Praying Together...

 

 

The Holy Family

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

Fr Kevin McLoughlin

(8th Aug 2026)

For those able to attend Mass during the week we heard several times why we should not be worried or afraid. In a world steeped in worry and fear, I share a re-worked Fr. K’s Desk on the subject.

The Gospel of Lk 10: 38-42 records Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary during which Jesus said to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part.”

Whenever I hear this beautiful Gospel, I instantly think of Mam. She was a wonderful mother and like so many women of her generation, possessed strength and a resilience to cope with whatever life threw at her. Despite this, unlike my dad who was so calm she was a constant worrier. On the one hand she had such great faith but on the other, would worry about everyone especially family, but with eight children, and no grandparents alive to rely on, I am sure there were lots of occasions to worry.

Worry we all recognise is an expression of concern for the many challenges that we face, financial issues, unemployment, family breakdown, drugs and alcohol abuse, ill health, to name but a few. The world is full of worry and anxiety. So how do we begin to respond to Jesus? I think Mary, the sister of Martha, answered this by the example she gave. She sat at the feet of Jesus listening intently to him. Mary was surely instructing us that we must learn to remain close to Jesus and to pray in such a way that we hand over all our worries and anxieties to him. Not with an unreal expectation that he will make them disappear but that with trust and confidence he will remain with us and help us to face them. The great St. Paul understood this perfectly and despite the incredible hardships he endured, remained confident that the love and presence of Jesus would always sustain us. This is from Last Sunday’s readings.

‘Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Jesus Christ.’ (Romans 8:35-39)

Lord, you read our hearts and minds, you are fully aware of our worries, anxieties and cares, grant us the grace to trust in you, to worry less, and to feel your presence supporting us through all the challenges we face

Amen.

 

A few weeks ago, prior to my break, each priest in our Deanery announced ‘The Parish Development Plan’. This represents an initial attempt at arriving at realistic plan for the way forward, given the many varied issues we face. It is now time for everyone within Holy Family to reflect on this plan and to come together and share our views and opinions. This will happen in a Synodal way, which means instead of just discussing the proposals, we begin with sharing the word of God and reflecting upon it. This is because the work we are engaged in is different from other organisations who may likewise have to make big decisions about the future. Our work is centred on Christ, and we, as Church, have, since the day of Pentecost, been guided by the Holy Spirit.

It is crucial that whenever we come together, especially for the purposes of planning ahead, we do so in a spirit of prayer and discernment. Seeking to discover what the Holy Spirit may be saying to us and the direction, in which we are to go.

To accommodate as many parishioners as possible, we have planned three meetings with a fourth if required. Two are immediately after Sunday Masses and one on an evening. Obviously, you only need to attend one meeting and I realise this may be a big ask for many of you, but it is important to come along and to contribute to our shared future.

Meeting one Sunday 9th August 12.00

Meeting two Sunday 16th August 10.30am

Meeting three Monday 17th August 7.00pm.

Potential Fourth meeting to be agreed.

God Bless, Fr Kevin

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.

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.

The Pope’s Prayer intention for August 2026: 

For evangelization in the city: Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.

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