Sunday 13th October 2024
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the coming week...
Friday 11th October
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Saturday 12th October
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Wilfrid, Bishop (Memoria) (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
St. Wilfrid was born in Northumbria 634 A.D. and died in 709 A.D. As Bishop of York he was the first English bishop to appeal to the Pope. Although reinstated in York, he fell out again with the King and other bishops, and ministered in the East Midlands and finally at Hexham.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Sunday 13th October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Tuesday 15th October
1pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (Details below)
Friday 18th October
1pm Requiem Mass for Tony Kaye RIP
Saturday 19th October
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Sunday 20th October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Seventh Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (12th October - 19th October), the Sanctuary Lamp is for the Doherty Family.
Last Week's Easter Offertory Collection
£543.81. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales: Oppose Assisted Suicide
We are calling on Catholics in England and Wales to unite in prayer and compassionate action to oppose assisted suicide. In early September 2024, when parliament returned and a Bill on assisted suicide – so-called assisted dying – started its passage through the House of Lords, our Lead Bishop for Life Issues, Bishop John Sherrington, called for Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action. That call is renewed now as on Wednesday, 16 October, the House of Commons will hear the first reading of a new bill on assisted suicide tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. This is another attempt to legalise assisted suicide and we need you to contact your MP to voice your opposition.
Act Now! Contact your MP
The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to do this. It takes little more than a few minutes to input your postcode, make sure the suggested text suits your viewpoint and submit your message to ask your MP to stop assisted suicide being rushed into law. https://righttolife.org.uk/ASthreat
Pray
We are a praying Christian community and, as Bishop Sherrington says, the legalisation of assisted suicide undermines the sanctity and dignity of human life. "The Catholic Church accompanies those suffering and nearing the end of their lives with hope and affection, but also reminds them that their life is precious until the very last breath," he says. "In preparation for these challenging debates, let us offer our prayers for those facing the end of their lives, that they may receive the care and support they need to live their final days with respect for their dignity."Let us also pray for our politicians and our country that wisdom and compassion may guide their decisions. I also urge all Catholics to become better informed about the serious problems associated with the legalisation of assisted suicide.
For more information and resources please see the bishops conference website:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/
Thank You
My thanks to Fr. Samson Ojekunle for celebrating the weekend Masses while I enjoyed my holiday and to Fr. Francis Wadsworth who was available for any pastoral emergencies. Fr. Samson said he found our parish family to be a very uplifting and vibrant community. It's always good to hear how others recognise the joy of the Gospel when they visit St. Mary's.
Healing Ministry Course
In the coming week I'll be on a healing ministry training course for priests with Bishop Scott McCaig CC. The course is designed to help equip priests guide people into the healing transformation that Christ offers. As always I ask for your prayers for myself and all the priests on the course this week.
Parish Social at Franco's
Thanks to Tony Alveston for facilitating our next parish social which will a meal at Franco's on Sunday 27th October, 12:30pm for 1pm. The cost is £20 pp and people can sign up on the list by the stewards desk. Tony is also appealing for any prizes to put into a mini raffle on the day. If you could donate a prize please see him or one of the stewards at Mass.
Annual Mass Count
The Bishop's Office has emailed to remind us the that Annual Mass Count is to take place over these next four weekends: 21st-22nd September, 28th-30th September, 5th -6th October, 12th-13th October. The numbers of people who come to Mass over these weekends for the Vigil (6:30pm) & Sunday (10am) Masses will be recorded and sent to the Bishop.
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
The next warm welcome is on Tuesday 15th October from 1pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone is welcome! We have some talented parishioners who will dispel the coming 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.
A Day in Africa
The Salford Cathedral African Mass Community invites everyone to a lively fundraiser showcasing Africa's vibrant culture – music, food, stories and more! Taking place at Salford Cathedral Temporary Church on 19th October at 12.30pm. Find out more and register at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/a-day-in-africa-fundraiser
Sacramental Preparation for Young People
If there are any young people, ages 7+. who are baptised Roman Catholics, live in the parish boundaries and would like to begin preparing to receive God's mercy in the Sacrament of Confession and His love in First Holy Communion, then please see Fr. O'Brien at the end of the Mass you usually come to.
Confirmation Preparation
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 Fr. O'Brien.
Young Adults Mass
Young adults across the diocese are once again invited to join our next Diocesan Mass for Young Adults. The Mass will take place at 5.30pm on Sunday 13 October at St Augustine's, Manchester. Mass will be followed by a social and the next instalment of our fascinating series of talks on Catholic apologetics by delving into the world of G K Chesterton's Orthodoxy.
Sacred Heart School
On Tuesday I was invited into school for the official Reception Children's Welcome. This is a beautiful liturgy where the children and their families gather together in prayer. Each child was presented with a mini Sacred Heart to take home as a reminder of Jesus' love for them and their responsibility to share His love with others both at school and home.
After the liturgy I was able to talk to the rest of the school about St. Catherine Labouré and Our Lady commissioning her to promote the Miraculous Medal. The medal is not some magic token but a sacramental, a visual presentation of Our Faith revealed through Our Lord's Cross and the gift of His Mother to us all. The school provided a Medal for each of the children that I blessed.
The School is very proud this year to announce the following:
Every Day is an Open Day
Come and visit our amazing school
"Pupils know the importance of treating everyone with tolerance, dignity and respect." - Ofsted
"Staff have been trained well so that they can deliver the curriculum effectively" - Ofsted
"It is pleasing to see that the school promotes a love of reading right through from nursery to Year 6, that pupils are able to read words with increasing confidence and fluency, and talked excitedly about the different authors and books that they read." - Edwina Grant OBE
"An effective curriculum which allows pupils to gain a better understanding of life in modern Britain." - Ofsted
Please call the school office to arrange a visit at your convenience
"Let the Love of Christ show in all that we do."
Contact us 01254 233382 bursar@sacredheart-church.lanc.sch.uk
Bradshaw Row, Church, Accrington, BB5 4HG
St. Mary's School
On Monday morning I was invited into school to talk both to the infants and juniors about the Miraculous Medal. As well as the design of the medal I shared with the children about the lives that had been affected by the graces that God has bestowed upon it. From the conversion of the cynical Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne in the 19th century to Claude Newman in a US prison cell in the 20th century. I brought Medals from church to distribute to each child that had been blessed.
On Wednesday the school held it's Gardeners and Seeds Liturgy where I was invited to give a blessing upon all the new reception children as they begin their journey over the next few years through the school.
St. Oswald's School
On Tuesday afternoon I spoke to both infants and juniors about the Miraculous Medal. I explained that we have books that teach us many things through words and calculations but the Miraculous Medal, given by Our Lady, teaches us about the Faith through all the symbols depicted on it. Every boy and girl received a Medal to wear and grow closer to Jesus and Our Lady.
Gregorian Chant Workshop for Singers
A popular choral workshop is returning to St Augustine's in Manchester with a particular focus on Our Lady. The event, led by Manchester University lecturer Dr Rosemarie Darby, will take place on Saturday 26th October between 11.30am and 4pm at St Augustine's church, Manchester. It is of particular interest to parish choirs who wish to expand their repertoire of Marian music. No prior experience is required but registration is essential by emailing stphilipnerisingers@yahoo.co.uk
Caritas Homelessness report
Our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford, is running a campaign in the coming weeks and months to shine a spotlight on issues around the increasing number of individuals and families who are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. There are lots of really simple ways you can get involved to help in your area - please take a look at their website and help if you can: www.caritassalford.org.uk/endhomelessness
Ecological Rosary at Laudato Si' Centre
The Diocese of Salford's Laudato Si' Centre invites you to join the team for a peaceful hour of prayer and reflection this month. To celebrate the month of the Rosary, the team will be praying the Rosary, with ecological reflections, on Friday 18 October from 1.30pm. Please email laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk to find out more and register your attendance.
Job Vacancies
Senior Trust Fundraiser - Diocese of Salford (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri
Location: Cathedral Centre 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £36,338 - £40,289
Find out more and apply at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies
Communications Team Administrator - Diocese of Salford (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 28 or 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri. Some evenings and weekends required.
Location: Cathedral Centre 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £23,407 per annum (pro rata for part-time employees)
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
