Praying Together...

 

The Holy Family

CLICK HERE for the Holy Father's prayer for peace...

Pope Francis Prayer intention for September 2024: For the cry of the Earth

We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live.

from Fr Kevin's Desk - a weekly reflection, and more.. 

Fr Kevin McLoughlin

(7th Sept 2024)

On Monday, this week the Gospel for the Mass began.... ‘Jesus went to the Synagogue’ and as I read it, I knew that at mid-day I would be doing the same here in Southport. It was my first visit to the synagogue for a multi faith gathering. The leaders of the Jewish community and other faith leaders gathered at the Mosque in Sussex Rd, before making the short pilgrimage to the synagogue in Arnside Rd. There was a wonderful welcome and it was so refreshing and moving to see the genuine expressions of friendship and solidarity between our Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths made visible in those present. And what I found particularly inspiring was the recognition of the things we share in common despite the major differences that exist between us.

Given the political situation in the land of the Lord’s birth, it is deeply saddening that the same solidarity and friendship is not reflected in those who possess the power to change or end the continuous cycle of violence and injustice. We must continue to pray daily that good leaders will arise and search for a lasting resolution to the ancient conflict responsible for the loss of so many innocent lives.

Grant us peace, teach us peace: guide our steps in the way of peace.
Open our eyes and hearts, and give us the courage to say:
Never again war!
With war everything is lost. Instil in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Pope Francis.

God Bless,

Fr Kevin

Adoremus Liverpool

Following the national Adoremus gathering, the Archbishop has decided that we will have a similar event within the archdiocese. This will take place at the Metropolitan Cathedral and at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Isle on 21 September 2024. The event itself is free and available to all.

At the Metropolitan Cathedral, there will be Eucharistic Adoration throughout the day from 10am until 5pm, Holy Mass, opportunities for confession, a variety of workshops, and a shared time of prayer during the day for all. A timetable can be found on the Archdiocese website

 

We have a Deanery Patron, Carlo Acutis Carlo Acutis.

Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, to parents who were not particularly religious. From an early age, Carlo displayed a keen interest in Catholic religious practice requesting First Holy Communion at 7, frequently attending Mass each week and making a weekly confession. He lived a fairly routine life, but maintaining a keen interest to use media to evangelize and proclaim the Gospel, setting up a website for this purpose. When he developed leukaemia, he offered his suffering to the Pope for the Catholic Church. You can read more about our Deanery journey HERE.
 

Please read and pray about what we can all do in response to the urgent needs of some of our local people.

We are blessed that Southport North SVP which covers the parishes of St Marie’s, St Patricks and Holy Family is very active enabling us to support those in need in Southport in countless ways. 

Last year we regularly visited and/or maintained telephone contact with over 80 parishioners who were self-isolating and/or lonely.

We helped more than 140 families and individuals in financial need, making over 1300 visits and supplying 550 food parcels/ food vouchers, 50 fuel top ups as well as well as numerous items of furniture, bedding, electrical and household goods. 

We continue to deliver good quality adult clothes to Asylum Link who are now supporting Ukrainian families as well as other refugees.

The “cost of living” crisis is having a significant impact on everyone but is particularly hard for those who have to choose between eating or keeping warm. In each of the last 4 months we have supplied 10 food parcels and 45 food vouchers/fueltop ups (an increase of around 30% compared to last year) at a cost of over £1000 per month and we expect demand to continue to increase. 

We are very grateful to those who have supported us over the last year, financially, by food donations and by prayer, however if we are to continue supporting current demand we need your help –

There are several ways in which you can assist

  • Donations (or standing order) direct to our Nat West account: Sort Code: 60-60-04 Account Number: 46084509
    Account Name: D100907 SVP Southport North

  • Vouchers (Preferably £10 or £20) from Farmfoods, Asda, Morrisons or Aldi

  • Cash or cheques in an envelope clearly marked “SVP”  

  • Please place cash/cheques/vouchers in the collection plate/SVP wallbox or hand into St Marie’s/Holy Family Office

  • Food:  We welcome non-perishable food donations which can be collected by prior arrangement (please see list at back of St Patrick’s)

  • Adult Clothing: We collect good quality adult clothing and shoes for delivery to Asylum Link in Liverpool 

  • Please pray for the work we do and those in need – never underestimate the value of your prayer, it can make a real difference.

  • If you wish to speak to a Southport North SVP member we can be contacted on 07562378873 or through the St Marie’s/Holy Family Office. All requests are treated in strict confidence.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Please pray and let the Holy Spirit lead you! 

Please don't forget to pray for our schools

We pray for protection for all teachers, staff, pupils and their families as they attend and work in school, and look after our younger members as they start their life journeys.

We especially pray for our own schools of Holy Family and Christ the King.

Adopt a Care/Nursing Home

We all have a calling, and have been given gifts and talents to use in service to others in our daily lives.

"But I'm not special, I can't do much."

If that's what you're thinking, think again. The most powerful thing we can do, with the help and strength of the Holy Spirit, is to pray, and hold up in prayer those in need throughout our parish and beyond. This is the very meaning of community, we pray for them, visit them and keep in touch as much as we can, and they pray for us, as parish even though they might not be able to actually get to church. So we feel part of their lives, and they feel part of ours

With this in mind we have compiled a list of care and nursing homes in our parish, and ask you to adopt one.

Those residents, carers and their families especially need our prayers at this time.

Could you adopt one to protect with a prayer each day? Perhaps one near your own home or with a special meaning to you? 
If you can, please let us know so we can make sure no one is left out. 

  • Acacia Court (Roe Lane)
  • Ascot Lodge (Chambres Rd.)
  • Blair House (Roe Lane)
  • Cedar Grange (Pilkington Rd.)
  • Dale Park (Meols Cop Rd. )
  • Good Companions (Roe Lane )
  • Hampton Court (Scarisbrick New Rd.)
  • Peacehaven House (Roe Lane)
  • Thomas Henshaw (Norwood Rd.)
  • Woodlands Manor (Chambres Rd.)
  • Lyndale (Rawlinson Road)
  • Poulton Court (Wennington Road)
  • Southport Hospital
  • Queenscourt Hospice