19th January 2025
Message from Father Peter:
‘Do whatever he tells you’ are the words of Mary to the Servants at the Wedding in Cana in this Sunday’s Gospel. There are so many beautiful prayers in which we invoke the prayer and support of Mary. As England is traditionally known as the ‘dowry of Mary’ we are privileged to pray the ‘Hail Mary’ at every Mass at the end of the Bidding Prayers, and both of our Churches now pray ‘The Angelus’ before our weekday Masses. But I thought I should add to our Marian Prayers, by just focusing on the ‘Hail, Holy Queen’ or the ‘Salve Regina’ as it is known by its Latin title. This prayer is frequently used in the recitation of the Holy Rosary, as well as being one of the four Marian Anthems which is traditional said at the end of Night Prayer. The Prayer was composed and became popular in monasteries (and, intriguingly, among sailors) in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The prayer asks us to look at the world through the eyes of Mary, particularly noting the sorrows we experience as part of fallen humanity – remembering the sorrows Mary herself experienced at the death of her Son, as foretold by the prophet Simeon at the Presentation of the Lord on his eighth day. But the prayer is joyful and hopeful about how Mary can show us in her Son, Jesus, the answer to all our prayers – as Mary did throughout her life from the moment of His conception. Perhaps we could follow the tradition of the Church and make this prayer part of our own nightly routine. Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Incidentally, talking of nightly routines, A man is arrested late at night for drinking coffee… He was charged for resisting a rest. I’ll get my coat. And my latte. Decaff.
Confirmation 2025:
Our Confirmation journey has begun for our twenty-five candidates. This weekened they will make their Declaration of Commitment. The second session takes place in SJ’s hall course this Monday 20th January for those who have registered in SJ’s Hall at 6pm. Please pray for all our candidates as they make this important step in their journey of faith, as well as the indefatigable team of Parish catechists.
Parish Hall:
The Parish Hall is now back in action! Thanks to Jim for his swift work in sorting everything out.
SJSP Ukulele Orchestra:
SJSP Ukulele Orchestra continue their fun learning every Monday at SP’s hall at 7pm, to which everyone, newcomers and old hands, are all most welcome.
Prayer for Christian Unity:
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that, as there is but one Body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all; so we may henceforth be all of one heart, and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This Week’s Liturgical Calendar:
Monday 20th St. Fabian and St. Sebastian, Patron Saint of Athletes; Tuesday 21st St. Agnes, Patron Saint of young girls; Wednesday 22nd St. Vincent of Saragossa, Patron Saint of Winemakers; Friday 24th St. Francis of Sales; Saturday 25th The Conversion of St. Paul.
Year of Jubilee 2025:
Spes Non Confundit ‘Hope does not disappoint’ (Rom 5:5). You can download a pdf of the document, in which the pope speaks about the themes of the Jubilee here
Crib Offerings:
Bishop Paul has asked that Collections this year be sent to help support the Catholic Christians in the Gaza Strip during this time of terrible conflict and suffering. The collection is open until the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation, 2nd February.
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.