Sunday 15th October 2023
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Friday 13th October
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Edward the Confessor (Memoria)
St. Edward the Confessor became King of England in 1042; he was remarkable for his help to the poor. He died on 5th January 1066.
Saturday 14th October
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Votive Mass of Our Lady (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 15thOctober
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
12 Noon Coach Departs for Oscott College
Tuesday 17th October
9:15am Mass, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr (Memoria)
St. Ignatius of Antioch, second Bishop of that city was sentenced to death in 107A.D and deported to Rome, where he was thrown to wild beasts.
1pm – 3pm St Mary's Warm Welcome (see below for details)
Wednesday 18thOctober
9:15 am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Luke, Evangelist (Feast)
St. Luke, born into a pagan family and a convert to the faith, was a companion of St. Paul. He composed the third Gospel and its sequel, the Acts of the Apostles.
7pm – 8pm Parish Bible Study Group (see below for details)
Friday 20thOctober
2:15pm St. Oswald's School Rosary Rally
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Saturday 21stOctober
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Votive Mass of Our Lady (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 22ndOctober
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (14th October - 21st October), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Mary Le Pla.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£624.85. Thank you for your kind generosity.
World Mission Sunday
World Mission Sunday this year will take place on 22nd October. On this day, the whole Church unites together through prayer for its missionary activity, and by collecting funds to support Catholic communities across the world experiencing situations of poverty and turmoil. The theme chosen by the Holy Father is: 'Hearts on fire, feet on the move' (based on Luke 24). In his message for World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis encourages us all to set hearts ablaze with God's love and compassion for 'everyone has the right to receive the Gospel and we as Christ's followers have the duty to proclaim it without excluding anyone.' For more information about World Mission Sunday and how you can get involved, please visit https://missio.org.uk/world-mission-sunday-2023/.
Parish Oscott Trip
On Sunday (15th October) the coach for Oscott will leave at 12 noon prompt. Once we arrive at the seminary there will be light refreshments to welcome us. Adam will give us a tour of the college, where Saint John Henry Newman and Blessed Dominic Barberi once walked, and allow us a glimpse of seminary life. Afterwards we will have the opportunity to join the Oscott community for Solemn Vespers in the college chapel before setting off home at 6:30pm. On the way back to Oswaldtwistle the coach will stop at Knutsford Services so that people can buy themselves a meal/snack/refreshments. Hopefully, we will be back at Oswaldtwistle for just after 9pm.
Housekeeping:
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If anybody has any food allergies, please see one of the stewards at the back of church and ask them to make a note of it.
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As always, in compliance with health and safety, could you please write down your emergency contact details, just in the event of the unexpected, and pass them to Fr. O'Brien or one of the stewards.
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For any monies that are outstanding towards the trip could we ask that they are paid as soon as possible.
Let's continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and all those involved in the formation of our future priests.
Safeguarding Training
On Tuesday (17th Oct) there is a clergy safeguarding training day for both our deanery, St. John Vianney, and the St. John Southworth Deanery. The day has been entitled 'Back to Basics' to help remind and emphasize the importance of good practice and the duty of care we have as a Church. You will see that the usual Tuesday Mass time has been changed because of this training day to 9:15am.
Hospital Emergency Call
This week I'll helping out the Catholic chaplaincy at the Royal Blackburn Hospital by going on the emergency 'on call' rota. As you'll appreciate an emergency is never planned and so it may mean that certain visits or appointments, I've made will be either delayed or postponed. Thank you to all our stewards in advance, whose invaluable help means that, even if I can't make it in time for a Mass the church is open for prayer. Let's pray for all the sick and those who care for them. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for them.
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
The next session is Wednesday 18th October from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better.
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
The next warm welcome is on Tuesday 17th October from 1pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone are welcome! We have some talented parishioners who dispel the autumn blues with live upbeat music that everyone can sing along to. Plus, there's unlimited brews and fantastic homemade cake in a warm space. Why not come along and experience something different.
A Message from The Friendship Club
The Friendship Club are happy to say that we are now back to normality after the great loss of many members during the pandemic. We actually have only one member from St. Mary's so we would love to hear from anyone who would enjoy an afternoon of chat and entertainment and every fourth months visits and meals out. None of this will cost anything, all is provided by lottery money. We have good people who will bring you and take you home. If you would like more details ring me, Margaret on 01254 233 070. I look forward to hearing from you. If you leave a message on my land line, please speak slowly and clearly. Thank you.
Parish Social: Franco's
On Sunday 19th November 2023 there will be a parish social and fundraising event at Franco's starting from 1pm. The cost will be £20 for a Starter, Main Course & Dessert and will also include a donation to our Building Fund. After the meal there will be the opportunity for people to take part in stand-up Bingo (£2 per person per game). There will be a sign up sheet on the stewards desk (church narthex) and people will be able to give their monies to the stewards at the weekend Masses. Any dietary/allergies please make a note on the sign up sheet. The deadline for buying tickets will be Sunday 12th November. For more information contact Tony Alveston 07837386755
Parish Summer Raffle: Last Call!
After this weekend (14th/15th October) all unclaimed raffle prizes from the summer will be recycled. If you have a winning ticket, then do bring it along.
St. Oswald's School Foundation Governor Vacancy
Mrs Kippax, the headteacher of St. Oswald's, one of our parish primary schools is appealing for anyone who would like to become a governor.
"It's an exciting opportunity to be a part of shaping the educational, spiritual and personal development of our children, in particular the wellbeing of the school community as a whole. No direct knowledge of current education law, school organisation or governance is required but they should be willing to learn and to dedicate reasonable time to their responsibilities, along with attending relevant training courses provided by both the Diocese and Lancashire County Council. There would be 3 Full Governing Body meetings per year along with the opportunity to belong to one of the smaller committees, who also meet 3 times per year."
For more information, please contact the school: St. Oswald's R.C. Primary and Nursery School, Hartley Avenue, Accrington, BB5 0NN; Tel: 01254 234924
St. Mary's School
On Wednesday morning Mrs Wolfenden's class joined us for the 10am parish Mass. We listened to the story of Jonah, the prophet who tried to run away from God and was swallowed by the whale! We were reminded that nobody can or should run from God, because He is love and wants to do such great things for us, if only we'd let Him.
Urgent call to pray for peace!
The following words of inspiration and call to prayer are written by Sian Owen, who many of us know from leading the Rosary on a Saturday evening. My thanks to Sian for reminding me about the power of the Rosary.
"Israel is reeling after the recent brutal surprise attack by Hamas. It is now at war, and Gaza is under siege. Untold numbers of innocent people on both sides will lose their lives, their loved ones and their livelihoods. This vicious conflict threatens to spread beyond the immediate borders of Israel. As the war in Ukraine drags on, a dangerous new conflict is erupting in the Middle East. Today's news is terrifying, relentless and hopeless.
What can we do? Saying things like 'thoughts and prayers' can sometimes ring hollow. Go to a vigil? What's the point of standing outside holding candles? Shall we look at the sky and ask the universe to 'send good energy'? Yeah, right. We have no army, no political influence, we don't have billions in the bank. We are microscopic in the face of these seismic geopolitical forces. We are small, we are helpless, we can only look on in horror. But, still…
I lead the Rosary most Saturday evenings, and recently, on the altar, I got an uncanny sense of how tiny I am, and how big - huge - our prayers are. It was almost as if I could see the shining Hail Marys' skyrocket across the sky, shooting straight to where they were needed.
It was a palpable, dizzying sense of the very real, deep power of the prayers we were saying. Pure, amazing, life-affirming, awesome, mountain-moving prayers. Big stuff from little people in a small church in a small town. And it gave me hope.
If we believe in God, we have to stop paying lip service and commit to believing in the power of prayer. So, it follows that even if we don't see something with our eyes it doesn't mean it isn't true or real. And the power of prayer is very, very real.
I can't offer solutions to the world's problems, but in our global village we can come together and pray for each other. And right now we MUST pray for our fellow brothers and sisters, of all faiths and nationalities, who are caught up in conflict. We must pray for hope for the families of the hostages. We must pray for the children trapped in conflict. We must pray that the Holy Spirit moves global leaders to step away from the brink of war and work for peace.
So please, please come along to join us praying the Rosary before Mass on Saturday or Sunday. You may never know the good it will do, but you can be assured that you will be playing your part in working for peace in the world."
October: The Month of the Holy Rosary
The month of October is traditionally dedicated to the Rosary because the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary falls on the 7th October. Throughout this month there will be plenty of opportunity to pray the Rosary and spend time in prayer with Our Lady.
The Holy Rosary prayed publicly in church:
Saturday 14th October 6pm
Sunday 15th October 9:30am
Saturday 21st October 6pm
Sunday 22nd October 9:30am
Saturday 28th October 6pm
Sunday 29th October 9:30am
Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary
This prayer to Saint Joseph was composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889. He asked that it be added to the end of the Rosary, especially during the month of October, which is dedicated to the Rosary. This prayer may be said after the Hail Holy Queen and concluding prayer, and may also be used to conclude other Marian devotions.
To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance
which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,
and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us
every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be kind to us
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril,
so now protect God's Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid,
we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness,
and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
Books to help with praying the Rosary
Praying The Rosary Like Never Before by Edward Sri
Pocket Guide to the Rosary: Reflections from the Bible and the Saints by Matt Fradd
The Holy Rosary through the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
edited by Fr. Mark Higgins
10 Wonders of the Rosary by Donald H. Calloway
Of Men and Mary. How Six Men Won The Greatest Battle Of Their Lives by Christine Watkins
A letter to the parishioners of St. Mary's from St. Oswald's School
Dear Parishioners,
Throughout the month of October, the children will be learning to pray the rosary. Our special month of prayer will finish with our 'Rosary Rally' on Friday 20th October.
If you would like us to pray for you, your loved ones, your worries or hopes, please place your petitions in the box at the back of church and at our Rosary Rally on Friday 20th October at 2:15pm, our whole school will pray together for those intentions in the box.
From all at St. Oswald's R.C Primary School
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.
Diocesan Synod Prayer:
Watch this space to learn more about the Big Listen that will be taking place.
Loving Father,
be with us as we seek new ways
of being your people in our Diocese.
May each new day bring us closer to your son Jesus,
as we follow his teaching and become disciples of love.
As we continue our Synodal journey, draw us closer to each other.
May the truth of your Spirit enlighten us.
Open our hearts, as we listen to each other and reach out in love
to your people.
Stay with us, Lord, on our journey. Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for Us.
St Joseph, Pray for Us.
Votive Candle Free Trial for October
During the summer I was contacted by St. Killians UK, a company who sell votive candles and stands, and asked would we like to test and try their product for a one month FREE trial! Many of you will have seen their votive candle stands in other churches from St. Alban's, Blackburn to St. Mary's, Burnley and as far as the Cathedral at Sacre Coeur, Paris. Some of the benefits of trying out St. Killians candles for the month are:
No more plastic waste or aluminum cups
No more unprotected flames
Environmentally friendly
No more wax spillage on the floors
Revenue generator for the parish
Lifetime Guarantee
Self-extinguishing candles helping with health and safety
There are blue lights in front of Our Lady's Chapel and Red lights in front of the Sacred Heart Chapel. Lighters are provided on each stand. On the trial votive stands there is a sign with the word SUGGESTED donation. This means it is not an order, a directive from on high, the undisputed law but simply a guide, a suggestion. I've noticed many churches who have these candles permanently ask for a donation of at least 30p which seems fair. Over the month do let me know your thoughts about the candles and I'll feed it back to the company. If the majority of parishioners feedback is positive, then I'm happy to continue with St. Killians but if the majority is negative then the old votive candle stands will return for the start of November.
Christian Leadership Formation Programme 2024
Are you currently in Lower Sixth/Year 12/S5? Are you considering a public-facing career? Do you want to help build a Christian society? The Christian Leadership Formation programme uniquely offers a combination of stimulating and high-quality intellectual content, spiritual nourishment, personal development, inter-personal skills, team-building and socials in a tightly-knit community experience, with expert academics and professionals. Open to any student who is motivated by their faith and their studies, with bursaries available as needed. More information and applications via our new website www.christianleadershipformation.com , and please follow us on Instagram (@christianleadershipformation) for all the latest updates!
Catholic Youth Ministry Internships
Castlerigg Manor (The Lancaster Diocese Retreat Centre) is looking for young Catholics aged 18-25 to join their Internship Programme. The scheme lasts for one or two years and gives participants wide ranging experience, skills, training, and qualifications as well as the opportunity to work with a fantastic team based in the Lake District. For more information contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien