THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR C)
WEEK: MAY 11TH - 17TH 2025
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: John Green, Joan Killeen, Christine Clarke, Tony Kenny, Luke Burke, Dominic Boardman, Connie Marrone, Alexander Loughlin, Surya Duval, Margaret Lawless, Peter Barlow, Jean Barlow, Nynna Carpio, Terry Cummins, Elizabeth Flanagan, Margaret Emsis, Francis Doyle, Linda Solan, Fred Kibblewhite
LATELY DEAD: Gertrude Kollin Fernando, Rosemary Guilfoyle, Nilda Charez
ANNIVERSARIES, Jimmy Ryan, Francis Connelly, John Olatubosun Igbondipe, Michael and Catherine McGladdery, Ellie McDermott, Molly McDermott
LAST WEEK'S COLLECTION: £890.88
Standing Order: £674.00 a month
CHURCH BOXES / DONATIONS
Caritas (Homeless) £20.00; Donation £65.00
Many thanks for your kind generosity.
If anyone needs the Bank account details to set up Direct Debit payments, please contact Father Phil.
NOTICES:
All Masses will continue to be live streamed. A link is provided on the Parish website: www.smwsp.org.uk or via the Twitter App (@PhilipSumner13).
THE NEW POPE, LEO XIV
Each new Pope tries to give a message about his vision for his papacy in his choice of name. Francis clearly wanted to reflect the poverty of his namesake and, indeed, Francis of Assisi’s Interfaith relations. Leo XIV has chosen the name of the previous Pope who shared that name, Leo XIII, who wrote the now famous (in theological circles) encyclical, published on 15th May 1891 called ‘Rerum novarum’. This was the first of a series of papal encyclicals, from different popes, which developed what we now know as the Social Doctrine of the Church. There is a clear ‘option for the poor’ that comes across in Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV is setting out his vision for his papacy and showing a sense of continuation with the papacy of Pope Francis and with the social doctrine of an ‘option for the poor’.
He has, in the past, also shown his commitment to the process of ‘synodality’ and we can only presume that that commitment too will continue.
ORDINATION TO DIACONATE ANNIVERSARY
On 12th May, it will be 50 years since I was ordained a deacon in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. All priests spend about a year as deacons, prior to ordination to the priesthood. My class (just seven of us) from seminary will be returning to Liverpool for the day to celebrate together. There will be no Mass in the parish that day but there will be a Eucharistic service at 12noon. |
PARISH TEAM MEETING
The next Parish Team meeting will be on Thursday 22nd May at 7.00pm. We will discuss how to nominate the individuals requested for the implementation of the synodal process, among other matters. If you have items that you want the team to discuss, please write down your suggestions and give them either to me or to one of the team members (Janet Hirst, Sharon Teefy, Margaret Larad, Christine Wilson, David Daka, Jim Taylor, Tina Nufable, Frank Wisniewski).
MASS TO CELEBRATE JUBILEE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Are you celebrating a special anniversary this year? Join others, similarly celebrating, for a Mass on Tuesday 3 June at 7pm at St Bernadette's in Whitefield (M45 7SX). Couples celebrating a jubilee wedding anniversary during this Holy Year of Jubilee are invited to go along for this special celebration to acknowledge this wonderful sacrament. Friends and family are welcome and everyone is invited to join for refreshments after Mass.
For more information please email: formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk |
SPECIAL DAYS THIS WEEK
Monday, 12th May – Ss Nereus and Achilleus - they are among the most ancient martyrs of the Roman Church, buried in the Catacomb of Domitilla on the Via Ardeatina.
Tuesday, 13th May - Our Lady of Fatima
Wednesday 14th May – St Matthias - There is no mention of a Matthias among the lists of disciples or followers of Jesus in the three synoptic gospels, but according to Acts, he had been with Jesus from his baptism by John until his Ascension. In the days following, Peter proposed that the assembled disciples, who numbered about 120, nominate two men to replace Judas. They chose Joseph called Barsabas (whose surname was Justus) and Matthias. Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
“The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice.” Apparently, in Jesus’ day, the shepherds would gather the sheep of different owners together in one enclosure overnight. Then, in the morning, he/she would call out and the sheep that recognised his/her voice would follow and go out to pasture. They were not driven out, as a shepherd might drive a flock these days; they were called out.
The suggestion is surely that Jesus is calling us in a similar way, and, as the second reading suggests today, he will lead us “to springs of living water”. But, if we are meant to be those sheep, are we listening? Or do we know how to spot his voice in the cacophony of life today?
When we talk about ‘being called’, we are certainly not just talking about priests and religious. Pope Francis, in 2022, said: “All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church…, are agents of evangelization.” So, when Jesus is quoted, in the first reading, as saying “I have made you a light to the nations”, he’s talking about all of us. But, if we are to be such a light, we have first to be able to hear his voice in the world of today and we must help each other to hear it.
Pope Francis referred to the great sculptor and painter, Michelangelo Buonarroti. He is said to have maintained that every block of stone contains a statue within it, and it’s up to the sculptor to uncover it. That’s exactly what Jesus does to some very unlikely helpers in his mission. Many would have looked at Mary Magdalene and not have been able to get past the fact that she had been possessed by seven demons. But Jesus makes her the first Apostle of the Resurrection. Peter had been so brash and had been the one who denied Jesus three times, but the latter saw him as the rock on which the Church would be built. Matthew had been a tax-collector, a hated member of Jewish society, but Jesus saw him as a future co-worker. And the list goes on. Jesus requires us to look beyond the surface and to recognise the true person, helping that person to find him/herself.
The next stage is to recognise the times when, in different settings, the words of Scripture can take on very different and more profound meanings. You might have heard the same reading hundreds of times without having much reaction and then, in another setting, you can be moved so profoundly. You might hear an inspirational story of someone who seems to live the Gospel message in such a way as it gives life and hope to many. The Lord can come out of nowhere and make our hearts burn within us as he speaks to us.
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FINAL SESSION OF THE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
The final session of the sacramental programme for those young people who will be making their First Communion this year will be at 10am on Saturday 17th May in St. Patrick’s Church. The First Communion itself will take place on Sunday 18th May at 3.00pm.
"COME AND SEE" DAY FOR THE PERMANENT DIACONATE
On Saturday 17th May, our diocesan vocations team will be holding a "Come and See" event for anyone interested in learning more about the permanent diaconate. Whether you're discerning a possible vocation to this wonderful ministry, or would just like to learn more about the work of a permanent deacon and how that supports our parishes, our vocations team is on hand to help you discover more. Join us for our drop-in session at St Patrick's Church, Collyhurst, any time after 10.00am Mass and before 3.00pm. Email diaconate@dioceseofsalford.org.uk to find out more.
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A FILIPINO CULTURAL EVENT
“Kulturang Pilipino”. On 7th June, from 2.00pm-7.00pm at Heyside Parish Hall, Heyside, Royton, OL2 6NB. Cost of entry on the day will be £3. Anyone will be welcome.
VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR WOMEN (20s and 30s) -Discerning God's Call in your life
23rd - 25th May, Liverpool. The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Jesus invites each of us to 'Come and See' - this weekend will give the opportunity to explore the vocation to religious life and to reflect on God's call to you. If you are wondering if God is calling you to religious life and would like to find out more why not come along? You are welcome to stay for the weekend or just come along on Saturday for the day. There will be opportunity for prayer, reflection and input, chance to ask questions and to meet others who are also wondering where God is calling them.
For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ at fcjvocationeurope@gmail.com
To register CLICK HERE
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