Sunday 23rd January 2022
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
As you will have seen from the e-newsletter published on Thursday (20th Jan), I have tested positive for Covid and am now in isolation. I'm sure, like me, we are all very grateful to
Fr. Stamp & Fr. Broadley for being able to provide time to celebrate the Holy Mass for us this weekend.
Please note the Mass times this week:
For further Mass updates and information please subscribe to the parish e-newsletter and if you know people who don't have access to the internet do keep them in the loop.
Saturday 22nd January
6:30pm Vigil Mass – Fr. Stamp
Sunday 23rd January
12 noon Mass – Fr. Broadley
Tuesday 25th January
10am Requiem Mass for William 'Bill' Jones RIP
(Fr. Stamp)
Thank you! After Covid I'll be suffering from diabetes!
Thank you to all those kind parishioners who have sent emails, cards, chocolates, cakes, sweets and offers of help to the presbytery this week. It's been like Christmas all over again. It's nice to know I have a family looking after me. God Bless and lets pray for a negative lateral flow test next week.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (22nd Jan - 29th Jan) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer for Jean Dwyer.
Sanctuary Lamp
Prayer is so important and it works! One of the traditions at St. Mary's is to sponsor the sanctuary lamp, that burns for seven days continuously, before the Real Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The prayers behind each lamp are varied and different. Sometimes it burns in memory of a loved one, other times its for somebody who is sick or waiting for results and at other times its a prayer of thanksgiving or help for a particular situation or person. If you would like to sponsor a lamp to burn in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament then please see one of the stewards at the back of church. They will have a list of dates from the beginning of February until the end of April where you can choose to sponsor a £5 lamp for the week. I will bless each lamp and light it before the Vigil Mass on a Saturday and it will burn for the whole week. Please give your £5 to the stewards on duty when you choose your week.
The new list is now available
Sharing the Faith!
A Catechist is someone who feels called to serve God and the parish community by passing on something more precious than silver or gold – The Faith! One of the great joys I have as a priest is passing on the Good News of Jesus Christ and accompanying a person on their spiritual journey. As we continue to live with Covid and the wide range of people approaching me to learn more about the Faith is increasing, I am no longer able to do this on my own, and so I appeal to you my brothers and sisters for help. The Lord does not want people with degrees from the Vatican University or professional theological qualifications in this or that. No. He wants people who believe and practice. If this describes you - believing and practicing - and you would like to know more about being a catechist then please do contact me – the harvest is rich but the labourers are few!
Fr. O'Brien (01254) 232 433 or sean.obrien@dioceseofsalfrod.org.uk
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
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
Rite of Christian Initiation for Deaf Adults
Provided by the St Joseph's Mission to Deaf People – Caritas Diocese of Salford
St Patrick's Church, Livesey Street, Manchester, M4 5HF
Everyone is welcome! It does not matter what your religion is, or if you don't have one! You do not need to be Catholic to come. This is a relaxed environment to ask questions about the faith and share ideas, thoughts and experiences with other Deaf people. The sessions are delivered in British Sign Language. The Deaf Club is open 11am-3pm, BINGO at 13.30. Fr. Jim will sign Mass in the Church at 11am, 11.45 break for lunch before the 12.30 session. Starts: January 4th 2021—FREE
Sessions: First 3 Tuesdays of each month at 12:30 – 1:20pm
Bus Numbers: 18, 76, 76A , 83, 84, 112, 114, 117, 118, 156
Contact: wave@catholicdeaf.org.uk
Luke - A Companion on our Journey with Fr Chris Lough
Thursday 27th January 2022, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Zoom
We will be hearing The Gospel according to Luke at Sunday Mass for much of the coming year. Fr Chris Lough will lead an introduction to this beautiful Gospel and its companion volume, the Acts of the Apostles, outlining some of the main themes and ideas to look out for over the coming weeks and months. There will also be an opportunity to work in a relaxed way with some of the wonderful stories that St Luke sets before us. To book a place and get the Zoom link, please visit – www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/st-luke-a-companion-on-our-journey/
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien