Fr Dave's Blog
6th Week of Easter
Monday 23 May 2022
6th Sunday of Easter (C) – 22 May 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Easter 6C)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Easter 6C)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-easter-6-year-c-2022-1
Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians
Today, Christians from all over Europe, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and India join together in praying for Eastern Christians.
Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald writes: “The Day of Prayer…offers Eastern and Western Christians an opportunity to be united in prayer during Easter. It also offers us in the West an opportunity to think of the Eastern Churches and to give thanks to God for all that we owe them: the first preaching of the Gospel, the origins of the monastic tradition, the early Church Fathers, and above all the witness of the Eastern Christians down the centuries, which has been, and still is, an inspiration to our faith.”
As you know, our parish is paired with two parishes in Jordan – Fr Fares Syriani and the parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary in Kerak, and Fr Athos Righi and the parishioners of St James the Less in Ma’in. Let’s remember them especially today.
Heavenly Father,
we pray today for peace in the world,
especially in the Middle East.
By your heavenly grace, strengthen the faith
and hope of Eastern Christians.
May they be blessed with peace
and prosperity in their lands.
And may we be inspired
by their devotion and witness to the Gospel,
by their love and compassion for all in their communities,
and by their courage, endurance
and self-sacrifice against oppression.
Through their charity, tolerance and friendship,
bring peace and reconciliation
to those troubled lands,
where Christianity was born and first spread.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
5th Week of Easter
Thursday 19 May 2022
Wednesday 18 May 2022
An invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales
This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58)
A beautiful hallmark of the Catholic faith is the profound desire to participate in the Holy Mass and share in the Eucharist. We do so with deep gratitude and joy. The Eucharist gives the Church her identity – “The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist.” It enables us to worship Almighty God, to support each other on our journey of faith, and to be a visible sign of faith in the world. This hallmark is supported and strengthened by the precept that our fundamental Christian duty is to worship God by participating in the celebration of Mass. Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is the greatest of all privileges, sometimes referred to as “the Sunday Obligation.”
Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply.
We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation.
Our Catholic people and parishes have benefitted during these difficult times from the online streaming of Mass and other services. “Virtual viewing” of Mass online does not fulfil the Sunday Obligation. It may, however, be a source of continual spiritual comfort to those who cannot attend Mass in person, for example those who are elderly and sick, for whom the obligation does not apply. In this context, we recognise gratefully the ministry of those who administer Holy Communion to the elderly, sick and housebound.
We are grateful to our clergy, religious and lay faithful who have served our parishes, schools and communities with dedication and distinction throughout this pandemic. Now we look forward with renewed faith and confidence.
In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, the Lord Jesus entrusted to us the precious gift of Himself. With humility, we glory in being a Eucharistic people for whom attendance at Mass is essential. Looking forward to the forthcoming feast of Pentecost, we now invite all Catholics who have not yet done so to return to attending Mass in person.
As the Church needs the witness of the presence of each person, so too each believer needs to journey in faith and worship with their fellow disciples. Nourished by our encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, fed with His Word and His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and supported by the presence of each other, we receive strength week by week, to serve the Lord and glorify Him with our lives.
Approved by the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference
Friday 6 May 2022
Tuesday 17 May 2022
Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse
Today the Catholic Church in England & Wales is keeping a National Day of Prayer for those in our families and communities who carry within themselves the deep and traumatic wounds inflicted by abuse.
We’ve all been horrified by the accounts of abuse in the Church that have emerged in recent years and angered by the subsequent coverups. Words fail us in the face of such evil perpetrated against children and those who are vulnerable.
The Church must be the one place that is safe for everyone. That’s the responsibility of us all. Today we pledge again to make this a reality in our own parish, and to support those who’ve been hurt by members of the Church or members of their families or others.
Father,
since your mercy has been revealed
in the tenderness of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who said to his disciples:
“Let the little children come to me”,
we pray that your Church may be a secure home
where all are brought closer to your Beloved Son.
May all those who have been abused be respected
and accompanied by justice and reparation
so that they may be healed by the balm of your grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For more information, check out the Catholic Bishops Conference of England & Wales website which has a dedicated page for today with all sorts of information and resources:
Prayer for Survivors of Abuse 2022 – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk)
For local information, help and support, see the Safeguarding page on this website under ‘Information’ above.
Monday 16 May 2022
COVID Update – where are we up to?
Although the Government speaks and acts as if the pandemic is over, I’m afraid it isn’t. The good news is that hospitalisations and deaths continue to fall; the bad news is the number of daily infections has stopped falling at around 120,000 a day. So COVID is still with us, although the vaccination programme together with the less severe Omicron variant means people are not getting as sick as they were with previous strains.
With the dramatic reduction in testing and much less data, the best source of information is the Zoe Covid Study: ZOE COVID Study (joinzoe.com)
Professor Tim Spector, Scientific Co-Founder of ZOE, comments on the latest COVID data:
“After a number of weeks with cases steadily falling, we are now seeing a real slow down in the cases and we predict cases will stall around 100,000 new cases a day for a while. Scotland is the first region where cases appear to be trending upward again and the same is true for those aged 0-17 years old. It is too early at this stage to know what is causing the slow down but it’s a strong signal that COVID is not going to disappear this summer.”
The NHS advises us to:
- Get vaccinated
- Continue to practise good hand hygiene
- Wear a face covering in enclosed spaces
- Ventilate indoor spaces
- Stay at home if you have symptoms or test positive
New Variants
On Friday, the European CDC designated Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 as variants of concern. They are causing a new wave in South Africa at present.
5th Sunday of Easter (C) – 15 May 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Easter 5C)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Easter 5C)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-easter-5-year-c-2022
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
4th Week of Easter
Friday 13 May 2022
Animal Friday
Thursday 12 May 2022
Wednesday 11 May 2022
Save bees from deadly pesticides
Bees are essential for our survival. They pollinate much of what we eat and play a critical role in sustaining ecosystems around the world. But the last decade has been devastating for insect populations, and bees have been hit hard – with populations shrinking by a third in the UK.
Bee-killing neonicotinoids have been banned across Europe since 2013, but the UK government has just approved these deadly chemicals for emergency use – posing a lethal threat to bee populations.
Greenpeace have set up a petition to the Secretary of State for the Environment requesting a total ban on bee-killing pesticides.
Please add your name to the petition:
Save bees from deadly pesticides (greenpeace.org.uk)
Tuesday 10 May 2022
‘God is Father who does not disown any of his children’
Last week, Pope Francis answered three questions put to him by Jesuit Father James Martin whose pastoral ministry involves the LGBT community.
What would you say is the most important thing for LGBT people to know about God?
Pope Francis: God is Father and he does not disown any of his children. And “the style” of God is “closeness, mercy and tenderness.” Along this path you will find God.
What would you like LGBT people to know about the Church?
Pope Francis: I would like for them to read the book of the Acts of the Apostles. There they will find the image of the living Church.
What do you say to an LGBT Catholic who has experienced rejection from the Church?
Pope Francis: I would have them recognise it not as “the rejection of the church,” but instead of “people in the church.” The church is a mother and calls together all her children. Take for example the parable of those invited to the feast: “the just, the sinners, the rich and the poor, etc.” [Matthew 22:1-15; Luke 14:15-24]. A “selective” church, one of “pure blood,” is not Holy Mother Church, but rather a sect.
Monday 9 May 2022
Sometimes animals have so much to teach human beings:
4th Sunday of Easter (C) – 8 May 2022
Good Shepherd Sunday – World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Easter 4C)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Easter 4C)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-easter-4-year-c-2022
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
3rd Week of Easter
Thursday 5 May 2022
I know I shouldn’t – after all, the Church is not party political – but I couldn’t resist this person’s sense of humour for today’s local elections:
Wednesday 4 May 2022
Feast of the English Martyrs
Today we keep the memory of countless Catholics and Protestants who were martyred for their faith during the English Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries. Counted among them is Blessed James Bell, the patron of our parish. It’s because of their courageous faith that we have faith today.
At their canonisation in 1970, Pope Paul VI paid the martyrs this tribute (click on image to enlarge):
Tuesday 3 May 2022
Pope Francis on Ukraine
Today, Vatican Media reports an interview Pope Francis gave to Luciano Fontana, editor the Italian daily ‘Corriere della Sera’. The interview focussed mainly on the war in Ukraine. Since the invasion began on 24 February, Pope Francis has made many appeals for peace and attempts to mediate. He has telephoned President Zelenskyy, visited the Russian embassy to the Holy See and had a conversation with Patriarch Kiril.
Pope Francis said: “After 20 days of war I asked Cardinal Parolin to send a message to Putin to say that I was willing to go to Moscow.” He went on: “We have not yet received an answer, and we are still insisting, even if I fear that Putin cannot and does not want to have this meeting at this time.”
Reviewing the situation, the Pope clarified: “I am not going to Kyiv for now; I feel that I must not go. First I must go to Moscow. First I must meet Putin. But I am also a priest, what can I do? I do what I can. If Putin would only open the door…”.
Pope Francis also spoke about the conversation he had with Russian Orthodox Patriarch, Patriarch Kirill, via Zoom on 15 March and the “justifications” for the war cited by Kirill. The Pope said: “I told him: I completely fail to understand this. Brother, we are not state clerics; we cannot use the language of politics, but that of Jesus. We are pastors of the same holy people of God. That is why we must seek ways of peace, stop the fire of arms. The Patriarch cannot become Putin’s altar boy. I had a meeting scheduled with him in Jerusalem on 14 June. It would have been our second face-to-face meeting. But now even he agrees: ‘Let’s wait’ it could be an ambiguous signal.”
Source: Vatican News/ Luciano Fontana
Monday 2 May 2022
3rd Sunday of Easter (C) – 1 May 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Easter 3C)
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Easter 3C)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-easter-3-year-c-2022
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
2nd Week of Easter
Thursday 28 April 2022
Covid Update
Given the absence of any meaningful update on the pandemic from the Government or the media, Professor Tim Spector from King’s College, London, provides some useful information here:
COVID cases in free fall but for how long? – YouTube
Wednesday 27 April 2022
Tuesday 26 April 2022 – Solemnity of St George, Patron of England
Happy Feast Day!
Today is the Solemnity of St George, Patron and Protector of England. This year, the feast has been moved from it’s usual date because the 23 April fell during the Easter Octave.
St George was a Roman soldier who was martyred on this day in 303 AD during the persecution of Christians in what is now present day Israel. He became a favourite saint for the Crusades and his feast day has been kept in England since 1222.
Let us ask St George to pray for us and for all the people of our country. Here is the prayer for today’s feast in the Roman Missal:
God of hosts,
who so kindled the fire of charity
in the heart of Saint George your martyr,
that he bore witness to the risen Lord
both by his life and by his death;
grant us through his intercession, we pray,
the same faith and power of love,
that we who rejoice in his triumph
may be led to share with him
in the fullness of the resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Monday 25 April 2022
Bishop Paul McAleenan, the Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees for the Bishops’ Conference, has commented on the UK government’s plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda:
“The proposal to send some of those seeking asylum to Rwanda is at odds with the line from the Prophet Isaiah which we read as we prepared for Easter, ‘He does not break the crushed reed nor quench the wavering flame’.
Despite presenting the plan as a humanitarian need to combat trafficking, this scheme will compound the difficulties of those arriving on our shores hoping for a new beginning. The actions of the people of this country show that they wish to lift up those in need, decisions of the government should do likewise.
I am reminded of a memorial plaque on the promenade in Dover honouring those who died at sea seeking refuge. ‘Every migrant has a name, a face, a story’. This should be our starting point. We need to make it convenient for them to tell their story [their Asylum claim] remembering we are dealing with individuals made in God’s image who have endured great hardships in their own country and on their travels.
The UK Government and the whole international community, motivated by the desire to uphold the dignity of human life, need to address the problems which cause people to flee their homes.
We pray for all refugees whose sole aim is to survive each day. Led by the Christian spirit, manifested so powerfully at Easter, we should help and not discourage them.”
Source: Catholic Bishops Conference of England & Wales
2nd Sunday of Easter (C) – 24 April 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Easter 2C) StO
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Easter 2C)
Reflection on the Readings: prego-easter-2-year-c-2022-2
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Easter Octave
Easter Friday – 22 April 2022
EARTH DAY
Today is Earth Day when millions of people across the continents gather together to draw attention to the need to safeguard our planet.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, the interim Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said: “The Church cares very much about the Earth because the Earth was created by God, the same God who created all of us as siblings who are called to live together in our Common Home and take care of it.”
“We celebrate Earth Day this year in the shadow of multiple serious, grave and menacing failures on the part of the human family to take this reality seriously.” We need to remember “our very serious, and I would say, increasing responsibility to take good care of this one Common Home we have.”
Source: Vatican News
Easter Thursday – 21 April 2022
We continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. Today, let us remember especially the many people held up in the steel plant in Mariupol.
A Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen
Archbishop Justin Welby
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
Easter Wednesday – 20 April 2022
A little reading for today.
First, Pope Francis’ powerful ‘Urbi et orbi’ address on Easter Sunday:
Second, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Easter Sermon (which I personally thought was spot on):
Archbishop’s Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral Sung Eucharist
Easter Tuesday – 19 April 2022
The sanctuary at the Cathedral for Easter is simply beautiful:
You can see lots more pictures on the Archdiocesan Flickr:
Archdiocese of Liverpool | Flickr
Easter Monday – 18 April 2022
It’s a bank holiday here in the UK, so enjoy this beautiful little video from Twitter. Animals have so much to teach us.
Holy Week 2022
Easter Sunday (C) – 17 April 2022
“This is the day that God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
(Psalm 117)
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!
Chrystus zmartwychwstał! Prawdziwie zmartwychwstał!
Khristos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!
Le Christ est ressuscité! En verité il est ressuscité!
Tá Críost éirithe! Go deimhin, tá sé éirithe!
Atgyfododd Crist! Yn wir atgyfododd!
A very happy Easter to you all! May the joy of this day – the greatest day of the year for Christians – lift your spirits, renew your hope, and bring peace to your hearts.
Celebrating Easter Sunday at Home: Easter Sunday at Home 2022
Reflection on the Readings: easter-sunday-year-c-2022-1
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Holy Saturday – 16 April 2022
The Easter Vigil
On this Holy Saturday night, the holiest night of the year, we keep the ‘mother of all vigils’ (St Augustine). The Vigil begins with the lighting of the big Easter candle proclaiming “The Light of Christ”. Then, in the light of the candle, we read the stories of what God has done for his people through the ages. After the Gospel of the Resurrection, we renew our baptism. Finally, we celebrate Christ’s risen presence with us always in the eucharist.
The Easter Vigil will take place at 8.00 pm at St Oswald’s.
If you’re not able to join us in church this evening, you might like to join in one of the many celebrations online.
Good Friday – 15 April 2022
Today, all over the world at 3.00 pm, Christians stop whatever they are doing (if they can) to celebrate the Passion of the Lord. In a very simple but ancient liturgy, we listen to St John’s account of the Passion of the Lord, pray for the needs of the Church and the world, and venerate the Cross.
The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord will take place at 3.00 pm at St Oswald’s.
In addition, there will be Stations of the Cross for Children at 11.00 am at St Benedict’s and Stations of the Cross at 12.00 noon at St Oswald’s.
If you’re not able to join us in church today, you might like to use this little prayer service at home:
Holy Thursday – 14 April 2022
This evening, we enter into the Easter Triduum – a three-day celebration of our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. We begin by recalling what Jesus did on the night before he died – how he washed the feet of his disciples and shared the Last Supper with them.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will take place at 7.30 pm at St Benedict’s followed by ‘Watching’ until 9.30 pm.
If you’re not able to join us in church this evening, you might like to use this little prayer service at home:
Wednesday of Holy Week – 13 April 2022
“The weapons of the Gospel are prayer, tenderness, forgiveness and freely-given love for one’s neighbour, to any neighbour. This is how God’s peace is brought into the world. This is why the armed aggression of these days, like every war, represents an outrage against God.”
(Pope Francis, Twitter, 13 April 2022)
Tuesday of Holy Week – 12 April 2022
Stations of the Cross from the Cathedral:
Stations of the Cross – YouTube
Monday of Holy Week – 11 April 2022
In the seven days between now and Easter, Lord:
touch my suffering with your passion,
touch my hardships with your Cross,
touch my pain with your deep healing,
touch my sins with your great mercy,
touch my soul with the life you gave for me,
touch my weakness with your strength,
touch my guilt with your sweet pardon,
touch my shame with cleansing grace,
touch my life each day this week, Lord,
that I might one day rise with you
to life that has no end…
Jesus,
touch my life
this Holy Week…
Amen.
(c) Fr Austin Fleming, Massachusetts, USA,
from his blog, ‘A Concord Pastor Comments’
Palm Sunday (C) – 10 April 2022
Celebrating Palm Sunday at Home: Palm Sunday at Home (C) 2022
Reflection on the Readings: prego-palm-sunday-year-c-2022
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Fifth Week of Lent
Thursday 7 April 2022
Covid-19
With the rate of infection so high at the moment, it’s worth remembering the symptoms:
(click to enlarge)
Wednesday 6 April 2022
Today, Pope Francis described the scenes from Bucha in Ukraine as “horrifying.” He reiterated his call for peace: “I repeat once again put an end to this war, silence the arms, put an end to the death and destruction.”
Then he showed a flag brought to him yesterday from the town of Bucha, which he called a “martyred city”.
Source (c) Vatican News
Tuesday 5 April 2022
Pope Francis’ Prayer for Migrants (click on image to enlarge)
Monday 4 April 2022
To those who are critical of the Church reaching out to our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers, please ponder these words from Pope Francis on his Twitter yesterday:
“Those who believe they are upholding the faith by pointing their finger at others may have a certain “religiosity”, but they have not embraced the spirit of the Gospel, for they disregard mercy, which is the heart of God (cf. Jn 8:1-11).”
5th Sunday of Lent (C) – 3 April 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Lent 5C) 2022
Act of Consecration: Act of Consecration 25 March 2022
Reflection on the Readings: prego-lent-5-year-c-2022
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Fourth Week of Lent
Friday 1 April 2022
Thursday 31 March 2022
Thought for the Day
St Porphyrios (1906-1991) is an Eastern Orthodox Saint.
Wednesday 30 March 2022
Your Donations Have Arrived!
Yesterday, after travelling for three days, for 1400 miles and through six countries, our drivers arrived at the Polish border and successfully delivered the donated goods for the people of Ukraine.
Our four drivers – Mike Sharkey, Andy Coley, Dave Lyon and Chris Joynt – met Bishop Gregory Komar, and students for the priesthood from the Holy Spirit Seminary in the Ukrainian diocese of Sambir-Drohobych, who will take the goods for distribution in the Lviv region of western Ukraine.
Watch the videos which include a thank you message from Bishop Gregory to the people of the Archdiocese:
#Liverpool4Ukraine appeal – arrival at the border. – YouTube
#Liverpool4Ukraine appeal – unloading the boxes – YouTube
Tuesday 29 March 2022
“Why doesn’t someone do something?”
This question has been voiced by many parishioners as we grieve over the situation in Ukraine. Yes, we’ve donated money and an enormous amount of practical items, but it does nothing to assuage our desperate feelings for what is happening to so many innocent men, women and children in Ukraine.
An Irish priest, Fr Brendan Hoban, wrote an article last week entitled, “We cannot be neutral in this outrageous war”. It’s worth reading. Here’s the link:
Brendan Hoban: We cannot be neutral in this outrageous war . Association of Catholic Priests
Monday 28 March 2022
Yesterday, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for peace in Ukraine:
(click on text to enlarge)
4th Sunday of Lent (C) – 27 March 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Lent 4C) 2022
Act of Consecration: Act of Consecration 25 March 2022
Reflection on the Readings: prego-lent-4-year-c-2022
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
Third Week of Lent
Friday 25 March 2022
Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Today, Pope Francis invites us to consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Act of Consecration is a way for the whole Church to urgently pray to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and to demonstrate her closeness to those directly affected by the conflict.
In our parish, we will pray the Act of Consecration during the 11.00 am Mass at St Benedict’s. If you can’t come to Mass, you can pray the prayer at home, or at work, or wherever you are, anytime during the day.
Here is the text Pope Francis will be using at 5.30 pm (UK time):
Act of Consecration 25 March 2022
Thursday 24 March 2022
Memorial of St Oscar Romero
St Oscar Romero was martyred while celebrating Mass 42 years ago today, 24 March 1980.
St Oscar Romero, pray for us.
Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Pope Francis invites bishops, priests, religious and faithful to assemble in their churches and places of prayer on 25 March 2022 to consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
“This Act of Consecration is meant to be a gesture of the universal Church, which in this dramatic moment lifts up to God, through his Mother and ours, the cry of pain of all those who suffer and implore an end to the violence, and to entrust the future of our human family to the Queen of Peace”, said Pope Francis.
The Act of Consecration is a way for the whole Church to urgently pray to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and to demonstrate her closeness to those directly affected by the conflict.
In our parish, we will pray the Act of Consecration during the 11.00 am Mass on Friday at St Benedict’s. If you can’t come to Mass, you can pray the prayer at home, or at work, or wherever you are, anytime during the day.
Here is the text Pope Francis will be using at 5.30 pm (UK time) on Friday:
Act of Consecration 25 March 2022
Wednesday 23 March 2022
National Day of Prayer and Reflection
Two years ago today, the Prime Minister asked us all to “stay at home”. Covid-19 had reached the UK and we entered the first lockdown to try and stop the spread of the virus. Two years on and, sadly, the pandemic is still very much with us. Today, if you can, take a moment to reflect on the last two years and perhaps pray the prayer below.
(click on image to enlarge)
Tuesday 22 March 2022
A Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
How do we pray for peace from half a world away?
How can words salve and soothe real wounds,
assuage real fears, wipe tears from real eyes?
God of endless compassion, transform our prayers
from words into bridges, that span the distances
between us, uniting our hearts in yours.
Every time we turn our keys in a lock,
may we remember all who are losing their homes.
Every time we step into our cars,
may we remember all who are having to flee.
Every time we embrace our children,
may we remember all who are trying to shield theirs from war.
May our besieged sisters and brothers
be drawn into the arms of the suffering Christ,
And may our cry be heard as one voice,
ringing out from every corner of the earth:
God of endless mercy, grant us peace.
Amen.
(From Redemptorist Publications)
Monday 21 March 2022
3rd Sunday of Lent (C) – 20 March 2022
Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Lent 3C) 2022
Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (Lent 3C) 2022
Reflection on the Readings: prego-lent-3-year-c-2022
Today, 20 March, is the anniversary of the bombing in Warrington in 1993. We remember especially Tim Parry and Jonathan Ball who were killed, their families, and the many who were injured.
CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.
Some Funnies
God bless,
Fr Dave
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