Bonus Ball Winner : 18 Trish Fraser, Pat Williams

St. Joseph’s Newsletter – 4th February 2018

Bonus Ball Winner: 18 – Trish Fraser, Pat Williams

Offertory - £1757.21 (inc. standing orders)

CAFOD – (Next week)

Sanctuary Lamp

Barbara Hogg

(Special Intention)

Marian Candle

Successful Operation

Lately Dead

Florence Northall, Rita Scott,

If anyone knows of any sick or housebound parishioner who would like to receive communion at home, please let Fr. Malcolm know. Thank you.

The Priests – Live in Concert are singing at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with guest mezzo soprano Danielle Thomas on Friday 1st June 2018. Tickets from £16. All funds raised from the concert will be split between Nugent and supporting the work and upkeep of the cathedral. If enough people are interested, I will arrange a coach. Please sign the sheets at the back of Church as soon as possible.

Job References

If you wish to put Fr. Malcolm down as a referee for a job application, please could you ask him in person? Whilst he is happy to be a referee, he has recently received some requests where is doesn’t recognise the name but if he saw you, then he can put the face to the name. Thank you.

St. Joseph’s Toddler Group

Will re-commence on Thursday 11th January from 9.45am to 11.30am at the Loreto Centre. Cost is £1.50. Please contact Angela Meade on 01925 723951 for more information.

Mass in Honour of Our Lady of Lourdes

Will be held at Christ the King Church, Childwall on Saturday 10th February at 12 noon.

Cheltenham 2018---Date for your diary.

This is always a popular afternoon in St Joseph’s Club, watching the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the telly! The date this year is Friday 16th March from 12noon.

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon will host an evening for men who may be wondering if they are called to serve as deacons and what the formation involves. Wives, priests and deacons are also welcome. This will take place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Sydney Powell Avenue, Kirkby, L32 0TP.

Thursday, 15th February 2018 from 7.30pm-9.00pm. (Refreshments available from 7.00pm)

Lenten Masses

The early morning Mass on Thursday mornings at St. Joseph’s will re-commence during Lent. The first one is on Thursday, 15th February at 6.30am. Breakfast will then be served in the Loreto Centre. If anyone would like to come along and help prepare the breakfasts they would be very welcome, please ring Christine at the Parish office (722105)

Music and Laughter in aid of Laughter Africa

An evening of entertainment will take place in St. Joseph’s Parish Centre on Friday 23rd February beginning at 7.00pm. Laughter Africa is a self-funded charity set up by James Tyrell to help street children in Sierra Leone. If you attended the Cafod hamper service at St. Joseph’s in November, you will have heard James’ mum give a wonderful insight into the work being done by this charity. James himself will be present at this entertainment evening. Come and meet him and enjoy a fun evening. Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for children which include refreshments available from St. Joseph’s Piety or pay at the door.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

Training for leaders/helpers of Children’s Liturgy of theWord on Saturday 17 February at LACE, Croxteth Drive,Liverpool L17 1AA. Tea/coffee and arrivals at 10.00 am for10.15 start until 12.30 pm. Cost: £10 perperson (which will be paid by the parish). The main focus of the morning will be differentways of opening up the Gospel forchildren, and exploring all the different liturgical

elements and ways of engaging thechildren. To book a place, please contact the

Parish Office (722105) as soon as possible. We could do with a few more people, especially parents, tohelp with Children’s Liturgy during the 10.30 am Mass onSundays at St.Joseph’s. Have a think about it. It’s verysimple and not at all demanding. The more helpers wehave, the less the commitment – say once a month ninetimes a year. If you would like more information, pleasehave a word with me after Mass or give me a call on 722105.Many thanks. Fr. Malcolm.

Stations of the Cross

As in previous years, Stations of the Cross will follow Exposition each Friday during Lent at St. Joseph’s.

Lenten Readings

If anyone wishes to purchase any books with Lenten Readings, he does have a catalogue in the Sacristy that you could have a look at (there is also one in the Piety Shop). Alternatively, the web site is;

Gospel Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Greater Point

When we read about Jesus’ miracles, two big questions spring to mind. Does Jesus still cure people today? And … why does Jesus cure some people but not others? Surely with his power he could cure everybody!

Jesus behaves unexpectedly in today’s gospel. Having cured Simon’s mother in law, the whole town turns up at his door eager for miracle cures, and Jesus obliges. This it would seem is his golden opportunity. This is his chance to have everybody eating out of the palm of his hand. Instead, Jesus gets up early and goes off to a deserted place, and when Simon comes looking for him, Jesus suggests that instead of returning to his new found fans, that they move on to the next village. This might seem odd to many, but it is to become apparent that curing the sick was not top of Jesus’ agenda.

In some schools today, children are rewarded for a hundred percent attendance. Children come rushing home at the end of term waving certificates to prove that sickness has not kept them away from the classroom for one single day. But there are critics who would suggest that being in school every single day is not the important bit; it’s what the pupil achieves whilst in the classroom that is of true importance. So it is with our lives. Our bodies are merely vehicles in which to get us through life. It is important to look after a vehicle, but what point is there in looking after a vehicle that isn’t heading anywhere?

To achieve anything in this world our health of course is important, but Jesus didn’t heal people simply to promote some health and fitness regime. Healing was only part of his primary ministry to teach. Jesus’ healing miracles were signs of his identity and of God’s power and compassion. His acts of healing were often to teach the importance of faith and discipleship.

Does Jesus still cure today? Perhaps the question is irrelevant. In asking it, are we missing the greater point? As mere mortals, our health is of paramount importance to us, but is it top of God’s agenda? Saint Bernadette made a prayer that we could do well to adopt. She said “Lord, I do not ask that I never be afflicted, but only that you never abandon me in affliction.”

Pope Francis’s Prayer Intention for February 2018

Say “No” to Corruption

This month we are asked to consider what we understand by corruption. Most of us would consider that corruption is an abuse of power for personal gain. But corruption isn't just about accepting bribes or channelling money for dishonest reasons. Corruption can be about the mishandling of our world's resources with one eye on gain and with no thought for the poorest in our world or for the planet itself. This month we are asked to join in Pope Francis’s prayer intention that “That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.”

Peace Actions for February 2018

• At some time during Lent, think of someone close to you whom you have been unwilling to forgive. Use this reflection to think of your own need for forgiveness.

• Remember to support Fairtrade Fortnight, which begins on February 26th, and to promote it both in the home and the workplace.

Marriage Care Week

7th-14th February 2018

Every February, Marriage Care Week is celebrated from 7th-14th February. This year’s theme is‘Plan Ahead’. Many relationships suffer for very similar reasons, for instance poor financial planning or long working hours with no space for a day trip or a holiday. This week couples are asked to sit down and plan their finances, work, holidays and home life.

Day of Prayer for the Victims of Human Trafficking

8th February

Migration without Trafficking

On the feast of St Josephine Bakhita we are asked to pray for the victims of human trafficking and to lend our practical support. Unbeknownst to us, human trafficking can work alongside legitimate businesses and can impact anything from chocolate to electronics. We can combat some trafficking by our consumer habits. If we cared enough to change our habits, if we held ourselves accountable for getting relevant information and acting on it, companies would take note. But horrendous labour practices will never change unless we do.

Bitesize

Diseases of the soul are more dangerous and more numerous than those of the body.

Cicero

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Joseph’s will take place this week on Friday from 10.30am until 12 Noon.

FUNERALS

There will be a Funeral Service for Rita Scott at St. Joseph’s on Wednesday 7th February at 11.30am.

There will be a Funeral Service for Florence Northall at St. Joseph’s on Thursday 8th February at 2pm.