Welcome
Good Evening!
We celebrate today.
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Reflect on this week
Lord, teach us to pray again.

Archdiocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2025
We join in prayer this week with the pilgrims going to Lourdes for the Archdiocesan pilgrimage Thursday 24th July to Thursday 31st July.
A Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure for their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.
Pilgrimage Mass – Holy Hand of St Edmund Arrowsmith
The annual Pilgrimage Mass to the Holy Hand of St Edmund Arrowsmith will be taking place at the Church of St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith, Liverpool Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield (WN4 9NP) on Sunday 24 August 2025 at 3.00pm.
Canon Sean Riley will be the principal celebrant. The Mass will be followed by a blessing with the Holy Hand.
A pilgrim walk will take place beforehand at 12 noon (if you'd like to join, please sign up here so we know rough numbers), and refreshments will be served after the Mass.
CATHOLIC PASTORAL LEADERSHIP COURSE – WITH LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY
Are you involved in any ministry in the Church? Are you interested in doing more for the Church? Do you want to expand your skills in pastoral leadership? This online course in Catholic Pastoral Leadership might be what you are looking for.
Liverpool Hope University has collaborated with several Catholic dioceses across England and Wales to help people like you to gain fresh perspectives on Scripture and Church teaching. You will look at real-world issues in the light of our tradition and consider the best ways of exploring Christian faith and life with others. You will follow the course online and will do most of the work at a time to suit yourself – with occasional live zoom sessions. For more information visit:
https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/department/pastoral-development/catholic-pastoral-leadership
You can complete this course in one of two ways. All students will review the material presented online and submit some assessed work to complete the course (total cost £1900). Alternatively, you can choose to take this course as a postgraduate certificate (60 credits) at extra cost and with additional work (total cost £2400). Funding may be available from the Archdiocese of Liverpool. To find out more, please email Moses Mui at m.mui@rcaol.org.uk
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The Catholic Community of Skelmersdale is served by three churches and six schools. As one parish we strive to build a living community of family and friends. Together we try to love one another and put into practice the way Jesus taught us to live. We believe that belonging to the Church enriches lives on so many different levels and in so many different ways.
In this family of faith:
– Each person is valued
– Each person is welcomed
– Each person is loved
A warm welcome awaits you!

** Cabaret Night: Thank you **
Huge thanks to the organisers, and performers at the parish cabaret evening, held on 16th May. It was a really enjoyable lively evening and was successful in raising over £600 towards the 50th anniversary celebration next month, for St Francis’ church.
Click to see photos from the night.....
Congratulations to all the young people who made their First Holy Communion in May.
And a big thank you to our Catechist Team, for their wonderful work preparing the children and families for this special moment in their lives.
2026
Information about the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communions in 2026 will be available in the Autumn this year.
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Saturday 19 July | 5:00pm | | Mass @ St Mary |
| Sunday 20 July | 9:00am | | Mass @ St Richard |
| Sunday 20 July | 11:00am | | Mass @ St Francis |
| Saturday 26 July | 5:00pm | | Mass @ St Mary |
| Sunday 27 July | 9:00am | | Mass @ St Richard |
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