The Baptism of the Lord (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, January 11th - The Baptism of the Lord (A)

Monday January 12th - St Aelred of Rievaulx, Religious

Tuesday, January 13th - St Hilary, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

Wednesday, January 14th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Thursday, January 15th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Friday, January 16th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Saturday, January 17th - St Anthony, abbot

Sunday, January 18th - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Sunday Readings

The Baptism of the Lord (A)

First Reading – Isa 42: 1-4, 6-7
Behold my servant in whom my soul delights.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 29
The Lord will bless his people with peace

Second Reading – Acts 10:34-38
God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit

Gospel Reading –  Matt 3:13-17
When Jesus was baptised he saw the Spirit of God coming to rest on him

Psalter: Week 1
Weekdays:  Week 1 in Ordinary Time 

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.

Prayers

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

Powerful Words from Pope Leo XIV

Prayer for Peace

Ukraine

Jubilee Prayer

The Rosary

Season of Creation Prayer

Remembrance Sunday

Links to prayer based websites:

Pray As You Go

Sacred Space

Universalis

Wellsprings - this site hasn't been updated for sometime, but the content has a useful selection of prayers.

CAFOD News

Don't forget CAFOD's World Gifts  are a great way of gifting this Christmas and supporting those who may require our help and also the environment.

CAFOD Christmas Fun Run
All are welcome at CAFOD’s annual Christmas Fun Run at Wavertree Sports Park, L15 4LE,on Saturday 27th December. Registration open from 10am, and the run sets off at 11am. 3k and 5k route options available, pram friendly route and dogs on leads are welcome too. Festive attire is encouraged! For a sponsor form or interest in volunteering at the event, please email John on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or sign up now by visiting cafod.org.uk/christmasfunrun

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

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.

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.

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.

This year's Confirmation Celebration will take place on December 4th at St Joseph's, Leigh and will involve the parishes in the Leigh area. Please check your parish notices for further information regarding preparation for this sacrament.

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 JANUARY 2026:
  For prayer with the Word of God:
  Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

Please also refer to the Events page and individual newsletter pages for more social activities in the area.

Please refer to St John Rigby's Newsletter for information regarding St Richard's One Hundred Years Celebration and
Important news regarding Sacred Heart Church, Hindsford

• Special Coffee Morning – 11 January 2026 
  Coffee and tea will be served after Mass on Sunday at St Richards parish centre. In aid of pancreatic cancer charities
• PEACE SUNDAY is on 18th January.
  Pope Leo has announced the theme – ‘Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming peace’. Pope Leo has continued the exhortation of Pope Francis that the call to live nonviolent ‘disarmed’ lives is core to Catholic Social Teaching  and the key to peace in a world scarred by violent conflict. Pax Christi aims at working together to promote peace through parishes, schools and social media. Visit paxchristi.org.uk for more information.
• Memorial Mass:
  I wish to invite all parishioners to join me in celebrating a memorial mass for my brother Peter who died on the 19th of December 2025. This mass will take place on Friday 16th of January. Time is 7pm at Holy Family Church. Drinks will be served after mass. Please join me if you can. Fr Francis Agada MSP
• St John Rigby First Holy Communions 2026 –
  This year ALL children in year 4 and above who are baptised and wish to receive Holy Communion for the first time will need to be registered at a REGISTRATION MASS either at Sacred Heart church- Hindley Green or St Richards church – Atherton, over the two weekends of SUNDAY 25TH JANUARY and SUNDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2026. Registration forms will only be available through church and not school.
• Holy Family Holy Communion :
  Those preparing for their First Holy Communion from other schools are invited to the second session meeting on Thursday the 15th of January. Time is 6pm at Holy Family Church.
• Meet your Archbishop Wednesday 28th January, 5pm
  The friends of the Metropolitan Cathedral are delighted to start the New Year with an evening with Archbishop John Sherrington. It will commence with Mass at 5.00pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Then we will adjourn to the Gibberd Room where we will enjoy a hot pot supper and a glass of wine. There will be an opportunity to meet Archbishop John, and share with him his ambitions and plans for our Archdiocese.
  The cost is £30.00 per person. Anyone wishing to sign up should email Claire at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• The Archdiocese of Liverpool's Justice & Peace Commission invites you to this year's Peace Sunday Memorial Lecture:
  In light of Pope Leo XIV's recent World Peace Day Message, Dr Joanna Frew will speak on "Towards an 'Unarmed and Disarming Peace': Seeking Sustainable Security for an Unstable World." This will take place on Peace Sunday: January 18th at 2pm, at St Vincent de Paul, L1 5JN. All those who wish to deepen their understanding of Pope Leo's message, and reflect on what it means for us today, are warmly welcome to join us for this lecture. Please sign-up using the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/a6f3R6qc9M
• ADORE SPIRITUAL MINI-RETREAT:
  24th January, 10am – 1pm on Zoom. "GOD IS LOVE" – Jesus taught that God is a loving and merciful Father. Mini retreat morning including Mass, Adoration, Praise, Prophecy, Prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and inspiring talk from guest speaker Fr. Chris Thomas, founder of the Irenaeus Community in Liverpool. Register in advance at   bit.ly/ADOREJAN2026. More information at www.altonrenewal.com
• Burns Night Supper -
  Unfortunately, we are no longer able to host this in the Church Hall. If you would like to attend this event on Friday 23rd January at the Old Boat House please contact Des 07973 114365
• Can you help S.V.P.
  To provide for those living on the streets by donating warm winter clothing, eg. socks, hats, gloves, jumpers etc. Donations will be passed on to the charity Barnabus. Also small (new books and toys) as Christmas presents for the children [aged 6 and below ] who come with struggling parents to the Food Bank Thank you for your help.
• Pilgrimages (opens in new page)
• St Margaret Clitherow SVP - Click the link to find out more!
  The weekly meeting of the older men in the parish for lunch and a chat will be at the Boundary Stone at 1.00pm on WednesdaysThe SVP may be able to assist you or someone you know who needs help. We could help by providing people in our parish with supermarket food vouchers, essential furniture and home items and energy top ups where these are needed. For more information contact our dedicated SVP number 07566725590
• Facebook
  St John Rigby Parish now have a Facebook page with information and details of future events and things going on in the Parish. If you have anything you would like to be uploaded or photos from parish events, please just send them over to the Parish office. Check out – St John Rigby Parish on your Facebook page.
• Food Bank:
  Please give generously if you are able. Food donated at church is taken to support our local food bank. 
  

Live Simply / Laudato Si

Reflect:
Today's Gospel describes for us the Baptism of Jesus by Joh iun the River Jordan.

Act:
The same Holy Spirit described in the Gospel comes to each of us at Baptism enabling us to live out our Baptismal promises. This week, reflect on your life as a Christian. Do we allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit and join in the mission of Christ to change, and encourage others to change, into a new Life in Christ? Are we there for others? How can we support others during this cold weather?

Pray:

God our Father,
May I 'put on Christ' and allow the Holy Spirit to change me fully into the person you have created.
When I doubt myself, or wonder 'Why am I here ?' help me to recall that I am your 'beloved child in whom I am well-pleased' and, hearing your words, may I have the courage and faith to live a missionary life, sharing your Good News with all I meet.
Amen

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• 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.