17th 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, July 26th - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Monday July 27th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Tuesday, July 28th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Wednesday, July 29th - St Mary, Martha and Lazarus

Thursday, July 30th - St Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

Friday, July 31st - St Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

Saturday, August 1st - St Alphonsus Mary de' Liguori, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

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

Sunday Readings

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12
You have asked for a discerning judgment for yourself.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 118
Lord, how I love your law!

Second Reading: Rom 8:28-30
God intended us to become true images of his Son.

Gospel Reading – Matt 13:44-52
He sells everything he owns and buys the field.

Psalter: Week 1
Weekdays:   Week 17 of 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.)

News Bites

• THE POPE’S INTENTION FOR JULY:
  For respect for human life
  Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognising it as a gift from God.

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

• Congratulations!
   - to Fr Kieran who celebrated 24 years as a priest last Monday. We pray that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire him as he continues his journey with the Lord.
• World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
  Today is the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It is celebrated every 4th Sunday in July and is presented as an opportunity to bring the closeness of the Church to the elderly and to enhance their contribution
  within families and communities. It is observed each year close to the memorial of St Joachim and St Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
• Children's Liturgy
  The various Children's Liturgy groups are now on their Summer Break. They will restart in September.
  If anyone would like to volunteer to help run the sessions on a rota basis, please speak to one of the Children's liturgy leaders. Wishing everyone a wonderful summer break!
  
• Baby & Toddler Group - 
  Holy Family Baby & Toddler are now having their Summer break and will be back on Wednesday 9th September.
• Venezuela Earthquake Appeal
  CAFOD have an a[ppeal running to support those devasted by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. Please refer to https://cafod.org.uk/give/donate-to-emergencies/venezuela-earthquake-appeal
  On the weekend, 25th/26th July, St Edmundrrowsmith churches will be holding a second collection after Mass to help support the vital search and rescue work that is happening right now. Thank you for your support
• Summer Mass Schedule – Sacred Heart Church – Hindley Green
  As usual during the summer months and as people take holidays and are away from church, numbers at Mass at weekends are fewer. Therefore, from SUNDAY 12th July to the beginning of September the 11:00am Mass will be cancelled. The 5:00pm Mass on Saturday evenings will take place as normal. Thank you for your understanding.
• Afternoon Tea Dance - Saturday 15th August
  We wish to invite you, Seniors in our parish (St Margaret Clitherow), to an afternoon ‘Get Together’ on Saturday 15th August at St Ambrose Barlow Church Hall. We will commence with Mass at 2pm in church, followed by entertainment from our renowned singer Stephen Green. Later we will serve sandwiches and cakes and a glass of wine or two. We can cater for a maximum of 90 persons. We ask that any seniors who wish to attend contact either Steve Cooper 07952 152371 or Bernie McDonald 0161 799 1703 as soon as possible no matter which Mass you attend in the parish. Please note we need to be advised of special dietary requirements. We look forward to your company. If there are any volunteers willing to help on the day please contact us.
• Confession and Exposition this week  
  Confession and Exposition at St Richards is cancelled this week.
• The Pilgrimage Mass to the Holy Hand of St Edmund Arrowsmith
  Sunday 30th August at 3pm The Principal Celebrant will be Fr. John Hogan of the Diocese of Meath, Ireland.
  He is the author of the most recent CTS booklet on the life of St Edmund Arrowsmith. All are welcome!
  If you would like to volunteer, there will be a meeting at the Canon’s Hall after 11am Mass on the 2nd August
• 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, Tues - 1st September to Nantwich Market Town, 8 seats available.
  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

• Read more: News Bites

Live Simply / Laudato Si

Reflect:
This week's Gospel tells us of the man who sells everything he has to own a field with a precious pearl buried in it.

Act: 
If we were fully aware of God in our lives we too would see that the love of God is worth more than anything else in the world. We would work toward bringing his kingdom into being in today's world by allowing the Lord to work through each of us on a daily basis, for Jesus is that 'pearl of great price', hidden in the ordinary, hoping, that we will find him. 
  
Pray:
We thank you, Lord,
 for showing us by the way you lived
that love for others
and love for God 
is what is most important,
Help us to remember this on a daily basis 
and to live in service of God’s Kingdom.
Amen.

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• As we travel during the summer holiday be aware of the lives of others, in particular those who live in the places we visit. Treat their homes with the respect and care that your treat your own.
• As the heatwave continues be aware of how much water you are consuming. Be mindful of how dry everything is and be sensible regarding barbecues and fires.
• CAFOD have a petition running at present to address the issues surrounding world debt. Have a look at the links on the CAFOD page to find ways in which you can inform yourself and act to support this action.
• In an attempt to live more sustainably, why not opt to make sustainable wardrobe choices by buying fewer, better-quality items that last longer.
• As we spend more time outside, be mindful of the impact of rubbish in our environment. Find a bin rather than dropping rubbish on the floor!
• Be mindful of creation. Take time this week to stop and appreciate all those we share our world with - plants, birds, insects, trees, creatures - and other humans! Treat all with respect and consideration.
• Save water, whatever the weather! Don't use a power washer, get a water butt, use a watering can, don't water the lawn - it soon recovers from drought conditions. Think of other ways you can save water in the home.....
• There has been a lot in the news lately about the effect of mass tourism in areas throughout the UK. If you visit anywhere be considerate and respectful. Leave no sign that you have been there, taking rubbish away with you.
• Take steps to reduce meat and dairy consumption in an effort to aid a cut in carbon emissions.
• Hedgehog Highways are aimed at facilitating the path of hedgehogs through our gardens on their daily search for food. Can you help? 
• May is a chance to take part in 'No Mow May' in which we leave our grass or a portion of our grass unmown for the month. This allows flowers to grow, providing food for insects and wildlife.
• 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

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

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.

Message from CAFOD
We are deeply grateful to all the parishioners at St Edmund Arrowsmith Parish, for your faithful support this year and your recent generous donation of £1,429.18 received on the 21st May 2026. Thank you for standing in solidarity with our global family and living out Christ’s call to love your neighbour in such a powerful way this Lent. Your generosity during this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is truly inspiring!

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

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.

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.

Read more: Celebrating the Sacraments

Children's Liturgy

Please note Children's Liturgy will be taking a break over the Summer Holidays.
Sessions will resume again in September

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.

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.