Sunday 12th December 2021
Third Sunday of Advent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Tuesday 14th 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. Pope John Paul II
6pm Mass, Saint John of the Cross (Memoria)
St. John was born in 1542, a Carmelite Friar and friend of St. Teresa of Avila, with whom he worked for the reform of the order. A poet and mystic, he died in 1591.
Wednesday 15th December
10am Mass, Advent Weekday
'Advent: the time to listen for footsteps – you can't hear footsteps when you're running yourself.' - Bill McKibben
Thursday 16th December
10am Mass, Advent Weekday
'At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.' - St. Teresa of Calcutta
Friday 17th December
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
'So many people see the confessional as a place of defeat, but confession is a place of victory every single time.' - Fr Mike Schmitz
6pm Mass, Advent Weekday
Saturday 18h December
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
'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
10am Mass, Advent Weekday
6pm The Holy Rosary
6:30pm Vigil Mass, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday 19th December
9:30am The Holy Rosary
10am Mass, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Under new government directives face masks must now be worn 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 (11th Dec - 18th Dec) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer for Betty West RIP.
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 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.
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
Stewards
One of the blessings to have emerged from these difficult and challenging times has been the role of stewards. Nationally these volunteer parishioners have helped to keep church doors open and provided a non-intrusive warm welcome. The amount of visitors who have joined us at St. Mary's for funerals, weddings, baptisms and first communions have all commented on the hospitality, friendliness and reassurance that our stewards have provided. This is faith in action! Right across the board the role of stewards had become a positive and permanent ministry within all church communities, especially in our diocese of Salford. If you would like to be part of the steward team and volunteer some of your time please contact Jennifer at jennifer.pickles@virginmedia.com
St. Mary's School
On Thursday another class joined us from St. Mary's school for the morning parish Mass. The Gospel of the day reminded us of the role of St. John the Baptist preparing the way for the coming of Jesus. His call was to repent. "Repent", meaning more than just recognising sin, but actively cutting it out from our lives and changing. Let's continue to confront our failings and weaknesses this Advent and with God's grace liberate ourselves from all that holds us back.
PTA Christmas Fair
On Sunday 12th December, St. Mary's school PTA, will be hosting a Christmas Fair at the Lock Street Centre to raise money for the school. It begins as 12noon and there will be stalls, games, food and raffles. Everyone is welcome. The ladies ask that you bring plenty of change and please wear a face mask because of the current Covid precautions.
St. Oswald's School
On Friday, Years 5 & 6, came to visit church to both pray and explore the building. It was such a privilege to have the opportunity to share the Faith with young people who were attentive and eager to learn. The real joy of the visit was how they shed new light for me on various parts of the church building that can easily be missed or taken for granted – like the beautiful woodcarvings on the Reredos and the sanctuary stain glass window. Let's continue to pray for all our young people, that they will always be open to the Will and Inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Mount Carmel School
Last Wednesday some pupils & staff from Mount Carmel joined us for the parish celebration of the Immaculate Conception. They have recently had a good Oftsed report which they will be sharing with the parish soon. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for us.
Christmas Carols with the St Philip Neri Singers and Diocese of Salford Young Adults
An evening of festive music is coming to St Augustine's Roman Catholic Church this December with a special carol concert organised in association with the Diocese of Salford Young Adults.
Featuring beautiful performances of some of the best-loved carols from the wonderful St Philip Neri Singers, this festive concert will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
It will take place at 4pm on Sunday 19 December at St Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, Grosvenor Street, Manchester. All are very welcome to attend. Please contact Fr Michael Deas at michael.deas@dioceseofsalford.org.uk for further information.
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.
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.
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."
Christmas Mass Times
Friday 24th December
Carols around the crib from 5:30pm
Christmas Eve Mass 6pm
Saturday 25th December
Carols around the crib from 9:30am
Christmas Day 10am
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien