The Parishes of St. Margaret Ward

SaleM334GY Tel: 0161-962-4444

Primary School: Tel: 0161-969-9852

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All Saints 164 Carrington Lane, Ashlon-on-Mersey M33 5WL

Tel: 0161-962-4444

Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel Lane, Partington M31 4EZ

Office Tel: 0161-775 2905

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First Reading Isaiah

Psalm Psalm

Second Reading St Paul

Gospel Luke

Newsletter The Baptism of the Lord

40:1-5.9-11

103:1 -2 ,3 -4 ,24-25 ,27-30 . R.v1

2:11-14.3:4-7

3:15-16.21-22

Parish Priest:. Father Ned Wall. The Presbytery, 164, Carrington Lane Permanent Deacons: Anthony Caffrey and John Conway

The RC Diocese of Shrewsbury is a registered charity No. 23402 Website - http://ourparishes.church

REFLECTION In today's Gospel, which describes the Baptism of Jesus, we might well ask ourselves, "Why did Jesus need to be baptised?" Most of those coming to John the Baptist were repentant sinners, and John himself says he is not worthy to undo the sandals of "the one who is to come." Despite his dignity and rank as Son of God-as the Messiah-Jesus never required any external signs of privilege. But today something different is happening. St Luke tells us that Jesus was at prayer when his Baptism took place. At all the significant moments of Jesus' public life, Luke tells us that Jesus was praying. It was at this moment that the Spirit of God, in the form of a dove, comes down on Jesus, and the Father says, "You are my Son, the Beloved. My favour rests on you." This is clearly a form of missioning for Jesus. Through his Baptism, Jesus is being officially commissioned to begin his public work of teaching, healing, and liberating enslaved souls, right up to the moment of his Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Today is an opportunity for us to reflect on our own baptism-the beginning of a process of growing into the Body of Christ, as its members. Our baptism is a never-ending call to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. So today we renew our faith in Jesus, and our commitment to follow him, to continue his work-for without our co-operation much of God's work will never be realised.

Psalm: Bless the Lord, my soul!

Lord God, how great you are.

Gospel Acclamation:

Alleluia, alleluia! Someone is coming ,said John, someone greater than

He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Alleluia!

Communion Antiphon :

Behold the one of whom John said: I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.

Next Week s Readings:

First Reading Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm Psalm 95:1-3,7-10.R.v3

Second Reading St Paul 12:4-11

Gospel John 2:1-11

POPE FRANCIS MESSAGE FOR 2016

In his first message of 2016, Pope Francis summoned humanity to show compassion

and to transcend the apathy that impedes peace in a world that has of late been filled

with conflict and suffering.

He said

"Today we celebrate the World Day of Peace, whose theme is 'overcome indifference

and win peace'. Peace had to be "cultivated" and "won", beginning with a "spiritual

struggle that starts within our hearts.

The enemy of peace is not merely war, but also indifference that makes one think only

of oneself and creates barriers, suspicions, fears and closure. I call on people to open

their hearts to the needs of others. This is the way to win peace."

ALL PARISHES

NEW PARISHIONERS Its always great to see new faces over Advent and the Christmas celebrations in our parishes. If you have recently moved to the area, new to the church or indeed returning after a long absence you are very welcome. If you like, please try and introduce yourself to Fr Ned.

SOUND OF MUSIC To everyone who attended the trip to the Sound Of Music , I think we would all agree it was a great way to spend an afternoon in the Christmas Holidays. We even got there via the scenic route! Watch this space for the next trip

THANK YOU We have already said thank you to everybody for all the work that you do for our three parishes. Today we want to say a special thank you to the Ladies from All Saints who week in and week out fold over 500 Newsletters and staple them for us this is very time consuming and we want you to know it is very much appreciated. Also a special mention to Sr Jo who each week writes the reflections for the Newsletter. Two fields of work we may never think of but yet so vital to us all, thank you to all involved.

PIETY SHOPS Again thank you for your support in 2015 , your support raise funds for our parishes and we are very grateful for the ladies who run and stack the Piety Shop. Remember to look out for the new stock arriving in the next couple of weeks.

RETIRED PRIESTS' FUND - SPECIAL COLLECTION The annual Collection for the Retired Priests' Fund will be held in the next few weeks. In the time I have been with you, I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of the Diocese towards the Retired Priests' Fund. With your help, we can build up the Fund to meet the future needs of our sick and retired priests. Special Envelopes are available for you to use. A Leaflet about the Fund is also available which explains how to make a regular donation to the Fund by Standing Order, or how you can make your donation by cheque. It also explains how to take advantage of Gift Aid for your donations to the Fund. I ask that you give as generously as you can to this very worthy cause and would

also like to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support. With every blessing, + Mark Bishop of Shrewsbury

SECRETARY CONTACT DETAILS If you wish to speak to the secretary about arranging Baptisms, Marriages or for any other correspondence , just to make you aware she is available on Wednesdays 10.15 - 5.00 contact tel no. 962 4444 or Thursday afternoon located at Our lady of Lourdes 2.00 - 4.30 pm on 775 2905. There is an answer machine if you wish to leave a message for Fr Ned or Cathy the secretary

MONDAY CLUB This Monday (11th) we are looking forward to what we are promised will be an interesting and enjoyable Talk given by Michael Burgess All are very welcome at 2.00 pm

MASS FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE This year the Mass for Marriage and Family Life with Bishop Mark will be celebrated at noon on Saturday 6th February at St Columba's, Chester (Newhall Road, Pias Newton, Chester CH2 1SA). All married couples and families are welcome but if you are a couple celebrating a significant wedding anniversary (silver, pearl ruby, golden or platinum) and you wish to attend, then please let your Parish Priest know by the 18th of January and he will arrange for a special invitation to be sent you on behalf of the Bishop.

NORTH CHESHIRE SERRA North Cheshire Serra Speaker. On January 11th, Gerard Humphries will be giving a talk on 'Jewish Temples' ". Everyone very welcome. Please ring Gerry Lanigan (Tel: 428 9103) on or before the Friday prior to the meeting, if possible. The meetings are held at "Westleigh", Groby Road, Altrincham. Mass is at 7.15pm following by a light supper and the talk."

FIRST COMMUNION - Attending Non Catholic Schools Just to remind Parents of the First Communion Children from non - Catholic Schools who have put their names on the list, the children first meeting will take place Thursday 14th January at 4.00pm. They will take place at All Saints Presbytery. Rose Crowe will be there to meet them. Please make sure that this is put in your diaries and it's really important that they attend on a weekly basis.

ALL SAINTS PARISH CENTRE If you wish to hire the centre please note you will need to contact Mike Kenny 0161 9763320 or 07841449518 .You can also find this information on the website. http://ourparishes.chu rch

THE SICK IN OUR PARISHES Please remember to let Fr Ned know if there any new people who are sick in our parishes and would like a visit

NEWSLETTER ITEMS Each week we try to provide useful information and articles for our Newsletter. If you should have any items you wish to put in the Newsletter please send a email to parishes3@yahoo.com or via our website, http://ourparishes.church by 3.00pm on a Wednesday, and we will try our best to make sure your item is put in the newsletter for that weekend. There are on occasions when it is not possible to fit everything in. In this case we will make sure it goes in the following week. Thank you

ALL SAINTS

FLOWERS IN CHURCH. Many thanks to those who donated so kindly towards the cost of the Christmas Flowers. Your gifts were much appreciated and prayers are being offered for you and yours. Thanks also to those who came to help with the arrangements. They gave great pleasure to all.

ALL SAINTS BIDDING PRAYERS Many thanks to everyone who signed up to contribute bidding prayers. The rota for January is:

10th Kath Farmer 17th Kaye Groves 24th Irene Patterson 31st The Moley family

Please submit your contribution by the Friday before the Sunday either directly to the parish office or via email at parishes3(5)vahoo.com. A full list of all contributors

from January through to March 2016 can be found on the noticeboard at the back of church and on the three parishes website.

A GREAT YEAR FOR TRAIDCRAFT 2015 started with Traidcraft's 'Fair Necessities Appeal'. Your stall was able to send £400 accumulated profit from previous years. Then there was a 'Big Brew' in March which raised a further £400, so a total donation of £800 was sent from the parish. Over the year we have ordered £2,680 worth of goods which reflects our ongoing commitment to hard-pressed producers all over the world. There are communities thriving and children attending school because of this support. A huge Thank You' to all our customers and to the volunteers who run the stall every week.

The Offertory Collection was £ 726.37 - Thanks for all once again for your giving and generosity.

ST MARGARET WARD

RED MISSION BOXES THANK YOU FROM THE RED MISSION BOXES '. Empty mission boxes may now be collected from the sacristy.

ST MARGARET WARD The next meeting of the Christian Meditation Group is Tuesday, January 5th at St Margaret Ward.

The Offertory Collection was £ 404.17 - Thanks for all once again for your giving and generosity.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES

THANK YOU Thank you to Barbara and team for providing Tea, Coffee and Mince Pies etc at Christmas Eve Mass and indeed each week throughout the year, it is very much appreciated.

The Offertory Collection was £ 406.07 - Thanks for all once again for your giving and generosity.

OTHER NEWS

OUR LADY OF LOURDES FEAST DAY

A fAass to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes will be celebrated at 7.30pm on Thursday 11th February 2016

at St Peter's, Green Lane, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 4EA.

Everyone will be welcome, especially all members of the Diocesan Lourdes Hospitality.

Light refreshments will be available after Mass.

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THE SNOW QUEEN

Come and see The AAargs fantastic pantomime The Snow Queen, on from the 13th-16th January

at St Peter's Assembly Rooms, Cecil Road, Hale WA15 9NU.

Evenings start at 7.30pm and Saturday at 4pm.

Tickets £5-8, family ticket £20.

For tickets phone 07980 931345 or e-mail tickets@themarqs.co.uk

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AN EXTRAVAGANZA FUND R A I S I N G EVENING

towards the new All Saints Church Roof Fund With Versatile Vocalist Mr Vince Williams

Includes Hot Pot Supper and Raffle Saturday 27 February 2016 - Doors open from 7.30 pm

All Saints Social Centre Tickets Cost £10 each

Tickets on sale in January 2016

St. Margaret Ward All Saints Our Lady of Lourdes

The Baptism of the Lord (C)

Sat 9th

Sun 10th

Sun 10th

Mon 11th

Tues 12th

Wed 13th

Thurs 14th

Frid 15th

5.30 pm

9.15 am

9.15 am

9.15 am

7.30 pm

9.15 am

SrVivina Dede

Eucharistie Service

Eucharistie Service

Eucharistie Service

Maureen & Artie

Eucharistie Service

9.30 am

5.00 pm

7.30 pm

9.15 am

Maureen Keys

Eamonn 0 Donnell

Eucharistie Service

No Service

Hugh Burke

No Service

Helen Scanlon

11.00 am

7:30 pm

12.15 pm

12.15pm

Marie Hill (Int)

No Service

Julie

Eucharistie Service

No Service

Thanksgiving for Prayers Answered

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sat 16th

Sun 17th

Sun 17th

5.30 pm Mary & Bernard Kirrane

9.30 am

5.00 pm

Jim Bones

McCarthy Family

11.00 am Eileen Walsh