24th August 2025

Catholic Voice
latest copy (Septenmber) can be found by clicking this link.

Message from Father Peter:
Amid the 80th celebrations of VJ day the other week let’s remember that Friday 23rd August was the 81st Anniversary of the Freckleton Air Disaster. Until I was sent there as Parish Priest in 2004 I didn’t know the history of the village, which the then Parish Priest told me of when I went to visit the Parish for the first time. ‘You always have to remember,’ he said, ‘Freckleton is a village in mourning.’ On 23 August 1944 an American aeroplane from the airbase in Warton took off in bad weather, and crashed into the centre of the village of Freckleton, into Holy Trinity Church of England School, demolishing three houses and the Sad Sack Snack Bar. The death toll was 61, including 38 children about their ordinary school day. I was present for the sixtieth anniversary of the disaster and got to know people who had lost brothers and sisters whom they never knew, people who still felt guilty that they were not at school that day, people who were at school and have lived with what we now call PTSD all their lives, and also families of the American airmen, who were still in touch with families in the village. Somebody once said to me on VE day that he didn’t know why he had no memories of VE Day, until it occurred to him that there had been no celebrations in Freckleton, there was too much to mourn. Each year after the ‘Club Day’ procession, everyone goes to the children’s grave to say a prayer. On the sixtieth anniversary I led the prayers, and I ask you to pray it this weekend: God our heavenly Father, Source and destiny of our lives, In your loving providence you give us life, children and generations, To grow in wisdom, age and grace. Eighty-One years ago, you called these children to yourself, When they were suddenly, and violently taken from us. As we continue to grieve the loss of ones so young, We seek to understand your purpose. Having drawn these children to yourself, We are confident you have given them full stature in Jesus Christ. May they stand with the all the angels and the saints, Who know you love and praise your saving will. Continue to comfort and bring new life to this village. Be our refuge and strength O Lord And lift us from the vestiges of sadness Into the peace and light of your presence. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

School Stuff:
Huge thanks for the response for Stationary for a School Children, including all the ‘scientific calculators’ and tinned ‘geometry sets’ for a Secondary School I am in contact with, who would greatly appreciate them. I’ll leave the box at the back for another week, 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:
Thank you for the generous donations of £980.76 so far. The appeal remains open for one more month. Envelopes for donations are available at the back of church which can be returned via the offertory collection. E.Gillett

Correction!!!
Last week in the Message I said Blessed Edward Bamber’s hand is at Stonyhurst. My Deacons pointed out that his hand actually resides in the Church of St. Oswald and St. Edmund in Ashton in Makerfield, indeed Deacon Michael has actually held his hand. Stonyhurst holds his vestments and priestly equipment. The relics of Edmund and Padre Pio will be in front of the Altar at St. Peter’s this week.

St. Bede’s Year 7 Mass:
we welcome our new students to Mass at 2pm at St. Peter’s on Tuesday 2nd September. All Welcome.

Diocesan Pilgrimages:
The annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at St Mary’s Church, Cleator, takes place on Sunday, 7th September at 3.00pm. The annual pilgrimage to the Shrine at Ladyewell takes place on Saturday, 20th September,with Holy Mass at St Mary’s Church, Fernyhalgh at 11.00am. All Welcome.

First Week of the Month at SJSP’s
Please join us for these wonderful liturgies! Monday 1st September: Evening Prayer and Benediction at St. Peter’s at 7pm Wednesday 3rd September: Mass at Saltcotes Cemetery at 10am. Friday 5th September: First Friday Mass & Anointing of the Sick at St. Joseph’s at 2pm, followed by Refreshments in the Parish Hall.

Deanery Mass:
Deanery Mass for the Centenery of the Diocese, Saturday 27th September at 11am at St. Joseph’s, Ansdell, for all the Parishes of the Kirkham Deanery,mCelebrated 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 after Masses £6 adults, £4 children.

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.