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Newsletter and  

Notices

Thought for the Day: We can identify easily with the double expression “harassed and helpless”, a wide expression of frustration and naked need. There can indeed be a sense of aimlessness, “like sheep without a shepherd”, as we look for direction in life, values to live by and a sense of overall meaning and purpose. Dennis O’Driscoll captured it in his poem Missing God: Miss Him when the TV scientist explains the cosmos through equations, leaving our planet to revolve on its axis aimlessly, a wheel skidding in snow. The message of the kingdom is no less real — rooted in compassion — and relevant today as never before. In the pithy expression of Bishop David Jenkins: “There is God. He is as he is in Jesus. There is hope.” (Fr Kieran O’Mahoney, OSA)


Saints this week:  Saint Richard of Chichester 1197-1253 As a boy in Droitwich, Worcestershire, Richard de Wych worked on his father’s farm, though he eventually went to the universities of Oxford, Paris and Bologna. He was not ordained priest until he was 45 years old. And was appointed Bishop of Chichester two years later, but because of the king’s opposition he was unable to take over the see until 1247. Meanwhile, he lived in a priest’s house, visiting the parishes of his diocese on foot and looking after an orchard. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor, the mercy he showed to sinners, and the reform of the liturgical life of his diocese.  Saintly quotes: ‘Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, day by day.’ (Saint Richard of Chichester)


Papal Intentions for June 2026  For the values of sports. Let us pray that sports be an instrument of peace, encounter, and dialogue among cultures and nations, and that they promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.


June – prayer for the month of the Sacred Heart: O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.


Sacred Scripture: May God strengthen you in your inner being through the Spirit, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.

Ephesians 3:14-21


Saintly Gems:  "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you."—St. Augustine


St Beuno’s Prego: This week, we might like to focus our prayer especially on those people in the world who feel harassed and helpless, trusting that the Lord will look after them.  (stbeunosoutreach.wordpress.com) 


Food for Thought: ‘In every communion, we are made flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone; and if our hearts are pure we are made also heart of His heart, mind of His mind, will of His will, spirit of His spirit.’ — Cardinal Henry Manning


Sincere Thanks: To Father Xavier for coming to say our Mass and for all that he has done to help our parish over recent months: it is greatly appreciated. We wish him well in his new parish in Aintree – they are lucky to have him!


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.


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


Confirmations: Congratulations to Alice, Bethany, Eliza, Ella and Tristan who were confirmed at St Joseph’s Church, Harpers Lane on Thursday, in a lovely ceremony, celebrated by Bishop Thomas Neylon. We are proud of all of them for being so prayerful and making the next important step in their faith. Please keep them all in your prayers. Thank you, also, to Canon Peter Stanley, Father Mark and all at St Joseph’s, Chorley, for all of their hard work in preparing the church and the children for this beautiful sacrament.


Volunteers: Thank you so much to everyone who has offered to help with anything at all. A reminder that there are some sign-up sheets on the noticeboard at the back of church for anyone who wishes to help with gardening, church cleaning or flowers. There is also a sheet for anyone interested in a mid-week prayer group – please could you also indicate which day(s) you might be available. Thank you.


Readers: The rota has been updated to include Sundays until the end of August: please sign up for the dates which are best for you. New readers are always very welcome.


Family of Parishes Service:  A reminder that the service of prayer and reflection for Special Ministers of Holy Communion for our Family of Parishes is Sunday 5th July at 3pm in St. Joseph’s primary school (Harpers Lane). For catering purposes, if you are planning to attend, please could you email fop3attendance@outlook.com to confirm attendance. Thank you


Refreshments: Are available today! Please stay after Mass for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. All are very welcome.


Faith in Action from Holy Cross: This week in Faith in Action, pupils have been making prayer beads to help them to focus on God when they are praying and to help them to remember what they are praying for. Year Eight forms have also been looking at the parable of the sheep and the goats: which are you?


Care of Our Common Home: This week, remember to work with the wider world and not just in Catholic circles. Focus on how God wants us to spread the good news through our kind actions and words, not just with other Christians. 


St Joseph’s School:   Our pupils have been out on a community litter pick, helping to care for our local area and putting their faith into action. Through activities like this, our pupils are learning how to live sustainably, show respect for their neighbourhood and make a positive contribution to the world around them.

Fr. Peter Charles Crowther, obl.sbso | The Presbytery, Bury Lane, Withnell, Chorley, PR6 8SD | Tel 01254 830 995 | Archdiocese of Liverpool 1199714

Universalis

© 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

Mass

Intentions

Readers

Anointing / Forgiveness

Feastdays

Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Archdiocese whose anniversaries are about now as well as Violet Gartside, Thomas Quinn, Robert Bretherton, Catherine Ball, Vera Cox, Harold Unsworth, Jim Charnock, Helen McDonnell, Wilf Lloyd, Cardinal George Basil Hume OSB, Agnes Maiden, Lawrence Parker, June Mary Lassey, Elsie Hindle, Bob Baxendale

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.

Next Week:   

COLLECTOR:



Today:  

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St. Joseph's Withnell

Cycle A

Sunday 14 th June

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time