23rd February 2025
Lent 2025 at St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s:
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 5th March
Masses 9am at SP’s, 10am and 7pm at SJ’s.
Ashes will be blessed and distributed at all Masses.
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament:
Saturdays in Lent at St. Joseph’s 5pm-5:50pm
Sundays in Lent at St. Peter’s 4pm-5pm
Stations of the Cross and Benediction:
Mondays at SP’s at 7pm and Tuesdays at SJ’s at 7pm
Lenten Service of Reconciliation (with Our Lady Star of the Sea)
Thursday 10th April 7pm at SJ’s
Message from Father Peter:
A couple of weeks ago the new Translation of the Scriptures, when speaking of the Call of the first Apostles, had the Lord tell Peter that from now on he would ‘catch men’, which isn’t too different from the previous Jerusalem translation ‘catch people’ (although less politically correct), and is somewhat wayward from the more poetic ‘fishers of men’ which, somewhat confusingly (for me anyway), was still the translation used in the Gospel Acclamation verse, sung by me at all masses! So how are you finding the New Translation? I’m generally ok with it, though I find some parts of it somewhat ungainly, and it can be difficult to read when you are used to a certain old phrase or a different order of words. (Incidentally I find the way it is laid out in the Lectionaries, verse by verse, sometimes difficult, as you think you’ve finished a sentence, and it continues on the next line). There is also the complexity of using ‘old’ missals and mass books with the previous translation. To aid this, the response to the psalm is always at the top of the newsletter (on this side, see above). Translations are freely downloadable from the internet at ‘Universalis’ usually a few days before, and there is always the ‘app’ for phones and tablets from ‘Universalis’, which, although expensive for an app, is much cheaper than a missal. You may see people reading their phones during the Liturgy of the Word – don’t condemn them: they’re following the Scriptures! Whether at SJ’s the books should be wholly replaced or alternatively at both Churches we go on to weekly missalettes is something to think about, so if you have any strong views, please speak to me! Any ways or means to help us love, learn, know and understand the Scriptures is a good thing. Incidentally, did you hear about the guy who believed only 12.5% of the Bible? He was an eighth-theist. I’ll get my coat. And my lectionary…
This Week’s Liturgical Calendar:
24th The Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Rt. Rev. Thomas Pearson, the first Bishop of Lancaster in 1925; 7th St. Gregory of Narek, a tenth century Armenian mystic, monk, poet and theologian, proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015.
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.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party
Everyone welcome for a pancake and refreshments, a raffle and general chit chat and mingle! Tuesday 5th March in the Presbytery from 6:30pm! Please grab a ticket for £2 so we know how much batter to whisk up!
Trinity Hospice:
We are absolutely delighted to announce that our 2025 Appeal for Trinity Hospice currently stands at £2,331.84. 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 until 28 February 2025. This page can be found at: www.justgiving.com/page/dennis-duignan-10. Taxpayers can boost the amount of their donation by choosing to add Gift Aid to the value of their donation. All monies raised go directly to Trinity Hospice. If you have any questions, please contact Dennis Duignan (number in this weeks bulletin).
Refurbishment of Bell Ringing Ropes:
In order to keep our wonderful bells ringing, in March we will be sending our ropes to Ellis' in Loughborough to have part of the rope replaced with polyhemp. The benefits of this include good resistance to abrasion and rotting. This work has recently become necessary due to some our ropes snapping and showing significant signs of wear. If you would like to contribute towards the cost of this work, ropes are available for sponsorship, the cost being £50 per rope. A record of the dedication would be displayed within the ringing room. Please contact James and Stacey (number in this weeks bulletin). Thank you.
SJSP’s mini Pilgrimage to Lourdes this Summer.
Four nights 3rd-7th June, £650 sharing, £749 single. Forms available from FrP and Deacon D now if anyone would like to come along! Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us.
Dates for the Diary, Upcoming SJSP Social Events:
Shrove Tuesday 4th March: Pancakes in the Presbytery from 6:30pm
Wednesday 9th April: Easter Bingo at St. Peter’s
Sunday May 11th: Afternoon Tea & Entertainment in SJ’s Hall 3-5pm
Saturday June 28th: Lytham Club Day
Sunday July 13th: BBQ and Summer Games in SJ’s Garden
Watch this Space for More Details!
Diocesan Pilgrimages for the Holy Year:
Lindisfarne: 21-23 May Email: info@christ-the-good-shepherd.co.uk
Lourdes: ‘With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope.’ 23rd – 30th July. Details and booking forms at: (https://joewalshtours.co.uk)
Walsingham: 20-24 October 2025 £475.00-£550.00. For booking details contact Deacon Charlie Conner (number in this weeks bulletin) or email charlie.conner@lrdc.org.uk
Catholic Voice
latest copy can be found here.
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.
SJSP 2025 Calendars:
SJSP 2025 Calendars still available at just £5.
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.