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

Monday May 4th - The English Martyrs

Tuesday, May 5th - St Asaph, Bishop (W)

Wednesday, May 6th - Weekday of Easter

Thursday, May 7th - Weekday of Easter

Friday, May 8th - Weekday of Easter

Saturday, May 9th - Weekday of Easter

Sunday, May 10th - 6th  Sunday of Easter  (A)

Sunday Readings

5th Sunday of Easter (A)

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
They elected seven men full of the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 32
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Second Reading: 1 Pet 2:4-9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood.

Gospel Reading –  John 14:1-12
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Psalter: Week 1
Weekdays:  5th Week of Eastertide

May - the Month of Mary

May is the month of Mary and the month when we try to pray the Rosary.
St Therese described the Rosary as a long chain that linked heaven and earth. When we pray, we hold one end and Mary holds the other.
Pope Francis said ‘The Rosary is Spiritual Medicine’ and in a tribute to St Pope John Paul II written after the Pontiff’s death in 2005, Pope Francis recounted how St John Paul prayed 15 decades of the Rosary each day, and his example inspired Pope Francis to do the same.
Let us try and pray the Rosary during this special month of May because…’a world at prayer is a world at peace.’

A brief guide to the Rosary may be found here.

You can reflect on the rosary or make a retreat based on The Magnificat, with Jesuit Ministries on their Pray as You Go website.

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.

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)

Vatican News

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 MAY 2026:
  That everyone might have food.
  Let us pray that everyone, from large Producers to small Consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.

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 will be sitting exams over the next few weeks - you are in our prayers!
• 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
  12 Apostles Primary 
  The Year 4 Children make their First Holy Communion on Saturday 9th May, at 10.30am, at St Joseph’s. We hold them in our love and prayers.
  
• Young Adult trip to Assisi
  During the 800th anniversary year of St Francis of Assisi, we’re offering an exciting opportunity to people aged 18-35 to go on a pilgrimage to Assisi from 29th November—2 December 2026. For more information & booking: https://archdioceseofliverpool.org/BookAssisi
• 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 tells us that he is The Way, The Truth and The Life. It is by listening to his words, standing firm with the Lord by living our lives as he has taught us and following him along the path of life that we come to know God, our Father.
Act:
Believing that we are children of God, that we are loved and cherished challenges us to live lives of holiness and respect for all, not to succumb to the pressures of society, but to do what we know to be right. This week dare you have the courage to live your life as Jesus wants us to? To speak the truth in a world of injustice.?
   
Pray:

Lord,
Open my eyes to see your path;
let my feet walk your way.
Open my ears to listen to your voice;
let my voice speak your truth.
Let my heart pour out your love;
that all I encounter may know your life.
Amen

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• The Pope's prayer for May is that all humanity has access to food. How can you facilitate this? Give to a charity, share food with others, shop wisely with care and thought for those in more deprived countries?
• 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.
  

  Read more: Live Simply / Laudato Si

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.