Sunday 10th March 2024
Laetare Sunday
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
There is but one and only one,
Whose love will fail you never.
One who lives from sun to sun,
With constant fond endeavor.
There is but one and only one
On earth there is no other.
In heaven a noble work was done
When God gave us a Mother.
- Author Unknown
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Friday 8th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
6pm Mass, Lent Weekday
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 9th 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 Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
Sunday 10th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
Tuesday 12th March
1pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (see below for details)
Wednesday 13th March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Lent Weekday
7pm – 8pm Parish Bible Study Group (see below for details)
Thursday 14th March
1:30pm Requiem Mass for Patrick 'Paddy' Gallagher RIP
7pm Deanery Station Mass at Sacred Heart, Queen Street, Colne (see below for details)
Friday 15th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
6pm Mass, Lent Weekday
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 16th 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 Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sunday 17th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (9th March - 16th March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Richard & Gertrude Henry.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£682.90. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee 2025
Pope Francis has announced that 2025 will be a Year of Jubilee – an event that happens every 25 years. The theme for the upcoming Jubilee is "Pilgrims of Hope". To find out more about the Jubilee and this preparatory Year of Prayer, please visit https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/jubilee-2025/
Our Lady, Door of Mercy Prayer Cards
Please feel free to take home with you the Our Lady, Door of Mercy prayer cards from the back of church. They have been produced by Caritas and SJOG to continue to raise awareness about the war in Ukraine and the devastating impact it is having on peoples lives. On the back of the card is a prayer for the Ukraine.
Knitted Easter Chicks
Lynne Pilkington and a team of talented individuals have once again been very generous with their time and skills to knit Easter chicks, each ready to lay a chocolate egg, Easter Bunnies and Easter Lambs. They will be available to buy at the back of church for £2 each, all monies going towards the church building costs.
Parish Easter Egg Raffle
We are hoping to begin our Parish Easter Raffle this weekend and it would be great if parishioners could donate only Easter eggs as prizes. If you are able to kindly donate an Easter egg, then please pass them to one of the stewards at the back of church. Tickets will be available from the weekend of 9th/10th March (£1 a ticket or £5 a strip).
Easter Flowers
As you know our church is beautifully decorated each Easter, and throughout the year, in part by the gifts and talents of Maureen and the team but also in part to the kind donations of parishioners. There has been a significant increase to the cost of flowers so if people would like to donate money for flowers in general during the Easter season then please put your donation in an envelope marked 'Flower Money'. Thank you.
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)
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/
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
The last warm welcome of the season will be on Tuesday 12th March 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.
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
The next session is Wednesday 13th March from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better.
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. Oswald's School
On Wednesday morning Years 3 & 4 joined us for our morning parish Mass. In the Gospel Jesus spoke about coming to fulfill the Law and not abolish it. He was teaching his disciples the importance of the interior life. To murder, an outward action of taking another persons life is wrong, but says Jesus, if you have bitterness and resentment in your heart towards another then that is also going against God's Law, His Law of love and mercy. Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are all meant to have an impact on our interior lives and help bring us closer to knowing the Lord.
St. Mary's School
Mrs Wolfenden brought a number of Year 6 pupils to church on Wednesday afternoon to learn more about the Stations of the Cross. It's always a blessing to be able to pass on to others, especially our young people, the concrete love Our Lord showed us in His Passion.
'We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.'
Hebrews 4:15
'He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.'
1 Peter 2:24
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
Bishop John's message for Caritas Salford campaign - Why Every Step Matters
Bishop John Arnold has recorded a special video message about Caritas Salford's 2024 campaign, which is asking us to do something this year that pushes us out of our comfort zone. You can watch the video and find out more about how you can take on a challenge to support people in your local community here: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/bishop-john-every-step/
Caritas Diocese of Salford Fundraiser
Clergy band The Mercy Brothers will be heading to Bolton for a special St Patrick's Day fundraiser. The band will be joining forces with the parish folk group from St Cuthbert's for a fun-filled evening of music making to raise money for Caritas Diocese of Salford. The concert will take place on Friday 15th March, 7pm, at Thornleigh Salesian College. Tickets are £12 each (food will be included) and are available by emailing office@stcuthberts.org.uk
John Stainer's The Crucifixion
A special performance of John Stainer's The Crucifixion is heading to St Patrick's Church in Collyhurst this Lent. Taking place on Saturday 23 March at 4pm, this poignant piece will be performed by Salford Cathedral Choir, Salford Cathedral Girls' Choir and the Cambiata Boys' Choir. All are welcome to attend.
Job Vacancies
Deputy Director for Schools' Systems - The Diocese of Salford (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full time, permanent
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, Mon - Fri, some flexibility in working patterns sometimes required
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £62,000 - £82,000 per annum, depending on current salary/experience
Find out more and apply at https://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