4th Sunday of Easter (A)

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 26th - 4th  Sunday of Easter  (A)

Monday April 27th - Weekday of Easter 

Tuesday, April 28th - St Peter Chanel, Priest, Martyr; 

Wednesday, April 29th - St Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor of the Church, patron of Europe

Thursday, April 30th - St Pius V, Pope, Religious

Friday, May 1st - St Joseph the Worker

Saturday, May 2nd - St Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

Sunday, May 3rd - 5th  Sunday of Easter  (A)

Sunday Readings

4th Sunday of Easter (A)

First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
God made him both Lord and Christ.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 22
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading: 1 Pet 2:20b-25
You have come back to the shepherd of souls.

Gospel Reading –  John 10:1-10
I am the gate of the sheepfold.

Psalter: Week 4
Weekdays:  4th Week of Eastertide

Vatican News

Vigil for Peace

On Saturday 11th April, a Prayer Vigil for Peace was celebrated by Pope Leo in St Peter’s Basilica, and everyone, both in person and following from home, was invited to join.

You can link to a recording of the prayer here.

You can read the homily here. (Select English)

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.)

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.

CAFOD News

CAFOD: Stand with Sudan.
Give monthly. On the third anniversary of the war in Sudan, Kayode Akintola, CAFOD’s Head of Region for Africa, asks for your help:
“So many of our sisters and brothers in Sudan are facing increasing violence, hunger, and disease. That is why today, I’m asking you to consider setting up a regular gift to support families who are fleeing the violence – with food, safe water and other vital support. Monthly gifts are an act of steady love for our 
neighbours, a way of saying: we will not abandon you, we will stand with you until peace is restored.”
Donate at: cafod.org.uk/StandWithSudan

CAFOD: Response in Gaza
Your donations to Gaza since the start of the conflict have been a vital lifeline. Right now, CAFOD's partner, Caritas Jerusalem, is delivering essential medical treatment to displaced people and providing medicines to treat chronic illnesses. We have helped 1,400 households with cash to buy supplies in the last month and we are currently feeding 2,000 people with new stocks of flour and rice. Despite the restrictions on aid coming into Gaza, CAFOD's local partners are working tirelessly to help people. And with your ongoing support, they will do all in their  power to keep doing so. You can find out more about how you can make a difference in Gaza at cafod.org.uk. Thank you for backing our work through holding collections for our Family Fast Day appeals and for continuing to pray for peace in the Middle East.

Prayers

3rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations
In 1964, Pope Paul VI, launched the first Vocations Sunday, which since then has been celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Easter, also called as Good Shepherd Sunday. Today marks the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations which gives us an opportunity to reflect on our own vocation as a baptised member of the Church but also gives us an opportunity to pray that others may find their vocation. We know that God has a plan for each of us. He is calling us to grow in holiness and to live in His love. Some are called to live their baptismal calling through married life, some are called to the priesthood, the diaconate or religious life and others to live as single people. Everybody is called!

National Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse 2026
Tuesday 5th May marks the National Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse.
We invite all parishioners to remember in their prayers those whose lives have been affected by abuse.
This year’s theme is support for survivors of domestic abuse, and we hold in prayer all those who have suffered or continue to suffer as a result of this form of abuse.

A selection of prayers covering various subjects. Each prayer opens on a new page.

Read more: Prayers

Celebrating the Sacraments

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. 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/confirmation. The website for registration is open and will close on 13th February

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.

Read more: Celebrating the Sacraments

News Bites

• THE POPE'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL 2026:
  For Priests in Crisis
  Let us pray for Priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

Please also refer to the Events page and individual newsletter pages for more

• Students
  Good Luck to all GCSE & A-level students in the parish who commence their exams next week - you are in our prayers!
• Care for Creation Meeting:
  A meeting of the Care for Creation group will take place on Wednesday 29th April at 7:00pm at St Richards Parish Centre. All are welcome to join our current group.
• Thank you 
  To all involved in our recent Quiz Night at St Richards, a grand total of £400 was raised to help both the HCPT and youth pilgrimages to Lourdes this year.
• First Holy Communions 2026:
  As we celebrate the Easter season 2026, we pray for and congratulate all our children from Holy Family, St Ambrose and St Gabriel's Catholic primary schools and those from non Catholic schools who have been preparing for their First Holy Communion. The dates for Holy Communion Masses are 25th April, 2nd May, 9th May and 16th May 2026. May God grant our children the grace to love and grow in His wisdom Amen
  St Edmund Arrowsmith First Holy Communion Sacramental Programme for children who attend non-Catholic Primary Schools Session 4 Sunday 19th April. Celebration of First Holy Communion at Sacred Heart Church, Leigh: Saturday 25th April at 10.30am
  
• Foundation Governors Required, St Richards Primary School
  St Richards primary school needs you! You may have attended our primary school or have children or grandchildren who attend there. The governing body now has four vacancies for foundation governors. Foundation governors are those whose role is to support the school by tying it into the local Catholic community and helping to ensure its Catholic ethos. You do not need a background in education, or any particular experience - we all bring our own very different personalities and skills to the role, in the service
  of Christ and of our Catholic family. Please speak to Fr Carl, Sue Brown, Andrew Bowyer (the organist), or Nneamaka Eyakwanor (Louisa) for further information. We really look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for your help!
  
• Confession and Exposition
  From Wednesday 11th March, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed between 6-7pm each Wednesday at St Richard's Church (until further notice), with the opportunity for confession available during the hour.

• Read more: News Bites

Live Simply / Laudato Si

Reflect:
Jesus reflects that he is the Good Shepherd and those who follow him recognise him as the true shepherd, his people, the sheep of his flock.

Act:
We hear the voice of the Lord, but we can overwhemed by other voices demanding our attention and making us doubt the path we have chosen. This week take time to listen out for the voice of the Lord and to have the courage to walk along the path he has chosen for us. Can you support others in their endeavour to follow the way of the Lord?
   
Pray:

Day by day,
Day by day,
Oh, Dear Lord
Three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly;
Love thee more dearly;
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day.

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• Have a look at your garden - how can you make it more wildlife friendly? Have a look at websites such as the RSPB, the RHS and Wildlife Trusts for ideas.
• Share something of what you have with others  this week.
• Many are struggling with the cost of living. Can you donate to your local food bank? Collections take place at some of our churches and at many local supermarkets.
• People are struggling in our world today. This week do at least ONE thing to alleviate someone's distress.
• The SVP would like donations of Easter Eggs for the local food banks. Can you help?
• Do we appreciate what we have? Take time this week to give thanks for all that is in your world.
• We are shown the importance of water in a theological sense in today's Gospel. Many people throughout the world suffer from a shortage of water. This week use the water which we have such easy access to wisely and without waste.
• Friday's Family Fast Day gave us a chance to affect the lives of others through our self-denial. Please ensure you give generously to the Family Fast Day collection
• Take the opportunities offered by your Lenten practices to conserve and recycle the things you use.
• As the earth starts to warm up after the winter, sow  seeds in trays and keep them in a warm place to germinate.
• Now is a good time to collect rainwater in water butts for use during the drier months.
• The earth is coming back to life as Spring approaches. Take time to seek out, rejoice and give thanks for all that you see.
• In the turmoil that exists in our world today, commit to bringing peace into the world by creating small acts of peace in your own life
• Can you commit to the Big Lent Walk and raise funds for life saving water in areas of the world where such a luxury is scarce.?
• Check your insulation is sufficient during this cold spell ensuring that heat is not wasted.
• Now is the time to recycle!! Don't just throw stuff away, but look at how it may be repurposed, regifted. Find out where cards and trees can be recycled, rather than them becoming part of a land fill site.

Children's Liturgy

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 – Children's Liturgy recommences on Sunday September 13th during the 11.00am Mass

St Edmund Arrowsmith Churches - Little Church/Children’s Liturgy will return at all three Masses of St Edmund Arrowsmith Churches on the weekend of 7/8th September.

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 Francis 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.

Tea and Coffee

• ST RICHARD'S
  Coffee and Tea will be available after Mass on Sunday 10th May but NOT on Sunday 3rd May (Bank Holiday Weekend)
• HOLY FAMILY TEA AND COFFEE
  Tea and Coffee will be served today, 12th April. All welcome.
• SACRED HEART, LEIGH TEA & COFFEE
  Tea & Coffee will be served after the 11.00am Mass next Sunday 26th April. All are welcome.
• ST AMBROSE BARLOW TEA & COFFEE
  Tea, coffee and toast are served in the hall each Sunday after the 11.00am Mass. Take this opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners!
  Tea and coffee are also served after the 9.15 Mass on a Tuesday mornng.