes down upon us. Prayer never leaves us without sweetness. It is honey that flows into the souls and makes all things sweet. When we pray properly, sorrows disappear like snow before the sun.

Saint John Vianney

October – Month Dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary

“The rosary is integral to the spiritual life of many Catholics in our countries and, if we deepen our understanding of the foundations of our rosary prayers, we can, in turn, deepen our devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.” In the link below, you will find resources and information to explore this devotion. Each Friday we will also travel as virtual pilgrims to a particular Marian Shrine in England and Wales. All information can be found via the link below.

Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage 2023

Applications are now available online at liverpoollourdesyouth.co.uk for any young people aged Y10 upwards (to 22 years) who would like to be part of Sefton Coach 7.  Be part of something special!  Places are going fast so apply soon.  For more info, contact coach7@animateyouth.net

Visitors

Fr Tom Williams and Bro. Ste Lloyd will be visiting St James’ for a few days beginning on 19th October. It will be good to see them and I’m sure you will give them a warm welcome!

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

Once there was a young man who had never thought of donating blood. But then his father got very ill and was hospitalised. One day the son was sitting by his father’s bedside as he was getting a blood transfusion. As he watched the blood flowing into his father’s veins, he suddenly realised that someone had donated the blood that was now keeping his father alive. Straight away he made up his mind to become a donor and he was as good as his word. Many are willing to avail of the generosity of others but few are willing to give something back. This is why gratitude is so important. It makes us want to give something back.

Saint Artemide Zatti SDB

Today, 9th October, in Rome, Pope Francis will canonise a Salesian coadjutor brother, Artemide Zatti, an Italian immigrant who lived and worked in the Salesian Mission in Argentina. It’s a great day for the whole Salesian Family, and there will be huge celebrations in Rome. Saint Artimede Zatti, pray for us.

Prisoners’ Sunday And Week

Prisoner's week was a Catholic initiative begun in 1975 by Bishop Victor Guazelli which has since ecumenical support and observance. It reflects the work of the Prison Advice and Care Trust which builds on its origins as the Bourne Trust — the Catholic Prisoner's Aid Society. The Sunday and the following week seek to focus attention not only on the needs of prisoners but on all those involved in the field of prison care, prisoners' families, victims of crime, prison staff and many volunteers.

CAFOD Fast Day

Envelopes are still available for anyone who wants to contribute to the CAFOD collection. Bring your envelopes back any time you come to Mass and place them on the collection plate.