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The Holy Family

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from Fr Kevin's Desk - a weekly reflection, and more.. 

Fr Kevin McLoughlin

(25th April 2026)

This weekend we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday or Vocations Sunday with a particular focus on vocation to the priesthood and consecrated life. On Tuesday Morning I will be hosting a group of thirty parishioners from the parish of the Good Samaritan Burnley in the Diocese of Salford with their parish Priest Fr. David Featherstone. Fr. David and I met many years ago when he was the vocations director for the Salford Diocese and I was working in the English College Valladolid. We have worked together on various projects, and he invited me to share my experience of priestly vocation with some of his parishioners.

The main attraction however is that they get to visit our beautiful Church and town and enjoy a famous fish and chip lunch.

Fr. David and I will celebrate Mass at 12.00 noon which is open to all, and you are most welcome to join us.

Mgr. John Furnival

Fr. John, whom some of you will know, is celebrating his golden jubilee of priesthood on Friday 10th July. He was ordained here at Holy Family his home Parish, fifty years ago and has invited those who know him to Mass at 7.00pm in Ss. Peter and Paul Crosby followed by a reception at the Sacred Heart college. If you would like to go, please let Athena know in the office by the 7th May for catering and organisational purposes. 

Prayer for vocations.

God our Loving Father,

you called each of us by name through the Sacrament of Baptism to holiness.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, you made us the temples of the Holy Spirit.

Help us to listen to the cry of our Lord Jesus from the Holy Cross ‘I thirst’

and respond to the call

‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the good news to all the nations’.

Guide us in every step we take in life

and lead us in every decision we make in responding to your call.

Make us and mould us into the living images of Christ your Son,

who was always close to those in need.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord,
Amen.

God bless, Fr Kevin

Vocations Weekend for Women (20s and 30s) Discerning God's Call in your life 15th - 17th May, Liverpool 

The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Jesus invites each of us to 'Come and See' - this weekend will give the opportunity to explore the vocation to religious life and to reflect on God's call to you. If you are wondering if God is calling you to religious life and would like to find out more why not come along? 

There will be opportunity for prayer, reflection and input, chance to live alongside the religious community and to ask questions and to meet others who are also wondering where God is calling them. For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org To register: https://bit.ly/Vocation2026 

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 

There are currently campaigners lobbying MPs to use a Parliamentary Act to bypass the House of Lords and bring the Bill into law. Please contact your MP, Patrick Hurley, to oppose this use of the Parliamentary Act.

Help us shape youth ministry for the future – 20th or 21st April - 

We want all young people to flourish and to know that they are cherished by God and are a vital part of the Church. So, as an archdiocese, we are committed to explore how we can best accompany young people. Your voice is crucial. 

What will happen: You will meet others and have your chance to share your experiences and ideas about how the Church might best respond to the needs of young people today. All feedback will be carefully listened to as part of a diocesan-wide process planning youth ministry for the years ahead. 

Who’s invited: We want to hear from adults, young adults and 11–18-year-olds (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult).

Come to one of our open meetings. 

Monday 20th April 7- 9.30pm - St Joseph's Crow Orchard Rd, Wrightington, Wigan WN6 9PA 

Tuesday 21st April 7 - 9.30pm - St Monica's Fernhill Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 9GA.

The process is being facilitated by Danny Curtin, who worked in youth ministry and youth work in the Church for many years. 

For more information, contact Sarah McGeehan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07415099048

Prayer to Saint Carlo Acutis

O God our Father, we thank you for giving us Carlo a model of life for young people, and message of love for all. You made him fall in love with your son Jesus, making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven”. You gave him Mary as a beloved mother, and you made him, through the rosary, a cantor of her tenderness. Receive his prayer for us. Look above all on the poor, whom he loved and assisted. Grant me too, through his intercession, the grace that I need, (mention any personal intercession) And make our joy full, as Carlo is raised among the saints of your Church, so that his smile shines again for us to the glory of your name. Amen.

The Pope’s Prayer intention for April 2026: 

For priests in crisis: Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

A Child's Prayer for Grandparents

 Dear God, please bless my grandparents.
Thank you for the life they gave my parents
and for the life, they give to me.

For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks.
For the ways, they love me no matter what, I rejoice.
For the ways, they have paved the road
that leads me here, I am grateful.

Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.
Let them find peace and rest from their work.
Let them be healed of every sickness and pain.
And let them see with their own eyes your glory
and the love of their children and grandchildren.

Bless them always until they come to rest in you.
- Author Unknown

Please read and pray about what we can all do in response to the urgent needs of some of our local people.

We are blessed that Southport North SVP which covers the parishes of St Marie’s, St Patricks and Holy Family is very active enabling us to support those in need in Southport in countless ways. 

Last year we regularly visited and/or maintained telephone contact with over 80 parishioners who were self-isolating and/or lonely.

We helped more than 140 families and individuals in financial need, making over 1300 visits and supplying 550 food parcels/ food vouchers, 50 fuel top ups as well as well as numerous items of furniture, bedding, electrical and household goods. 

We continue to deliver good quality adult clothes to Asylum Link who are now supporting Ukrainian families as well as other refugees.

The “cost of living” crisis is having a significant impact on everyone but is particularly hard for those who have to choose between eating or keeping warm. In each of the last 4 months we have supplied 10 food parcels and 45 food vouchers/fueltop ups (an increase of around 30% compared to last year) at a cost of over £1000 per month and we expect demand to continue to increase. 

We are very grateful to those who have supported us over the last year, financially, by food donations and by prayer, however if we are to continue supporting current demand we need your help –

There are several ways in which you can assist

  • Donations (or standing order) direct to our Nat West account: Sort Code: 60-60-04 Account Number: 46084509
    Account Name: D100907 SVP Southport North

  • Vouchers (Preferably £10 or £20) from Farmfoods, Asda, Morrisons or Aldi

  • Cash or cheques in an envelope clearly marked “SVP”  

  • Please place cash/cheques/vouchers in the collection plate/SVP wallbox or hand into St Marie’s/Holy Family Office

  • Food:  We welcome non-perishable food donations which can be collected by prior arrangement (please see list at back of St Patrick’s)

  • Adult Clothing: We collect good quality adult clothing and shoes for delivery to Asylum Link in Liverpool 

  • Please pray for the work we do and those in need – never underestimate the value of your prayer, it can make a real difference.

  • If you wish to speak to a Southport North SVP member we can be contacted on 07562378873 or through the St Marie’s/Holy Family Office. All requests are treated in strict confidence.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Please pray and let the Holy Spirit lead you! 

Please don't forget to pray for our schools

We pray for protection for all teachers, staff, pupils and their families as they attend and work in school, and look after our younger members as they start their life journeys.

We especially pray for our own schools of Holy Family and Christ the King.

Adopt a Care/Nursing Home

We all have a calling, and have been given gifts and talents to use in service to others in our daily lives.

"But I'm not special, I can't do much."

If that's what you're thinking, think again. The most powerful thing we can do, with the help and strength of the Holy Spirit, is to pray, and hold up in prayer those in need throughout our parish and beyond. This is the very meaning of community, we pray for them, visit them and keep in touch as much as we can, and they pray for us, as parish even though they might not be able to actually get to church. So we feel part of their lives, and they feel part of ours

With this in mind we have compiled a list of care and nursing homes in our parish, and ask you to adopt one.

Those residents, carers and their families especially need our prayers at this time.

Could you adopt one to protect with a prayer each day? Perhaps one near your own home or with a special meaning to you? 
If you can, please let us know so we can make sure no one is left out. 

  • Acacia Court (Roe Lane)
  • Ascot Lodge (Chambres Rd.)
  • Blair House (Roe Lane)
  • Cedar Grange (Pilkington Rd.)
  • Dale Park (Meols Cop Rd. )
  • Good Companions (Roe Lane )
  • Hampton Court (Scarisbrick New Rd.)
  • Peacehaven House (Roe Lane)
  • Thomas Henshaw (Norwood Rd.)
  • Woodlands Manor (Chambres Rd.)
  • Lyndale (Rawlinson Road)
  • Poulton Court (Wennington Road)
  • Southport Hospital
  • Queenscourt Hospice