Young people from Catholic primary schools across Wigan recently took part in a school competition inspired by the family’s new patron, St Carlo Acutis.

More than 450 pupils helped shape the identity of their local Family of Parishes by taking part in a logo design competition inspired by their newly chosen patron saint.

In early 2025, priests and parish representatives began meeting as the Wigan Family of Parishes 1 as part of the wider initiative bringing neighbouring parishes together. One of their aims was to share what was happening across the Family, while also engaging parishioners and young people.

The first step was to choose a patron saint. Five saints were proposed, and parishioners across the churches were invited to vote through parish newsletters and voting forms placed in church porches. Following the vote, St Carlo Acutis was chosen as the family patron.

To help build awareness among young people, a logo design competition was launched in the Catholic primary schools connected to the parishes.

Schools were given a presentation about St Carlo Acutis and the Family of Parishes, along with a template for the children’s designs. Entry forms were also placed in church porches so that children who attend a parish but not one of the schools could take part.

The response was very strong, with more than 450 entries submitted. Schools shortlisted several designs each, which were then passed to the Family parish priests for final judging.

The entry standard was so high that two winners were selected. One design will become the official logo, while another design is being considered for use as a banner for parish events.

The winning logo was designed by Rory, a pupil at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, while Adam, a pupil at St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, created the design that may become the family banner.

The designs were revealed at the end of a Family Mass celebrating St Carlos Acutis last November.

Chris Higgins, Parish & Deanery Development Adviser at the Archdiocese of Liverpool, said: “Drawing all people from our Family of Parishes in Wigan has been a joyful 'green shoot'. We are constantly striving to build relationships and trust across our town so that we can strengthen our mission as the Catholic Church in our local community.”

The new logo will be used across all communications for the Wigan Family of Parishes, including badges and prayer cards. The banner design may also be used at shared events such as the Walk of Witness through Wigantown centre on Pentecost Sunday.

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