Second Sunday in Lent — Sunday 1st March 2026
Catholic Voice
Latest copy (March) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter
So how is Lent going? After our first Celebration of the Stations of the Cross at SP’s on Monday I remarked that now it truly does feel like Lent (by that stage it had only been five days without Pringles, so I’m still coping). The word ‘Lent’ actually comes from old English – via Europe – meaning ‘the Season of Spring’ which in turn comes from ‘lengthening of days’ and indeed throughout this season the days are getting brighter, and the clocks will go forward on the weekend of Palm Sunday. The Forty days of Lent of course correspond to the forty days Christ spent in the desert being tempted by the Devil, as we heard in the Gospel last week, and indeed always do on the First Sunday of Lent. But this also links us back to the Old Testament: Moses fasted for forty days and nights before he was presented with the Ten Commandments, and the Prophet Elijah did the same before he had his great Theophany, his encounter with God, on Mount Horeb. We also link the days of Lent to the Forty Years that the Israelites spent in the Wilderness, journeying to the Promised Land, totally dependent on the guidance – materially and spiritually of God. In the story of Jonah (and the Whale) the people of Nineveh were given forty days to make the repentance before God. Some traditions work out that Christ was in the tomb for forty hours - from Friday Evening to Sunday Morning (not three consecutive twenty-four hours, which incidentally would make seventy-two hours, which would correspond to the hours Jonah spent in the belly of the whale). Anyway, we begin the second week of Lent, so let’s make sure we make the best of these forty days - and continue, or begin, or recommit - ourselves to our disciplines of Prayer, Fasting and Abstinence. Perhaps we might take the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The ‘Anima Christi’ makes a beautiful and appropriate prayer for this, or any, season: Soul of Christ, sanctify me; Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from Christ’s side, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus, hear me; Within Thy wounds hide me; Suffer me not to be separated from Thee; From the malicious enemy defend me; In the hour of my death call me; And bid me come unto Thee; That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels; Forever and ever. Amen.
Lent 2026 at St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament:
Saturdays in Lent at St. Joseph’s 5pm-5:50pm
Stations of the Cross and Benediction:
Mondays at SP’s at 7pm and
Tuesdays at SJ’s at 7pm
Extra Times for the Sacrament of Confession:
During Weekday Exposition as usual and
before Stations at SP’s on Mondays from 6:30pm and
during Exposition on Saturday afternoons at SJ’s from 5:30pm, and…
Deanery Lenten Service of Reconciliation
Wednesday 25th March 7pm at Holy Family Church Freckleton
Please note there are no Stations at SJ’s this Tuesday due to the St. Bede’s 65th Anniversary Mass.
Congratulations to Catechumens
Rhys and Liam, and Candidates Janos, Csanad, Alan and James who were presented to the Bishop last Saturday in the Cathedral in Lancaster at the Rite of Election in preparation to be received into Full Communion with the Church at Easter. Please pray for them as they make this great step in their faith journey.
2026 Lenten Challenge:
I always like a Lenten Challenge to raise money for a great cause, this year, it was thought we could make it a Kirkham Deanery effort to change children’s lives by raising money to send them to a school in Malawi, run by the community. It costs just £300 for a child’s education, board and lodging for a whole year, and it would be great to send as many children to build up the school as we can. To this end I will be making 1000 Origami Paper Cranes – an international symbol of hope and peace. Our Primary and Secondary Schools are joining us in this great endeavour. If you would like to help us, please see the poster in the Church and Schools, use the QR code to gift if possible, or pass on enveloped donations at the back of Church. And also check out the Paper Cranes at SJ’s and SP’s. Many thanks in anticipation for your support.
St Patricks Day Celebration:
Quiz, Food, bar and Singalong with the Ukelele Orchestra SJs Hall at 7pm on Saturday 14th March Adults £7 and Children £3. Tickets available after Mass or message Susan on the number in this weeks bulletin
Trinity Hospice:
We are absolutely delighted to announce that our 2026 Appeal for Trinity Hospice currently stands at £2,398.38 (including Gift Aid). We would like to say a sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has made a donation. Our ‘Just Giving’ page will continue to accept any final donations for a further week.
2026 Lenten Challenge
I always like a Lenten Challenge to raise money for a great cause. This year, it was thought we could make it a Kirkham Deanery effort to change children’s lives by raising money to send them to a school in Malawi, run by the community. It costs just £300 for a child’s education, board and lodging for a whole year, and it would be great to send as many children to build up the school as we can.
To this end I will be making 1000 Origami Paper Cranes — an international symbol of hope and peace. Our Primary and Secondary Schools are joining us in this great endeavour. If you would like to help us, please see the poster in the Church and Schools, use the QR code to gift if possible, or pass on enveloped donations at the back of Church. And also check out the Paper Cranes at SJ’s and SP’s. Many thanks in anticipation for your support.
Bell Ringing Practice
Every Thursday from 7-8.30 pm. If you are interested in learning to ring the bells at St Joseph’s, please get in touch with Tower Captains James and Stacey via the number in this weeks bulletin and they’ll show you the ropes!
Repository
Cards and gifts for different occasions available, including first communion cards and Rosary beads. Walk With Me for Lent devotional books also now available. Orders for other items can be taken, too. If you are interested in joining a rota for either of the weekend Masses please contact Margaret via the number in this weeks bulletin.
Lectio Divina
Scripture prayer and discussions in the hall on Wednesdays at 10am.
The Holy Rosary
Every Thursday after 10am Mass in Church, for this beautiful prayer. All welcome. Thursday at 10:30am in Church.
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