THE PARISH OF ST JOHN XXIII PRESTON
Join us at the Parish Church of St Joseph & the
Shrine Church of St Thomas of Canterbury & the English Martyrs
There are five districts of our parish incorporating five former parishes in Preston: St Augustine, St Ignatius, St Joseph, St Teresa and St Thomas of Canterbury & the English Martyrs
Our Parish
The Parish of St John XXIII, Preston was formed in October 2014 out of the two parishes of Christ the King and St Ignatius with the English Martyrs. These two parishes were formed from five older parishes which we now call 'districts' of our parish: St Augustine of Canterbury, St Ignatius of Loyola, St Joseph, St Teresa and St Thomas of Canterbury & the English Martyrs. Our parish in its very nature speaks of the changing demographics of Catholicism in Preston. Yet, in all change our parish is a community filled with hope, ever trusting in the loving Providence of God.
Our parish spans much of central, south and east of the City of Preston from The Harris Building and the Flag Market to Preston Cemetery. From river Ribble towards Walton-le-Dale to the the edges of Fulwood on Watling Street Road. The civil Wards within are our parish (in part or in full) are City Centre, Plungington, Garrison, Deepdale, St Matthews, Ribbleton, Fishwick & Frenchwood.
The Importance of the Parish
C.S. Lewis, the famous British writer, once wrote in his well known work, the Screwtape Letters, one demon reminds another demon, “Surely you know that if a man can’t be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighbourhood looking for the church that ‘suits’ him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.” Lewis presents here 'church hopping' (or shopping) as a work of the devil, but why? He goes on to say, “the [parish] should always be attacked, because, being a unity of place and not of likings, it brings people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity [God] desires…In the second place, the search for a ‘suitable’ church makes the man a critic where [God] wants him to be a pupil.” (chapter 16)
Being a member of a particular parish unites me with my community in a visible way. Belonging to a parish doesn’t have to mean I exclusively attend Mass in one location. Of course, being a Catholic, and finding our religion throughout the world we will inevitably join the Church wherever we may be and seek to join the whole church in her prayer when visiting other places. But belonging to a parish means being part of a community and making sacrifices for the good and unity of that community.
As a member of a parish, I don’t just belong to the universal or invisible Church. I belong to a particular Church, a place where I experience the witness of many visible members striving together for holiness and heaven. The parish is the place I put down the firm roots of my faith, for that faith to grow strong and to flourish. In the parish I publicly make known my relationship to Christ and his Church. I come, humbly, to listen to Christ and through his representatives, the clergy, and work out my salvation among my neighbours, in my local community.
Additionally, belonging gives me a father, brother and sister parishioners, and a particular mission to aid in the care and evangelization of people in a particular place.
The parish, indeed your parish, relies on parishioners not only to keep the lights on, but also to care for the poor in the community. Your parish desperately needs the time, treasure, and talents the Lord has given you for the service of his people.
Make haste to your parish, to join our ranks to spread the news of God's salvation in and through Christ, and to serve concretely God and neighbour!
It is a privilege and delight to receive everyone who walks through the doors of our two church buildings. Our church buildings are first and foremost the 'House of God,' the place where God dwells among us and remains with and for us in the Blessed Sacrament. All people are encouraged to meet God here and to be drawn into His life.
If you are a Catholic who has fallen away from the practise of your faith, or you were never really brought up to practise the faith, as we should, we are delighted that you are now thinking of the Catholic faith, introduce yourself to our priests. Perhaps you have many questions and many thoughts about our faith, you can visit catholicscomehome.org to encourage and accompany you on this journey.
For our records and to serve you as best we can we would like all parishioners and those who choose to join our community to fill in the Parish registration form found at the back of our churches or to use the contact information form below.
The database is used by the clergy and staff of the Catholic Parish of St John XXIII as part of the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster and your information is not past on to anyone else. We comply with our Diocesan policies found at; www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk/data-protectiongdpr/
Contact
If you would like to know more about our parish or you have an enquiry to make, please do get in contact.
01772 796053