Who we are
According to tradition the rosary was given to St. Dominic by Mary the Mother of Jesus in an apparition in 1214. That is why we have put at the top of this page a reproduction of the stained glass window by Franz Mayer in Carlow Cathedral depicting this event. St.Dominic spread the devotion of praying the rosary and Pope Pius XI stated, “The Rosary of Mary is the principle and foundation on which the very Order of Saint Dominic rests for making perfect the life of its members and obtaining the salvation of others.”
Our parish, however, is not in the care of the Dominicans, but that of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), who were founded in the nineteenth century by St. John Bosco. He also had a fervent devotion to Mary and promoted the rosary among his followers and the teenagers he worked for. Like Don Bosco, we believe our young people have great potential as well as important needs and so our parish is “young person friendly” and our teenagers and children are valued members of our parish community.
The parish is led by Fr. Bernard Parkes SDB (Parish Priest) and Fr. Peter Dooley SDB. Two other Salesian priests, Frs. Jim Gallagher and Tony Frain, whose priestly ministry takes them further afield, also live in the parish house. Sr. Jo Gleeson RSM leads much of the pastoral and catechetical life of St. Dominic’s Parish.
Groups in the Parish
A number of groups are active in our parish; Salesian Cooperators, Mercy Associates, Bereavement Group, Baptism Team, Children’s Liturgy Team, SVP society and Over 50’s Club.
Schools
Most of our young children attend Hope Primary, a school that Catholic pupils share jointly with other Christian children. And most of our secondary students attend Christ The King Centre for Learning, which again is a joint Catholic and Church of England venture. Both schools are within our parish boundary.
Services
We have a vigil mass on Saturdays at 6.30pm. The principal parish mass is at 10.45am on Sundays. Additionally, mass is celebrated in the chapel atYewTreeCemeteryon Sundays at 9.15am. Weekday masses are at 9.00am (9.30am on Saturdays).
Sacraments
Confessions are heard on Saturdays 11.30am – noon and 6.00pm – 6.30pm and at call. Baptisms are by appointment after parents have attended two preparation meetings (first two Thursdays of each month). We require six months’ notice from couples intending to marry.
Where we are
St. Dominic’s Parish is situated on the Liverpool/Knowsley border. It is mainly an area of pre-war suburban housing, though much regeneration is going on, and brand new housing is being built. We belong to the Huyton Pastoral Area, which takes in six other parishes across Huyton, Roby andKnowsleyVillage, all within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool.
Contact Us
The parish phone number is 0151 489 1684 and the e-mail address is stdominic@rcaolp.co.uk .