Leigh Pastoral Area

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Home Is A Holy Place

“Home Is A Holy Place” is about seeing, knowing and responding to God’s presence at home, in our families, in the ordinary events of our daily lives, in the deep joys and sorrows we experience together, and in our relationships with one another, whether we are children, brothers and sisters, parents, spouses, friends or neighbours. The resource contains a 27 minute DVD and a series of sheets for group discussions, prayer and reflection. It provides lots of ideas for increasing awareness within our parish communities of the blessed reality of marriage and family life.

There will be a special presentation of the “Home Is A Holy Place” project in St. Joseph’s Parish Centre on Thursday October 22nd at 7.30 pm.

RECOVERING AND MOVING ON AFTER DIVORCE

The Pastoral Formation Department offers a series of six weekly meetings RECOVERING AND MOVING ON AFTER DIVORCE to support Catholics experiencing the breakdown of a marriage or long-term relationship.  Christians of other denominations, or none, are also welcome. 

The next series will start on Monday evening, 28th September 2009, in the Aigburth area, Liverpool 17.
There will also be a ONE DAY MEETING on Saturday, 26th September for those who are unable to attend the six meetings.
The groups are small, confidential and free of charge.
To book a place (essential) or for further details contact Frances Trotman on 0151 727 2195.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

CATHOLIC CERTIFICATE IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Applications are now being accepted for the next course,
starting with the Orientation Evening at 7 30 pm
THURSDAY 1st OCTOBER 2009.
VENUE: St Bede’s High School,St Anne’s Road, Ormskirk L39 4TA.
Tel: 0151 522 1053/1056 on Tuesdays for further details.

Visit of the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux

The relics of St Therese of Lisieux will be visiting our country between 16th September and 15th October 2009. 

Thursday 24th - Friday 25th September
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
http://www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org,uk
Tel:  0151 709 9222

Friday 25th - Sunday 27th September
Salford Cathedral
http://www.salforddiocese.org.uk/cathedral
Tel:  0161 834 0333

Sunday 27th - Monday 28thSeptember
Manchester University Chaplaincy
http://www.rc-chaplaincy-um.org.uk
Tel:  0161 273 1456

There are brochures at the back of church with full details.
There’s an excellent website giving full details of the visit:  http://www.catholicrelics.org,uk

ALL NIGHT VIGIL
Thursday 24th - Friday 25th September
When the relics are at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, there will be an all night vigil for the Pastoral Area at Holy Family, Boothstown, to join the Sisters of Carmel who will be watching and praying throughout the night in the Cathedral.  The vigil will be mainly silent prayer and will include: 
10.30 pm Night Prayer
12.00 am Midnight Mass
1.30 am Reflection on the Life of St Therese
3.00 am Office of Readings
4.30 am Reflection on the Writings of St Therese
6.00 am Morning Prayer
7.30 am Mass (and conclusion of vigil)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

RELICS OF ST THERESE OF LISIEUX

The relics of St Therese of Lisieux will be visiting our country between 16th September and 15th October 2009. 

Thursday 24th - Friday 25th September
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
http://www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org,uk
Tel:  0151 709 9222

Friday 25th - Sunday 27th September
Salford Cathedral
http://www.salforddiocese.org.uk/cathedral
Tel:  0161 834 0333

Sunday 27th - Monday 28thSeptember
Manchester University Chaplaincy
http://www.rc-chaplaincy-um.org.uk
Tel:  0161 273 1456

There are brochures at the back of church with full details.

ALL NIGHT VIGIL
When the relics are at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, there will be an all night vigil in the Pastoral Area to join the Sisters of Carmel who will be watching and praying throughout the night in the Cathedral.  Further details next week.

There’s an excellent website giving full details of the visit:  http://www.catholicrelics.org,uk

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Pastoral Visitation

Bishop Tom Williams will be visiting the parishes and schools of the Pastoral Area during September. 

He will be visiting the parishes on the following weekends: 
29th & 30th August: 
St Richard’s & St Ambrose Barlow
13th September: 
St Joseph’s, Leigh
19th & 20th September:
St Gabriel’s & Holy Family
26th & 27th September:
Sacred Heart, Twelve Apostles and Our Lady of the Rosary. 

Prayer of Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the
right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, I will trust you always.
Even though I may seem to be lost and in the
shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY HAND OF ST. EDMUND ARROWSMITH

Sunday 30th August 2009
St Oswald’s, Ashton-in-Makerfield
Preacher:  Fr. Godric Timney OSB
Mass at 4.00 pm with Blessing of the Sick and Veneration of the Holy Hand
Light refreshments afterwards in the Canons’ Hall

WELCOME

A warm welcome to Fr. Patrick and the Holy Ghost Fathers who will be celebrating Mass at St. Richard’s and St. Ambrose Barlow this weekend, and to visitors and those staying in the Pastoral Area during the summer. 

Today, a greeting to visitors in Spanish:
“Quiero dar una bienvenida muy especial a los visitants Espanoles.  Deseo que tengan unas vaccaciones felices entre nosotros”.

COME & SEE 2009

If you haven’t booked for this year’s Come & See Conference, don’t hesitate.
The input is always challenging and encouraging, the workshops lively and engaging.
The music and liturgy is always moving and inspiring.

This years’ conference will be held at Christ the King High School, Southport,
on the 12th & 13th September.

Keynote Speakers: Denis McBride CSSR, Megan McKenna and Fiona Castle, together with Steve Murray and CJM Music. 
Workshops led by: Fiona Castle, Fr Pat Collins, Rob Clarke, Fr Gerald O’Mahoney, David Wells, Susy Brouard, Michelle Moran, Jonathan Leach and Christine Dodd.

For further details, ring the Irenaeus Project on 0151 924 5127 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or see the website http://www.irenaeus.co.uk

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY

When a Holyday falls on a Saturday or a Monday, it is transferred to the Sunday.  Since this year’s Solemnity of the Assumption falls on Saturday 15th August, it is transferred to Sunday 16th August in England and Wales.

Today the virgin Mother of God was taken up into heaven
to be the beginning and the pattern of the Church in its perfection,
and a sign of hope and comfort for your people on their pilgrim way.
You would not allow decay to touch her body,
for she had given birth to your Son, the Lord of all life,in the glory of the incarnation.
(Preface of the Assumption)

Thursday, August 06, 2009

SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT

All of us who want to deepen our spirituality and grow in a life of love and prayer, need a spiritual father or mother who will help us on this road.  Many people who feel lonely and a bit lost in our materialistic society – in the recession – are looking for people who will guide them in a good and healthy life and help them find the meaning to their lives.  Aren’t we all looking for people who really care for us, understand us, respect us? That is where Spiritual Accompaniment comes in!

We will be holding a six-week introductory course at Irenaeus for anyone interested in becoming a spiritual accompanier.  It will take place each Sunday, from 27th September to 1st November, 2.00 - 4.00 pm.

Unfortunately, we can only take up to twelve participants. If you are interested, please let us know as soon as possible:  Telephone 0151 924 5127 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or see the website http://www.irenaeus.co.uk

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

A teacher recently asked a group of Year 6 children: 
“What is important for Catholics? 
One child said, “Going to church is important. 
So the teacher asked, “If God is everywhere, why is going to Church important? 
A boy at the back of class put up his hand and said, “Because God invites us to be even closer to him at Mass and it is rude to ignore an invitation from God, just like it is to ignore one from a friend.”

The Family Group

Beginning in September, this new group will meet at Holy Family. Please join us in the Parish Hall on Wednesdays between 9.00am and 11.00am. All parents, grandparents, carers and children are welcome. If you have any good condition-toys, equipment, children’s chairs and tables etc. that you could donate please contact Pat Steed on 0161 7992112.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

THINKING OF A GAP YEAR?

If you are planning to take a year out before work or further study, there are worthwhile projects in the UK where you can use your talents and serve in a Church-based environment. On the Catholic Gap Year Website you can find out about the many Catholic gap year opportunities that exist, from working with disabled people to evangelisation and youth centre work.
http://www.catholicgapyear.com