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.

Palm Sunday

Reflection

This week each year, Christians are drawn to Jerusalem if not in body, at least in mind. They stand at the foot of the cross, beating their breasts and staring with pity at Jesus of Nazareth. They listen with reverence as he prays for his killers: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” But when the week is over, they return to their homes to resume their deep-rooted spites and the burden of things they cannot forgive. Let us not then weep for Jesus, let us weep for our own sins. Then maybe, like Jesus, we will be able to forgive others who sin against us.

Holy Week and Easter Services 

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s supper, 7pm St Francis De Sales Church. Francis De Sales’ school car park will be open during this service.
Good Friday: Walk of witness 11am, Christchurch; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3pm, St James'
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil 8pm
Easter Sunday: Easter Mass 10:30am followed by easter egg hunt for the children.

Welcome to Archbishop Elect John Sherrington 

We offer a warm welcome to Archbishop Elect Sherrington and ask God to help him in his new mission in Liverpool Archdiocese. “In this Jubilee Year, we are a people living the hope of Christ who has loved us, saved us and walks with us.” (Archbishop Elect Sherrington). We keep him in our prayers and wish him all the best in his ministry.

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.

Offertory

Please Note: Friday of this week is Good Friday and there is a collection for the Holy Places during the Liturgy of the Passion Friday of this week is Good Friday and there is a collection for the Holy Places during the Liturgy of the Passion

5th Sunday of Lent

Reflection

The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mighty; it becomes the throned monarch better than his crown.. It is enshrined in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute of God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice. Therefore, though justice be thy plea, consider this, that, in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation. We do pray for mercy and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. (William Shakespeare)

Holy Week and Easter Services 

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s supper, 7pm St Francis De Sales Church.
Good Friday: Walk of witness 11am, Christ church; Celebration of the Lord’s passion 3pm
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil 8pm
Easter Sunday: Easter Mass 10:30am followed by easter egg hunt for the children.

Stations of the Cross 

Join us for Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent at 9.30am, just before Mass.

Chrism Mass 

The Chrism Mass, on Wednesday 16 April 2025 at 7.30pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral, is usually the largest annual gathering of archdiocesan clergy and faithful throughout the year.  At the Mass, Archbishop Malcolm blesses the holy oils that are used throughout the archdiocese for celebrations of the sacraments in the next year. Additionally, the Archbishop invites the priests of the archdiocese to renew the promises they made at their ordination. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this liturgy, enhanced by the Cathedral Choir, and experience the richness of our local church, especially if you have never been before. Any queries please contact Claire Hanlon at c.hanlon@metcathedral.org.uk

Confirmation 

Dear friends, confirmation emails have now been sent out from our Deanery confirmation team. If you signed up and didn’t receive an email, please check your spam/junk folder.  If you still haven’t received anything, please speak to your PP after Mass.

Lenten Talks 

The final Lent Talk will take place on Monday 7th April at 7.30pm in the Linacre Mission. All welcome to join us.

4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Reflection

The prodigal son came home empty-handed. He had no trophies to show his father, no achievements with which to earn his praises, his welcome and his love. He was a failure. Worse, he was a sinner, he deserved to be punished and he knew it. Yet punishment was the last thing he needed. To punish him would be like pouring water on a dying fire. What happened? When the father saw his lost son coming towards him, his heart went out to him and next minute they were in each other’s arms. It is an extraordinary experience to be loved in one’s sinfulness. Such love is like a breeze to a dying fire, or rain falling on parched ground. Those who have experienced this kind of love, know something about the heart of God.

Stations of the Cross 

Join us for Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent at 9.30am, just before Mass.

Sign up Sunday 

Today the candidates for First Communion will be signing up for the Sunday or Saturday they choose as their First Communion Day. Keep the children and their families in your prayers.

Family of Parishes Lourdes Pilgrimage 

It is very important that those going on this Pilgrimage take out adequate Travel Insurance (in case of cancellation and any other unforeseen incidents). You should get cover from the period: 22nd September, 2025 to 26th September, 2025, inclusive. Please note: this is your responsibility and should be done immediately, without delay! Many thanks.”( Mike Langan, Pilgrimage Organiser)

Holy Thursday 

After last year’s successful celebration, we thought our family of Parishes of St James, St Francis de Sales and St Monica’s, would celebrate The Mass of the Lord’s Supper in St Francis de Sales Church this year. The Mass will be at 7pm on 17th April. I hope many of you will join us for that.

Lenten Talks 

The next in our series of Lenten talks with the Churches Together group will be this Monday, 31st March, at 7.30pm in the Linacre Mission. All are welcome.

3rd Sunday of Lent

Reflection

It isn’t the things you do, it’s the things you leave undone which give you a little heartache at the setting of the sun. The gentle word forgotten, the letter you didn’t write, the flowers you might have sent are your haunting ghosts tonight. The stone you might have lifted out of your brother’s way, the little heart-felt counsel you were hurried too much to say. The tender touch of the hand, the gentle and kindly tone, which we have no time or thought for with troubles enough of our own.

Stations of the Cross 

Join us for Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent at 9.30am, just before Mass.

Way of the Cross Procession 

This will take place at 1pm on 12th April, starting at the Blessed Sacrament Shrine in Liverpool city centre and concluding at the Metropolitan Cathedral with a blessing from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. All are welcome to take part.

Funeral 

The Funeral service for Chris Dillon will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 27th March at 12.30pm.
Please pray for the repose of Chris’s soul and the comfort of his family.

Lenten Talks 

The latest Lenten Talk organised by the Churches Together, will be on Monday 24th March, 7.30pm, at the Linacre Mission.
The theme for the evening is “Trusting”. All are welcome to join us.