BECOME A COMMUNITY OF PRAYER
You may wish to select an area in your home where you can pray in comfort.
You may wish to light a candle or play some soft music whilst you pray
Prayer events and prayers can be found in this section of the website.
THE PILGRIMAGE MASS TO THE HOLY HAND OF ST EDMUND ARROWSMITH
📅 Date: Sunday 30 August, 3:00PM
📍Location: St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Liverpool Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 9NP

The Principal Celebrant will be Fr John Hogan of the Diocese of Meath, Ireland. He is the author of the most recent CTS booklet on the life of St Edmund Arrowsmith. All are welcome!
CERTIFICATE IN ALTAR SERVER STUDIES
Applications are now open for the Certificate in Altar Server Studies, a six-month distance learning course offered by the Guild of St Stephen in partnership with the Maryvale Institute. The registration deadline is 15 September.
Designed for adult altar servers (18+), the course explores the liturgy, sacraments, Scripture, leadership, communication and the theology of service. It is delivered through monthly online evening sessions, with an optional study day at Oscott College.
The course costs £500 per student, and parishes may wish to support those interested in undertaking this formation.
For full details, visit guildofststephen.org/certificate or email
AUTUMN AT OUR LADY'S GATEACRE
ANNOINTING MASS AND PRAYERS AT THE SHRINE OF ST PEREGRINE
Saturday 19th September: 12:00noon
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WORSHIP AFTERNOON WITH ONE HOPE PROJECT.
Sunday 20th September: 4pm
Music, adoration, faith sharing and hospitality to follow.
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NETHERLEY INITIATIVE :
Friday 25th September 7pm:
Mass for those who live in Netherley at Netherley Youth and Community Initiative, the former St Gregory’s Church. If you live in Nertherley the church is coming to you!
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CATHOLIC DEEP DIVE:
7pm-8.30pm Tuesday 29th September, Tuesday 13th October, Tuesday 27th October, Tuesday 10th November, Tuesday 24th November.
Ever wanted to delve deeper in your faith in and open friendly atmosphere, five evening sessions are planned just for you.
ANCIENT BYZANTINE ICONOGRAPHY COURSE
📅 Date: 12-18 October 2026
📍Meet: Christian Heritage Centre
A seven-day course writing an icon in the ancient Byzantine style, using the liquid egg tempera technique. The course leads the student through each step of writing an icon of their own, providing theological explanations and practical demonstrations. Our October course is for those with some experience: please register your interest for an opportunity to book onto the next novice course.
THE TRADITIONAL ROMAN RITE STUDY WEEKEND
📅 Date: 11 - 13 September 2026
📍Meet: Christian Heritage Centre
Join us in the beautiful setting of Stonyhurst to explore the key elements of the Roman Church's liturgical tradition.The weekend is intended to offer a deeper understanding of both the Traditional Rite specifically as well as of the New Rite of the Mass, which draws principally on the same heritage of the Church's worship over the centuries. To learn more visit The Traditional Roman Rite: A Study Weekend - The Christian Heritage Centre
WEEKEND OF PRAYER AND RENEWAL
📅 Date: 25-27 September, 2026
📍Location: St Joseph's Prayer Centre Formby
“The Lord heals, restores, and renews…” Keynote Speaker: Ros Powell. Booking is essential. Residential stay: £190; Non-residential with meals: £50 per day; self-catering: donation

PAPAL PRAYER INTENTION JULY 2026
In his prayer intention this month, Pope Leo invites us to pray so that the unique and unrepeatable value of every human being might be recognized and that our societies be open to protecting life through love, tenderness and responsibility.
DAY FOR LIFE 2026
Sunday 21 June is this year’s Day for Life, the annual day in the Church dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition.
This year’s theme is The Wonder of the Child in the Womb. Archbishop John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool and Bishop for Life for England and Wales, has joined with Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin and Bishop John Keenan of Paisley in offering a reflection on the theme and encouraging prayerful support for parents, families and all who have experienced the loss of a child.
Resources to mark the Day for Life
- Archbishop John Sherrington and the bishops’ shared reflection for Day for Life 2026
- Archbishop Sherrington reflects on this year’s theme in an interview with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
- Bidding prayers and prayers for baby loss and bereaved parents
- Pope Leo has shared a message for the Day for Life, which can be read here https://www.cbcew.org.uk/papal-message-day-for-life-2026/
- Relating to last year's theme: Archbishop Sherrington's statement on the reintroduction of the terminally ill adults bill
Listen:
Archbishop John reflects on this year’s theme and the wonder of the child in the womb in an interview with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Archbishop Sherrington reflects on the wonder of the child in the womb
Pray:
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
Use the Day for Life bidding prayers and prayers for parents who have experienced baby loss. You may also wish to pray through the intercession of St Gerard Majella, patron saint of expectant mothers, childbirth and unborn children. (Saint Gerard Majella C.Ss.R)
Support:
Keep in your prayers all parents, families and communities who accompany children before birth and those who continue to grieve the loss of a child.
Further resources and information can be found on the archdiocesan website, and on the Bishop's Conference website.
Day For Life Archives - Catholic Bishops' Conference
https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/day-for-life-how-you-can-get-involved
ADOREMUS 2026
📅 Date: Saturday 10 October (9.00am–5.00pm),
📍 Location: Metropolitan Cathedral
Join us for Adoremus 2026 at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday 10 October (9.00am–5.00pm), a day of Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, workshops, Confession and fellowship.
The day will include Morning Mass celebrated by Fr Ged Callacher, a Eucharistic Procession and Vigil Mass with Archbishop John Sherrington, as well as workshops including Praying with Art and Godly Play, Taizé prayer, a Romero Rosary led by the White Fathers, and much more.
Bookings open on 1 September. Further details will be available soon.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES OF THE WEST BANK
Pilgrims of Hope, URGENT CALL FOR HELP FROM THE LAST CHRISTIANS OF THE HOLY LAND. Visit the website for more details on how to get involved https://www.pilgrimsofhope.co.uk/so/d7PwSE4sY
