Sunday 21st November 2021
Christ the King
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Tuesday 23rd November
5pm -5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
'The faith I have when I am in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is so strong that I find it impossible to express what I feel... When the time comes to leave I must force myself to overcome the inclination to prolong my stay with Jesus.' - St. Anthony Mary Claret
6pm Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 24th November
10am Mass, Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and his Companions, Martyrs (Memoria)
Between 1820 and 1862 these 117 Vietnamese martyrs were killed in a brutal persecution. St. Andrew Dung-Lac was a parish priest; the group included eight bishops, fifty priests and fifty nine laymen and women.
Thursday 25th November
10am Mass, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr (Memoria)
Tradition tells us that she was a noble lady, learned in science and oratory, who came to Christianity after receiving a vision. At 18 years old she was offered to debate with the pagan philosophers, who were convinced by her arguments; the Emperor ordered her execution, and she was beheaded.
Friday 26th November
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
'Christ held Himself in His hands when He gave His Body to His disciples saying: 'This is My Body.' No one partakes of this Flesh before he has adored it.' - St. Augustine
6pm Mass (Feria)
Saturday 27th November
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
'Love our Lady. And she will obtain abundant grace to help you conquer in your daily struggle.' - St. Josemaria Escriva
6pm The Holy Rosary
6:30pm Vigil Mass, First Sunday of Advent
Sunday 28th November
9:30am The Holy Rosary
10am Mass, First Sunday of Advent
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 (20th - 27th Nov) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer for Richard & Gertrude Henry.
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. 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 before the Altar. 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.
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 21st November we will meet at Dill Hall cemetery at 2pm.
Remembrance Mass
St Gregory's Association will be holding a Mass in memory of members who have died. It will take place on Friday 26th November at 7pm at St Kentigern Roman Catholic Church in Fallowfield, and will be celebrated by Fr Eamon Mulcahy.
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
Advent 2021: Prayers & Devotions
Next weekend is the beginning of the Church's New Year and the start of Advent. To help us embrace this season of preparation for the coming of the Lord there will be a number of opportunities for prayer.
The Holy Rosary
There was such a positive response by parishioners about having the space to pray the Rosary before each weekend Mass in October that we will be doing it again during Advent. It would be wonderful if members of the parish could come forward and help lead us in this prayer. It can seem quite daunting leading the Rosary but there will be a printed script on the lectern to read from, taking away any worry about what to say. If any parishioner would like to help lead the Rosary before the weekend Masses during Advent email sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
The Sacrament of Confession
'Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin, all hope consists in confession; in confession there is a chance for mercy.' St. Isidore of Seville
Come home to the Lord this Advent, so that when Christmas arrives and the Lord knocks at the door to our heart's, He will find room at the Inn. Never be afraid or worried about Confession, His love and forgiveness is real.
Tues 30th Nov 5:00pm–5:45pm
Fri 3rd Dec 5:00–5:45pm
Tues 7th Dec 5:00–5:45pm
Fri 8th Dec 5:00–5:45pm
Sat 11th Dec 9:00 – 9:45am
Tues 14th Dec 5:00pm–5:45pm
Fri 17th Dec 5:00–5:45pm
Sat 18th Dec 9:00 – 9:45am
Tues 21st Dec 5:00pm–5:45pm
Friday 24th Dec 10:30am – 11:15am
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
The music of Advent is silence. Silence that enables reflection and space to both talk and listen to the Lord. A wonderful way to do this is spending time before the Blessed Sacrament; actually being in the Real Presence of Jesus Himself. Why not, during this season of preparing and listening, make time to come to Adoration and simply be with Our Lord, for as long or a short as you can.
Tuesday's 5pm – 5:50pm
Friday's 5pm – 5:50pm
Saturday's 9am – 9:50am
(check updates on e-newsletter for any changes to times)
'In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.'
Pope Benedict XVI
Weekday Masses
At St. Mary's there are Masses throughout the week, at different times, to allow parishioners the opportunity to worship and adore the Lord at the Altar. Why no take advantage of this during Advent and come closer to God. What a wonderful way to begin the weekend with Friday evening Mass at 6pm or a mid week morning Mass at 10am. The door is always open.
St. Oswald's School
On Friday I was invited by St. Oswald's to bless their newly commissioned GIFT team. The term GIFT stands for Growing In Faith Together. The group is made up of children who help to facilitate prayer and worship in school among their peers. Let's continue to pray that more families will return to the Lord especially at the Sunday Mass where we all find the source of true grace in the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Mary's School
Those parishioners who attend Holy Mass during the week will have noticed we have been joined, over the last fortnight, by classes from St. Mary's. It's been commented how well behaved and attentive the pupils have been. Each week until the end of term a class will continue to join us and they are most welcome.
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
Formation Series: Synods and the Church under Pope Francis
Wednesday 24 November 2021, 7.30pm, Cathedral Centre and Zoom
Pope Francis is inviting the Catholic Church to listen deeply to one another and to discern what God is saying to the Church. Fr Eamonn Mulcahy will help us explore Pope Francis' vision for a Synodal Church. The session will take place on Wednesday 24 November at the Cathedral Centre and via Zoom. The talk will begin at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7pm. Suggested donations of £5 are welcome. To register for the event visit, www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/synods-and-the-church-under-pope-francis/
Genesis Mission Introduction Session
Cathedral Centre, Salford – Saturday 27th November 2021, 10:00am-1:00pm
As part of Stage 4 of Hope in the Future, it is our intention to focus explicitly on missionary discipleship. By this we mean an integration of a newly formed or deepened missionary attitude, with practical tools and ways to share the Gospel sensitively and appropriately in everyday life. Fr Jon Bielawski and Michele Thompson from the Diocese of Plymouth will give an introduction to Genesis Mission and share how you can get involved. For more information and to register, visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/genesis-mission-introduction-session/
Caritas Salford's Advent Appeal 2021: #Loved
Caritas Salford's work with children and families is at the heart of our Love in Action as much as it ever was, and is just one aspect of their diverse work supporting those facing crisis and challenge.
As the principal domestic social action agency of the Catholic Diocese of Salford, and in this Year of St Joseph and the Family, Caritas is asking for your support to continue this transformative work.
Please visit http://www.caritassalford.org.uk/advent-2021 to see the difference your donations have made in the past 12 months to over 5,000 families*. For example, you've helped provide:
A safe place to live for young parents with their infant child with 24/7 support
Food parcels and shopping vouchers
Essential household items and toiletries
School uniform, shoes and Christmas treats/presents
Financial grants to families facing a crisis, illness or poverty
1:1 advice sessions with our trained staff for as long as it takes
*2019/20 Caritas Salford's Impact Report
Online donations, via the website, save the charity the cost of administration and eases the claim for 25% extra in Gift Aid. Setting up a direct debit can also be done in this way.
Alternatively, call Rachel Taylor during office hours on 0161 817 2285. Cheques made payable to Caritas Diocese of Salford, marked FAO Rachel Taylor: ADVENT APPEAL to: Caritas House, Nobby Stiles Drive, Collyhurst, Manchester M4 4FA. Please include your full name, address and postcode, and whether you wish to gift aid the donation.
Thank you for your support. Please continue to keep our teams of staff and volunteers in your prayers, as well as those who need our support, so that they know they are loved.
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
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."
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien