4th Sunday of Easter (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, April 21st - 4th Sunday of Easter (B)
Monday April 22nd - Weekday of Easter
Tuesday, April 23rd - Weekday of Easter
Wednesday, April 24th - Weekday of Easter
Thursday, April 25th - St Mark
Friday, April 26th - Weekday of Easter
Saturday, April 27th - Weekday of Easter
Sunday, April 28th - 5th Sunday of Easter (B)
Please click this link to view live streamed masses from St Margaret Clitherow Churches
Sunday Readings
5th Sunday of Easter - Year B
First Reading - Acts 4:8-12
The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
Second Reading - 1 John 3:1-2
We are God's children.
Gospel Reading - John 10:11-18
I am the Good Shepherd
Psalter: Week 4
Weekdays: Easter Week 4
Easter Message
Archbishop Malcolm's Easter Message 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as we start going out, and coming home in the light again, it usually means one thing; Easter is around the corner. As we leave Winter and enter Spring, we are also reminded of the new life that starts at this time of year. Whether that be the plants in your garden, the leaves on trees, or the caterpillars and butterflies that start showing their faces again. This time of year is an incredibly important one in our faith. We remind ourselves that Jesus Christ died for our sins, descended into Hell, and rose from the dead. It is a reminder that there is always hope, even in the depths of despair. When Jesus was betrayed by Judas and ultimately crucified on Good Friday, it felt like hope was lost. But on the third day, Christ rose from the depths of Hell and things were looking light again. It is a message we can all take into our everyday lives. When things are looking bleak, whether it be a personal issue, or a wider issue like conflict in Ukraine, Gaza and other parts of the world, a light can always be found. It’s also important to remember the journey we have been on for the past 40 days for Lent. From Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday we have all tried to enrich our lives, by either giving up something that is bad for us, or adding something more positive, like praying into our everyday life. Whatever you have decided to do this year, I hope you had every success, and life is better for the choices you have made.
May the light of Jesus Christ be present in you all, as we celebrate his resurrection.
Yours in Christ, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool
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 APRIL 2024:
For the role of women
We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognised in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world. - Ladies chat and a cuppa.
- A meeting for anyone interested in joining this new group will be held on Thursday 25th April at 2pm in St Ambrose Hall. All welcome.
- Happy Easter and Thanks
The clergy would like to thank people for the cards and messages received at this time and also thank you to all who have helped in any way as we celebrate the great feast of Easter - Cafod Café:
The total amount raised this year is £1188.56. This was a huge success over three Sundays in Lent. We thank everyone in Holy Family and St Ambrose who helped in any way to make this a great parish occasion as well as a fundraiser for Cafod. We will look at ways to build on this success and communicate this through the newsletter. - First Holy Communions
Children will be makinge their First Holy Communion over the next few weeks. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. - St Vincent de Paul
The weekly meeting of the older men in the parish for lunch and a chat at the Applewood Farm is at 1.00pm on Wednesdays.
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.
CAFOD News
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:
Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
Pray
Day by day
Oh, Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day.
Act
To what extent are we prepared to lay down our lives for others? Do we put ourselves out to help others? Do we think of the needs of others? Do we have time for other people? Find ways this week that show you think of and care for other people.
Challenge
Following the principles of Laudato Si commit to trying to:
- The Good Shepherd reminds us, through the image of a lamb, that Spring is arriving. This week rejoice in the new life that surrounds us in our gardens and in the countryside around us.
- It is very easy to buy items made from recycled materials these days, such as clothing, utensils, toilet or kitchen paper and more. See if you can build this sustainability into your regular purchases.
- Try adopting a simpler lifestyle. Can you use more sustainable forms of transport? Car sharing, public transport, less polluting forms of transport such as electric / hybrid cars and walking or cycling rather than driving all help towards this aim.
- We celebrate the joy of Easter, but there are so many in the world today who are suffering through war, famine & homelessness. Can you help spread the joy of Easter by taking time to check out the CAFOD website which gives ideas on how you may help?
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 May 5th 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.