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Newsletter and  

Notices

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

Universalis

© 2025 St Joseph's Catholic Church, Withnell. All Rights Reserved.

Please pray for Pope Francis, Benedict XVI and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon                                                   

Liverpool Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool Reg. Char. 232709

moorlandsanctuary@gmail.com

www.moorlandsanctuary.com


Thought for the Day: ‘The heart of Jesus’ proclamation is given in today’s Gospel. As is often noted, the word “repent” is not the best translation of the original Greek and it would be better to use some other expression such as “convert.” It really means a new way of looking at everything, a new mind or outlook. It may of course include being sorry about the past, but the real energy is towards the future: “convert and put your trust in the Good News.” We could put it like this: from what are we called to conversion is important; more important is towards what are we being called?’ (Fr Kieran O’Mahoney, OSA)


Saints this week:   Saint Angela Merici (1474-1540) – Born at Densenzano near Brescia, Angela took the habit of the Third Order of St Francis and gathered girls together whom she formed in the works of charity. In 1535 she formed at Brescia the religious institute of the Ursulines, a society of women with the task of teaching poor girls to be good Christians. 


Saintly quotes: ‘Do not lose heart, even if you discover that you lack qualities necessary to the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but at the moment you are in need, He will stretch out His Saving Hand.’ – St Angela Merici


Papal Intentions for January 2026  For prayer with the word of God. Let us pray that praying with the word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.


Sunday of the Word of God: Is today. Its theme is taken from Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians ‘The Word of Christ Dwells Among You’, reminding us that God’s Word is not confined to books or to Church but is present in our everyday lives.


Pope Leo: Has decreed that 2026 is a ‘Special Year of St Francis’ to commemorate 800 years since the saint’s death. Plenary indulgences are available under certain conditions. In a letter to the Franciscan community, Pope Leo reminds us that ‘In this era, marked by so many wars that seem interminable, by inner and social divisions that create distrust and fear, he continues to speak. Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace.’


Saintly Gems: ‘We need to listen to God because it’s not what we say but what He says to us and through us that matters.’ St. Teresa of Calcutta


Sacred Scripture: ‘Let us love not just with words and in speech, but with actions and in truth.’ 1 John 3:14-20


St Beuno’s Prego: As this new year begins, we ask for God’s grace and guidance to celebrate and reconcile our differences so that we may share in his abundant love. (stbeunosoutreach.wordpress.com)


Food for Thought: ‘Seeking God’s will is not something that’s done once or twice in a lifetime. Seeking and responding to the Lord’s voice is something we have the opportunity to do every day.’ Gary Zimack, ‘Faith, Hope and Clarity’


Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: This comes to an end today but we continue to love one another as God loves us. Pope Leo asked after his Angelus last Sunday that we intensify our prayer throughout the week for ‘…the full, visible unity of all Christians.”


Sincere Thanks: Thank you so much to Bishop Gregori for celebrating our Mass today: it is greatly appreciated. Donations for Ukraine will be given directly to him after today’s Mass.


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. 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 - 13.00. Please check parish newsletters on their websites for current information.


Crib Offerings: A reminder that the bowl for donations to the Catholic Social Services is by the crib. Thank you for your donations so far.


Readers: It’s not too late to join the rota! Please could you see Kate Perkins if you would like to volunteer to read, or if there are any dates on which you are not available. Thank you!


Holocaust Memorial Day: Is marked on Tuesday, 27th January; the date on which Auschwitz concentration camp was first liberated in 1945. It is a time to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust under Nazi Persecution and the genocides that followed. This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Generations’. ‘No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it.’ St Maximilian Kolbe.


Faith in Action from Holy Cross: This week, pupils in Faith in Action have been thinking about how they can bring their message that their faith is a living mission to others through their new noticeboard. How would you communicate to others that your faith is present in your everyday life?

Confirmations 2026: Registration for confirmations is still open. If you are a Baptised Catholic and in Year 8 and 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: Today is the final day of the RSPB’s ‘Big Garden Birdwatch’. Enjoy watching the birds in your garden and thinking about how even the most common things in nature can bring us joy.


St Joseph’s School: This term in RE, pupils in Class 1 studying the journey of the wise men to see that Jesus had been born. They are understanding that Jesus was born for everyone and we should show love to everyone just as Jesus did. In Class 2 through Luke’s Gospel, the children will learn that when some people encountered Jesus, they recognised that he was the Son of God to save us all. The children are reminded that Jesus is the light of the World. 


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 Ray Lilley, Betty Cardy, Emma Gerard, Robert Robinson, Alice Smith, George Worden, John McKeown, Helen Smith, John Morgan, Winston Wrennall, Linda Neild, Alban Trencher, Dorothy Thompson, Frederick Bolton, Brian Smith, Jack Haydock, Raymond Matthews, Arthur Brassington, Lillian Beresford, Elaine Kerrigan.

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.

Next Week:   

COLLECTOR:



Today:  

COLLECTOR:



Margaret Arrowsmith


St. Joseph's Withnell

Cycle A

Sunday 25th January

3nd Sunday of Ordinary Time