5th Sun Lent 2016

Bonus Ball Competition The winners of the draw which was held on 9th March 2016 Each wins £25. (St Bridget’s) - Ann Croston. (St Stephen’s)- Ken Ormson. 36 Prayers for the Sick. Please remember in your prayers: Bradley Appleton, Neil Barlow, Brian Bennett Jack Best, Pauline Broome, Christopher Browne, Joseph Buck- nall, Laura & Barry Cooper, Mary Cox, Chris Critchley, May Cullen, Sheila Cullen, Joseph Culle- ton, Mary Curtis, Daniel Davies, Mary Delaney, Stella Donegan, Jean Evans, Gail Farring- ton, Dawn Fletcher, Elizabeth Flynn, Cath Forster, Mary Forster, Janet Gibson, Margaret Gleave, Kath Green, Mary Griffiths, Dennis Hall, Jenny Hales, Fran Hands, Jenny Healey, Esther Hur- ley, Brian Johnson, Joan Jones, Christine Kal- lis, Baby Leigh, Susan MacMillan, Reece McCall, Kevin McElroy, George McLoughlin, John Moore, Carl Newton, Eileen Noone, Keith Parkinson, Joan Rakin, Trevor Roberts, Baby Violet Royal Joey Rudge, Bob Sharples, Diane Shaunesey, Valerie Smith, Olive Thomas, Raymond Thomas, Abigail Tinkley, Winnie Unwin, Lee Wall, Doreen Ward, Joan Weaver, Elsie & Gillian Whitehouse, Theresa Williams, Pat Winnington. Station of the Cross during Lent: St Stephen’s: Each Friday evg beg. 7.00pm, continuing Friday 18th March and led by the Srs Elisabeth & Brenda. St Bridget’s at 3.00pm on Palm Sunday. St Bridget’s: an opportunity for prayer during Lent: Tuesday’s between 7.30- 9.00pm 15th March. The Ladies guild will also celebrate the Stations of the Cross. FAITH IN FOCUS: LOOKING BACK? Wiping the slate clean...forgiving and forgetting...turning over a new leaf....beginning again from square one.... We all know what these things mean but we find it hard to put them into practice. First of all we have difficulty in forgetting what others have done to us, even if we have forgiven them. There’s always that niggling raking-over of how we’ve been mistreated or taken advantage of. And in this sense our forgiveness becomes only partial. Then we have difficulty in believing that God doesn’t behave in the same fashion with us when we commit sin. Despite God’s assurances, we still have a tendency to believe that we come to God with a “reputation” and that our past offences are somehow still lying on the record. But when Jesus is confronted with the woman taken in adultery he makes it clear how God acts towards us. No one has condemned the woman and neither does he. He simply tells her to go away and not to sin any more. Jesus’s words are about the future, not the past. What’s done is done and all that anyone can ever ask of us is not to repeat the same mistakes. And in today’s read- ing from Isaiah God tells us, “No need to recall the past, no need to think about what was done before. See, I am doing a new deed”. A new deed. That’s what happens when God grants pardon. God’s forgiveness makes a completely new person of us since we are restored to the likeness of our maker. God’s forgiveness is not about cobbling together the best of a bad bunch or botching up what is still usable. When God forgives he creates a brand new situa- tion, a fresh opportunity, a vast horizon, a complete rehabilitation and a “new deed”. As we approach the last part of Lent we have the chance to come clean before God and to ask for the forgiveness that the gospel offers. Lent summons us to live in this passing world with our hearts set on the world that will never end. We do this in confidence, knowing that God is not here to condemn us but simply to say, “Forget the past and look to the future”. Deanery Reconciliation. . A second Mass with Service of Reconciliation will take place at St Joseph’s, Penketh on the Monday of Holy Week, 21st March at 730pm. Saint Oliver’s Tote Numbers drawn 9+12 T O’CONNOR WINS £77 CONGRATULATIONS ALL PROCEEDS TO THE NEST OF HOPE New Offertory envelopes beginning in April for those who use them are available at the back of church. Please let me know if yours are not there. Chrism Mass Once again we will travel to Liverpool for the celebration of the Chrism Mass on Wednesday 23rd March beginning at 7.30pm. Signing up lists are on both notice boards. Please be aware of pick up times: 6.15pm at St Bridget's and 6.30pm at St Stephen's. Jumble Sale: at St Bridget's on Saturday 19th March beginning at 2.00pm. Year of Mercy Cathedral Visit. This is due to take place on Sat. 16th April and we will be there between 10.00am-2.00pm. Consisting of Mass, individual reconciliation and the Stations of mercy as well as a shared meal. More details and a signing up list after Easter. The Joint Council will meet on Wednesday at 7.30pm 16th March. Have you missed the quiz? All answers begin with 'K'. 20th century convert and priest who translated the bible? Irish apparition shrine? The Septuagint had 4 biblical books with this name? First Catholic President of the USA? 7th century Irish saint from Glendalough? Jesus was betrayed by means of one? The humbling of Christ for man's redemption? The stream Jesus crossed to reach Gethsemane? Greek for 'Lord have mercy?' A 13th century military order for the defence of Christendom? Answers next week Interested? Mamma Mia 19th May. Ticket price£43.50 and £23.50 plus price of coach. Ring Sandra on 811230

5th Sun Lent 2016

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