Leigh Pastoral Area

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.