Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Tuesday 16th November
5pm -5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
'When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.' St Teresa of Calcutta
6pm Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 17th November
10am Mass, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Bishop (Memoria)
St. Hugh of Lincoln was born in France in 1140A.D and entered the Carthusian Order. He became bishop of Lincoln in 1185 A.D and was devoted to the pastoral care of his flock. He was a supporter of the oppressed, especially the Jewish community, for whom he risked his life.
Thursday 18th November
10am Mass, The Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss Peter & Paul, Apostles (Memoria)
From the 12th century the dedications of the Vatican Basilica and Basilica of St. Paul on the Via Ostiense have been kept on this day to honour the memories of the Princes of the Apostles.
Friday 19th November
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Parish Requiem Mass
The Requiem Mass will be offered up for all the names in the Holy Souls Box before the Altar.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
Saturday 20th November
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
'Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother, because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendour.' - St. Padre Pio
6:30pm Vigil Mass, Christ The King
Sunday 21st November
10am Mass, Christ the King
2pm Blessing of Graves, Dill Hall Cemetery
Following guidance from the diocese, we are still strongly encouraged to wear face masks in church Thank you for continuing to make St. Mary's a safe and prayerful place for the Glory of God.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (13th - 20th Nov) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer for Jim & Sadie Pickles.
All Souls Names
During the month of November we traditionally pray for all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. On All Souls Day (Tues 2nd Nov) there will be the usual Holy Souls Box placed in front of the Altar. You are invited to write down the names of loved ones who have died on a piece of paper, and place them in the Holy Souls Box. For those parishioners who still feel unsafe about coming to Mass you are more than welcome to post names to me at the presbytery and I'll pop them in the Holy Souls Box for you. I'll be offering a Requiem Mass for all those names in the box during November at a date to be confirmed.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
November Blessing of Graves
Before the Covid pandemic our parish, for the last two years, has joined St. Anne & St. Joseph's Accrington to bless the graves of deceased friends and family at Dill Hall and Accrington cemeteries. This year, Fr. Wadsworth, the new parish priest at Accrington has facilitated this event and invited our parish to join him.
On Sunday 14th November we will meet outside Accrington Crematorium at 2pm.
On Sunday 21st November we will meet at Dill Hall cemetery at 2pm.
Parish Requiem Mass
On Friday 19th November I will offer up the 6pm Mass for all those names who are in the Holy Souls Box at the foot of the Altar. Parishioners who come to the Requiem Mass will be invited, if they so wish, to take a candle (one per household) and light it, when directed, during the Mass for all their deceased friends and family. Please feel free to invite people you know who have gone through grief and loss and would benefit from the opportunity to be at church and have time to pray and reflect.
Remembrance Day Thanks
Just a note of thanks to those parishioners, staff and pupils from Sacred Heart, St. Mary's & St. Oswald's schools who came on Thursday to pray in front of the Pieta (Sacred Heart War Memorial) for all who have died in violent conflicts and wars throughout the world. Thank you to Anthony Flanagan and Michael Flanagan for singing Willie McBride, a poignant song that brought home the reality of war and it's cost for so many people.
The Oswaldtwistle Remembrance Service
The Oswaldtwistle Civic Remembrance Service will be held on Remembrance Sunday (14th November). The parade leaves at 2.10pm from Thwaites Street, behind the old Rosette's Direct building just off New Lane with the service due to commence at 2.30pm, at the Rhyddings St Cenotaph, of which there will be the minute silence and the laying of the wreaths.
Young Adults Mass and Social
Sunday 21st November 2021, 5.30pm
St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor St, Manchester, M15 6BW.
On Sunday 21st November, there will be a Mass for young adults at St Augustine's Church in Manchester for the Feast of Christ the King. The Mass will be followed by a social and all are welcome. For more information, email: SalfordYoungAdults@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
St. Oswald's School
On Friday I was invited by Yr 6 to share my vocation story with them and answer questions about the priesthood, from the ordination ceremony through to the promises a priest makes – obedience, celibacy and prayer. It's so important that as parents & grandparents, uncles & aunts, godparents and friends, we share our lives of faith with people to both encourage, edify and pass on the good news.
Congratulations!
On Tuesday (9th Nov) Adam Bamber, our parish seminarian, received the ministry of Acolyte at Oscott College. Bishop Mark Davies, in his homily, told the seminarians how a priest during the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019 put his life at risk. The priest went into the burning church not to save a rare statue or unique piece of artwork but to retrieve the Blessed Sacrament from the Tabernacle. The Bishop reminded the future priests that it is the Real Presence, Jesus Himself in the Holy Eucharist, who must be the source and summit of our lives, the treasure of our hearts. Let's continue to pray for Adam as he continues to discern God's call for him.
Volunteer Gardeners
Autumn is definitely here with the nights drawing in, temperatures getting cooler and leaves on the trees dropping. As always if there are any kind volunteers who would be prepared to help clear the church paths and grounds of leaves then please do get in contact with Navada at keenannavada@gmail.com
NIGHT FEVER!
Night Fever is the title given to a certain type of church event that has become quite popular in recent years. The title is a little obscure, apart from the fact that this activity usually takes place in the early evening, or at least after night fall. The Night Fever event is designed to be an evangelistic exercise, in that it includes inviting people to come into church from the street, to light a candle, to say a prayer, or just to sit down for a few moments—or for however long they might wish to stay. In the dimly lit church, there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, arrays of candles, and prayerful music being played. This spiritual setting and atmosphere is something that we, as Catholics, might take for granted, but for those who have rarely, or even never, entered a church, this experience can be very moving for them. As part of the Hope in the Future programme which is ongoing in the Diocese, the Deanery will host a:
Night Fever evening at Christ Church on Friday 3rd December from 6.00pm—8.00pm.
A Light in this World
November is the month of the dead when we celebrate the lives of the faithful departed. More than ever, we may find ourselves thinking about a loved one. We then see Advent dawning, when we prepare for the Lord's coming in glory. This year, why not make a dedication to someone you love, someone you miss or someone who has no-one else to pray for them. Together, we can keep their light shining, whilst making a difference to the lives of those who need it most. Please visit https://caritassalford.dedicationpage.org/ Please note that all dedications made by Monday 22nd November will then be remembered by name during the Caritas Mass of Remembrance on Friday 26th November at 7.00 pm celebrated by Fr Ged Murphy, Episcopal Vicar for Caritas, at St Anne's RC Church, Stretford.
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."
The Universe Catholic Weekly
The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new on line newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Order your Digital copy by going to www.universecatholicweekly.co.uk or call us on 0743661 7650 and ask for Michelle. Special offer: Only £20 for 3 months.
Sister Mary Gertrude Standing RIP
Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Sr Mary Gertrude, who died peacefully on October 31st, 2021, at McAuley Mount Care Home, Burnley and fortified by the rites of the Holy Mother Church, aged 88 years. R.I.P. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 12th November at St Augustine's RC Church, Burnley at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Burnley Cemetery at 12-15 p.m. Internet permitting Sr Gertrude's funeral will be streamed on YouTube channel of the sisters of mercy; RSM Institute. It will also be available to watch later on the same channel. All inquiries to Alderson and Horan Funeral Service, 128 Rossendale Rd, Burnley, BB11 5DH. Tel. 01282 427483 or 457452.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien