Sunday 24th September 2023
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Friday 22ndSeptember
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Saturday 23rd September
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
St. Pius of Pietrelcina, born 25th May 1887, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars aged 16 and was ordained priest in 1910. He lived a remarkable devotion to prayer and the sacraments. He committed himself to relieving the pain of many families, chiefly through the foundation of the "House for the Relief of Suffering". He died in 1968.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 24th September
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday 25th September
10:20am Funeral Service for Theresa Taylor RIP at Accrington Crematorium
Tuesday 26th September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saints Cosmas & Damian, Martyrs (Memoria)
Ss. Cosmas & Damian were doctors who were martyred in Syria around 300 A.D. There is evidence that their tomb was at Cyrrhus, where a basilica was built in their honour.
Wednesday 27thSeptember
10am Mass, Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest (Memoria)
St. Vincent de Paul was born to a poor peasant family in the French village of Pouy on April 24, 1581. He was ordained in 1600. He spent his life preaching missions to and providing relief to the poor. He even established hospitals for them. This was at a time when there were not many priests in France and what priests there were, were neither well-formed nor faithful to their way of life. Vincent helped reform the clergy and the manner in which they were instructed and prepared for the priesthood. He was eighty years old when he died in Paris on September 27, 1660.
Thursday 28th September
9:15 am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass (Feria)
Friday 29thSeptember
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels (Feast)
Today celebrates God's constant care for his people and intervention in their lives. The names of the angels reveal the aspect of God's care: Michael means "Who is like God?", Gabriel means "Strength of God" and Raphael "God has healed".
Saturday 30thSeptember
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Jerome, Priest & Doctor of the Church (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
St. Jerome, born in Dalmatia in 340 A.D, studied in Rome and was baptised; he became secretary to Pope Damasus I, and set about translating the Bible into Latin and promoting the monastic life. He settled in Bethlehem where he trained others in Scriptural studies and died in 420 A.D. at the age of 80.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 1st October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (23rd September - 30th September), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Andrew Hargreaves in memory; In memory of Jack Hargreaves, Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£648.38. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Thank You
I've returned from the last of my summer holidays and I'd like to say thank you to Fr. Ethelbert, Fr. Peter, Fr Stamp and Fr. Stephen for celebrating Mass at St. Mary's while I've been away. Thank you to all the parishioners who helped make my going away possible and the warm welcome and hospitality the priests have received. God Bless
Annual Mass Count
The Bishop's Office has emailed to remind us the that Annual Mass Count is to take place over these next four weekends: 23-24 September, 30 September – 1 October, 7-8 October, 14-15 October. The numbers of people who come to Mass over these weekends for the Vigil (6:30pm) & Sunday (10am) Masses will be recorded and sent to the Bishop.
Evangelii Gaudium – Preparing for the Jubilee Year in Faith and Prayer
Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission at Bishops' Conference, has asked that the attached be circulated to all parishes for its promotion.
Evangelii Gaudium Sunday calls us to be joyous in proclaiming our faith. "Evangelii Gaudium" is Latin for "Joy of the Gospel". The day supports the work carried out by the Mission Directorate on behalf of the Bishops' Conference. A key focus of work for the next few years is responding to Pope Francis' calling of a Jubilee Year in 2025 with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. The Holy Father has invited the whole Church to prepare for the Jubilee in the two years prior through:
· Reflecting on the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council in 2023.
· Deepening our prayer life, with a special focus on the Lord's Prayer, in 2024.
To support the Church in England and Wales in this important initiative the Mission Directorate has produced a series of videos on the four Constitutions which reflect on the Liturgy, the Word of God, the Church and on its role in the modern world. https://www.cbcew.org.uk/evangelii-gaudium-sunday
A range of resources are being prepared for the Year of Prayer in 2024 which include a course on the Lord's Prayer from small groups for Lent, encouragement to try different ways of praying from the tradition of the Church. The Mission Directorate will be supporting the Jubilee co-ordinator appointed by each diocese.
Please support the Mission Directorate through prayer and giving to the second collection. However much you give, big or small, it will go directly to support this important work to bring the joy of the Gospel to all.
There will be a retiring collection this Saturday and Sunday (as advertised last weekend). The basket will be under the large crucifix at the back of church
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ!" - St. Jerome
A strong statement from St. Jerome yet true. One of the simplest ways to come close to Our Lord, to know him better, is to pick up our bible yet this can be a daunting thing. Where do we start? How are we meant to read this or understand that? This autumn/winter there will be the opportunity for scripture study in the parish – open to everyone. No prior knowledge is expected, no biblical or theological training is needed. Simply bring yourself, your bible, and the desire to know God more. I thought we could begin journeying through St. John's Gospel. I'll be using a CTS (Catholic Truth Society) Bible. You can order these from Amazon or ask me.
The Parish Bible Study group will meet every two weeks on a Wednesday from 7pm – 8pm. Even if you can only make one session it's worth doing:
4th Oct, 18th Oct, 1st Nov, 15th Nov, 29th Nov, 13th Dec – Everyone is welcome.
LOURDES 2024 - OUR CENTENARY PILGRIMAGE
This coming year 2024 marks the Centenary of our first Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. We are hoping to organise a Deanery Group to join with the Diocesan Pilgrimage -26th July to 1st August. We also have some fundraising ideas to help defray the costs for any of our young people who want to join us. If you are interested in coming to Lourdes with us, then please register your interest by contacting Fr Francis Wadsworth at St Anne's in Accrington by email: francis.wadsworth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or Tel 01254 232920. Once we have an idea of how many are interested, we will be back in touch with prices and further details.
Hope in the Future Celebration Event
Join the Diocese of Salford's Formation Department for a special event celebrating our six-year Hope in the Future journey. The event will include inspiring talks from Bishop John Arnold and lay missionary Pippa Baker, music from One Hope Project, opportunities for small-group discussions and idea sharing, and a quiet time of prayer led by the Bishop. The event is free of charge and open to all and is ideal for those who have been involved in Hope in the Future in their parish, deanery, or school, those who would like to learn more about it or begin their own journey, and for individuals seeking to grow as Missionary Disciples. Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 6:30pm – 9pm The Edge, Riveredge, Wigan WN3 5AB
Register your place at www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/hope-in-the-future-celebration-event/
Season of Creation
Season of Creation returns for another year, inviting Christians across the globe to come together in prayer and action for the good of our common home. Running from 1st September (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to the feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4th October, this month-long celebration offers us time to reflect on the needs of our planet and what we can do in our communities to make a difference. For further information, resources, and prayers, please visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/season-of-creation-2023/
Have you seen the new Caritas website?
Caritas Salford, our diocesan charity, has launched a brand new website, packed full of information on how you can support people in your local community, as well as useful free resources, events and other ways to get involved. You can visit the website now at www.caritassalford.org.uk and you can also sign up to their e-newsletter by filling in the box at the bottom of the website homepage if you'd like to receive regular news on their activities in communities across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Volunteering opportunities - Caritas Diocese of Salford
As we head into a new season, now might be the perfect for a new challenge! Our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford, is looking for more volunteers to support its work across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. There are a range of different opportunities available to meet individual needs and skillsets, and full training and support is given every step of the way. If you're interested in finding out more, please contact Matt Yates: m.yates@caritassalford.org.uk or visit the Caritas website: www.caritassalford.org.uk.
Caritas Diocese of Salford's Big Sleep Out
The annual Caritas Big Sleep Out is back! This autumn, people across the diocese are being challenged to sleep out under the stars for one night only to raise funds and awareness of people experiencing homelessness in our diocese. Taking place on Friday 13th October, this is one of the most important events in the Caritas annual calendar, helping our diocesan charity make a very real impact on the lives of local people. Find out more and register at www.caritassalford.org.uk/big-sleep-out-2023/
Job Vacancies
Diocese of Salford - Communications Assistant (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full time, 12-month fixed-term contract
Working hours: 35 hours per week - normally worked weekdays though will include one Sunday per month
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £19,838 - £23,936, depending on skills and experience
Find out more and apply at https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Diocese of Salford - Financial Accountant (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full time, permanent
Working hours: 35 hours per week - to be worked Mon-Fri, though some flexibility is required.
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £43,260 - £53,178 depending on skills and experience
Find out more and apply at https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Diocese of Salford - Accounts Payable Officer (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full time, permanent
Working hours: 35 hours per week - to be worked Mon-Fri
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £23,793 - £29,248 per annum depending on skills & experience
Find out more and apply at https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Parish of St Augustine's, Manchester - Cleaner
Appointment Type: Part-time, permanent
Working hours: 15 hours per week to be worked on a flexible basis as agreed by the Parish Priest.
Location: St Augustine's Presbytery, Grosvenor Square, All Saints, Manchester, M15 6BW
Salary: £10.90 per hour
Find out more and apply at https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien