Sunday 3rd March 2024
Third Sunday of Lent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
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
Tuesday 5th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass Lent Weekday
Wednesday 6th March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Lent Weekday
10:30am – 10:40am Devotions to Saint Joseph
(At the foot of the parish statue of St. Joseph, see below for more details)
Thursday 7th March
9am – 9:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saints Perpetua & Felicity, Martyrs (Commemoration)
Ss Perpetua & Felicity: These two martyrs died in Carthage in 203A.D, in the persecution under Septimus Severus; the account of their lives and martyrdom, partly written by the saints themselves and by eyewitnesses, survives.
7pm Mass Deanery Station Mass at St James the Less, Rawtenstall (see below for details)
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)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (2nd March - 9th March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Ken Le Pla RIP.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£681.33. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Deanery Lenten Station Masses: Thank You!!!
A BIG THANK YOU to all those who supported the Deanery Station Mass here last Thursday evening. We are so blessed at St. Mary's with peoples prayers, gifts and generous help. The church was full, the music and singing set the perfect tone and the refreshments were very much appreciated. Thank you again to everyone who contributed in so many ways. Many of the priests who came commented on the life and vitality of our parish. That is always good to hear.
The other Station Masses will be:
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.
Devotions to Saint Joseph
On Wednesday 6th March there will be the first Wednesday devotions to St. Joseph after the 10am Mass (at the foot of his statue at the back of church). The devotions will include praying the Litany of St. Joseph, the Memorare of St. Joseph and the Prayer of the Holy Cloak Novena. In these devotions our prayer is to ask St. Joseph to pray for our parish family and for those who have wandered away from the Church, that they may return and find a warm welcome.
Parish Easter Egg Raffle
We are hoping to begin our Parish Easter Raffle next 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
Each year (Christmas & Easter) we offer the opportunity for people to sponsor a flower display in church in prayer for a loved one who has died or for deceased family and friends. We are blessed to have Maureen and other volunteers who freely share their talents to make this happen so that the windows in church and the statues of St. Patrick, St. Joseph and St. Margaret Clitherow are beautifully decorated. If you would like to sponsor a display for £20 please see Maureen Mullen personally this year with your money (Maureen is usually available at church on Wednesday mornings, Friday mornings and Sunday mornings). 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.
Bishops Letter: Diocesan Finances and Fundraising
The Bishop has written to all the priests in the diocese concerning financial matters...
'There has been a lack of information and, indeed, some misinformation about various financial matters in the Diocese and it seems appropriate to write to you to clarify our current financial situation. This information may be useful for some parishioners who may have heard confusing and inaccurate reports...'
There are copies of the Bishop's letter at the back of church for all those who would like to read it.
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.
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
Sacred Heart School
On Wednesday morning Year 6 came to join us for our 10am parish Mass. The quiet and respectful atmosphere the children showed as they walked in to Adoration and continued throughout Mass was impeccable. We were reminded on Wednesday about St Oswald of York whose image appears on our sanctuary stain glass window. He would wash 12 beggars feet each day of Lent to humble himself in imitation of Our Lord and witness the importance of loving service to those around who were struggling.
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
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
Care for Creation: Commitments, Actions, and Participation
Bishop John has been invited to speak at an environment conference hosted by the Archdiocese of Liverpool and the Justice and Peace Commission this spring.
The event - taking place between 10am and 3.30pm on Saturday 9th March at St Patrick's Catholic Primary School in Wigan - aims to reflect on some of the biggest climate challenges our planet is facing and how our Catholic faith calls us to action. Find out more at https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/department/pastoral-development/environment
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.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien