22nd 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, August 30th - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Monday August 31st - St Aidan, Bishop, and Saints of Lindisfarne

Tuesday, September 1st - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Wednesday, September 2nd - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Thursday, September 3rd - St Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church

Friday, September 4th - St Cuthbert, Bishop

Saturday, September 5th - St Teresa of Calcutta

Sunday, September 6th - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Sunday Readings

22nd Sunday of the Year (A)

First Reading: Jer 20:7-9
The word of the Lord has meant insult for me.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 62
For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

Second Reading: Rom 12:1-2
Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.

Gospel Reading – Matt 16:21-27
If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself.

Psalter: Week 2
Weekdays:   Week 22 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.)

Season of Creation 2026

THE WORD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CREATION    September 1st 

“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4) is the theme of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the day. This highlights the connection between armed conflict and environmental degradation. Such degradation constitutes both a serious violation of our duty to care for creation, as well as a long-term threat to the lives of hundreds of millions of people. The now widespread awareness of the impact of war on natural resources has not led to the creation of adequate institutions or to responsible decisions aimed at preventing conflicts and resolving disputes peacefully. The title — a passage in which Isaiah prophesies the transformation of weapons into agricultural tools — is an explicit invitation to prioritize development and sustainability over violence and destruction. 

Following from this special day THE SEASON OF CREATION has developed into an extended month of ecumenical observances until Sunday October 4th The Feast of St Francis of Assisi which this year marks 800 years since St Francis died.                                                                                            
The Biblical text for the Season of Creation this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility.  Recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively to safeguard and work for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together. The symbol also encourages us to immerse ourselves in the tears of creation, that is to allow our hearts to be touched by those suffering particularly from environmental degradation, as well as the suffering of all creation. 

https://seasonofcreation.org/

(Extract from 'Mouth Peace' the NATIONAL JUSTICE AND PEACE NETWORK  newsletter, Autumn 2026)

News Bites

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.                                                                                      
The theme that Pope Leo XIV has chosen for 2026 is taken from Isaiah 2:4, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks”                                                                                                                         
Pope Leo highlights the links between armed conflict, environmental destruction, and human suffering.  War, he argues, creates a “vicious cycle, which destroys ecosystems, contaminates essential resources, such as air and water, and undermines food security.  This fuels poverty, inequality, and new social tensions that can contribute to the emergence of further conflicts”. 

• THE POPE’S INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER:
  For the care of water                                     
  Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.
• Pope Leo once again called for an end “to the repeated acts of violence against the Palestinian population of the West Bank.”
  One of the greatest obstacles to building peace is the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements across occupied Palestinian territory. As settlements expand, Palestinian families are driven from their homes, often amid repeated violent attacks, and are forced to watch while settlers take over. The result is widespread poverty and suffering.
  That is why CAFOD are calling on the Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, to ban trade with settlements, including ending the import of produce grown on illegally occupied land.
  
  Find out more about this action by clicking this link to the CAFOD website

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

Live Simply / Laudato Si

Reflect:
Jesus rebukes Peter when he tries to prevent Jesus from following his mission which will ultimately lead to Christ's death on a cross.

Act: 
Sometimes it is difficult to follow in the footsteps of the Lord when we are faced with difficulties or unexpected challenges. We may find ourselves doubting what we believe. But Jesus tells us that through all our struggles he is there by our side guiding us along the right path. The road of the Cross doesn’t end at the Cross. It leads through death into life. That is the hope which belongs to our call. 

Pray:

Prayer of Trust
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• 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.
• It's easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of the multiple climate emergencies the world is currently facing. Don't Give Up - what YOU do, the efforts each of us make gradually combine into something much bigger than ones own individual action.
• Look for ways in which you can reach out and help someone who is struggling this week.
• Be aware of the needs of others during our climate crisis. What steps can YOU take to reduce the impact in our daily lives?
• 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.

• 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

End settlement trade
Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo once again called for an end “to the repeated acts of violence against the Palestinian population of the West Bank.”
One of the greatest obstacles to building peace is the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements across occupied Palestinian territory. 
As settlements expand, Palestinian families are driven from their homes, often amid repeated violent attacks, and are forced to watch while settlers take over. The result is widespread poverty and suffering.
That is why CAFOD are calling on the Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, to ban trade with settlements, including ending the import of produce grown on illegally occupied land.

Find out more about this action by clicking this link to the CAFOD website

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.