Sunday 28th November 2021
First Sunday of Advent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Tuesday 30th November
5pm -5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
'There are people who are afraid to go to confession, forgetting that they will not encounter a severe judge there, but the immensely merciful Father.' - Pope Francis
6pm Mass, Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
St. Andrew was born at Bethsaida, and was a fisherman with his brother, Simon Peter, whom he introduced to Jesus (In John's Gospel). He is the patron saint of Scotland.
Wednesday 1st December
10am Mass, Advent Weekday
'The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.' - Henri Nouwen.
Thursday 2nd December
10am Mass, Advent Weekday
'The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running.' - Jan Richardson.
Friday 3rd December
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
'Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to
the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.' St. John Paul II
6pm Mass, Saint Francis Xavier, Priest (Memoria)
St. Francis Xavier was a friend of St. Ignatius Loyola and one of the first Jesuits. He preached in India, Japan and China where he died in 1552.
Saturday 4th December
No Adoration, Confessions or Morning Mass today
6pm The Holy Rosary
6:30pm Vigil Mass, Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 5th December
9:30am The Holy Rosary
10am Mass, Second 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 (27th Nov - 4th Dec) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer for Michael Beard.
Advent 2021: Prayers & Devotions
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. Mary's School
Parishioners may have noticed one or two unusual things around the church grounds! Pupils at St. Mary's, listening to Pope Francis' call to take care of the environment, have made little Hedgehog Habitats. These cosy little homes will hopefully provide a safe haven over winter for the many hedgehogs around the church and presbytery.
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
Universal Synod
Pope Francis has called a Universal Synod which is taking place in every Catholic diocese across the world. The Synod is themed: "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission". We want to hear from as many people as possible, those involved in the church and those who are not. You can take part by completing an online submission using the QR code or following this link.
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3D3FXJ2. Please share this link with family and friends. We have until 1st March 2022 to make our submissions then, after national and continental gatherings, the Synod of Bishops will gather in Rome in 2023 to reflect on what has been heard. Please remember the Synod in your prayers. Your contribution is invaluable and will make a considerable difference to the future of the Church in our diocese and across the world.
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