Join us at Holy Family Catholic church in Southport
Please come and pay us a visit, we'd love to see you...
Mass and service times for this coming week can be seen CLICK HERE
Changes to Mass Times Mass on Thursday will now be at 12 noon. There will no longer be an evening Mass on the first Friday of the month, Mass will be at 9.30am
Congratulations to parishioner Leo Coss, 15, who has been named Head Boy at Christ the King School.
The process started in the last school year, when Leo and fellow pupils presented manifesto-style speeches to students from years 7-10, which then went to a pupil vote. At the start of this school year there was a teacher vote followed by interviews, with Leo finding out the good news on Friday, September 11.
Leo’s manifesto reflected the diversity of the school and his desire to create an environment where everyone can express their individual cultures. We wish him every success with the year ahead!
CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day CAFOD Family Fast Day is Friday 2nd October. There will be short talks and retiring collections after Masses next weekend. Please put your faith into action and share the Lord’s love by supporting our global neighbours experiencing shortages of food and safe water. Your gift can support children like Tayla in Zimbabwe to stay in school by helping communities and schools provide nourishing meals, improve access to water and grow food in school gardens.
Use the CAFOD envelope in church, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030.
This weekend: Lourdes Coach 7 talk
St Marie’s Social and Dance Wednesday 30th September 2pm-4pm in the Marian Centre
Walk of Unity 11th October 2026 , 2pm. with Southport’s Civic and Faith Leaders. ‘To promote friendship understanding and cooperation among our faith communities working together for the peace, social cohesion and the well-being of Southport.’ Meeting at Southport & District Reform Synagogue, Princes Street, Southport, PR8 1EG Gathering and welcome 2pm for light refreshments, then a prompt start to walk at 2.20pm, walking to be welcomed at Christ Church and then at Southport Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre, to continue our social. Total distance 1.4miles, total walking time about 1 hour We come together in Southport stronger in our unity.
Faith in Action Are you aged between Year 6 to Year 13?
Would you like to take part in this year's Faith in Action award at Holy Family? Please sign up on the sheets available at the Faith in Action display or speak to Fr Kevin or Kathleen Smith at any of the Masses on September 12th/13th.
We would really like to see more involvement from any young people who regularly attend the 6pm or 11am Masses. If you are Year 5, then unfortunately you are too young to take part in Faith in Action. However, you would still be very welcome to train as an altar server. If you are interested in becoming an altar server, please sign up on the sheet at the Faith in Action display.
Thank you to all the volunteers and contributors who worked so hard to make our National Heritage Open Afternoon such a lovely occasion. There were lots of conversations and connections made. Please take some time to look at the displays showing the history of Holy Family Church and its parishioners.
Indoor Bowling at Holy Family
We have our own indoor bowling mat. On Fridays for another 5 weeks we will be holding sessions in the parish hall. From 10:00 am until 11:30. Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes or trainers. All equipment provided. Spaces are limited so please sign up in the porch.
Deanery music event You are warmly invited to our third Deanery music event with our local in-house band (free entry but there will be a voluntary collection for Queenscourt Hospice)
Friday 2nd October from 2pm - 4pm at St John Stone parish club (Sandbrook Way, Woodvale, Southport, PR8 3RN).
Songs from across the decades for you to join in.
Queenscourt Hospice
Quiz Night in the hall, 9th October, to raise money for Queenscourt hospice Doors open at 7, start at 7.30.£5 on door (cash only).Raffle, donations welcomed. Bring own alcohol beverages, hot ,and soft drinks available. Doesn’t matter if not part of team, come along and join a team – community spirit!
Remember that this Queenscourt crisis is not an overwhelming situation - if just 8,000 people in the local area were able to give a regular weekly donation of just £5 (the cost of a coffee and a cake or glass of wine), Queenscourt’s Services could be saved for those who will need them in the future. As promised there are gift aid envelopes at the back of church, for a one off donation, for those who were asking for them. Thank you for all you do, from all those who will never be able to thank you for themselves.
Prayer for Queenscourt: For all those raising funds for Queenscourt hospice:
That their never ending work continues to reap rewards. We gratefully pray, Lord, for the support of our community, who recognise the need for Queenscourt to be there for those who need its care. Lord in your mercy.
Important information from safeguarding As we approach the CSSA Audit, I would be very grateful for you to reply to their audit survey as soon as possible, it closes on 25th September 2026. This will help the auditors understand the way in which safeguarding is embedded in the structures of the Archdiocese. I know that there is much good practice, but we must communicate this well to our external auditors. Please use this link from the web version of the newsletter. Public call for information - Archdiocese of Liverpool – Fill out form
Chatsworth Christmas lights and market We will once again be organising a trip to Chatsworth on Saturday 14th November. The cost will be about £60 per person, there is a sign up sheet at the back of church.
Parish Pilgrimage to Knock.
We are proposing a Parish Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine from Monday 24th May 2027-Friday 27th. As you will appreciate, to reduce costs, we need to secure accommodation, coach places, and flights as early as possible. If you are serious about joining the pilgrimage, please contact Athena in the parish office or sign your name and phone number on the list at the back of Church where you will find a full proposed itinerary.
The cost is £849 (sharing) and includes: All flights, 4 nights’ accommodation with B&B and Evening Meal in the Knock House Hotel, all entertainment, excursions, and guided tours. The pilgrimage is also open to others outside of the parish.
Lourdes Youth 2027 with Sefton Coach 7 Applications go live on Monday 14th September at liverpoollourdesyouth.co.uk for those in Y10 up to the age of 22. Don’t miss out on this wonderful experience of service, faith, joy, and learning new skills. There is a £50 reduction for anyone applying before 18th October. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Coach 7 is the local coach for Sefton).
SVP Conference Help Line: 07562378873
Be a Trust Governor: Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust are looking for Governors to support leaders in providing the best Catholic education for pupils in our schools. If you are interested in using your skills to benefit our pupils, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to https://www.pfcmat.org/Governance/
Speaking Volumes We have recently been awarded a small grant by 'Speaking Volumes' to buy some new children’s books. These are now available in the porch for any family to use during Mass. Please replace the books in the container at the end of Mass. Speaking Volumes is one of many charities started by Cecil Jackson-Cole. When his wife died, he couldn’t find any literature to help him with his grief. He didn’t want anyone else to be in a similar fix so created a small charity to ensure Christian literature is accessible to everyone. Cecil was one of the founders of many other charities including Oxfam, ActionAid and Help the Aged.
Missing Persons?
Perhaps you have noticed that someone who is regularly at Mass is not there. Perhaps you know that a parishioner is unwell or unable to get out. We would willingly contact or visit them either at home, in hospital, hospice or care home but cannot do so without their request. Telling us is the first step - please let the office know their name and contact details by telephone or email.
The second step is to ask them to let us know they would like contact in the same way.
Have you got a couple of hours to spare after 09:30 Mass on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday? We have a growing number of people who are housebound, sick or in care homes who really appreciate a visit for prayer or Holy Communion. We need people who would be willing to accompany one of the Eucharistic Ministers as visits are always done in pairs.
There is no requirement for you to become a Eucharistic Minister, although that possibility is open if you might want to consider it. Please email the Parish Office or come and see Karen in the IT Confessional if you might be interested.
Are you over 16 and good with IT?
We need people to help with projecting the Mass and hymns on Saturday evening and at 11:00 Mass on Sunday. It would lovely to have a rota of keen young adults who would like to help.
To find out more, come and see John & Karen in the IT confessional if you might be interested.
Holy Family Church Playgroup on Wednesdays between 10-11.30am.
We need more helpers! If you could offer time on a Wednesday morning, please let Athena in the office know.
The playgroup will be open Wednesdays at 10am. It costs £2 per family. Everyone with a baby or a toddler is welcome to come along. Spread the word.
Children must be supervised by their parent/carer at all times. Baby changing facilities and toilets are available within the hall.
We can't wait to welcome you all!
National Heritage There are now free copies of this year's Southport Heritage Week events available in the porch area.
Please help yourself and take a look at all the venues that are opening in our area....including, of course, our very own Holy Family Church.
We are taking part on Sunday September 20th from 1pm-5pm. We are still looking for volunteers who can assist with greeting visitors, handing out leaflets, sharing information about the church etc.
Don't worry if you don't know much about Holy Family, we are really looking for friendly faces who are happy to create a welcoming atmosphere. If you can help please give your name to Fr Kevin or contact the Parish Office All parishioners are welcome to attend on the day and to take part in our Church Trail. There will also be a display about some of the people and events that have made up the history of Holy Family. This has been created by one of our parishioners- Louise Douglas- and we are very grateful for all the hard work and time that she has put in to researching this project. Come along to see it.
New to the Parish?
If you are recently arrived in the parish, please complete a new parishioner form from the porch with your contact details and put it into the collection basket at the offertory.
Piety Stall
There are First Holy Communion, Confirmation and cards for all events in the card rack in the Narthex.
Thanks to all who donate to the upkeep of our lovely church, so that everyone can enjoy its healing presence...
you can donate ONLINE to Holy Family...
Bellringers
One way of letting the local community know that the church is active, and a Mass or service is about to take place, is by the ringing of the bell. But it can also help those in earshot, and perhaps housebound, know what is happening at that moment. With the longer ringing before Mass and the two rings of three at the Consecration, it can mean that they can be involved because of this, and feel connected.
We do have some of the Masses covered, but if you would like to volunteer, particularly if you attend a Mass where the bell is not rung, for either before Mass, and/or at the Consecration, please contact the Parish Office and a short instruction, if necessary, can be given, and to help us to know who could ring for each Mass.
News from our Schools
Everyone is now back into the familiar routine of school. Our pre-school and Reception children are settling in fantastically!
For Fair Trade Fortnight, the school ambassadors would love to invite parishioners to a coffee afternoon on Friday 2nd October between 2pm and 3pm in the school hall. The school ambassadors will serve tea, coffee and cake. We look forward to seeing you! Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Norwood Crescent, PR9 7DU.
Support for the divorced and separated
The Restored Lives course is run over six weeks, one evening per week. The talks cover the key issues to help you to move on and highlight the practical steps and tools to enable you to tackle the issues that arise from separation and divorce. For more information contact Maureen 0767753371
You may not be able to give financially,
but there are other ways you can help the parish, like donating your time, or your prayers, which are more needed than ever in all sorts of ways. We want to thank all our parishioners for all the ways that they make us a community, looking after each other, and beyond...
Do you know someone in hospital, or about to go into hospital?
The chaplaincy team are here to help YOU.
CLICK HERE for more information