Newsletter and
Notices
Thought for the Day: ‘Who doesn’t want to be happy? As St Augustine writes, “all persons want to be happy; and no persons are happy who do not have what they want.” (De beata vita 2.10) Augustine knows that it is not so simple: having what and how do we keep it so that we don’t lose it? The question really becomes what do I desire? In the final analysis, there is a hunger of the human heart for God, often recognised only slowly, and a hunger for goodness and virtue, also a slow conversion. In God, we find a source of happiness which nothing can take away; in virtuous living, chiefly seeking the good of others, we come to our true fulfilment and contentment.’ (Fr Kieran O’Mahoney, OSA)
Saints this week: Saint Ansgar – (807-
Saintly quotes: ‘If I were worthy of such a favour from my God, I would ask that He grant me this one miracle – that by His grace, He would make of me a good man.’ – Saint Ansgar
Papal Intentions for February 2026 For children with incurable diseases. Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
Racial Justice Sunday: Is today. This is devoted to the promotion of racial justice in our Catholic parishes across England and Wales and society and an encouragement to be conscious of the need for justice in all its forms.
Prayer: Let the words of the Prophet ‘Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord that he may teach us his ways, that we may walk in his paths’ guide our thinking and decisions. Remind us again, Lord, that to achieve racial justice we must remind ourselves that all are equal, all are gift, all are brothers and sisters.
Saintly Gems: “My Jesus, if you uphold me, I shall not fall.” – St. Philip Neri
Sacred Scripture: ‘In the days of the Messiah justice will flourish, and peace in plenty until the end of time. He will rescue the needy who call to him and the poor who have no one to help.’ Psalms 72
St Beuno’s Prego: This week, I pray for a greater trust in the Lord, asking God to help me remember always that true happiness comes from following the ways of Jesus. I also continue to remember those impacted by conflict, poverty and hunger throughout the world. (stbeunosoutreach.wordpress.com)
Food for Thought: “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” Abraham Lincoln
Pope Leo: In his reflection after the Angelus, Pope Leo spoke about the fact that “God is at work at all times; every moment is ‘God’s time,’ even when we do not feel ready or when the situation seems unfavourable.” He went on to say “Like the first disciples, we are called to embrace the Lord’s invitation with joy,” trusting that “every time and every place in our lives is permeated by his presence and his love.” (www.vaticannews.va)
Sincere Thanks: Thank you so much again to Father Xavier Ho for coming to say our Mass today: it is greatly appreciated.
Weekday Masses: A reminder that there is a weekday Mass at St. Joseph’s, Harpers Lane at 8.30 daily and at 9am on Saturdays. Masses also available Mon, Tue, Thurs & Friday at 9.15 am at Sacred Heart, Brooke Street and Mon, Wed at 9 am and Tues, Fri at 12 noon at St. Mary’s, Chorley. Exposition is available at St. Gregory’s, Weld Bank on Wednesdays from 4 – 5 and at St. Mary’s Chorley on Tuesdays and Fridays 12.30 -
Poinsettias: If you would like to take a poinsettia and give it a good home, please put a donation into the crib offerings bowl. This is the last week for any crib offerings as the crib will be removed after Mass today. Thank you for all of your kind donations.
Bishop Gregori: Is now returning home. Thank you very much for your generous donations – he is very grateful. As he said in his Homily last week: ‘Faith is about not giving up when strength is almost gone… Your prayers matter. Your concern matters. Your faithfulness matters more than you may ever realise. When someone in Ukraine sits in the dark and knows they are not forgotten, that is all a delight. When suffering people know that others carry them in prayer, that is warmth, even in the cold.’
*PLEASE NOTE THE NEW MASS TIME of 9.30 a.m. from NEXT SUNDAY 8th FEBRUARY. Thank you for your understanding*
Faith in Action from Holy Cross: In form time this week, pupils have been thinking about the parable of the lost sheep. Would you have gone back for the sheep? How does this parable compare with your relationship with God? Pupils have also reflected on the Holocaust with memorial assemblies. Prayer stones were laid as a reminder of the importance of a new generation not repeating the mistakes of the past.
Confirmations 2026: Time is running out! If you are a Baptised Catholic in Year 8 or above and wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please fill out the online form at https://liverpoolcalled.co.uk/. Registration must take place before 13th February 2026.
Care of Our Common Home: Many of you will have noticed the great variety of bird species in our local area. Take a moment this week to appreciate the variety of God’s natural world in all its range and beauty.
St Joseph’s School: This term in RE, pupils in Class 3, through Matthew’s Gospel, are exploring Jesus’ journey from his ministry in Galilee to Jerusalem, focusing on how his teachings, miracles, and actions revealed God’s love and called people to follow him.
Fr. Peter Charles Crowther, obl.sbso | The Presbytery, Bury Lane, Withnell, Chorley, PR6 8SD | Tel 01254 830 995 | Archdiocese of Liverpool 1199714
© 2026 St Joseph's Catholic Church, Withnell. All Rights Reserved.
pPease pray for Pope Leo and Archbishop John Sherrington
Archdiocese of Liverpool 1199714
moorlandsanctuary@gmail.com
Registered Charity 1199714
www.moorlandsanctuary.com
GOD'S GREATEST POWER IS THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
KEEP WELL KEEP SAFE WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY
DIRECT DEBIT MANDATE: During the Lockdown, we still need to keep our Parish funds afloat. You can use the Direct Debit Mandate. Download the Form and fill it in and then send it to your Bank. Make sure you put the Parish number 102 on the Form and the Account Number. Let Kath Clemson know any change of amount so that she can adjust the Gift Aid Records. You can get Kath on 01254 831 624. Download form here!
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
Feastdays
Readers
Anointing / Forgiveness
Mass
Intentions
Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Archdiocese whose anniversaries are about now as well as Terry Quinn, Herbert Trencher, Robert Woolridge, Catherine Kelly, Margaret McDonagh, Esther Grime, John Miller, Eileen Jones, Jack Walsh, Paul Wallace, Frances Wilson, Francis Miller, Peter Turner, Stephen Yates, Bill Hurst, Teresa Vernon, Andrew Ingham.
Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Ian Davies, Rachel Mason, Father Peter and many others. Heal your servants O Lord who are sick and send them comfort from thy holy place. Amen.
- Thursday 5th: Saint Agatha
- 6th: Saint Paul Miki and Companions
Next Week:
COLLECTOR:
Today:
COLLECTOR:
Margaret Arrowsmith
- No Weekday Masses or Exposition at present.
- Monday 2nd: The Presentation of the Lord
- Tuesday 3rd: Saint Blaise, Saint Ansgar
- Sunday 10.00 am: John and Elizabeth Worden
- Sunday 8th February 9.30am: Margaret Arrowsmith (LD)
(PLEASE NOTE THE NEW MASS TIME)
St. Joseph's Withnell
Cycle A
Sunday 1st February
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time