St James Bootle
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
St James Bootle
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
St James Bootle
Summer Parish Camp 2026
Summer Parish Camp 2026
St James Bootle
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St James Bootle
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

“O that today you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts.” From a spiritual point of view, hardness of heart is one of the worst things that can happen to anyone. To adopt a hard-hearted attitude is to maim oneself. A hard heart can’t feel, can’t respond, can’t love. A hard heart can’t experience joy. A hard heart is a closed heart. A hard heart is a barren heart. A soft heart, on the other hand, is a blessing. A soft heart can receive and can respond. It can be saddened but it can also be deliriously happy. Softened by the rain of God’s grace and warmed by the sun of his love, the human heart can be turned from a desert into a garden.

Second collections  

There is a second collection next Sunday, 13th September, for Catholic Education. The following Sunday, there is a second collection for Home Missions.


Urgent: Stop assisted suicide - postcards available  

The vote on assisted suicide is on 11 September.
Not Dead Yet UK have provided postcards you can send to your MP to ask them to vote NO to assisted suicide in the vote in the House of Commons on 11 September.
Please take action now - collect a red and white postcard, fill out your details, add a stamp and post it to your MP today!

Funeral 

The Funeral Mass for Joan Burton will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 10th September at 12 noon. Please pray for the repose of Joan’s soul and the comfort of her family.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

There is a way of losing by gaining. You can win an argument but lose a friend. Through competition and promotion I may advance in my profession but in terms of relationships I am impoverished. My energies are so focused on efficiency and success that I haven’t time to grow emotionally and to develop my capacity for relationships. In one’s drive to attain power, a person may sacrifice friendship and loyalty, so much so that one ends up alone. Lord, let me never forget your haunting words: “What good will it do you to gain the whole world if you lose your soul?”

New Community Member  

We welcome Bro Dominic Nguyen, from Vietnam, who is joining our community for this year. Bro Dominic is working in both school and Parish, so you will see him around. I know you will give him a warm Bootle welcome!


Urgent: Stop assisted suicide - postcards available  

The vote on assisted suicide is on 11 September.
Not Dead Yet UK have provided postcards you can send to your MP to ask them to vote NO to assisted suicide in the vote in the House of Commons on 11 September.
Please take action now - collect a red and white postcard, fill out your details, add a stamp and post it to your MP today!

A Concert for the Nuncio 

To be held at St Francis De Sales Church, Hale Rd, Walton L4 3RL on Saturday 12 September at 7:30pm. Performing are Anna Callacher, Soprano and the Hope Street Consort. This will be followed by a light supper. There will be a retiring collection.
All are welcome

Summer Parish Camp 2026

This summer, our parish was delighted to welcome two groups of young people for two joyful weeks at our Parish Summer Camp.

During the first week, young people from Years 9 to 13 came together for a programme filled with faith, friendship and fun. The second week welcomed our younger campers, including our Altar Servers. Across both weeks, the young people took part in daily Mass, catechism and prayer, giving them the opportunity to grow in their faith and spend time together as a parish family.

There was also plenty of excitement and laughter, with trips and activities including Alton Towers, Ninja Warrior, Tenpin Bowling and Laser Tag. The trips and activities brought plenty of laughter, and it was lovely to see the young people enjoying themselves and building friendships throughout the week.

We are extremely grateful to our Salesian Brothers, Salesian Sisters and the dedicated Youth Active Team, whose hard work, care and enthusiasm made the camp possible. Their generous service ensured that each young person was welcomed, supported and able to enjoy a very special week. A huge thank you also to all of our benefactors – we wouldn’t be able to do this without you! You are always in our prayers.

Finally, thank you also to all the young people who took part and brought such wonderful energy and joy to the camp. It was a blessing to see friendships grow, faith being shared and so many happy memories being made.

We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for next year’s Parish Summer Camp!

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

The word of God is to the human heart what a seed is to the earth.
However, just as a seed needs soil, so the word needs a receptive heart.
The earth responds to the rain and sun so that even the desert blooms.
But the arid human heart has the power to resist so that it remains barren. Lord, soften our hearts with your grace, open them with your gentle love so that the precious seed of your word may take room in our hearts and bear fruit in our lives.


Annual Archdiocesan Lourdes Mass  

Sunday 19 July. All are welcome to bring petitions to the annual Lourdes Mass taking place at 3pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Archbishop John Sherrington will be the celebrant.
Following Mass, all petitions will be packaged and taken to Lourdes with the Archdiocese of Liverpool pilgrimage this year.

Sea Sunday  

Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. Sea Sunday is Sunday 12th July. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea.
Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate by visiting the link below, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5.
This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously. Thank you.

Donate

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

The Lord said to me, “Come to me” but I said “I’m not worthy.”
“Come to me,” he repeated and I said “I’m afraid.”
“Come to me.” I’m too proud.”
“Come to me.” “But I’ve no appointment.”
“Come to me.” With that I fell silent.
Then he said,
“Come… sit down… take the load off your feet. Sit here as in the shade of a tree.
Refresh yourself as at a running stream.
Here you will find rest. Here you will find peace and your yoke will become easy and your burden light.”

Annual Archdiocesan Lourdes Mass  

The Mass will take place on Sunday 19 July at 3pm at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
All are welcome - whether you are travelling on this year’s pilgrimage, have joined us in previous years, or are simply a supporter of the pilgrimage.
Archbishop John Sherrington will be the celebrant.

Funeral  

The funeral service for Pat Collins will take place here in St James on Wednesday 8th July at 1.15pm. Please pray for Pat’s soul and the comfort of her family.

Synod meeting 

As we prayerfully consider proposals for the future development of our parish, we warmly invite you to join us in a spirit of Synodal listening and discernment. Your experiences, insights, and hopes are valuable gifts to our parish community and will help shape our shared future. Together, by listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit, we can discern how God is calling us to grow in faith, mission, and service. Please join us on Monday 6th July, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Parish House.

The Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul

Reflection

Saint Peter was martyred in the year 64 under the Roman Emperor Nero. According to the customs of Rome at the time, Peter was crucified. He held his head downward, however, as he claimed that he was not worthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus Christ.
Before changing his name to Paul, Saint Paul's name was Saul. He never knew Jesus in life, and before his conversion to Christianity he was a Jew who hated Christianity and led persecutions of Christians. This includes his participation in the stoning of Saint Stephen the Martyr. This all changed as he was walking on the road to Damascus, on his way to persecute another group of Christians. Saul was knocked to the ground, when a bright light shone from heaven and the voice of Jesus Christ said “Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?” He then became blind and did not eat or drink for three days. Upon arriving in Damascus, a disciple called Ananias restored his vision, baptized and filled him with the Holy Spirit. It was then that Saul changed his name to Paul, becoming arguably the most important figure, second only to Jesus, in the history of Christianity. Being a Roman Citizen and thus entitled to a quick death, he was decapitated with a sword near Rome in the year 67, possibly on June 29.

Prayers at the Shine of St Peregrine  

Our Lady of the Assumption invites you to a Mass with Anointing of the Sick on Saturday 27th at 12pm. There will be prayers at the Shrine of St Peregrine, patron Saint of those with cancer and serious illness. All are welcome! Our Lady of the Assumption, 16 Hedgefield Road, Gateacre, L25 2RW

Funeral  

The funeral Mass for Neila Judge will take place here in St James’ on Tuesday 30th June at 12 noon. Please pray for the repose of Neila’s soul and the comfort of her family.

Synod meeting 

As we prayerfully consider proposals for the future development of our parish, we warmly invite you to join us in a spirit of Synodal listening and discernment. Your experiences, insights, and hopes are valuable gifts to our parish community and will help shape our shared future. Together, by listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit, we can discern how God is calling us to grow in faith, mission, and service. Please join us on Monday 6th July, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Parish House. 

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

 This Sunday, 21 June, we mark Day for Life, the day in the Church’s calendar when we come together to celebrate the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death.
This year’s theme is ‘The Wonder of the Child in the Womb’. A child is a gift from God to be nurtured and cherished, but the theme also recognises the tragedy of babies who died before birth and the grief experienced by their parents and families.
The bishops’ message and prayers can be found on the website:  www.dayforlife.org. The second collection will go toward the Day for Life Fund, which distributes grants to organisations that promote respect for life from conception until natural death.
You can also donate online on the Day for Life website.

Donate

Diaconate Ordinations  

On Saturday Bro Reuben Doeyou, who was part of our community here in Bootle, was ordained as a Deacon in the Thornleigh Chapel, Bolton, along with Bro Chin K and Bro Sixtus Uzoma.
Bishop John Arnold of Salford was the ordaining Bishop.
We pray for the three new Deacons and ask God’s blessing on their future ministry.

Happy Father’s Day  

We would like to wish all the Fathers in our congregation a very happy Fathers’ Day.
We hope you have an enjoyable day and get spoiled at least a little bit!


Asylum link concert 

Asylum Link Merseyside are holding a fundraising concert at St Anne’s Church, Overbury Street, L7 3HJ at 6.30pm on Friday 26th June. Performers will include Ukulele Orchestra, Hayli Kincade and the Wavertree Choir and Asylum Link Choir and Musicians. Tickets will be £10, payable at the door.

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection

The person in misery does not need a look that judges and
criticises but a comforting presence.
Jesus looked at the ordinary people and seeing how needy they were, he had compassion on them and began to administer to them.
Compassion means that I suffer with you. I accept into my heart the misery in yours. I become one with you in your pain.
I may not be able to relieve that pain but by understanding it and sharing it, I make it possible for you to bear it.
Lord, give us warm and generous hearts so that we may be agents of your compassion to others.

Thank you  

Tommy Cloonan would like to thank everyone for their cards, Masses, prayers and condolences sent upon the death of his wife Sheelagh. He and his family were greatly consoled by these prayerful wishes. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Funerals  

The funeral service for Helen Morrow will take place here in St James’ on Wednesday 17th June at 11.45am. Please keep Helen and her family in your prayers.
The funeral Mass for Anne Thomas will take place here in St James’ on Friday 19th June at 12 noon. Please pray for the repose of Anne’s soul and the comfort of her family.

Note: Next Sunday, 20th June, there is a second collection for the “Day for Life”; the following Sunday, 28th June, is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul and there is a second collection for “Peter’s Pence.

Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Reflection

“Blessed are the hungry; they shall get their fill.”
It is in our emptiness that we are filled.
It is in our confusion that we are guided.
It is in our weakness that we are strengthened.
It is in our sins that we are forgiven.
It is in our hunger that we are fed.
We believe that God has a homeland prepared for us where all our hungers will be satisfied and all our hopes will be fulfilled.
This conviction makes it possible for us to travel onwards with an ache in our hearts and an unquenchable longing in our souls.

Pope Leo XIV’s First Papal Encyclical: Magnifica Humanitas!  

On Monday 25 May, Pope Leo XIV signed his first encyclical on 15 May, the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum. The new letter, Magnifica Humanitas, addresses one of today’s major challenges: safeguarding the human person in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Access the new encyclical at the Vatican Website from the link below.

Visit Website

Faith and Friendship meeting  

The next  Faith & Friendship meeting for the ladies of the deanery will take place on Thursday 18th June at St Helens parish centre, Crosby at 7pm.
An opportunity for us to share our thoughts and discuss the parish development strategy.
All welcome

Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity

Reflection

Once a young boy stood watching a gypsy as he drank from a well in the town square. After drinking, the man continued to gaze into the well, as though looking at someone. He was a giant of a man but had a friendly face. So the boy approached him and asked: “Who lives down there?” “God does,” answered the gypsy. “Can I see him?” “Sure you can, “ said the gypsy. Then taking the boy into his arms he lifted him up so that he could see down the well. All the boy could see, however, was his own reflection in the water. “But that’s only me,” he cried in disappointment. “All I see is me.” “Ah,” replied the gypsy, “now you know where God lives. He lives in you.”

Pope Leo XIV’s First Papal Encyclical: Magnifica Humanitas!  

On Monday 25 May, Pope Leo XIV signed his first encyclical on 15 May, the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum. The new letter, Magnifica Humanitas, addresses one of today’s major challenges: safeguarding the human person in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Access the new encyclical at the Vatican Website from the link below. 

Visit Website

Pastoral Letter  

There is a Pastoral Letter from Archbishop John to be read at all the Masses on Trinity Sunday. Much to the relief of the Parish clergy!

Read More

Funeral  

The funeral service for Richard Watson will take place here in St James’ on Thursday 4th June at 11.45 am. Please pray for the repose of Richy’s soul and the comfort of his family.