Newsletter and  

Notices

moorlandsanctuary@gmail.com

www.moorlandsanctuary.com

Thought for the Day: Jesus is already now, today, our way, our truth and our life. As the Gospel says, to have eternal life is to believe in him whom God has sent (Jn 5:24; 17:3). This is a reality for us now and it guides our life, in matters great and small. At the core of this reality is trust, that is, the capacity to entrust all that we have and are to the living God and to his Son, raised from the dead. It is not an accident that the verb “to believe” occurs no fewer than ninety-eight times in the Fourth Gospel. (Fr Kieran O’Mahoney, OSA)

Saints this week:  The English Martyrs (martyred for the Catholic Faith from 1535 – 1680) The English and Welsh Martyrs are truly representative. They came from a variety of backgrounds, ages and professions. Every part of the country (and, indeed, diocese) has at least one link with a martyr. As Cardinal Hume once said, ‘they all lived in our land, walked the same fields and lanes, lived under the same skies and, to their contemporaries, appeared to be perfectly ordinary neighbours. They show that sanctity is within the grasp of any of us. What was special about them was the way in which they were dedicated to Christ, steadfast in prayer and generous in the love and service they offered to their families, neighbours and friends. The strength of their commitment to faith was stronger than all opposition, even death itself. They are an inspiration to Christians of every church in the daily following of Jesus Christ.’ (www.rcdow.co.uk)

Saintly quotes:  ‘Let us be merry, for tomorrow I hope we shall have a heavenly breakfast.’ (Blessed Joseph Lambton)

Papal Intentions for May 2026  That everyone might have food. Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.

Sacred Scripture: The wisdom of God is readily seen by those who love her. Those who seek her will find her.   Wisdom 6:12-16

Saintly Gems: The cross means there is no shipwreck without hope.  There is no dark without dawn, no storm without haven. Saint Pope John Paul II

St Beuno’s Prego:  This week, we pray for all who are unable to accept Jesus as the cornerstone of their life. As we go about our own lives in the coming days, we might use the response to the psalm: ‘May your merciful love be upon me, as I hope in you, O Lord’.  (stbeunosoutreach.wordpress.com) 

Food for Thought: “We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our existence.” —Pope Francis

Exposition: is available at St. Gregory’s on Weds from 4 – 5 (also available on livestream) and at St. Mary’s Chorley on Tues and Fri 12.30 - 13.00. 

Sincere Thanks: To Father Xavier for coming to say our Mass again today: it is greatly appreciated. 

Chorley and Preston Hospitals: Please contact St Joseph's Chorley (01257 262713) if any member of your family is admitted into Chorley Hospital and needs a visit. For the chaplaincy at Royal Preston Hospital Tel: 01772 522435. For the chaplaincy at Wigan Infirmary Tel: 01942 822324.

‘Pray in May’: This May, our parish is invited to join Mary’s Meals UK in their annual ‘Pray in May’ campaign, praying for children worldwide who rely on a daily meal at school. There are a range of free prayer resources at: https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/churches-and-prayers/pray-in-may-resources. The prayer calendar has been printed and is on the noticeboard at the back of church.

Volunteers Needed: Lots of people have offered to help with various jobs in Church. If you would be willing to help with anything at all, please could we meet after Mass – perhaps on Pentecost Sunday (24th May) – to work out how we can best share the responsibilities. Thank you so much.

Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals: Please contact Father Graeme at St Gregory’s (01257 262462) if you wish to arrange any of these.

Baptism Today: Please keep Wilfred Peter France and his family in your prayers as he is Baptised and welcomed into our Parish community this morning after Mass. 

Family of Parishes:  Our Family of Parishes will be holding a time of prayer and reflection for all our Special Ministers of Holy Communion at St Joseph’s Church, Harpers Lane, Chorley on Sunday 24th May at 3pm. It’s for those who minister at Masses and those who take Holy Communion to people in their homes. Time to pray together, reflect on how we are called to serve our communities and recommit to our service of the Lord in this important ministry. The meeting will last about an hour and we hope that many of our Special Ministers will be able to attend.

Food Bank: Thank you, as always, for all of your donations for the food bank. At the moment they are in particular need of tinned meat (e.g. meatballs, hotdogs etc.) breakfast cereal and long-life milk.

Exam time: Please keep our children in your prayers are they are coming into exam season for SATS, GCSEs and A-Levels. 

Exam Prayer: Loving God, be with me now, as I prepare for my exams. Thank you for the many talents and gifts you have given me and for the opportunity of education. Calm my nerves and anxiety, help me to remember all that I have studied, to express it clearly and to answer the questions the very best I can. Holy Spirit, sit with me in my exam - and always.  - Sandhurst Youth Ministry

Concert: The Red Admiral Brass Band Spring Concert is on Sunday 10th May at 2.30 – 4.30pm in St. Chad’s Church. Light refreshments are included. Please ring Angela 07761 983041 or Ann 07708 992621 to put your names down for this fabulous concert.

Faith in Action from Holy Cross: Pupils preparing for their Silver award have been helping at the Living Waters food bank this week. They were preparing bags to help families in crisis and learned a lot about the needs of others. Pupils in the Leadership Academy have also enjoyed hosting grandparents and older members of the community for the SVP afternoon tea. The pupils enjoyed interesting chats with a range of guests and were very grateful for their company.

Care of Our Common Home: In today’s Gospel, we hear that there is space for everyone in God’s Kingdom. Considering ‘our common home’, think about how you can make sure that there is a place for all people in God’s Kingdom on Earth.

St Joseph’s School: Preparations are underway for the service of Reconciliation for those pupils making their first Confessions this year. Thank you to Father Graeme for his work on this and for visiting the school this week. 

Lately Deceased

Parish Priest

Bury Lane

Withnell

PR6 8SD

Tel: 01254 830 995

Email: moorlandsanctuary@gmail.com  

Catechist/Safeguarding: Kate Perkins

The Moorland Sanctuary

Hand in hand with Jesus

Anniversaries

Sick & Housebound

Mass

Intentions

Readers

Anointing / Forgiveness

Feastdays

Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Archdiocese whose anniversaries are about now as well as Margaret Tipping, Joan Treadwell, Tom Heskin, James T Gee, John Tarpey, John Waters, Monica Croak, Gregory Miller, Fr. Tom Shufflebotham SJ, Jimmy Hoole, Ray Salmon, Alice Hardman, Gareth Hart, Suzanne Catterall, Harry Crompton, Jim Lancaster, Albert Snape, Brother Wilfrid Shakeshaft F.C., Clare Roe, Hilda Hassan, Irene Crompton, Alan Ingham

Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Ian Davies, Rachel Mason and many others. Heal your servants O Lord who are sick and send them comfort from thy holy place. Amen.

• Sunday 10th May 9.30 am:  Father Gerard Cobham

Next Week:   

COLLECTOR:

Today:  

COLLECTOR:

• Monday 4th: The English Martyrs

• Sunday 9.30 am: Anne and Ray Salmon

• Sunday 3rd: Saints Philip and James

St. Joseph's Withnell

Cycle A

Sunday 3rd May

5th Sunday of Easter, Cycle A