Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time — Sunday 6th September 2026
Catholic Voice
Latest copy (July) can be found by clicking this link.
Message from Father Peter
Last week, apropos nothing, a Parishioner gave me a copy of a poem called ‘the Spiritual Railway’. The poem is beautifully inscribed on the tombstone, in Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, of 30-year-old William Pickering and 24-year-old Richard Edgar who both died on Christmas Eve, December 24th 1845, in a railway accident on the Ely-Norwich railway line, which had only opened six months earlier. Although it might seem quaint and Victorian, bear in mind that railways were quite a new thing at the time of writing, so the poem uses what were at the time really modern references to put across a Christian message - just like Christ used the things round about him in Palestine in his stories and Parables. It makes a rather lovely prayer - perhaps especially when we are travelling.
The Line to heaven by Christ was made
With heavenly truth the Rails are laid,From Earth to Heaven the Line extends,
To Life Eternal where it ends.Repentance is the Station then
Where Passengers are taken in,No Fee for them is there to pay,
For Jesus is himself the way.God’s Word is the first Engineer
It points the way to Heaven so dear,Through tunnels dark and dreary here
It does the way to Glory steer.God’s Love the Fire, his Truth the Steam,
Which drives the Engine and the Train,All you who would to Glory ride,
Must come to Christ, in him abide.In First and Second, and Third Class,
Repentance, Faith and Holiness,You must the way to Glory gain
Or you with Christ will not remain.Come then poor Sinners, now’s the time
At any Station on the Line,If you’ll repent and turn from sin
The Train will stop and take you in.
Evening Prayer and Benediction
Monday 7th September: Evening Prayer and Benediction at St. Joseph’s at 7pm
Blessing of BackPacks for the New School Year
Next Sunday 13th at all Masses. All welcome to have their school stuff, stationary, pencil cases, sports kits or whatever, blessed for the New Academic Year.
August Collection for School Stuff to help children
Huge thanks for everything that was brought in for the collection most of which has now been distributed to our schools. Check out the noticeboards for a picture of all the stuff laid out – we could have opened a stationary shop!
Red Mission Boxes
The Autumn collection from the boxes will take place during September. Please bring your box to church and leave it in the sacristy. The boxes will be returned to the sacristy for collection after emptying.
The Food Bank
Contributions are most welcome, and still most necessary. Please bring stuff to Masses or the Presbytery any time.
Burkino Faso 2026
the collection continues and envelopes are available at the back of Church.
Preston Concert Band
At St. Peters on Saturday 19th September at 7:30pm
Tickets are now on sale after mass for an evening of entertaining music and fun accompanied by a glass of prosecco. £10 per ticket.
Feast of the Birthday of our Lady
Tuesday is the Feast of the Birthday of our Lady. Perhaps tomorrow we could prayer this prayer in our homes with our families:
Heavenly Father, on this blessed day, we rejoice in the birth of the Holy Mother of Jesus, our Blessed Mother Mary. We thank You for the gift of her life, her faith, and her unending love that guides us to Your Son.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, dearest Mother, on this joyful day of your birth, we thank God for the gift of your life. Through you came the Light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mother, intercede for our family. Protect our home, grant us peace and strength, and lead us always on the path of holiness. Teach us to live with the same humility and love that filled your heart.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Save the Date(s)!
Up and Coming Social Events for our Two Parishes
- Race Night: Saturday 3rd October at 7:30pm at SJ’s
- Sunday Lunch at the Bedford: Sunday 1st November
- Christmas Fair: Sunday 6th December at SP’s
- SJSP Family Nativity: Sunday 20th December at 3pm SJ’s
Collection Count
for August: with grateful thanks
Gift Aid £529:80 Non Gift Aid £1427:39 SO £3148
St. Joseph’s Care £139:96 Burkina Faso £55
Please Pray
Please pray for all who have died recently, especially Fr. Val Farrell, and Haydn Wood, and those whose anniversaries occur about this time: James Joseph Cunliffe, Peter Page, Kathleen Judge, Tony Bolton, William George Dillon and James Joseph Fowler
Children’s Liturgy
CHILDREN’S LITURGY at Sunday Morning Mass!
Coffee & Bacon Butties
COFFEE & BACON BUTTIES after 9.15am Mass this week. (I didn’t get one last week as there was such a rush!)
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
no meetings until September.
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 12th /13th September
Readers Sat 6pm: K/T Godden Sun. 9.15am: James Wormleighton
Meet and Greet Sat 6pm: C. Williams and M Taylor
Sun 9.15am: M Cookson and M Reid
9:15am Minister Wanda
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