PRAYER AND SPIRITUALITY
PAPAL PRAYER INTENTION AUGUST 2026
In his August prayer intention, Pope Leo invites us to pray for the evangelization of the city so that the Church might know how to reach out to everyone, offering comfort, community, and the joy of the Gospel in every corner of the city.
THE PILGRIMAGE MASS TO THE HOLY HAND OF ST EDMUND ARROWSMITH
📅 Date: Sunday 30 August, 3:00PM
📍St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Liverpool Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 9NP
The Principal Celebrant will be Fr John Hogan of the Diocese of Meath, Ireland. He is the author of the most recent CTS booklet on the life of St Edmund Arrowsmith.
PILGRIMAGE MASS IN HONOUR OF BLESSED DOMINIC BARBERI
📅 Date: Monday 31 August 12.00pm
📍Location: Anne & Blessed Dominic Church, Monastery Road, Sutton, St Helens WA9 3ZD, St Helens WA9 3ZD
Bishop Tom Neylon will celebrate this annual Pilgrimage Mass in honour of Blessed Dominic Barberi.
All are welcome to attend.
MASS IN HONOUR OF VENERABLE ELIZABETH PROUT
📅 Date: Saturday 12 September 12.00pm
📍Location: Anne & Blessed Dominic Church, Monastery Road, Sutton, St Helens WA9 3ZD, St Helens WA9 3ZD
Bishop Tom Neylon will celebrate this Mass in honour of Venerable Elizabeth Prout, foundress of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion.
All are welcome to attend.
EVENING PRAYER WITH THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO
📅 Date: Sunday 13 September at 3pm
📍Location: The Metropolitan Cathedral
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.
CELEBRATION OF THE OPENING OF THE CENTENARY OF ST PATRICK’S CHURCH, TOXTETH
📅 Date: Saturday 22 August at 11.00am
📍Location: St Patrick's
All are welcome to join St Patrick’s Church as the parish celebrate the opening of its centennial year. Archbishop John Sherrington will be presiding at Mass.
CERTIFICATE IN ALTAR SERVER STUDIES
Applications are now open for the Certificate in Altar Server Studies, a six-month distance learning course offered by the Guild of St Stephen in partnership with the Maryvale Institute. The registration deadline is 15 September.
Designed for adult altar servers (18+), the course explores the liturgy, sacraments, Scripture, leadership, communication and the theology of service. It is delivered through monthly online evening sessions, with an optional study day at Oscott College.
The course costs £500 per student, and parishes may wish to support those interested in undertaking this formation.
For full details, visit guildofststephen.org/certificate or email
AUTUMN AT OUR LADY'S GATEACRE
ANNOINTING MASS AND PRAYERS AT THE SHRINE OF ST PEREGRINE
Saturday 19th September: 12:00noon
------------
WORSHIP AFTERNOON WITH ONE HOPE PROJECT.
Sunday 20th September: 4pm
Music, adoration, faith sharing and hospitality to follow.
------------
NETHERLEY INITIATIVE :
Friday 25th September 7pm:
Mass for those who live in Netherley at Netherley Youth and Community Initiative, the former St Gregory’s Church. If you live in Nertherley the church is coming to you!
------------
CATHOLIC DEEP DIVE:
7pm-8.30pm Tuesday 29th September, Tuesday 13th October, Tuesday 27th October, Tuesday 10th November, Tuesday 24th November.
Ever wanted to delve deeper in your faith in and open friendly atmosphere, five evening sessions are planned just for you.
QUIET RETREATS FOR ADULTS THIS OCTOBER:
During October half term, Castlerigg Manor is running a quiet retreat for individual adults who want to spend a few days of peace, relaxation and prayer in the Lake District. Each day there will be a talk, Mass, and evening prayer, and then a lot of time to explore the area, pray, or just simply relax. Book at castleriggmanor.com/events or contact
COME & SEE AT IRENAEUS - NEW SEASON
A new series of Come and See reflecting on the Church in our times will start in September.
CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT THIS SUMMER:
During August and September, Castlerigg Manor in Keswick is opening its doors to families, groups of friends, or private individuals who are looking for an affordable stay in the Lake District. Breakfast and evening meal are provided, and Mass is celebrated on site.
For more information check out castleriggmanor.com/stay-with-us or contact / 017687 72711
THE TRADITIONAL ROMAN RITE STUDY WEEKEND
📅 Date: 11 - 13 September 2026
📍Meet: Christian Heritage Centre
Join us in the beautiful setting of Stonyhurst to explore the key elements of the Roman Church's liturgical tradition.The weekend is intended to offer a deeper understanding of both the Traditional Rite specifically as well as of the New Rite of the Mass, which draws principally on the same heritage of the Church's worship over the centuries. To learn more visit The Traditional Roman Rite: A Study Weekend - The Christian Heritage Centre
ANCIENT BYZANTINE ICONOGRAPHY COURSE
📅 Date: 12-18 October 2026
📍Meet: Christian Heritage Centre
A seven-day course writing an icon in the ancient Byzantine style, using the liquid egg tempera technique. The course leads the student through each step of writing an icon of their own, providing theological explanations and practical demonstrations. Our October course is for those with some experience: please register your interest for an opportunity to book onto the next novice course.
KINGDOM OVER NATION RESOURCES
Kingdom over Nation is a new ecumenical resource developed through Churches Together in England (CTE) to help churches engage thoughtfully and prayerfully with the rise in Christian nationalism and the growing challenges surrounding identity, discipleship, and public life. Through eight Bible studies and theological reflections, the resource explores discernment, empire, ideology, justice, nationhood, and Christian witness in a divided age.
You can download your copy here: Kingdom Over Nation Resource
ADOREMUS 2026
📅 Date: Saturday 10 October (9.00am–5.00pm),
📍 Location: Metropolitan Cathedral
Join us for Adoremus 2026 at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday 10 October (9.00am–5.00pm), a day of Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, workshops, Confession and fellowship.
The day will include Morning Mass celebrated by Fr Ged Callacher, a Eucharistic Procession and Vigil Mass with Archbishop John Sherrington, as well as workshops including Praying with Art and Godly Play, Taizé prayer, a Romero Rosary led by the White Fathers, and much more.
Bookings open on 1 September. Further details will be available soon.
WEEKEND OF PRAYER AND RENEWAL ST JOSEPH’S PRAYER CENTRE - FORMBY:
📅 Date: 25-27 September, 2026
📍Location: St Joseph's Prayer Centre
Keynote speaker Ros Powell. Residential stay available.
POPE LEO XIV’S FIRST PAPAL ENCYCLICAL: MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS!
‘Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.’ – Pope Leo XIV
Published on Monday 25 May, Pope Leo XIV signed his first encyclical on 15 May, the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum. The new letter, Magnifica Humanitas, addresses one of today’s major challenges: safeguarding the human person in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Pope Leo XIV appeals for people to build ‘for the common good’ and to ‘remain human,’ acting in courage towards shared responsibility and communion, so that the world ‘will come to recognise the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell.’
Access the new encyclical at the Vatican Website via: https://tinyurl.com/ymhbn238
MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS: POPE LEO XIV'S FIRST ENCYCLICAL
Pope Leo's first encyclical has given us much to think about. But what does it all mean? Here are some resources breaking down the Pope's message, and what it means for us:
Magnifica Humanitas: A Reflection by Mgr Peter Fleetwood
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical broken down (includes a video and some useful graphics from the Vatican)
Catholic Truth Society have shared explainers from Sr Carino and Prof. Jacob Phillips, as well as a video of their roundtable discussion about the encyclical.
CAFOD have given a quick primer on what Magnifica Humanitas is about and what it means for the Catholic community
If you want to delve in deeper, Ascension Press have written a comprehensive overview of the key points and themes of Magnifica Humanitas
FREE WILL AND GRACE – A THOMISTIC APPROACH:
📅 Date: 28-31 August 2026:
📍 Location: Christian Heritage Centre
Led by Rev Dr Simon Gaine OP. More information at:
Free Will & Grace [residential course]
REDEMPTORIST VOCATIONS EVENT
📅 Date: 21st - 23rd August 2026
📍 Location: St Mary's Monastery Perth (Kinnoull)
If you feel you have a vocation to be a Redemptorist priest or brother, this event may be for you. Please see poster below.
REDEMPTORIST VOCATIONS
St Gerard famously famously climbed out of a window and ran away to become a Redemptorist. If you are inspired by his story email
DILEXI TE READING GROUP
Bon Secours Young Adults Great Britain and Million Minutes is running a Dilexi Te Reading Group for those in their 20’s and 30’s who are particularly interested in the Church’s love for the poor, you can find out more and register at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bonsecoursyoungadultsgb/2138220
If you have any questions, contact Chris Knowles at
EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TRAINING DAYS
Irenaeus will be leading their next Eucharistic Ministry training session in September
📅 Date: Saturday 26th September 2026
📍 Location: Irenaeus Centre Great Georges Rd. L22 1RD
Contact the Parish Office if you feel you have a calling.
POPE LEO’S PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS
A TIMELESS INTERCESSOR FOR PEACE:
During this Jubilee Year of St Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo asks us to pray to St Francis using the following prayer:
‘St Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognised true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Hm the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises boundaries. In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.’ Amen.
OUR FATHER - BY MAL
A version of the Our Father composed by Mal one of our 6pm music group.
Main vocals Paul & Claire for the 6pm Group. Backing vocals and harmonies Jax, Susan and Margie form 6pm and Dave from the 10am group. Musicians - Mal, Dave & Pat
We hope to sing at 6 in the near future.
SUMMER 2026 EVENTS AT IRENAEUS
PORTUGESE-SPEAKING YOUNG ADULTS PRAYER GROUP
Join our monthly gathering for prayer, friendship, and faith at St Michael and All Angels Church, Kirkby L32. All Portuguese-speaking young adults are welcome! For more information please contact: 07752 773037 Tiago and 07857 178601 Karine.
LECTIO FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Every Friday at 6pm at St Vincent de Paul's Church, L1 5JN, there is a "lectio" prayer group for young adults. There will be a Mass at 6pm, followed by a short time of sharing the Sunday readings at 6.30pm. It's a friendly group and sometimes they also organise trips and retreats.
Follow this link to join my WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FvRR2Q6sIDK83W4KgBIJqU If you want more information please contact James: or 07394 503 911
CATHOLIC NEWS PODCAST
Why not listen to the Catholic News Podcast. It has episodes on many diverse topics. Click here to take a look.
THE SHELL - PILGRIMAGES VIA AN APP
 |
A new Franciscan App. 'The Shell' is offering podcast pilgrimages, starting with a series of five, celebrating the 800th anniversary last month of the arrival of the first Franciscans in England. It's conversational, based on the original diaries and letters. It will be both interesting and fun Scan the QR code to get the app |
THE GOOD WORD
The Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province have a daily podcast offering reflections on the day's readings!
To listen to the Podcast goto https://blubrry.com/the_good_word/
SHRINE MINISTRY WEBSITE
Please visit https://www.ourladyshrine.org/ to view the website dedicated to our beautiful shrine to Our Mother of Perpetual Succour.
BROTHER JAMES - PSALM OF CREATION
Brother James who joined Fr Tim in many of the Lockdown Masses and who is now based in France was asked by Patrick Richard to create an English language adaptation of Patrick's popular modern French hymn "Psaume de la Création". He has published his version on YouTube see the video below.
NOVENA AT HOME
 |
For Novena Prayers information on miracles attribute to Our Mother of Perpetual Succour videos. (novena-at-home.redemptorists.co.uk) |
