Parish of St Wilfrid,

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24th May 2020 Seventh Sunday of Easter (A)

“Listen! St Wilfrid’s Parish Office Canon Michael Fitzsimons 0151 424 2738 I am St Bede’s Presbytery Fr Joe Bibby 0151 424 6641 Appleton Village standing at Fr Carl Mugan 0151 513 0024 Widnes, WA8 6EL the door John Rawsthorne 0151 424 4021 0151 422 1772 knocking.” Mrs Jessy Mottram-Noé Parish Pastoral Associate Rev 3:20 The parish office is closed Fr Bill Murphy 0151 495 1854 until further notice. Please email:

PARISH WEBSITE: [email protected] catholicchurches-widnes.org.uk if you have any queries that cannot be answered on the We will be using this to keep in website or would like to be touch with you and to keep you added to our mailing list. updated.

Office Manager Follow us on Facebook: Heather Harrison

Parish of St Wilfrid Widnes Parish Administrators Susan Warburton https://www.facebook.com/stwilfridswidnes/ Shelagh Hindley

Reflection Bishop Vincent Malone died in The Royal in at 9.30 on Monday morning... he had tested positive for the virus. He would have been 89 in September. May he rest in peace.

In the midst of our sadness at his dying, the week has been brightened by the way in which this unassuming, self-deprecating, utterly dedicated priest and bishop has been remembered. Pope Francis, Cardinal Vincent, our Archbishop, the , and so many others have spoken beautifully and perceptively of him. He taught at Cardinal Allen in West Derby for some years, was Chaplain to Liverpool University, where he was also dedicated to helping the various homeless men of the City and involved the students in that work as well, and was then appointed Administrator of the Cathedral. Continues …….

In April 1988, Bishop Hitchen died suddenly, aged 58. The next year Vincent was ordained in his place and joined Bishop O'Connor and myself. So, Vincent was 31 years a bishop in these parts. We worked closely together, especially when Archbishop Worlock took ill. I remember the two of us sitting on either side of his bed in the hospital in August '95. He had had major lung surgery some time earlier and now knew that the cancer was back. He said to us, whatever you two agree on, do and I will back you up. He died in the following February and the two of us acted on that. Archbishop Derek never once asked us what we were doing. In fact, we worked closely together until the following July when Archbishop Patrick became Archbishop. We became good friends.

When I moved to Sheffield, he and I and Philip Pargeter, an auxiliary bishop in Birmingham, would occasionally spend a few days holidaying together in Birmingham or Sheffield. I remember on one occasion, when both were into their seventies, taking them down the coal mining museum in Wakefield. The mine was just as it had been in the old days, down in what felt like a fairly rickety lift, stalls down below for the pit ponies, and all the various pieces of machinery lying wherever they had stopped using it. I think Vincent took to it rather better than did Philip!

Vincent was wonderfully witty and great company. They were good days. He prepared everything meticulously, especially his homilies and had a wonderful eye for detail. His kindness was proverbial and he had a very simple, DIY lifestyle. I will miss him as a friend and example.

Bishop John

Bishop John

Archbishop Malcolm has received the following message from Pope Francis on the death of Bishop Vincent Malone:

‘His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Vincent Malone, and he sends prayerful condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese. United with you in offering thanks to God for the late Bishop’s many years of priestly and episcopal ministry, especially his service to the education of young people, His Holiness commends his soul to the merciful love of our heavenly Father. To all who mourn Bishop Malone’s passing in the sure hope of the resurrection, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and consolation in the Risen Lord.’

Cardinal Pietro Parolin Secretary of State

Bishop Vincent Malone RIP

Bishop Vincent Malone, emeritus auxiliary bishop of Liverpool died of Covid-19 on Monday, May 18th, aged 88. He was auxiliary bishop from 1989 - 2006. Please find here an obituary of Bishop Vincent Malone.

May he rest in peace.

As we all know prayer is incredibly important to all of us and a “virtual candle” has been lit on the CAFOD website to give thanks for all the CAFOD Volunteers and Supporters in the Liverpool Archdiocese for their support. This link takes you to the candle https://lightacandle.cafod.org.uk/#/ (if you hover over the candles it shows who the candle has been lit for; at the time of writing our candle was on the bottom row).

Please take this opportunity to visit the website and have a “virtual candle” lit for someone who needs your prayers in this difficult time. You will also be supporting CAFOD and their fundraising. Thank you

We pray for. . . Those who have recently died

Margaret Whitmarsh Sheila Faulkner

NEW MASS INTENTIONS MASS CARDS Our churches have been closed for 8 weeks There have been several questions asked about now and although it is a long time your Mass how you can get a Mass card at the moment. Of intentions have still been said by our Priests. course, this is challenging and we have to ask the question is this an essential reason for a If you would like to arrange for a Mass to be journey or breaking social distancing however said, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please email there is a practical way of responding to this. We into the office, [email protected] would suggest getting your own card. You can and tell us the details. We will endeavour to use any card – you may have a blank general meet your date requirements but can assure card at home or when you next visit the shops you that the Mass will be allocated and said as for food you may be able to buy one. If you want soon as a date is available. All Masses will be to send someone a card for sympathy or support said by the Priests of our parish and listed each and have a Mass said for them simply write week on the newsletter. inside the card “A Mass will be offered in the If you are wondering about how to make your Parish of St Wilfrid, Widnes for the intention of/in donation, you can use the new payment method memory of ______”. There is no need for detailed further down the newsletter. Using a priest signature and we are sure the person option 1 you can make a ‘one-off’ donation. receiving the card will appreciate the care and Please put “MASS – Name” and this will help us thoughtfulness of the Mass. tie it up with our records.

MASS INTENTIONS

Masses intentions have been allocated up to May. Any new Masses will be allocated as there is space in the individual weeks. Daily Mass will be said by the Priests in private and they will fulfil the Mass intentions as follows during this week.

Frank Myler. LD Frances Hynan (Lately dead) Carol Leech. LD Austin Nolan (Lately dead) Connor Joseph Foran Robert Jones (Lately dead) Sheila Moran Paul Garavan John Kearns. LD Ashley Taylor Kath Hunt. 1st Ann Lilian Catherine McKenna. 8th Ann Ellen Kinnigan. LD Linda Ann Rix Geoffrey Swift. LD Julie Conway. LD John Mc Callum. Successful operation Mary O'Grady. B/day rem. Residents of all our care homes Dorothy Corduroy. LD Jim Burns LD Michael Fallon LD

Update on Church Collections

Daily life has changed dramatically in these last weeks and many people are experiencing difficulties in adapting to a new situation. We continue to follow the necessary government restrictions to protect those around us, and our churches remain closed. There is no public worship at this time, but maintenance costs remain unchanged. Many people have shown their generosity by asking how they can continue to make their offerings to support our parish. Firstly, it is important to say there will be many people who have lost work and income through the economic impact of this crisis. If you are struggling please do not have concerns about church donations. Let us all pray for those who are struggling and we can remember those in need directly and via supporting the food bank and other charities. Others have had little impact on their income and will want to maintain their giving to the church as usual. In response to this the Archdiocese have set up two new ways to make your donations. We are now able to offer an online giving facility so that those who wish to, and are able to do so, can continue to make donations directly to St Wilfrid’s.

How can I donate?

1. Follow the link https://donate.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/st-wilfrid-widnes this will take you to a specific site for St Wilfrid’s parish and you will see a picture of St Bede’s Church. Donations may be made by standing order, as a one-off donation, or as a regular weekly donation. Please don’t forget to tick the gift aid box if you are a UK tax payer as this will boost your donation by 25% at no extra cost to yourself.

2. Text giving is now available for St Wilfrid’s and the details below are ready to use for accepting both one-off and regular donations.

The details of each campaign are given below. Please use the wording below when promoting text giving to ensure compliance with fundraising regulations.

• Text WIDNESPASTORAL 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 WIDNESPASTORALNOINFO to 70085.

Continued……

• Text WIDNESPASTORAL 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 WIDNESPASTORALNOINFO to 70450.

• Text WIDNESPASTORAL 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 WIDNESPASTORALNOINFO to 70460.

• Text WIDNESPASTORAL 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 WIDNESPASTORALNOINFO to 70470.

Finally, you can set up a standing order with your bank anytime and this is possible with many banks now if you have access to Internet or telephone banking. We would not encourage you to go in person to your bank to do this. You need the following information: Account Name: St Wilfrid Church (246) Parish Account Account no: 51546112 Sort Code: 40-29-12 If you set up a standing order can you please email the parish office to let us know as it useful for our finance and administration planning. Please use you name as the reference. We are going to have to think about new ways to make our church donations when we return as we are discouraged from using paper money. These new incentives will help us all to make the necessary adjustments.

Thank you for any donations that you are able to make.

A PRAYER IN TIME OF DANGER AND UPDATE ON FR BILL ILLNESS Fr Joe was able to visit Fr Bill on Friday (at a safe distance, obviously!). He is hoping to have God Our Father, the next session of chemotherapy next week. each person is precious to You. He is very grateful for all the cards, kind You are the Giver of life. messages, and prayers he has received from Have mercy on us and protect us at this time, parishioners. as the Coronavirus threatens health and life.

You are an ever-present Helper

in time of trouble.

Watch over those who are suffering, give strength to those who are aiding the Sick and give courage to all in this time of anxiety. We ask this of you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. AMEN.

YOU TUBE MASSES

YouTube videos are being prepared so that you can participate in Mass. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC52-K27EaYwySzRmeP3f3eA

Sunday, May 24th Seventh Sunday of Easter 9:00am Bishop John th Monday, May 25 Feast of St Bede 9:00am Fr Carl Sunday, May 31st Pentecost Sunday 9:00am Fr Michael

The time represents when the service will be available on You Tube although you can access them any time after that or even multiple times at your own convenience.

Please share this information with any parishioners who may not have access to the newsletter.

How to access Mass during lockdown. St Wilfrid’s Widnes:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC52-K27EaYwySzRmeP3f3eA Here you will find prayers and Masses delivered by the Priests in our churches. Across the Archdiocese:

http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/ by clicking on ‘Prayer and Other Resources’. New resources now available include:

• Reflection for Seventh Sunday of Easter • Readings for Seventh Sunday of Easter • Resurrection Appearances: Luke’s Gospel reflection • Novena to the Holy Spirit

All can be accessed/downloaded at https://www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/ or through http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/ by clicking on ‘Prayer and Other Resources’.

LIGHTING A CANDLE

Father Mike will light a candle for you or a family member in Our Lady’s chapel at St Bede’s. Please e-mail in the first instance or leave a message on the office phone and this will be done for you. Please keep in touch with as many Parishioners as possible. They may not have access to the newsletter or the website. Please make a phone call if you can and tell them the news from our parish. They will be comforted to know that they are remembered in our prayers.

Thank you

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Friday 22nd – Saturday 30th May @ 8.00pm

We are invited to participate in a Novena to the Holy Spirit in preparation for Pentecost that is being organised by St Margaret Mary’s Parish, Knotty Ash. You may recognise a couple of the speakers – Fr Matthew Nunes and Fr Joe Bibby. The video reflections (20 minutes maximum) can be accessed each day at “St Margaret Mary Liverpool” on both YouTube and Facebook.

Novena to the Holy Spirit

22nd to 30th May 2020

“The Fruit of the Spirit”

Friday 22nd @ 8pm – speaker: Sr Bridget Folkard Joy - 1 Peter 1:3-9

Saturday 23rd @ 8pm – speaker: Mr Peter Ross Peace - John 14:25-30

Sunday 24th @ 8pm – speaker: Sr Margaret Baxter Goodness - Luke 6:32-36

Monday 25th @ 8pm – speaker: Fr Joe Bibby Kindness – Ephesians 4:29-32

Tuesday 26th @ 8pm – speaker: Mrs Jo Wallace Faithfulness – Proverbs 3:1-4

Wednesday 27th @ 8pm – speaker: Sr Joan Marshall Gentleness – Matthew 11:28-30

Thursday 28th @ 8pm – speaker: Fr Matthew Nunes Love – Colossians 3:12-14

Friday 29th @ 8pm – speaker: Sr Moira Meagan Patience - Psalm 37:3-7a

Saturday 30th @ 8pm – speaker: Fr Ian McParland Self-control - Titus 2:11-14

CATHOLIC PICTORIAL

The May edition is available digitally at: https://bit.ly/2Uz4oIx www.catholicpic.co.uk updated throughout the week with news from around the Archdiocese

ASCENSION THURSDAY The Archbishop has recorded a video message for today, the Solemnity of the Ascension. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg_RXNwuNiQ

Wednesday Word While we have no Masses, this could be a very helpful way of accessing the Sunday readings. http://wednesdayword.org/parish/index.htm

#YouAreNotAlone

At home shouldn’t mean at risk, but sadly for many people the lockdown has meant that they are trapped in isolation with their abuser under a pressurised situation.

Over the weekend, the Government launched its #YouAreNotAlone domestic abuse campaign to reassure victims of domestic abuse that there is still help for them during the Covid crisis, and that the household isolation instruction as a result of COVID-19 does not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse. (Gov.uk, Covid19 and domestic abuse)

• If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.

• If you call 999 from a mobile and cannot speak, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard (link embedded to scheme) and this will transfer your call to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.

• National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247 or www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

Help is also available from (all hyperlinked): Childline – 0800 1111 Refuge – 0808 2000 247 Women’s Aid Men’s Advice line - 0808 801 0327 (weekdays 9am-5pm) The Mankind Initiative - 01823 334244 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm) National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Domestic Violence helpline - 0800 999 5428 Respect Phoneline offers confidential advice and support to help domestic violence perpetrators stop being violent and abusive to their partners or ex-partners. 0808 802 4040

FOODBANK

Widnes Foodbank gratefully receives donations of any food items but would particularly welcome donations of the following food items:

Tinned Tomatoes Sponge Puddings Small Jars of Coffee Rice Pudding Tinned Meat Tinned Fish Instant Mashed Potatoes Washing up Liquid

There are food donation collection points for Widnes Foodbank at Asda, Morrison's and Tesco. In addition, food donations can be taken to the Foodbank Warehouse at the Cemetery Lodge (just inside the main gates of Widnes Cemetery in Birchfield Road) on Mon/Wed/Fri from 9am to 11.00am.

Thank you to anyone who can make a donation.

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