Newsletters & Reports

(This & Previous Newsletters in original formatting and graphics appear at the bottom of the page)

ST PETER’S CHURCH (with St Joseph’s, Hurst Green)
Stonyhurst College – Stonyhurst – Clitheroe – Lancs – BB7 9PZ.

T: (01254) 826268      E: stpeterschurchstonyhurst@btinternet.com        Web: www.stpetersstonyhurst.org.uk

Parish Priest:   Fr Tim Curtis, SJ              Safeguarding Officer:     Niall Macfarlane (07786 432360
                          Salford Roman Catholic Diocese Trustees Registered Charity No 2500374   

  
2nd August 2026                               THE NEWSLETTER                               18th Sunday of OT (Year A)
Mass Schedule                                                                                                                                                                   

(Each Saturday there are confessions from 4.30pm )

L = Lately Dead, A = Anniversary of Death, R = Remembrance          M = Martyr, V = Virgin, B = Bishop, Pp = Pope
P = Personal Intention, S = Sick, B = Birthday   F = Founders Mass             D = Doctor, P = Priest, R = Religious

Please pray for the following, the anniversary of whose deaths occur at this time:    Bridie Platt, Mary Cross, Harry Leach, Joseph Dargan, Ettie O’Toole, Tim Layzell and Hannah Bretherton.   May they rest in the peace of the Lord.

Readings at Mass

Diocesan Website:
http://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
for information on our Diocese and what is happening.

Praying with the Pope in August 2026
For evangelisation in the city
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to  proclaim the gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.

Look at www.ThePopeVideo.org for more information

Today
Is the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time.   In the gospel Jesus blesses the loaves and the fishes to feed the 5,000.

Day by Day
The August issue is available at the back of the church.

Stonyhurst Summer School
For the last time, the Stonyhurst Language students will be joining us for the 5.30pm Saturday Vigil Mass.   They have done really well, joining in the celebration of Mass.

Catenians at the 11am Mass
This Sunday the Accrington Circle of the Catenians will be attending the 11am Sunday Mass.

Prayers for peace
Hopes for peace in the Middle East seem to be evaporating with hostilities resuming.   We still trust, however, that our prayers will be answered.

ParkPlay
Unfortunately, because we do not have enough Play Leaders, there will be no Hurst Green Parkplay for the next three Saturdays (August 1,8,15). Dunsop Bridge (10.30-12.30), Bolton-by-Bowland (10-12) and Blackburn Queens Park (10-12) Parkplays all continue every Saturday if you are looking for some nearby free fun and games, and to keep collecting your Summer Milestones (scan your QR code each time you play). Hurst Green Parkplay starts again on Saturday August 22nd, 10-12, all welcome. Contact Catriona on 0777 580 1057 if you’d like to learn more about becoming a Play Leader.

Next Sunday
Is the 19th Sunday of OT.   In the gospel Jesus invites Peter to walk on the water.

Caritas Everystep campaign
Sponsored walk in Downham.  Saturday 5th September 2026 (Leaflets at the back of church)

St Ignatius Day
Thanks to those who help us celebrate this feast last Friday.

New Stations for the cemetery
The bases for the Stations are being laid in the cemetery for imminent delivery. Those who wish may contribute to the cost of their purchase.   A thank you to those who have contributed already.
So far we have received £7,800 in donations, about ½ of the cost.  Thank you.

Report on the AGM
We gathered in Fr Tim’s garden.   Les Bury presented the accounts for last year and Niall Macfarlane made a comprehensive report on the parish and its many and varied activities.  Stephen Clarke gave a progress report on the project to install the new Stations of the Cross in the cemetery.   Niall proposed that the whole Parish Council resign and an appeal be made for new members to come forward to assist the parish to fulfil its aims of reaching out to the youth and those who do not come regularly to church.
The meeting concluded with a shared lunch.   Thanks to all of those who help in the parish all year round and to those who contributed to the AGM.

Pope Leo speaks of peace
“Shortly before being arrested, in a moment of intimate confidence, Jesus said to those who were with him: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.”  And he immediately added: “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid”.
“Their distress and fear were certainly connected to the violence soon to befall him. But, more deeply, the Gospels do not hide the fact that what troubled the disciples was his nonviolent response: a path that they all, Peter first among them, contested; yet the Master asked them to follow this path to the end.
“The way of Jesus continues to cause unease and fear. He firmly repeats to those who would defend him by force: “Put your sword back into its sheath”.  The peace of the risen Jesus is unarmed, because his was an unarmed struggle in the midst of concrete historical, political and social circumstances. Christians must together bear prophetic witness to this novelty, mindful of the tragedies in which they have too often been complicit.”