2nd Sunday of Lent (B)

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, February 25th - 2nd Sunday in Lent (B)

Monday February 26th - Weekday in Lent

Tuesday, February 27th - St Gregory of Narek, Abbot, Doctor of the Church

Wednesday, February 28th - Weekday in Lent

Thursday, February 29th - The Chair of St Peter, Apostle

Friday, March 1st - St David, Bishop, Patron of Wales

Saturday, March 2nd - Weekday in Lent

Sunday, March 3rd - 3rd Sunday in Lent (B)

2nd Sunday of Lent - Year B

First Reading - Gen 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith.

Second Reading - Rom 8:31-34
God did not spare his own Son.

Gospel Reading - Mark 9:2-10
This is my Son, the Beloved.

Psalter: Week 2

Weekdays: Lent Week 2

 

Family Fast Day Prayer 2024

CAFOD Lent Family Fast Day Prayer 2024
Loving God,
when our boat is rocked
on the sea of life,
by poverty, illness or disaster,
you quiet the waves,
calm the storm,
and lead us safely to shore.

When we work hard,
for our daily bread,
but at the end of the day go hungry,
you walk alongside us,
calling, "cast out your nets",
knowing there is enough for all.

When we are lost,
and uncertain of how
to make a change in our world,
your words ring out:
"Come, follow me",
guiding us to new life with you.

Lead us then, Lord, to play our part
in calming the storm
and sharing your gifts with each other,
so that all people throughout the world
may look to the future with hope.
Amen

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 - 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


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.

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.)

 

 

  • 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.

  • THE POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY 2024:
    For the Terminally Ill
    We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.
  • World Day of Prayer Service
    This year’s World Day of Prayer Service will take place at Bedford Methodist Church, Breaston Avenue, on Friday 1st March at 7.00pm. This year’s theme: ‘I beg you, bear
    with one another’ has been prepared by the Christians of Palestine There is a practice on Tuesday 27th Feb 7.00pm—8.00pm at the Methodist Church for anyone who would like to sing at the Service
  • HCPT Coffee Morning and Raffle:
    A coffee morning to raise funds for HCPT will take place in Holy Family Hall on Sunday 3rd March after the 9.30am Mass. Raffle tickets will be on sale in church and the hall. Raffle tickets will also be on sale at the 11am Mass at St Ambrose on 25th February and at the 6pm Mass on 2nd March
  • LGBT+ Catholics - Archdiocese of Liverpool
    Next Mass and gathering will be on Sunday 3rd March. Mass 2.00pm. All Saints, Oakfield. L4 2QG
  • Confirmations 2024
    Any young person who is in year 8 or above, have made their First Holy Communion and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation can register for Sacramental preparation at www.liverpoolcalled.co.uk. The website for registration opens on 15th January and closes on the 15th March. While the registration period is open, Animate will visit schools in the diocese to promote the Sacrament. At the same time schools will teach about the Sacrament of Confirmation in RE classes.
  • 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

 

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.

Reflect:

Jesus is transfigured before the eyes of three of his apostles. God speaks the words 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him.'

Pray

Thanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits you have given me,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly, day by day.
Amen.

(Prayer of St Richard of Chichester)

Act

God's words on the mountain ask us to trust him, to have faith in him, to listen to him and to obey him as best we can.  How can we do this unless we listen to him? This week set aside ten minutes each day to put yourself in the hands of the Lord and listen to what he is saying to you, in your life, at this time

Challenge
Following the principles of Laudato Si commit to trying to:

  • Change your shower head and tap ends to aerated ones. This will make a significant difference to energy and water consumption as they inject air into the water stream, limiting water usage.
  • From 15th - 31st March, Wigan is taking part in the Great British Spring Clean. You can enrol on their website to join a group of litter pickers or to receive support to run your own litter pick, individually or as a group. Have a look here to register or find out more.
  • Birds have started to look for nesting material in anticipation of the Spring. Could you provide a nest box or a suitable safe place for them to nest in you garden? The BTO has instructions you could follow.
  • As Spring approaches, thoughts may be turning to spring cleaning. Makes such as ecover may now have refill stations for their products where you can take along your empty container and refill it in store. Check out your local supermarket!

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.

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

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.

 

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

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
Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St Edmund Arrowsmith
Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St John Rigby
Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St Catherine of Sienna and All Saints, Golborne & St Lewis, Croft
Enquiries: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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.



 

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.