Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time — Sunday 12th July 2026
Catholic Voice
Latest copy (July) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter
As we have our very own jolly Songs of Praise this weekend, followed by a Strawberry Cream Tea in the Hall at SJs, I thought it might be another occasion when the invoking of some Patron saints might be appropriate. Saint Dorothy of Caesarea is the Patron Saint of strawberries – well, not just strawberries, but fruit, florists and gardeners in general. She is a virgin martyr from the fourth century, and before her execution sent her headdress to a pagan lawyer who had been mocking her, who found it to be filled with a heavenly scent of fruits. As a Patroness of Gardeners, it is an Italian tradition to bless gardens and trees on her Feast Day of February 6th. For the Patron Saint of Cream, and rather Dairy Workers in general, we go to Saint Brigid of Kildare, a fifth century Irish Abbess. There are lots of miracles attributed to her – one of which involves her turning water into beer! And when it comes to Tea, we look to Don Justo Takayama Ukon, who was a Japanese Samurai, who converted to Catholicism, and used the ancient Japanese tea ceremonies as a form of Christian prayer. He has been beatified, but as yet has not been canonised - so you could always seek the intercession of St. Drogo, who is Patron saint of Coffee. CAFOD provide us with this lovely Grace Before Breaking Bread – perhaps we can say the prayer before we break scones, or any other food and drink, for that matter. Generous God, your Spirit hovered over the waters, you breathed life into the earth and created a world of plenty. Look on us here as we break bread together, and guide us to take only what we need so that all your people may have enough. Father of all, there are many among us who go hungry. Help us to listen and respond as one family, so that, as we break bread together, we may glimpse your Kingdom here on earth - a Kingdom of welcome and plenty for all. Amen. Incidentally I saw some people building a new bridge near me. Every lunch break they would sit down for afternoon tea complete with tablecloth and napkins. It was very civil engineering. I’ll get my coat – and my napkin.
SJSP Songs of Praise
with your favourite hymns chosen by you!
Sunday 12th July at 3pm at SJ’s
Followed by a Strawberry Tea
Tickets for the Strawberry Tea are available after Masses this weekend.
Incidentally regarding the Hymns for our Songs of Praise: Thank you so much to those who have chosen favourite hymns for our Songs of Praise this Sunday at 3pm. Unfortunately, it won’t be possible to include all the hymn choices as there were so many – if we were to sing them all, we would be in church until next Sunday! We will make sure that those not included on Sunday will feature in Masses in the following weeks.
End of Year School Mass
This Wednesday morning at St. Peter’s the whole of St. Peter’s School will be joining us for Mass as we celebrate the end of a wonderful blessed year.
School Uniforms Needed During August
Fylde Food Bank in partnership with Lytham Rotary Club is collecting good quality, clean school uniforms for secondary and primary schools. There will be a box at the back of church for contributions. Thank you for your support
Lytham Catenians President’s Mass
On Saturday 25th July, Lytham Catenians will celebrate their annual President’s Mass at St Joseph’s at 6pm. The Catenians are a Catholic men’s social organisation which aims to strengthen family life through friendship and faith. As well as enjoying themselves they also support vocations, charities, and young people financially and developmentally. For further information about the Catenians contact Tony Godden after Mass or email tonygodden@btinternet.com
Burkino Faso 2026
the collection continues and envelopes are available at the back of Church.
The Food Bank
Contributions are most welcome, and still most necessary. Please bring stuff to Masses or the Presbytery any time.
Feast of St Bonaventure
Wednesday 15th July is the Feast of St Bonaventure, who was born near Viterbo, Italy, and became a member of the Friars Minor. He studied in Paris and become known as the Seraphic Doctor. He received his degree with St Thomas Aquinas. He preached with great energy and wrote many books on Catholic doctrine. He was a successor of St Francis and managed to sort out serious disputes within the Franciscan order. Later he was appointed bishop of Albano. He died in 1274 while carrying out his work of helping to effect the reunion between the Greeks and Rome.
Save the Date(s)!
Up and Coming Social Events for our Two Parishes
- Family BBQ: Sunday 6th September in SJ’s Grounds
- Preston band Concert: Saturday 19th September at 7:30pm at SP’s
- Race Night: Saturday 3rd October at 7:430pm at SJ’s
- Sunday Lunch at the Bedford: Sunday 1st November
- Christmas Fair: Sunday 6th December at SP’s
- Fr. P.’s Family Nativity: Sunday 20th December at 3pm SJ’s
Collection Count
for May: with grateful thanks
Gift Aid £159 Non Gift Aid £675:21 SO £2973
St. Joseph’s Care £128:11 Burkina Faso £165
Please Pray
Please pray for all who have died recently, especially Trevor Wilmot, Michael Walter Wood and Yvonne Rayton, and those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Mark Rae, Anne Moscroft Schiaro, Baby Jeannette Hartley, Fr. John Hawkins, Baby Annie Elaine Grounds, Margaret Callaghan, Kathleen Southern and Frederick Lee
Children’s Liturgy
CHILDREN’S LITURGY at Sunday Morning Mass!
Coffee & Bacon Butties
COFFEE & BACON BUTTIES after 9.15am Mass this week. (No scones till this afternoon.)
St Joseph’s Care
Do you know of anyone in our community who is in need or might need a little more support, and would like either a friendly a visit, or Holy Commnion at Home? Please let St. Joseph’s Care Visiting Team know by emailing or phone the Parish on the above contact details.
Bell Ringing Practice
every Thursday from 7-8.30 pm. If you are interested in learning to ring the bells at St Joseph’s, please get in touch with Tower Captains James and Stacey and they’ll show you the ropes! The number is in this week’s bulletin.
Repository
Cards and gifts for different occasions available, including first communion cards and Rosary beads. Children’s Prayer Books available! Orders for other items can be taken, too. If you are interested in joining a rota for either of the weekend Masses please contact Margaret using the number in this week’s bulletin
Lectio Divina
Scripture prayer and discussions in the hall on Wednesdays at 10am.
The Holy Rosary
every Thursday after 10am Mass in Church, for this beautiful prayer. All welcome. Thursday at 10:30am in Church.
Rotas
Rotas for weekend 18th/19th July
Readers Sat 6pm: Richard Golding Sun. 9.15am: Susan Brown
Meet and Greet Sat 6pm: P Huskinson and D Warwick
Sun 9.15am: W & E Doyle
9:15am Minister Dean
Parish Email Address
The Diocese has updated email addresses.
Our shared parish email is now:
📧 sjsp.lsa@lrcd.org.uk
Please use this address going forward.
Hospital Notices
Please let us know if you or a family member is admitted to hospital.
Coffee & Bacon Butties
Available in the church hall after the 9:15am Mass.
Come and enjoy a chat!
St Joseph’s Care
Do you know someone in our community who may need extra support, company or a friendly conversation?
Contact St Joseph’s Care:
☎ 07840 112265
You may share this number with anyone who may benefit.
St Joseph’s Facebook Page
Over 300 people now regularly follow our parish Facebook page, helping us reach the wider community and assist those seeking support.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Josephs-Roman-Catholic-Church-Ansdell/230000653837017