There will be a retiring collection after all Masses at St Catherine’s in aid of the local St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).

We will start to use the Catholic Mass Sheet at Sunday Masses from this weekend (1st/2nd August). This will include all readings and prayers, making it much easier to follow the Mass. As the old books are redundant over the coming weeks a bundle will be made up of all the volumes for people to take should they wish. This will free up much needed room by not storing outdated books.

There will be no meeting of the families first Friday group in August. This will resume on Friday 4th September with a Holy half hour in church followed by pizza and games in the Haydock Centre.

Alpha is a safe place to meet new people, find out the basics, and share thoughts.  Over 11 weeks one big question around the Christian faith is unpacked and explored each week. The evening comprises a meal, followed by a video, interspersed with group discussion. 

Why not come and bring a friend along too?

For further enquiries; contact Deacon Charlie Conner  Email: charlie.conner@lrcd.org.uk

There will be a mission appeal in the parish by Fr Rob Morland on behalf of the Society of African Missions (SMA). Fr Rob will speak at all the weekend Masses in the parish about the work of SMA and their involvement in education, health care, development projects and witness to the gospel.

Bishop Paul will join us for Mass at which I will be inducted as Parish Priest. After Mass there will be a reception in the Haydock Centre.

Please continue to support the foodbanks. The school holidays can be a particularly demanding time for users of foodbanks. All contribution are much appreciated.

A reminder that there are collection points for donations at the back of Our Lady’s, St Catherine’s and St Wulstan’s. Read more for items particularly needed. Thank you for your generosity.

There is no greater prayer than the Mass, because it is the perfect offering of Jesus, the Son of God, to His heavenly Father. If you would like Mass offered for your intentions read more …

Thank you to all those who prepared cakes at St Catherine’s for after the 10.30am Mass in honour of our parish patron St John Boste last weekend. Also, to those who participated in the pilgrimage, it’s my hope next year that we might be able to celebrate Mass at Dufton on the Saturday of the feast and then to have the pilgrimage after Mass.

This week we celebrate the Feast of the Lancaster Martyrs who were martyred on the hill above the Cathedral. Read more to learn more about them …

On 24 July, Fr Gaskin celebrated 50 years of priesthood for our Diocese of Lancaster. He will be having a celebration on Monday 3 August with Mass at 6pm at Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Carlisle celebrated by Bishop Paul.

Read more for links to free programmes of catechesis, faith formation and on the sacred scripture from Ascension Press and the Norbertine’s at St Michael’s Abbey.