Latest

Honora Bartley

Requiem Mass, Holy Family

11.30am, Thursday, 2 January

Jeanne Manning

Requiem Mass, St Mark's

2pm, Friday, 3 January

Mary Lonsdale

Requiem Mass, St Mark's

11am, Friday, 17 January

What is a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church?

An ordinary jubilee happens in the church every 25 years – the last one was in the year 2000.  Occasionally, there can also be Extraordinary Jubilees called, for example, we had one in 2015, that ran until 2016, called the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.  Jubilee years date back to the 1300s, and traditionally, it is a year that sees the remission of sins, debts and universal pardon.

2025 will mark 60 years since the second Vatican Council, or Vatican II.  Following a Year of Prayer in 2024, celebrations will now begin.  The theme is Pilgrims of Hope.

This year’s Jubilee logo is rich with imagery that can help you to understand the meaning of the Jubilee.  Father Simon Gore explains: “The logo shows a group of people travelling together, reminding young people that they’re never alone on their journey of faith and will always have support in their faith communities.  There's also the symbol of the wave, a reminder of the potential difficulties of being a follower of Christ in the modern age.  But most importantly, there's the anchor – the anchor of hope – to show that no matter the difficulty, we can always find hope and comfort in our faith.”

Watch this space for more news and events.

Our Christmas Masses

First Mass of Christmas on Christmas Eve, 6pm, St Mark's

Christmas Eve Carol Service, 8.30pm, Holy Family

Christmas Eve Mass, 9pm, Holy Family

Christmas Day Mass, 9.15am, St Mark’s

Christmas Day Mass, 11am, Holy Family

Christmas Message from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon

I have always loved giving and receiving presents at Christmas. The element of surprise is so exciting as the parcels are unwrapped and the gifts revealed. In choosing gifts for those we love, and respect can involve a lot of care and consideration, and the gift no matter how small becomes an expression of love. Receiving gifts tells us that we are loved and lovable.

On Christmas day we celebrate the greatest gift we will ever receive. The gift of the Christ-child, Jesus, is freely given to us by our loving God. God has given us everything that we own even our own lives and God’s loving gift of life sustains us throughout our earthly lives. That is not an easy idea for us to understand because we are so used to doing things for ourselves, making our own lives, deciding what we want to be and how we live our lives. But we often forget that the degree of autonomy to make these decisions is a gift from God. In this age of self-entitlement we easily forget that human rights derive from our human dignity which is also a gift from God.

Jesus, the gift of God himself to us, is not a present that is easy to receive. He is not quite what we want or expect. He is not wealthy or powerful. He doesn’t live in palaces, wear expensive clothes or have large armies. He makes us wonder what kind of person he is. Jesus was born in poor circumstances, and we are reminded that it is not wealth that makes the gift worthwhile but the love with which the gift is given and received. In our time many people throughout the world especially those who are refugees or are in war zones give birth to their children with joy and gratitude to God. Their newborn children are gifts from God as well as signs of his love for them and an expression of hope for the future. Every person who is born into the world has a special purpose. That person is called to a life on earth and, in eternity, to be with God. St John Paul II called this the universal call to holiness.

That call or vocation is a special Christmas gift that comes to us along with the babe in the manger. As we draw close to Jesus over the Christmas season, we can be sure that he is calling each of us to some definite service. This call or vocation takes many forms which often change at different stages of life. We should not be daunted by this but see it as a gift from Jesus who walks with us through life. He will guide and support us – yes, Jesus the Christ-child is the true gift that keeps on giving.

I wish you and your loved ones a very happy and Blessed Christmas.

Most Rev. Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool 

An Invite to a Unique Opportunity

“A Bishop’s task is to preside over a local Church as a visible principle of unity within it and a bond of communion with all the Churches.” (69)

“This is why the Assembly desires that the People of God have a greater voice in choosing Bishops.” (70)                                                                                          XVI ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS 2024

The Vatican Synod clearly says that in the appointment of bishops the voice of synodal bodies must be heard. As you know, the process is underway for the appointment of a new Archbishop of Liverpool. You are invited to contribute to this process to have your voice heard. This is an exciting development in the life of the Church! There will be two meetings, held with the blessing of Archbishop Malcolm, on:

·        Thursday, 16th January 2025 at St Mary’s Leyland, PR25 1PD (7.00pm – 9.30pm) and

·        Saturday, 18th Jan 2025 at St Margaret Clitherow Centre, L17 1AA (10.30am - 1.00pm) 

Each gathering will be the same – so only come to one of them.  There will be two parts to the meeting: Firstly, we will begin by looking at where we are as a diocese and our future development and secondly we will consider the qualities needed in our future Archbishop. 

This is open to all members of our community here in the Archdiocese.  To reserve a place at one of the meetings please fill in the online form via this link:  bit.ly/ASCMeetingAOL 

If you are unable to take part in person, but would like to take part in the Saturday meeting by Zoom, please follow the link below on Saturday, 18^th January at 10.30am:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89983555285?pwd=GbHwdzCo42YoaRMvlIq8GgZBz5M5NW.1

With best wishes, the Executive of the Archdiocesan Synodal Council. 

Flame 2025, Fan the Flame of Hope

This is a full day event full of energy, prayer, joy and hope with content that is ideal for young people from Year 10 to Year 13 (age approx 15–18) including inspiring speakers from all around the world, representatives from a number of organisations, award winning musicians and so much more.

The event is ideal for Confirmation and post-Confirmation groups, or school groups.  It is a vibrant experience of young Church, concluding with Adoration led by most of the Bishops of England and Wales; the whole day really opens the young people’s horizons about what the Church is and their part in it.

Saturday, 15 March, OVO Arena, Wembley, £60, travel and ticket included. For more info email: admin@animateyouth.co.uk

Sacrament of Confirmation 2025

If you are in Year 8 and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation you can register at Liverpoolcalled.co.uk from 13 January 202, registration will close 17 March.

Catholic Bishops of England, Wales, and Scotland unite in compassionate action to oppose Bill on assisted suicide

The Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland have issued a statement on Assisted Suicide ahead of the Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

In it, the bishops explain exactly what 'compassion' means at the end of life - caring for and accompanying people, particularly during times of suffering.

The statement strongly defends the vulnerable in society who are at risk through this proposed legislation, and the bishops advocate for better funded palliative care to be consistently available to everyone in need in England, Wales, and Scotland. "People who are suffering need to know they are loved and valued. They need compassionate care, not assistance to end their lives," say the bishops. "Palliative care, with expert pain relief, and good human, spiritual, and pastoral support, is the right and best way to care for people towards the end of life."

They also assert that assisted suicide raises serious issues of principle that can't be ignored:

"The time given for Parliament to consider the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which will permit assisted suicide is woefully inadequate. Although the Bill indicates safeguards will be in place, the experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been introduced shows that such promised safeguards are soon forgotten. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and parts of the USA, the criteria for assisted suicide have been expanded significantly, in law or in practice, often to include people with mental illness and others who have no terminal diagnosis."

The bishops affirm the Catholic belief in human dignity and sanctity of life, but fear that a law that allows for assisted suicide could lead some to experience ‘a duty to die’:

"Some may well feel their continued existence is a burden to others, and, implicitly or explicitly, be pressured into assisted suicide. This includes people who are elderly, infirm, and living with disabilities. The protection of such people is the foundation of civilised society. It is at the heart of good government."

The bishops also express their concern that this Bill will fundamentally damage the relationship between medical staff and their patients. They fear it could lead to pressure on medical practitioners to recommend or facilitate such procedures:

"The impact on hospices, care homes, and those who work in social and community care cannot be underestimated. It will radically alter the ethos of trust and support which underpins our service to those in need and their families."

Finally, two weeks ahead of the debate and vote in parliament, the bishops urge Catholics and those who share our belief in the dignity and value of every human life, to contact their local MP to make their opposition known, asking him or her to oppose or not support the Bill.

Many bishops have issued pastoral letters on assisted suicide. You can find those promulgated by the Bishops of England and Wales here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/category/cbcew/life-issues/assisted-suicide

Full statement

Be compassionate

As Catholic Bishops in England and Wales, and in Scotland, we believe that genuine compassion is under threat because of the attempts in Parliament to legalise assisted suicide. ‘Compassion’ means to enter into and share the suffering of another person. It means never giving up on anyone or abandoning them. It means loving them to the natural end of their life, even if and when they struggle to find meaning and purpose. Compassion means accompanying people, especially during sickness, disability, and old age. This kind of genuine compassion is witnessed through the care and respect we show to people with terminal illness as they complete their journey in this life.

We appeal to those who share our Catholic belief in human dignity and sanctity of life, including fellow Christians, other religious people, and people of reason and good will, to join with us in defending the weakest and most vulnerable who are at risk through this proposed legislation.

Life is a gift to be protected, especially when threatened by sickness and death. Palliative care, with expert pain relief, and good human, spiritual, and pastoral support, is the right and best way to care for people towards the end of life. More adequate funding and resources for hospices and palliative care teams authentically serve and honour our shared human dignity. In the discussion around assisted suicide, so much is made of freedom of choice and autonomy; but autonomy is not absolute and must always be placed within the context of the common good of society as a whole. People who are suffering need to know they are loved and valued. They need compassionate care, not assistance to end their lives.

Assisted suicide raises serious issues of principle. The time given for Parliament to consider the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which will permit assisted suicide is woefully inadequate. Although the Bill indicates safeguards will be in place, the experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been introduced shows that such promised safeguards are soon forgotten. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and parts of the USA, the criteria for assisted suicide have been expanded significantly, in law or in practice, often to include people with mental illness and others who have no terminal diagnosis. It is not always easy to predict the length of time a person with a terminal illness has to live, making this Bill unworkable.

We are alarmed by the impact that legalisation will have on the most vulnerable members of our society. The option to end life can quickly, and subtly, be experienced as a duty to die. Some may well feel their continued existence is a burden to others, and, implicitly or explicitly, be pressured into assisted suicide. This includes people who are elderly, infirm, and living with disabilities. The protection of such people is the foundation of civilised society. It is at the heart of good government.

We are also concerned that this Bill will fundamentally damage the relationship between medical practitioners and their patients. It will potentially lead to pressure on medical staff to recommend or facilitate such procedures. Will the right to conscientious objection for individuals and institutions be guaranteed? The impact on hospices, care homes, and those who work in social and community care cannot be underestimated. It will radically alter the ethos of trust and support which underpins our service to those in need and their families.

We urge all people of good will to oppose this legislation and, instead, to advocate for better funded palliative care which is consistently available to everyone in need in England, Wales, and Scotland. Please inform yourself and others about this issue and contact your Member of Parliament to make your opposition known, asking him or her to oppose or not support the Bill. 

As Catholic Bishops, we call upon all Catholics, and invite all those who share our Christian faith, to turn in prayer to God our Father. Please pray that the dignity of human life will be protected and defended. On the cross, Christ united Himself to every form of human suffering and every person who suffers. In Him, life is changed, not ended. He shows us, in His own crucified and risen body, that love is always stronger than death.

Looking for a Late Catholic Gap Year?

Do you know anybody who is Catholic, aged around 18 to 22 and still not got anything lined up for the year ahead? Castlerigg Manor (the Diocese of Lancaster Retreat Centre, located in the Lake District) are still looking for young people to join their youth ministry internship scheme.  The scheme provides comprehensive training and experience as well as accommodation and food for the year, and a stipend each week.  Interested? Please visit: castleriggmanor.com or email Jack Regan – director@castleriggmanor.co.uk

Starting School September 2025 or Starting First Holy Communion Preparation September 2024/25?

If the above applies to you, please be aware that all children are required to produce a Baptism Certificate in order to be eligible.  We have limited availability so if you wish your child to receive the Sacrament of Baptism please attend a Baptism Registration meeting as soon as possible.

St Mark’s Parish Centre

Every Sunday, 7pm-10.30pm, Karaoke Night.

Save the Date!  New Year’s Eve, singer Dee Maycee, tickets £10 from the Parish Centre.

Liverpool Catholic Ramblers

The LCR Association is a rambling group now in its 97th year that is open to non Catholics and which conducts walks on Sundays throughout the year, which vary in length and physical demands.

All walks are led by experienced ramblers. A walks can be 10 to 15 miles and are for the more experienced ramblers, B are shorter and C are shorter still and can be 7 to 8 miles. Consideration is given in advance to the difficulty of the course, the terrain, whether stiles, steep hills, or busy roads are to be crossed and the numbers who may be expected to take part.



For more info contact:  Will Harris on 0151 486 6541 or email willharris33@btinternet.com

RCIA Meetings

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process given to us by the Church to initiate adults and older children into Christianity as it is lived within the Roman Catholic tradition.  Do you know anyone who wants to become a Catholic?  Whatever your starting point you are very welcome to come along.

This course has now started and takes place every Thursday, 7pm in St Mark’s annexe.  All enquiries to Reverend Peter Renwick on 07707 917 554.

Links to Access Livestream Masses

https://www.churchservices.tv/county/merseyside/

https://www.churchservices.tv/county/lancashire/

https://www.mcnmedia.tv/Cameras?Country=England&County=Lancashire