Easter Sunday

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 20th - Easter Sunday 

Monday, April 21st -   Easter Monday

Tuesday, April 22nd -   Easter Tuesday 

Wednesday, April 23rd -   Easter Wednesday 

Thursday, April 24th -   Easter Thursday

Friday, April 25th -  Easter Friday

Saturday, April 26th -  Easter Saturday

Sunday, April 27th - 2nd Sunday of Easter (C)

Sunday Readings

Easter Sunday 

First Reading – Acts 10: 34. 37-43
We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.

Second Reading – Col 3: 1-4
You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.

Gospel Reading – John 20: 1-9
He must rise from the dead

Psalter: Easter Sunday

Weekdays: The Octave of Easter

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Assisted Dying Bill:

Literature cards will be available at the back of Margaret Clitherow churches for anyone wanting to raise their concerns with the government. The cards need to be completed then returned via SPUC who in turn will send them direct to the Prime Minister as a form of lobbying against the proposed Bill.

The important vote for all MPs on the assisted suicide legislation, known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, is likely to take place on 25th April. The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to allow people to contact their Member of Parliament and it only takes a few moments to submit a message to ask an MP to stop assisted suicide being rushed into law. It can be accessed here: 
https://righttolife.org.uk/asvote. (Sample message available)
Also, to let you know, Right to Life and Not Dead Yet UK (template letter available) are distributing postcards to parishes for the lay faithful to send to their MPs on this subject. 
A wide range of further resources on opposing assisted suicide is available here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/
Written evidence submitted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (TIAB25)

MPs for the area:

Worsley and Eccles: Michael Wheeler - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Leigh and Atherton: Jo Platt - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Warrington North: Charlotte Nichols - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bolton West: Phil Brickell - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Makerfield: Josh Simmons - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or check here: https://members.parliament.uk/

To date, all the above MPs have voted FOR Assisted Suicide

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 John Rigby Newsletter (Sacred Heart, Hindley Green; St Richard's, Atherton)

St Lewis, St Catherine's & All Saints Newsletters (Croft, Lowton & Golborne) (opens in new window)

( Newsletters download as pdf files in a new window.)

News Bites

• THE POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL 2025:
  

  For the use of the new technologies:
  Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

• We keep in prayer- Pope Francis - 
  Let us pray for our Holy Father Pope Francis. That the Lord preserve him and bring him back to health to continue his ministry amongst us. Lord bring him strength in his suffering and hope in you always. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

• Fr Paul Induction:
  Fr Paul is having his Induction Mass  on Wednesday 23rd April, 7.00pm at St John's  in Wigan. All welcome to attend.
• Children's Liturgy - St Ambrose
  The next children's liturgy at St Ambrose Barlow church will take place during the 11:00am mass on Sunday 4th May.
  We desperately need more volunteers to help with this important role. If you feel able to become involved please speak to Fr Francis, Alison Doctor or Karen Standring.
• Next Ladies Group meeting:
   St Ambrose Hall, Thursday 24th April at 12noon.
• Assisted Dying Bill:
  Literature cards are available at the back of churches for anyone wanting to raise their concerns with the government. The cards need to be completed then returned via SPUC who in turn will send them direct to the Prime Minister as a form of lobbying against the proposed Bill. THE VOTE IS DUE TO TAKE PLACE THIS WEEK ON 25TH APRIL
• MISSIO/APF MILL HILL MISSIONS:
  The latest collection from the red boxes in our parish amounted to £455.89p. Sincere thanks to all contributors and collectors for such a great achievement. All your efforts are very much appreciated.
• Parish Administrator at St Edmund Arrowsmith Parish, Leigh
  An opportunity is available for an experienced Parish Administrator (Admin & Finance) to be based within the parish of St Edmund Arrowsmith, working at
  St Joseph’s Presbytery and Sacred Heart Presbytery, Leigh. For more information see St Edmund Arrowsmith Newsletter or contact: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/careers  Closing date Monday May 5th 2025

  Read more: News Bites

Live Simply / Laudato Si

Reflect:

Alleluia! He is Risen! We have journeyed through Lent and now we celebrate the Joy of the Risen Christ.

Pray:

Today, as pilgrims in search of hope, we cling to you, Risen Jesus. We turn our backs on death and open our hearts to you, for you are Life itself.

Pope Francis, 2020

Act
Whilst we celebrate the joy of Easter, many are still experiencing the darkness of Good Friday in their lives, through famine, warfare, poverty, injustice and violence. Our belief in the Risen Lord gives us the power to bring joy to others, to bring hope into their world as we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and he walks with us through all our difficulties.
This week find opportunities to offer a little bit of heaven to others by sharing with them our hope for the future and our joy in the Resurrection.

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• Go for a walk with those you love and ceelebrate the signs of new ;life which suround us. Give thanks to God. Pray for those you encounter.
• Buying Easter eggs? Look for the Fairtrade symbol before you buy. Your choice will help cocoa farmers earn a fairer wage for their hard work.
  Read more here.

• Read more: Live Simply / Laudato Si

The Sacred Triduum

16th April - Wednesday of Holy Week: 
Chrism Mass, Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool

17th April - Maundy Thursday:
Mass of the Lord's Supper
7pm - St Richard's, Sacred Heart, Hindley Green, St Joseph's, followed by Watching until 9.00pm
7.30pm - St Ambrose Barlow, followed by Watching until Night Prayer at 9.50pm

The Altar of Repose	Parishioners join in prayer	Fr Francis and Deacon Bob before the Altar of Repose

18th April - Good Friday:
Stations of the Cross
10am St Ambrose Barlow, Astley, Sacred Heart, Hindley Green, St John's Atherton - Ecumenical Service, 
11am Sacred Heart Hindley Green

Family Easter Celebration
11.45am St John's Atherton - Ecumenical Service

Passion of the Lord
3pm St Richard's,  Sacred Heart Hindley Green, Sacred Heart Leigh, Holy Family Boothstown.

19th April - Holy Saturday:
Easter Vigil Mass
7.30pm St Richards
8.00pm St Joseph's, Holy Family

20th April - Easter Sunday:
Easter Day Mass
9.30am St Richard's, St Joseph's, Holy Family
11.00am Sacred Heart, Hindley Green, Sacred Heart, Leigh, St Ambrose Barlow

CAFOD News

CAFOD Myanmar Earthquake Appeal
Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, CAFOD is responding through the Catholic Church there to support families affected by the disaster. Your donations will provide essentials like water, food, solar lights, and mosquito nets. Please give to CAFOD’s Myanmar Earthquake Appeal in church or you can donate online at cafod.org.uk/myanmar or by calling 0303 303 3030. You can also text EARTHQUAKE to 70450 to donate £10

CAFOD's Prayer for Peace in the Middle East (Opens in a new tab.)

Mass Times In The Area

Below are the normal mass times for the churches in the area, but please check the newsletters for any changes which may occur during certain periods, e.g. funerals, holidays, feast days.

Jubilee Prayer

The official Prayer allows pilgrims from all over the world to use the same words to express 
gratitude to God for the Jubilee experience and request the grace of forgiveness.

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

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’

A Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.

Amen.

(From the CAFOD website. Link opens in new tab.)

Prayer for Peace

World Day of Prayer for Peace.

The theme chosen by Pope Francis this year:
Forgive us our trespasses…grant us your peace
In a world hungry for revenge and where ‘sorry’ really does seem to be the hardest word, Pope Francis has boldly chosen  ‘forgiveness’ as the central theme for World Peace Day 2025. This is in stark contrast to the calls for ‘revenge’ and ‘an eye for an eye’ that are currently played on repeat by our politicians and amplified by the media.
Do we really have the faith to believe that when we choose to forgive then God will grant us peace?
The Pope informs us that it is only from a genuine conversion on all levels - personal, local and international - that true peace will be
able to flourish.

Gaza Appeal

You have raised an amazing £1,372.24 for our brothers and sisters sheltering in Holy Family Church Gaza.

In addition, there were numerous cards and messages of love, support, prayers and encouragement which was delivered by Bishop James Curry to Fr Gabriel Romanelli on the 20th January whilst visiting Jerusalem with the Holy Land Commission of Bishops. In the darkness of war, your incredible acts of generosity and kindness represented a shining light of hope, reminding our brothers and sisters in Gaza not to lose faith in God, and that we care.

We have also received £1,100 from two donors making the total sum raised in St Margaret Clitherow Parish a whopping £2,472.24.

St Joseph Church and Sacred Heart Church of St Edmund Arrowsmith Parish have raised the incredible sum of £1,805.

The total funds raised by our two parishes in Leigh Deanery amounts to £4,277.24 which was matched by another generous donor making a grand total of £8,554.48 going to Holy Family Church Gaza.

Well done and “thank you” to everyone who has helped in raising this remarkable amount of money for a very worthy cause.

New Archbishop

Bishop John Sherrington has been announced as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Originally based in the Diocese of Nottingham, he now joins us from the Diocese of Westminster.

Archbishop McMahon tendered his resignation to Pope Francis last year when he reached his 75th birthday.

Read more about the new Archbishop here.  

or here - Archdiocese website