ST. JAMES’ & ST. JOSEPH’S
ST. JAMES’ PRESBYTERY, ST. JAMES’ ROAD, ORRELL, WIGAN WN5 7AA
PARISH PRIEST — FR GERRY TUITE — Telephone No. 01695 622476
Easter Sunday (Year A)
Christ is Risen
The celebration of Easter begins with the Vigil Service held late on
Holy Saturday. The vigil is divided into four parts: (a) a brief service
of light; (b) the readings from the Bible telling us about the
wonderful things God has done for his people; (c) the service of
Baptism or renewal of Baptismal Vows; (d) the Easter Mass.
The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is not just the greatest of
miracles—it is the one which makes sense of his life and our lives. It
is at the very heart of the Christian Religion. It is the most important
feast in the Church, not just because it proved that Jesus was God’s
son, but because in this event, the Father has shown that his love and
life are stronger than our sin and death.
The Resurrection is not just an event that happened in the past. Jesus
said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He is “God-with-us” until
the end of time. The cross and resurrection are not opposed—they
make no sense without each other. Both are stages of a single
movement—through death to life. Saint Paul, writing to the
Philippians said that Jesus “emptied himself.” This was a process
that went on throughout his life. He was constantly giving of himself
and on the cross he gave himself up for all of us. At that moment on
Calvary it certainly looked as if hatred and evil and darkness had
triumphed, but God’s love is stronger than any of these. Christ is not
dead—he is alive. This is the message of Easter. “ He rose from the
dead” is not simply a cold fact of history—it is the heart of the Good
News—it is the event that makes life worth living—it is the sure
guarantee that Jesus has overcome sin and death, and that by our
Baptism into his death and resurrection, we share the victory which
is his.
....................................................................
Please remember in your prayers all the sick of the Parish especially
Anne Phillips & Teresa Horridge and all the patients in
Wrightington Hospital. Send them help, O Lord, and comfort from
your Holy Place.
...............................................................
We pray for all those who have died recently especially William
Wood and Elizabeth Catterall. May God the Father welcome them
into eternal life promised by Christ His Son, the Lord of life. We
pray for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time and all
our deceased relatives, friends and benefactors. May their souls
and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God
rest in peace. Amen.
.........................................................
MASSES
Sunday
16th April
9:30am People of the Parish
NO 6:00pm Mass
Monday
17th April 9:30am Peter & Winifred Brannigan
Thursday 20th April 9:30am James & Isabella Harvey
Sunday
23rd April 9:30am James Sheerin
6:00pm George Johnston
.....................................................................
16th April 2017
Fr. Gerry would like to wish you all a very Happy and a
Holy Easter and to thank you for your cards, gifts and
good wishes for this Easter Season. May God bless you all.
..............................................
Holy Communion to the sick and housebound
Appley Bridge. As arranged
...........................................
CAFOD LOTTERY BONUS BALL
Winning No. No Winner
Should there be NO winning number taken we will do a rollover
...................................................
Weekend Masses at Saint James’ Orrell
Saturday 6:00pm & 11:00am Sunday
Confessions @ St. James’ Saturday 10:00am-11:00am
Confessions @ St. Joseph’s by request.
.................................................
Divine Mercy Mass and Holy Hour
This will take place at Saint James’ 7:00pm on the 1st Monday of
every month. Next Mass Monday 5th of June.
....................................................................
Rota for cleaning church
Please can Group 4 clean the church this week i.e.
Barbara Sheffield & Kath Duckett
..........................................................
Saint Joseph’s Pre-school
There are still places available in Little Joey’s for the Summer term.
Parents can ring school anytime on 01257 423092 to visit the school
or for further information.
...............................................
Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal
Our daffodil box raised £18:15 for the appeal. Thank you to all who
gave their support.
.....................................................
Visits to the sick and housebound
If you know of any sick or housebound parishioner who would like
to receive Holy Communion please let Fr. Gerry know and he will
arrange for a Eucharistic Minister to visit them.
.......................................................................
The Brick
Thank you for your very generous donations of food and finance to
support the poor people suffering hardship and poverty in our area.
We are always grateful for any kind of non-perishable food, but
cereals or pulses of any kind, pasta and sauces and any type of
tinned meat or fish are most welcome. We also need toiletries and
baby products i.e. Nappies, baby wipes and baby food.
“ Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do unto me”
..............................................................
Book Sale
Next Sunday—23rd April—there will be a book sale in the Parish
Hall after the 9:30am Mass, proceeds to go to the Charity
This week you are asked to pray for all those living in Hill Close,
“Butterflies” a local charity which raises funds to help local children
Hermitage Close & Grove Wood Drive.
who are disabled, disadvantaged or sick. Do come in and have a
.....................................................
browse, you can also enjoy a cup of tea/coffee with cake or biscuits
Mission Intention for April is:
to support Cafod. We would love to see you there!
That young people may respond generously to their vocational call
.................................................................
and may also seriously consider offering themselves to God through Vision Aid
the Priesthood or Religious life.
Thank you to all who leave their unwanted spectacles at the back of
..................................................................
church for recycling to aid those suffering in the Third World.
Quote: Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
..............................................................
Neighbourhood Prayer
LIVERPOOL RC ARCHDIOCESAN TRUSTEES INCORPORATED. A registered charity No 232709