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The Holy Family

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

Fr Kevin McLoughlin

(3rd Oct 2026)

This week has been another week which included lots of various meetings and time out of the parish. On Thursday we had a special Mass and our annual day of celebration of priesthood with the archbishop. It is an opportunity for all priests across the archdiocese to come together and to celebrate our jubilarians including Canon. John Furnival from Holy Family celebrating 50 years of priesthood. And on Friday again with the archbishop, the priests of three deaneries came together to reflect on various aspects of our life and work in the context of our current circumstances and fewer priests.

Both these days were extremely positive, and even though we live in a constantly changing world, spending this valuable time together was, I believe, for all of us very affirming. However, with less time at my desk this week, I have recycled the following from a previous year.

Wednesday Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

October is the month of the Holy Rosary, and many Catholics have differing views about this devotion, some Catholics never pray the rosary whilst others make it a daily routine. Like other families of my generation, we were brought up with the rosary. As children, each night the whole family would all kneel and say the rosary together. I cannot say that we were always excited about it, and I do admit along with my brothers of trying to develop escape routes, but Mam was having none of it! There is an old saying ‘the family that prays together stays together’ and although as children we may not have been enthusiastic about praying together history, in this case I am pleased to say, has proved the saying true.

Today, rosary beads are a fashion item. Many celebrities, pop stars and young people are seen wearing a rosary round their neck. I have also noticed an increase in cars where a rosary is dangling from the interior mirror. It is also the item that inmates would request from me every week when I visited the prison. If only this increase in popularity represented an increase in genuine devotion for this beautiful prayer. Sadly, many people have no idea what the rosary represents and whilst it may not be the easiest of prayers, if prayed sincerely, meditating on the mysteries whilst reciting the prayers is a beautiful simple and powerful way of praying. For anyone who has never prayed the rosary why not try with just one decade for a few days, say the prayers slowly and gradually increase as you begin to become more familiar and enjoy praying it. I am certain that over time you will experience lots of blessings as a result!

May Our Lady of the rosary protect and help us as we journey together on our pilgrimage of Hope

God Bless, Fr Kevin

Thinking of becoming a Catholic?

RCIA The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th October at 6.15pm, in the Marian Centre, Bath Street North, PR9 0DJ.

Fr. Kevin.

The Chaplaincy to the University of Liverpool, John Moores University and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts is based at St Philip Neri Church on Catharine St, L8 7NL.

We offer a place of welcome and hospitality for students and staff. There is a student Sunday Mass at 6pm during term time, and many events through the week and the academic year, helping students to explore their faith, develop their prayer life, and – importantly! socialise with each other and have fun. The chaplain is Fr Neil Ritchie and he is always available to help and support students and staff, whether they are Catholic, are interested in the church or just like what we have on offer. There is a very active student led Catholic Society. There is a group for staff members which meets fortnightly at the chaplaincy; in the coming year we will be reading together and discussing The Afternoon of Christianity by Tomáš Halík. If you are interested, please contact Fr Neil. Our website is www.cathchap.org.uk Fr Neil’s email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: 0151 709 3858 

Prayer to Saint Carlo Acutis

O God our Father, we thank you for giving us Carlo a model of life for young people, and message of love for all. You made him fall in love with your son Jesus, making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven”. You gave him Mary as a beloved mother, and you made him, through the rosary, a cantor of her tenderness. Receive his prayer for us. Look above all on the poor, whom he loved and assisted. Grant me too, through his intercession, the grace that I need, (mention any personal intercession) And make our joy full, as Carlo is raised among the saints of your Church, so that his smile shines again for us to the glory of your name. Amen.

Pope Francis CMAT:  Our Catholic schools are looking for Foundation Governors to support the mission of Pope Francis CMAT to help children and young people flourish in faith and learning.

We welcome people willing to share their faith, skills and experience in service of our school communities. Training and support are provided.  To find out more, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Parish Pilgrimage to Knock.

Monday 24th May 2027 - Friday 27th.

If you are serious about joining the pilgrimage, please contact Athena in the parish office or sign your name and phone number on the list at the back of Church where you will find a full proposed itinerary.

The cost is £849 (sharing) and includes: All flights, 4 nights’ accommodation with B&B and Evening Meal in the Knock House Hotel, all entertainment, excursions, and guided tours. The pilgrimage is also open to others outside of the parish.

Prayer for Queenscourt: For all those raising funds for Queenscourt hospice; that their never ending work continues to reap rewards.  We gratefully pray, Lord, for the support of our community, who recognise the need for Queenscourt to be there for those who need its care. Lord in your mercy.

The Pope’s Prayer intention for October 2026:

For mental health ministry: Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

A Child's Prayer for Grandparents

 Dear God, please bless my grandparents.
Thank you for the life they gave my parents
and for the life, they give to me.

For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks.
For the ways, they love me no matter what, I rejoice.
For the ways, they have paved the road
that leads me here, I am grateful.

Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.
Let them find peace and rest from their work.
Let them be healed of every sickness and pain.
And let them see with their own eyes your glory
and the love of their children and grandchildren.

Bless them always until they come to rest in you.
- Author Unknown

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