News

17th March 2024

 

Message from Father Newbold

The topic for this week’s Lenten talk was ‘The Bible’. The books of the Bible, at least 72 of them, are sacred books.  All the major religions have their sacred texts which are revered, read, chanted and prayed.  Our books of the Bible tells us of the God who created us and the wonderful universe in love.  It’s the story of saintly men and women as well as people with weakness.  To David’s dynasty came Jesus, known as the Christ: Jesus the God made visible who speaks to us of the Creator’s love, mercy, forgiveness and gentleness.  Those who acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God are promised life eternal. How we are excited by the prospect of having purpose in our life and to have our destination assured with the joy of the creator’s presence. Have you a modern English Bible, either a hard copy or access on line? More importantly read it and use it for reflection and prayer – especially the Gospels. Father, anoint me with your Holy Spirit, so that as I read your eternal word, your word may penetrate my whole being and transform me. Grant me the blessing to be a faithful disciple in believing the Word of God and that I may be a light shining upon all who are in darkness. Amen

Catholic Voice for March: 

This months edition is available here.

Lent 2024 at St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament: Saturdays in Lent at St. Joseph’s 5pm-5:50pm and Sundays in Lent at St. Peter’s 4pm-5pm. This Saturday and Sunday 9th/10th Confessions will be available during these times.
Stations of the Cross and Benediction: Mondays at St. Peter’s at 7pm and Tuesdays at St. Joseph’s at 7pm. On Fridays there is Mass at Star of the Sea St. Annes at 9:30am followed by Stations of the Cross at 10am.
Lenten Talks: Wednesdays at St. Peter’s at 6:30pm-7:30pm.
Weekday Masses Adoration and Confession continues at the usual weekday times.

Safeguarding:
Due to new Safeguarding Practices within the Catholic Church our parish safeguarding representatives are required to ensure that parishioners undertaking ANY ROLE within our two parishes are listed. Over the next few weeks a Safeguarding Representative will be at the back of the church after Mass to take your details. Thank you for your help. if you need to contact us: St Peter’s – Teresa Mallabone; St Joseph’s -Margaret Gregory and Kelly Godden – phone numbers are in this weeks bulletin.. (And huge thanks to these people who organise this for us. Fr. P.)

St. Patrick’s Day Party
Supper, bar quiz, sing-a-long, the SJSP ukulele orchestra, and lots of fun. St. Joseph’s Hall Sunday 17th March 6pm-9pm (early as it’s a school night!). Tickets Adults £6 Juniors £3 available after Masses.

First Holy Communion 2024
Second Session for the children who have registered this Monday at 6pm at St. Peter’s Hall. Please pray for all our candidates for this great Sacrament..

Fr. Peter’s Lenten Boat and Saxophone Challenge
All sponsorship is welcome to raise £850 per boat to buy boats for Fr. Victor in Malawi. A box is at the back of each Church. Many thanks for the support given already – and please excuse any strange noises coming from the presbytery…

Offertory Envelopes for the New Year:
Offertory Envelopes for the New Year are on the way! Please keep using the present spare envelopes until they arrive at the back of Church. If you would like to Gift Aid your offerings or receive a box of envelopes, please use the forms at the back of Church. Many thanks for everyone’s continued support and generosity

Book Launch:
As part of the Centenary Celebrations of the Diocese Dr Paul Severn has written a book entitled ‘The Roman Catholic Bishops of Lancaster’ to be launched at Boarbank Hall, Grange over Sands LA11 7NH on Tuesday 9 April 2024 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul and lunch. To book a place, please email: p.severn@freeuk.com

Holy Week and The Easter Triduum at St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s 2024
Palm Sunday 24th March

St. Joseph’s 6pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday St. Joseph’s 9:15am, St. Peters 10:30am
Palms will be blessed and distributed at all Masses

Monday 25th March:

St. Peter’s 9am Mass, followed by Confessions and Exposition till 10am
St. Peter’s: Stations of the Cross and Benediction at 7pm

Tuesday 26th March:

St. Joseph’s 10am Mass, followed by Confessions and Exposition till 11am
St. Joseph’s: Stations of the Cross and Benediction at 7pm

Spy Wednesday 27th March:

St. Peter’s 9am Mass

Maundy Thursday 28th March

St. Peter’s 7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper led by our First Holy Communion Children from SJs and SPs with Washing of the Feet, Blessed Sacrament Procession and watching until 10pm with Night Prayer of the Church at 9:50pm

Good Friday 29th March

Stations of the Cross St. Peter’s 10am
St. Joseph’s 3pm and St. Peter’s 3pm Solemn Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Prayers around Calvary: Outside at St. Joseph’s 6pm

Holy Saturday 30th March

St. Peter’s 7pm Easter Vigil and Service of Light

Easter Sunday 31st March

St. Joseph’s 9:15am Easter Sunday Morning Mass St. Peter’s 10:30am Easter Sunday Morning Mass.

Trinity Hospice Fundraising
February 2024 We are absolutely delighted to announce that our 2024 Appeal for Trinity Hospice currently stands at £2460.22. 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 for a further week. This page can be found at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/dennis-duignan-1706701337238.

Red Mission Boxes
the Spring collection commences in March please would you bring your box into church for emptying and counting. If you need your box collecting please contact Pat Ormond on the number in this weeks bulletin. Thank you for your continued support.

Hail Holy Queen
During Lent our Marian Prayer at the end of the Bidding Prayers each Day will be the Hail Holy Queen. In case you need the words: Hail Holy Queen Mother of Mercy hail 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 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.

CAFOD Lenten Challenge
Why don’t you join CAFOD’s Big Lent walk? The aim is to walk approx 5 km per day for 40 days of Lent and raise money to help people fight against poverty. You don’t have to walk the full 5 km every day. St Peter’s & St Joseph’s are joining together as a team so any contributions however big or small would be appreciated both in steps & donations. See notice board for more details or contact Chris McIndoe.

Sanctuary Lamp
If you would like to sponsor the Sanctuary lamp in memory of a loved one or for a special intention please place the details and date wanted in an envelope with a £20 donation and clearly note Sanctuary Lamp on the outside. This can be placed in the offertory collection basket. The lamp will burn for a full week From Sunday to Saturday and the intention will be published on the Newsletter.

Hospital:
Please remember to let us know if you or one of your family is being admitted 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 fulfil our parish commitment to evangelisation. In the last couple of months we have been able to help a number of people who have sought assistance through this medium.