Sunday 22nd October 2023
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
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
Tuesday 24th October
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 25thOctober
9:15 am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Votive Mass of Saint Joseph
'I have taken for my advocate and protector, the glorious St. Joseph, to whom I have recommended myself with all the fervour of my heart, and by whom I have been visibly aided. This tender father of my soul, this loving protector hastened to snatch me from the wretched state in which my body languished, as he had delivered me from greater dangers of another nature, which threatened my honour and my eternal salvation.' St. Teresa of Avila
Thursday 26th October
9:15 am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saints Chad & Cedd, Bishops (Memoria)
Chad, who died at Lichfield on 2nd March 672A.D, and Cedd, who died at Lastingham (Yorkshire) on this day in 664A.D, were brothers who were educated at Lindisfarne under St. Aidan. Cedd founded many monasteries and was sent as a bishop to evangelise the East Saxons, establishing his See at Bradwell (Essex). He died of the plague at his monastery in Lastingham. Chad was the abbot of Lastingham when chosen Bishop of Northumbria, but his ordination was contested by St. Wilfrid, and he humbly withdrew. He was sent as Bishop of Mercia, where he founded the See of Lichfield. Despite the shortness of his ministry, he was immediately revered as a saint because of the holiness of his life, his outstanding humility, and his dedication to preaching the Gospel.
Friday 27thOctober
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Saturday 28thOctober
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (Feast) (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
The name Simon is placed eleventh in the list of apostles and nothing is known of him, except that he was born at Cana and was known as the Zealot. Jude, also known as Thaddaeus, was the apostle who at the Last Supper, asked the Lord why he showed himself only to his disciples and not to the whole world.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 29thOctober
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (21st October - 28th October), the Sanctuary Lamp is for The Whittam Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£563.64. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Holy Day of Obligation...
On 1st November we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. This is a holy day of obligation and all faithful Roman Catholics are obliged to come to Mass that day. At St. Mary's there will be the opportunity to come to Mass on:
Tuesday 31st October
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm – The Vigil Mass for All Saints
Wednesday 1st November
10am Mass
World Mission Sunday
Today we mark World Mission Sunday - a day on which our Church comes together in prayer and practical support for missionaries who bring the love and hope of Christ to those in situations of poverty and injustice. We invite you to join us today in praying for the mission of the Church throughout the world. For more information about World Mission Sunday and how you can get involved, please visit https://missio.org.uk/world-mission-sunday-2023/.
Diocesan Synod - The Big Listen
Last weekend we heard the pastoral letter from the Bishop about the launch of the first key stage of our diocesan synod - The Big Listen. Over the coming months, we're being invited to reflect on the needs of our community today and how our diocese is being called to respond. Sharron, Mike and Joel are our synod representatives and they will be facilitating opportunities, over the next few weeks, for our reflections to be recorded. https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/synod/
Prayer cards with the diocesan synod prayer are available at the back of church.
Parish Oscott Trip
Thank you to all those who came and made the trip such an enjoyable experience. The seminarians were very appreciative of our visit and prayers. I know the highlight for many was sung Vespers in the seminary chapel with solemn benediction. Let's continue to keep Adam in our prayers as he continues to study for the priesthood and discern God's call.
Safeguarding Training
On Tuesday (17th Oct) I attended the clergy safeguarding training day for both our deanery, St. John Vianney, and the St. John Southworth Deanery. The day was entitled 'Back to Basics' and designed to remind and emphasize the importance of good practice and the duty of care we have as a Church.
Our parish contact safeguarding contacts are: Rev. Fr. S. O'Brien & Mrs. Pam Kornecki. Details on parish noticeboard in the church Narthex.
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
The next session is Wednesday 1st November 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 31st October from 1pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone is 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.
Friendship Club – Next Meeting 1st Nov
FRIENDSHIP CLUB - The next meeting of the Friendship Club will be on Wednesday, 1st November from 2:00pm - 4:00pm in St Joseph's Hall at St Joseph's RC Church, Belgarth Road, Accrington, BB5 6AH. We will be having a Christmas theme followed by pie and peas and mince pies! Our waiting list is now open. If you would like to join us, please contact Karen Dabrowski on 07986990333.
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
Walk for Young Adults
Saturday 28th October, 11am, English Martyrs Church, Whalley
Join Salford Youth and Young Adults Ministry for a day of faith and friendship in the beautiful Lancashire countryside! This October, the team is delighted to present a fabulous walk for young adults along the stunning 9km Tolkien Trail. The day begins with 11am Mass at English Martyrs Church, Whalley. Car shares are available upon request. Email youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk to find out more or visit https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/young-adults-walk/
The Sacrament of Confirmation
If there are any younger members of the parish family who are 12years + and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or know more about it then please see me at the end of a weekend Mass. It's a sacrament that is life changing.
Parish Requiem Mass
On Saturday 4th November at 10am there will be Requiem Mass for all those who have died in the parish over the past year and for all those whose names are in the Holy Souls box in front of the Altar. All are welcome.
Date for Your Diary
The usual Friday 6pm Mass will be a Requiem Mass on the 10th November for all deceased members of St. Mary's Choir. Photo albums will be on display of choir members past and present and at the end of Mass refreshments will available. 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.
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.
Diocesan Young Adults Mass - The Big Listen
Sunday 12th November, 5.30pm, St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor Square, Manchester, M15 6BW. Young adults from across the diocese are invited to join us this November as we turn our attention to our diocesan synod at our next monthly Mass. Fr David Yates, director of Salford Youth and Young Adults Ministry, will lead our celebration of Mass before handing over to our young adult synod representatives, who will conduct The Big Listen exercise for our diocesan synod. Find out more at https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/young-adults-nov-23/
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 see 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