The Feast of Christ the King (C)

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 23rd - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (C)

Monday November 24th - Ss Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs

Tuesday, November 25th -   St Catherine of Alexandria

Wednesday, November 26th -  Weekday in Ordinary Time

Thursday, November 27th -   Weekday in Ordinary Time 

Friday, November 28th - Weekday in Ordinary Time 

Saturday, November 29th - Weekday in Ordinary Time 

Sunday, November 30th - 1st Sunday of Advent (A)

Sunday Readings

Our Lord Jesus Christ,
King of the Universe (C)

First Reading – 2 Sam 5:1-3
They anointed David king of Israel.

Second Reading – Col 1:12-20
He has created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves.

Gospel Reading –  Luke 23:35-43
Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Psalter: Week 2

Weekdays:  Ordinary Time Week 34

World Youth Day

This week is Youth Sunday/ World Youth Day, a day when we celebrate the gift of our young people. Today we honour every spark of light that has been passed on to our young people – a light that can’t be dimmed. May we walk together young and old guided by the One who called us from darkness into His own marvellous light. Today let us celebrate the light they we carry and the hope we share. The Retiring Collection will be for Animate the Catholic Youth Services for our Archdiocese. Gift Aid envelopes are available at the back of Church.

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.

• The Sacrament of Reconciliation (St Edmund Arrowsmith)
  There will be an opportunity to celebrate this beautiful sacrament on Saturday 14th December.  It will begin at 10.00am and conclude at 11.45am. Exposition will take place while the sacrament is being celebrated followed by Mass at midday. This Advent, please come and celebrate this powerful sacrament before our celebration of Christmas.
• Archbishop Malcolm McMahon
  Archbishop Malcolm will celebrate his Silver Jubilee of Episcopal Ordination in the coming weeks. He will celebrate Holy Mass at 12.00noon on Saturday 6th December at the Metropolitan Cathedral - all are welcome.
• The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Choir Presents A Celebration of Christmas – Saturday 13 December 
  A Celebration of Christmas returns this year on Saturday 13 December with a night of musical cheer, guaranteed to get you into the festive spirit. Join the Metropolitan Cathedral Choir and some very special guests for what promises to be a magical event for all the family. Sing along to classic carols, enjoy traditional readings and celebrate Christmas in the glorious surroundings of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Tickets: £10 each/ £18 family, available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/metcathedral
• Legion of Mary – Reunion
  Legion of Mary members and praying members are invited to a reunion at St Patricks Social Centre Newton-Le-Willows on the 8th December. Rosary at 6:45pm with Mass at 7:15pm followed by refreshments. Bring a friend! If transport is needed, please contact Susan Mines (0795288440) Cost for the evening is £6:00
• Anniversary 27th November
  Please remember in your prayers Fr Arthur Mulcahy who died in 2008 (late Parish Priest of St Ambrose Barlow Parish).
• Upcoming social events in St Margaret Clitherow Parish
  Link opens in a new tab
• Parish Forum
  Wed 26th November - venue St Ambrose Barlow Church Hall immediately after the 7.00pm Mass, which will be celebrated at St Ambrose Barlow Church this week.. 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.
• 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 may require our help and also 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:
In todays Gospel, Jesus is mocked by the soldiers as he hangs dying on the cross. One thief mocks him. The other thief asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom.

Pray:
Lord Jesus, King of the Universe,
You showed us the path to eternal life is through service to others.
May I always give of myself generously for the benefit of others
And in so doing help your Kingdom to become visible in this world.
Amen

Act:
The climate change talks in Brazil at Belem have now finished. Without the attendance of major industrial countries the results were bound to be limited however some work has been achieved especially regarding the deforestation in the Amazon and the Congo although these results are fragile. 
Various decisions were taken regarding the protection of Island states and states threatened by floods and deforestation, but it has to be said that what was agreed at Paris in 2015 is still a long way from being fulfilled, especially trying to keep the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees. We ALL need to keep all  of this in our prayers and do what we can to protect the future of the planet. During the forthcoming season of Advent make a special effort to act in a way which protects our planet. For ideas, refer to the Challenge section below.

Challenge

In the spirit of Laudato Si:

• It's easy to overindulge during the Christmas. Try to be more mindful of how much you consume. Only buy what you need and use leftovers wisely,.
• As Christmas approaches look for ethical ways in which you can support others at this time. Buy Fair Trade goods; look for environmentally friendly products; try to buy locally produced items; give generously to those who require support at this time.
• 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?
  

  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)