Saturday, 2 August 2025

Eighteenth Sunday of the Year and St John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church.

 

Eighteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 2nd August
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 3rd August

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               
NEWS THIS WEEK.
The Vatican announced that St. John Henry Newman will be proclaimed the newest "Doctor of the Church."     Newman, a convert from Anglicanism, was a brilliant preacher and writer even before his conversion in the 1840s.

With several fellow Anglicans, he founded the influential "Oxford Movement" to defend and restore the doctrinal integrity of the Anglican Church, threatened in a number of ways. Then, as he reflected more deeply, he dramatically, and controversially, converted to Catholicism. Newman suffered greatly for this decision, losing many friends. Some never spoke to him again.

Newman's greatest contribution to scholarship and to Catholic thought, arguably, was his reflection on the concept of doctrine itself: that the Church's teaching, being true, cannot change, but, that that teaching may and should "develop" over the decades and centuries, as the Church faces new challenges from science and technology, and inevitably must teach on those new matters by "developing" fundamental teachings from earlier times.

Here we come to an essential point: doctrine is supposed to "develop" but... not change. And it precisely the lure of the modern world, and of modern science -- this "Modernist" time in our history -- that causes many to conclude, falsely, that Church doctrines must change, in order to keep up with modern times. Newman never supported or defended this. He always was meticulous in his search for the "roots" of doctrine in the Scriptures and in the teaching of the Church Fathers. This is the correct way for the "development" of Catholic teaching to occur, Newman argued.

However, for a century and a half, there has been a more radical understanding of "development of doctrine" which is known as "evolution of dogmas." This view, mixed in with philosophical currents such as vitalism, immanentism and historicism, was at the heart of the modernist controversy during the papacy of Pius X, and this view was condemned by Pius X in his 1907 encyclical Pascendi dominici gregis.

Although modernist intellectuals such as George Tyrrell and Alfred Loisy did at times cite the influence of Newman's ideas on their thinking, their goal was, it seems, not so much to understand the ancient roots of Church doctrine, but to make that doctrine change meaning, according to their own ideas, in keeping with the liberal spirit of the times. This is the temptation that a number of progressive Catholic theologians today are drawn toward.

G.K. Chesterton characterized the development of doctrine as follows:

 When we say that a puppy develops into a dog, we do not mean that his growth is a gradual compromise with a cat; we mean that he becomes more doggy and not less. Development is the expansion of all the possibilities and implications of a doctrine, as there is time to distinguish them and draw them out. (G.K. Chesterton, Ch I, St Thomas Aquinas, 1933).

 The fact that Pope Leo chooses now -- as one of the first acts of his pontificate -- to call attention to the thoughtful and faithful teaching of St. John Henry Newman, and to honor him with the very special title of "Doctor of the Church," suggests that Leo is quite well aware of this "modernist" temptation, and wishes to draw those in danger of being seduced by the idea of the possible "evolution" of doctrine back to the orthodox position proclaimed by Newman: that doctrine may develop, but not change, not "evolve."

For this reason, this decision of Leo takes on the character of an important "cornerstone" in the new Pope's emerging effort to confront and guide the debate over doctrine in modern times, a debate which is certain to be intense during this pontificate.

With the model of Newman's holiness, wisdom, fidelity and courage, Leo is providing us with a model for us to keep ever-present as we proceed forward in the doctrinal battles of these times.

 From an article by Dr Robert Moyniham. 
  
 
MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday SM Mass 9.30am

Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass

Thursday SM 9.30am Mass

Friday SC 7pm NOVENA & BENEDICTION

Saturday SM 3pm Baptism of Freddie & Oliver Fell
                               & a Convalidation of Marriage
             
Nineteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 9th August
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 10th August

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 26 July 2025

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year & World Day of Prayer for Grandparents



Seventeenth Sunday of Year C.
World Day of Prayer for Grandparents

Saturday 26th July. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 27th July

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               
In the Catholic Church the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated on the Sunday nearest the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandparents of Jesus Christ. This special day is a time for honoring and recognizing the important role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. Pope Francis established the day in 2021, although, of course, the feast day of Ss Joachim and Anne is much older. 

Grandparents Day is a special time to honor and celebrate the invaluable role that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. It is a day to recognize the wisdom, love, and guidance that grandparents provide to their families. This day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of family bonds and connections, and to show appreciation for the generations that came before us. On this day, families come together to celebrate their grandparents and the traditions that have been passed down through the generations. It is a time to share stories, memories, and laughter, and to create new memories that will be cherished for years to come. Whether it is a special meal, a family gathering, or a phone call to a grandparent who may be far away, Grandparents Day is a time to show love and gratitude to those who have helped shape us into the people we are today. 

As we celebrate Grandparents Day, let us take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of family, the strength of our bonds, and the love that holds us together. Let us cherish the time we have with our grandparents and appreciate the wisdom and guidance they share with us. May this day be a joyous celebration of family traditions and a reminder of the legacy of love that will endure for generations to come. 

If you are a grandparent, you might feel able to invite your grandchildren to come to Mass with this Sunday. Or if you are a grandchild, you might think of coming to Mass with your grandparents
 
MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday SM Mass 9.30am

Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass

Thursday SM 9.30am Mass

Friday SC 7pm NOVENA & BENEDICTION

Saturday SM 10.30am Baptism of Robin Watts

             
Eighteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 2nd August
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 3rd August

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 19 July 2025

Seventeenth Sunday

 
St James - Feast on Friday

Sixteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 19th July. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 20th July

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               
               


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday SM Mass 9.30am

Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass

Thursday SM Requiem Mass for Thomas Allan Robinson

Friday SC 7pm NOVENA & BENEDICTION

             

Seventeenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 26th July. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 27th July

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 12 July 2025

Fifteenth Sunday in the Parish


 

Fifteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 12th July. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 13th July

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               
               


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday SM Mass 9.30am

Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass

Thursday SM 9.30am Mass
                SM 6pm St Mary's School Leaver's Mass

Friday No public Mass today

Saturday SM 10am Baptism of Candice Cooper
             

Sixteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 19th July. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 20th July

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 5 July 2025

Fourteenth Sunday of the Year

 

Fourteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 5th July. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 6th July.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SM 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday -----------------

Wednesday ---------------

Thursday SM 9.30am Mass

Friday SC 7pm Novena and Benediction
             


Fifteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday 12th July. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday 13th July

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 28 June 2025

Ss Peter and Paul this week

 


Solemnity of Ss Peter & Paul

Saturday. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday. 

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday SM 9.30am Mass

Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass

Thursday SM 9.30am Mass

Friday SC 7pm Novena and Benediction
             



Fourteenth Sunday of Year C.

Saturday. 
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sunday

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 21 June 2025

Corpus Christi

 

Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Year C.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
Concluding with 
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday SM 9.30am Mass
             



Solemnity of Ss Peter & Paul

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul. Year C.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 14 June 2025

Trinity Sunday

     

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Year C.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Tuesday SM 10.30am Requiem Mass for Sheila McGeown
             
Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass
                                                
Thursday. SM 9.30am Mass

Friday SC 10am Requiem Mass for Barbara Fow
            SM 1pm Funeral Service for Andrew Gilman

Please note: there will be no Devotions this evening.


Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Year C.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 7 June 2025

Soemnity of Pentecost

 

Solemnity of Pentecost

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Solemnity of Pentecost. Year C.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SM 12 noon Requiem Mass 
               for Dr Zakariya Udden
             
Tuesday SM 9.30am Mass
             
Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass
                                                
Thursday. SM 9.30am Mass

Friday SC 7pm NOVENA & BENEDICTION
                  7.30pm Parish Meeting


Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Year C.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               



Saturday, 24 May 2025

Seventh Sunday of Easter and the Ascension

 

Sixth Sunday of Eastertide. Year C.

Saturday 5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sixth Sunday of Eastertide. Year C.
8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday 9.30am Mass
              
Tuesday SC 9.30am Mass
             
Wednesday SM 9.30am Mass
                    SM 11am Funeral Service for Patricia Young
                             
Ascension Thursday. HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION
SC 9.30am Mass
SM 7pm Mass

Friday SC NOVENA & BENEDICTION
            Confessions following


Seventh Sunday of Easter

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Seventh Sunday of Easter. Year C.

8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               


Saturday, 17 May 2025

May Procession and 5th Sunday of Easter

 

Saturday. Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
with our First Communicants

Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year C.
8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

3pm May Procession and Crowning
               
This Sunday at 3pm at St Mary's is our May Procession and Crowning. We will gather at the school with the statue and banners and process to the Lourdes Grotto to pray for the sick. Then on to the churchyard, stopping the Cross to pray for those who have died. On into teh church for the Crowning of the statue by one of our First Communion children. Our procession will be accompanied by the the Chorley Silver Band. The weather looks to be fine, so come and join us!


MASSES DURING THE WEEK


Friday SC NOVENA & BENEDICTION
           Confessions following


Sixth Sunday of Easter. 


Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year C.
8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               


Saturday, 3 May 2025

Third Sunday of Easter

 

Saturday. Third Sunday of Easter. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
     Confessions following

Third Sunday of Easter. Year C.
8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church
               


MASSES DURING THE WEEK

Monday SC 9.30am Mass
              
Tuesday SM 9.30am Mass
             
Wednesday SC 9.30am Mass

Thursday SM 9.30am

Friday SC NOVENA & BENEDICTION
           Confessions following


Fourth Sunday of Easter. 
World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Saturday. Year C.
5pm Mass at St Catherine's Church
        Confessions following

Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year C.
8.30am Mass at St Mary's Church

10.30am Mass at St Mary's Church