THE ULTIMATE RELATIONSHIP
Some dioceses in England and Wales are using a Canadian booklet called The Ultimate Relationship this Christmas. It is an evangelizing tool written by Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO). It presents the Good News very simply, providing an opportunity to hear and respond to Christ’s invitation to a personal relationship.
The booklet is available on ISSU: https://issuu.com/ccocanada/docs/the ultimaterelationship-finaldraft
You can watch the introductory YouTube video below
PASTORAL PLAN:
After the meeting of Synod 2020 in June this year, work began on preparing a pastoral plan which would guide the archdiocese in the years to come based on the outcomes of the Synod. This plan will be launched next weekend. Every parishioner will get a postcard giving details of how to access the plan and an invitation to a meeting to hear about it. Copies of the plan will be available online and at Pauline Books and Media from next weekend. Please pray this week for open hearts to receive with grateful thanks the fruits of much listening, discerning and work that is Synod 2020. To find out more, you are welcome to any of these open meetings:
Saturday 4 Dec 11:00am – 12.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Leyland
Tuesday 7 Dec 7:00pm – 8:30pm in Holy Rosary Church, Aintree
Thursday 9 Dec 7:0pm – 8:30pm on Zoom
LOVE TO MOVE
If you wish to learn more about the background of the Love to Move Exercise programme, watch the video below.
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Those who are unable to attend in person may like to know that British Gymnastics have made the programme available online. To learn more visit https://britishgymnasticsfoundation.org/take-part-love-move-online/
CONGRATULATION BISHOP TOM WILLIAMS
Bishop Tom Williams has been given freedom of the city.
ST MARY’S FIRST COMMUNION MASSES
Liverpool Synod 202Ø1 The Long and Winding Road…
So now we’ve reached the finishing line, only to realise that there is another new journey opening up! Archbishop Malcolm, was clearly ahead of the game when he set us off as we now discover that globally the catholic dioceses will be called to undertake this same journey - or at least a similar one.
The final Zoom meeting- was a technical challenge for all involved-, incredible how we have all discovered new IT skills, joining virtual conferences, raising hands electronically and of course voting electronically! Archbishop Malcolm initially joined us in a live-feed from the cathedral and then joined the gallery of viewers for the rest of the meeting. We also had the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti to cheer us over this finishing line and then later in the day the General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops Cardinal Mario Grech spoke encouragingly too of our achievements. Members of other faiths including the Bishop of Liverpool from the Anglican cathedral spent the day with us. The day was calmly guided by Dr Jessie Rogers, lay dean of the faculty of theology at the Pontifical University, St Patrick’s College in Maynooth, Ireland.
We began with a time of prayer and reflection to consider the road we had travelled and the experiences gathered along the way. The creative team produced some fabulous animation as a visual reflection of our journey and generally the choreography of the day was very well organised despite the challenge of bringing together so many people virtually. There was even the opportunity given for people to voice any brief thoughts before we voted, which was led by Jessie, who encouraged us to ‘rest’ with the thoughts shared, pausing briefly after each sharing. An interesting and I felt very useful comment at this stage was that some of the 19 recommendations are actually stepping stones to others, so we should not feel overly stressed at the task of prioritising through our votes. We had then over an hour in which to actually cast our votes, this time was needed as the Tech team were kept very busy helping those who struggled to get online and even taking some voting over the phone.
After a lunch break, Fr Matthew and Fr Philip built on the excitement of the big reveal of the results comparing it to the Eurovision song contest! What a brilliantly colourful picture these results produced. Fr Matthew and Fr Philip then went through some of the reddest ones, which had gained most votes and also considered the bluest ones- least votes. Both emphasised that this did not mean that the blue ones would be ignored in the Pastoral Plan, rather that the more detailed analysis would take some time to fully appreciate what was implied through the voting. This was again repeated by Archbishop Malcolm, reassuring us that all areas will be carefully considered.
He also was pleased that there was a high score for wider inclusion of those who feel marginalised and felt that Love of Neighbour- was an aspect that had improved during the past year because of the pandemic. After this, it was then good to have the possibility to speak directly to other members face-to-face, in break-out rooms, at this final stage, sharing our initial response to the first views of the ‘results’ of our voting and expressing our thoughts on how we will move forward. Although I felt an initial disappointment in some of the voting, in particular the low ranking given to Care for Creation, which I personally see as #1, listening to the positive reactions of others, it was clear that this journey was leading us forward and that many changes were already happening, which is possibly why they didn’t rank as a priority for the future! Engagement of Youth/ young adults ranked as a top priority, so the question was raised whether this didn’t require a further Youth Synod to fully tease out the needs of this group, as unfortunately from the faces visible to me as I scrolled across multiple screens during our arrival in the Zoom meeting, there were very few younger faces to be seen! Lots of food for further thought; giving the Pastoral Plan team a mammoth task ahead. Now having reflected on this synodal path, I do have to say that this is definitely a positive way to develop as church; to truly listen to one another with heart and mind. I am extremely grateful to all those parish family members, who have been a regular source of encouragement along the way; having demonstrated an active interest at each stage of the journey. It is to be hoped that locally and globally our church will move forward to “become the church God is calling us to be”.
More details can be found on the Synod website, including the full list of results https://synod2020.co.uk/.
LAUDATO SI WEEK - LITURGY 1 - 22nd May 2021
‘The weather was a little better than last week, and this encouraged a few more people to join us’
Tree planting and service
This week Fr Tim was helped to plant a tree by some young parishioners.
We were joined by some young parishioners
The ominous skies did not deter the attendees
LAUDATO SI WEEK - LITURGY 1 - 15th May 2021
‘Rain didn’t stop play, or prayer at St Mary’s today as we gathered to mark the the 6th anniversary of Laudato Si, in thanksgiving for the wonderful gift of God’s creation.’
Join us next Saturday 22nd May 2021 at noon when we have a liturgy to conclude Laudato Si week.
To mark the 6th Anniversary of Laudato Si we decided to plant a tree
Below - our SYNOD rep and driver of the initiative
Fr Tim blesses the tree before it is planted. Visit our Facebook page for a video of the planting.
Planting the tree
Despite the torrential rain - a fair number of people turned out.
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
If you missed the online talk from the Rev Dr John Bell, you can watch it on Youtube
FRATELLI TUTTI INFOGRAPHIC
An infographic which outlines the content of Fratelli Tutti for those who would find a guide to the Encyclical Letter of help Click here to read it.
ST MARY'S SVP DURING LOCKDOWN
When lockdown started, we looked at our list of contacts and each member of the SVP took responsibility to ring the same group of contacts each week. This means that all our contacts have somebody to talk to, fetch any shopping, run any errands and be available at anytime on the end of a phone. Members have been delighted at being able to offer this and we have all benefited from the calls. I know I speak for us all when I say it is a privilege to be able to do this.
We deliver shopping for those who have been unable to get out, take home baked cakes to our Carmelite friends at Maryton Grange each week on behalf of one of our ladies and shared many a laugh over the phone during what has been a difficult time for so many.
A big thank you to Woolton Round Table who kindly donated Asda vouchers that we were able to distribute to those who we knew would be grateful for them.
The lockdown has taught us many things. When we face challenging times, by working together as a team, we can still do great things and support each other. If anybody knows anybody who needs some support, please do not hesitate to contact the parish office so that we can get in touch. New members are always welcome and if anybody is interested in volunteering, again, please contact the parish office. Thank you to those who support us by giving up their time and generously donate to the SVP. We are extremely grateful
Roy Bellmon
Chair - St Mary’s SVP
BISHOPS' CONFERENCE GUIDELINES ON ORGAN DONATION
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Display of Palm Sunday foliage
We were invited to decorate our doors and windows with greenery and branches to welcome in Holy Week as Jesus was welcomed in to Jerusalem. The response was brilliant.
Thanks to Olivia for producing a montage of the photos we received.
Pictures can also be viewed in the Palm Sunday album on the parish facebook page. Click here
CONTRIBUTING FINANCIALLY TO THE PARISH:
STANDING ORDERS
TEXT GIVING
To donate by Text
Text SAINTMARY to 70085 to donate £2. Texts cost £2 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £2 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70085.
Text SAINTMARY to 70450 to donate £3. Texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £3 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70450.
Text SAINTMARY to 70460 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £5 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70460.
Text SAINTMARY to 70470 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70470.
ONLINE GIVING WEBSITE:
The Archdiocesan online giving website can be used and for both one-off and regular monthly donations.
The page for St Mary’s can be found at https://archdioceseofliverpool.churchsuite.com/donate/fund/xza9kske
SUM UP MACHINE
You can make one off donations to the parish via the Sum up machine at the back of the church
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