Sunday 19th December 2021
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Tuesday 21st December
5pm -5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Mass, Advent Weekday
Wednesday 22nd December
10am Mass, Advent Weekday
Thursday 23rd December
10am Requiem Mass for Kathleen Taylor RIP
Friday 24th December
10am Mass, Advent Weekday
10:30am – 11:15am Confessions
5:30pm Carols around the Crib
6pm Christmas Eve Mass (Family Mass)
8pm Christmas Eve Mass (Simple, quiet & reflective Mass)
Saturday 25th December
9:30am Carols around the Crib
10am Christmas Day Mass (Family Mass)
Sunday 26th December
10am Mass, Feast of the Holy Family
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 (18th Dec - 25th Dec) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer for Tommy West RIP.
Christmas Mass Times
Friday 24th December
5:30pm Carols around the Crib
6pm Christmas Eve Mass (Family Mass)
8pm Christmas Eve Mass (Simple Mass, for those who would like a quite and reflective space to pray and are anxious in regard to large crowds during this present time)
Saturday 25th December
9:30am Carols around the Crib
10am Christmas Day Mass (Family Mass)
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 21st Dec 5:00pm–5:45pm
Friday 24th Dec 10:30am – 11:15am
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
A Message from The Friendship Club
The Committee of the Friendship Club have decided to postpone all further meetings until it is deemed safe to gather again. God Bless to all and have a happy and safe Christmas.
St. Oswald's School
On Friday I was invited by years 5 & 6 to join them for their Christmas dinner. The enthusiasm the pupils have for Christmas is infectious and a good reminder to smile and be joyful. We can all feel under pressure and a little stressed at this time of year, especially with the continuing Covid pandemic, but lets' not forget what the Christmas story reveals – God's love for us! The children have made little Christmas gifts that they would like to be handed out at the end of Mass this weekend to share with parishioners and remind them of God's love.
St. Mary's School
A number of Christmas Angels arrived at church this week care of St. Mary's school. The children have produced paper Angel Christmas tree decorations, with a prayer on the back of them which reads: 'Dear Lord, Please help us grow close to Jesus and to spread Christmas joy knowing he came to the world to save us. Amen.' At the end of Mass this weekend please feel free to take one of these Angels home (one per household).
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.
Formation Series: Synodality in the Universal Church with Sr Nathalie Becquart
Wednesday 19th January 2022, 7:30pm, Online Event Via Zoom
Sr Nathalie is the Undersecretary of the Vatican Synod Office coordinating the Universal Synod 2021-2023. As part of our Formation Series on Synodality, we will be hearing from Sr Nathalie sharing her experience of Synodality across the universal Church. This event will take place on Zoom only. There will be chance to ask Sr Nathalie questions at the end. For more information and to register visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/synodality-in-the-universal-church/ .The Zoom link will be emailed once you register.
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