Friday 28th January 2022
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 29th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Lady Chapel)
'The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.' - St. Louis Marie de Montfort
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 30th January
10am Mass for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday 1st February
5pm -6pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
'The best time you will spend on earth is the time you spend with your best Friend, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.' - St. Teresa of Calcutta
Wednesday 2nd February
10am The Presentation of the Lord (Feast)
It is on this feast of the Lord that we traditionally bless candles for the coming year. If you use candles at home in prayer or for devotion then please bring them to this Mass and Fr. O'Brien will bless them.
Thursday 3rd February
10am Mass, Saint Blaise, Bishop & Martyr (Memoria)
St. Blaise was a bishop in Sebaste and martyred in the fourth century. Devotion to him spread throughout the church during the Middle Ages. He is invoked for disorders of the throat.
There will be the traditional blessing of throats for all those who come to this Mass.
Friday 4th February
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Agatha, Virgin & Martyr (Memoria)
St. Agatha was martyred in Sicily in the persecution under Emperor Decius (240-251 A.D.). Her name is prayed during the Roman Canon.
Saturday 5th February
9am – 10am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 6th February
10am Mass for The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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.
Thank you all again!
I'm free from Covid isolation! Thank you all again for the cards, gifts, emails, phone calls, letters and prayers – they were all much appreciated. I would also like to thank Fr. Stamp and Fr. Broadley for celebrating our parish Masses last weekend and to all who welcomed and helped them.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (29th Jan - 5th Feb) the Sanctuary Lamp before the Tabernacle is burning in prayer for the memory of Joe & Elsie McIntyre RIP.
There are still some dates available if you would like to sponsor a £5 sanctuary lamp. Please see one of the stewards before Mass.
Caritas Sunday - 29 - 30 January 2022
This Sunday marks Caritas Sunday – a day in our diocese where we shine a light on the dedicated work carried out by our diocesan social action agency. The staff and volunteers of Caritas Diocese of Salford would like to thank you for all your support over the past 12 months; for your prayers, practical donations and for your financial gifts. This weekend there will be a collection basket provided at the back of church, under the Crucifix, if people would like to make a donation to the Caritas Salford. To find out more about the vital service Caritas provides or how to get involved, please take a look at their 2021 Impact Report at https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/caritas-sunday-2022/
The Presentation of the Lord
On Wednesday (2nd Feb), the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas Day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in the liturgy. The light from the candle reminds us of Christ who is our light. He is our light in the dark times, the frustrating times, the desolate times and the anxious times. He is the light that shows us the right way to live, love and pray. He is the light that gives hope to our friends and family. He is the light that gives warmth when we feel low and our hearts have grown cold. If you use candles at home in prayer or devotion then please bring them to the Mass of the Presentation of the Lord on Wednesday at 10am and I'll bless them for you. You may want to buy some candles for friends and family, have them blessed at this Mass, and then send them out to let loved ones know your praying for them.
St. Blaise & The Blessing of Throats
On Thursday at the end of the 10am Mass there will be the traditional blessing of throats invoking the intercession of St. Blaise. Two unlit candles, tied together by a red ribbon, are held by the priest towards a person's throat as he prays the following:
'Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.'
These traditional practices are not customs from a bygone age, but true reminders of the reality of the powerful intercession of the saints, like St. Blaise.
World Day of Prayer for the Sick: St. Mary's Healing Service
On Friday, 11th February, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It's only fitting that this is also the day the Church invites us all to pray for those who are sick and suffering in mind and body. For those who have made the pilgrimage to Lourdes, you will know, that it is a place of healing but not everyone is fortunate to visit. This year, at St. Mary's on Friday 11th February, there will be many opportunities to experience both prayer and healing, for yourself or on behalf of others.
11am – Healing Service.
A simple service where we will listen to the Word of God and sing hymns, followed by intercessions for healing for ourselves and those we know; the opportunity for the Sacrament of the Sick for those Catholics who are sincerely ill and a final blessing.
11:30am – Tea, Coffee & A Catch Up
Many people have felt isolated during the Covid pandemic and missed catching up with people. There will be time after the healing service for tea & coffee, a chance for others to talk and meet up with faces they may not have seen for a long time.
12noon – The Angelus & The Rosary
There will be an opportunity to pray the Rosary in Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle's Chapel, for the sick among friends, family and parish community.
5pm – 5:50pm – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
The Sacrament of Confession is that wonderful gift from God that helps to heal the soul. Come this evening to allow the Lord to soothe and strengthen.
6pm – Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes
Are there people you know who are suffering? Then bring them in prayer to the Mass, especially at that moment when Our Lord is lifted up by the priest in the Host and offered to God the Father. Bring those you know who are sick and give them to Jesus at that most sacred moment.
6:30pm – Candlelight procession to the parish grotto (Weather permitting)
One of the highlights of any Lourdes pilgrimage is the torch light procession where pilgrims walk together in prayer, song and solidarity in honour of God's gift to us, Mary, Our Mother. If you would like to bring flowers to lay at the grotto for loved ones who can't join us then please do.
There is prayer throughout the day and at different times. I invite all parishioners to come to at least one event and be part of that powerful voice interceding for our brothers and sisters. If you would like the names of someone who is sick to be read out at the Healing Service and the Evening Mass you must have their permission. There is a box you can place their names in the Lady Chapel. Please print names clearly.
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 Coffee Mornings: To begin again!
Thanks to the kindness of parishioners, the First Tuesday Tea & Coffee mornings that had started before Covid, will resume again. It's a great time just to meet up for a brew and chat, something that Covid has all made us appreciate. If you would like to help out or get more information please contact Ciara Kelly at cjk2988@gmail.com . The date of the first Tuesday Tea & Coffee morning will be published soon.
Marriage Blessings
The 14th February is known throughout the world as St. Valentine's Day, a day to celebrate love. On the weekend of the 12th/13th February I would like to invite any couples who were married at St. Mary's, Oswaldtwistle or Sacred Heart, Accrington or another Roman Catholic Church, or any couples who are engaged to be married at St. Mary's, to come to one of the weekend Masses for a blessing. It will be a wonderful opportunity to bring friends and family and receive that special prayer in thanks for your vocation as husband and wife. If you would like to have a blessing that weekend at the Sat 6:30pm Vigil Mass or the Sun 10am Mass please email me at sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
'You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.' -St. Francis de Sales
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: Local reality of the Church in Salford with Bishop John Arnold
Wednesday 9th February 2022, 7:30pm – 9:00pm. Cathedral Centre and Via Zoom
Register here - www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/the-local-reality-of-the-church-in-the-diocese-of-salford/
Salford Young Adults Retreat
Join other young adults from across our diocese with a weekend of prayer and reflection to help us better prepare for Lent. On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th February, young adults will be coming together at Theodore House, Stonyhurst College in Clitheroe for a special retreat to help focus the mind ahead of the Lenten season. The cost of the retreat is £40 (this has been partially subsidised) and will include bed, breakfast, lunch, and evening meal. To find out more and register your interest, please email salfordyoungadults@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Job vacancies - For Caritas Diocese of Salford
Volunteer Coordinator for Caritas Diocese of Salford
Thanks to the receipt of funding specifically intended for capacity building, Caritas Salford is recruiting for a Volunteer Coordinator. For more details of this opportunity and other vacancies, please visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/careers/
Project Manager and Project Workers
Thanks to grant funding, we are able to advertise three new roles for our Red Door Project. For more information on our Project Manager and Project Workers roles, please visit https://caritassalford.org.uk/careers/
Support Workers, Blackburn
18.5 hrs & 37 hrs p/w at our Young Parents' Service.
A brilliant opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people who use our service.
For more details of these & other vacancies, please visit https://caritassalford.org.uk/careers/
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien