Wednesday 25th
August 2020
Blessed Dominic Barberi
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Recently I’ve been reading about giant sequoias. These trees
are usually found in California, they have a life span of between 1,800 to
2,700 years and they can reach incredible heights! A Victorian Scottish
naturalist called John Muir was so taken back by these ancient trees that he
began a conservation campaign to preserve them from the mass destruction they
were facing by the logging industry. After Muir, the sequoias new defender was
the American Forest Commission who tirelessly worked not only to preserve these
trees from being needlessly felled but also to protect them from wild fires.
Forest fires were seen as a major threat to the future of the giant sequoias,
however, after further study and research it became apparent that though fire
could be the enemy of the sequoia it could also be it’s friend. The sequoia was
not as fragile and delicate as first thought.
It’s bark is fire resistant and can withstand high temperatures unlike
other so called ‘hardy’ trees and shrubs around it. The heat generated
from natural fires allows the cones of the sequoias to open up and hence
continue their life productive cycle ensuring the future of the species.
The image of the giant sequoia could be applied to our own
lives of faith. That seed first planted within our souls by God the Father has
been nurtured by the Holy Spirit, watered and tended by Christ the Son in the
Sacraments and fostered by our families and the Church. Our ancient Faith has
faced Schisms, survived reformations, confronted persecutions and now it
engages with the latest challenge, Covid-19! As the sequoia does not burn and
turn to ash because of the unpredictable wildfire so our faith remains strong
and ever life giving despite the environment around it. As Our Lord said:
‘I tell you
solemnly, if your faith were the size of a mustard seed you could say to this
mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it would move; nothing would be
impossible for you.’ (Mt 17:20)
At St. Mary’s, over these last two months, it is quite
apparent that our family does have faith that can move mountains and is not
daunted. We are not a business or a corporate body but a family who, from our
own resources and time, have re-opened up our church. On behalf of the parish,
I again would like to thank all those who have come forward and given their
time and services to cleaning, gardening, stewarding, befriending isolated parishioners,
assisting with the shopping of vulnerable members of our parish family as well
as facilitating both online and telephone bookings.
THANK YOU FROM ALL OF
US AT ST. MARY’S FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!
If you would like to come forward and volunteer then please
contact the following:
Karen Beard, the parish housekeeper who is overseeing the
weekly cleaning at St. Mary’s:
jakey9998@aol.com
Navada Keenan, who helps to facilitate volunteers for the
church grounds and gardens: keenannavada@gmail.com
And Jennifer Pickles, who helps to organise volunteer
stewards so that the church can be open:
jennifer.pickles@virginmedia.com
Many hands make light work!
The Bishop rang recently and was very impressed by what our
parish has been able to achieve. As many of you will know there are still
churches in the diocese that have not even opened for private prayer let alone
Mass! During the phone conversation the Bishop asked that we continue to be
safe and cautious in what we are doing, adhere to diocesan policies and be
sensible in what we can practically and safely do. He also reminded me that I
was to have some time off from the parish before September and so it has been
agreed that I will do this next week. I have included a two-week timetable for
the times church will be open for prayer and Mass.
Future Masses at St. Mary’s
Though any form of booking for attending the Holy Sacrifice
of the Mass, whether online or by telephone, is never ideal you the
parishioners have made it work by organising and using it. The result of this
is that there will be an increase in opportunities for coming to Mass starting
in September. However, it must be stressed that people will be sadly turned
away if they do not book. Please
remember that we are only allowed 30 people at our church. The Bishop has
stated that the Sunday obligation is still on hold for Roman Catholics in the
diocese of Salford and people are encouraged to attend a weekday Mass if they
can as the numbers for weekend Masses will be limited. You can book with Ursula
over the telephone on Wednesdays and Fridays between 5pm -6pm calling 232 433
or alternatively visit the parish website www.saintmarysoswaldtwistle.co.uk
and book online.
Requiem Masses
From 9th September 2020 Requiem Masses will be
allowed at St. Mary’s but only on a Wednesday or Thursday at 10am where they
can be stewarded. Mgr John Daly, the Vicar General facilitating the diocesan
response to the Covid-19 pandemic, has emailed the clergy to say:
‘Re requiems/funerals, I have been asked to clarify by
a number of priests what the rules are. Basically, no more than 30 people can
be present (this includes stewards), no singing and no incense. If holy water
is to be used it should be freshly blessed and not sprinkled on people (so wait
until pall-bearers have moved away) and no symbols should placed on the coffin.
If a requiem, then the number is still limited to 30 and “family bubbles” do
not apply, you can’t increase the numbers present. This is because family
gatherings are still seen as one of the main areas of the virus spreading.
There are also to be no concelebrations.’
Parishioners can still opt for having a funeral service at
the graveside or crematorium and then a Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s at a later
stage when singing and an increase in congregation capacity is allowed. From
September only 25 mourners will be allowed to attend a Requiem Mass at St.
Mary’s (four stewards and a priest brings the total to 30). People will not be
allowed to congregate outside on church property even if they do socially
distance.
Parish Feast
This time last year we were preparing for that successful
weekend in honour of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle.
From the Friday evening Rosary Retreat to the procession of Our Lady’s
statue around church and then finally the BBQ on the Sunday afternoon - it was
a real wonderful and joyous weekend. The 8th September, Our Lady’s
birthday and the date which St. Mary’s was finally consecrated, is coming up
soon. Though the celebrations will be different this year we should still mark
this special parish Feast. On Tuesday 8th September there will be
two Masses 10am and 6pm so that parishioners have opportunity to honour Our
Lady and receive her Son, Our Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament.
Like the ancient Californian sequoia our Catholic faith in
Oswaldtwistle continues to stand firm against adversity. Let’s continue to pray
for each other, support each other and look out for each other.
God Bless and keep praying
Fr. O’Brien