27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (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, October 4th - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Monday October 5th - St Faustina Kowalska, Virgin
Tuesday, October 6th - St Bruno, Priest
Wednesday, October 7th - Our Lady of the Rosary
Thursday, October 8th - Weekday in Ordinary Time
Friday, October 9th - St John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church
Saturday, October 10th - Weekday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, October 11th - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Sunday Readings
27th Sunday of the Year (A)
First Reading: Is 5:1-7
The vineyard of the Lord God of hosts is the House of Israel
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 79
The vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel
Second Reading: Phil 4:6-9
The God of peace will be with you.
Gospel Reading – Matt 21:33-43
He will lease the vineyard to other tenants.
Psalter: Week 3
Weekdays: Week 27 of Ordinary Time
The Rosary
By Simone Cantarini - Self-photographed, Mattes. Public Domain.
October 7th is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the month of October is dedicated to Our Lady.
To find out more about the Rosary download this information sheet.
News Bites
THE POPE’S INTENTION FOR OCTOBER:
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 illness
Please also refer to the Events page and individual newsletter pages for more information
SVP
Have you ever wondered what the SVP is all about? Have a read of this informative letter, shared with parishioners last weekend, to find out how your donations are used to impact on the lives of those who are in need of support.
The group have a dedicated helpline for those in need of assistance - 07566725590
General
- Safeguarding Survey
In October, the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) will conduct an audit on the archdiocesan safeguarding team and the work they do to keep our parishes safe. As part of this audit, we’re asking everyone within the Archdiocese of Liverpool—whether you are a victim, survivor, layperson, clergy, volunteer or parishioner—to take a few minutes to complete this survey.
The survey will close on Friday 25th September.
Please complete by visiting:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/KU4BAFEYt2
Local Items
- Parish Family Quiz Night.
There will be a Quiz Night for all the family at Holy Family Parish Hall on Friday 23rd October from 7.30 to around 9.30. Entry is just £1 per person. Bring your own drinks and snacks. Look forward to seeing you all there! - Ladies Group
The next Ladies Tea and Chat will be on the 8th October 12-2 at St Ambrose - CONFIRMATION:
This is to inform those who are registered for the Sacrament of Confirmation through St Mary's High School that preparation for the sacrament will take place at St Richards Parish Center – Mayfield Street, Atherton M46 0AQ on 7th / 14th / 21st October at 7:00 pm. Our first meeting will include information for parents/guardians. Please bring baptism certificates, or information about where your child was baptized, to this meeting. Attendance at the preparation sessions is essential for your child to receive the sacrament. Confirmations will take place at St. Richard's on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th November 2026 at 7:00 pm. Note: This is not for the new Year 8; theirs would be early next year. - Legion Members - Feast of the Holy Rosary -
On Wednesday 7th October, all members of the Legion of Mary are invited to Afternoon Tea in St Richard's Parish Hall after Mass at 10.30am followed by the Rosary.You are welcome to bring a friend. Please let us know by 30th September. Susan (07952822440) - St Joseph’s Players presents
BLITHE SPIRIT by Noel Coward A Ghostly comedy!
Tuesday 29th September - Saturday 3rd October
Tickets: Adults £12, 16 years and under £6
Pay on the door, on the night, or online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/st-josephs-players
Commences at 7.30pm
Bar, Raffle and Tea & Coffee - Car Park Barrier – St Richards
A new car parking barrier is in place at St Richards. This has been installed to finally stop unauthorised parking on the car park which has caused problems for parishioners and people using the parish centre for a number of years. The barrier will be open an hour before Mass and closed an hour after Mass and for any functions and church events. Vehicles left on the car park could potentially be ‘locked in’. This has been a necessary decision following people leaving their vehicles on the car park overnight and even whilst on holiday. Thank you for your understanding with regards to this matter. Further Information is available on the notice board and by leaflets in the entrance at St Richards. - The Trippers
In 2025 a group of elderly parishioners launched a new group for social trips - a chance to meet and chat with new and old friends. We use the Mini-bus belonging to the charity at St Ambrose-Barlow House. Our Summer Trips have started again. Our next two trips have 2 buses (driven by Andy Scott and Father Francis. Cost per person £12.50 and payment is required on booking. We try to keep the price to £12.50 (i.e. £100 for Charity).
Next Trips,
Mon - 16th November to Oswaldtwistle Mill - 8 seats available.
Departures from St Ambrose 9:30-10am and we aim to be back for Tea-Time(ish). If you want to book a place please see Chris Bousfield after 11am Mass at St Ambrose in Hall after Mass or ring 07414 615398
Pilgrimages
- YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Animate Youth has sent a message regarding the next Archdiocesan Youth pilgrimage to Lourdes, which will take place from the 21st to the 30th of July 2027. A poster on the notice board has further details. It is open to 15- to 22-year-olds or year 10 and above. Have a look at the poster or have a chat with Fr Francis about this if you are interested. Booking opened on September the 14th and those who book before 19 October get a £100 discount. - Guild of St Stephen Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The Liverpool Archdiocesan Council of the Guild of St Stephen, will be doing their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in October. It is open to everybody—prices start at £650 per person, and £750 for solo travellers. For more information, contact Rose Curry on 07932 729896
Appeals
- CAFOD Family Fast Day - Friday 2nd October 2026
Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection. Put your faith into action and share the Lord’s love by supporting our global neighbour’s experiencing shortages of food and safe water. Your gift can support children in Zimbabwe to stay in school by helping communities and schools provide nourishing meals, improve access to water and grow food in school gardens.
Please collect a CAFOD envelope as you leave, so that you can Gift Aid your donation, or give through the CAFOD website.
Thank you for your generosity. - Appeal for Brothers of Charity – Lima (Peru)
Last year we were asked to assist the ‘Brothers of Charity’ in Lima. On 24 October, Colette Burke (St Richard's) will go once again to Lima, Peru, to volunteer in the home run by St Teresa of Kolkata's Brothers, (the Missionaries of Charity Brothers). The Brothers care for around 18 severely disabled boys/men. Whilst the brothers do not fund raise, they simply rely on Divine Providence, if anyone wishes to make a donation (only cash can be taken), these will be gratefully received by the brothers in Lima and can be left with Fr Carl any time before 15th October. Many thanks. - Sleeping Bag Appeal
With your help the parish SVP helps Barnabus, a charity that helps homeless people. We are asking for your help again in buying sleeping bags. Winter is around the corner and people will be in need. Whether they are new or unused Barnabus will give them out to our homeless community. Decathlon sells sleeping bags for around £10. If they are unused could you ensure they are rolled up to aid pick up and delivery. Thank you for your help and assistance. - Food Bank:
Please give generously if you are able. Food donated at church is taken to support our local food bank.
Archdiocesan Events
- Marriage Preparation Catechists Training—1 October, 8 October, 15 October, 22 October, 29 October
Would you like to accompany the engaged couples in their journey of marriage preparation? The archdiocese is now recruiting catechists to join the marriage preparation team. The catechist training will be provided at St Joseph’s Church, Penketh, Warrington, WA5 2BB and consists of five sessions. Upon completion of training, the catechists will be asked to offer marriage preparation courses taking place across the archdiocese. If this is something you are interested in, please sign up here https://tinyurl.com/5c52zbbz
For more information, please contact Moses atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Young Adults Mass and Dinner with Archbishop John Sherrington:
Thursday 3rd October Archbishop John Sherrington invites young people aged 18-35 to celebrate Mass with him on Saturday 3rd October, at 5pm, at St Philip Neri Church, Liverpool, L8 7NL, followed by dinner at Blackburne House. Anyone is most welcome, and there is no cost for the event. Please book your place for dinner here:
achdioceseofliverpool.org/youngadultmass - Adoremus – Saturday 10 October 9am – 6pm at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Join us on the 10th of October for this year’s Adoremus. The theme this year is “How we are Eucharist”. Come and join us to adore the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The event itself is free and available to all. At the Metropolitan Cathedral, there will be Eucharistic Adoration throughout the day, Holy Mass, opportunities for confession, a variety of workshops and a shared time of prayer.
Other
- SVP
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 Wednesdays The 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
Season of Creation 2026
October 4th - Fifth Sunday in Creation Time
‘Happiness means knowing how to limit some needs which only diminish us.’
Laudato Si 223
Sept 27th - Fourth Sunday in Creation Time
‘Once we start to think of the world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently; we realise that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others….we can no longer view reality in a purely utilitarian way, in which efficiency and productivity are entirely geared to our individual benefit.’
Laudato Si 159
Sept 20th - Third Sunday in Creation Time
‘Yet we are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fulness.’
Laudato Si 53
Sept 13th - Second Sunday in Creation Time
‘If we scan the regions of our planet, we immediately see that humanity has disappointed God’s expectations.’
Laudato Si 61
Sept 6th - First Sunday in Creation Time
'The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.’
Laudato Si 84
Choice of quotes assisted by: ‘Excerpts from Laudato Si’ CAFOD (2016)
Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Pope Francis established 1st September as the World Day of Prayer for the care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home.
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.)
Live Simply / Laudato Si
Reflect:
In today's Gospel parable, the landowner leases his vineyard to tenants. When his servants go to collect the portion of the harvest owed to him they are beaten and killed by the tenants. Finally, the landowner sends his son. The tenants, believing that they will inherit the vineyard if the landowner dies without an heir, plot together and kill the landowner's son.
Act:
The Gospel reminds us of the importance of listening to God's word. God speaks to us in many ways—through Scripture, through our Church tradition, in our Church's teaching, and through modern-day prophets. Are we attentive and receptive to God's word to us through these messengers? This week let us consider how respond to God's word, particularly in the context of our care for the environment
Pray:
I am sorry and repent with all my heart
for all the wrong I have done
and for the good I have failed to do,
because by sinning I have offended you,
who are all good and worthy to be loved above all things.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid the occasions of sin.
Through the merits of the Passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Amen
Challenge
In the spirit of Laudato Si:
- We've had a long, hot, dry summer. This Autumn and Winter take the opportunity to conserve water for future use. Do you have a water butt?
- Many people are struggling to find work. Are you able to help them find meaning in their lives and give them a sense of self-worth?
- Be thrifty in what you buy and what you store. If you hoard things there will not be enough for others who may be in greater need.
- All Saint's, Golborne are holding and Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Season of Creation on Tuesday 22nd September at 3.00pm. Can you make time to be a part of this?
- The Pope's prayer for September is for the care of water. This year we have had water shortages, but these are nothing compared to other areas of the earth, e.g. the African states. Make renewed efforts to conserve the water we have by being mindful of what you use and how you use it.
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.
St Edmund Arrowsmith
Mass times for St Joseph's, Leigh and Sacred Heart, Leigh
| Day | Time | Church |
| Saturday (Vigil) | 4.30 pm | St Joseph's |
| Sunday | 9.30 am | St Joseph's |
| 11.00 am | Sacred Heart | |
| Monday | ~ | ~ |
| Tuesday | 12 noon | Sacred Heart |
| Wednesday | 12 noon | St Joseph's |
| Thursday | 10.00 am | Sacred Heart |
| Friday | 9.30 am | St Joseph's |
Other Services:
Sacrament of Reconciliation: The first Saturday of the month. It normally begins at 11.00am and concludes at 11.50am. Adoration takes place during this time and Mass is celebrated at midday. However, in May because of First Holy Communions it will be celebrated on the 10th May and will begin at 10.00am with Mass at 11.00.
St John Rigby
Mass times for St Richard's, Atherton and Sacred Heart, Hindley Green
| Day | Time | Church |
| Saturday (Vigil) | 5.00 pm | Sacred Heart |
| Sunday | 9.30 am | St Richard's |
| 11.00 am | Sacred Heart | |
| Monday | 10.30 am | Sacred Heart |
| Tuesday | 10.30 am | St Richard's |
| Wednesday | 10.30 am | Sacred Heart |
| Thursday | 10.30 am | St Richard's |
| Friday | ~ | ~ |
St Margaret Clitherow
Mass times for Holy Family, Boothstown, St Ambrose Barlow, Astley and St Gabriel's community, Higher Folds
| Day | Time | Church |
|
Saturday (Vigil Mass) |
10.00 am 6.00 pm |
Holy Family St Ambrose Barlow |
| Sunday | 9.30 am | Holy Family |
| 11.00 am | St Ambrose Barlow | |
| Monday | ~ | ~ |
| Tuesday | 9.15 am | St Ambrose Barlow |
| Wednesday | 7.00pm | Holy Family |
| Thursday | 10.00 am | Holy Family |
| Friday | 10.00 am | St Gabriel's School |
All Saints and St. Lewis
Mass times for St Catherine of Siena and All Saints, Golborne and St Lewis, Croft
| Day | Time | Church |
| Saturday (Vigil) | 5.00 pm | All Saints |
| Sunday | 9.00 am | St Lewis |
| 10.30 am | All Saints | |
| Monday | ~ | ~ |
| Tuesday | 10.00 am | St Lewis |
| Wednesday | 9.30 am | All Saints |
| Thursday | 10.00 am | St Lewis |
| Friday | 9.30 am | All Saints |
Other Services:
Wednesday 10.00am - 11.00am, All Saints - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Saturday 4.30pm, All Saints - Sacrament of Reconciliation
CAFOD News
CAFOD Family Fast Day - Friday 2nd October 2026
Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection. Put your faith into action and share the Lord’s love by supporting our global neighbour’s experiencing shortages of food and safe water. Your gift can support children in Zimbabwe to stay in school by helping communities and schools provide nourishing meals, improve access to water and grow food in school gardens.
Please collect a CAFOD envelope as you leave, so that you can Gift Aid your donation, or give through the CAFOD website.
Thank you for your generosity.
Cancel the Debt
Call for urgent action on the global debt crisis.
The UK government must ensure private lenders can't make huge profits from countries in debt crisis and use the UK's G20 presidency to fix the debt system.
Find out more by clicking https://cafod.org.uk/campaign/the-global-debt-crisisSt Edmund Arrowsmith churches will also be signing a petition today requesting that the government to takes action.
Prayers
A selection of prayers covering various subjects. Each prayer opens on a new page.
Powerful Words from Pope Leo XIV
Links to prayer based websites:
Wellsprings - this site hasn't been updated for sometime, but the content has a useful selection of 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.
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.
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 takes place on Sundays during the 11.00am Mass
St Edmund Arrowsmith Churches - Little Church/Children’s Liturgy takes place at all three Masses of St Edmund Arrowsmith Churches (St Joseph's, Leigh and Sacred Heart, Leigh)
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.
Book From the Sermon
'On Becoming a Person' by Carl Rogers
'The Road to Character' by David Brooks
(Referenced in Fr Francis's sermon of 27th September 2026)
'Till We Have Faces' by C.S. Lewis
This is a re-telling of the mythical story of Cupid and Psyche told from the perspective of Psyche's older sister, Orual.
In the earlier part of the book Orual criticizes the gods, accusing them of preferential treatment of her sister. In the latter part Orual realises that her accusations are based on her own shortcomings and failures.
The context for this book came in the sermon based on Isaiah 55:9 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.'
Referenced in Fr Francis's sermon of 20th September 2026)