Second Sunday of Lent, 17 March 2019

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1 Newsletter Parish of St John Vianney, incorporating the former Parishes of St Andrew, Holy Family & St Mark St Therese of Lisieux Pastoral Area Parish Administration: Maureen Conley (Mon & Tues 9am-1pm) Jacqui O Rourke (Thurs & Fri 9am-1pm) St John Vianney Parish Office, Penmann Crescent, Liverpool, L26 0UG Tel: johnvianney@rcaolp.co.uk Website: Parish Priest: Father Matthew Nunes Tel: Outside of the urgent need for a priest, all enquiries should please be directed to the Parish Office ( ) in the first instance. Second Sunday of Lent, 17 March 2019 On the second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus' retreat to the desert and temptation by the devil to the glory shown in Jesus' Transfiguration. On the first Sunday of Lent, our Gospel always tells the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday, we always hear the story of Jesus' Transfiguration. The report of Jesus' Transfiguration is found in each of the Synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke. The context for Luke's Transfiguration story is similar to that found in both Matthew and Mark. The Transfiguration occurs after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus' prediction about his Passion. After the prediction there is a discussion of the cost of discipleship in each of these Gospels. The placement of the Transfiguration story close to Peter's confession and Jesus' prediction encourages us to examine the Transfiguration in the larger context of the Paschal Mystery. The Transfiguration occurs on a mountain in the presence of just three of Jesus' disciples - Peter, James and John. These are among the first disciples that Jesus called in Luke's Gospel. We recently heard this Gospel at Mass, on the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Only Luke's Gospel, which often describes Jesus at prayer, indicates that Jesus is praying as his appearance changes to bright white. Luke indicates that the three disciples were sleeping while Jesus prayed. They will be Liverpool RC Archdiocesan Trustees Incorporated. A registered Charity

2 sleeping again as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before his Passion and death. As they awake, Peter and the disciples see Jesus Transfigured and Elijah and Moses present with Jesus. Elijah and Moses, both significant figures in the history of Israel, represent Jesus' continuity with the Law and the Prophets. In Matthew's and Mark's Gospels, there is reference to conversation among Jesus, Elijah, and Moses, but only Luke's Gospel explains that this conversation is about Jesus' later accomplishments in Jerusalem. Luke describes this as his exodus, connecting Jesus' Passion, death and Resurrection with the Israel's Exodus from Egypt. On witnessing Jesus' Transfiguration and seeing Jesus with Elijah and Moses, Peter offers to construct three tents for them. Having just awoken, perhaps Peter's offer was made in confusion. We also notice that Peter reverted from his earlier confession that Jesus is the Messiah, calling Jesus master instead. As if in reply to Peter's confusion, a voice from heaven speaks, affirming Jesus as God's Son and commanding that the disciples listen to him. This voice from heaven recalls the voice that was heard at Jesus' baptism which, in Luke's Gospel, spoke directly to Jesus as God's Son. In his Transfiguration, we see an anticipation of the glory of Jesus' Resurrection. In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, the disciples keep secret what they have seen. Not until they also witness his Passion and death will the disciples understand Jesus' Transfiguration. We hear this story of Jesus' Transfiguration early in Lent, but we have the benefit of hindsight. In our hearing of it, we anticipate Jesus' Resurrection even as we prepare to remember Jesus' Passion and death. Parish Office The Parish Office will be closed on Friday, 22 March due to staff holidays. Remember, we re happy to collect your used postage stamps and any funny money you have collecting dust in your drawers at home! Rite of Welcome Holy Family, 5.15pm: Arabella Mari Smith. Holy Family, 11.00am: Macie Ann Reith. 2

3 Baptismal Information The next Baptism Registration meeting will take place on Monday, 1 April at 6.00pm in St Mark s Annexe. All enquiries to our Baptism Coordinator Mrs Chris Myles on ** Please note there are only a few Baptism places left to the end of July and none in August. ** Preparing our Young People for the Sacrament of Confirmation The moving of the Sacrament of Confirmation back to the teenage years will see the Archbishop confirming the first group of such young people next year. In seeking to help our young people to prepare for the sacrament work has been going on to develop an approach that might enable us to draw on the strengths of our parishes, pastoral areas, schools and diocese. At the heart of this approach is the recognition that a key element in nurturing the faith of our young people is the opportunity to connect with other such young people, as seen in the appeal of Flame, Lourdes, Faith in Action, etc. Further information will follow, but in order to explore the scheme any interested parishioners, would be very welcome to come to any of the following gatherings: 7.00pm-8.30pm, Wednesday, 27 March at St Anne s, Ormskirk am-12.30pm, Saturday, 30 March at LACE. 7.00pm-8.30pm, Tuesday, 9 April at St Joseph s, Wrightington. Please contact Jonathan Mercer or j.mercer@rcaol.co.uk if you would like to come to one of these. Bereavement Team Meeting & Drop In Session Lord, may we always be present to those who suffer bereavement and help us to be attentive to their needs. Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 19 March at 2.00pm followed by a drop in session at 2.30pm in St Mark s Annexe. SVP Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 19 March at 7.00pm in St Mark s Annexe. 3

4 Stations of the Cross of the Assumption and Good Friday Meditation then onwards to St Mark s. Details to follow. Altar Servers Starting Friday, 22 March then each Friday throughout Lent at 6.30pm in Holy Family Church. All welcome. Parish Council The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 2 April at 6.00pm in St Mark s Annexe. With You Always Easter Crafts Monday, 1 April, 5.30pm in Holy Family School. All queries should be ed to vianneywya@gmail.com. Alleluia and Gloria The liturgy during Lent is more restrained, we fast from exuberance and refrain from proclaiming the Gloria and singing Alleluia so that we can burst forth with these at the Easter Vigil. Good Friday There will be a pilgrimage walk between the five churches in the area am - Refreshments at Our Lady You are invited to the Chrism Mass on Wednesday, 17 April at 7.30pm at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Please bring your albs, cassocks and cotta and all servers to be vested by 7.00pm. See poster at back of church. Would You Like To Train To Be An Altar Server? Altar Servers form a very important part of the church and every parish is enriched through their dedication and service. But what does it take to be an Altar Server? Is it for you? Do you have the qualities and enthusiasm to serve our Priest in celebration of the Mass and other services? The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, 20 March, 6.00pm- 7.00pm in St Mark s Church. Please note the change of date. The meetings are for current altar servers and any children who are interested who have made their First Holy Communion or will be taking this sacrament this year. Full training will be given. 4

5 Retreat for Young People The Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham is collaborating with Dumb Ox Ministries to run an 'ECHO' theology of the body retreat for young adults aged in Walsingham between 5-11 July At ECHO, they will probe into questions like: What does it mean to be a man or woman? What does it mean to be a son/daughter, brother/sister, husband/wife, father/mother? What does it mean to really love like GOD? What does it mean to have authentic, pure, lifegiving relationships? How can being single, dating, religious life, marriage become a life-giving experience? If this is of interest to you follow the link below for more info and see poster at back of church. Please Take The Synod Survey questions, issues and topics that our Synod should make recommendations on. Log on to What s On At Our Cathedral Lenten Talk 2 of 5, Gibberd Room, Tuesday, 19 March, 7.00pm-8.00pm. Each week throughout Lent we ll be hosting weekly reflections on practical ways to deepen our spiritual life. Join us for a talk from Fr Tony O Brien on St Francis de Sales and an introduction to the Devout Life. Adoramus Te Young Professionals Prayer Group Adoramus Te is a group which has been recently set up at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. They meet every Tuesday at 6.00pm for 1 hour of Adoration and Rosary. It is a group mainly aimed at young professionals, however, people of all ages and backgrounds are most welcome to attend. See poster at back of church. Lectio Divina At the heart of this survey are four Synod questions which begin from the truth that God speaks to us in our everyday lives. We are then invited to think about what the Catholic Church is for. Finally, we can reflect on the Lectio Divina is Latin for "Divine Reading". Discover the art of sacred reading on Tuesdays 19 March, 26 March, 2 April and 9 April at 1.30pm and 7.00pm at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. You will be guided in reading, reflecting, 5

6 responding and resting in God s Word. The afternoon or evening sessions are open for everyone. It is not a course so people can come to any of the sessions. The experience will help people focus on one of the readings for the next Sunday s Mass. 1 donation is asked per session. Keep In Your Prayers Please remember those facing sadness, those burdened by misery, those weighed down by despair, those coming to terms with failing health and advancing years, those who have lost loved ones and who are striving to come to terms with the emptiness and heartbreak they feel. Parish Finance Gift Aid Envelopes Other Envelopes Loose GASDS Total Offertory Standing Orders Bonus Ball Retiring Collection This weekend Lenten Alms. weekend SVP. Lenten Almsgiving Next For those who have Gift Aid envelopes, the envelope marked Lenten Alms but with no date, can be placed in with the collection any time over this Lenten period. For those who do not donate via Gift Aid but wish to give Lenten Alms, your donation should be placed in an envelope marked Lenten Alms and given in during the collection. Many thanks. Lent Extra Magazine These are available at the back of church, price Going Into Hospital? On admission you will be asked what religion are you? Answer: Catholic. Would you like to be seen by the Catholic Chaplaincy? Answer: Yes. Nurses and doctors will then recognise your spiritual and religious needs especially when you are unwell. Your consent makes it possible for the chaplain to make contact with you. Busy admissions staff means this may at times be overlooked. The Catholic Chaplaincy team in whatever hospital you are in need to know that you are there. Remind the hospital staff so you can be visited by a member of the chaplaincy team. 6

7 Confessions Holy Family, 4.45pm, Saturday Our Lady Of The Assumption, Gateacre, 11.30am-11.55am, Saturday St Mary s, Woolton, 11.00am-11.45am, Saturday Our Lady Of The Annunciation, BE 4.00pm-5.00pm, Saturday Blessed Sacrament Shrine, Mon-Sat 11.00am-12 noon Eucharistic Ministers This Weekend 5.15pm A Stubbs, Mignonne, L Parry, S Daniels, P Crompton 9.15am Ken, George, Maria, Maureen Cl, Terry Our Synod Prayer Father, we thank you for the love you have shown us in the gift of Jesus, your Son. We thank you for the gift of the Church, through which you show us that you are always with us and are always at work in our lives. As we journey together to Synod 2020 help us to become the Church that you are calling us to be. May your Holy Spirit be powerfully at work among us. Strengthen each of us and guide Francis, our Pope and Malcolm, our Archbishop. Help us to respond to the challenges of our times in new ways to bring your love to all our sisters and brothers. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen Log on to synod2020.co.uk for all the latest news. 7

8 Question of the Week Adult: How are your priorities affected by your faith in Jesus Christ? Child: When you have important choices to make, do you and your family pray to make the right choice? Second Sunday of Lent 17 March 2019 Saturday, 16 March, Weekday of Lent 5.15 pm Mass, Holy Family Church Sunday, 17 February, Second Sunday of Lent 9.15 am Mass, St Mark s Church am Mass, Holy Family Church Monday, 18 March, Weekday of Lent am Service of the Word, St Mark s Church Tuesday, 19 March, Solemnity of St Joseph 9.00 am Mass, Holy Family Church Wednesday, 20 March, Weekday of Lent am Mass, St Mark s Church Thursday, 21 March, Weekday of Lent am Mass, Holy Family Church Friday, 22 March, Weekday of Lent 9.00 am Mass, St Mark s Church Saturday, 23 March, Weekday of Lent 5.15 pm Mass, Holy Family Church Sunday, 24 March, Third Sunday of Lent 9.15 am Mass, St Mark s Church am Mass, Holy Family Church We Pray Especially For People of the Parish Bill Potter, Catherine Smith & Francis Cannon Marie O Neill, Thomas Moore & Brian Tollerton Mr J Gaynor, Jeffrey Gilks & Joan Carr Colin Birkett, Bresweth Family & Anne Fong Pierce Kevin Griffiths, John & Alice Fleming & Mr Hale Roy Clayton, Sammond Family & Michael Morris Mary Peet & Maureen Noones Luke Mackrell & Anne Culshaw People of the Parish pm Baptisms, St Mark s Church We apologise for when times and Mass intentions may occasionally need to be changed at short notice to allow for a Requiem Mass or Funeral Service. Guidelines for the submission of Mass Intentions can be found on our website Third Sunday of Lent Exod 3:1-8, Cor 10:1-6, Luke 13:1-9 8