Sunday 13th February 2022
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 12th February
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Blessing for married couples
Sunday 13th February
10am Mass for The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Blessing for married couples
Tuesday 15th February
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Votive Mass of The Holy Angels
'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.' - St. Basil
Wednesday 16th February
10am Votive Mass of Saint Joseph
'Truly, I doubt not that the angels, wondering and adoring, came thronging in countless multitudes to that poor workshop to admire the humility of him who guarded that dear and divine Child, and laboured at his carpenter's trade to support the Son and the Mother who were committed to his care.' - St. Francis de Sales
Thursday 17th February
10am Votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist
'Do not think that Jesus Christ is forgetful of you, since he has left you, as the greatest memorial and pledge of his love, himself in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.' - St. Alphonsus Liguori
Friday 18th February
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Votive Mass of The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
'...He [Jesus] has entered the sanctuary once and for all, taking with him not the blood of goats and bull calves, but his own blood, having won an eternal redemption for us.' - Hebrews 9:12
Saturday 19th February
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Lady Chapel)
'What a joy to remember that she is our Mother! Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?' - St. Therese of Lisieux
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 20th February
10am Mass for The Seventh 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.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (12th Feb - 19th Feb) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning before the Tabernacle in prayer for Maureen Jackson.
St. Valentine's Marriage Blessings
Congratulations and all our prayers to those couples who have contacted me over the last two weeks, to receive a blessing for their marriage on this weekend. In your vocation of faithful, committed and life-giving love, you have let the world glimpse the face of God. A God whose love is unconditional, unwavering and mercifully eternal. May God Bless you, may He send His angels to watch over you, and may Our Lady and St. Joseph always pray for you. Amen.
St. Mary's Parish Lenten Retreat 7th- 9th March 2022
The tradition of our parish Lenten retreat will resume this year. In 2019 we had the American catechist, evangelist and writer Barbara Reed-Mason. In 2020 we had Fr. Michael Doody, pastoral director at the Venerable English College in Rome. This year I've managed to persuade former barrister now Dominican Friar, Fr. Samuel Burke OP, based at St. Albert's University Chaplaincy, Edinburgh to lead this years retreat. The dates of the retreat will be 7th - 9th March on the theme of 'Hope' with more details to follow.
Car Park
We do encourage people to use the car park when coming to Mass, services and other liturgies because a number of neighbours have become concerned about being unable to use their driveways on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. If the sloping paths put parishioners off, then another suggestion would be, to still use the parking facilities but access the church building by walking along Hawthorn Avenue. Thank you to everyone for your help with this – it's much appreciated.
Preparation for Confession and Holy Communion
If any parent would like me to prepare their children (7 years old + and baptised Roman Catholic), to receive the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion, then please do contact me at: sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk So that our catechism classes are fruitful it's a necessary requirement that the children attend weekly Mass at St. Mary's so that they can fully appreciate the importance and grace of the Blessed Sacrament in the life of a Catholic.
Diocese releases Statement on Modern Slavery
The Diocese of Salford is taking steps to combat modern slavery in our communities with the launch of its first Statement on Modern Slavery. Released on the Feast of St Bakhita – the patron saint of human trafficking survivors – the statement outlines key actions to raise awareness of modern slavery in our communities, and offers training and support to help parishes and individuals aid victims of slavery.
The full statement can be read here: www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/modern-slavery-statement/
Caritas Diocese of Salford - In Crisis Grants
A reminder that grants to provide immediate one-off support are available for families or individuals in crisis, through the Caritas Bishop's Fund.For further details and application form, please go to https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/news/caritas-bishops-fund/
St. Mary's Coffee Mornings: To begin again!
Thanks to the kindness of parishioners, the Monday Tea & Coffee mornings that started before Covid, will resume again. It's a great time just to meet up for a brew and chat, something that Covid has made us all 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 Tea & Coffee morning will be Monday 28th February at 10:30am.
Thank You
I'd like to say thank you to all those parishioners who helped make Friday's feast (11th Feb), Our Lady of Lourdes, a special and prayerful day. From musicians to stewards and those who helped with tea and coffee. Thank you and God Bless you.
St. Oswald's School
Mrs Guest, the reception teacher, invited me to meet all the small people in her class last week. The energy and fun that radiates from children of that age always makes me smile. I told them about little King David who, with faith and trust in God, defeated the bully Goliath. Not matter how small we may think we are, with God we can move mountains!
St. Mary's School
Miss Hanson's class, Yr 5 & 6, joined us for the 10am parish Mass on Thursday. At the beginning we had the Blessing of Water, to remind us not only of our Baptism but also God's calling for us to be saints and change the world for the better. Mrs Fenn brought the reception class to visit church in the afternoon. For many of these children it was the first time they had ever been in St. Mary's. Let's pray they know the doors are always open for them and their families.
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.
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
The Catholic Church Music of William Byrd: A Workshop for Singers
St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor Street, All Saints, Manchester, M15 6BW
Sunday 26th February 2022, 10.30am - 4pm
Back by popular demand, the St Philip Neri Singers will be returning to St Augustine's Church in Manchester this month to deliver another fascinating workshop on Elizabethan composer William Byrd. As a Catholic living through the Protestant Reformation, Byrd was unable to practise his faith in public and was limited to creating and performing his work - mainly Latin-texted music - in secret. Discover more about the life and works of this remarkable composer as Manchester University lecturer Dr Rosemarie Darby and the St Philip Neri Singers return to St Augustine's to deliver another unmissable lecture and choral workshop.
For more information and registration details, please email stphilipnerisingers@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07798858900.
Job Vacancies
Parish of St. Mary, Horwich – Parish Administrator
Appointment type: Part-time, permanent (12 hours per week, working pattern to be agreed with parish priest).
Location: St Mary's Presbytery, 86 Chorley New Road, Horwich, BL6 5QJ
Salary: £10.23 per hr
Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 28th February 2022
To find out more and apply, please email HR@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with St John Bosco, Blackley – Housekeeper
Appointment type: Part-time, permanent (6 hours per week)
Location: Parish House, Wilson Road, Blackley, Manchester, M9 8BG
Salary: £9.90 per hour
Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 28th February 2022
To find out more and apply, please email HR@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Health and Safety Business Partner - Diocese of Salford (Replacement Role)
Appointment type: Full-time, permanent (35 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work will be required).
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £41,200 - £50,645 per annum
Closing Date: 12 noon on Friday 25th February 2022
To find out more and apply, please visit https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien