2nd Sunday in Lent (Year B)


 

Fr Paul's Sunday Reflection may now be found on the St John Rigby Newsletter for the week (see link below)

 

Churches are now CLOSED for public Mass. See below for further details

The Sunday obligation to attend Mass is still suspended for the time being. Please be patient as our greatest concern is the safety of everyone.
Mass will continue to be live-streamed as below.

Facebook and  YouTube.

The Redemptorists have Sunday Mass online available from 12pm on Saturdays, celebrated by Fr Denis McBride C.Ss.R.

There are several churches which live stream masses throughout the Archdiocese of Liverpool. These can be accessed here.

Other streamed masses are also available, click below for more

Second Sunday of Lent

First Reading – Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18

In the Book of Genesis, we listen to the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Isaac. This was a test of Abraham’s faith in God who then made him the father of many nations. Abraham is seen as a great leader in many different faiths and religions throughout the world today.

Second Reading – St.Paul to the Romans 8:31-34.

St.Paul tells the people of Rome that God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for the life of everyone. The reading reminds us of God’s great love for us by giving us his only Son.

Gospel Reading – Mark 9:2-10.

We hear the great story of the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. Jesus reveals hi godly nature whilst joined by Moses and Elijah, who represent the Law ns the prophets of the Old Testament. The disciples are told not to say anything about this until “the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”

Psalter: Week 2
Readings for Weekdays: Week 2 of Lent

 

This Lent we have the opportunity to spend some time with God as we move through the weeks leading up to the Passion and Resurrection of his son, Jesus:

Father Denis McBride will be leading a FREE online retreat this Lent, based on his two books Reflecting with Paintings Vol 1 and Vol 2. The retreat will launch on the Redemptorist's website on Wednesday 24th February. 

Missio UK (Red Boxes) will have a Lenten Reflection on each of the Fridays of Lent plus Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Each time of prayer and reflection will last about 20 mins and will be live streamed on their You Tube Channel ‘MissioUK’ if you’re unable to watch at that specified time, it will be available to watch again whenever you have time. Link to their YouTube channel

Stoneyhurst College Online Talks: Continuing 25th February an online talk entitled: The Greatest Gift and led by Dr. Caroline Fairey and offered by the Christian Heritage Centre. A range of excellent speakers will examine the key moments of salvation history, with the aid of great works of art. They begin at 7:30pm. For info and registration, go onto: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-drama-displayed/

Armchair Retreat: Fr. Denis Blackledge is back with his Armchair Retreat. Each video is around 5 minutes long. His unique way of speaking allows you to feel like you’re having a chat with an old friend, which makes him easy to listen to and very easy to understand his message. To listen please use the link below: www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/armchair-retreats

HYNING MONASTERY ZOOM LENTEN RETREAT DAY: ‘Living the Paschal Mystery Today’. Saturday 20th & Wednesday 24th February 2021. Prayer, talks & presentations from 10.15 am – around 4pm. Contact Sr Bernard on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01524 732684 before Thursday 18th February.

Growing Back Better - a Lent retreat in collaboration with Sacred Space written by Margaret Silf. See  https://pray-as-you-go.org/article/growing-back-better-a-lent-retreat-2021

  • WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
    Vanuatu 2021 Friday March 5th.
    The Day of Prayer is celebrated in over 170 countries. It begins in Samoa, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand and travels throughout the world . This year’s theme is: “Build on a Strong Foundation”
    To join one of the online services please visit the World Day of Prayer website: www.wwpd.org.uk

  • Mass on the Phone - Parishioners who have no access to the internet and so are unable to watch online Mass may hear Mass at Middlesbrough Cathedral. The Mass is provided free of charge, except for the local phone charge. Phone: 01642 130 120 to be connected to the Mass for that week. You can listen at any time of day or night.

    If you are aware of anyone who may benefit from this service, please let them know.

  • COVID-19 Vaccines – The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) have recently issued statements on the moral acceptability of Catholics receiving COVID-19 vaccines which have used cell lines from aborted foetuses in their research and production process. In summary, "Catholics may in good conscience receive any of these vaccines for the good of others and themselves. In good conscience, one may refuse a particular vaccine but continues to have a duty to protect others from infection."

  • Pope Francis has declared that 8th Dec 2020 to 8th Dec 2021 will be the Year of St Joseph

  • FOOD COLLECTION, St Margaret Clitherow – We continue to support the local food banks, including the bank operating in St Gabriel’s school for the  families in need there. Non-perishable food such as tinned or dried food may be left at church or dropped off at Holy Family Presbytery.

 

The Redemptorists share a video of the Stations of the Cross for you to pray and meditate.

Stations of the Cross with Pray As You Go

CAFOD have a whole series of resources with Stations of the Cross for children, young people or adults, plus others with particular themes

 Missio UK have a series of videos for the Stations of the Cross - 2 stations per video. The first can be accessed here:

 

(Click on the text in red to view)

In a recent email to priests of the Archdiocese, the Archbishop has written the following:-

“Although I have circulated the recent Government advice on the opening of churches, I want to emphasise that the final decision in this regard is yours. Only you know your people, their age profile and the risks they are likely to be exposed to and present to others. You have to consider your volunteers and stewards. You also have yourself to consider and I would not want you to expose yourself unnecessarily to infection from the virus.”

So, after speaking to a number of health professionals, priests in the Archdiocese, nurses and NHS staff, all the priests of the Deanery have decided to cease the celebration of public worship and private prayer in all the churches in the area. We will review our position as and hopefully when the situation is a little better. There are several reasons for this:

  • The number of cases in the NW is still very much on the increase.
  • The new strain of the virus is more virulent than in the past.
  • A good number of people who attend Mass are over 70 and are therefore in the vulnerable category – even though there is no obligation, attending Mass is a further risk.
  • It is important to ensure the safety of our stewards. Our thanks go to them for all the work they have done in the past few months. Without them we would not have been able to open up any of our churches again.
  • Even though our churches have been Covid secure it is still a gathering of people for 30 minutes which increases the risk of spreading the virus.

The overall message from the Government and health officials is to STAY AT HOME. Please do so, stay safe, and please God we will be able to open up our churches very soon to welcome you back. As we see the vaccine distributed, closing our churches now is a small price to pay to welcome back a time when we can feel safe everywhere, especially when we gather to pray together one day.

CAFOD Lent Family Fast Day

Friday February 26th is CAFOD’s Lent Family Fast Day, a day when we are invited to pray, fast and give to help people like Abdella. (see YouTube link below)

Whilst we are not meeting physically at church, please could you send your donations this Fast Day in any of the following ways:

·         Online www.cafod.org.uk/lent

·         Text giving:

  •  Text LENT 5 to 70460 to give £5
  • Text LENT 10 to 70460 to give £10
  • Text LENT 20 to 70460 to give £20

·         Telephone: 0303 303 3030 to donate over the phone.

Please see the following link for more information

https://cafod.org.uk/Fundraise/Family-Fast-Day


Click on this link for CAOD's Lenten Reflections


CAFOD Lent Appeal

Abdella lives in an extremely remote and mountainous part of Ethiopia. It takes him ten hours a day to collect water. He says his life is being wasted as he has no time for anything else.


Give today to reach vulnerable communities around the world with water and to provide other vital support.
Donate online at cafod.org.uk/lent or by using a CAFOD envelope.
You can also give via text. Text LENT to 70460 to donate £10*.

*Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message you’ll be opting in to hear more about CAFOD’s work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text LENTNOINFO to 70460. For more information, please see CAFOD’s Privacy Policy: cafod.org.uk/Legal-information/Privacy-notice

In prayerfully being present at a Mass being broadcast to you, obviously physically receiving the Eucharist is not possible. However, Spiritual Communion is.

So what is Spiritual Communion? The common practice of making such a spiritual communion indicate our desire to join with the Lord when in a situation that makes unable to sacramentally receive the Body and Blood of the Lord in Holy Communion at Mass.

Some resources for families who would like to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word with their children.


The Redemptorists have created an Advent and Christmas time resource for children. Access it by clicking on the picture

Martin at Ten: Ten is making available for free their daily prayers resources: https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/primary-subscription/prayers-for-home/daily-prayers-for-home/ and their Family Liturgy for Sundays: https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/primary-subscription/prayers-for-home/sunday-liturgy-for-families/

The God who Speaks now have a section on the Word at home: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/the-god-who-speaks/word-at-home/

CAFOD has several useful items to use with children -  updated weekly

There are four newsletters published weekly in the Deanery, you can access current and past editions here:

St Edmund Arrowsmith Newsletters (St Joseph's, Sacred Heart, Twelve Apostle, Our Lady's - Leigh)

St Margaret Clitherow Newsletters (Holy Family, Boothstown; St Ambrose Barlow, Astley; St Gabriel's, Higher Folds)

St Lewis, St Catherine's & All Saints Newsletters (Croft, Lowton & Golborne)

St John Rigby Newsletter (Sacred Heart, Hindley Green; St Richard's, Atherton; Sacred Heart Hindsford)

 

( Newsletters download as pdf files in a new window.)

 

There are several items of interest available from the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

New resources now available include:

 The Liverpool Catholic website also has up to date information on the Church's Policy regarding Coronavirus and lots of other useful information.

Most weeks there may well be a number of feast days. We don’t necessarily celebrate them all. Some saints are more important in certain parts of the country than others and will be celebrated more on a local level, whilst other saints will be celebrated everywhere. So each week we will comment on the feast-days that we should celebrate in our regional Church.

Monday March 1st – Feast of St David, Patron of Wales.

St David was born in the year 500, the grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda, King of Ceredigion. According to legend, his mother St Non gave birth to him on a Pembrokeshire clifftop during a fierce storm.  St David became a renowned preacher, founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Brittany and southwest England. He died on 1st March 589 and is buried at the site of what is now St David's Cathedral. His maxim is 'Do the little things in life'.

Reflect
In today's Gospel Jesus takes three of his disciples to a high mountain top and is transformed there before them.

Pray

Act of Contrition

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do what is right,
I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things,
I firmly intend, with Your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Amen

Act
We often make judgements about people based on how we see them. It is only when we get to know someone well that we can really understand and recognise the person they truly are. This week, make an effort not to make snap judgments about others. Instead, take the time to speak to them and increase your understanding of who they truly are.

Monthly Challenge

This year CAFOD challenge us to do a walk for water during Lent, during which people walk 10000 steps per day and gain sponsorship for their activity. The money is then used to transform the lives of those people in the world who do not have access to water by supplying water containers, build water pumps or maintain pumps. Is this something you could join in with? 10000 steps may be too much for you, but perhaps you could pledge to walk a shorter distance each day to raise money

About LiveSimply

LiveSimply Resources

St Joseph's Centre - 01942 673517

Fr Paul Seddon - 01942 883395 (St Richard's & Sacred Heart.)
Fr Paul Grady - 0161 790 2390 (Holy Family, St Ambrose Barlow & St Gabriel's)
Fr Kieran O'Grady - 01942 673517 (Sacred Heart & St Joseph's)
Fr Gordon Abbs - 01942 273851 (St Lewis, St Catherine's & All Saints)

St Margaret Clitherow Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St Edmund Arrowsmith Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St John Rigby Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St Catherine of Sienna and All Saints, Golborne & St Lewis, Croft: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.