Sunday 18th July 2021
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear brothers and sisters,
With the government lifting restrictions on 19th July many people are anxious and have genuine concerns. The Bishop has emailed the priests and religious of the diocese to be sensitive to peoples concerns and to take things very slowly.
"Almost the whole of the Diocese of Salford is in a high infection region and I am inclined to suggest that – having established very good practices in the use of our churches – that we change little for the time being. There would seem to be good sense in reducing the social distancing required in churches and the sanitising of the church after each service but the wearing of face-masks, hand sanitising, communion in the hand, and controlled movement of the congregation to communion would seem to remain very sensible measures with which we are all now very accustomed. I would personally feel doubtful about the benefits of any congregational/group singing even if face masks are being worn."
In obedience to the Bishop and recognising that we are in a high infection area, restrictions will be lifted at St. Mary's, slowly and safely. We are a parish family connected by our faith in Jesus Christ who taught us to love one another. It is His teaching of love that we will put into practice during the summer as we ease restrictions, making sure that everyone is looked after and feels comfortable.
At each of the Masses this weekend and into next week I will announce the practical stages of safely easing the restrictions that we have all lived with over the past year. Parishioners will still be strongly encouraged to wear masks and make use of the hand sanitizing stations around the church. As always thank you to those who have helped keep St. Mary's open and thank you to those who continue to make our parish church a safe place to worship God.
Masses for the Coming Week...
Wednesday 21st July, 10am Votive Mass of St. Joseph
'It is natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family of Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.' Pope Leo XIII
Thursday 22nd July, 10am Mass, Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
St. Mary Magdalene was one of Christ's disciples, present at his death. On Easter morning she was the first to whom the risen Redeemer appeared.
Friday 23rd July, 6pm Mass, Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden, Patron of Europe
St. Bridget was born in Sweden in 1303; after the death of her husband, with whom she had eight children. She founded the Bridgettine Order. She died in Rome in 1373.
Saturday 24th July, 6:30pm Vigil Mass for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 25th July, 10am Mass for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eco Thought of the Week, Sunday 18th July
In today's Gospel, Jesus took the apostles to a lonely place to rest for a while. Might we find time and space in these weeks to rest for a while and enjoy the beauty of God's gift of creation?
The Covid Vaccine
"Bishop John is urging all adults, who are able to do so, to be vaccinated. Pope Francis has reminded people of the duty to be vaccinated if they are able. The Church is clear that all Catholics can take any of the vaccines on offer with a clear conscience. Even if you are at a low risk of becoming seriously ill, being vaccinated will lower the risk of transmitting the virus to somebody else who might then have a severe reaction or even die. It is particularly important that those in our parishes, clergy and lay-people who visit those who are housebound or otherwise vulnerable are vaccinated."
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2021 – Sunday 25th July
The inaugural World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly falls on Sunday 25 July 2021, instituted by Pope Francis. it has been given the theme "I am with you always" from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 28: 30). Identifying with the more senior members of our society, the Holy Father says,
"The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone!"
PRAYER FOR THE FIRST WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY
I thank You, Lord,
for the comfort of Your presence:
even in times of loneliness,
You are my hope and my confidence,
You have been my rock and my fortress
since my youth!
I thank You for having given me a
family
and for having blessed me with a long
life.
I thank You for moments of joy and
difficulty,
for the dreams that have already come
true in my life and for
those that are still ahead of me.
I thank You for this time of renewed
fruitfulness to which You call me.
Increase, O Lord, my faith,
make me a channel of your peace,
teach me to embrace those who suffer
more than me,
to never stop dreaming
and to tell of your wonders to new
generations.
Protect and guide Pope Francis and the
Church,
that the light of the Gospel might
reach the ends of the earth.
Send Your Spirit, O Lord, to renew the
world,
that the storm of the pandemic might be
calmed,
the poor consoled and wars ended.
Sustain me in weakness
and help me to live life to the full
in each moment that You give me,
in the certainty that you are with me
every day,
even until the end of the age.
Amen.
Recruiting at the Cathedral Centre.
PA/Senior Administrator – COO Office.
The Diocese of Salford is seeking to recruit a suitability experienced individual to provide office management and oversight of the administration of the COO Office. This role will have responsibility for providing robust administrative and secretarial support to the COO and her team across all areas but particularly in relation to the IT, telephony, and Data Protection.
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday 26th July 2021.
Personal Assistant to the Vicars General and the Secretary to the Trustees.
The Diocese of Salford is seeking to recruit a suitability experienced individual to provide high quality administrative support to the Vicars General and the Secretary to the Trustees to enable them to fulfil their specific roles and wider responsibilities for the governance of the diocese. The role will require regular interaction with a wide and diverse range of individuals and the incumbent must understand that they are an ambassador for the Diocese in all their encounters.
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday 26th July 2021.
Receptionist
The Cathedral Centre is the office base for diocesan curial staff and houses the Cathedral Bookshop, Café, and conference rooms. A large number and wide variety of visitors, contractors and personnel come to the Cathedral Centre and the wider estate as a whole. The Cathedral House is adjacent to the Centre and houses some of our retired clergy.
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday 26th July 2021.
For more information and application packs, please visit the diocesan website. If you have any queries, questions can be sent to hr@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Christian Heritage Centre Event - Faith & Reason: A Catholic Integration
A short, residential summer course exploring the relationship of faith with philosophy, science and culture. Particularly helpful for catechists and teachers fielding commonly-asked questions around Catholicism, besides anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the Faith. Runs 5th – 8th August. For more info and registration, www.christianheritagecentre.com/events/faith-and-reason
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien