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The Holy Family

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

Fr Kevin McLoughlin

(19th Sept 2026)

I had two visits to our Cathedral last week in my capacity as a chapter canon. On Sunday we joined the Papal Nuncio who had been on a three-day formal visitation to the archdiocese. This concluded with sung evening prayer and a papal blessing. And on Thursday, I returned for our bi-monthly chapter meeting. Speaking to various people on Sunday involved in the visitation, it was lovely to hear that it had all gone extremely well.

Listening to the news recently on the dangers of AI, made me hope that everyone involved with this powerful technology will read Pope Leo’s recent and first encyclical on the subject. ‘Magnifica Humanitas.’ It is a remarkable document and covers all the crucial areas of concern regarding this technology. I pray that those in charge will listen carefully to what Pope Leo is saying and respond accordingly. I quote just two paragraphs out of the 245 which make up the document, but even these two give a glimpse of the quality and magnitude of this timely encyclical.

106. Calling for prudence, rigorous evaluation and even, at times, a slower pace of adopting AI does not mean opposing progress; instead, it is an exercise of responsible care for the human family. This need is all the more urgent given the frequent imbalance between the speed of technological growth and the slower development of awareness, norms, safeguards and institutions capable of governing its effects. It is not enough to invoke ethics in the abstract; robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility are required. Otherwise, change will be governed only by technocratic thinking and presented as necessary and inevitable, ultimately imposing rules shaped by those who control data, infrastructure and computing power.

107 We cannot be satisfied with merely calling for the moralization of machines – the so-called “alignment” of AI with human values – without also having the courage to insist on a further condition: the possibility of openly discussing the ethical frameworks involved and subjecting them to shared standards of social justice. Otherwise, those who control AI will impose their own moral vision, which will become the invisible infrastructure of these systems. A more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few. What is needed is a more active political involvement that is capable of slowing things down when everything is accelerating, and of protecting the opportunities for communities still to be able to participate and ask questions.

Lord, may the wisdom of the Holy Spirit continue to guide Pope Leo and the Church and may all people of good will respond enthusiastically to his call for prudence in areas of technological change and for peace in our fragile world. Amen.

God Bless, Fr Kevin

 

Rise of the Machines, Christian believing in the time of AI A day of reflection led by Rev’d Canon Dr Rod Garner, Saturday 26thSeptember, 9.30am to 4pm, Ince Blundell Hall. The cost is £16, including refreshments, a light lunch, and tea before departure. To book a place email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For further detail please call 07754812915

Thinking of becoming a Catholic?

Thank you to those who have submitted their names to me and who are happy to begin our programme with St. Marie’s and St. Patrick’s on the 22nd of September. I will be having a meeting with Fr. John next week and more information will follow. If you have not yet submitted your name but would like to be involved, please contact me or Athena in the parish office.

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.

Parish Pilgrimage to Knock.

Monday 24th May 2027 - Friday 27th.

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 September 2026:

For the care of water : Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

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