Leigh Pastoral Area

Thursday, October 29, 2009

LAMP Sunday

(Liverpool Archdiocesan Missionary Project)

This weekend, we celebrate LAMP Sunday when we think and pray for our brothers and sisters in Latin America. For many years, priests from the Archdiocese have worked in Latin America, especially in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Through them, we have a very special relationship with the people over there. There will be a Pastoral Letter from the Archbishop marking the thirtieth anniversary of the project, and the annual LAMP collection, which goes to finance projects in the parishes served by our priests in Latin America, will take place at the end of Mass.  If you are a tax payer, please use the Gift Aid envelopes provided.  Many thanks.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Palestinian children detained by Israeli Authorities

Mohammad Salem Abu Eid was 14 years old when he was detained by Israeli forces in February 2008 and accused of throwing stones at the Separation Wall, which cuts through the Palestinian West Bank. He was beaten, interrogated in the absence of a lawyer and family member, persuaded to sign a confession, prosecuted in a military court and sentenced to four months imprisonment.  Whilst in prison, he received no education and no family visits. 

Mohammad, accompanied by his mother, Sumya, will be speaking about his experiences on a tour of Liverpool, London, Sheffield and Oxford in November 2009.  Also speaking will be: Jihad Alshomali, Juvenile (Justice Coordinator, Defence for Children International Palestine section) and Abdefattah Abusrour (President of Palestinian Theatre League).

Since September 2000, approximately 5,000 Palestinian children under the age of 18 have been arrested by the Israeli authorities in Occupied Palestine. The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (Article 37b) states: ‘No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily’.

Monday 2nd November, 7.00 – 9.00 pm, at the Quaker Meeting House, School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT.

Christianity and the BNP

Church Leaders in Birmingham published the following statement in ‘The Birmingham Post’ this week: 

“The BNP sometimes claims it is standing for ‘Christian Britain’.  We refute that wholeheartedly and would like to point out that some churches have stated that BNP membership is incompatible with Christian discipleship.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people and, celebrating the international, multi-racial, multi-ethnic nature of our churches we feel our faith in Jesus calls us to positively engage and work with our neighbours of other faith traditions. The BNP has nothing to do with Christianity and many of its hate-filled, fear-generating messages are completely counter to the loving challenge of the Christian gospel.”

Justice & Peace

During Advent, the Archdiocesan Justice & Peace Department will be presenting two evenings in the Pastoral Area on the themes of “Live Simply” and “Climate Change”. The evenings will take place on Monday 30th November and Wednesday 2nd December. The venues for the Justice & Peace evenings have not yet been decided, but there will be a Planning Meeting on Monday 2nd November at St Joseph’s, Leigh, at 7.00 pm, for anyone who would like to be involved in the planning.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

SR HELEN PREJEAN

Sr Helen Prejean is a Catholic sister, educator, anti-death penalty activist and author. Her book ‘Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States’ tells her story about walking to Death Row with inmates sentenced to death, and was made into the film ‘Dead Man Walking’. She is a very inspirational speaker and speaks movingly about this subject which is close to her heart.  There will be two events in the Archdiocese:

An Evening with Sr Helen Prejean
Sunday 15th November at De La Salle School, Mill Brow, St Helens WA10 4QH.  Doors open 4.00 pm, Mass 5.00 pm.  Tickets £10 – send a SAE to:  IRENAEUS, 110a Alexandra Rd, Crosby, L23 7TG.  Tel: 0151 924 5127.

A Day for Yr 11, 12 & 13 with Sr Helen Prejean
Monday 16th November: 10.00 am - 12.30 pm at St Mary’s, Lowe House, Crab St, St Helens, WA10 2BE.  Tickets £3.  Further details from:  http://www.animateyouth.org

Boyce and Stanley in Concert

Sunday 1st November at 6.00 pm at St Mary’s, Leyland.  Boyce & Stanley are fantastic performers, well known on TV, their songs and hymns are used in churches throughout the country.  See notice board for further details.  Website:  http://www.cjmmusic.co.uk

Visit of His Beatitude Archbishop Fwad Twal

The Latin Patriarch for Jerusalem, Archbishop Twal, will be visiting Liverpool on Sunday 15th November.  He will be the principal celebrant at the 11.00 Mass in the Cathedral.  During his visit, the Friends of the Holy Land will be launched in support of the critically small Catholic presence in the Holy Land.

World Mission Sunday

May the mission of Jesus be our constant hope
May the Lord help us to reach out with love
May he grant us the strength to proclaim his Good News

Eucharistic Ministers

There will be a Day Retreat for all Eucharistic Ministers in the Pastoral Area on Saturday 21st November, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, at Holy Family Parish Hall, Boothstown.  The day will be led by Maureen Knight (from the Archdiocesan Pastoral Formation Team) together with the Irenaeus Team (http://www.irenaeus.co.uk).  The aim of the day is to support parishioners in their ministry and will afford some time out for reflection, prayer, input, discussion and relaxation.  Lunch will be provided.  If you hope to attend the day, please sign the list at the back of church.  Thanks. 

Thursday, October 08, 2009

SOLEMN EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October
Holy Family, Boothstown

Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened,
and I will give you rest (Mt 11: 28)

Friday 16th October
1.00 pm Children’s Service (and start of Exposition)
Exposition will continue throughout the day
3.00 pm Praying for Peace in the World
7.00 pm Taize Evening Prayer
(especially suitable for Young People)
9.45 pm Night Prayer (and close of Exposition)

Saturday 17th October
10.00 am Morning Prayer & Mass (start of Exposition)
Exposition will continue throughout the day
3.00 pm Praying with Cardinal Basil Hume
7.00 pm Praying with Mary (The Rosary)
9.45 pm Night Prayer (and close of Exposition)

Sunday 18th October
8.00 am Morning Prayer (and start of Exposition)
Exposition will continue throughout the day except during Mass
9.00 am Mass
11.00 am Mass
3.00 pm Praying with St Therese of Lisieux
6.00 pm Evening Prayer & Benediction
(and conclusion of Exposition)

POOL OF DEPUTY/ASSISTANT HEADTEACHERS

This successful initiative within the Archdiocese is intended to identify senior leaders in schools who would wish to gain experience in another school or authority.  Successful applicants would join a list that will be the first for consideration in the event that we need to fill a vacancy on a temporary basis within one of our schools.  There is a copy of the advertisement displayed at the back of church.  Alternatively the information can be found on our website:  http://www.archdiocese-of-liverpool.co.uk Under ‘Departments’, follow the link to Schools and then to Notices.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

Next Sunday, Catholics everywhere unite in celebrating World Mission Sunday. This year’s theme is “Reach Out with Love”. Our prayers and donations on World Mission Sunday help to support mission projects and Catholic communities across the world to grow towards self-sufficiency. Through Missio, the Holy Father invites every Catholic in the world to contribute to a special collection next Sunday; your help will bring hope and new life to people thirsting to hear of God’s love for them. You will be able to Gift Aid all donations by using the envelopes provided.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

MUSIC-A-THON
More than 24 hours of continuous music at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Friday 9th to Saturday 10th October.  Come and sing with the choir, play the organ, request a hymn or piece of music, hear the choristers and organs as never before.  All funds raised will directly benefit the Cathedral Choir.  Further details from the Cathedral Music Office (0151 708 7283).

JUSTICE & PEACE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
Saturday 10th October, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, at LACE.  For more information:  0151 522 1080/81

MUSIC FOR ADVENT
Saturday 10th October, 10.30 am - 1.00 pm, at St Oswald’s, Old Swan, Liverpool.  Cost:  £3 per person.  If you would like to attend, please contact Anne Preston (01925 631833).

A PAUSE FOR HOPE
An Ecumenical Service For All People Affected By Cancer:  Sunday 11th October at 3.00 pm at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
http://www.pauseforhope.org.uk

MUSICAL EVENING WITH MARTY HAUGEN
Friday 16th October, 7.00 - 9.30 pm at LACE.  Marty Haugen is a liturgical composer, workshop presenter, performing recording artist from Minnesota.  To reserve a place, phone 0151 522 1040.

CATHOLICS IN HEALTHCARE
Address by Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP:  Sunday 18th October at 2.00 pm in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt, followed by Mass at 4.30 pm with Bishop Tom Williams.

THANKS BE TO GOD
Celebrating the Word of God in Worship
You are invited to join those studying this module of the CCRS at Christ the King, Queens Drive, Liverpool, on Saturdays 3rd & 24th October, 10.00 am - 3.00 pm (bring a packed lunch).