THE FUTURE OF HOLY FAMILY CHURCH: A NOTE FROM FR. PETER MCGRAIL:
Dear all, last week I announced the Archbishop’s decision to remove Holy Family Church from sacred use. I know this will have been difficult news for many of you, as Holy Family Church has been the spiritual home of generations of parishioners, and its walls are filled with memories, both happy and sad. I also appreciate that those who moved to Holy Family from St. Andrew’s are facing a second move, which I’m sure no-one welcomes.
The FINAL MASS to be celebrated at Holy Family will take place at 5:15pm on Saturday 21 November.
I also announced last week that the weekend of 21/22 November will mark the end of Fr. Peter Murphy’s time as assistant priest at St. John Vianney and St. Mary’s. We are all deeply grateful for Fr. Peter Murphy’s ministry among us over the past years, and I especially have cause to say ’thank-you’ to him for the help and support he has given me since I arrived here as your parish priest.
Fr. Murphy’s departure and the closure of Holy Family Church mean that we urgently need to review the times and locations of Sunday Mass. From the First Sunday of Advent, we will be down to one priest serving both parishes. I am working on the presumption that we will aim to have one Mass on Saturday evening and two on Sunday morning; it is therefore important to gauge people’s preferences, so we have launched a questionnaire. This obviously can’t be a simple project of taking a ‘democratic vote’ - in making the final decision, we will need to keep in mind factors such as bus timetables and the time it will take for me and Deacon Peter to travel between the churches.
The questionnaire is available in two ways. If you are tech-savvy, please scan the QR Code or use the link to complete the questionnaire online Questionnaire on Mass Times
Alternatively, paper copies will be available in Church at all Masses this weekend. We need to move quickly, as the new timetable will start on the First Sunday of Advent; the closing date for submissions is Wednesday 11 November.
This is a huge change for all of us, so please keep these matters in your prayers. With prayers for God’s blessing on you and your families, Fr. Peter McGrail
How can I make a financial contribution to the parish?
For those parishioners who do not already donate by Standing Order and would like to do so, you can find an electronic copy on our website or by following this link:
Please be sure to use the correct account name, which is ST MARY'S CHURCH (015). The details on the form can also be used to make a single payment using online banking or a mobile banking app. If you encounter any difficulty completing the form, please send an e-mail to the parish office including your telephone number and we will get back to you.
Online and text giving is available:
Text giving is available and their ia an online giving website (details below) for accepting both one-off and regular donations
Text SAINTMARY to 70085 to donate £2. Texts cost £2 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £2 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70085.
Text SAINTMARYto 70450 to donate £3. Texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £3 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70450.
Text SAINTMARYto 70460 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £5 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70460.
Text SAINTMARYto 70470 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAINTMARYNOINFO to 70470.
Online giving website:
The Archdiocesan online giving website can be used for both one-off and regular monthly donations.
To visit St Mary's page go to https://archdioceseofliverpool.churchsuite.com/donate/fund/xza9kske
Sum Up Machine
You can make one off donations to the parish via the Sum up machine at the back of the church
