Sunday 25th February 2024
Second Sunday of Lent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Friday 23rd February
11:30am Requiem Mass for John Murden RIP
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
6pm Mass, Lent Weekday
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 24th February
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Mass, Lent Weekday (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 25th February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent
Tuesday 27th February
1pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (see below for details)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Lent Weekday
Wednesday 28th February
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Lent Weekday
7pm – 8pm Parish Bible Study Group (see below for details)
Thursday 29th February
6pm – 6:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
7pm Deanery Station Mass at St. Mary's, Oswaldtwistle (see below for details)
Friday 1st March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
6pm Mass, Saint David, Bishop (Feast)
St. David was born in Cardigan in 520A.D. He founded monasteries and became Bishop and Primate of Wales. He settled his See at Mynyw (Menevia) where he died in 588A.D.
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 2nd March
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Mass, Lent Weekday (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday 3rd March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (24th February - 2nd March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Mia Cross.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£822.67. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Parish Lenten Retreat 2024
Thank you to all who came and took advantage of the parish retreat this year. It's always well attended and people always remark that it has either affirmed or challenged them, inspired them or made them think differently. Thank you to all the musicians and singers who helped to make the liturgy a prayerful time and all those who facilitated the refreshments. Finally a Big THANK YOU to Fr. Bryan Cunningham SI for taking the time to share his wisdom about prayer and prepare some thoughtful reflections and talks for our Lenten retreat.
Lent 2024
This year Lent began on Ash Wednesday 14th February. Over the next six weeks we are called to re-direct our hearts and minds towards Jesus through fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Lent is our spiritual spring clean that allows us to become aware of those things in life that stop us living for the Lord and loving Him. Throughout this penitential period there will be, as always, plenty of opportunity for prayer and meditation.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"The Eucharist bathes the tormented soul in light and love. Then the soul appreciates these words, 'Come all you who are sick, I will restore your health." - St. Bernadette Soubirous
Tuesdays 5pm – 5:50pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays (unless there is a funeral) 9:15am – 9:50am,
Fridays 5pm – 5:50pm, Saturdays 9am – 9:50am
Confessions
"There are people who are afraid to go to confession, forgetting that they will not encounter a severe judge there, but the immensely merciful Father." - Pope Franics
Fridays 5pm – 5:45pm; Saturdays 9am – 9:45am
Stations of the Cross
"In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent Heart of Jesus stretched on the Cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful Heart, will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting." – St. Faustina
Each Friday after the 6pm Mass (approx 6:30pm)
Deanery Station Masses
During Lent there is the tradition of Station Masses. This is where a Lenten Mass will be celebrated in a particular parish in the deanery and other parishes are invited to come. It's a wonderful reminder that we are part of a bigger family and are united by Our Lord in the sacrifice of the Mass. Our parish will be hosting one of the deanery Station Masses on Thursday 29th February at 7pm. Everyone is welcome. There will be a visiting priest who will preach followed by refreshments afterwards. The other Station Masses will be:
St. Mary's, Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, BB5 3EZ on Thursday 29th February at 7pm.
St. James the Less, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, BB4 8HH, on Thursday 7th March at 7pm.
Sacred Heart, Queen Street, Colne, BB8 9NB, on Thursday 14th March at 7pm.
Lent resources
During Lent, the diocese will be sharing a range of resources to accompany people in prayer over the coming weeks. The resources have been created to support our journey throughout this Year of Prayer, as we prepare for the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee in 2025. Resources can be accessed via the diocesan social media channels or by visiting the website at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/lent-2024-rediscovering-prayer/
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
The next session is Wednesday 28th February from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better.
Hail Holy Queen
At the weekend Masses during Lent, when we conclude the bidding prayers and ask for the intercession of Our Lady, we'll pray the Hail Holy Queen. For those who make have forgotten the prayer or just need their memories refreshing below are the beautiful words:
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows
O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in our Centenary Year
Bookings are now being taken for this year's diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, marking our centenary year. The pilgrimage, led by Bishop John Arnold, will take place between 26th July and 1st August. Find out more and book online at https://www.salfordlourdes.co.uk/travel-accommodation
Diocese of Salford's Annual Pilgrimage to Walsingham
There are still places available for this year's diocesan pilgrimage to Walsingham, taking place on Saturday 4th May, for both overnight and day options. We welcome applications for individuals and groups and would be interested in hearing from anyone who would like to volunteer. Please fill out a booking form, available at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/walsingham-2024 or you can get in touch by calling 0161 817 2214 or emailing walsingham@pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
The next warm welcome is on Tuesday 27th February from 1pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone is welcome! We have some talented parishioners who dispel the winter 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.
Sacred Heart School
On Thursday I was invited by Mrs Harling to talk to the Year 1 children about the Sacrament of Baptism and the many blessing it brings us from the gift of eternal life to becoming part of God's family, the Church. The children chose Rosie, the toy rabbit, to baptize and see what words and symbols are used in the celebration of the sacrament. Let's pray that more parents are moved to bring their children forward for baptism and commit to the promises they make to raise them in the faith and practice of the Church.
St. Mary's School
On Wednesday morning the children came to church for the celebration of Mass. The readings and prayers reminded us of the importance of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. All tools that lead us closer to Jesus, the light of the world. Mrs Wolstenholme brought the school's Paschal Candle to bless in readiness for Easter. It's the flame from the Paschal that points to Our Lord's Resurrection and the light that draws us through the Lenten season in hope and expectation.
St. Oswald's School
On Wednesday afternoon I was invited by Miss Barlow to talk to her class about the Eucharist. We looked at the feast of Passover that the people of God celebrated for centuries in thanksgiving for their liberation from slavery in Egypt. How Jesus at the Last Supper revealed to his disciples that he was going to complete and fulfill this celebration by being the lamb of God whose death would free God's people from the slavery of sin and bring them to the promised land – the Kingdom of Heaven. We looked at chapter 6 in John's Gospel, the Missal and the Eucharistic prayers used at the Sacrifice of the Mass and saw that they all point to Jesus teaching us that bread and wine, through transubstantiation, do become the real Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Let's prat that more families support our young people to come to Mass and receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
Stations of the Cross at the Laudato Si' Centre
The Laudato Si' Centre - Wardley Hall Lane, Worsley - will be hosting a special Stations of the Cross this Lent. The Stations of the Cross will take place on Saturday 16th March in the beautiful setting of the Centre's woodland area. Specific times will be announced in due course.
Caritas Salford Appeal for Volunteers
Caritas Salford, our diocesan charity, is appealing for volunteers to support its work across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Even a few hours can have a huge impact on the lives of others locally. To find out more about the huge range of opportunities available - from gardening to van driving, supporting their services to becoming a Caritas parish rep or accessibility advocate - visit their website now: www.caritassalford.org.uk/volunteer
SJOG Homes for Ukraine
As an official provider of the government scheme, SJOG Homes for Ukraine acts as a matching, training, and support pathway for guests from Ukraine and hosts in the UK who are willing to provide much-needed support. Our programme operates collaboratively with the esteemed Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN). At SJOG Homes for Ukraine, we offer a range of services to ensure fulfilling experience for both guests and hosts. These services include matching, training for hosts and guests, transportation assistance, a Welcome Box for Ukrainian guests upon arrival, and support during the placement. More information on the project can be found at the following links
Website: https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk
E-mail: homesforukraine@sjog.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/sjoghomesforukraine
YouTube: youtube.com/@sjoghomesforukraine
Job Vacancies
Communications Assistant (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full-time, 12 month fixed term
Working hours: 35 hours per week, some evenings and weekends required
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £22,672 - £24,343
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