Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

By NikonZ7II - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Read more: Front Page Image

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, November 9th - The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (C)

Monday November 10th - St Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor

Tuesday, November 11th -   St Martin of Tours, Bishop

Wednesday, November 12th -  St Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr

Thursday, November 13th -   Weekday in Ordinary Time 

Friday, November 14th - Weekday in Ordinary Time 

Saturday, November 15th - St Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor of the Church

Sunday, November 16th - 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)

Sunday Readings

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

First Reading – Ezek 47:1-2. 8-9. 12
I saw a stream of water coming from the Temple, bringing life to all wherever it flowed.

Second Reading – 1Cor 3:9-11. 16-17
You are the temple of God

Gospel Reading –  Jn 2:13-22
He was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body.

Psalter: Week 4

Weekdays:  Ordinary Time Week 32

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.)

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.

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.

News Bites

• THE POPE'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER 2025:
  For the prevention of suicide:
  Let us pray that those who are tempted to commit suicide might find the support, care and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.

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

• Remembrance Sunday at Astley War Memorial (at the Bullcroft, Astley Straits).
  The service will commence at 12.30 on Sunday 9th November. In addition to the customary exhortations, it will include a Gospel reading, bidding prayers and hymns. We have purchased a wreath from the British Legion and it will be laid on behalf of all members of our church communities by one of our parishioners.
• White & Red Poppies
  The wearing of a white poppy is a way of remembering all people, soldiers and civilians, who have died in war and conflict around the world. It is a flower used as a symbol of peace and can be worn to  complement, or as an alternative to, the red poppy for Remembrance Day. White poppies are available at the back of church. Please take one.
  Today we remember all those who have lost their lives or have been injured because of war. The red poppy is a symbol of both remembrance and hope for a peaceful future
• Eucharistic Ministers
  Eucharistic Ministers training has been organised for Saturday 29th November after the 10.00am mass. This training is for old and new ministers and will be approximately 4 hours. If you cannot attend please contact either Liz in the office at Holy Family 0161 790 2390 or Dave Callan on 07970 474866
• Pious Lists
  Envelopes are now available at the back of church. Please place the names of those you want us to pray for inside the brown envelope, with a donation, and drop them either into the collection basket or into the parish office or push them through the letterbox at either presbytery. All the names will be placed on the altar during the month of November, the month of the Holy souls.
• ADOREMUS 2025 - Liverpool Cathedral of Christ the King
  On Saturday 8th November, the Archdiocese of Liverpool will host Adoremus at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King—a day of prayer, reflection, and celebration at the heart of our Jubilee Year. During the day 9.00am -5.00pm, there will be opportunities for Mass, shared diocesan prayer, confession, veneration of the relics of St Carlos Acutis and St Pier Giorgio Frassati (the relics are touring the UK), and a range of workshops focused on ministry. Lay volunteers to assist with welcoming, guiding visitors, and general event support are required. If you can help, please contact the Pastoral Development Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Parish Forum
  Wed 26th November - venue tbc. The main agenda item will be adult religious formation and discussions will be about the sorts of things that parishioners would be interested in. Fr Francis is open to people's suggestions and ideas.
• PARISH CHRISTMAS FAIRS - See Events for news of these and other future events.
• New School Intake
  Do you have a child due to start school in September 2026? Holy Family Catholic Primary School would like to invite you to one of our open events Tuesday 11th November 5.30pm Thursday 13th November 9.30am To book your place please call the school office on 0161 790 2123 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Saint Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School are hosting a week of tours for prospective parents - Monday 10th to Friday 14th November. To book your tour please call the school office on 01942 883912 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Can you help?
  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. Thank you for your help.
  
• First Holy Communion (St Margaret Clitherow)
  We will shortly be starting the First Holy Communion sacramental programme. Application forms can be found at the back of both churches for Children in Year 4 and above who don't attend one of our three primary schools and returned to church office
• Sacrament of Confirmation : 
  Dates have now been arranged for the preparation meetings for the Sacrament of Confirmation for all who have registered, meetings will be held at St Ambrose church Thursday 13th November 6pm-7pm / Thursday 20th November 6pm -7pm / Thursday 27th November 6pm -7pm
  

  Read more: News Bites

CAFOD News

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

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.

Live Simply / Laudato Si

Reflect:
The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica reminds us that the Church is not simply a building, but a living people, gathered and transformed by Christ. 

Pray:
Lord, you now dwell in the hearts of those who have been baptised.
Yet it our church buildings are also important
For they are the physical places where we offer the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Where we encounter mercy and communion;
Where we kneel together before you, Lord.
May we never forget our shared identity, 
for we are not isolated believers,
But the living stones of your Church on earth
Built on the Cornerstone of Christ our Saviour.
We ask you today to renew our committment to unity, holiness and mission
To become a dwelling place fit for the presence of you, Our Lord, God.

Act:
This week consider practical ways in which you can support our church community. Could you welcome people as they arrive at church? Could you assist at Chidren's Liturgy? Could you support the Music group? Could you come anbdsupport church social events? Could you be a reader? There are so many differet ways to support our communities. If you're not sure please ask!

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• You may be tempted to tidy up your garden - DON'T. Overwintering insects and small creatures such as hedgehogs will appreciate finding a pile of leaves or rotting logs under which they can shelter.
• Revisit how you recycle things. Wigan's recycling policy is quite good and allows extensive recycling, within certain limits.
• As it becomes cooler consider how you heat your home. Keep doors closed, turn the thermostat down 1 degree, put an extra layer on. Can you donate warm clothing to the Barnabas Collection in St Margaret Clitherow parish?
• Care for Creation As part of the church’s initiative on how we care for the world around us, there will be a meeting with reps from the Diocese to look at how we as a parish, and as individuals can live more sustainably and economically, and at the same time look after our world. ALL are welcome to come and take part. The meeting will be at St Richards club at 7:00pm on 4th November. Although aimed primarily at St John Rigby's parish, I'm sure interested parties from other parishes will also be welcome.
• Be generous! What can you spare to give to others? There are lots of opportunities to be generous offered to us each day, just act!
• It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the issues around us yet even just a small group of committed people can make a difference....you are not alone in your commitment to doing what you can to improve the lives of the poor and the needy. Have faith!
• Autumn may normally be a time for tidying the garden. This year why not leave areas of leaves and dead wood which will provide shelter for insects and animals over the winter months?
• Can you commit to having one meat free day per week? There are many plant based alternatives available in the shops.
  

  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.

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

Book From the Sermon

'The Town Beyond the Wall' by Elie Wiesel
This story is based on Wiesel's own life. In it a young Holocaust survivor returns to his hometown, seeking to understand the mystery of those who stood by, watched and did nothing. 
(Referenced in Fr Francis's sermon of 18th September)

'The Great Divorce' by C S Lewis
The book reflects on the Christian concept of heaven and hell. Lewis’ most powerful idea is that Heaven and Hell are not simply places we go to after death, but the choices we make every day.
(Referenced in Fr Francis's sermon of 11th September)

'12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos' by Jordan B. Peterson

In the context of the readings for 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the section on  'Tell the truth—or, at least, don't lie' emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in personal interactions and self-perception. 
(Referenced in Fr Francis's sermon of 17th August)

'Tuesdays With Morrie' by Mitch Albom

A book about relationships and what the really important things in life are.
(Referenced in Fr Francis's sermon of 10th August)