Newsletter

Lowe House—the refurbishment of the parish hall is complete and the hall is now in use.

Parish Pilgrimage—October 22nd to 25th (4 days/3 nights). If anyone has not yet returned their form can they bring it to the parish office, together with the deposit (£25 per person) this week.

Hotpot and Quiz—There will be a quiz in aid of Fr. Denis on Friday, 2nd March in Lowe House parish hall, starting at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £5 and will be available next weekend. Numbers limited to 80, so it will be first come, first served. Anyone requiring vegetarian hotpot should request this when purchasing a ticket. Prizes for the raffle will be gratefully received.

If you know of any housebound person who would like to have Holy Communion brought to them, can you please give their name, address and telephone number in at the parish office.

The annual Civic Mass will be held in the Cathedral on Sunday 19th February, at 3.00pm. This Mass will also mark the Golden Jubilee of the Archbishop’s Ordination as a Priest. All welcome to attend.

Celebration of Marriage & Family Life— at St Mary’s, Leyland on Sunday 12th February. The service begins at 3.00pm.

The Keralese Community will be celebrating their monthly Mass in Holy Cross church next Saturday 11th, starting at 9.30am, followed by refreshments in the parish hall.

Facebook—Our 2 churches now have a Facebook page called “Holy Cross and St Mary’s, Lowe House Roman Catholic Churches.” Why not have a look and see what’s going on.

Sacrament of Confirmation—Preparation for the Sacrament will begin shortly and a letter will be delivered to the secondary schools. Children from Year 7 and above are invited to pick up a form from either sacristy. Closing date for applications is Monday 13th February.

My Day by Day booklets for February are now on sale, price £1.

St Helens South Pastoral Area
Pastoral Area Working Group—The following sub-group meetings will take place:
Pastoral Care—Friday February 17th in Lowe House at 7.30pm.
Youth Ministry—Thursday February 23rd at St Bartholomew’s, Rainhill at 7.00pm.
Evangelisation & Mission—Tuesday February 28th in Lowe House at 7.30pm.
Social Activities & Networking—Thursday March 1st at St Vincent’s, Derbyshire Hill at 7.00pm.

Holy Cross Church celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. If anyone has any old photographs of the church that we could borrow, please contact the parish office.

Vocations—Aged 13-18 and thinking about the priesthood? The Vocations Team will hold their monthly discernment meeting at Lowe House on Sunday 5th February at 5pm, followed by the Youth Alive Mass at 6.30pm. Please contact Fr. James Preston on 01942 673753 for further information.

As part of the Archbishop’s Visitation to St Anne & Blessed Dominic’s there will be a Mass with Anointing of the Sick on Saturday 11th February at 2.30pm. All welcome.

A big thank you to Rita Hesketh who has now stepped down from the flower arranging at Lowe House after many years, and also to those who are continuing the good work,:
Val Burke, Pat Southward, Val Pilkington, Mary McGinty and Margaret Ledger

Holy Cross Repository—now open as follows:
Saturdays:lunchtime & before & after Mass
Sundays:before & after Mass
Mondays & Fridays: before & after Mass

Loyola Hall Non-Residential Courses and Events 2012—A Retreat in Daily Life (26th February to 4th March) – Opening meeting Sunday February 26th at 3pm. Individual meetings Monday 27th to Friday 2nd March, times to suit. Closing meeting Sunday 4th at 3pm.
Suggested donation £30. Taster evening 7th February at 7.30pm. For further details and registration form please contact Loyola Hall on 0151 426 4137.

Journey into Prayer at The Prayer Centre, St Joseph’s, Freshfield, Formby on Wednesdays, 8th, 15th and 22nd February from 7pm to 9pm. For further information, please ring 01704 879665.

Next week’s readings:
First Reading:Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Second Reading:Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Gospel:Mark 1:40-45

Retiring collections
This week Catholic Education Services
Next week: Church Heating