Sunday 12th September 2021
Twenty Fourth Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Dear brothers and sisters,
You will notice that the opportunities for prayer
in St. Mary’s is continuing to expand with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
returning this week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
What is Adoration?
Adoration is quite simply adoring and worshipping
Jesus in the Holy Eucharist outside of Mass.
The Eucharistic Host is displayed in a monstrance
on the altar so that all can see and pray in the presence of Christ. Again we
constantly need to remind ourselves that the Host contained in the monstrance
is not symbolic but the actual Real Presence of Jesus Christ our Risen Lord.
When we come to Adoration we physically find ourselves before Christ Himself.
The picture below shows a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament on an Altar
during a period of Adoration.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that, “Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Saviour who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory,” respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.” (CCC 2628)
What Do I Do During Eucharistic Adoration?
A practical aspect would be that we should always
genuflect when we see the Lord in the Host. Many people genuflect on both knees
in devotion and reverence acknowledging that they are in the presence of God
Himself. We should always have an attitude of respect, and if others are
present, silence. Kneeling, sitting and standing before the Blessed Sacrament
are all appropriate forms of prayer. But most importantly we should just ‘Be’.
We can just sit there and look at Jesus. Take the time to be with Him. This is
personal time with Christ. No need to say or do anything but just ‘Be’. Just
‘Be’ with Him as you would a spouse, friend, somebody you love and care about.
How long is Adoration?
Adoration is timetabled at St. Mary’s for 50
minutes on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. You do not need to be present for
the full 50 minutes. It could be that practically you are only able to be at
Adoration for 15mins or 30mins. Sometimes, as is often the way, people feel
quite content and stay for the full period of Adoration before Our Lord in the
Blessed Sacrament. There is no hard and fast rule. Just by being present before
Our Lord allows time for prayer, healing and creates a space where He can talk
to us and we can listen.
What do the Saints say about Adoration?
“Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to him, ‘Lord, I am here. Tell me what you would have me to do’ . . . And then, I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen. If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen. God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply.” – St. Catherine Labouré
“The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will help bring about an everlasting peace on earth.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
Know also that you will probably gain more by praying fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament than by all the other spiritual exercises of the day. True, Our Lord hears our prayers anywhere, for He has made the promise, ‘Ask, and you shall receive,’ but He has revealed to His servants that those who visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament will obtain a more abundant measure of grace.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori.
Brothers and sisters I invite you to come to Adoration. It may be a whole new way of praying for you, it may have been part of your regular prayer practice before Covid, you may be unsure and reluctant about it all, you may be wanting to explore your relationship with Jesus more or simply experience God’s presence in a very real and tangible way. Whatever you are thinking, where ever you are on your spiritual journey come to Adoration. Begin the weekend by spending half an hour or so on a Friday evening or Saturday morning with Him. Take time out on a Tuesday to ask Him for the grace to get through the ups and downs of work and family life. Cry with Him, laugh with Him, share you worries and frustrations with Him, be silent with Him, listen to Him but whatever you do come, come and Be with Him.
Tuesday 14th
September
5pm -5:50pm Adoration of
the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Feast of The
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320 A.D under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 A.D of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion. However the feast, more than anything else, is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: his salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to Heaven opened.
Wednesday 15th
September
10am Mass, Our Lady of Sorrows (Memoria)
‘If you want to assist
at Mass, with devotion and with fruit,
think of the sorrowful Mother at the feet of Calvary.’ St Padre Pio
Thursday 16th
September
10am Mass, Saint
Cornelius, Pope & Saint Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs (Memoria)
Ss Cornelius & Cyprian both lived in a time of turbulence in the Church. They were at the forefront of the debate on reconciling those who had denied the faith under persecution. Together they struck a middle course and guided the Church onward by writing and preaching. Cornelius died in exile in 253 A.D; Cyprian was martyred in 258 A.D.
Friday 17th
September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Saturday 18th September
9am – 9:50am Exposition
of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Votive Mass for Our
Lady (Celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
‘Behold, I am the
handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.’ Luke
1:38
6:30pmVigil Mass for The Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 19th
September
10am Mass for The Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Following guidance from the diocese, we are still strongly encouraged to wear face masks in church and continue with the NHS Test & Trace system. Thank you for continuing to make St. Mary’s a safe and prayerful place for the Glory of God.
Parish Feast – Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle
Thank you to all those who were involved in making last Wednesday such a prayerful and joyful evening. From music to flowers, from praying to processing – Thank You. I’m always moved when we gather round the grotto with torches and sing ‘Ave Ave Ave Maria’. Its during those moments you know that Our Lady is very near and most definitely praying for us all. Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
12th September: Education Sunday.
Prayers for schools and places of education
Over the last week or so schools and colleges have restarted after a difficult 18 months. We pray that God will fortify those working to make schools places of learning and sanctuary – not just teachers and leaders but all the support staff whose tireless work sometimes goes unnoticed. We pray for all our primary and secondary pupils – particularly school leavers who have had such a difficult journey in recent times – not to mention students in higher education and vocational training.
The Holy Mass in Spanish
Invitation to Spanish Mass:
Salford Cathedral, 250 Chapel Street, M3 5LE.
Every third Sunday of each month at 2pm
Next mass on Sunday 19th September 2021.
All are welcome to join. Refreshments will be
served after Mass for sharing.
Information: salfordcathedralenespanolmisa@gmail.com / Mobile: 07475468128
Invitacion a Misa en Español
Catedral de Salford, 250 Chapel Street, M3 5LE
Todos los terceros Domingos de cada mes a las 2pm.
Próxima misa: Domingo 19 de Septiembre 2021.
Todos están bienvenidos a la Misa, Refrigerio
compartir siempre al final de la Misa.
Información: salfordcathedralenespanolmisa@gmail.com / Mobil: 07475468128
Readers and Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion
Thank you to all those who have emailed, written and telephoned to continue to volunteer their time and services as Readers and Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. You’ll be contacted in the next few weeks by Jonathan Berry and Liz Burton who have kindly offered to facilitate these areas of parish life. I think it’s also important that words of appreciation are said to those who are unable to continue because of changes caused by the pandemic which has affected so many peoples routines, families and personal lives. Thank you for what you have done.
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.”
Diocese of Salford Vacancies
Chancery & Tribunal Administrator (replacement
role):
Appointment type: Permanent, full-time (35 hours
per week. 30 hours per week will also be considered).
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford,
M3 6DP
Salary: £22,000 - £24,0000 per annum.
Chancery & Tribunal Assistant (replacement
role):
Appointment type: Permanent, full or part-time. We
can be flexible in how we fill this role and are open to applicants interested
in applying for a full-time (35 hours per week) role, or part-time position
(please visit the website for further details).
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford,
M3 6DP
Salary: £20,000 - £22,0000 per annum.
For further information and to apply, please visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Reopening of Salford Cathedral Centre Facilities
We are delighted to announce that Cathedral Centre Books has now reopened. The shop is open 8.30am - 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Orders can be also placed via the shop website or over the phone on 0161 817 2208. The Cathedral Centre Café has also reopened and is open to the public 8.30am - 1.30pm Monday to Friday.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O’Brien