Sunday 19th January 2025
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Two Weeks...
Friday 17th January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Anthony, Abbot (Memoria)
St. Anthony, inspired by the words of Jesus which he heard proclaimed in the Gospel at Mass, retired to the Egyptian desert at the age of twenty. He attracted many to the monastic life, dying in the year 356.
Saturday 18th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Sunday 19th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Tuesday 21st January
1pm – 3pm Warm Welcome (see below for details)
Saturday 25th January
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Sunday 26th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Tuesday 28th January
10am Requiem Mass for Kathleen May Westwell RIP
6pm Reception of the Body of Terrence 'Terry' Coogan RIP
followed by the Holy Rosary
Wednesday 29th January 2025
10am Requiem Mass for Terence 'Terry' Coogan RIP
1:40pm Funeral Service for Dorothy Dady RIP at Accrington Crematorium
Thursday 30th January
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Weekday Mass (Feria)
Friday 31st January
10:45am Requiem Mass for Margaret Hicks RIP
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint John Bosco, Priest (Memoria)
St. John Bosco, born in 1815 in the north of Italy, dedicated his priestly ministry to working with young people, especially street children whom he encountered in Turin. He established the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, to assist in this work. He died in 1888.
Saturday 1st February
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Presentation of the Lord
Sunday 2nd February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of The Presentation of the Lord
Monday 3rd February
6pm Reception of the Body of Muriel Conway RIP
Followed by the Holy Rosary
Tuesday 4th February
10am Requiem Mass for Muriel Conway RIP
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 5th February
10am Requiem Mass for Mary Wilson RIP
7pm Parish Bible Study (See below for details)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (18th January – 25th January), the Sanctuary Lamp is in Thanksgiving. The following week (25th January – 1st February) it will be lit for Jean Dwyer RIP.
Our Lady's Lamp
This week (18th January – 25th January), Our Lady's Lamp is for Frank Batt & Patrick Nolan. The following week, (25th January – 1st February) it will be lit for Kathleen Bateson RIP.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£497.03. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Card Machine Income
The following amounts are the income totals each month from the electronic card machine at the back of church.
October 2024 £137.74
November 2024 £81.66
December 2024 £367.96
January 2025 £214.50
Parish Donations
Many people have asked can they donate monies towards the parish via Direct Debit and if so what is the name of the parish account: SRCDTR ST MARY OSWALDTWISTLE.
Thank you for your continued support.
Thanksgiving Jacob's Join for All Parish Volunteers
The turn-out last Sunday afternoon was fantastic. It was so good and edifying to see the large number of volunteers, of all ages, we have in the parish!!! After listening to Jesus' words from Matthews Gospel - 'Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you did unto me' – there was a prayer of thanksgiving and a blessing for all those present. The Jacob's Join was very impressive! Thank you again to all those who generously give of their time and share their gifts to keep our parish a witness and space where others can hear and feel God's Presence.
Volunteering at St. Mary's
The roles below are just a sample of the many areas of our parish life where help is needed. All volunteers are required to undertake the Salford Diocesan Safe Recruitment process and some roles will need a DBS that the Parish Safeguarding Representative and Department will facilitate. St. Mary's is a parish family that strongly promotes a culture of safeguarding that enables all to feel safe.
Steward
During the Covid Pandemic the ministry of Steward emerged in the majority of our diocesan parishes. Volunteers were essential enabling our churches to re-open and be accessible and safe places of worship and prayer. The role of Steward continues to be crucial in the post pandemic life of our parish. They undertake tasks such as opening church for Masses, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. The Stewards are the first people visitors meet when they come to St. Mary's and so a warm, welcoming and friendly disposition is important. Stewards never work alone and are part of a team, so nobody ever feels overburdened. If you would like to become a Steward or would like more information, please contact Jennifer Pickles after Sunday Mass or email her at Jennifer.pickles@virginmedia.com
Sacristan
A Sacristan helps set up the sanctuary for the celebration of the Holy Mass. They are responsible for preparing the Chalice and Paten, the gifts and any other items the priest will need for Mass or other liturgies. It would be helpful to have Sacristans for Saturday Vigil Mass and the other weekdays. If you would like to know more about becoming a Sacristan, please see Fr. O'Brien or Anthony Watson who is our Sunday Sacristan. stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Church Cleaners
We are blessed to have a dedicated team of volunteers who each Tuesday clean church making it a pleasant space to pray, worship and spend time. The cleaning works on a rota basis. The more volunteers the less demanding the rota is on individuals. If you would like to help, please contact the parish housekeeper, Karen Beard, at jakey9998@aol.com
Altar Server Co-ordinators
We have a good number of young people who enjoy Altar Serving each week as a way of expressing their faith and devotion to God. An Altar Server Co-ordinator is a volunteer role that helps facilitate activities, trips and events for our young people. Having a Co-ordinator in the sacristy before Mass to help with 'finding the right size Alb' would be appreciated as well as some volunteers to help wash the Albs throughout the year. If you would like to volunteer in this area, please contact Fr. O'Brien
Garden and Grounds Team
We have a faithful team who volunteer, usually on a Wednesday, to help maintain the parish grounds and gardens. Not only do they enhance the aesthetics of our church but also their work is very practical in keeping the paths and car park accessible. This is such an essential area especially in winter with ice and frost. If you would like to give time to help us please contact Navada Keenan keenannavada@gmail.com
Prayer Visitors/Companion
We have many people within our community who are unable to come to Sunday Mass because of illness and disability. Though they have sacramental visits from Fr. O'Brien and the parish Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, they would appreciate someone else to spend time and pray with them. Many of our housebound parishioners are blessed with family and friends but sadly not always with people who share our Faith in the Lord. A parish visitor would be a volunteer role that would answer this spiritual need. Fr. O'Brien will be offering a preparation session and guidance for all those who would like to become a Prayer/Companion. stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Catechists
A Catechist is someone who feels called to serve God and the parish community by passing on something more precious than silver or gold – The Faith! One of the great joys I have as a priest is passing on the Good News of Jesus Christ and accompanying a young person on their spiritual journey. The Lord does not want people with degrees from the Vatican University or professional theological qualifications in this or that. No. He wants people who believe and practice. If this describes you - believing and practicing - and you would like to know more about being a catechist then please do contact Fr. O'Brien or Aimee Thomas stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Caritas Sunday
Did you know that on Sunday 26th January, we will be marking Caritas Sunday? This annual occasion is a great opportunity to celebrate work of our diocesan charity, Caritas Diocese of Salford. To find out more about the work of Caritas Salford and how you can get involved, please visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/campaign/caritas-sunday/. We invite you to keep our diocesan charity in your prayers over this coming week.
Caritas Collection
On the weekend (25th/26th January) Caritas have their diocesan mandatory collection. There will be a basket at the back of church, under the large crucifix, for anybody who wishes to donate monies to this charity. Caritas Salford Mission Statement: Our mission is to help those across the Diocese of Salford, experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination to transform their lives with dignity. We provide a practical response to those in crisis, suffering hardship or who are at risk. We rebuild lives for the long-term, enabling people to live in a safe, healthy and secure environment. We call for a better, more just world where the voices of the poor are heard and acted upon and positively influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect those in need.
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
The next warm welcome is on Tuesday 21st January from 1pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone is welcome for unlimited brews and fantastic cake in a warm space.
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ!" - St. Jerome
A strong statement from St. Jerome yet true! One of the simplest ways to come close to Our Lord, to know Him better, to discern His will for us is to pick up our bible yet this can be a daunting task. Where do we start? How are we meant to read this or understand that? This New Year there will be the opportunity for scripture study in the parish – open to everyone. No prior knowledge is expected, no biblical or theological training is needed. Simply bring yourself, your bible, and the desire to know God more. We will be journeying through the final chapters of St. John's Gospel that lead up to the Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection. The Parish Bible Study group normally meets every two weeks on a Wednesday from 7pm – 8pm. Even if you can only attend one session it's worth doing: The next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th February– Everyone is welcome.
Confirmation Classes
If there are any young parishioners, ages 12 +, who are baptised Roman Catholics, live in the parish boundaries and would like to know more about the Sacrament of Confirmation please see Aimee Martin (parish catechist) or Fr. O'Brien. Sessions will be starting in the next few weeks.
Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee
His Holiness, Pope Francis has declared that the year 2025 will be a Holy Year of Jubilee for the Catholic Church – an event that takes place once every 25 years. The theme for the 2025 Jubilee is "Pilgrims of Hope", an invitation to showcase the hope of our Christian faith to people right across the world at a time when there is so much suffering from the impact of war, poverty, climate change, and the lasting effects of the COVID pandemic. The Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee presents each one of us with an opportunity to reignite the flame of our faith in our own hearts and to share the light of that faith with those in darkness.
What is a Jubilee?
The concept of Jubilee is one rooted in the earliest days of Judeo-Christian tradition. In the Book of Leviticus, we read that the people of Israel celebrated this tradition every 50 years. Its purpose was to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. It involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates this tradition once every 25 years as a year of grace, offering the faithful the opportunity to renew faith through prayer, pilgrimage, acts of charity, and by asking for a plenary indulgence – a special grace that strengthens our wounded souls in the fight against sin.
Over the next few weeks there will be various resources available at church to help us engage with this Jubilee Year. Watch this Space!
Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
May the faith you have given us in
Your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
And the flame of charity enkindled
In our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
Reawaken in us the blessed hope
For the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us into
Tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within
Both humanity and the whole cosmos
In the sure expectation of a
New heaven and a new earth,
When, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
Your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
Reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
A yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
The joy and peace of our Redeemer
Throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
Be glory and praise for ever. Amen
Jubilee Resources
Want to learn more about our Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee? Want to find out how we're observing the Holy Year in our diocese? The Diocese of Salford's website has a range of information to accompany you this Jubilee Year, with information on our Designated Churches, upcoming pilgrimages, and a range of different resources. Explore more at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/jubilee-2025
New Pilgrims of Hope book launched
Monsignor John Allen has harnessed his love of the geography and history of our diocese, penning a very special book which is being sold in aid of Caritas Salford. The book, Pilgrims of Hope, has been published in time for the start of the 2025 Jubilee Year which is also focussed on the theme of Pilgrims of Hope, and is available to purchase by visiting the Caritas website: www.caritassalford.org.uk/pilgrimbook
Young Adults Pilgrimage to Rome
Young adults across the diocese are invited to join our Diocesan Youth Ministry Team for a rare pilgrimage to Rome this summer. Pope Francis has announced a special Jubilee for Youth in celebration of the 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee, which also coincides with the canonisation of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. To find out more about this remarkable opportunity and to register your interest, please visit https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/jubilee-of-youth-rome/
Accessible Prayer Walk
The Diocese of Salford's Laudato Si' Centre is teaming up with diocesan charity Caritas Salford to host an accessible prayer walk. The session offers an opportunity to explore the beautiful, accessible grounds of the Laudato Si' Centre along with a peaceful prayer reflection, taking place between 10 and 11.30am on Friday 31 January. Find out more and register by emailing laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Job Vacancies
Parish Administrator - St Mary and St John Fisher
Appointment Type: Part-time, permanent
Working Hours: 9 hours per week, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9.30am-12.30pm
Location: St Mary's Presbytery, Duke Street, Denton, M34 2AN
Salary: £12.60 per hour.
Find out more and apply at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies
Parish Administrator - Pope St John XXIII
Appointment Type: Part-time, permanent
Working Hours: 20 hours per week. Working pattern to be agreed with the Parish Priest.
Location: St Patrick's Presbytery, 2 Watts Street, Rochdale, OL12 0HE
Salary: £13.23 per hour
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
