1st February 2026
Catholic Voice
latest copy (February) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter:
Tomorrow we celebrate the lovely Feast of The Presentation of the Lord, a Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, otherwise known as ‘Candlemas,’ and the traditional conclusion of our Christmas celebrations. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple eight days after his birth, an occasion when offerings were made and the mother was ritually purified. Simeon’s prophecy referred to Jesus as ‘a light to enlighten the pagans,’ summing up the Christmas theme of light coming into the darkness, but also points towards the paschal mystery, for ‘he was destined to be a sign that is rejected,’ neatly moving us from Christmas through to Passiontide and Eastertide. The Gospel Luke 2:22-40 tells us of the Presentation of Jesus, with Simeon praying what has become known as the ‘Nunc Dimmitus’, used in the Night Prayer of the Church; ‘Now master, you can let your servant go in peace, Just as you promised; Because my eyes have seen the salvation Which you prepared for all the nations to see, A light to enlighten the pagans, And the glory of your people Israel.’ We also meet the prophetess Anna who ‘spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Israel.’ The Gospel concludes with the Holy Family returning to Nazareth; ‘Meanwhile the child grew to maturity and was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.’ Traditionally we bless candles on this Feast Day, to be used throughout the liturgical year, and this is one of the beautiful blessings with which we are provided: O God, true light who create light eternal, Spreading it far and wide, Pour, we pray, into the hearts of the faithful, The brilliance of perpetual light, So that all who are brightened in your holy temple By the splendour of these candles May happily reach the light of your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. A lovely Feast. Time to put away the Christmas cribs and look forward to, in just a couple of weeks’ time, beginning our Lenten journey.
First Week of the Month at SJSP’s.
Please join us for these wonderful liturgies!
Monday 2nd February: Evening Prayer and Benediction at St. Peter’s at 7pm.
Wednesday 4th February: Mass at Saltcotes Cemetery Chapel at 10am.
Friday 6th February: First Friday Mass & Anointing of the Sick at St. Joseph’s at 2pm, followed by Refreshments in the Parish Hall.
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. Please pray for the Candidates as they make this important step on their faith journey.
First Holy Communion 2026:
our course will begin after half term for children in Year 4 and above. Application forms are available from Fr. Peter after Masses.
Forthcoming Requiem Masses and Funeral Services:
Funeral Service for Gwen Quinn at Lytham Crematorium on Monday 2nd at 2pm; Requiem Mass for Vincent Moss at St. Joseph’s on Tuesday 3rd at 11:30am; Funeral Service for Adrian Connor at Lytham Crematorium on Thursday 5th at 1:15pm; Requiem Mass for Michael Mahon at St. Joseph’s on Friday 6th at 9am; Requiem Mass for Paul Huson at St. Bernadette’s at 9:30pm on Saturday 7th February; Requiem Mass for Colin Brindle at St. Joseph’s on Tuesday 10th at 11am. May they rest in the Peace of Christ.
Trinity Hospice:
Following the success of our joint fundraising appeal for Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s Hospice in 2025, we plan to launch a similar Appeal in both Parishes, to run during the month of February 2026, featuring a ‘Just Giving’ page and will be supplemented with Trinity Hospice bucket collections, at the end of masses in both parishes for two weekends 7/8 and 14/15 February. More information to be provided next week. If you have any questions, please contact Dennis on the number in this weeks bulletin.
Friday March 6th World Day of Prayer:
This year, Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish is hosting the 2026 World Day of Prayer event, which is from Nigeria entitled “I will give you rest, come”. The service will be held at 2pm in Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Centre at 63 St Alban’s Road. If you are interested in knowing more or taking part, there will be a brief meeting in the Parish Centre on Friday 20th February 2pm. All welcome.
Forty days and Forty Nights:
Lent begins on February 18th, with Ash Wednesday. Stations of the Cross in both of our Churches will begin the following week. Please pray for our candidates seeking reception into the Church at this time.
SJSP Ukulele Orchestra:
back strumming away every Monday night in St. Peter’s at 7pm. Newcomers always welcome!
Message from Simon Cox who has taken Over the St Annes Juniors U14 Platinums team, and is in need of a few more players:
a fun and friendly football environment guaranteed. If interested please contact Si on the number in this weeks bulletin.
Social Events:
There is a box at the back of Church for any suggestion sfor social and fun raising events for our Parishes. Any suggestions most welcome… A meal out? Afternoon tea? Fr.P performing his one-man version of ‘Cats’?
Chaplaincy Role:
Are you interested in providing compassionate, spiritual, emotional and religious support to patients and their families at Blackpool Hospital. If so please contact Ian Baxter (lead Chaplain) for more details about joining the RC Chaplaincy volunteer team. email: i.baxter@nhs.net
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.