Liverpool: special Mass to celebrate the gift of children

On Sunday, over 1,000 people from parishes across the archdiocese of Liverpool will gather with their families and parishioners at 2pm in the Floral Hall, Southport, for a special children's Mass on the theme: 'Celebrate The Child'. The gathering has been organised by the Archdiocesan Child Protection Team and will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool, who said: 'We may rejoice and be encouraged by the Mass at Southport's Floral Hall, bringing together children from across the archdiocese. In the name of thousands I thank everyone involved in ensuring that children are safe from harm and will be blest, enriched and know peace and joy." Rev John Heneghan, Parish Priest of St Marie's, Southport and Child Protection Coordinator for the Archdiocese, said: "the event will enable the people of the Archdiocese to come together to rejoice in the gift of our children, their place with us in the Church, and all the good work that goes on to support and encourage them in our parishes." The music of the Mass will be led by the 'Youth Alive' group, and various parts of the liturgy have been prepared and will be led by children from the parishes of Christ the King, Childwall; St Michael's, Liverpool; St Anne's, Ormskirk; St Gabriel's, Higher Folds, Leigh; and parishes in the Liverpool North and Wigan Deaneries.