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The Holy Family

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

Fr Kevin McLoughlin

(31st Oct 2026)

Now God is not God of the dead, but of the living; for to Him all men are in fact alive (Lk 20:38).

I returned to the parish last Sunday afternoon following my short and enjoyable break. Despite being half term, it has been a busy week, not least that I had two full days away at various meetings. This weekend marks the beginning of November and the feast of ‘All Saints.’ November always reminds us that winter is around the corner, confirmed by the short days and long dark nights. November is also the month when we remember in a special way our deceased relations and friends. And as we approach remembrance Sunday next week, we think especially of the people who gave their lives in order that we may live in freedom. Sadly, wars and conflicts continue across the world as the heart-breaking situation in the Middle East confirms along with Ukraine/Russia, Sudan and other desperate areas of division and death. And amid all this suffering we are reminded of the courage and bravery of so many who in the cause of doing the right thing risk their lives daily in pursuit of peace and justice including aid agencies and medical personnel.

The dark month of November can be a depressing month and with so many issues facing the world and our focus on previous wars and the loss of millions of innocent lives, our spirits likewise can become darkened. Grief is never far away and despite our Christian belief It can attack our faith and evoke from within a darkness obscuring our hope in the reality and joy of resurrection.

In the Gospel Jesus himself was challenged by religious leaders who did not believe in resurrection. He responds by quoting scripture and concludes with this most powerful line, ‘Now God is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to Him all men (people) are in fact alive (Lk 20:28) Jesus was aware that he himself would have to experience suffering and death in order to rise again, and in so doing proves to the whole of humanity that God really is a God of the living and not of the dead. Jesus is risen, the ‘First born from the dead’ and the eternal hope and light of all who will believe in him.

Lord, during this dark month of November and time of remembering, we celebrate all our glorious Saints, we give thanks for their witness. We also give thanks for the sacrifices made by others to secure our freedom and peace. Bless those who grieve as they strive to come to terms with the emptiness and heartbreak the loss of loved ones brings. May they experience your presence, as you give them new strength to face tomorrow, until the time comes when your light dawns, and the hope and joy of resurrection returns to banish all their darkness …….Amen.

God Bless, Fr Kevin

The Chaplaincy to the University of Liverpool, John Moores University and the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts is based at St Philip Neri Church on Catharine St, L8 7NL.

We offer a place of welcome and hospitality for students and staff. There is a student Sunday Mass at 6pm during term time, and many events through the week and the academic year, helping students to explore their faith, develop their prayer life, and – importantly! socialise with each other and have fun. The chaplain is Fr Neil Ritchie and he is always available to help and support students and staff, whether they are Catholic, are interested in the church or just like what we have on offer. There is a very active student led Catholic Society. There is a group for staff members which meets fortnightly at the chaplaincy; in the coming year we will be reading together and discussing The Afternoon of Christianity by Tomáš Halík. If you are interested, please contact Fr Neil. Our website is www.cathchap.org.uk Fr Neil’s email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: 0151 709 3858 

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.

Pope Francis CMAT:  Our Catholic schools are looking for Foundation Governors to support the mission of Pope Francis CMAT to help children and young people flourish in faith and learning.

We welcome people willing to share their faith, skills and experience in service of our school communities. Training and support are provided.  To find out more, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

R.C.I.A.  The next meeting will be on Tuesday 3rd November 6.15pm in the Marian Centre. We will explore “The Church”.

Parish Pilgrimage to Knock.

Monday 31st May 2027 - Friday 3rd June.

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.

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 November 2026:

For the proper use of wealth Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that not succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service the common good and solidarity of those who have less.

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