Fourth Sunday in Lent — Sunday 15th March 2026
Catholic Voice
Latest copy (March) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter
And so the Paper Crane Challenge continues, and I am now well over the half way mark - and Notelets and Bookmarks are freely available in both of our Churches this weekend. Please also note the Prayer Cranes that the children have been making: well done to them! It’s actually quite a peaceful and mindful thing to do, as has been learning a little more about the culture of 1000 Cranes and the Japanese legend that folding 1000 cranes (senbazuru) so pleases God that the folder is granted a wish. One famous story which has entered modern history is that of Sadako Sasaki. In 1945 after the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, many people became very sick years later with leukaemia and other cancers, and one such girl was named Sadako. When she found out that she had the disease in 1955, Sadako wished to get well so, after hearing the legend, she decided to fold 1,000 cranes. When she died she had folded 644 cranes. Her story had such a profound impact on her friends and classmates that they completed her thousand cranes and raised enough money to build a statue to honour Sadako and all the children affected by the bomb. Today, in Hiroshima’s Peace Park, there is a statue of Sadako standing on top of a granite pedestal holding a golden crane in her outstretched arms. At its base a plaque reads: ‘This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world.’ Sadako wrote in her journal: ‘I will write Peace on your wings and you will fly all around the world.’ Every year, children from around the world fold cranes and send them to Hiroshima where they are placed around the statue. And because of Sadako, the paper crane has become an international symbol of peace, and a reminder of the events of 1945. Last year my brother visited the Peace garden and sent me some very special origami paper from Hiroshima. As we raise money to educate children in Malawi, let us pray that we can all be educated in the ways of truth, goodness and peace and be the best example of peace to our children that we possibly can. Especially in these present days…
Lent 2026 at St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s
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…
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament: Weekday Exposition as usual and Saturdays in Lent at St. Joseph’s 5pm-5:50pm
Deanery Lenten Service of Reconciliation:
Wednesday 25th March 7pm at Holy Family Church Freckleton
Holy Week and the Easter Triduum at St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s 2026
All are welcome to join us for our beautiful Services
Palm Sunday 28th/29th April
St. Joseph’s 6pm Saturday Vigil Mass,
Sunday St. Joseph’s 9:15am, St. Peters 10:30am
Palms will be blessed and distributed at all Masses
Monday 30th March: St. Peter’s 9am Mass, Stations at 7pm
Tuesday 31st March: St. Joseph’s 10am Mass, Stations at 7pm
Spy Wednesday 1st April: Saltcotes 10am Mass
Maundy Thursday 2nd April
St. Peter’s 7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper with watching until 10pm with Night Prayer of the Church at 9:50pm
Good Friday 3rd April
Stations of the Cross St. Peter’s 10am
St. Joseph’s 3pm and St. Peter’s 3pm
Solemn Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Prayers around Calvary: Outside at St. Joseph’s 6pm
Holy Saturday 4th April
St. Joseph’s: Holy Saturday Morning Prayer at 9am
St. Peter’s 7pm Easter Vigil and Service of Light
Easter Sunday 5th April
St. Joseph’s 9:15am Easter Sunday Morning Mass
St. Peter’s 10:30am Easter Sunday Morning Mass
2026 Lenten Challenge
This year I’m raising money to send children 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. 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 made by the children at SJ’s and SP’s. Many thanks in anticipation for your support.
Please pray for Catechumens Rhys and Liam, and Candidates Janos, Csanad, Alan and James as they make their final preparations to be received into Full Communion with the Church at Easter. Please pray for our young people as they gather each Monday evening ton their First Holy Communion Course to prepare this great step in the journey of faith.
CAFOD Family Fast
The amount from St Joseph’s received by CAFOD was £1,409.70. Huge thanks to everyone who donated to this most important of bi-annual collections.
Seminarians for the Diocese of Lancaster
This Autumn there will be 4 men beginning formation for priesthood for the Diocese of Lancaster. They will join the propaedeutic year at the Royal English College, Valladolid, Spain. Please support them in your prayers: Alexander Kanaan, Ben O’Flynn, Dominic Standing, Paddie Denton. We ask you to continue to pray for them and for vocations to the priesthood for our diocese.
Stations of the Cross Walk from St. Wilfred’s Preston to Ladyewell
Next Saturday 21st March. Setting off from St Wilfrid’s, Preston at 9am, with Mass at 12:30pm. You can find all the details here.
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