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

Although nationally and across many parts of the world, this Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, our Universal liturgical calendar presents us with the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.

A feast which for most of us probably means very little, unless of course, you happened to live in Rome. So! Why are we celebrating this feast day? And what significance does it hold for us? Most visitors to Rome and many Catholics around the world assume that St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is the Mother Church and therefore the most important. This title, however, is only given to The Lateran Basilica, known today as ‘the mother of all Churches’ built around the year 324 by the emperor Constatine and is the Cathedral of Rome. It also has for its patrons St. John the Evangelist and St. John the Baptist although since the seventh century it has been widely known as the Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour.

The Lateran Basilica was the official seat of the Bishop of Rome from the fourth to the fourteen century and what remains today is the triclinium of Pope Leo III (816), the holy stairs from the papal palace (considered by some to have come from the palace of Pontius Pilate) and the ‘holy of holies’, the ancient treasury of the Lateran Basilica.

On Holy Thursday, the Pope celebrates Mass in the Lateran as Bishop of Rome surrounded by his clergy. For that reason, this feast should remind all members of every diocese or local church that all have their origin in the mother church of Rome, which is historically situation in the Lateran Basilica. And although we may be far away, as vital members of our local church, we should, wherever we are, relate to the mother church in Rome, going beyond our geographical confines to a sense of the universal church.

We are fully aware however that it is not the building that makes up the Church. It is the people of God. All churches are important and have their place, the building itself, regardless of its beauty or history, however, should never take precedence over the community it was built to serve. As members of the universal church and the family of God let us pray for unity across the whole church and a deeper love and recognition of our role in the building up of God’s Kingdom here and now.

I will be taking a few extra days off this week prior to Advent and Christmas

God Bless, Fr Kevin

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Following the dreadful attack on the Manchester Synagogue recently, I contacted Dr. Selwyn Goldthorpe chairman of Southport and district Reform Synagogue to offer our condolences and prayers to  him and his family and to all the Jewish community.

Selwyn is the chair of our Interfaith group and this recent attack only serves to highlight how important it is for all our faith communities to stand together in unity especially under these very threatening circumstances.

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.

God Bless, Fr Kevin

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The Pope’s Prayer intention for November 2025: 

For the prevention of suicide: Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.

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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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We have a Deanery Patron, Saint Carlo Acutis.

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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