St. Gregory’s Catholic Church Blackpool Road, Deepdale, PRESTON. PR1 6HQ Tel: 01772 930934 E-Mail: info@stgregoryspreston.org.uk Website: www.stgregoryspreston.org.uk Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. John Mark Agulefo Deacon: Rev. Jim Maguire - Tel: 01772 860980

Saturday 2nd/Sunday 3rd May 2020 4th Sunday of Easter - Year A

Although, owing to the Corona Virus, our church is at present closed, Fr. John Mark will continue to celebrate Mass at the

usual times. He will offer these Masses for all members of the parish and those in need. We ask that you join him in spirit.

If you wish to have a Mass said for a special intention then please e-mail him at the address at the top of this Newsletter or post your request though the door of the Parish House.

TODAY is known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”. Christ is our Good Shepherd. Two things stand out in this beautiful story. The first is the oneness that developed between the shepherd and his sheep. The shepherd came to

know his sheep so well that he knew which one had tender hooves, which one became sick from eating certain things and which was prone to stray from the others. The second thing that stands out is the deep dedication of the shepherd to his sheep; it even extended to his risking his life for them.

Against this background, we are able to appreciate better what Jesus has in mind when he says, “I am the Good Shepherd”. Jesus is saying his relationship and dedication to us is as close as the shepherd’s to his sheep. Like the shepherd, Jesus is with us always, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. “I will be with you always, to the end of time”, Jesus told his followers.

Like the shepherd, Jesus knows each one of us in a deeply personal way. He knows which one of us has a weak faith, which of us is apt to be discouraged, which of us is prone to stray from the flock.

Jesus never deserts us. He is always there to help us and, should we stray from the flock, Jesus will leave the other 99 sheep and go in search of us. What God said to the prophet Isaiah, Jesus says to each one of us personally. “Do not be afraid. I have called you by name. You are precious to me. Do not be afraid, I am with you.” We must never doubt the faithfulness of Jesus. On Him we can totally depend.

MASS FOR THE SICK AND THEIR FAMILIES, NHS FRONT-LINE WORKERS AND THOSE WORKING IN

SOCIAL CARE

In order to show a spiritual solidarity with all these people, a Catholic Bishop will, each week, continue to celebrate Mass in his Cathedral. This will take place every Thursday at 7.00 p.m. and will be live-streamed for people to join in.

30th April Bishop Richard Moth Arundel Cathedral 7th May Bishop Marcus Stock Leeds Cathedral

14th May Bishop Robert Byrne CO Newcastle Cathedral 21st May Bishop Mark Davies Shrewsbury Cathedral

28th May Bishop Terence Drainey Middlesbrough Cathedral

By visiting the Cathedral webpage or the Bishops’ Conference Webpage (cbcew.org.uk) links for the livestreaming of these Masses can be found. Also please note that Bishop Paul will be celebrating Mass each Thursday evening at 7.00 p.m. in Lancaster Cathedral. Unfortunately it will not be possible to live-stream this but it is good for us to know that it is taking place. He says that he will be back home in time to join in the clap for the NHS at 8.00 p.m.

You can access all Bishop Paul’s messages by visiting www.lancastercathedral.org.uk.

THE POPE’S INTENTION FOR MAY For Deacons

We pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.

YOUR PRAYERS PLEASE

For Francis Burns, Sam Dowd, Betty Whiteside, Eric Grimes, Jackie Lyons, Maureen Hetko, Fred Griffiths, Bernadette Benson, Donald & Ingrid

Whiles, Michelle Riley, Raine Tallon, Joan Muir, Susan Lavelle, Mary Gallagher, Teresa Flanagan, May Eccles, Marian Roberts, Gerard Renaudin, Ken Fishwick, Bilar Caton and all who are sick. For the housebound and those in hospital. For carers and all who are anxious for the health of their loved ones. For the relief, comfort and solace of all refugees and the homeless. For missionaries and for all victims of strife and terrorism. For peace in all the troubled areas of our world. For our clergy and all our parishioners. For all who are battling the Corona Virus and those risking their own lives and safety to care for them. Our Lady, our Mother, comfort of the afflicted, pray for them. For all who have died recently and for all whose anniversaries occur about this time. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

READINGS NEXT WEEK Monday Acts/Apostles 11 vv 1-18 John 10 vv 1-10

Tuesday Acts/Apostles 11 vv 19-26 John 10 vv 22-30

Wednesday Acts/Apostles 12 v 24 to

13 v 5

John 12 vv 44-50

Thursday Acts/Apostles 13 vv 13-25 John 13 vv 16-20

Friday Acts/Apostles 13 vv 26-33 John 14 vv 1-6

Saturday Acts/Apostles 13 vv 44-52 John 14 vv 7-14

5th

Sunday of Easter

Acts/Apostles 6 vv 1-7 Peter 2 vv 4-9

John 14 vv 1-12

Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered - Charity number 234331

PARISH OFFERTORY COLLECTION As the church is currently closed and there are no Services being held, we would ask all Gift Aiders and those who use Offertory Envelopes to please save these until we are open and Masses are being held once more. This also applies to any envelopes for Special Collections.

As an alternative, you may wish to sign a Standing Order. Details for this can be obtained from the Parish House, telephone number and e-mail address at the top of this Newsletter.

THE YEAR OF THE WORD

30th Sept. 2019 to 31st Dec. 2020 celebrating, living and sharing God's word

THE ‘GOD WHO SPEAKS’ PRAYER

Living God, you walk alongside us

and speak to us throughout the Scriptures. Your Son, Jesus Christ, listens to our hopes and fears

and shows us how to live for one another. Send us the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds

so that we may be your witnesses throughout the world. Amen

THE CATHOLIC VOICE No paper edition of “The Catholic Voice” has been printed this month but it is available on line at www.ChurchPaper.co.uk. This website has editions of all the Catholic Newspapers throughout England and Wales.

ST. GREGORY’S PARISH DRAW ‘300’ CLUB The Parish Draw is currently suspended. Please put your subscription money aside as, when the church is open again, it is planned to have a Bumper Draw with more and/or bigger prizes.

PARISH NEWSLETTER If you wish to have anything included in the Parish Newsletter - prayers for the sick, anniversaries, Mass intentions or any other items of interest, please e-mail Marian Vaughn at marianvaughn362@gmail.com, telephone 01772 883578 or text to 07913 966916. If you wish to have a copy of the Newsletter or any other information which we are distributing then please let us have your e-mail address. Likewise, if you know of anyone else who may wish to be on our distribution list, then let us have their details, making sure, for Data Protection purposes, that you have asked their permission first.

Trust Him when dark doubts attack you. Trust Him when your strength is small.

Trust Him when to simply trust Him is the hardest thing of all.

Trust Him: He is ever faithful. Trust Him for His will is best.

Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus is the only place to rest,

Trust Him, then, through doubts and sunshine; all your cares upon Him cast ‘til the storm of life is over

and your trusting days are past.