26th December 2025
Catholic Voice
latest copy (December) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Fr. Peter:
Well what a wonderful Advent and Christmas it has been, with beautiful liturgies leading us into the new Year. And the Liturgical Calendar doesn’t stop, indeed the first weeks of Christmastide are some of the busiest in the year. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family – which is always celebrated on the Sunday during the Octave, the eight days, of Christmas. Monday is the Feast of St. Thomas Becket, the Patron of Clergy in Parishes in England and Wales. He was famously ‘murdered in the Cathedral’ – and the film of TS Eliot’s play about Thomas is well worth watching. Thomas was born in London in 1118. He was Chancellor of England and in 1162 became Archbishop of Canterbury. He defended the position of the Church against King Henry II, and was exiled to France for six years. He had further trials when he returned and was murdered in 1170 in Canterbury Cathedral by the King’s men. On Thursday 1st we celebrate the wonderful Feast of Mary. Mother of God, and place our whole Calednar year under her Patronage. And on Friday 2nd we celebrate Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, two great saints of the early Church. Basil was born in 330 and at forty became the Bishop of Caesarea, after spending a number of years as a hermit. He wrote much of value, especially the monastic rules, many of which are still followed by the monks of the Eastern Church. He was outstanding in helping the poor. Gregory was born in the same year and joined Basil in undertaking a life of solitude. In 381 he became Bishop of Constantinople. He was a man of great wisdom and eloquence. And that takes us to the weekend, the Epiphany on Tuesday 6th, the Baptism of the Lord the following Sunday. The wonderful liturgical Pageant continues in our Happy new Year!
First Week of the Month at SJSP’s:
Friday 2nd January: First Friday Mass & Anointing of the Sick at St. Joseph’s at 2pm, followed by Refreshments in the Parish Hall.
Huge Thanks to All involved in our Christmas Services:
The Altar Teams and Sacristans, the Musicians and Choir and Bell Ringers, the Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Collectors, Offertory Processors, the Flower People, crib putter-uppers and decorators, rota preparers, Cleaners, everybody who does their jobs in and around the Sacristies, the Churches, the House, the Office, and the grounds, the refreshment and social people, all those who work with the children – our Amazing Children’s Liturgists, the Catechists, the Teachers, everyone at St. Peter’s School, and St. Bede’s School the Parents, and all the children, our great Deacons Michael and David, and Everyone who helped to make Christmas 2025 such a wonderful religious celebration, and continues to make SJSP such a wonderful Catholic Community every day of every year! May the Lord give us many Blessings. Let us continue to celebrate together throughout the whole of 2026!
2026 Lancaster Diocesan Directories:
are available at the back of Church, priced £6:50. See where all your favourite priests have been moved to!
SJSP Confirmation 2026:
The Bishop will be coming to SJSP’s to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday 10th February at SP’s at 6:30pm. Candidates in Year 6 or above are welcome to get an application form from the sacristy.
Feast of the Epiphany:
Next Tuesday 6th January is the Feast of the Epiphany, a HolyDay of Obligation. Masses are at usual HolyDay times of 7pm Vigil on Monday at SJ’s, and Tuesday 6th 9am at SPs’ and 10am at SJ’s
Late Late Christmas Party:
After Christmas we can look forward to the SJSP Late Late Christmas Party on Saturday 17th January at 7pm after Evening Mass, with food, songs and games. Tickets available soon.
The SJSP Ukulele Orchestra (along with children from the parishes) Christmas Album:
Only £5 - a perfect stocking filler! All proceeds shared between Brian House Children’s Hospice and the StreetLife Trust in Blackpool. CDs available at the back of church at the end of Mass and for downloads, email ann@zammits.me.uk. With huge thanks to Mark Brocklesby for his recording and producing expertise.
Thinking of Becoming a Priest?
Come to the day of recollection and discernment! The day is for single men 16 years or over who are considering priesthood: Saturday 22 November 10am – 4pm at the Cathedral in Lancaster. The day will include Mass, adoration, guided prayer, talks to assist discernment, lunch. To book email Heather: Heather.Watts@lrcd.org.uk or Tel: 01524 841190. There is no charge.
Email Address:
The Diocese is changing all email addresses. The one email for our two parishes is now sjsp.lsa@lrcd.org.uk. Please do whatever you have to do to use this email from now on. Cheers.
Hospital:
Please remember to let us know if you or one of your family is being admitted to hospital.
Coffee & Bacon Butties:
Will be available in the church hall after the 9:15am Mass. Why not come and enjoy a chat.
St Joseph’s Care:
Do you know of anyone in our community who is in need or might need a little more support? Company or just someone to talk to? Someone who may, at times, need help with things? Please let us know and we can contact them. Or you can give them our St Joseph’s Care phone number so they can contact us: Tel: 07840112265.
St Joseph’s Facebook Page:
We now have over 300 people regularly following us on Facebook which is allowing us to reach out to those in the wider community and fulfill our parish commitment to evangelization. In the last couple of months, we have been able to help a number of people who have sought assistance through this medium.