5th Sunday of Lent (B)
This Week's Feast Days
Most weeks there may well be a number of feast days. We don’t necessarily celebrate them all. Some saints are more important in certain parts of the country than others and will be celebrated more on a local level, whilst other saints will be celebrated everywhere. So each week we will comment on the feast-days that we should celebrate in our regional Church.
Sunday, March 17th - 5th Sunday in Lent (B)
Monday March 18th - St Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Doctor of the Church
Tuesday, March 19th - St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, Mary
Wednesday, March 20th - Weekday in Lent
Thursday, March 21st - Weekday in Lent
Friday, March 22nd - Weekday in Lent
Saturday, March 23rd - St Turibius de Mogrovejo, Bishop
Sunday, March 24th - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (B)
Sunday Readings
5th Sunday of Lent - Year B
First Reading - Jer 31:31-34
I will make a new covenant and never call their sin to mind
Second Reading - Heb 5:7-9
He learnt to obey and became for all the source of eternal salvation.
Gospel Reading - John 12:20-33
If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.
Psalter: Week 1
Weekdays: Lent Week 5
Lent
Stations of the Cross:
We begin this season of grace as we aim to continue it - following the way of the Cross, turning away from sin and believing the Good News. During Lent we have several opportunities to take part in this devotion each week:
Tuesdays - Sacred Heart, Leigh, after the midday Mass
Wednesdays - St Josephs after the midday Mass or at 6.30 pm before Mass at Holy Family Church led by Parishioners. (Excluding Ash Wednesday and Wednesday of Holy Week.)
Fridays - Sacred Heart Hindley Green at 6.00pm; St Richard's, Atherton at 7.00pm; St Ambrose Barlow Church at 7.00pm, led by Deacon Bob
Sundays - Holy Family Church at 3.00pm, Stations followed by Benediction led by Fr Paul
Online Stations of the Cross with Pray As You Go
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available before the 4.30pm Mass on Saturdays at St Joseph's Church and at Holy Family on Saturday morning after the 10.00am Mass
CAFOD
During Lent, as in past years, there will be a CAFOD fundraiser of Tea and Coffee after Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church. This will take place on Sunday 18th February, 17th and 31st March. Please support if you can.
Easter Triduum Services
St Edmund Arrowsmith
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.00pm at St Joseph’s Church, followed by watching in the Green Room and concluding with Night Prayer at 9.00pm
Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3.00pm at Sacred Heart Church
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil 8.00pm at St Joseph’s Church
Easter Sunday: 9.30am Mass at St Jospeh's Church and 11.00am at Sacred Heart Church
St Margaret Clitherow
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.30pm at Holy Family Church, followed by Watching, until Night Prayer at 9.50pm
Good Friday: 10.00am Stations of the Cross (St Ambrose)
11.00am Children’s Stations (Holy Family)
3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (Holy Family)
7.30pm Service of Reflection (St Ambrose)
Holy Saturday: 10.00am Polish Blessing of the Baskets (Holy Family)
8.00pm Mass of the Easter Vigil (St Ambrose) (Please note this replaces the usual 6pm Mass)
Easter Sunday: 9.30am Mass at Holy Family Church and 11.00am at St Ambrose Barlow Church
St John Rigby
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.00pm at St Richard's
Good Friday: 10.00am Stations of the Cross (St Richardls - Ecumenical)
11.00am Stations of the Cross (Sacred Heart, Hindley Green)
11:45 Family Easter Celebration St Johns (Ecumenical service)
3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (St Richards)
3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (Sacred Heart, Hindley Green)
Holy Saturday: 7.00pm Mass of the Easter Vigil (St Richards)
Easter Sunday: 9.30am Mass at St Richards and 11.00am at Sacred Heart, Hindley Green
Newsletters
There are four newsletters published weekly in the Leigh area, you can access current and past editions here:
St Edmund Arrowsmith Newsletters (St Joseph's and Sacred Heart, Leigh)
St Margaret Clitherow Newsletters (Holy Family, Boothstown; St Ambrose Barlow, Astley)
St Lewis, St Catherine's & All Saints Newsletters (Croft, Lowton & Golborne)
St John Rigby Newsletter (Sacred Heart, Hindley Green; St Richard's, Atherton)
( Newsletters download as pdf files in a new window.)
News Bites
- THE POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH 2024:
For the new Martyrs:
We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm. - Volunteers Meeting - Sacred Heart Hindly Green:
A meeting for those willing to help in some capacity will be held in Sacred Heart (Hindley Green) parish centre at 7pm on Monday 18th March 2024 (cheese and wine will be served!!). - Divine Mercy:
The Hour of Grace will be held at 3pm at Holy Family on Sunday 7th April beginning with the Chaplet and with Adoration. Confession will be available through the hour which will conclude with Benediction. - Chrism Mass 27th March
Please look out for details regarding the forthcoming Chrism Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral on 27th March. Sign up notices will be displayed in Churches. - St Ambrose Barlow Guides Fundraiser:
The guides are holding a bring and buy chocolate bingo on Thursday 21st March, 7 till 9pm. Entry is by chocolate, bars, boxes, eggs etc. There will be a raffle and refreshments for sale on the night. Come along and join in the fun! - St Vincent de Paul
The SVP may be able to assist you or someone you know who needs help. We could help by providing people in our parish with supermarket food vouchers, essential furniture and home items and energy top ups where these are needed. For more information contact our dedicated SVP number 07566725590. - Food Bank:
Please give generously if you are able. Food donated at church is taken to support our local food bank. - XII Apostles Easter Pilgrimage.
To Walsingham April 1st-4th 2024. Please contact Therese Thompson if you are interested in coming along. Tel: 07780064502
Warm Places
- Tea and coffee will be available for at St Ambrose after the 9.15am Mass on a Tuesday morning for an hour or two. All welcome.
There are other safe places you can visit in the area to stay warm and see a friendly face, free of charge. Each warm, space is slightly different in what they offer, but you will be met with a warm welcome in each of them. To see details of places in the Wigan and Leigh area, please click on this link, scroll down to the end of the article and click on the pdf.
CAFOD News
CAFOD Family Fast Day:
Friday 23rd February is CAFOD Family Fast Day. Gift Aid envelopes are available in churches - for every pound that is given to CAFOD, the government will add 25p. Donations will helphardworking people like James, a fisherman in Liberia, with resources, tools and training to feed their families for good. You can also donate online at cafod.org.uk
Thank you for all contributions to the work of CAFOD which is one way of giving alms during Lent.
CAFOD Lent Calendar 2024
Cafod have several calendars available for use during Lent catering for families, children, young people and general. Search Lent Calenday 2024 on their website, or click this link to go to the general calendar.
CAFOD BIG LENT WALK:
Will you take on the challenge to walk 200km over 40 days to help fight global poverty? Walk, run, skip, or stroll, when and where you choose, alone or with friends. Visit cafod.org.uk/walk.
CAFOD's Prayer for Peace in the MIddle East
CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal
Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal at cafod.org.uk/ipc
CAFOD have already sent £100,000 to, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) who are already supporting 10,000 families caught up in the fighting in Gaza.
Climate Change:
CAFOD have a petition on their website regarding recent changes made by the UK Government regarding their approach to dealing with the climate crises. Click here to find out more.
Live Simply
Reflect:
St John's Gospel reflects on the life of a grain of seed and how it must die before it can grow into a fruitful new life - just as Jesus died and rose again to bring new life to all.
Pray
Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God,
Teach me true generosity.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve.
To give without counting the cost,
To fight heedless of wounds,
To labor without seeking rest,
To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward
Save the knowledge that I have done your will.
Amen.
(Prayer of St Ignatius Loyola)
Act
Our aim as Christians is to follow the example of Jesus and to be generous and loving to all. This week look out for opportunities to unobtrusively serve others in some way.
Challenge
Following the principles of Laudato Si commit to trying to:
- Nature is bursting forth into new life and in so doing reminds us of God's comfort and compassion. Take time this week to appreciate the new life around us and to thank God for his great gift.
- Pope Francis tells us, 'The best antidote against this misuse of our common home is contemplation". During lockdown, many of us found a new awareness and appreciation of our environment. Sadly this approach has taken a back seat for many of us. Have a look at this website to help guide you back into a greater appreciation of the world we live in.
- Have a look at the ecological Way of the Cross, produced by the Laudato Si movement, where the suffering of the earth and the poor the is seen in the light of the suffering of Christ.
Prayer for Peace
Loving Father,
May hatred be turned into love,
fear to trust,
despair to hope,
oppression to freedom,
occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters
may be replaced
by loving embraces,
and peace and justice
could be experienced by all.
Children's Liturgy
St Richard's - Children's Liturgy takes place every Sunday at the 9.30am Mass.
Sacred Heart - Children's Liturgy takes place every Sunday at the 11.00am Mass.
St Ambrose Barlow – Is held once a month with a planned celebration on the first Sunday of every month. Next celebration is on March 3rd during the 11:00am mass.
Holy Family – We have a few volunteers but need several more to be able to run a rota in a similar way to St Ambrose. If you would like to volunteer, please speak to either Fr Paul or to Liz in the parish office as soon as possible.
Please note that all volunteers must complete a DBS form with the Archdiocese to comply with safeguarding which is paramount in all parish activities.
Thank you for your generosity
Celebrating the Sacraments
Baptism
Please contact your Parish Office to make an appointment to meet with the Priest or Deacon. Baptisms usually take place on Sundays.
Holy Communion
Children in Year 4 at Primary Schools are invited to make their First Communion during that year. Preparation for the Sacrament may take place in school or by attending a series of meetings with parents or guardians.
Reconciliation
Children in Year 5 or 6 will be invited to make their First Act of Reconciliation (Confession). For continuing celebration of the sacrament, please refer to your local church. Quite often Reconciliation is available before Mass or by contacting the priest to make an appointment.
Confirmation
Preparation for this sacrament is usually arranged through the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Team ' Animate' for young people in Year 8 or older who attend Catholic Secondary Schools.
Marriage
If you would like to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage, please contact your Parish Priest either directly or through the Parish Office to discuss. He will provide you with the necessary paperwork. Please remember to make arrangements well in advance.
Anointing the Sick
If you would like your Parish Priest to visit a family member who is sick and housebound, please speak to him or contact the Parish Office and a visit will be arranged.
Ukraine
Pope Francis
Pope Francis gave us this invitation.... ‘let us persevere in our closeness and in prayer for the dear Ukrainian people who are experiencing immense cruelty’
Praying for Peace in Ukraine and the World
Exposition will now be at Sacred Heart (Leigh) Church on Tuesdays and St Joseph’s Church on Wednesdays.
Exposition will begin at 11.30am and will conclude with midday Mass.
In the event of a Funeral Mass at midday, Exposition will be cancelled.
Archbishop Malcolm has approved the launch of an Archdiocesan urgent and major appeal to support Ukraine. Text numbers have been set up for anyone wanting to make a financial donation. All donations will be sent to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.
TO DONATE TEXT:
• HELPUKRAINE to 70085 to donate £2
• HELPUKRAINE to 70450 to donate £3
• HELPUKRAINE to 70460 to donate £5
• HELPUKRAINE to 70470 to donate £10
Texts will cost the donation amount, plus one standard network rate message
Contacts
St Joseph's Centre - 01942 673517
Fr Carl Mugan - 01942 392922 (St Richard's & Sacred Heart.)
Fr Paul Grady - 0161 790 2390 (Holy Family, St Ambrose Barlow & St Gabriel's)
Fr Kieran O'Grady - 01942 673517 (Sacred Heart & St Joseph's)
Fr Gordon Abbs - 01942 273851 (St Lewis, St Catherine's & All Saints)
St Margaret Clitherow
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St Edmund Arrowsmith
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St John Rigby
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St Catherine of Sienna and All Saints, Golborne & St Lewis, Croft
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Deanery
At the beginning of Advent 2021, in a reorganisation of the Archdiocese, Leigh Deanery was merged with churches in the Wigan area to form Wigan and Leigh Deanery. It covers not just Wigan and Leigh but also many of the smaller villages and towns surrounding them. Deanery priests meet no less than eight times a year and at least twice a year with the Deacons of the Deanery. Fr Gordon Abbs was appointed Dean in Advent 2021. His term of office runs until 29th Feb 2024.
For a full list of churches in the new deanery please click here.
Archdiocesan Links
There are several items of interest available from the Archdiocese of Liverpool.
New resources now available include:
- Prayer & Other Resources
- Family Prayer Cards
- Life During Lockdown in the Archdiocese
- Mental Health
- Readings and Reflections for those who are Bereaved
The Liverpool Catholic website also has up to date information on the Church's Policy regarding Coronavirus and lots of other useful information.