Catholic Voice
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Message from Fr. Peter:
Whilst this Liturgical Year follows the ‘B’ Sunday cycle of readings, which means our main Sunday Gospels are from Saint Mark, we still celebrate the other Evangelists throughout the years, and this Friday is the Feast Day of Saint Luke. The author of the third Gospel was a Greek Gentile from Antioch, who trained as a doctor before being converted to Christianity, and this might be the reason that any physical illnesses, and any demonic possessions, are described in great detail in this Gospel. Tradition tells us that Saint Luke came to Christianity through St Paul, and became his companion, most especially during his times in prison in Rome. He is also said to have been a friend of the Blessed Virgin, note that the story of Christmas in this Gospel is told from her point of view (whereas St. Matthew focuses much more on thoughts and feelings of St. Joseph), and legend has it that he painted the first portrait of her. Given the prominence of Mary in his accounts, as well his many passages referring to Jesus’ women followers, and their role in his crucifixion and resurrection – when almost all the male Apostles had left him alone – has led to Luke’s Gospel sometimes being referred to as the ‘Gospel of Women’. In the prologue to his Gospel, dressed to an ‘Lover of God’ he states that his purpose was to present to us an ordered account of the life of Christ, to which he added the Acts of the Apostles which tells the account of the Early Church and its founding in Rome. Today we thank him and bless him for his words, and perhaps, especially with the coming of our new Lectionaries and Missals at Advent, perhaps we might all pledge to increase our devotion, and prayer and study with the Scriptures. Almighty God, who inspired your servant St. Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of Your Son: Graciously continue in Your Church the love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of Thy Name; through the Word made flesh, Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Incidentally, in a quiz I was asked to name the four Gospels, but I could only remember Matthew, Luke, and John. I missed the Mark there. I’ll get my coat. And my New Testament.

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary: The Luminous Mysteries.
1. Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan. The Spirit descended like a dove on him. And a voice came from Heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ (Mk. 1:10)
2. Christ’s Self-Revelation at the Marriage of Cana. Jesus changed water into wine, the first of his signs and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (Jn. 2:11)
3. Christ’s Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the Call to Conversion. ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.’ (Mk. 1:55)
4. Christ’s Transfiguration. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.’ (Mt. 17:2)
5. Christ’s Institution of the Eucharist. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ (Lk. 22:19)

Save the Date in Your Diary for these Upcoming SJSP Social Events:

• Friday 1st November 7pm in SJ’s Hall: Autumn Quiz and HotPot with bar!
• Sunday 1st December after 10:30am Mass at SP’s: Blessing of the New Crib followed by Refreshments!
• Friday 6th December 7pm in SP’s Hall: Christmas Bingo with Mince Pies!
• Sunday 8th December 3pm in SJ’s Church: Children’s Storybook Nativity with cakes in Fr.Ps house!
• Saturday 18th January 7pm in SJ’s Hall: SJSP Late Late Christmas Party with food and entertainment!

Deanery Forty Hours of Watching
In Preparation for the Centenary of the Diocese of Lancaster: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. To keep the centenary year in prayer Deaneries across the Diocese are asked to offer 40 Hours of prayer and devotions before the Blessed Sacrament. The parish of our Deanery (Kirkham) is dividing the 40 hours between our parishes Please share in our Deanery Prayers from 1pm-6pm each Sunday: the dates and locations are as follows: This week October 13th St. Anne’s Westby (from 4pm-7pm); October 20th The Willows Kirkham (held in in Saint Joseph’s Wesham); October 27th Holy Family Warton; November 3rd St. Peter’s Lytham; November 10th Our Lady Star of the Sea; November 17th St. Joseph’s Ansdell.
Please sign up at the back of the Church to cover the watching of the SJSP weekendsl.

Diocesan Centenary Prayer:
God our Father, we thank you for all the graces and blessings You have bestowed on our Diocese since its foundation one hundred years ago on ground made fertile by the blood of the martyrs. Nourished by your Son, Jesus Christ, in Word and Sacraments, and led by your Holy Spirit, may we move forward with hope and trust, helping future generations to discover the ‘pearl of great price’ which will bring them eternal life. And when time shall be no more, may our Diocese rejoice as the ‘mother of countless children’ and be given her place in heavenly glory. This we ask of you who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. This prayer is to be prayed every day for 100 days from the Feast of the Assumption. Prayer cards are available at the back of church.

Lancaster Diocese Centenary Ball:
Friday 3rd January 2025, from 6pm at The Villa, Levens (near Kendal). Black Tie/Formal. Tickets £50 or £550 for a table of twelve. Please contact info@lancastercentenaryball.com for further details and ticket reservation.

From the Jerusalem Bible to English Standard Version: Genesis 2:7-9
Jerusalem: The Lord God fashioned man of dust from the soil. Then he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and thus man became a living being.
English Standard: The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
Again these are subtleties which almost go unnoticed: ‘a breath of life’ becomes ‘the breath of life’, and ‘being’ becomes ‘creature’.

Mass Intentions:
Mass Intentions, for the deceased, the bereaved, for the sick, the Holy Souls, are always welcome, and offering envelopes are available at the back of Church, and Mass cards are available from the Holy Shops after Sunday Masses. 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.