5th Sunday of the Year (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, February 8th - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Monday February 9th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Tuesday, February 10th - St Scholastica, Virgin

Wednesday, February 11th - Our Lady of Lourdes

Thursday, February 12th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Friday, February 13th - Weekday in Ordinary Time

Saturday, February 14th - Ss Cyril, monk, and Methodius, Bishop

Sunday, February 15th - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Sunday Readings

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading – Isa 58:7-10
Then will your light shine like the dawn.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 111:4-9 r. 4
The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.

Second Reading – 1 Cor 2:1-5
During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus as the crucified Christ.

Gospel Reading –  Matt 5:13-16
You are the light of the world.

Psalter: Week 1
Weekdays:  Week 5 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

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. Any young person who is in year 8 or above, have made their First Holy Communion and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation can register for Sacramental preparation at www.liverpoolcalled.co.uk/confirmation. The website for registration is open and will close on 13th February

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

Tea and Coffee

• HOLY FAMILY TEA AND COFFEE
  Tea and Coffee will be served next Sunday 1st February. All welcome.
  On 15th February there will be an HCPT Coffee Morning & Raffle at Holy Family. Raffle tickets will be on sale at St Ambrose Barlow 11.00am mass on Sunday the 8th and at the 6.00pm mass Saturday 14th February. Tickets will be on sale at Holy Family at the 9.30am mass (15th Feb) and at the Coffee morning held in the hall after mass where the raffle will take place.
  Cafod Cafe Sunday 1st March - Cafod will be holding their famous cafe at Holy Family . A Raffle and delicious cakes will be for sale please make a note in your diary to come and support all the hard work.
• SACRED HEART, LEIGH TEA & COFFEE
  Tea & Coffee will be served after the 11.00am Mass next Sunday 25th January. All are welcome.
  
• ST RICHARD'S
  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.
• 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. 

News Bites

• THE POPE'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY 2026:
  For Children with Incurable Diseases:
  Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

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

• St Joseph's Mother’s Prayer Meeting
  The next meeting for Mother’s Prayers will be on Monday 9th February, at 10.30am, in St Joseph’s Presbytery. All Mothers and Grandmothers welcome.
• The Annual World Day of Prayer - 6th March 2026
  Two Services will held this year at Christ Church Pennington, 12.00pm and 7.00pm. It has been prepared by the Christian women of Nigeria. All are very welcome!
  For those who enjoy singing, please come to a practice at Christ Church, Monday, 23rd February at 12.00pm or 7.00pm
• Family Walk during Lent : 
  At the last Parish Council meeting of St Margaret Clitherow parish, it was discussed having a family walk during Lent. This will take place after the 11am Saturday morning mass at  Holy Family Church and will be for about an hour. We would then have tea and coffee in the Parish Hall. Everybody is welcome.
• Tyldesley and Astley Churches Together :
   invites everyone to a prayer meeting on Thursday 12th February 7pm for 7.30pm in meeting room of St Stephen's Church.
• Foundation Governors:
  We are hoping to appoint new Foundation Governors to Sacred Heart Primary School at Hindsford and at Hindley Green. If you are interested in the management and care for the children in our primary schools this could be a great opportunity, as a practising Catholic, to contribute to the well being of our schools. In the first instance please contact Fr Carl if you have any questions or are interested.
• Quiz Night at St. Richard’s Parish Club:
  Everyone is invited to a quiz night on THURSDAY 26TH FEBRUARY. Doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start in support of Hannah who is running the London Marathon in support of Pancreatic Cancer UK. Tickets are £15 per team (maximum 6 per team) Over 18s only. Free cake for all team members! Please sign up in the club or at the back of church or contact Kate 07446159548 to register your team. Payment taken on the night.
• The Sacrament of Confirmation
  Any young person who is in year 8 or above, have made their First Holy Communion and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation can register for Sacramental preparation at www.liverpoolcalled.co.uk/confirmation
  The website for registration is open and will close on 13th February
• CARLO ACUTIS
  There are several opportunities to visit Our Lady and All Saints Church, Parbold which will be hosting a Saint Carlo Acutis Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition. For more details, please refer to https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/events or contact details: 01257 463248 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or via the Parish website: www.ourladysparbold.org.uk
• Social Events Meeting – Sacred Heart Church, Hindley Green
  A meeting will take place on Monday 2nd February at Sacred Heart (Parish Centre) at 7:00pm. All interested in helping are welcome. 
• Sacred Heart Primary School, Hindley Green, Play Group
  Come along to our playgroup! Come with your little ones to play and chat. Enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or juice and a snack. Parents, grandparents, child minders and carers are all  welcome. £1 donation suggested.
• Catenian Bursary Fund
  Lourdes Awards of £100—£200
  If you are going to Lourdes to work as a helper, either on your own or with a HCPT or Diocesan Pilgrimage and are between 18 and 25 years old, then apply for financial help at: la.catenianbursary.com
  Applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to your pilgrimage departure date.
• CATHOLIC PICTORIAL
  The January edition of the Catholic Pic may be viewed here: https://issuu.com/catholic_pic/docs/catholic_pic_january_2026
• St John Rigby First Holy Communions 2026 – 
  First Communion preparation session will begin on Sunday 8th February at both St Richards and Sacred Heart (both in parish centres) We look forwards to greeting all those children registered and keep them in our prayers as they prepare to receive the Eucharist for the first time.
• Civic Mass—Sunday 15th February
  The Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, Monsignor Anthony O’Brien, Has pleasure in inviting you to attend the Annual Civic Mass, celebrated by Archbishop John Sherrington. Light refreshments will be served in the Gibberd Room after Mass. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We look forward to welcoming you to the Civic Mass to celebrate all that is good in our City.
• 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:
This week's Gospel illustrates how others should be able to see us as Christians and encourages us to reflect on how we witness to the Word of God.

Act:
Our Faith is about our identity - who we are and why we exist. Do we still have the faithfulness we were given at our Baptism and Confirmation, or has our faith become watered down, like salt losing its flavour? Are we people of light or people of darkness. Do we bring love, peace and hope into the world or hatred, war and despair to others? This week read about the Works of Mercy choose one or two to concentrate on so that you may bring love, joy and peace into the world.

Pray:

Lord,
You are the light that shines in the darkness.
May I become a conduit of your light
That I may help to bring your light inot the world.
Amen.

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• Now is a good time to collect rainwater in water butts for use during the drier months.
• The earth is coming back to life as Spring approaches. Take time to seek out, rejoice and give thanks for all that you see.
• In the turmoil that exists in our world today, commit to bringing peace into the world by creating small acts of peace in your own life
• Can you commit to the Big Lent Walk and raise funds for life saving water in areas of the world where such a luxury is scarce.?
• 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.