Parishioners of St Monica’s first parish Church, Bootle, recently marked the church’s centenary with a “glorious” Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm, followed by a parish party.

The Mass was attended by parishioners of St Monica’s, St Francis de Sales, and friends and clergy from local parishes, as well as staff and pupils from St Monica’s Primary School.

Parish priest Father Ged Callacher commented, “It was a wonderful and joyful occasion, a fitting way to celebrate the journey that started so many years ago.

“We gave thanks to God for the past, the present, and the future of the parish, and celebrated the many parishioners, friends, clergy and religious sisters who have come and gone from us over the years.

"We thanked God for what they have contributed to our parish community of St Monica’s Bootle.”