Feast of the Assumption (C)
Celebration of Mass
The Bishops of England and Wales ask us to return to the usual pattern of prayer and praise (i.e. Mass on a Sunday) as it was before the pandemic hit us. Some who are vulnerable may still feel safer coming to weekday Mass and that’s fine.
If you are too frail to return to Church, please let one of the priests know to arrange a visit with the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing; and/or to arrange for a Minister of the Eucharist to bring you Holy Communion.
Please refer to the individual Parish Newsletters for Mass and Service times.
Churches are open again for public Mass. The Sunday 9.30am Mass at Holy Family and the 11.00am Mass at St Ambrose Barlow will be broadcast on the internet and, for those who can access it, the video will remain to be watched anytime afterwards if you miss it live. (Click on the links below)
Where possible daily Masses will be broadcast and other prayer services which can also be watched and participated in at any time later.
Facebook and
YouTube.
The Redemptorists have Sunday Mass online available from 12pm on Saturdays, celebrated by Fr Denis McBride C.Ss.R.
There are several churches which live stream masses throughout the Archdiocese of Liverpool. These can be accessed here.
Other streamed masses are also available, click below for more
Sunday Readings
Feast of the Assumption (C)
First Reading- Apocalypse 11:19;12:1-6.10
A woman adorned with sun, moon and stars gives birth to a child.
Second Reading St. Paul to the Corinthians 15:20-26
In Christ Jesus, we are raised from the dead and brought to new life with him in Heaven.
Gospel Reading – Luke 1:39-56
Mary is blessed among women. She proclaims God’s greatness.
Psalter: Week 4
Readings for Weekdays: Ordinary Week 20
Charitable Walks
- Deacon Ken Holden (St John Rigby Parish) is trekking Norway from 2nd – 11th of September and would like your support. He is raising money for Francis House, a Children’s Hospice. If you like to donate, please put your donation in an envelope and mark it Francis House and post it through the letter box at Sacred Heart Presbytery, Hindley Green. The trek is costing £1500, and Deacon Ken has to raise a minimum of £1000. Thank you.
- Four parishioners: Chris Higgins, Josh Marshall, Stephanie Winnard and Janette Pendlebury, from St John's and St Patrick's Churches, Wigan, are currently walking from Wigan to Our Lady's Shrine in Walsingham. They are covering approximately 230 miles and will arrive next Sunday on the Solemnity of the Assumption. They carry the prayers and intentions of everyone in our deanery and are raising much needed funds for the work of Wigan and Leigh Hospice and the Macmillan nurses in our community.
If you would like to sponsor them, please donate at: www.justgiving.com/WalsinghamWalk22
Thank you for your support.
Newsletters
There are four newsletters published weekly in the Deanery, you can access current and past editions here:
St Edmund Arrowsmith Newsletters (St Joseph's, Sacred Heart, Twelve Apostle, Our Lady's - Leigh)
St Margaret Clitherow Newsletters (Holy Family, Boothstown; St Ambrose Barlow, Astley; St Gabriel's, Higher Folds)
St Lewis, St Catherine's & All Saints Newsletters (Croft, Lowton & Golborne)
St John Rigby Newsletter (Sacred Heart, Hindley Green; St Richard's, Atherton; Sacred Heart Hindsford)
Please note: Older newsletters (pre 2018) will be archived over the next few weeks and so will no longer be available to read online
( Newsletters download as pdf files in a new window.)
Spiritual Communion
In prayerfully being present at a Mass being broadcast to you, obviously physically receiving the Eucharist is not possible. However, Spiritual Communion is.
So what is Spiritual Communion? The common practice of making such a spiritual communion indicate our desire to join with the Lord when in a situation that makes unable to sacramentally receive the Body and Blood of the Lord in Holy Communion at Mass.
Ukraine
A Day of Prayer for Ukraine
Wednesday 24 August is Ukraine’s Independence Day, to mark this, Fr Taras and Bishop Tom Neylon will lead an ecumenical prayer service at 3pm at the Cathedral. We are hoping to have a live link to Bishop Gregory Komar at Drohobych Cathedral during the service.
The Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe has proposed a day of prayer across Europe for Ukraine on Wednesday 14 September. The Council has asked that cathedrals and other major churches host a period of Eucharistic adoration.
In response, the Metropolitan Cathedral will be having a period of exposition from 4pm-5pm that day and then Mass for peace in Ukraine will be celebrated at 5pm.
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.
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Ukraine Appeal Update
Last week at the St Margaret Clitherow Centre, Canon Aidan Prescott led a moment of prayer for peace for Ukraine and a prayer of blessing for what will be undertaken in the days ahead as our eight drivers are set to leave the archdiocese to deliver essential aid to the Polish border over the next couple of days.
The drivers include four archdiocesan staff: Jill Boggan, Nicky Hegarty, John McMahon and Aaron Kiely; two drivers who went on the first trip- Mike Sharkey and Chris Joynt; Ben Quayle who works for PSD who have supplied the vans for the trip and Anthony Horton from Greenmount Projects.
Fr Aidan also accepted a cheque from Mike as he has collaborated with people and organisations across Wigan to raise over £12,000 for the archdiocesan appeal.
Thank you to all for your continued support during this appeal.
Please keep the drivers in your prayers as they embark on their journey.
Please Note: The collection of goods for Ukraine has been suspended at present. This is due to the overwhelming response from people. Thank you to all who have donated items and those who have helped with collections
Archbishop Malcolm has approved the launch of an Archdiocesan urgent and major appeal to support Ukraine. Text numbers have been set up for anyone wan*ng 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
News Bites
- THE POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST 2022:
For Small Businesses
We pray for small and medium sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating, and serving their communities.
- Livestream Mass: This will not be available between 15th August and 4th September but will resume on Tuesday 6th September
- St Joseph’s Players are pleased to announce that they are back at St Joseph’s Hall and looking for behind the scenes volunteers. For further information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ring 07907880308. We look forward to hearing from you.
- SVP COLLECTION.
At the last SVP Meeting it was agreed that we would have a collection for the SVP, the St.Vincent de Paul Society after Mass every month. Therefore, the next collection for the SVP will take place in our churches on the weekend of August 6th & 7th. The money will be used to help people who are struggling financially in the local area. - LEGION OF MARY RETREAT DAY.
The Legion of Mary are organising a Retreat Day at the Shrine of Our Lady & the Martyrs at St.Mary’s, Fernyhalgh & Ladyewell. This will take place on Saturday September 3rd. drinks are provided but you will need to bring a packed lunch. Further details on transport, timings, pick-up
locations and costs will be available in due course. If you would like to go, then please write your name and contact number on the sheet at the back of church - Mass Time change The 10.30 Mass at Sacred Heart, Hindley Green will be rescheduled to 11:00am from August 21st.
- Rosary & Benediction: (Holy Family)
This will be paused over summer and will return in September. - St Bernadette Relic Tour 2022:
In September and October this year, the relics of St Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage to England, Scotland, and Wales for the very first time, providing an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes, in a church or cathedral near them. The relics will visit the following churches in the Archdiocese of Liverpool: St Mary’s RC Church, Chorley, 15-17 September; Cathedral Church of the Risen Christ, Liverpool, 17 September; Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, 17-20 September. - Sacred Heart Church (Leigh)
The church will be temporarily closed for a couple of weeks while the insect problem is resolved by a Pest Control company. For the next two weeks, Sunday Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church at 11.15am and Midday Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be held in Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Please note that there will be no exposition. - Church Grounds: There is a need for volunteers to help existing volunteers in the upkeep of the lawns and gardens at Holy Family, especially looking ahead to the completion of the building project. The more who can help, the easier this task of keeping our grounds tidy becomes. Please speak to Fr Paul if you are willing to help, even on just an occasional basis.
- ROSARY FOR PEACE -
Try to pray each day on your own or with family or friends.....even if it’s only one decade of the rosary you will make a difference to those who are suffering.....thank you! - Food Banks
Please give generously to the food bank. Donations can be left at Holy Family.
LiveSimply
In Mary, our mother, we see what it means to be totally in tune with God's vision for us to become the person we truly are.
Pray
Hail Mary, full of grace!
The Lord is with thee!
Blessed are thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death
Amen
Act
Our Lady shows us the importance of service to other people irrespective of the cost to oneself. It's easy to forget about the needs of others in situations where one may be struggling oneself. Is it possible this week to make a donation to a food bank or a charity in support of others? Other ways to help is to pray for people or to be selfless in the way in which one consumes the earth's resources - don't leave taps running, limit the use of the dishwasher and / or washing machine, be conscientious in the disposal of ones waste......
August Challenge
People are really struggling this year to make ends meet. During August try to give generously to your local food bank to help support each other. At the same time be aware of the impact you are having on our climate. Are you sticking to your decision to save water and energy? Are there ways in which you could support others to do this too?
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 August 14th - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Monday August 15th - Weekday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday August 16th - Weekday in Ordinary Time
Wednesday August 17th - Weekday in Ordinary Time
Thursday August 18th - Weekday in Ordinary Time
Friday August 19th - Weekday in Ordinary Time
Saturday August 20th - St Bernard, abbot, Doctor of the Church
Sunday August 21st - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Children's Liturgy
Some resources for families who would like to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word with their children.
Martin at Ten: Ten is making available for free their daily prayers resources: https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/primary-subscription/prayers-for-home/daily-prayers-for-home/ and their Family Liturgy for Sundays: https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/primary-subscription/prayers-for-home/sunday-liturgy-for-families/
The God who Speaks now have a section on the Word at home: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/the-god-who-speaks/word-at-home/
CAFOD has several useful items to use with children - updated weekly
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.
- ARCHDIOCESAN SOCIAL MEDIA
The Archdiocese has launched new social media pages on Facebook and Instagram
Contacts
St Joseph's Centre - 01942 673517
Fr Paul Seddon - 01942 883395 (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: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.