Happy Anniversary:
Happy Anniversary to Fr. Conor, with love from all your parishioners.

Synod:
As we come towards the culmination of our Synod 2020 process, we turn once again to prayer, the source of all of our discernment and the core of our work through our Synod process, and so on Sunday, 13th June we start our Week of Prayer for our Synod.
Prayer sheets will be available from church and we will be praying each day from 13th until 20th June which will also be shared on our Synod Youtube andFacebook pages at 12 noon, where the prayers will be hosted each day from
different places around the Archdiocese.

St Cecilia’s Parish Club:
Has now re-opened. If you would like to book the function room contact Michelle on 228 1679.
Opening times are: Wednesday 5pm - 11pm
Thursday 7pm - 12 pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 5pm - 12am

Confirmation Team:
To assist with Confirmation preparation we are trying to create a team that can work together across the deanery to help prepare our young people for this important step on their journey of faith.
You do not need to be experienced in working with young people: there are a number of roles to be involved with. And there need not be any long term commitment.
A willingness to be involved is the main thing – even if only for one meeting.
If you are interested in being involved and helping prepare our young people for
Confirmation, or just simply would like to know more about how you can help, without any obligation to be involved after that please contact: Fr. Conor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sacrament of Confirmation:
In December Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald will be confirming young people in year 8 and above in our deanery.
If you / your child would like to register for preparation for the sacrament please go to
liverpoolcalled.co.uk and complete the registration form (which can be found at the top right of the website).
Your local Confirmation co-ordinator will later contact you to inform you of the next stages of the preparation process.

COVID:
Can we ask that people who enter our Churches are still just as careful and follow all rules with regards to social distancing and hand sanitising. Thank you for the cop-operation with all the safety measures in place.

Funerals:
From tomorrow the legal limits of mourners at a funeral will increase in accordance with the individual parish limited numbers. Our limit for both churches is 70.

YouTube:
If you still feel unable to attend Mass, you can watch Mass each Sunday on our YouTube channel ‘Cecilia Matthews’

Gift Aid:
If you do not already gift aid your weekly offerings could we ask that you please consider signing up for Gift Aid. This enables the parish to receive an extra 25% on top of your offering. If you would like more information please contact the office for a form.

Archbishop Charles Heerey (Caring Aid) Online Prayer Group:
We, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary would like to invite all our interested Parishioners to a group prayer meeting.
Initially this will be an online group meeting via Zoom. If you would like to know more, please register with a mobile number & email address.
God bless, Sr Mary Priscilla Ohawuchi, IHM
07368 155 194  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
Please visit our website to read more about our projects:  www.caringaid.org

Fundraising
The Sisters are also fundraising for their charity Caring aid, which helps different project worldwide.
Pens: Please take a pen and make a free donation to support our work for the vulnerable people around the world.
Boxes: If you would like to take a box home to support poor families.
Or you could become a regular supporter of our education fund for children from poor and less privileged families in Nigeria. £10 a month can support a child in nursey or primary school.
For more information on our charity work & projects please visit our website www.caringaid.org

First Holy Communion:
We have now released the dates of our First Holy Communion celebrations. If your child is in school year 4 or 5 and you would like them to take part this year please contact Lyndsey on 228 1310
If your child is making their Communion this year and they have not yet been baptised please
contact us on the above number asap.

CAFOD:
As coronavirus brings devastation across India, CAFOD is working with experienced local Church agency, Caritas India, to provide vital support to poor and marginalised communities. Donations to CAFOD’s Coronavirus Appeal will help Caritas India distribute PPE kits to frontline health workers, promote COVID & vaccine awareness campaigns, and set up safely run isolation & quarantine centres. You can donate online here:  cafod.org.uk/give Please keep praying for the people of India and all those affected by the pandemic.

Mary’s Meals:
Since our humble beginnings, Mary’s Meals, named after Mary the Mother of Jesus, has been built on a foundation of prayer and the many little acts of love from those who support us. This May, the month traditionally dedicated to Our Lady, we invite you to join us in prayer to celebrate the wonderful work of Mary’s Meals and give thanks that we are now reaching more than 1.8 million children with a nutritious meal in 19 countries every school day. We also pray for God’s continued blessing on our beautiful mission, that through His providence it will always flourish, enabling us to reach more hungry children. You will find inspirational resources for our Pray In May campaign, including our prayer card, on our website: www.marysmeals.org.uk

Gift Aid:
If you do not already gift aid your weekly offerings could we ask that you please consider signing up for Gift Aid. This enables the parish to receive an extra 25%on top of your offering. If you would like more information please contact the office for a form.

Thank you:
A big thank you to our stewards and volunteers, thank you for helping our Churches to stay open and keeping us safe.

Covid 19 Rapid lateral flow test:
Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms.
Rapid lateral flow tests help to find cases in people who may have no symptoms but are still infectious and can give the virus to others.
The test usually involves taking a sample from your tonsils (or where they would have been) and from your nose, using a swab. You can get a result in 30 minutes.
The government are now urging all adults aged over 18 to take a rapid lateral flow test twice a week (every 3-4 days)
These tests can be ordered online: Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
By calling 119 Lines are open 7am to 11pm and calls are free.
Local pharmacies can issues a box of 7 tests, local pharmacies are listed below:

Lloyds pharmacy - 202 Cherry Lane
L Rowland & Co - 115/117 Townsend Avenue
Asda - Utting Avenue

Liverpool Pharmacy Group - 17 Green Lane
Lloyds Pharmacy - West Derby Road

Synod:
Just a little update on our Synod journey. 
A couple of weeks ago the Synod Team met with Synod
members  (via Zoom), where we explored the 19
recommendations (please see attached),  which will go forward to be voted on, on 19th June.  These 19
recommendations have been developed from the 3,500 proposals put forward. 

Please see the link below, iif you would like to read a little more about this;
https://synod2020.co.uk/

Once again many thanks to all the parishioners of
St Matthews and  St Cecilia’s  for your continued
prayers and support

God bless
Anne and Emer  

Welcome Back:
It’s nice to be back celebrating Mass with you all this
weekend.
Just a reminder:
  • We are still limited with numbers in church.
  • Masks must be worn at all times.
  • Hand sanitiser must be used on entering.
  • Practise social distancing at all time.













 

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United in Prayer
Although public Masses have been stopped for the time being, we can still keep our parish community together and be united in prayer. This coming Wednesday (25th) is the Solemnity of the Annunciation when we celebrate the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to Mary that she will be the mother of the Son of God. The Angelus prayer is said to mark this occasion, and it can also be prayed daily. Everyday at 12 noon you are invited to pray the Angelus, you can offer this prayer for your own intentions and know that you are not alone, our parish community is praying with you. The bell at St Matthew’s will toll each day to mark the beginning of the Angelus.

The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, etc...

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word.

Hail Mary, etc...

V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, etc...

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His passion and cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, our Lord.

Amen.


Practicing Spiritual Communion
It’s important to recall that, although our obligation to attend Mass might be dispensed, we are never dispensed from honouring the Commandment to “keep holy the Lord’s day.” Sunday remains to be set apart as another opportunity to grow in communion with the Lord. When we are unable physically to attend Mass, we may consider the practice of “spiritual communion”.
Spiritual Communion is a traditional practice of expressing to the Lord our longing for him and our desire for him to enter our hearts. St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) said: “When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.”
St. Jean-Marie Vianney (1786-1859), the famous country priest from Ars, France, once said “when we feel the love of God growing cold, let us instantly make a spiritual Communion. When we cannot go to the church, let us turn towards the tabernacle; no wall can shut us out from the good God.”

Prayer to make a Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Making a Spiritual Communion in church
Oh Jesus, I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me. I love you, O my God. I cannot receive you in Holy Communion. Come, nevertheless, and visit me with Your grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen.
Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
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Parish Meeting:
All Parish meeting’s are now cancelled until further notice.

Parish sick & housebound:
All visit to are currently suspended until further notice. Please make sure we have full contact details for all sick & housebound especially phone numbers.

2020 Walsingham Pilgrimage: Cancelled: Important Information: COVID-19:
Hi to all those who have booked to go on this year's Walsingham Pilgrimage. It is with a heavy heart that I write to advise you that our May Pilgrimage has been cancelled due to the current situation, understandably.
I asked Walsingham whether I could re-book for later in the year when, hopefully, things have settled down. Unfortunately, they aren't taking any bookings at this point in time.
You have all paid a £20 deposit. This will be honoured for when I am able to re-book.
Some of you have sent payments to me recently. I will be in touch with you very soon to arrange getting them back to you.  Everyone else, please do not send me any more payments.
I will write again when I have further information about us re-booking.
Much love, Dave Cotterill

Dear Parishioners
As an additional part of our Synod Journey, and in light of the changes COVID-19 has brought to our lives, we are being invited to reflect on the kind of Church God is calling us to be. 
Please do take a few moments to watch the short film, click on and read the reflections, which are there to help you in making your proposal.  Then Submit your proposal directly to the Synod Team before 18th May 2020.
Thank you for your continued support.   
Take care, stay safe
God bless
Anne

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We come together as a Parish to discuss our 4th and final Synod Theme
“BUILDING COMMUNITY, NURTURING BELONGING”
In this theme “BUILDING COMMUNITY, NURTURING BELONGING” we are given the opportunity to look at how we, as a church can reach out to all people in our society, the young, the elderly and those living on the periphery eg migrants, Travellers, Prisoners, The handicapped, the poor and those in our hospitals and nursing homes etc . Helping us to put forward a vision, enabling all to participate fully in the life and mission of the church. Everybody to feel their contribution is respected and values and all to feel welcomed.
Questions to help you prepare proposals
• How do we ensure our parishes are inclusive and welcoming?
• How do we hand on our faith? Can you think of ways to do this better?
• How can we encourage and support the work of our Catholic schools?
• How can we support and strengthen the home, school, parish partnership?
• How do we reach out to those who feel excluded, on the margins, weak, or vulnerable?
• How do our parishes grow in love for God and service of our neighbour?
• How can parishes work better together?
• What will the parish of the future be like - given a realistic look at the number of priests and people we have?

This is what you said (Taken from the Synod Listening)
“Children should feel safe and loved in our Church.”
“Divisions leave people feeling marginalised and pushed to the fringes.”
“Young people should feel fully part of the community.”
“Parishes are important for building community in a fractured society.”
“The Church is vital in welcoming and valuing the weak and the vulnerable.”
“Find better ways of handing on the faith.”
“Housebound or infirm should still feel part of our communities.”
“Belonging to a parish community is good for children and families.”
And much more
Take a moment to ponder these questions:
• Pope Francis reminds us that we love God by caring and loving each other, this is at the heart of our faith. Individualism gives way to solidarity. In what way do I try to do this in my own life?
• Pope St John Paul II says we must do all we can to support families, especially in handing on the faith. What is my experience of this in my own family, in my parish?
• How do the families I know show their care for each other and for those in need?
• Have I seen evidence of parish communities becoming families in themselves, drawing in and including those who don’t have a supportive family network?
? how as a church can we embrace everybody’s uniqueness make them feel Valued, Equal, Welcomed, Included and Respected

Please complete the proposal slip below, you can email it to me on; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you  


Building community, nurturing belonging
Having reflected on the situation and how our Faith informs us, what needs to be done in order to become the Church God is calling us to be;
 
 



 

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