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The Holy Family

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

Fr Kevin McLoughlin

(16th May 2026)

On Sunday 17th I think you may know that I am celebrating my seventieth Birthday.  I cannot fully equate the number of years with how I feel inwardly. At one level a birthday is just another day, but at another level, it is a marker and an obvious reminder that the older we get ‘time waits for no man’. And it is important that we not only recognise our mortality but that we endeavour to enjoy and live each day with grateful hearts and a willingness to look out for each other. 

As Christians, we are so incredibly blessed to know that however long or short our lives may be, our true homeland is waiting for us in heaven. Jesus made it clear, that those who believe in him would not parish but would have eternal life. Throughout the Easter season we have been celebrating his victory of light over darkness and of life over death. On Thursday we celebrated his glorious Ascension into Heaven where, according to his words at the last supper, he has gone to ‘prepare a place for us’, with a promise to return to take us with him (Jn 14.3)

Today I am so incredibly grateful as I reflect on this milestone and for the innumerable blessings I have received from God. For the love of my parents, family and friends, for my health and for so many wonderful life experiences and for emerging from the tough ones, but especially, for his gift of priesthood and the privilege of meeting and serving so many wonderful people in all the places I made my home. A sincere and grateful thanks to every one of you!

Birthdays

Birthdays are so important. On our birthdays we celebrate being alive. On our birthdays people can say to us, “Thank you for being!” birthday presents are a sign of our families and friends joy that we are part of their lives. Little children often look forward to their birthdays for months. Their birthdays are their big days, when they are the centre of attention and all their friends come to celebrate.

We should never forget our birthdays or the birthdays of those who are close to us. Birthdays keep us childlike. They remind us that what is important is not what we do or accomplish, not what we have or who we know, but that we ‘are’ here and now. On birthdays let us be profoundly grateful for the gift of life. (Fr. H. Nouwen).

God bless.  Fr Kevin

'Many Voices - One Faith' Sunday 24th May 2026, 3-5pm The Churches of the Liverpool City Region invite you to join together as we celebrate Pentecost with a march from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral to Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. We will be gathering for this family friendly event at 3pm on Sunday 24th May on the plaza outside the Metropolitan Cathedral before walking together along Hope Street to the Liverpool Cathedral. The theme for this year’s march is ‘Many voices, one faith’. We will be welcoming people from many different cultures and backgrounds to participate in this symbol of Christian unity and togetherness. The march finishes at the Anglican Cathedral with family friendly activities and numerous stalls from local charities advertising their work. Do join us … All are welcome!

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.

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 May 2026: 

That everyone might have food Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.

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