10th August 2025
Catholic Voice
latest copy can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter:
August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And fittingly in the middle of the month, this coming Friday, we celebrate the lovely Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. One of my favourite Marian Devotions, which was introduced to me by a Parishioner from my old stamping ground of St. Bernadette’s a few years ago, during a particular trying time, was ‘Our Lady, Untier of Knots’. As long ago as the second century the great St. Irenaeus told us that, ‘the knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by the obedience of Mary’, but it wasn’t until the eighteenth century, in Germany that the first well known painting of Mary Untier of Knots was created, in response to a German couple who had asked Our Lady to untie the difficulties and knots in their marriage. They brought a knotted ribbon from their wedding and placed it on Our Lady’s Altar - which was miraculously untied, as a symbol of their prayers being answered. In the second half of the last century this devotion spread, with the first chapel named as such in Austria in 1989, following the disaster at Chernobyl of April 1986; the devotion was popular in Argentina, and was perhaps brought to greater world wide conscious with Pope Francis who, as a Cardinal distributed pictures of the Icon, and had this image of Mary engraved on a Chalice which he presented to Pope Benedict – and he himself received a similar chalice from the people of Argentine when he became Pope. The lovely image and devotion just reminds us that through the intercession of Mary, through the unique closeness she shares with her son Jesus, any difficulties, any ‘knots’ in our lives, can be unravelled and solved – just as she asked her Son to solve the problem of the lack of wine at a wedding in Cana. I was able to buy a little statue of the image when I was in Lourdes earlier this year, which seemed fitting after knotting lots of crosses during Lent, and I’ve put an image of the devotion on the Lady Altar of each Church. There’s a whole Novena to the devotion, and here is an excerpt of Pope Francis’ Prayer: Holy Mary, full of God’s presence during the days of your life, you accepted with full humility the Father’s will. Once with your Son you interceded for our difficulties, and full of kindness and patience, you gave us example of how to untie the knots in our life. By remaining forever Our Mother, you put in order and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord. Holy Mother, Mother of God and our Mother, untie with a motherly heart the knots of our life, that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
This Friday 15th is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a HolyDay of Obligation. Masses are at St. Joseph’s Thursday 7pm Vigil, St. Peter’s Friday 9am and St. Joseph’s Friday 10am
School Stuff:
Once again I am making my August Appeal to you for stationery items - pens, pencils, pencil cases, school bags whatever, for those children who might need a little help with their supplies for the new school year. I’d also add this a plea for ‘scientific calculators’ ‘and geometry kits’ for a Catholic Secondary School I am in contact with, who would greatly appreciate them. There is a box at the back of Church, and please be assured that all donations will go to those most in need. Many thanks in anticipation. (I’ll be blessing backpacks for the New Year on Sunday 7th).
Burkina Faso:
our annual appeal is now open and envelopes for donations are available at the back of church which can be returned via the offertory collection. The appeal will remain open until 7 September. E.Gillett
Please pray for:
Please pray for those whom Requiems and Funeral Services we will be celebrating over the next few weeks; Funeral Service for Christopher Shaw at 1:30pm on Friday 15th August at 1:30pm in St. Peter’s.
Deanery Mass:
For the Centenary for the Diocese, Saturday 27th September at 11am at St. Joseph’s, Ansdell, for all the Parishes of the Kirkham Deanery, Celebrated by Bishop Paul. Followed by a picnic in the grounds, with Refreshments available from the Hall.
SJSP Back to Skool Nite!
With A Quiz, a School Dinner, a Bar, and some Assembly Bangers for us all to sing. Saturday 13th Sep. 7:30pm in SJ’s Hall. Tickets on sale £6 adults, £4 children.
Date for the Diary:
Deanery Mass for the Centenery for the Diocese, Saturday 27th September at 11am at St. Joseph’s, Ansdell, for all the Parishes of the Kirkham Deanery, Celebrated by Bishop Paul.
Notices from Castlerigg:
Castlerigg Manor is a Retreat Centre in the Lake District, owned by our Diocese, and this summer we are opening their doors to family groups, individuals and other small groups. There are single rooms, twin rooms, and large family rooms at very cheap rates. Guests have access to the grounds, chapel, games room, and lounges, with Keswick and the Lake only a short walk away. Book at https://castleriggmanor.com/open/ or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk. Once again, we are having an Open Day this September. It’s happening on Sunday 14th September. Doors will open at Midday and there will be Mass with Bishop Paul at 2pm.
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.