Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time — Sunday 15th February 2026
Catholic Voice
Latest copy (February) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter
And so it is that Lent begins on Wednesday, our six weeks of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, in preparation for our great celebrations of the death and resurrection of Christ in Passion and Eastertide.
Ash Wednesday is, of course, a day of Fasting and Abstinence from Meat, one of only two in the Church’s calendar, the other being Good Friday. Fasting means a person is permitted to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may also be taken, but they are not to equal that of a full meal. The norms of fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59, and the rule of abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics aged 14 and onwards.
Fasting and abstinence is a kind of spiritual exercise, to remind ourselves of our need of God above all other things, and how not to rely on the temporal, passing, material things of this world. It is also a great reminder of the fast of Jesus during his time in the desert, the Gospel of which we will hear on the First Sunday of Lent.
Our ashes on Wednesday are a reminder of our need for repentance, and the forgiveness Christ won for us on the cross on Good Friday. These two symbols are a great beginning of what we should hope to experience and achieve throughout the forty days of this season.
Pope Saint John Paul II described Lent as a “commitment to a new life, inspired by Gospel values,” moving away from selfishness and drawing closer to the path of Christ. That path, he said, can be summarised in the words prayer, fasting and almsgiving, with fasting consisting of moderation in food and lifestyle as “a sincere effort to remove from our hearts all that is the result of sin and inclines us to evil.”
Whatever we do for Lent, let us make a great start this Wednesday.
Lord, may the ashes we receive be a sign to us that our Lent has begun. Bless us during this time of Lenten preparation. Help us to keep our promises to fast, motivate us to share what we have, and guide us to pray and become closer to you. Strengthen us so that we may grow in faith, hope and love and be transformed ready to celebrate Easter. Amen.
Rest in Peace
Rest in Peace: Fr. Peter’s Foulkes Requiem will take place on Monday 16th Feb at 11am at St, Bernadette’s in Lancaster (Mass will be celebrated for Fr. Peter at SP’s at 9am that morning); Moira Taylor’s Requiem will take place at St. Joseph’s on Thursday 19th Feb at 9am; Jim McGettigan’s Requiem will take place at St. Peter’s at 12noon on Monday 23rd Feb; Nigel Ogden’s Requiem will take place at St. Joseph’s on Thursday 26th Feb. at 12noon; and William Roger’s Funeral Service will take place at Carleton on Friday 27th Feb. at 10am. Please pray for those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.
Lent 2026 at St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s
Lent begins this Ash Wednesday, 18th February.
Masses:
- 9am — St. Peter’s
- 10am — St. Joseph’s
- 7pm — St. Joseph’s
Ashes will be blessed and distributed at all Masses.
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Saturdays in Lent at St. Joseph’s — 5pm to 5:50pm
Stations of the Cross and Benediction
- Mondays at St. Peter’s — 7pm
- Tuesdays at St. Joseph’s — 7pm
Extra Times for the Sacrament of Confession
During weekday Exposition as usual, and:
- Mondays at St. Peter’s from 6:30pm (before Stations)
- Saturdays during Exposition at St. Joseph’s from 5:30pm
Deanery Lenten Service of Reconciliation
Wednesday 25th March, 7pm — Holy Family Church, Freckleton
Please take a Lent leaflet, and perhaps one to pass on to a neighbour or friend to remind them of this holy season.
SJSP Pancake Evening on Shrove Tuesday
Tuesday 17th February in St. Peter’s Hall
Pancakes and fun from 6pm onwards.
Come and join us for a pre-Lent celebration.
Trinity Hospice
We are delighted to announce that we collected £865.11 for Trinity Hospice last weekend.
We would like to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has donated to our 2026 Appeal up to this point. We will be collecting again after Masses this weekend and our JustGiving page will continue to accept donations throughout February 2026.
Up to now, an additional £350.00 (including Gift Aid) has also been donated.
You can donate here:
Trinity Hospice Appeal JustGiving Page
St Bede’s High School 65th Anniversary Mass
With Bishop Paul Swarbrick.
All past pupils, teachers, parents, employees, governors and anyone else who would like to celebrate Catholic education are invited to attend this celebration Mass:
Tuesday 24th February, 7pm
St Joseph’s Church, Ansdell
Confirmation Congratulations
Congratulations to all those who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Tuesday.
Please continue to pray for them on their spiritual journeys. Huge thanks to our great team of catechists who do so much to share our faith with our children.
First Reconciliation and Holy Communion
Application forms are available from Father Peter after Masses.
Please pray for our candidates as they continue their journeys of faith.
SJSP Ukulele Orchestra
Back strumming away every Monday night at 7pm in St. Peter’s.
Newcomers always welcome!
Fr P’s Lenten Challenge 2026
To make 1000 origami paper cranes to raise £300 to send a child to school for a year in Malawi.
More information soon — but don’t be surprised when you see paper cranes around the Church…
World Day of Prayer — Friday 6 March
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish is hosting the 2026 World Day of Prayer service, prepared by Nigeria and entitled “I will give you rest, come.”
Time: 2pm — Parish Centre, 63 St Alban’s Road.
If you would like to know more or take part, there will be a brief meeting:
Friday 20 February, 2pm — Parish Centre.
All welcome.
Social Events
There is a box at the back of church for suggestions for social and fundraising events for our parishes.
All ideas welcome… a meal out? Afternoon tea?
Fr P performing his one-man version of Cats?
Chaplaincy Volunteer Role
Are you interested in offering compassionate spiritual and emotional support to patients and families at Blackpool Hospital?
For details about joining the RC Chaplaincy volunteer team contact:
Ian Baxter (Lead Chaplain)
📧 i.baxter@nhs.net
Thinking of Becoming a Priest?
Day of recollection and discernment for single men aged 16+ considering priesthood:
Saturday 22 November — 10am–4pm
Lancaster Cathedral
Includes Mass, adoration, guided prayer, talks and lunch.
To book:
📧 Heather.Watts@lrcd.org.uk
☎ 01524 841190
No charge.
Parish Email Address
The Diocese has updated email addresses.
Our shared parish email is now:
📧 sjsp.lsa@lrcd.org.uk
Please use this address going forward.
Hospital Notices
Please let us know if you or a family member is admitted to hospital.
Coffee & Bacon Butties
Available in the church hall after the 9:15am Mass.
Come and enjoy a chat!
St Joseph’s Care
Do you know someone in our community who may need extra support, company or a friendly conversation?
Contact St Joseph’s Care:
☎ 07840 112265
You may share this number with anyone who may benefit.
St Joseph’s Facebook Page
Over 300 people now regularly follow our parish Facebook page, helping us reach the wider community and assist those seeking support.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Josephs-Roman-Catholic-Church-Ansdell/230000653837017