News Bites

CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Sunday 13th is Catholic Education Day and this offers us an opportunity to celebrate all that is good in education, to give thanks for teachers and learners, educational leaders and support staff; to rejoice with those who succeed and provide reassurance for those who struggle. This Education Sunday we pray that, through God’s power, all those who study or work in schools, colleges or universities, may flourish and be open to knowing God’s love as they are formed and re-formed.

Safeguarding Survey
In October, the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) will conduct an audit on the archdiocesan safeguarding team and the work they do to keep our parishes safe. As part of this audit, we’re asking everyone within the Archdiocese of Liverpool—whether you are a victim, survivor, layperson, clergy, volunteer or parishioner—to take a few minutes to complete this survey.
The survey will close on Friday 25th September.
Please complete by visiting:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/KU4BAFEYt2

• CONFIRMATION:
  This is to inform those who are registered for the Sacrament of Confirmation through St Mary's High School that preparation for the sacrament will take place at St Richards Parish Center – Mayfield Street, Atherton M46 0AQ on 7th / 14th / 21st October at 7:00 pm. Our first meeting will include information for parents/guardians. Please bring baptism certificates, or information about where your child was baptized, to this meeting. Attendance at the preparation sessions is essential for your child to receive the sacrament. Confirmations will take place at St. Richard's on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th November 2026 at 7:00 pm. Note: This is not for the new Year 8; theirs would be early next year.
• St Mary’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form College
  All our welcome to our Open Evening on Thursday 24th September, 5pm—7pm.
  Mrs Brahms, Headteacher, will give a short address at 5.45pm and again at 6.45pm.
• Mother’s Prayers Meeting
  The next Mother’s Prayers Meeting will be held on Monday 14th September, at 10.30am, in Joseph’s Presbytery. All Mother’s and Grandmother’s welcome.
• Children's Liturgy
  Children's Liturgy group at St Ambrose will restart Today Sunday 6th September at 11am Mass. 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.
•  Sunday 13th September - Cafod Cafe
  St Margaret Clitherow Parish Cafod group will be holding the famous Cafod Cafe on Sunday 13th September  after the 9.30am mass at Holy Family.  Along with the usual tea and toast there will be delicious cakes and goodies for sale and a  raffle  please put the date in your diary and come and join us. All Welcome.
• Car Park Barrier – St Richards 
  A new car parking barrier is in place at St Richards. This has been installed to finally stop unauthorised parking on the car park which has caused problems for parishioners and people using the parish centre for a number of years. The barrier will be open an hour before Mass and closed an hour after Mass and for any functions and church events. Vehicles left on the car park could potentially be ‘locked in’. This has been a necessary decision following people leaving their vehicles on the car park overnight and even whilst on holiday. Thank you for your understanding with regards to this matter. Further Information is available on the notice board and by leaflets in the entrance at St Richards.
• Centenary Planning Meeting – St Richards
  A meeting will take place at St Richards parish centre on Wednesday 16th September at 7:00pm to continue our planning for our celebrations for the centenary of St Richards church. Everyone is welcome to come and join in preparing for a year of events and memories of St Richards through the decades.
• Social Events Meeting – Sacred Heart Parish Centre Hindley Green
   A meeting will take place on Monday 21st September at 7pm in the Parish centre to discuss upcoming social events and future events at Sacred Heart, ALL are welcome to join.
• Fashion Show
  ‘Fashion is art, you are the canvas’ a Fashion Show will take place at St Richards Parish centre on Thursday September 24th at 6:30pm, the entry fee is £2:00. All are welcome to come and join in the fun.
• 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, 
  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 

• Guild of St Stephen Pilgrimage to Lourdes
  The Liverpool Archdiocesan Council of the Guild of St Stephen, will be doing their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in October. It is open to everybody—prices start at £650 per person, and £750 for solo travellers. For more information, contact Rose Curry on 07932 729896

• Appeal for Brothers of Charity – Lima (Peru)
  Last year we were asked to assist the ‘Brothers of Charity’ in Lima. On 24 October, Colette Burke (St Richard's) will go once again to Lima, Peru, to volunteer in the home run by St Teresa of Kolkata's Brothers, (the Missionaries of Charity Brothers). The Brothers care for  around 18 severely disabled boys/men. Whilst the brothers do not fund raise, they simply rely on Divine Providence, if anyone wishes to make a donation (only cash can be taken), these will be gratefully received by the brothers in Lima and can be left with Fr Carl any time before 15th October. Many thanks.
• Sleeping Bag Appeal 
  With your help the parish SVP helps Barnabus, a charity that helps homeless people. We are asking for your help again in buying sleeping bags. Winter is around the corner and people will be in need. Whether they are new or unused Barnabus will give them out to our homeless  community. Decathlon sells sleeping bags for around £10. If they are unused could you ensure they are rolled up to aid pick up and delivery. Thank you for your help and assistance.
• Food Bank:
  Please give generously if you are able. Food donated at church is taken to support our local food bank. 

• Mass of Anointing and Prayers At the Shrine of St Peregrine
  Saturday 19th September 12.00pm Our Lady of the Assumption Church, L25 2RW.
  St Peregrine is the patron saint of those with cancer and serious illnesses. All are welcome to pray for healing and comfort for themselves or loved ones who are ill or received difficult news. There will be Coffee and Cake to follow to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support. All welcome!
• Marriage Preparation Catechists Training—1 October, 8 October, 15 October, 22 October, 29 October
  Would you like to accompany the engaged couples in their journey of marriage preparation? The archdiocese is now recruiting catechists to join the marriage preparation team. The catechist training will be provided at St Joseph’s Church, Penketh, Warrington, WA5 2BB and consists of five sessions. Upon completion of training, the catechists will be asked to offer marriage preparation courses taking place across the archdiocese. If this is something you are interested in, please sign up here https://tinyurl.com/5c52zbbz
  For more information, please contact Moses at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Young Adults Mass and Dinner with Archbishop John Sherrington:
  Thursday 3rd October Archbishop John Sherrington invites young people aged 18-35 to celebrate Mass with him on Saturday 3rd October, at 5pm, at St Philip Neri Church, Liverpool, L8 7NL, followed by dinner at Blackburne House. Anyone is most welcome, and there is no cost for the event. Please book your place for dinner here:
  achdioceseofliverpool.org/youngadultmass
• Evening Prayer with the Apostolic Nuncio
  Sunday 13 September at 3pm All are invited to assemble as our archdiocesan family at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Sunday 13 September at 3pm for the  culmination of the Apostolic Nuncio’s visit to the archdiocese. This date coincides with the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Metropolitan Chapter of Liverpool.
  The celebration with take the form of Evening Prayer sung in the Cathedral. There will be a drinks reception following in the Cathedral crypt. The Apostolic Nuncio will also celebrate the Solemn Mass at 11am in the Cathedral on that date.

• SVP
  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 Wednesdays The 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