AND SO IT WAS

#LIVERPOOL4UKRAINE

In May,  the Archdiocese is planning a 5^th trip to the Ukraine border to deliver essential aid to Bishop Gregory Komar. The essential aid is then distributed between local people who need it so desperately.

The vans carrying the aid will be driven by volunteer drivers from the archdiocesan office and from Greenmount Projects.

These trips would not be possible without the generous donations from parishioners.

Donations  are very miuch still welcome, ways to donate are below:

Online:

https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/donate

Bank transfer:

Account name: Archdiocese of Liverpool

Sort code: 40-29-12

Account: 01551493

Reference: Help Ukraine

Cheque:

Made payable to “Archdiocese of Liverpool” and with “Help Ukraine” written on the reverse, these can be sent to

Finance Department

St Margaret Clitherow Centre

Liverpool Archdiocesan Office

Croxteth Drive

Liverpool

L17 1AA

LIVERPOOL CITIZENS.

As a parish we have been invited to join the newly formed Liverpool Citizens. Citizens UK has founded Citizen groups in London and sixteen other UK cities. The bonding factor is the key values shared by Faith groups, charities, nursing and educational establishments, all organisations working for the wellbeing of our society, to bring about change, and to hold accountable public and private bodies which undermine the common good. Catholic parishes are everywhere to the forefront of this drive to action. The training Citizens offers develops local leaders and provides the skills to enable them to negotiate with key decision makers. The Living Wage campaign has been Citizens most successful. Twelve thousand companies have signed and pledged to pay all their employees a living wage. Most campaigns are waged at the local level.

Why not think about it. Read online reviews. Do we need to train leaders? Is this for our parish?

THANK YOU FROM THE SVP

A thank you letter from the SVP will be available with the paper version of the newsletter this weekend (2nd April 2023 ).  For an electronic copy click here

THE SEIGE OF CHERNIHIV

Common Home TV  (an initiative of the Redemptorists in Oceania) has been granted rare access to the Redemptorist community in Chernihiv. Fr Taras Kchik CSsR, a Redemptorist priest based in Ukraine, brings the viewer into the reality of the siege with dramatic, never before seen footage of Russia’s invasion. From February 24th to 4th April 2022, unguided bombs indiscriminately hit the city causing civilian casualties and the mass destruction of infrastructure.

The Siege of Chernihiv witnesses the mobilisation of the Redemptorists and their efforts to help the community. From opening the Church to shelter those who could not escape to organising supplies for shut-ins; to supporting hospital staff and those in palliative care, the Redemptorist charism of supporting the abandoned comes to life in this short documentary. The choice to remain and provide support is a dangerous one, as since the recording of this video two Redemptorist priests have been arrested and detained by Russian forces.

Taras’ Redemptorists confrères in Oceania are committed to working towards a swift and peaceful end to this conflict.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP AFTERNOON TEA MARCH 2023

On Tuesday 21st March our Bereavement Group  enjoyed an afternoon Tea at Dobbies.  Photos below.   Anyone who is bereaved is welcome to attend future meeting and events.  All meetings are advertised in the parish bulletin.

Read more: Bereavement Group Afternoon Tea - March 2023

LIVERPOOL ARCHDIOCESE NETWORKING AND INFORMATION SESSION

For volunteers & staff in asylum and refugee work: 

Wednesday, 29 March 6:30pm, Online

The purpose of this event is to bring together all the work that is going on across the archdiocese to support refugees.  Who is it for?  From anyone who wants to help, but are unsure how to, and volunteers/ workers who can share experiences and services with others.

For information and registration go to: https://Archdiocese_network_4_vols_staff_supporting_refugees.eventbrite.com

CATENIAN BURSARY FUND

Are you a young catholic aged between 16-24 years who is intending to volunteer on a development project or as a helper on a Diocesan, HCPT or Jumbulance Pilgrimage to Lourdes? Each year, prior to covid, the Catenian Bursary Fund dispensed hundreds of thousands of pounds to hundreds of volunteers such as yourself. Let us help you to achieve your aims to help others and "MAKE A DIFFERENCE". Apply online at catenianbursary.com.

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2023

PARISH COFFEE MORNING

Please join us on the First Sunday of the Month after the 10am Mass, for coffee, a chat and maybe make new friends.   Money raised at the coffee morning is donated to a charity nominated by the helpers .   

If you would like to help at future events please email the Parish Office  ()  Thankyou

NEVER ON A SUNDAY

We sit here, next to the radiator,

Having shed our winter coats,

Glad of our cosy refuge

From the bitingly cold wind -

Full of grace, or so we hope,

Having fulfilled our Sunday Obligation!

Just one other table is occupied.

Over the last few months,

It has become our ritual,

So, soon we sit sipping our very hot coffees -

One flat white, one cappuccino.

Frankie smiles, even more broadly

As his quota of biscuits is doubled,

By our usual exchange.

We sit enjoying inconsequential chatter

About the events of the past week.

The blast of marauding wind

Signals the entrance of disparate groups

Who come for their regular Sunday Breakfasts -

All tastes being catered for.

For a moment we sit in companionable silence

And for no reason - unless it is a caffeine high! -

I recall the Sundays of my childhood.

Morning Mass, loving familial camaraderie,

Closed shops, empty streets:

Fleeting, fragmentary memories disperse

Yet nostalgically activated

By the aroma emanating from a Full English Breakfast -

In all its modern glory!

Not for us,

But the Hungry Hopefuls, who, as the years turn,

Will look back, perhaps wistfully, 

On their Sunday Rituals.

Eileen Murray © February 2023