ADDITIONAL NEWS ITEMS
FEAST OF ST JOHN NEUMANN
The 5th January is the Feast of the Redemptorist Saint St John Neumann who was born in Prachatitz in Bohemia before emigrating to the US where he dedicated himself to the European immigrants who were deprived of spiritual support. To learn more about St John Neumann visit http://www.redemptorists.co.uk/who-we-are/redemptorist-saints/11-saint-john-neumann.html
HOME CRIBS
If you have any photos of your cribs that you would like to share with the parish please email to the parish office Fr Tim has kindly shared this photo of the crib that his father made 70 years ago that he has in his room.
Reflections for Christmas and the Octave of Christmas
David's Christmas gift to us all, reflections for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the rest of the Octave of Christmas.
Reflection 26th December - St Stephen's Day
Reflection 27th December - Feast of the Holy Family
Reflection 28th December - Holy Innocents
Reflection 29th December - St Thomas Becket
Reflection 30th December - Day 6 Christmas Octave
Refection 31st December - Day 7 Christmas Octave
Reflection 1st January - Mary Mother of God
A Reflection for the second Sunday of Christmas is available on the Archdiocesan Website at https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/sunday-reflections
CAROLS FROM THE CATHEDRAL
A Carol service recorded on the 4th Sunday of Advent
YOUTH J&P GROUP AND NUGENT
Once again our young people have shown what stars they are, they have clubbed together to donate lots of items to Nugent's hamper appeal
A socially distanced handover
CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS
Gift bags have been delivered to parishioners including those who attend our regular afternoon tea and singalong. To see photos of some of the happy recipients click here
THANK YOU FROM THE LOCAL CAFOD OFFICE
Thank you for your generosity, support and prayers over the last year.
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for so many. In this year like no other, our prayer as a global community has been more imporant than ever. As CAFOD volunteers in your parishes and schools, together we’ve been able to reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters around the world.
As we move through the Advent season, we are reminded that no one is beyond the reach of God's love. We wait with joy for the Lord, the hope of the world.
Thank you again for all you do with CAFOD. As we look back on the year, you can find our annual review here.
We hope you have a very happy Christmas from all at CAFOD in Liverpool. #MerryChristmas 
ORDINATION MASS FOR FR ROYSTON PRICE C.Ss.R
AN INVITATION TO PRAYER
We have asked that in all our homes we set aside a sacred space where the family could pray, if possible, at 7.00pm each evening At the heart of the prayer will be an Act of Spiritual Communion, so dear to the heart of our Founder, Saint Alphonsus. The leaflet is available on our website click here, the prayer has been converted so that it is easily understood by the younger ones, but here is the original:
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to possess you within my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as being already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
The Redemptorist Community has adjusted the daily timetable so that we will be united in prayer with you all at that time. Also, each day we will celebrate Mass and hold all your intentions before the Lord.
FR MICHAEL’S PAINTINGS.
Fr Michael has been busy during lockdown painting. A number of new paintings have been added to Bishop Eton's website at http://www.bishopeton.org.uk/fr-michael-s-paintings.html
All money raised from the sale of the paintings will go to Project Zimbabwe.
A THANK YOU FROM CAFOD
Thank you!!
Thank you for your support this year. I hope in these difficult times the resources shared below support you and the community in your preparations during the season of Advent.
We know that it has been a difficult time for our churches, and we are truly grateful that you did not forget our brothers and sisters across the world. During Harvest Fast Day you reached out and encouraged your parishioners to give and pray in different ways.
The need this year has been huge and challenging across the world. But thanks to you we have been able to continue our international work. Through CAFOD you have supported some of the poorest communities most impacted by the virus. You have reached people in more than 33 countries, with over six million people receiving health and prevention advice and more than half a million people receiving safe hygiene supplies and services to prevent and reduce infection. Many more poor and vulnerable families have been supported with food supplies when there was no way to earn a living in the face of lockdown.
Your care for others meant that we were able to continue support in countries like Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil where communities were already facing the toughest of challenges before the arrival of the virus.
SAFE SPACES:
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England or the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
A telephone helpline and live chat is available 0300 303 1056 LiveChat/ Website safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.
DECEMBER'S CATHOLIC PICTORIAL
An electronic copy of the Catholic Pictorial can be found at
https://issuu.com/merseymirror/docs/catholic_pic_decemeber_2020
Papal prayer video December 2020
PRAYER RESOURCES IN LIGHT OF THE CORONAVIRUS:
We have a page of prayers and other prayer resources CLICK HERE, and a list of other sites with spiritial content CLICK HERE
ARCHDIOCESAN RESOURCES
The Archdiocesan prayer resources have been updated to include
- Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family and the 2nd Sunday of Christmas (also available as an audio download).
- Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family and 2nd Sunday of Christmas
- Week 16 and 17 of the Armchair retreats sessions with Fr Denis Blackley SJ
All can be accessed/downloaded at https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/ or through http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk by clicking on ‘Prayer and Other Resources’ https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/family-life
For Sunday reflections click here
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
The Archdiocese has produced a raft of resources for families that can be accessed at
https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/family-life
At the above link you will find the following sections
- Parenting Support
- How to talk to children and teens about COVID-19
- Parenting during COVID-19
- Christian Homemaking
- Family Prayer Ideas
- Children's Books
- Family prayer cards
- Family Rosary cards
- Messy Church at home
- Counting our Blessings
- Domestic Abuse
- Dealing with the COVID-19 crisis for the divorced or separated
Advice from Alzheimers UK
LOCKDOWN AND DOMESTIC ABUSE:
Since the UK-wide COVID-19 lockdown be-gan, there has been a 49% increase in calls and online requests for help relating to domestic abuse.
Bishop John Sherrington said:
‘Every person has a right to live their life free from violence, abuse, intimidation and fear. Catholic parishes can play an important role in the fighting the scourge of domestic abuse, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where we are seeing some shocking statistics from leading domestic abuse organisations. My thanks go to those organisations and individuals already working so hard to ensure that people suffering domestic abuse can live safe lives. Every local situation will differ and so our new guidance is designed to be used as an introduction to start a local project. I hope that Catholics and parishes will be inspired to take this up in their local area. Violence of this kind should never be tolerated or justified. It is an offence against the dignity of the human person.’
For help and support visit https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/domestic-abuse/
The Archbishop has asked that the following prayer be widely circulated and prayed at this time of crisis:
A PRAYER IN TIME OF DANGER AND ILLNESS.
God Our Father,
each person is precious to You.
You are the Giver of life.
Have mercy on us and protect us
at this time, as the Coronavirus
threatens health and life.
You are an ever-present Helper
in time of trouble.
Watch over those who are
suffering, give strength to those
who are aiding the Sick and give courage
to all in this time of anxiety.
We ask this of you in the name of your Son
Jesus Christ. AMEN
Global Laudato Si’ Monthly Prayer Services
Every month the Global Catholic Climate movement holds a monthly prayer service.
To sign up or to access old services click here
NOVENA AT HOME
Those of you missing the weekly Novena in honour of Our Mother of Perpetual Help may like to visit the Novena at home website. You will find a selection of Novena prayers, miracles attributed to OMPS and other information.
Just visit http://www.novena-at-home.redemptorists.co.uk/
JOSPICE TREE COLLECTIONS
Book your Christmas tree collection now and we will come and collect them in January and recycle them for use in the hospice grounds. All donations will help us to continue providing #hospice care to local families💚 #Liverpool #Crosby #Maghull #Formby #Bootle #Sefton #Merseyside pic.twitter.com/ZUsPJ5HrgA
— St. Joseph's Hospice (@JospiceUK) December 10, 2020
COLUMBIANS UK SCHOOL COMPETITON
Closing date 20th Feb 2021
Don't forget to enter the @ColumbansUK school media competition. If you are aged 14 to 18 submit an article or picture on the theme "Let's create a world without racism". Cash prices are available to the winners. For more details visit: https://t.co/lkdfJqY6Cs @IrishColumbans
— Million Minutes (@Million_Minutes) December 10, 2020
