Welcome to visitors who join us over the coming weekends. Since Easter, the parish has been busy with many celebrations and events, fund raising for overseas and petitions in favour of life and against poverty. Once the schools break up, some of our regular activities take a well-earned break and we can catch our breath somewhat! Thanks to all who take an active part in parish life and make our mission, with God’s grace, possible and fruitful. Fr. John

Join us for a walk up in the beautiful Pennine hills in honour of our local Saint, John Boste. Meet at Knock Christian Centre (Sat Nav CA16 6DL) for 1.30pm start. The distance is a fairly easy 4 mile route with a short final ascent. All welcome!

Our Parish Patronal Feast this Thursday (24 July) Vespers will be sung in St. Catherine’s at 6.30pm, followed by Mass of the Feast at 7pm. The Carlisle Schola will lead Vespers and accompany the Mass.

St John Boste ‘Pilgrimage’, Knock Pike (Sunday 27 July) see separate blog post

Watch short video of his life by clicking …

Bishop Paul Swarbrick will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation in our Parish on Thursday 12 February 2026 at 6pm. All those who are in year six from this September, or are older, are invited to an introductory session on Tuesday 16 September in the Haydock Centre at 6pm.

If you wish to be enrolled on the programme contact Deacon David: david.greaves@lrcd.org.uk

We have found woodworm in our church benches again. Sadly, it has also been found in the font & the wooden plaque on the wall beside it. All the church benches will require a complete strip down to bare wood, chemical treatment and then resealing. Over the coming weeks, you will see more benches removed, with chairs in place instead. The font will be removed soon to assess possible treatment and reduce the potential for the woodworm spreading. We are investigating a proposal to renovate the old stone font and install it in place of the wooden font.

Join the JBMS for the annual John Bradburne Pilgrimage climb.  The day begins with Mass at 10:00am at St John the Evangelist Church, Skirwith followed by the pilgrimage walk at 11:00am. To book your place and make a donation please email info@johnbradburne.com

This is a special year for the Church and the Diocese as we celebrate our centenary. We would like as many as possible from our Parish to support this event. A bus will leave St. Catherine’s at 1pm (expected arrival back at Penrith around 6.30pm) which will be funded by the parish. If you wish to reserve a seat, please sign the form in the narthex.

Many thanks to all those who helped in any way with the fair, to those who brought items to sell and raffle, and to those who came and spent their hard-earned cash. Your hard work and generosity raised £846.09 for parish funds.

Recent votes by MPs to decriminalise abortion up to birth and to legalise assisted suicide have dealt severe blows to those who care deeply about protecting the vulnerable. SPUC is determined to fight back. To find out more or support go to https://spuc.org.uk/

Castlerigg Manor near Keswick is available to families, individuals and small groups over the Summer holidays. A budget get-away. Read more for booking information.

7.30pm in the Haydock Centre, Penrith. Afterwards, there is the usual PPC meeting.

Thanks to all who attended the recent PPC meeting at Alston and to the ladies there for the kind welcome and lovely refreshments.

On 22 June 25 people were killed and 63 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack at a church in Damascus during a service. Aid to the Church in Need has launched a Holy Land Appeal in order to to help to keep the faith alive and to support Christians …

On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Worship Leaders from Newman Secondary School in Carlisle. They delivered the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is touring the Diocese of Lancaster schools to commemorate its 100th anniversary. To start the day, we held a brief service in the church. Following that, we spent time in our houses learning about Our Lady of Lourdes and the Diocese of Lancaster. Year 6 students took the lead by teaching lessons on these topics to their respective houses.

“The vote in the House of Commons in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is a watershed moment in the history of our country. It fundamentally changes society’s long held values and relationships on matters of life and death….”

On Sat 7 June at 10am, we were delighted that 14 children made their First Holy Communion at St. Catherine’s – please keep them and their families in your prayers.

According to a local newspaper report of 1950, St Catherine's was opened on 11th June 1850. This means that on Wednesday last week, the church was 175 years old (and still going strong, deo gratias). The whole school was in church for Mass last Wednesday morning which was most fitting.