The horrific events that took place in Southport last month with the murder of Alice, Bebe and Elsie and the wounding of several other children and two adults left us stunned to the core. If that wasn’t enough, the riot following the vigil for the victims of the knife attack was incomprehensible and frightening as a mosque was attacked, police injured, and property destroyed. I was asked a question that was on many people’s lips, ’Where is God in all this?’ That’s not easy to answer but I thought of the reply given by the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks when asked a similar question about the holocaust. He replied that the real question is not where was God, but where was humanity?
Pope Francis talked about the common nature of humanity in Fratelli Tutti, and has made visits to leaders of other faiths to talk about what we have in common rather than our differences. We have seen this in action in Southport and other locations after the riots, when people of many races and creeds have come together to clean up the mess. Right-minded people have gathered to protect our common values and property. These actions have shown how we can overcome the forces of division and destruction when we stand together. This will take an effort by every one of us. There can be no bystanders if we want to live in peace and harmony with our neighbours.
Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool
Monthly prayer intentions
The Holy Father’s prayer intentions entrusted to his worldwide prayer network for the year 2024:
September
For The Cry Of The Earth
Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and the climate crisis, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit.
www.popesprayer.va
Lourdes 2024 in numbers
• 750 pilgrims from Archdiocese of Liverpool
• Around 50 assisted pilgrims
• 250 Liverpool Youth people
• 140 Liverpool Hospitalité members
A week of energy, joy and thanksgiving
The 2024 Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes proved a week to remember for the 750 pilgrims who journeyed to southwest France from 19-26 July.
by Simon Hart
Anyone who has strolled through Lourdes during the week when Liverpool’s pilgrims are in town will know full well that it is a place of encounters. Indeed, there are days you can barely walk for two minutes without bumping into one friendly face or another.
And so, when Archbishop Malcolm McMahon addressed the pastoral theme of this year’s Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes –‘Come in procession’ – he did so with that sense of proximity, of togetherness, in mind.
Speaking at the Liverpool Mass at the Grotto on Sunday 21 July, the Archbishop said that a pilgrimage was ‘journeying with other people and not on our own’ and he pointed to the opportunities that this provided to see God in others. ‘That is why Mary said, “Come in procession”,’ he said. ‘Don’t come on your own, because you meet God in other people, and you meet God in Jesus Christ who is coming to you all the time.’
In this way, Archbishop Malcolm, leading the pilgrimage for the final time before retirement, helped set the tone for a week in which around 750 people from across the archdiocese gathered at the Marian shrine in the southwest of France. Among them were just over 50 assisted or sick pilgrims, who received
support from 140 Liverpool Hospitalité members – including 20 newcomers and 250 youngsters from the Liverpool Youth Pilgrimage.
According to Father Grant Maddock, the director of the pilgrimage, this was a smaller gathering than last year’s centenary pilgrimage, yet it proved no less memorable as a prayerful week filled with moments of deep meaning for those present.
It was a pilgrimage week which ran from 19-26 July and combined customary high points – such as the Monday night participation in the Torchlight Procession alongside several thousand other pilgrims – with innovations including the scheduling of the Mass of Anointing for the first full day in Lourdes, Saturday 20th. Where previously this had been held later in the week, it now formed part of the Mass of Welcome in the Underground Basilica.
‘People received the healing and forgiveness they were yearning for right from the moment of arrival,’ explained Fr Grant. ‘I think it lent itself to some of the energy and joy and thanksgiving there throughout the week.’
Another innovation was the new service for reflection for pilgrims – ‘Lourdes, a Place of Prayer’ – on the Sunday night. This took the place of the Service of Reconciliation, with the Sacrament of Confession available instead for
pilgrims before each Mass. At the end of the service, pilgrims were invited to receive the water gesture – the pouring of water over the hands and face which responds to Our Lady’s call to Bernadette to go to the spring ‘and wash yourself there’.
‘We had the water gesture at the end of it and it was really meaningful for so many people,’ said Una Giles, the assistant pilgrimage director. For all assisted pilgrims, a second opportunity to receive the water gesture came on Tuesday 23 during the Stations of the Cross, on the prairie across the river from the Grotto.
As Una added, another novelty was the ‘buddy’ scheme for assisted pilgrims whereby, on the day of departure at John Lennon Airport, each had a member of Liverpool Hospitalité assigned to accompany them through to the plane.
‘They went through the airport with them, and that seemed to go down very well,’ she said.
The presence in Lourdes of lanterns, brought over from the archdiocese and holding petitions from people unable to make the journey to the French Pyrenees, was significant too. According to Fr Grant, this is a concept which will be developed further for the 2025 pilgrimage. ‘We want to develop that so that each deanery can
have a lantern for petitions,’ he explained. ‘It will travel around the churches leading up to the pilgrimage and we will then take each of them with us.’
As this year’s pilgrimage drew to a close, there were words of gratitude at the Mass of Thanksgiving on the final full day, Thursday 25, for two senior figures in the organisation of the pilgrimage who have now stepped down from their roles. Denise McLaughlan had been chief nurse for over a decade, while Mike Roper was a mainstay for many years and served as executive treasurer of the pilgrimage until the start of 2024. ‘We’re very grateful for their wonderful efforts over the years,’ said Fr Grant.
As for the Youth Pilgrimage, Fr Simon Gore, the archdiocesan director of youth ministry, pointed to an uplifting finale to a week where he saw an abundance of the togetherness that Archbishop Malcolm had spoken of at the Grotto Mass. To underline the point, at the conclusion of their farewell service, the Youth pilgrims –from seven different coaches from across the archdiocese – all came together, linking arms and singing hymns.
‘Rather than just individuals or groups of mates or a coach community, to have 250 young people all with their arms around each other and even doing a conga while
singing hymns, was quite a symbolic sight,’ said Fr Simon. ‘It really speaks to that idea of everyone being there for that same purpose, to support each other and help each other out.’
This was the third Liverpool pilgrimage since the two-year interruption for Covid and, interestingly, across these last three years, Fr Simon has seen a new generation of young pilgrims re-establish the continuity and momentum that was affected by the hiatus. ‘This year there was a real sense across the Youth pilgrimage that the old culture had returned, and that means coaches as independent entities working well, but also everyone working together – the staff teams and the young people – and it created a joyous and uplifting pilgrimage for everybody.’ There was a similarly positive final reflection from Fr Grant who, summing up the pilgrimage overall, said: ‘It was spiritually very uplifting. The community atmosphere was as you always experience on our pilgrimage week when everybody connects with old friends and new. And that level of support and concern and interest in one another gives an insight into what Church could be if we could only mirror that when we come back home with our local communities.
‘Of course, that is so often the way – you ‘climb the mountain of the Lord’ when you are on a pilgrimage, you’re in that moment, you want to stay there and hold on to it, but you have to get back down to the day-today lives we all have to lead with their own challenges. However, we are at least renewed and refreshed because of it.’
Next year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Thursday 24 - Thursday 31 July.
To join the Liverpool Hospitalité, contact newmembersliverpool@outlook.com.
On a liturgical note
On the 21st of this month, the liturgy gives us the feast day of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. I was brought up in the parish of St Matthew in Liverpool, so this day holds special memories of those good and faithful members of the parish community who gave such good example – and continue to give good example – of their Christian lives.
Our sense of belonging to a particular parish is made up of many memories and emotions and bonds of friendship, and this is good and wholesome. It is good to remember, however, that some churches and geographical areas were customarily not known as ‘the parish of’ but ‘the mission’.
Canon Philip Gillespie
of life and by the upholding of the virtues and values of the Gospel, even in our political and civic life.
For information on the Liverpool Youth Pilgrimage, visit www.animateyouth.org Seeing God through hindsight
The use of the title ‘mission’ is telling; it reminds us that the group of people in a particular place provide a presence that is stable but never static, always seeking fresh and new ways of proclaiming the Gospel in that place. Yes, we are constantly renewed and nourished by the Sacraments, by our communal prayer and by our individual and private devotions, but all of this is then to be made something real and active in the witness we give to the Gospel by our way
Sunday thoughts
The 2003 film ‘Lost in Translation’ starring Bill Murray tells the story of an American actor facing a mid-life crisis.
Moving to Japan, he attempts to negotiate its language and culture. It highlights the difficulty with all translation. Among scholars, there are two methods of translating: formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence. The former stays as close to the original text as possible with a word-for-word rendering. With dynamic equivalence, the target audience is taken into account and the text is translated in a way that makes more sense than a literal translation.
A formal-equivalence translation may be difficult to read and not the way normal English is written or spoken. The best approach is a blend of formal and dynamic equivalence.
The same issues arise in translating the inspired Word of God, the Bible. The Jerusalem Bible, edited by Liverpool priest Monsignor Alexander Jones, was published in 1966. As a 12-year-old, was privileged to be taught RE by him at the very time he was busy editing this and its extensive explanatory notes. A biblical scholar of international repute, he taught generations of students at Upholland, the then archdiocesan seminary, and went on to teach at Christ’s College, now part of Liverpool
Jesus sends his disciples out on a mission – they are to proclaim the Kingdom of God in all its fullness and its richness – and that mission, that ‘sending out’, continues today in and through the Church. So let us rejoice in the mission that we receive – and then make it something real and active in our lives today.
Another saint whom the liturgy places before us this month is St John of Constantinople, sometimes known as Chrysostom (Greek for ‘golden mouth’).
He was an eloquent preacher, whose words and example encouraged others to follow their vocation in word and in action. He was very keen that the worship we give to God on a Sunday should be translated into the care we give each day to the society around us, particularly the poor and the weakest members of the communities in whose lives we share.
The rich person is not the one in possession of much, but one who gives much.
Mgr John Devine OBE
Hope University. In the new Lectionary to be introduced on 1 December this year, this translation is to be replaced by the English Standard Version, Catholic Edition.
The Jerusalem Bible reads more like ‘modern’ English, the English Standard Version may be less so. The Jerusalem Bible says: ‘What gain, then, is it for a man to win the whole world and ruin his life?’ The English Standard Version says: ‘For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?’
The New International Version, popular among evangelical churches, reads: ‘What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?’
It retains the word ‘soul’ but uses the gender-inclusive ‘someone’ rather than ‘man’. All are different translations of the original Greek text of the Gospels. These Greek translations are themselves translations of the original words of Jesus who would have spoken in Aramaic.
After 50 years as a priest, I know many passages from the Jerusalem Bible by heart. This new translation will change that. However, my years in Peru, speaking and reading in Spanish, also brought an enriched understanding of the scriptures. Maybe this new translation will do the same. Lost in translation? Maybe not.
I once led a retreat titled ‘An encounter with unconditional love’.
After the first session, I was confronted by a woman who pushed me against the wall and held me there as she accused me of not believing in God’s judgement and justice. Though angry, she was a good woman. Her life had been hard and when she’d become aware of the Gospel, the things Jesus said had led her to give up certain ways of life. But she now screamed at me: ‘There has to be justice for the way we’ve lived our lives! God’s retribution has to be fulfilled!’ Before she burst into tears, she added: ‘Someone has to pay … there has to be a hell.’
I’d never denied that reality. Yet it is amazing the spin that people can put on things that are said because of their own inner state. begged her to look back on her life and see the goodness of God.
One of my greatest friends used to say that the greatest sight God has given us is hindsight, because it’s in looking back through our lives that we see the presence of God at work. It’s with hindsight that we recognise what God is doing in our lives and how love is constantly liberating us and setting us free. When we are in the experience, we don’t always see. In fact, usually we cannot see God at work at all; we simply have to trust. Faith isn’t about certitude. It’s about feeling the way and believing in the love and the promise of God. know that dogma and doctrine are important. They provide the framework in which we operate but it’s far more important to trust in the living God whose love is active in our lives even when we don’t feel it or, at times, expect it.
In the Book of Exodus, we see the Israelites move off into the desert and that challenge to trust is of paramount importance. They had no idea where they were going. What does it mean to say they were heading for the Promised Land? Forty years in the Sinai desert on a journey that should only have taken them eleven days. They had to learn the lesson of trusting in the love that led them out of Egypt and which would be with them for ever, guiding and leading.
It’s a reminder to us that we’re required to trust in love on this journey of faith. Each of us will have our times in the desert. We’ll all have times when we experience being overwhelmed but will we trust in love? As Father Ronald Rolheiser, the Canadian writer, says: ‘Trusting in love is the acid test of faith.’ The challenge is always to be a person of faith, to grow in trust day by day, to be formed by, and believe in, the love we have experienced. That’s the essential lesson of the desert. Let’s pray for the courage to take up the challenge and learn the lesson.
Father Chris Thomas
Come in Procession: Youth pilgrims and the hospitalite are among those processing into Mass.
Lanterns containing prayers from the archdiocese were brought to Lourdes.
Derek, Roy and Johnny (and the dragon)
by Neil Sayer, Archdiocesan Archivist
Roy Castle and Archbishop Derek Worlock inhabited radically different worlds. Roy Castle, who died 30 years ago on 2 September 1994, is still fondly remembered as an actor, musician, and presenter of children’s television programmes. A memorial service for him was held in the Metropolitan Cathedral on 20 October 1994. Archbishop Worlock presided. What had led to this celebration of the life of a Yorkshire Baptist by Liverpool’s Catholic Archbishop?
Roy Castle was born in Holmfirth in 1932. A musically talented child with a great facility for tap dancing, he was giving amateur concerts as a boy tenor from the age of 8. When he left school at the age of 15, he toured northern clubs and music halls as a song and dance prodigy. His versatility as an entertainer eventually led to his own radio show and then, in the 1970s, he became a popular television presenter with Record Breakers, a staple of children’s TV for nearly three decades. Roy himself established or broke several world records on the show, including the fastest tap dance, and his dedication showed in his enthusiastic use of a kettle, a hosepipe and a kitchen sink when he set a record for playing the most “instruments” on one song.
In 1992, Roy was diagnosed with lung cancer. This was a shock to someone who had never smoked, but the cause was probably due to the long nights he had spent entertaining people in smoke-filled clubs. Months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed, but Roy was never one to be angry or frustrated at being struck down with cancer. His response was not to rail against God asking “Why me?”, but rather to say, “Well, why not me?” He then became a campaigner, raising awareness of the dangers of passive smoking.
The publicity Roy Castle gained put him in touch with Liverpool’s Lung Cancer Fund, founded in 1991 by chest surgeon Ray Donnelly, who operated on Archbishop Worlock after his cancer was diagnosed in 1992. Archbishop Worlock was also a non-smoker, but had to have his left lung removed.
When Roy learned from Mr Donnelly of the high incidence of lung cancer in Merseyside, he resolved to raise funds that would enable the establishment of a centre in Liverpool to research the causes, treatments and possible cures for lung cancer. The “Cause for Hope” tour took Roy on a 1200-mile rail journey around the country with his wife Fiona, entertaining thousands of people at every stop and raising over a million pounds in three days.
Johnny Kennedy was a columnist for the Catholic Pic in the 1990s. How he found time to write the humorous stories, anecdotes, and
news items that filled his page every week is a mystery. A former singer and comedian on the northern club circuit like Roy, he later juggled various teaching, acting and writing jobs, and was perhaps best known as a DJ on Radio City. He knew Roy Castle: “I first met him years ago when we appeared together for a week in Sunderland.
He was one of those people who was so easy to get along with and his face was rarely without a smile.” Johnny was present in Liverpool’s St George’s Hall at the launch of the Roy Castle Cause for Hope Appeal in February 1994. Archbishop Worlock was there too (he became Vice-President of the charitable foundation) and Johnny observed him in conversation with Roy: “I’m sure Roy was strengthened by the Archbishop’s fortitude and dignity in the face of a similar ordeal.”
Johnny championed various charitable causes, and after Roy’s death, he ran the New York marathon to raise money for the research establishment then proposed to be named in honour of Roy Castle. A few months later, he was again in St George’s Hall when Fiona Castle was presented with the Freedom of the City that Liverpool had conferred on Roy a few weeks before his death. Johnny’s attention was caught by a stained-glass window showing St George defeating the dragon, which provided him with an apt and touching metaphor for his readers: “The scourge of lung cancer is a dragon”, he said, “but it will not be beaten by a man on a white horse. It will be beaten by people like you, who pour money into the appeal fund, and by the skill and devotion of men like cancer surgeon Ray Donnelly. The day will dawn, and it’s not too far away, when Liverpool will open the world’s first Lung Cancer Research Centre.” Johnny’s prediction came true when the Roy Castle Centre opened on London Road next to the Royal Hospital in 1998. Sadly, Johnny Kennedy died earlier this year at the age of 88
If you’ve got any news from your parish that you’d like featured e-mail us with the details at: CatholicPic@rcaol.org.uk
Obituary of Fr Malcolm Prince
Malcolm Joseph Patrick Prince was born in Wythenshawe on 17 March 1950. He received his early education at Ss. John Fisher and Thomas More School, Wythenshawe, All Hallows Secondary School, Manchester, and St Edward’s College, Market Drayton. He entered the novitiate of the Brothers of Christian Instruction (De La Mennais) at Jersey in July 1967, before studying at the Mater Dei Institute of Education in Dublin, where he gained a diploma in religious education. His years as a teaching brother were all spent in Liverpool: St Joseph’s Preparatory School, Woolton, (1971-73) and St Francis Xavier College (1973-77). In 1977, he was released by his congregation to read for a degree in theology and politics at the University of Bristol, and whilst there he applied to the archdiocese for consideration as a candidate for the priesthood. He completed his formation at All Hallows, Dublin, and he was ordained to the priesthood at St Alban’s, Warrington, by Archbishop Derek Worlock on 25 September 1982.
Following ordination, Fr Prince was appointed to the parish of St James,
Orrell, and unsurprisingly was given the additional role of chaplain at St Peter’s High School and St John Rigby Sixth Form College, both of which were located within the parish. In April 1986, he took on a different form of chaplaincy at Liverpool Polytechnic. During his time there, he was also administrator at St Mary’s, Highfield Street (1986-88) and in residence at the Metropolitan Cathedral (1988-1991).
In September 1991, he took up his first appointment as parish priest, moving to St Swithin’s, Gilmoss. After almost 11 years, he was asked to move to St Luke’s, Whiston, as parish priest, and to be a chaplain at Whiston Hospital. In September 2011, he moved to Widnes and became parish priest of the parishes of St Marie and St John Fisher. When the new parish of St Wilfrid was established in 2015, he was one of several parish priests in solidum appointed to provide pastoral care. His final appointment came in February 2017, when he took up the position of parish priest at St Joseph’s, Penketh.
Sadly, his ministry in Penketh was cut short when he had a stroke in 2018 and he was forced to retire from active ministry. He was cared for at Nazareth
the priesthood. May he rest in peace.
Ordination of Brother John Paul
Parishioners and clergy at St Anthony of Padua Church gathered on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to witness one of their Franciscan friars being ordained as a transitional deacon.
Parishioners of Saint Mary’s, Chorley and Saint Joseph’s, Adlington gathered with Brother John Paul OFM Conv is originally from Leeds and will carry on his training in Oxford. However, he had pastoral placements in Liverpool and asked Fr Maximillian OFM Conv (the local superior) if the ordination could take place here.
Bishop Tom Neylon, VG, was the ordaining prelate, who was joined by numerous Franciscan priests and Fr Dominic OP from Blackfriars, Oxford.
During the homily, Bishop Tom recalled a photograph of a Franciscan Medical Missionary of Mary, who happened to be his aunt. He recalled her role in his early life and her role in the missionary work she undertook.
Bishop Tom asked the question of whether St Francis or St Clare ever considered what a revolution they were starting back in Assisi over 800 years ago.
Brother John Paul, who was also celebrating his birthday, was very grateful for all the support and prayers of those who had gathered.
Particularly the deacons who assisted during Mass, the work of Fr Terence OFM Conv, the parishioners young and old who cleaned the church and prepared the lunch and the music ministry.
After the Mass of Ordination, everyone moved to the parish hall for a buffet lunch, during which Fr Gerard May OFM Conv, invited the newly ordained deacon to cut the celebration cake.
We look forward to his priestly ordination in the coming months.
Johnny Kennedy with Roy Castle at the launch of the Cause for Hope appeal, Feb. 1994
Roy Castle at the start of his Tour of Hope, July 1994
Sir Cliff Richard opening the Roy Castle Centre, with Ray Donnelly and Fiona Castle, 12 May 1998
House, Crosby, during most of his retirement. He died on Tuesday 30 July 2024, aged 74 years, in the 42nd year of
Heritage Week: A Glimpse into the History of St Patrick’s, Toxteth
St Patrick’s Church, Toxteth, will host a Heritage Week Open Day on Saturday 14 September this year, from 2pm – 6pm. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and heritage of the church, both in the building and the community.
Beginning with an organ recital 1:20 – 2pm, guests will be welcomed by a fascinating talk on the church’s history, delivered by Michael O’Neill. From 2:45 pm, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities. Tony and Maria will lead tours of the crypt, offering insights into the stories and secrets beneath the church. Joanne and her team will provide refreshments and guide guests through an exhibition showcasing the church’s heritage. Visitors are also invited to share their memories of the church with Michael, who will be recording these precious recollections. Additionally, there will be a community room where Louise will have items for sale, and photograph exchanges will take place.
Presentations will follow at 4:00 pm, featuring Anna from the University of Liverpool’s Archaeology Department, Maria and her team discussing family history, and representatives from the Irish Studies Department. For those who arrive later in the day, Michael will offer a second history talk at 5:00 pm, followed by a final organ recital at 6:00 pm.
Visitors are encouraged to bring photographs and memories to share. Souvenirs and a CD of the church’s history will be available for purchase.
Similarly, St Vincent de Paul Church, St Helens, will also host a Heritage Week event on Wednesday 7 September, featuring a talk on the history of the church and a guided tour of the church and churchgrounds. Both events promise to be fascinating dives into our local history within St Anne & Blessed Dominic parish.
CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Appeal
Parishioners at St Francis Xavier Church in Everton who were unable to travel to Lourdes for the centenary year took part in celebrations at home.
One example of the impact we can make is the life-changing work in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Thanks to your support, CAFOD is helping young people there overcome poverty and build better futures.
In Goma, young people face big challenges due to a lack of job opportunities. Thanks to donations from the Catholic community in England and Wales, CAFOD partners with local organisations like CAJED (Concerted Action for Disadvantaged Young People and Children) in the DRC. CAJED runs a vocational training centre in Goma, teaching young people skills to earn a living.
“If God helps and this work expands, I can do greater things,” says Daniel, a young man from Goma. Despite his parents’ hard work, Daniel’s family often went hungry and there was no money for school. As soon as he could, Daniel took on labouring jobs to support his family. Reflecting on his childhood, Daniel said, “I never want anyone else to go through that.”
Determined to change his life, Daniel enrolled in a carpentry course at the CAJED centre. With guidance from local experts like Simon, Daniel learned to make furniture. Simon saw Daniel’s potential: “Daniel understands things quickly. I am proud when I see the young people trained becoming independent.”
Today, Daniel runs his own workshop, making furniture for customers in Goma. He earns a stable income and is supporting his family. Daniel’s work is a sign of hope to others striving for better futures.
The training centre needs ongoing support to provide tools, equipment, and teaching materials. Funds raised by our parishes make a significant impact. For example, £998.40 can fully fund a carpenter from training to independent work, including tools and materials.
Simon told us: “I would love for people to keep helping these young people so those on the streets can find jobs and have better lives.”
This Family Fast Day, join CAFOD in making a difference. By supporting CAFOD, you contribute to vital projects worldwide
addressing poverty, conflict, and climate change. Your generosity and prayers enable more people like Daniel to carve out better futures for themselves and their families.
You can donate during parish collections for CAFOD’s Family Fast Day appeal this Harvest season; remember to pick up your Family Fast Day envelope and Gift Aid your donation if you can. You can also give online at cafod.org.uk/envelope.
Our Lady of Reconciliation de la Salette Church turns 170
As the Church of Our Lady of Reconciliation de la Salette prepared to celebrate its 170th Anniversary, the parish welcomed Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald to celebrate Mass.
Cardinal Fitzgerald has a personal connection with the parish, as his uncle, Canon Michael Twomey, was the Parish Priest of the church for over 30 years. During his homily, he recalled a story from his uncle about the parish prayers and singing hymns during the war, which was fascinating to hear.
Cardinal Fitzgerald was delighted to visit the parish ahead of his move to a community for the Society of Missionaries of Africa in London. The parishioners of Our Lady of Reconciliation de la Salette Church thank Cardinal Michael dearly for his kindness in visiting and in saying such a beautiful Mass in the leadup to their anniversary, and send their prayers and best wishes for his move to his new home.
Jottings of a Lourdes Pilgrim
By Pat Murphy
Already we have been home from our Lourdes pilgrimage a month and the summer is slowly moving into autumn time.
In 2023, the Archdiocese of Liverpool celebrated its centenary year of visiting the shrine. A very special year, with a record number of pilgrims from Liverpool, and special memories of the wonderful Mass remembering the “Jack Traynor miracle.” I did wonder if this year would be a quieter year – no! There might have been a slightly smaller number, but pilgrims from all corners of our archdiocese travelled to the shrine once again.
I’m working in the permanence for the week, which is known as “Pat’s Shop,” so I am lucky to meet so many lovely people - many from previous years, and always some new pilgrims - not only coming to buy a gift, but to have a general chat. It was lovely on the last day of our pilgrimage to have some ladies, who had travelled in a small group from their parish, tell me that last year was their first visit to Lourdes. They had had such a special experience that they thought nothing could surpass it –but this year was even better!
Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us. St Bernadette pray for us.
Pastoral ponderings
by Paul Pimblett
Being back in the archdiocese over summer is always a wonderful time when I can reconnect with family, friends and parishioners. However, this year has been particularly special due to the ordination of our four new priests and the archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes.
It was a great privilege to serve at the priestly ordinations of Fr James, Fr Martin, Fr Peter and Fr Lister in July. It was an incredibly prayerful and moving occasion and while it was a cause for great celebration, it also led me to reflect on my own vocation and discernment. The Rite of Ordination is a truly beautiful experience and culmination of several years of prayer, studies and formation. It is also more poignant to me since I began discerning, as one day, God willing, it will be me being ordained. am still a long way off that day, yet it is still affirming and encouraging to be reminded of the end goal - ministering to and serving the people of God.
was also able to draw strength and affirmation from the archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. It was only my second time with the archdiocese and my third time in Lourdes overall, however, it already holds an incredibly special place in my heart as know it does for many. Following in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette and going in procession as Our Lady called us to do is a unique experience. There have been many miracles in Lourdes over the years, yet for me, the true miracle is the sheer faith and inexpressible love that seems to take hold of those who travel there. I also feel especially strengthened by the thousands of people from all countries, ages and backgrounds who flock to Lourdes seeking to renew their relationship with Our Lady and, more importantly, Christ. Lourdes is a source of great encouragement in my vocation as I prepare for my next year of studies and in my life as a Catholic in a world that desperately needs the Good News. As always, please keep me in your prayers, as well as my brother seminarians Rhys J and Dan H, as we enjoy our time at home and prepare to return to seminary for the next year!
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
“To Love is to Adore” Pope Francis
Liz Parsons, Director of Pastoral Development
In 2025, the Catholic Church will celebrate a Jubilee Year focusing on the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. To help us prepare for this wonderful occasion as an archdiocese, we will be spending a day together in adoration at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and at the Co-Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Isle on 21 September.
At the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, the day begins with Mass at 9am. There will be a Holy Hour, Eucharistic Procession and Benediction at 2pm, and the day concludes at 5pm with Mass and a Children’s Liturgy. There will be Eucharistic Adoration throughout the day from 10am until the final Mass, opportunities for confession, a variety of workshops, and a shared time of prayer during the day for all. For those wishing to join a workshop, we are asking that you book a place as seats are limited, however everyone is welcome to join us for all the other aspects of the day. The timetable for the day can be found below. All are invited.
09:00 – Holy Mass and Exposition 10:00 – Adoration begins 10.15 – Workshop 1: Care for Creation
11.15 – Workshop 2: Listening to the Still, Small Voice
For anyone who hasn’t really experienced prayer in Adoration before, this provides you with the perfect opportunity to come and experience it for yourself. For as Pope Saint John Paul II says: “As we gaze at His Sacred Body in the host, we become more conscious of His holy Presence, more attentive, more grateful. And because we are worshipping Him as a community, in a public liturgy, our prayer and worship has more significance.”
So often in our lives, we can find ourselves too busy to stop and spend some time with God. Adoration provides a wonderful opportunity for us to come and not just speak to God, but also to listen. As Archbishop Malcolm said in his Pastoral Letter, “I invite each of you reading this… to come to either of our cathedral churches on 21 September and to invite someone to come with you, to pray together as the archdiocese, as the family of parishes, as the family of God in Liverpool.”
13:15 – Workshop 4: Praying with Carlo Acutis
14:00 – Holy Hour, Eucharistic Procession and Benediction
15.15 – Workshop 5: Young Adult Lectio Divina
17.00 – Mass and Children’s Liturgy
what’s on September
Thursday 5 September
The Irenaeus Project, Liverpool, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD “Power on High” - Reflections on the Acts of the Apostles 10:30 - 12:00
Attend a reflective session on the Acts of the Apostles at The Irenaeus Project. A Zoom option is available. Contact jenny@ irenaeus.co.uk or call 0151 949 1199.
Friday 6 September
The Liner Hotel, Liverpool
National Altar Servers’ Dinner
19:00
The National Altar Servers’ Dinner will take place at The Liner Hotel, Liverpool on 6 September. The guest speaker will be Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. All altar servers and their families are invited. Tickets cost £30 for adults and £12.50 for Children. To book, visit www. guildofststephen.org/events/dinner2024
Saturday 7 September
St Patrick’s Church, Park Place, Toxteth, L8 5RA.
Autumn Concerts at St Patrick’s 19:00
To celebrate 2024’s Heritage Week, Gladys Wong and students from University of Liverpool will be performing music from 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. All are welcome to attend.
Sunday 8 September
St Patrick’s Church, Park Place, Toxteth, L8 5RA.
Autumn Concerts at St Patrick’s 19:00
To celebrate 2024’s Heritage Week, Gladys Wong and students from University of Liverpool will be performing music from 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. All are welcome to attend.
St Gregory, Chorley, Weld Bank Lane, PR7 3NW Chorley Festival
13:00 - 17:00
Our annual Festival is an opportunity for the Catholics of Chorley to socialise and network with churches and other organisations that provide community outreach in Chorley. There will be a variety of liturgical music, children’s games and craft activities, various stalls and workshops on Care for Creation and a session from Irenaeus. There is food to purchase or bring your own picnic.
Thursday 12 September
The Irenaeus Project, Liverpool, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD “Power on High” - Reflections on the Acts of the Apostles 10:30 - 12:00
A second session reflecting on the Acts of the Apostles. A Zoom option is available. For more details, email jenny@irenaeus. co.uk or call 0151 949 1199.
Friday 13 - Saturday 14 September
St John Stone, Woodvale, Sandbrook Way, Woodvale, PR8 3RN Living Christ Retreat 19:00 - 17:00
Take time out to do something special for yourself listen to talks about people’s experience of Christ in their lives, and share prayerful conversation, in safe company, share as much as you are comfortable with.
Saturday 14 September
St Mary’s College, Oscott Adoremus 08:00 - 20:00
Attend the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress takes place at St Mary’s College, Oscott, a week before our own Archdiocesan Adoremus event on Saturday 21st September. A coach departs from St Margaret Clitherow Centre, Liverpool at 08:00, in time for a 10:15 arrival at Oscott, with events beginning at 11.00am. The last event finishes at 6.00pm and we are aiming to return to the Margaret Clitherow Centre by 8.00pm. Cars can be left in the St Margaret Clitherow Centre’s secure car park for the duration of the day. The cost per person is £20, which includes return coach travel and entry to the event. Please arrive in good time to board the coach as we will be leaving promptly at 8.00am. Please sign up here: archdioceseofliverpool.churchsuite.com/ events/zm5sh2jf
Sunday 15 September
St John’s Gardens, Liverpool Pray & Picnic in the Park 13:30
Aid to the Church in Need have organised a Pray & Picnic in the Park event at St John’s Gardens, William Brown Street, L1 1HF. This will start with a Rosary, then Mass celebrated by Bishop Tom Neylon, followed by Irish Dancing and a Chinese Workshop and Display, to celebrate Liverpool’s culture. Anyone who wishes to join in with this free event is invited to
bring along a picnic and something to sit on. For more information, contact Rachel Buckley at rachel.buckley@acnuk.org.
Thursday 19 September
The Irenaeus Project, Liverpool, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD “Power on High” - Reflections on the Acts of the Apostles 10:30 - 12:00
Participate in another session reflecting on the Acts of the Apostles. A Zoom option is available. For more details, email jenny@ irenaeus.co.uk or call 0151 949 1199.
Saturday 21 September
Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool and St Mary of the Isle, Isle of Man Adoremus Liverpool
As part of our preparation for the Great Jubilee 2025, to come together as the archdiocesan family in this “year of prayer” which Pope Francis has called for, we will be hosting an Adoremus event at both Catholic cathedrals. There is more information on the Jubilee on the archdiocesan website. Communities will be invited to come on pilgrimage to the Cathedral for this archdiocesan day of prayer. To sign up for workshops, visit: archdioceseofliverpool.churchsuite.com/ events/da7dq8vj
Thursday 26 September
The Irenaeus Project, Liverpool “Power on High” - Reflections on the Acts of the Apostles 10:30 - 12:00
Attend the final session on the Acts of the Apostles at The Irenaeus Project. Join in person or via Zoom. Contact jenny@ irenaeus.co.uk or call 0151 949 1199.
Saturday 28 September
St Margaret Mary’s, Pilch Lane, Liverpool St Vincent de Paul’s Feast Day and Celebration 12:00
Join us to celebrate the SVP’s 180 years of service with a Festival Mass, with music by St James Conference Bootle, followed by refreshments at St Margaret Mary’s Parish Centre. Discover the work of our Mini Vinnies and Young Vincentians. If you would like to become a member, please contact Kath Riley Membership Support Officer Kathy Riley by phone (07917303155) or by email (kathyr@svp. org.uk). You may wish to ask your parish priest to check if you have a conference.
Joining the quest for racial justice
Von Corner reflects on her involvement in the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ).
I was recently asked, ‘Why did you join the parish CARJ group of SS Agnes & Aidan?’ To be honest, I was intrigued but before taking on something new, I needed to know more. For example, would this be just another talking shop that never amounted to anything in real terms, or was it an organisation based on discernment and action?
From my perspective as a mental health nurse, institutionalised racism is exposed by the blatant health inequalities for people from the BME (Black and minority ethnic) community. They are almost five times more likely than white people to be detained under the Mental Health Act (2007) and four times more likely than whites to be in prison.
It’s got to stop somewhere. The buck stops with you and me. All lives matter but please don’t miss the point, because we all must recognise that ‘black lives matter’ – not because they matter more than anyone else’s, but because they haven’t been valued as much as white lives from the start and still aren’t. ‘White Privilege’ provides inherent advantages, which can lead to racial inequality and injustice.
The murder of Anthony Walker in 2005 illustrates that. The murders of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman in London in 2020 illustrate that. Serving police officers posed with their battered, bloodied bodies, took pictures and then distributed them in a WhatsApp group made up of many other police officers. The stark reality is that people of colour are seven times more likely to die after police restraint (2023). Black women are four times more likely than white women to die within six weeks of giving birth according to UK figures for 2018-20.
CARJ is about ‘justice’; giving a warm welcome to those who find themselves cast upon our shores, friendless and isolated in our communities. It’s about letting the Christ in you and me see the Christ in others. Our parish CARJ group is involved in schools, the local community, and direct action; it hosts the annual ‘International Table’ and has close supportive links with SHARe Knowsley.
To find out more about supporting or volunteering in your local community, please contact Asylum Link (0151 709 1713) or SHARe Knowsley (07915 252 300). Let’s build Christ-centric bridges together.
For further information on CARJ Liverpool, please contact: CARJLiverpool@gmail.com
Cathedral Record
Canon Anthony O’Brien –Cathedral Dean
Summer is just coming to an end, and already we are starting to plan ahead to Christmas and beyond into the next year. At the same time, there are plenty of events and celebrations to look forward to over the next few months.
The summer series of Sunday afternoon organ recitals concludes with a joint recital by the two young organists Ziko Raoudi and James Vowles-Wang at 3pm on Sunday 1 September. The Cathedral Choirs will return the following Sunday, hopefully in good voice for the new season, with the celebration of our Cathedral Community Mass on 8 September.
During the weekend of 20 - 22 September, there are a number of wider public events taking place at the cathedral. On Friday evening from 7pm the renowned choral singing group ‘The Sixteen’ will be performing music from their tour ‘Masters of Imitation’, including renaissance church music by Orlando Lassus and more contemporary pieces by Bob Chilcott.
On Saturday there is a archdiocesan day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament entitled ‘Adoremus’. There will be Mass at 9am, followed by Eucharistic Adoration throughout the day from 10am until 5pm, Holy Mass at 12 midday and 5pm, opportunities for confession, a variety of workshops, and a shared time of prayer during the day for all. It is hoped that parishioners will come on pilgrimage from across the archdiocese to come for part of the day. On Sunday afternoon we will host the annual ‘Pause for Hope’ service at 3pm for those affected by cancer.
Our Choirs and musicians will be taking part in a 24-hour Musicathon on the final weekend of September to raise funds for the coming Choir tour to Cologne.
Walking Pilgrimage of the Month
Liverpool City Centre to Woolton SEPTEMBER
The Blessed Sacrament Shrine on Dawson St, adjacent to Queen Square bus station, is a focus of Eucharistic devotion, under an apostolic mission of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. On our visit, the first of several daily Masses was nearing completion and the simple piety showed by the large congregation, representing the many diverse backgrounds and nations in the city, was a humbling and profoundly moving start to our pilgrim journey.
From Whitechapel we turn left and head up Church St with all the secular distractions offered by a busy retail district of a large city. Take a moment perhaps to pop into Pauline Books where the ministry of the Daughters of St Paul continues to provide an alternative source of meaning to the lives of all the busy shoppers passing by.
At the top of Bold St the remains of St Luke’s Church give us a chance to reflect on conflict, the tragedy of war and the ongoing need to pray for peace in our troubled world. From Leece St turn left onto Hope St, bookended by its two great Cathedrals, and reminding us of the fruitful strides for Christian unity made by Archbishop Worlock and Bishop Sheppard throughout the 1980s.
Enter the Metropolitan Cathedral to Christ the King. A circular walk around its giant nave is an act of prayer in itself, an almost overwhelming experience. Pause at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and light a candle for someone you love at the Lady Chapel. The exhilarating sound of the newly refurbished organ accompanied us joyfully down the piazza and east into Oxford St.
Turn right onto Crown St. Bear left, and walk across Crown Street Park; even in the city we are reminded of God’s creation through birdsong and the beauty of its trees. At Overbury St you may take a short diversion north if you wish to St Anne’s RC Church, served by the wonderful city mission of Fr Peter Morgan. At the time of our pilgrimage this area had just witnessed the tragedy of the summer disturbances, light and hope however was
Reader’s Prayer Corner
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace)
joyfully evident in a group of community volunteers gardening and painting at the asylum centre.
Head east along Smithdown Lane then left onto Earle Rd. We pass the magnificent brick frontage of St Dunstan’s with its symbols of the four Evangelists, then continue onto Lawrence Rd past St Hugh’s RC Church, the tall bell tower of St Bridget & St Thomas, and along the high street rich with the busy comings and goings of the many new communities, who as diverse generations before, seek to build new lives in our city.
At the junction of Wellington Rd, turn left. Walk north past Frontline Church and turn right into Wavertree Park and aim for the path between the running track and the football pitches. Walk across ‘The Mystery’ along the avenue of trees to the gates on Fir Lane then past the churchyard of Holy Trinity to the junction of Woolton Rd.
At this point of our pilgrimage we are now on our final stretch with less than a mile to the monastery at Bishop Eton. Passing St Stephen’s URC on your right continue along Woolton Rd to its busy junction on Queens Drive. Cross carefully then continue straight and into the pleasant suburbs of South Liverpool. Pass Green Lane on your right, where back in 1982 Pope St John Paul II stayed during his visit to Liverpool. A little further turn right into the grounds of Bishop Eton.
We end our parish pilgrimage in the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, served by the Redemptorists, and which holds the first copy outside of Rome of the famous icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. In 2023 parishioners at Bishop Eton, working with the Redemptorist community, set-up a new lay-led Shrine Ministry, re-establishing the weekly Novena service and with exciting plans for Bishop Eton to become yet again a place of pilgrimage.
As families of parishes, we can pray that the 2025 Holy Year which Pope Francis has titled Pilgrims of Hope is our chance to to get to know each other as Christians, just a little better.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Send us your favourite prayer, along with your name and your parish, at CatholicPic@rcaol.org.uk to be featured in next month’s issue!
Saint of the Month
Saint Ambrose Barlow
A 60th birthday can be a moment to pause and reflect. In the case of Jim Connolly, who reached that milestone this summer, any reflections will inevitably include the place to which he has returned, year upon year, since 1980.
Dr Jim Connolly
The Lourdes Stalwart
By Simon Hart
never any doubt I’d keep coming with the Liverpool pilgrimage as it’s become such an ingrained part of my life.”
Saint Ambrose Barlow, a Benedictine priest born near Manchester, was one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. Ordained in 1617, he served covertly in the region for over two decades during a time of intense persecution. On 10 September 1641, he was arrested after celebrating Mass and later executed for his faith in Lancaster. Saint Ambrose Barlow is closely associated with the North of England, particularly Lancashire, where he ministered to the Catholic community under great personal risk.
That place is Lourdes where he first turned up as a teenaged brancardier – as the male members of the Liverpool Hospitalité were then known – staying in a rudimentary dorm in the old Abri hostel.
Puzzle Time!
Find the shepherd’s lost sheep
Today, Jim is chief medical officer of the Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage – a position he has held for over a decade now –though for those of us with longer memories, this writer included, he once occupied a rather different leadership role. To be precise, Jim was the lively young man leading the singing in the Jeanne D’Arc, a favourite refreshment spot for members of the Liverpool Hospitalité, during the 1990s.
“You walk around Lourdes and there are gatherings of people enjoying themselves and singing and dancing,” he says, placing that role in context. “It’s great that there are plenty of people who’ve taken up the challenge to continue the celebrations!” he adds with a smile.
Appropriately perhaps, he owes his long Lourdes connection to weekend work as a barman at the old Irish Centre in Liverpool, during his days as an A Level pupil at Saint Edward’s College. There, he encountered the late Kathleen Duffy, a forcefield figure in the life of Liverpool Hospitalité for many years.
‘I was one of her recruits. Kathleen had an incredible ability to attract people to Lourdes and would really look after the younger people there. That was my first exposure and so even before I went to medical school, I had a wide Lourdes family with the broad spectrum of people that Kathleen attracted.’
From the age of 16 until his last year as a student, Jim was a brancardier before joining the medical team, then led by Dr Felicity Knight. “She was a leader and innovator and attracted a lot of doctors,” he recalls. And despite studying and then working in the northeast – he is a consultant at the Great North Trauma and Emergency Care Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne – his commitment to Liverpool has never waned.
“I’ve had occasional pilgrimages with Middlesbrough and Salford dioceses and been with the HCPT, but Liverpool has dragged me back year on year. Even though I moved to Newcastle, there was
His many experiences in Lourdes mean he can speak with authority about changes over the years. “There has been an evolution in how we view the trip,” says Jim, noting how today’s greater variety of care options for sick pilgrims means a good number can stay in hotels, with medical support on hand when needed.
“We do maintain a footprint within the Saint-Frai Hospital, which is important as it’s a very sociable place and quite a few people choose to go back there because of the sociability. But we try our best to have people living as they would at home – independently or with an accompanying person - to enjoy Lourdes from a hotel base.” This year, for instance, there were 24 assisted pilgrims at the St Frai and another 30 in hotels.
“The spirit of the pilgrimage is the same,” he adds. “We count ourselves fortunate to share a week with people from every walk of life – and having an illness does not stop you from being able to enjoy that and be part of that wider group.”
As for the healthcare team, which this year comprised 4 doctors and 22 nurses, he takes pride in how they ‘function as a close unit’ and voices his gratitude to Denise McLaughlan, newly stepped down as chief nurse, for her ‘huge contribution to the pilgrimage’. This year was also significant for the fact he introduced his 19-year-old son Dan, a medical student, to Lourdes. However, as he reflects, even for a long-serving medical professional like himself, the pilgrimage week provides an opportunity to reset the lens. “It reminds you of the wider aspect of people’s lives, not just their clinical needs but the societal and spiritual aspects of the people who come with us. Lourdes does that every year. If you ask any of the health team, they’ll say it renews your views of why you do what you do.”
Anybody interested in joining the healthcare team on next year’s pilgrimage can email Jim at Jim.connolly2@nhs.net.
Our first Parish Pilgrimage encompasses two Shrines, as we walk from the Blessed Sacrament Shrine in Liverpool city centre to the historic Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at Bishop Eton in Woolton.
Care for Creation
Celebrating the Season of Creation
By Pablo Guidi, Catholic Social Action Coordinator
“There is some amazing action on the environment,” says Fr Matthew Nunes, “and we are seeing parishes, and the archdiocese as a whole, take on the challenges of climate change. Of course, there is much more to do, but what I see is a cause for hope.”
This month we enter the Season of Creation, celebrating our achievements and reflecting on what to do next – something that Fr Matthew, as chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, invites us all to do.
Earlier this year, Fr Matthew and the archdiocese published a 1-year environment plan, based on work with parishes and archdiocesan support services. As part of this plan, over 100 actions were identified – from small-scale wilding projects on church grounds to carbon footprint calculations for almost 400 buildings across the whole archdiocese.
Fr Matthew and the Environment and Sustainability committee monitor these 4 times a year, and the results are encouraging, including: a reduction of 32 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year by better recycling practices in departmental offices; increased scrutiny of archdiocesan investments in terms of carbon footprint; Care for Creation workshops taking place or due to take place in over half
the deaneries; and over 50% of Catholic schools either awarded or working towards the Live Simply Award. While each of these elements may seem small in themselves, collectively they can have considerable impact.
The environmental challenge can at times weigh heavily on us. We are reminded in scripture that each generation has had its own problems, perhaps most closely captured in Romans 8:22, “Creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth”. But it is through that same scripture-informed faith that we find hope. As Pope Francis says,
“The God who created the universe out of nothing can also intervene in this world and overcome every form of evil. Injustice is not invincible.” (Laudato Si 74)
This Season of Creation, we are all invited to pray, reflect, and act in a way that allows God’s Kingdom to flourish. The Pastoral Development Department has prepared several resources and developed the Care for Creation training to help you. Please take a look at the daily reflections and Novena to St Francis on the website, or request training in the archdiocesan training programme by contacting Pablo (Archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Coordinator) at 0151 522 1042 or p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk
Fantastic GCSE and BTEC results for The Academy St Nicholas
The Academy of St Nicholas, Garston, celebrated another brilliant year of GCSE and BTEC results.
Eager students, accompanied by proud parents and family members, arrived at the Horrocks Avenue-based academy , which is part of All Saints Multi Academy Trust, to open the envelopes containing their results.
Overall, the academy has seen students achieving top grades in a wide range of subjects including grade 9s in art and design, English language, English literature, maths, science and religious studies.
It has also seen an increase in the number of students securing grades 7-9 compared to last year, as well as an increase in the number of students achieving distinction* or distinction grades in vocational courses.
Many St Nicholas students will continue
their education at All Saints Sixth Form College, which is located on the same campus as the academy. Others will join the world of work or pursue exciting apprenticeship opportunities.
Some of this year’s top achievers include Sebastian who has achieved amazing outcomes, with grade 9s in science, maths, English language, English literature and religious studies. Sebastian also achieved impressive grade 8s in computer science and geography.
Fellow student Catherine also achieved great results as a product of her commitment to her studies. She achieved grade 9s in science and art, and grade 8s in geography, maths and religious studies.
Other triumphs include student, Bolu, who only started his GCSE studies in Year 11 and achieved grade 7s in almost all
subjects. He plans to return to All Saints Sixth Form College to study maths, physics and chemistry.
Headteacher, Mr Gary Lloyd, said: “We are thrilled that so many of our students have achieved their goals and step into new and thrilling pathways. We can’t wait to welcome many of them back in September at All Saints Sixth Form College to start their A-level and vocational pathway adventures.”
Exceptional A-level and BTEC results achieved at All Saints Sixth Form College
Year 13 students from All Saints Sixth Form College received their A-level and BTEC results in August.
Proudly part of All Saints Multi Academy Trust, All Saints Sixth Form College welcomes students from all over the city. This year’s results show significant improvements in several subjects, including games design, digital media, computer science, and Spanish.
Some standout successes include Jasmine who achieved an A in criminology, a B in philosophy and a B in psychology. She is going to study law at the University of York.
Fellow student, Melad secured a distinction* in games design, a distinction* in digital media and a C in computer science. He is enrolling at the University of Manchester to study computer science.
The supportive and enriching environment at All Saints Sixth Form College fosters not only academic excellence but also personal growth, ensuring that every student is equipped with the skills and confidence needed for their future.
Mr Grant Sibbald, head of sixth form, said:
“A huge congratulations to our class of 2024.
“These brilliant results are a reflection of the hard work and determination of our wonderful Year 13 students. It is exciting to see many of our students pursuing degrees at prestigious universities, as well as embarking on exciting degree apprenticeships.
“On behalf of all the staff at All Saints Sixth Form College, I would like to wish our students all the best in their next endeavours.”
Mr Gary Lloyd, headteacher of The Academy of St Nicholas, added: “All Saints Sixth Form College offers a natural progression for our students, and provides a diverse range of A-level and vocational courses to support their academic and career aspirations.
“The college is committed to providing exceptional support and guidance to ensure every student thrives and reaches their full potential.”
ASFA celebrate remarkable GCSE and BTEC results
Year 11 students from The Academy of St Francis (ASFA) of Assisi returned to the Kensington-based school to collect their GCSE and BTEC results.
Students celebrated their achievements with friends, family, and teachers.
The academy, which is part of All Saints Multi Academy Trust (ASMAT), saw significant improvements in attainment levels for English, history and religious studies. Four students achieved grade 9s in mathematics and three students gained grade 9s in Spanish.
Many students will go on to study A-level and BTEC courses, with some heading to All Saints Sixth Form College in Garston
or St Margarets Church of England Sixth Form, which are also part of ASMAT.
Others have chosen to explore alternative pathways including apprenticeship opportunities.
Abdulrahman Al Masherhari achieved grade 9s in maths, physics, chemistry, religious studies, Arabic, history and English language, plus two grade 8s. He will study maths and sciences at a local sixth form.
Chance Mokelo, who is head girl at the academy, achieved a fantastic set of results including six grade 8s, one grade 7 and two grade 6s.
This year’s results showcase not only the academic achievements of students
but also the vibrant community spirit that defines the academy. For over 65 per cent of its students, English is not their first language, and many have undertaken additional GCSEs in their native languages.
Ms Jo Leech, headteacher of ASFA, said:
“Our class of 2024 has achieved remarkable things, and their hard work and commitment have truly shone through. They should be very proud of themselves. While we will miss them dearly, we are excited for the new adventures that await them.
“As an academy, we look forward to building on this success and continuing to provide an enriching and supportive environment for all our students.”
“A lifetime of training for just ten seconds.”
This was the quote from Jesse Owens after winning the 100-metre sprint in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Owens went on to win four gold medals in that Olympics and is one of the greatest athletes of all time.
am sure many of you, like me, were enthralled by the achievements of the competitors in the recent Olympics. For those who made it to the podium and received their medals, there were plenty of media to capture that moment. We saw the tears and the smiles. What we did not see was the years of hard work and sacrifice that went into this achievement. The sacrifices of training, the times the athletes may have failed and the roles of their parents, family and coaches to achieve that goal.
Keely Hodgkinson, upon winning her Olympic Gold, immediately went to her parents to share the initial celebrations together. was very moved by this when I watched it on the television as it got me thinking about the numerous times her parents must have driven her to races, coaching sessions etc. A whole family that made many sacrifices for Keely to achieve her dream.
Katrina Johnson Thompson was supported in the Olympics by her former primary school headteacher Richard Coakley. Richard is a member of the Education team here at the archdiocese and is a testament to the importance of a teacher encouraging a child to try a new skill. Katrina did him proud, as well as the school communities of St Marks Halewood and St Julie’s.
We are all familiar with the quote “It takes a village to raise a child”. An entire community of people must provide for and interact positively with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. As students have celebrated their success in their exams in the past few weeks, it is important that in giving thanks for these successes, we acknowledge all those who helped make it possible. Thank you to all the parents, families and those who work in our primary schools, secondary schools and sixth form colleges who have helped to raise the child.
Joan McCarthy
of Liverpool
Students at Hope Academy shine on results day
Hope Academy celebrated another year of exceptional GCSE and vocational results.
This year has seen remarkable achievements across all subjects, with the highest-ever percentage of students achieving strong passes in English and mathematics in the academy’s history.
There have been significant improvements in attainment and progress in English, maths and combined science. There has also been a continued strong performance in RE, computer science, art and photography as well as PE.
Many students at the academy, which is part of All Saints Multi Academy Trust, will go on to study A-level or vocational courses at local sixth forms and colleges, while others will embark on apprenticeships.
From this year’s cohort, some of the top achievers include Mia Carrighar-Kearns, who secured grade 9s in RE and business studies, grade 8s in science, English language and maths, grade 7s in English literature, and geography, a grade 6 in statistics and grade 5s in Spanish and further maths, a distinction in sport studies.
Fellow bursary students have also gained places at top independent schools including Dylan Bowen-Knowles, who will be going to Durham School.
Daniel Watt secured grade 9s in biology, RE and history, grade 8s in English literature and chemistry, grade 7s in English language, maths, physics, a grade 6 in drama and a grade 4 in Spanish. Daniel will go to Winstanley College. Many students made outstanding progress in their GCSE examinations, achieving results above their targets.
Mrs Marie Adams, principal of Hope Academy, said “At Hope Academy, our team of teachers and support staff are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our students by ‘serving one another through love’ and we do this by offering a wide, varied and challenging curriculum throughout all key stages.
“These results highlight the success of our approach and the bright futures that await our students.
St Mary’s Crosby celebrate A-level and GCSE results
Students and staff at St Mary’s College in Crosby celebrated after another excellent set of A-level and GCSE results this summer.
Continuing the high standards of previous years, the class of 2024 saw an impressive 40 per cent of St Mary’s students achieving three or more A*, A or B grades at A-level, up from 30 per cent last year.
Overall, a third of all A-level passes (34 per cent) were at the highest A*/A grades, and almost two-thirds (64 per cent) were A*, A or B grades.
Top of the Year 13 cohort at St Mary’s this year was 18-year-old Owen Ashcroft from Blundellsands, who achieved A* passes in English literature, mathematics and further mathematics plus an A grade in physics.
Owen is heading to the University of Warwick to study economics.
For GCSEs, the college once again recorded an excellent set of results, with a third of all passes (32 per cent) at the highest 9-7 grades, and a fifth of candidates (21 per cent) achieving seven or more passes at these top levels.
More than half of students (56 per cent) obtained ten or more passes, with many achieving 11 or even 12 GCSEs.
16-year-old Edward Newton from Southport took home 12 GCSEs and achieved the highest 9-7 passes in all of them, including nine top 9 grades. Fellow student Evie Clark achieved three grade 9s and a further eight at grade 8.
Commenting on the GCSE results, Mike Kennedy, principal of St Mary’s, said: “Their
successes are richly deserved, and are a testament both to all their hard work over the past five years, and the ongoing support they have received from staff and their parents over this period.”
Much to celebrate at Maricourt on results days
All of the hard work and sacrifice paid off for Year 13 students at Maricourt Catholic Sixth Form Centre, Maghull, on Level 3 results day.
The sixth form reported an increase in the number of A* and A grades at the school, with 25 per cent of grades being at least A* - B. In vocational subjects, there was continued success, with over 50 per cent of grades being a distinction* or distinction.
The sixth form was proud of the achievements of all students, with over 80 per cent gaining their university place at both local and national universities.
One student, Max Robinson, gained three A* grades in maths, further maths
and computer science. Students who joined Marciourt just for the sixth form - having studied their GCSEs at another school - also performed well and will be going to their chosen universities.
GCSE and BTEC results day shared similar success. After students went in to collect their results just a week on from A-level results day, many celebrated 2024’s successes.
One student, Georgia, was on holiday, but that didn’t matter, as her friend Lois collected her results alongside her own.
Between the two, Georgia and Lois achieved two grade 9s, 10 grade 8s, three distinctions, a grade 7 and a grade 6. Both will be heading into sixth form.
Year 11 student, Luke, worked very hard, and his efforts paid off as he was awarded eight grade 8s and a grade 7. There were many more brilliant results throughout the day, and students will be heading to a variety of destinations to continue their studies.
St Augustine of Canterbury’s remarkable GCSE results
Students from St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy celebrated another great year of GCSE successes.
A total of 59 per cent of students achieved grades 4-9 in English and mathematics at St Augustine of Canterbury, which is part of the St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust. There were also great improvements in many individual subject areas.
In English language and English literature, over 80 per cent of pupils gained grades 4-9, with more than 60 per cent gaining 5-9 grades in each area.
The results are testimony to the hard work of St Augustine of Canterbury students and staff – and underline the school’s determination to help every student achieve the highest possible standards.
Many students will now progress to their career choices, apprenticeships or further education.
Students who performed particularly well include Apolonia Pietrzak, Olivia Wolinska, Blake Keating, Joshua Lally, James Eccleston, Imogen Walsh, Myra Anthonipillai, Amelia Hunter and Enkelejda Tahaj.
Headteacher of St Augustine of Canterbury, Giselle Lynch, said: “These young people suffered most from the disruption to their secondary education due to the Covid pandemic. It is remarkable the resilience and fortitude that they have shown in producing some of the best GCSE results the school has ever had.
“Our young people have worked hard to ensure that they have the qualifications
they need to progress. We are pleased to celebrate their success and wish them well for the future.”
Andrew Truby, CEO of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: “I am delighted with the excellent outcomes this year at St Augustine of Canterbury, which are testament to the committed staff. I would like to congratulate all students on their results, which reflect their hard work.”
Director of Education Archdiocese
Notre Dame celebrates outstanding A-level results for 2024
A-level students from Notre Dame Catholic Academy celebrated following an impressive achievement for the class of 2024, which boasts an overall pass rate of 99.3 per cent, with 74.3 per cent of learners achieving high grades in the A*- C bracket.
Among the standout subjects, students studying music, Spanish, health and social care, chemistry, and art achieved a remarkable 100 per cent A*- C pass rate.
Among this year’s top achievers, Jack Smith has secured a place at the University of Oxford to study engineering after achieving three A*s in maths, further maths, physics, alongside a B in chemistry.
Maya Flaherty has also achieved her goals, securing a place at Hope University to study a combined degree in film and
visual culture with tourism, with her heart set on a career in photography with ambitions of working abroad. Maya gained an average grade of an A with an A grade in 3D design, distinction in business and distinction* in sport.
Students at the academy have also secured places at several prestigious Russell Group universities, including the University of Durham, the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester, and Newcastle University, among others.
Victoria Taylor, headteacher at Notre Dame Catholic Academy, a part of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, proudly stated: “It is our aim to provide an enriching educational environment that empowers our students to excel academically, socially and emotionally.
These results are a testament to their hard work and determination.”
Andrew Truby, CEO of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our students on their results this year. Notre Dame has prepared them well for the next stage of their education or work and wish them the very best for the future.”
Success at St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy on GCSE results day
There were smiles all around St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy on GCSE results day.
The Woolton-based academy, part of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, saw improvements in all areas this year, paving the way for more students to go onto their first-choice destinations and setting a promising trajectory for their future.
The GCSE results showed a significant increase in the number of boys achieving high-end grades, and a remarkable improvement for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). On average, these students achieved over a grade higher than last year, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Year 11 student Charles achieved an
impressive three grade 9s, three 8s and four 7s. Fellow student Zac achieved six 8s and four 9s in his results.
Similarly, the academy’s A-level and other Level 3 results saw many successes. The vast majority of students moved on to their first-choice destination, many being Russell Group universities.
Headteacher, David Hayes, said: “We are delighted with the students’ results this year; it has been a lovely atmosphere in school this morning. All students worked extremely hard and deserve the positive results they have received.
“It is important to also recognise the parents who have supported their sons, as well as the dedicated teachers who have ensured strong provision.
“Beyond celebrating the student’s success, these outcomes demonstrate that after some years of instability, the school is now on the right path and on track for further success in the future”.
Delight for St John Bosco Arts College after A-level and GCSE results
St John Bosco Arts College celebrated after students received their A-level and GCSE results recently.
Firstly, Year 13 students headed to the Croxteth-based school one last time to collect their all-important A-level results. Among those celebrating their results was Layla O’Connell, who achieved an A* in English literature, an A in criminology, a B in history and an A for her extended project qualification (EPQ). Layla will join the University of Liverpool to study for her undergraduate degree in English literature with history.
Another student delighted by their results was Jack Bishop, who achieved an A in criminology and a double distinction* in business.
A week later, it was time for the Year 11
students to see all their hard work come to fruition.
Overall, the results aligned with expectations and included some fantastic success stories, including Year 11 student Ikbal, who achieved a phenomenal 11 GCSEs in grades 8 and 9.
Fellow student Chloe achieved top grades in her subjects, including grades 8 and 9 and a distinction* in GCSE dance. This year, the school reported receiving the highest-ever number of applications to join its thriving sixth form.
One student, Macey Lea, is excited to return to Bosco in September as part of the sixth form to help her on her journey to pursue a career as a spacecraft engineer.
Headteacher at St John Bosco Arts College, Mr Darren Gidman, said: “From
OPEN TO ALL
everyone at Bosco, we would like to say a massive congratulations to our Year 13 and Year 11 students.
“You have embraced our vision wholeheartedly and demonstrated that with dedication, perseverance, and the support of a loving community, you can achieve incredible things.”
St John Rigby celebrate ‘outstanding’ year on results days
This summer’s examination results have rounded off an ‘outstanding’ year at St John Rigby College. The results are an indication of the hard work of an extraordinary group of students whose education was impacted significantly in their final three years of high school.
The class of 2024 has achieved pass rates which are close to 100 per cent and over half of the grades awarded were ‘high grades’ – A*, A, B, distinction*/distinction. These figures exceed significantly the college’s pre-pandemic grade profile.
This is now the fifth consecutive year when students’ high-grade performance has exceeded 50 per cent. St John Rigby College’s philosophy is that there is ‘no ceiling to achievement’ and that all students are supported to achieve their full potential.
For many students, the next chapter may be university where they will progress onto chosen and prestigious degree courses. For a large number, the next step will be a higher-level apprenticeship.
Principal of St John Rigby College, Peter McGhee CBE, commented: “This has been a year of external assessments for St John Rigby College and whilst we are proud of our outstanding judgements from each of our inspections, the most pleasing thing about this year and the reason why we do what we do, is to see and to share the successes of our students.
“They have proven themselves to be a remarkable group of young people and their results are testament to their resilience, their hard work and the way that they have supported one another.
“I am extremely grateful to our staff who have led and supported students’ learning and development and I was proud to read in one of this year’s reports that ‘There is a real spirit of collaboration and teamwork which many staff describe as being a family atmosphere’.”
Days of celebration at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy
Students at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, part of the Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust (PFCMAT), celebrated their A-level and CTech results, with over 30 per cent of A-level students taking home the top A*-B grades and over 40 per cent of CTech students celebrating D*-D grades.
CTechs are vocational qualifications - the same as BTECs - but run by a different examining board. As with BTECs, students can be awarded a distinction*, distinction, merit or pass.
Subjects with some notable success rates include English language and literature, which saw 90 per cent of students achieve A*-C grades, and maths, with over 50 per cent of students achieving A*-B grades. CTech ICT and iMedia students also performed exceptionally well, with around 60
per cent of students taking home D*-D grades.
Sacred Heart student, Abbie, is off to Newcastle University to study dentistry after achieving two As in chemistry and biology and a B in maths.
Meanwhile, fellow student Finley achieved an A, B and C in maths, physics and chemistry respectively, and was offered a place on two different courses at two different universities.
GCSE results day at Sacred Heart shared similar successes. Year 11 student, Ben, took home 8s in maths and physics and will study maths, physics and computing at A-level.
Fellow student Isobel celebrated a magnificent four 9s and five 8s and will study biology, chemistry and maths with a desire to study dentistry at university.
Meanwhile, Year 11 Arran celebrated 8s in maths, biology and physics, and advised all students to take advantage of the extra-curricular revision sessions that Sacred Heart offers.
Mark O’Hagan, headteacher of Sacred Heart, said: “The many smiling faces are testament to our dedicated and talented students, our hardworking and caring staff and supportive families.”
A day of pride and progress at The Salesian Academy of St John Bosco
at The Salesian Academy of St John Bosco, on Netherton Way in Bootle, celebrated after securing a set of GCSE and BTEC results that are not only the source of much pride, but also show the progress that the school is making.
Across the school, 90 per cent of all subjects studied showed improvements in both progress and attainment measures – meaning that the results that pupils opened were noticeably higher than the previous year.
Sue Bourgade, headteacher of the academy, said: “Our pupils have demonstrated their commitment to
Outstanding in everything we do
“All students, including those with high needs make exceptional progress on their programmes.”
Ofsted 2024
St John Rigby College in Orrell, Wigan celebrates the success of all its students as they start their apprenticeships, jobs or start at University.
COLLEGE OPEN EVENTS
Saturday 5th October 10:00am - 1:00pm Thursday 17th October 4:30pm - 7:30pm Wednesday 6th November 4:30pm - 7:30pm
academic success, with significantly improved performances across a wide range of subjects. They are testament to the dedication and hard work of our pupils, and the expertise and care of our teachers and support staff.
“We have also seen a number of our pupils excel in subjects such as English, religious education and our suite of vocational qualifications, and as a result many are going on to their first choice colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeships.
“We are incredibly proud of their resilience and accomplishments and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive in their future endeavours.”
The results are a further indication of the exciting future that The Salesian Academy of St John Bosco, which is part of the Pope Francis Catholic Academy Trust, has.
Mrs Bourgade added: “The class of 2024 has raised the bar with their achievements, but we still have huge aspirations for what we want to achieve as a school.
“With a new school building in the pipeline and continued investment in our education infrastructure we are only going to continue to strengthen and move forward with real pace and purpose.”
To discover more about St John Rigby College, book a place at one of our open events by visting www.sjr.ac.uk
St John Rigby College, Gathurst Rd, Orrell, Wigan WN5 0LJ 01942 214797 www.sjr.ac.uk
Pupils
GCSE results celebration at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy
Students at St Edmund Arrowsmith in Whiston are celebrating after securing some impressive individual GCSE and BTEC results.
Clare McKenna, the school’s acting headteacher, said: “Our students should all be immensely proud of what they have achieved. They have worked hard, and impressed us all with their resilience, focus and talents. It was brilliant to see so many of them smiling when they opened their results.”
Among those celebrating were:
- Olivia, who achieved five grade 9s, one grade 8, and two 7s and a 6
- Ryan, who secured two grade 8s, two 7s and four 6s
- Oliver, who opened results that included two 9s and five 6s
- Owen, whose results included a 9, an 8, four 7s and a distinction
- Noemi, who was smiling with her distinction*, an 8 and three 7s
Ms McKenna added: “What is pleasing to see is the range of subjects across which students have done well. We are trying to support them in whatever areas their talents and interests may lie.
“While our students deserve all the praise, it is important that we also acknowledge the support we have received from parents and the dedication of our staff. We have come together for our students, and we are delighted for them.”
The school, part of the Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust, has encouraged students to look at all the options possible to achieve their dreams.
Ms McKenna added: “These strong results will help our students to determine their future plans, and I can’t wait to see what they make of them.
“We wish them all the very best for the future.”
St Mary’s Catholic College celebrate amazing A-level and GCSE results
St Mary’s Catholic College, Wallasey, celebrated a fantastic set of A-level, GCSE and BTEC results.
On 15 August, Year 13 students eagerly collected their A-level and BTEC results.
Overall, A-level results have improved on last year’s with some strong individual performances.
Students at the school, which is part of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, opted to pursue a range of pathways, including apprenticeships, university degrees, employment and further education college courses.
Many of the students at St Mary’s will head to university in the autumn and have received offers from several esteemed institutes across the UK, including James Brady who will study law at Liverpool John Moores University after achieving two
distinctions and a B in philosophy and ethics. Also heading to Liverpool John Moores University is Lucia Moor, who is studying zoology.
Overall, St Mary’s GCSE and BTEC results aligned with expectations with some fantastic success stories.
Year 11 student, Giulio Fontana, averaged a grade 9 across the board, with an incredible eight grade 9s, including a grade 9 in English, maths, biology, chemistry and physics.
Of the students receiving their results, many have chosen to remain at St Mary’s and join the sixth form in September 2024.
Other successes include Roisin Keane, who achieved great results and is returning to St Mary’s to complete her T-levels in education after achieving a distinction in health and social care and strong passes in English, history and RE.
Headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic College, Mr Kevin Maddocks, said: “I am extremely proud of the resilience and determination demonstrated by our Year 11 and Year 13 students. Their ongoing commitment to their academic studies has been truly remarkable.
“It has been a pleasure to be part of their educational journey, and we are excited for what comes next.”
Smiles at St John Plessington on results’ days
Students at St John Plessington Catholic College were overjoyed as they collected their long-awaited A-level, GCSE and BTEC results.
There was significant improvement in A-level results, with 95 per cent A*-E grades. The school also reported a 100 per cent pass rate in vocational subjects, with 67 per cent achieving top marks of distinction* / distinction and 97 per cent merit and above.
The Year 13 class of 2024 excelled with many incredible success stories, including Bridget Gallagher, who achieved an A* in art, an A* in history and an A in design technology.
Another student, Ruby Rice, achieved distinction* in PE, distinction* in health and social care and an A in sociology. Many students will attend university in
September, including Adam Birnie, who will attend the University of Edinburgh to study history.
On GCSE results day, staff and students alike were delighted with this year’s results across all subject areas. There were widespread improvements in many curriculum areas, including English and maths.
Year 11 student Rebecca Martin achieved five grade 9s, a grade 8, three grade 6s, a grade 5 and a distinction* and will go on to study psychology, English and Spanish.
Lexi Downey has also opted to continue her studies at St John Plessington, where she will study Mandarin and maths. Lexi achieved a grade 9, five grade 8s, one grade 7, two grade 6s and a distinction.
Mr Peadar McLoughlin, headteacher at St John Plessington Catholic College, said:
“It has been a fantastic few weeks here at St John Plessington with some incredible achievements for our Year 11 and Year 13 students.
“During their time here, they have each demonstrated so much dedication and passion to their studies. We are so proud of them; they are a real credit to our school and the Holy Family Multi Academy Trust.”
Thursday 3 October 5:00pm - 7:30pm
In pictures:
Students from across the Archdiocese celebrated in August, as they collected their GCSE, A-level, BTEC and T Level results. Here are some of the best photographs taken across both days.
Hope Academy student, Mia CarrigharKearns, will go on to the prestigious Shrewsbury School after receiving her GCSE results.
There was much to celebrate at The Salesian Academy of St John Bosco on GCSE results day.
Jack in Year 13 from St John Bosco Arts College proudly holds up his results.
A very happy St Augustine of Canterbury student opening their GCSE results.
Students from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi happily collected their GCSE results.
All Saints Sixth Form College student, Sina, is heading to Liverpool John Moores University to study games development.
Daniel Mahabir from St John Plessington Catholic College on A-level results day.
Ellie Williams from St Mary’s Catholic College, Wallasey, with her A-level results.
The Academy of St Nicholas student Sebastian with GCSE results.
A group of girls from Maricourt Catholic High School celebrated their GCSE results together.
Charlotte from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School proudly shows off GCSE results.
A group of Maricourt Catholic Sixth Form Centre boys proudly hold up their A-level results.
Catherine from The Academy of St Nicholas with GCSE results.
Arran from Sacred Heart Catholic Academy received 8s in maths, biology and physics on GCSE results day.
St Mary’s College students who each achieved seven or more top-level GCSE passes.
Georgie O’Brien and Luke Ditchfield from St Mary’s Wallasey with their GCSE results.
Headteacher of St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy (SFX), David Hayes, with student Charles who achieved three 9s, three 8s and four 7s at GCSE.
Tracey Basue from Notre Dame Catholic College will study law at the Univeristy of Durham.
There were plenty of impressive results from St Augustine of Canterbury students on GCSE results day.
Oxbridge trio from St Mary’s College, Crosby (l-r) - Lara Miller, Naomi Jones and Ellis James secured places at Oxford and Cambridge after achieveing their A-level results.
Lucy Edwards from St John Rigby will study music at Birmingham University; Robert Morris will study maths at Durham University, and Grace Butcher will study music (saxophone) at the Royal College of Music.
And come in procession…
By Father Simon Gore, Animate Youth Ministries
For those of you that might not know, each year the Lourdes authorities select a theme for every pilgrimage to reflect on. Sometimes these are stand-alone themes for a particular year. Yet the authorities often decide on a joined-up theme that covers several years and this year saw the completion of such a three-year cycle. We had started with ‘Go and tell the priests’, then we had ‘To build a chapel’, and this year concluded with ‘And to come in procession’.
I must admit that, three years ago, when first heard these meditations, was least looking forward to the theme for 2024. How do you reflect on going in procession? It seemed so one-dimensional. Procession is something that you do in Lourdes: a torchlight procession or the Blessed Sacrament procession. People know what they are and why we do them. So how could we expand upon that and allow members of the Youth Pilgrimage to take those words to heart and make them meaningful in their own lives?
The answer came on a cold, dark winter’s morning in the office here at Lowe House. We realised that going in procession was more than just walking around a venue. Procession means that you are following someone. It also means that someone is following you. And it would generally mean other people are walking alongside you. And so, when you break the idea down, it becomes a way to think about our Christian lives. We are asked to follow in the footsteps of the Lord, to try to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect: to use Jesus’ example of living in our day-to-day lives.
But we also remember that we are not alone in that mission. We walk alongside other people. We are part of a community. This can be our Christian community of which we are all part through our shared baptism. Or it can be smaller communities such as a parish or a school or, in the case of Lourdes, a coach community.
And we also remember that we have a responsibility to leave a legacy for those that follow in our footsteps. If we choose to not follow our leader and go off in another direction, those processing behind us will automatically follow us – and be unable to see the direction the leader took. It is incumbent on everyone, therefore, to ensure that they are always following the leader and not leading others astray.
So we could approach the theme as a reflection on being called to be inspired by those who have walked the Christian pilgrimage of life before us. And a reminder that we are never alone on our Christian journey and have a responsibility to ensure a positive legacy for those that come after us.
To bring this year’s theme to life in Lourdes, we had our own version of the Olympics: the ‘Grotto Games’. This was a chance for the coaches – half of them on one day, the other half the next day – to gather and meet people from other coach communities through some friendly competition. We also had our own lanterns that were processed in front of us at different times during the week. These lanterns were filled with prayer cards and intentions from schools, parishes and communities back in Liverpool. Each time we used them, it was a reminder that we were not alone on our journey. There were people at home praying for us as we, in turn, prayed for them. And I think they were an important symbol: always at the front of any procession, showing that we were being guided by others.
Additionally, we asked each coach to nominate a patron saint. They were then given a cartoon cutout of that saint and asked to get photos of it with members of their coach or the wider pilgrimage. In our photo reel for the final liturgy, we could show how those saints had been with us through the week, inspiring us to follow in their footsteps.
On paper, this may all seem a little dry, but the different activities and prayers and liturgies really did add life and energy to the week. Indeed, many who had experience of Lourdes going back a number of years thought that there was a real sense of dynamism and joyfulness among the whole pilgrimage and especially our coach communities. A month on, let us pray then that the after-effects of Lourdes 2024 will be longlasting in our own communities here at home.
Jasmine from All Saints Sixth Form College will study law at the University of York.
Maya Flaherty from Notre Dame Catholic College will study film and visual culture with tourism at Hope University.
St Edmund Arrowsmith students with their GCSE results.
There were plenty of smiles to go around St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School on GCSE results day.
A group of achievers from St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy with their GCSE results.
(L-R) Lucy, Mr O’Hagan and Ruby from Sacred Heart Catholic Academy were full of smiles on A-level results day.
There was much to celebrate at St John Bosco on GCSE and BTEC results day.
St John Rigby College students celebrate A-level results with principal Peter McGhee.
Raquel Ginju-Matras from Hope Academy proudly stands with GCSE results.
Liz Joseph from St John Plessington Catholic College with her GSCE results.
Pic extras
I hope you all had a wonderful summer break, spending time with your families and enjoying your holidays.
Let me know if anything unusual happened that you would like to share. I went to Wales in a caravan with my daughter. We had five children with us, which certainly very interesting (and also tiring!) but I loved every minute.
“In our needy world of today, love and beauty you portray,” is a line from the hymn “Holy Virgin, by God’s decree”. At present, our world is so needy. Needy for peace. Peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, peace in our country and peace in our world. can’t remember a time when we’ve needed peace more than we do now. Therefore, I urge all of you lovely mums to pray as hard as you can to Our Lady of Peace to grant us the peace we need now and for future generations. We can say our UCM prayer of peace or recite the Rosary daily.
Our next bi-monthly Mass is on Wednesday 11 September at St Gregory’s, Maghull. In your envelopes, you will find a booking form for Walsingham. I know you will feel like you have only just returned, but the form needs to be returned by the end of October with a £30 nonrefundable deposit to Maureen Finnegan. The pilgrimage was a wonderful success this year and I hope next year will be just as good.
Maria Pimblett, Media Officer
A century of service News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba
Phil Woods, provincial publicity officer, reflects on two special events this summer for KSC members, starting with the Lourdes pilgrimage.
The annual Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes took place at the end of July and, as usual, the KSC were well represented among the small army of Hospitaliers and regular pilgrims.
It has become a custom in recent years to have a photo taken after the Grotto Mass in front of Our Blessed Lady’s statue, and this time we were able to include Auxiliary Bishop Tom Neylon (KSC national ecclesiastical adviser), Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Tom Williams, Father Michael Fitzsimons in his Liverpool Youth coach leader’s yellow T-shirt, and Deacon Paul Whitehead from Council 9, Aigburth.
Some of our brothers in the photo found themselves among the ranks of the assisted pilgrims, and it was an honour and privilege to be able to help cater for their needs in Lourdes.
Another KSC Lourdes tradition was to pray the Rosary in memory of our deceased Brothers and their families, a simple yet powerful way of keeping them in our thoughts and remembering the faithful service they gave to the Order. We were fortunate to have both Bishop Tom and Fr Bill Murphy (chaplain to Council 18, Widnes) to lead us in our prayers, and we were especially pleased that some of our widows
Volunteering with Nugent
were able to join us. Our second photo (above/below) includes Bishop Tom, Fr Bill, Mrs Teresita Rainford, Mrs Pat Fitzsimons and Mrs Dorothy Connell.
The Rosary this year was tinged with great sadness as the news filtered through to Lourdes of the passing of Brother Harry Knight at the grand old age of 96 after a long illness. Harry was a long-serving member who devoted his life to family and the Church, and we remember especially his contribution to the Order, not least as a Hospitalier in Lourdes, where his energy and commitment were an example to all. Enjoy your rest, dear Brother.
Outdoor Mass in Little Crosby
Our annual Mass at the Harkirk Chapel took place on Sunday 4 August in the atmospheric woodland surrounding the chapel. Knights and their families and friends drove across the fields (dodging the cows!) to celebrate Mass with Bishop Tom Neylon and Fr Dunstan Harrington. The celebration was extra special as we welcomed a new Knight into the Order, Brother John Agubaeze.
At Nugent, our mission is to offer care, support, and love to the most vulnerable in our community. One of the ways we do this is through our Charity Shop on Allerton Road, which helps fund our vital work across Merseyside. We’re currently looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to join our team!
Volunteering at our shop is not just about helping us run the day-to-day operations; it’s about becoming a part of something bigger. The shop is a hub of community activity, where people come not only to find great bargains, but also to support our cause. As a volunteer, you will be the face of Nugent, welcoming customers, organising donations, and ensuring the shop runs smoothly.
Why Volunteer with Us?
• Make a Positive Impact: Every hour you spend in our shop helps us raise funds that directly support vulnerable children, families, and adults in need. Your contribution will help change lives.
• Build Community Connections: Our shop is more than just a retail space; it’s a community. Volunteering here is a fantastic way
to meet new people, make friends, and be a part of a caring and supportive network.
• Develop New Skills: Whether you’re looking to gain retail experience or learn new skills, volunteering offers the chance to grow personally and professionally.
• Experience the Joy of Giving Back: There’s a special kind of fulfillment that comes from giving your time to help others. Volunteering with us offers the chance to experience that joy first-hand.
What We’re Looking For
Whether you can spare a few hours a week or have more time to dedicate, we appreciate every contribution! No experience is necessary, if you have a friendly attitude, a willingness to learn, and a heart for service, you’ll fit right in!
How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, we’d love to hear from you! Simply get in touch with our team at hr@wearenugent.org or visit our website to find out more at: wearenugent.org/careers/volunteer
The events in Southport in recent weeks have been truly heartbreaking.
As someone who has lived in Southport for most of my life, I have felt the pain and sorrow that has swept through our community.
Families have lost loved ones, and lives have been changed forever. I want to express our deepest sympathies to everyone affected, and know many of you share in this grief.
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work of our emergency services. Their response has been nothing short of heroic, and we are all grateful for their dedication and bravery during such a difficult time.
Unfortunately, the situation was made even worse by those who chose to cause further harm to our community. To those who engaged in violence and destruction, want to say this: your actions are disgraceful and have no place in our communities. We will not let this behaviour define us.
But let us not lose sight of who we are. Merseyside is a strong and caring community, and we will rally around those who need support. We are here for each other, and we will get through this together.
On a more positive note, we were honoured to welcome Archbishop Malcolm McMahon to Nugent and St. Joseph’s Care Home. Accompanied by Reverend Paul Rooney and the Registered Manager of St. Joseph’s, Helen Ormandy. The Archbishop visited the home, offering a moment of reflection and spiritual encouragement.
As part of the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s 2024 pilgrimage to Lourdes, Archbishop McMahon, along with Bishop Tom Neylon and Bishop Emeritus Tom Williams, lit a candle for Nugent in St. Joseph’s Chapel. This candle, blessed in Lourdes and lit in our shrine, symbolises the enduring prayers and support for our work. We are deeply grateful for this meaningful gesture, which serves as a beacon of hope and strength for all of us at Nugent.
Normandie Wragg Chief Executive Nugent
Jo Henney
Chief Executive Officer Nugent
(L to R) Bishop Tom Neylon, Brother John Agubaeze, Provincial Grand Knight Alf Swain
Dialogue and Unity Celebrating 100 years of Liverpool Cathedral
By Ultan Russell, Archdiocesan ecumenical officer
Sunday 21 July was a joyous and memorable day for our friends at our sister cathedral at the other end of Hope Street.
It was the day on which Liverpool Cathedral commemorated the 100th anniversary of its consecration with three moving services that depicted its outreach, cultural weight, spiritual and liturgical role, and vibrant ecumenical partnerships.
For early birds, it began with the Morning Service on Radio 4 (pre-recorded!). This and the whole centenary process have been spearheaded by the dean, Rev Dr Sue Jones, who has undertaken the role with a combination of sensitivity, inclusion and partnership. Our own cathedral’s dean, Canon Tony O’Brien, was asked to lead some prayers.
At 10.30am was the Centenary of Consecration Eucharist, led by Bishop John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool. The service revisited the music and rituals from the original consecration day, thus creating a bridge between the past and the future. It was a reflective, joyous celebration of the cathedral’s enduring spiritual significance over the last century.
Later, at 3pm, the cathedral was packed for the People’s Centenary Service, which proved a unique celebration. The sight of ministers, clergy and choirs from parish churches being followed in by the cathedral clergy and the bishop was something to behold. Particularly meaningful – and, we imagine, unique to Liverpool – was the sight of the two deans, Dean Sue and Provost Tony, processing in together.
The singing was magnificent under the direction of the director of music, Stephen Mannings (pictured), who brings another link with the Metropolitan Cathedral, as he is the son of the Revd Paul Mannings, our cathedral’s deacon. Most moving was the reflection on the centenary by three young choristers who spoke of faith, partnership through music and the joy of worshipping in such a magnificent building. It was a joyful experience to hear the input of these young people.
The order of service underlined the purpose of our gathering there – namely ‘to honour 100 years of spiritual resonance, community warmth, and cultural significance at Liverpool Cathedral’ – and it added: ‘Be part of our ongoing journey as we embrace the next chapter of this iconic landmark.’
courtesy of Liverpool Cathedral. Photography by Dave Jones.
