CATHOLIC PICTORIAL NOVEMBER 2025

The October edition of the Catholic Pictorial is available by clicking here

SANCTUARY  - A POEM FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

SANCTUARY

There is a special place,

Guarded by hallowed sandstone walls –

Witnesses of the passage of history

Over more than two centuries.

Once through the listed, decorative gateway,

Past transfixing war memorial,

Another almost forgotten world draws you closer

To those who served in this Community,

With love and devotion.

Cross upon cross recalls

Names, dates – and memories

Of those who rest peacefully in the Lord.

A left turn, a few paces forward,

Until the heavy doors open and close with a solid clunk –

As they have done, year upon year.

The outside world is abandoned.

Historic stained-glass windows, a crucifix, statues, flowers,

And the public Jewel of Bishop Eton,

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, listening,

In the flickering of votive lights lit by many supplicants.

All is still -

Not because no one is here.

There is a diverse congregation;

Some kneeling, others, older, who sit.

The silence is warmly tangible.

What thoughts engage their consciousness?

For the next forty-five minutes, we are all one.

We pray, we sing, we smile.

We are united in Communion.

Worries dissipate.

Our world of fear, disaster, inhumanity,

Becomes less relevant.

Hearts aglow with peace and promises,

We stream through open doors,

To continue our everyday lives.

Autumnal leaves drift silently

Onto yesteryears’ faithful confrères.

A solitary bird warbles valediction,

To the snaking line of cars homeward bound.

The Green Man tweaks his approval.

 And we, in amicable asides and laughter,

Crunch our way down tree-lined Taggart Avenue.

And for a few precious minutes,

All is right with the world.

A thought.

Could you, perchance,

Forgo the extra, cherished, weekend hour abed?

There is a special place –

Not far away!

Eileen Murray © October 2025

 HALF TERM:

Already we are approaching the mid-term break. Our schools have another week, but some have already finished this weekend. This means that our administrator, Hayley, will be away during the coming week, so we ask you to bear this in mind if you plan to send a message to the office which could wait until the following week.

 SAINT GERARD:

Gerard was born on April 6, 1726, and we are in the midst of a Year dedicated to his memory, leading up to next April. One of our priests, Fr Royston Price, is arranging Triduums all over the country to mark this year and already has thirteen dioceses signed up. We are planning to join in this venture and will look for an opportunity to discuss with the Archdiocese what would be the optimum dates to arrange a Triduum here at Bishop Eton. Many of you know Brother Michael Duxbury, our one and only brother who is a member of the London Province at present. He has spent many of his 32 years as a Redemptorist (he took his final vows on the Feast of St Gerard!) in prison ministry and one of the prisoners he cared for in Dartmoor produced a stunning image of St Gerard, which, as they say today, went viral and is used all over the world. He and I will plan the event and keep you informed.

 ARCHDIOCESAN GOOD NEWS JUSTICE & PEACE YOUTH GROUP ST CARLO ACUTIS

Last Sunday twenty new members joined the Justice & Peace Youth Group at Our Lady of the Annunciation (Bishop Eton) and St Mary (Woolton) from Christ the King (Wavertree) parish and other places. The group met to celebrate the feast day of the first Millennial Saint, Saint Carlo Acutis (Patron Saint of the Internet) and the group was blessed with a relic of Saint Carlo by Fr Tim Buckley. There were games, snacks and time for new friendships. For more information, please contact Sarah at .

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA ANNUAL SPONSORED WALK 2025:

Thank you for your continued generosity.  

CATHOLIC PICTORIAL OCTOBER 2025

The October edition of the Catholic Pictorial is available by clicking here

CTE PRESIDENTS STATEMENT ON THE MANCHESTER SYNAGOGUE ATTACK

The president of Churches together in England have produced a statement on the attack on the synagogue in Manchester. To read it click here

COUNCIL 9 SOUTH LIVERPOOL KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA SPONSORED WALK THANKYOU

RE-IMAGINING PASTORAL COUNCILS WEBINAR SERIES

In our crazy changing world, it’s more important than ever that our parishes can respond to people’s needs and share the Gospel in our local communities. Pastoral Councils, rooted in prayer and driven by mission, can be places of discernment and real creativity – but sometimes they’re not quite right. Join us for a series of webinars to explore everything to do with pastoral councils from purpose to membership, and from resolving conflict to letting the Spirit lead.

• Would you like to explore a new approach for your Parish Council?
• Would you like to set up a Parish Council for the first time? 
• Would you like support in ensuring your current Parish Council is fruitful, spiritual, and life-giving?

This is a joint Project between the RC Archdiocese of Liverpool and the Dioceses of Hexham & Newcastle and Northampton.

Webinars are Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm UK time.  

Registration is free. The registration link is https://buytickets.at/northamptondiocese/1861328 A one-time registration for all webinars. A link will be sent on the day to each person.

14th October 2025 Setting the Scene: What's all the fuss about parish councils?

With guest speaker Avril Baigent, Director of Pastoral Development, Diocese of Northampton

11th November 2025 The Importance of Relationships and Keeping the Meetings Spiritual

With guest speaker Fr Shaun O’Neill, Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

16th December 2025 Who does what (and why it matters): Roles, Remit and Recruitment

With guest speaker Sarah Adams, Director for the Department of Adult Education and Evangelisation, Diocese of Clifton

13th January 2026 The way we work together: culture, constructive behaviours & not being a thorn in one another’s side

With guest speaker Danny Curtin, Catholic speaker and facilitator

10th February 2026 Letting the Holy Spirit Lead and Really Listening

With guest speaker Fr Matthew Nunes, Archdiocese of Liverpool

10th March 2026 Discerning and Casting a Vision that Responds to Local Needs

With guest speaker Jordan Kelly, UK Lead, Divine Renovation

21st April 2026 Making choices that serve others: Discernment, Decision-making and taking

With guest speaker Austen Ivereigh, Catholic speaker and writer

12th May 2026 Disagreeing Well and Conflict Resolution

With guest speaker David Wells, Catholic speaker and writer

16th June 2026 Not Forgetting to Celebrate, Evaluate and Give Thanks

With guest speaker TBC