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

(14th Feb 2026)  

 Wednesday is Ash Wednesday which launches us into the Lenten Season. Traditionally Lent is a time when we think of giving something up that we enjoy and whilst fasting or abstaining is certainly one aspect of Lent it should by no means be the only way to prepare for Easter which is the purpose of Lent. We must also think of doing something more, or extra, especially for those in any kind of need!

I think the best clue to really understanding Lent is contained in the second of two prayers said as the ashes are traced onto our forehead ‘Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel’ Lent is a wonderful time to review our lives and our lifestyles. It is a time for seriously considering what is important and where our priorities lie. Likewise, it is a time for a good examination of conscience to decide what changes I need to make if I truly desire to grow in God’s love and become a better Christian. This requires honesty and a genuine humble desire to grow in Christ’s love. 

Living in a very secular world there is a real danger that we can lose our sense of spiritual discipline and become spiritually lazy. And whilst it is important not to become over critical of ourselves and our weaknesses and sins, it is also necessary to take stock and decide how best I can ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel’ For each one of us the answer may be different but our starting point along with receiving the Sacrament of reconciliation/confession is the following suggestion made by the late Cardinal Hume in one of his Ash Wednesday homilies; 
“Perhaps we can ask ourselves is our religion something only external, or does it touch our minds and our hearts? What is important about Lent is to have a change of heart, put things right in our lives that may be wrong. I sum that up by saying: to turn ourselves away from those things that in some way separate us from God or displease him, and allow him to really touch our minds and hearts”

Lord, give us your grace to review our lives in an honest and humble way and to recognise how the power of your love can transform us. Help us also to resist the many temptations by our Lenten works of charity and penance as we accompany you on your journey to Calvary and beyond, to the Joy of Easter……Amen. May we all have a truly grace-filled and fruitful Lenten Season.

Beginning next week and throughout Lent, there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 9.00am whenever Mass is celebrated at 9.30am.

God bless, Fr Kevin.

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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.

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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.

God Bless, Fr Kevin

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The Pope’s Prayer intention for February 2026: 

For children with incurable diseases Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

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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

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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