5th October 2025
Catholic Voice
latest copy (October) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter:
This Thursday we celebrate a Feast Proper to England and Wales, for Saint John Henry Newman, the most recent of English Saints, being Canonised by Pope Francis on 13th October just six years ago (I’m counting Carlo Acutis as an Italian, though he was born in England). Saint John Henry was born on February 21st, 1801, into a Church going Anglican family. His family were not overly religious, but John Henry developed an interest in the Bible, and when he went to study at Trinity College in Oxford, and eventually was ordained as an Anglican Minister. Both in England and the English Church there was a lot going on, which caused John Henry to question his vocation, and his Anglicanism, and after withdrawing from the world for three years and living a strict ascetic religious life, he was drawn to the Catholic Church and received into full communion on the 9th October 1845, by the Italian Passionist Priest, Blessed Dominic Barbari. Ostracised by family and friends because of his new-found faith, John Henry went to study in Rome, eventually being ordained priest. He founded two Oratorian Communities upon his return to England, in London and Birmingham, before, at the behest of the Bishops of Ireland, becoming the first Rector of the first University for Catholic Students, what is now University College Dublin. He was made Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879, dying eleven years later. As well as all the ministries in his life which I’ve mentioned, he was also a great writer and scholar – his writing is absolutely beautiful, and I always say that his poem ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ which tells of the dying moments of a man and his subsequent entry into eternal life, is the best explanation of Purgatory that there is (it was famously set to music by Edward Elgar, and also includes the hymn ‘Firmly I Believe and Truly’ which we still sometimes sing). Newman did much to make Catholicism acceptable in England, at a time when Catholic loyalty to Queen and Country was still being strongly questioned. St. John Henry’s life involved a great deal of change, and one of his phrases was, ‘To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often’. This is one of his most beautiful prayers: May the Lord support us all the day long, Till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging, and holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
First Week of the Month at SJSP’s:
Please join us for these wonderful liturgies! Monday 6th October: Evening Prayer and Benediction at St. Peter’s at 7pm
Deanery Centenary Mass:
Many thanks to everyone who took part in the Deanery Centenary Mass last Saturday, in the Church, on the Sanctuary and in the Hall and in the Gardens. It was a beautiful Mass and a fitting celebration for our Deanery and Diocese. We hope to have more deanery events, so watch this space. Let’s hope we can have a great celebration for the bi-centenary…!
Fr. Peter Hart:
Please note that while Fr. Peter Hart is in Hospital and recovering from his Operation, I will be covering the 5pm Mass at Star of the Sea, so will not be around to welcome for the 6pm, and apologies for any breathlessness at the evening celebration! Please pray for Fr. Peter that he continues to make an excellent recovery.
Lancaster Cathedral Mass for the Centenary of the Diocese:
Sat 18th October at 11.30am. Each church has been allocated 2 tickets. If you would like to go please sign up, in pairs, on the sheet at the back of each Church. If necessary, I will draw names out of a biretta
CAFOD Harvest Day Appeal envelopes:
Can be returned at the back of church or put in the collection. Many thanks for the great support you always give to CAFOD.
Mission Boxes:
All Red Mission boxes which were handed in have been emptied. Please collect your box from the sacristy as soon as possible. And once again, many thanks for your continued support.
Autumn Songs with Lytham Community Choir:
a Charity Concert supporting Marie Curies. Saturday 18th October at 2pm at St. Joseph’s. Tickets £8 available on the door.
SJSP Ukulele Orchestra:
still strumming away at St. Peter’s on Monday evenings, and everyone welcome. Watch this space for exciting news about our Christmas Album.
Our Next Parishes Social Event in SJ’s Hall:
Saturday 1st November 7pm: Line Dancing with Wendy. Adults £7, Juniors £4. Includes American Food (cooked in Ansdell)! Bar and Raffle, and the Ukulele Orchestra!
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.
Have you heard of Mothers Prayers?
The “Mothers Prayers” movement started in England in November 1995 and has spread rapidly throughout the world with contacts in over 100 Countries and has the approval, support and blessing of Christian leaders of all denominations. There are now thousands of groups around the world. For many years there has been an active Mothers Prayers group at Our Lady Star of the Sea and recently a new group started up in St Peter’s and St Joseph’s. We always follow a simple but meaningful format, and the prayer time usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Both groups meet on the first Wednesday of the month. Please come to St. Joseph’s altar of Our Lady at 6.00pm or Our Lady Star of the Sea parish centre at 7.00pm. Additionally when not meeting in person there are weekly prayer sessions at 7.00pm on a Wednesday “online” using Zoom. If you would like to know more about this comforting, supportive and joyful group, come and pray with us or talk to Emma Cox, Pauline Elston or Wanda Kruszynska. And if any fathers would like to pray together, there is a ‘Fathers Prayers’ movement too so perhaps you may wish to start one in Lytham St. Annes. Wanda Kruszynska.
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.