THE POPE’S INTENTION FOR NOVEMBER:
For Proper Use of Wealth
Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that no succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service of the common good and solidarity of those who have less.
Please also refer to the Events page and individual newsletter pages for more information
Prayer and Sacraments
- Confirmations
Please keep in your prayers some of our young people who will be confirmed at St Richard’s Church at 7.00pm on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th November. - First Holy Communion
St Margaret Clitherow parish 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 - Pious Lists
Envelopes are now available. 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 presbytery letterbox. All the names will be placed on the altar during the month of November, the month of the Holy Souls.
Local Items
- White Poppy for Peace
White poppies are available at the back of church. Please take one. 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 - Remembrance Mass
On Saturday 21st November the annual Remembrance Mass will be celebrated for those who have died over the last 12 months and for all our loved ones. This Mass will take place at St Joseph’s Church at 12.00pm - Remembrance Sunday at Astley War Memorial
The service will commence at 12.30 on Sunday, 8th November at the War Memorial (at the Bullcroft, Astley Straits). The traditional service will also include a Gospel reading, bidding prayers and hymns. We have purchased a wreath from the British Legion: it will be laid by one of our parishioners on behalf of all members of our church communities. - Autumn Fair – St Richards
Raffle tickets will be on sale before and after Mass at St Richards on Sunday 18th and 25th October for our Autumn fair. The prizes include a food hamper, drink hamper, chocolate hamper and a karaoke machine! Any donations of chocolate and bottles are very welcome and should be placed in the basket at the back of St Richard's church. Thank you. -
Kendal – Day Trip
A trip to Kendal will take place on Wednesday 2nd December 2026. The coach will collect from Sacred Heart at 9:15am and St Richards at 9:30am. Dependant upon numbers the trip will cost approx. £15:00 with a £10:00 deposit to secure your place. A sign up sheet will be at the back of church. Thank you, Lauren -
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 - Christmas Fayre 2026 - St Edmund Arrowsmith
Our annual Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 28th November, 1pm – 3.30pm, in St Joseph’s Hall.
Donations of unwanted and good quality gifts and bottles such as smellies, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are greatly appreciated. Please leave them at the back of the Church.
Raffle tickets will be available from the 31st October, before and after the Masses. At £2 a strip with 5 chances of winning. Prizes include shopping vouchers and food, wine and pamper hampers. We are also looking for volunteers to help during the planning, preparation and on the day itself. The next meeting is on the 25th October at Sacred Heart presbytery after the 11am Mass. Thank you for your continued support.
Pilgrimages & Retreats
- Advent Retreat for Young Adults
Saturday 28th November 10am – 4pm
Led by Fr Derek Lloyd, we will organise the Advent Retreat for Young Adults on Saturday 8th November at St Basil’s Church, Widnes, WA8 4SZ.
The Retreat Day will start at 10am and aim to finish at 4pm. The event is free of charge, but please bring your own packed lunch. For further information, please contact Moses atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
The next Archdiocesan Youth pilgrimage to Lourdes, will take place from the 21st to the 30th of July 2027. A poster on the notice board has further details. It is open to 15- to 22-year-olds or year 10 and above. Have a look at the poster or have a chat with Fr Francis about this if you are interested. Booking opened on September the 14th - Walsingham 2027 XII Apostles.
If anyone is interested in joining the pilgrimage next year please contact Therese Thompson on 07780064502 for further details. The trip will be between Easter Monday 29th March – Thursday 1st April 2027
Appeals
- Blankets for Ukraine –
- St Richard's are collecting warm blankets to help the people of Ukraine keep warm this Winter. If you have good quality, clean blankets, and would like to donate them, please leave them at the back of church and they will be sent to the Ukraine for those in need. We continue to pray for those caught up in this war and for peace in the region.
- Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk
Anna would like to thank everyone who either signed the sponsor sheet or donated via www.justgiving.com/page/annadavidson2026. Together we have made a difference: Sponsored sheet money raised £677, with a further £360 online, making a grand total of £1027. Well done Anna! - 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.
Archdiocesan Events
- Archbishop’s Certificate
Starting Monday 14th October The Archbishop’s Certificate in Catechesis is the principal training course in the Archdiocese of Liverpool whose aim is to equip and support catechists and lay leaders in evangelisation and formation. Applications are open for this year. For more information, or to apply, please visit: aec.rcaos.org.uk/liverpool
Other
- SVP
Have you ever wondered what the SVP is all about? Have a read of this informative letter, shared with parishioners, to find out how your donations are used to impact on the lives of those who are in need of support. 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.
The group have a dedicated helpline for those in need of assistance - 07566725590 - The weekly meeting of the older men in the parish for lunch and a chat will be at the Farmhouse Kitchen at 12.30pm on Wednesdays. 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