Sunday 6th February 2022
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 5th February
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 6th February
10am Mass for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday 8th February
Day of Prayer for victims of trafficking
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin (Memoria)
St. Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in 1869. She was kidnapped and sold as a slave. In Italy she entered the sisters of Mary Magdalene where she took part in the life of the community in prayer, cooking, sewing and attending to the door. She died on this day in 1947.
Wednesday 9th February
10am Votive Mass of Saint Joseph
'As he himself [Jesus] was subject to St. Joseph while on earth, recognizing in him the authority of foster father and guardian, so now in heaven he is pleased to grant all his requests.'
- St. Teresa of Avila
Thursday 10th February
10am Mass, Saint Scholastica (Memoria)
St. Scholastica was the sister of St. Benedict. She was born in Umbria, Italy in 480 A.D. Like her brother she devoted her life to God, founding the Benedictine Sisters and dying on Monte Cassino in 547 A.D.
Friday 11th February
World Day of Prayer for the Sick
11am Healing Service with the Sacrament of the Sick
11:30am Tea & Coffee Social
12noon The Angelus & Rosary (Lady Chapel)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Mass, Our Lady of Lourdes (Memoria)
6:30pm Torchlight Procession to the grotto (weather permiting)
In 1858 the Immaculate Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous, near Lourdes in France, in the cavern called "de Massabielle". Through this poor, fourteen year old girl, Mary calls on sinners to change their lives. She has inspired in the Church a great love of prayer and good works, especially in the service of the poor and the sick.
6:30pm Procession to the Parish Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
Weather permitting.
Saturday 12th February
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 Votive Mass of Our Lady (Lady Chapel)
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Blessing for couples married at St. Mary's or Sacred Heart
Sunday 13th February
10am Mass for The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Blessing for couples married at St. Mary's or Sacred Heart
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 (5th Feb - 12th Feb) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in front of the Tabernacle in prayer for Bill Moorhouse RIP.
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.
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
Car Park
On Thursday (All day!) a team of dedicated parishioners scrubbed and scoured the church car park of moss. Their hard work now means we can use all the parking spaces. 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.
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.
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.
St. Mary's School
This week Mr Crompton's class had their throats blessed on St. Blaise's Day, when they joined us for Mass, and I got to visit them at school and tell them all about St. Francis and the wolf of Gubbio! Mrs Robert's class came to church on Friday to learn more about the Holy Eucharist and the various parts that form the Mass while Mrs Fenn invited me to tell Reception all about David and the bully Golaith! Let's continue to pray for all our young parishioners and those teachers and staff who are helping them to know God a lot more deeply.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Finlay who will be receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time this weekend. Over the last few months, Finlay and other young parishioners, have been meeting with me for weekly catechism lessons. Its been a joy to accompany them and their families on this part of their faith journey. Let's pray for all our young people that they will always appreciate the Sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist which lead them uniquely and personally to Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
For more information regarding catechism and preparation for the sacraments please contact Father O'Brien at sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
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
Caritas Salford: Thank you
St. Mary's raised £81.20 for Caritas Salford.
Our grateful thanks to those clergy whose parishes were able to mark Caritas Sunday last weekend by sharing the impact of Caritas's work, praying for those people who need our services and holding a retiring collection. Support from our parish community is hugely important.
For any parishioners who missed the Caritas Sunday collection, they can still donate in several ways:
Text SUNDAY to 70580 to donate £10
Visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/caritas-sunday-2022/ to set up a direct debit or make a one off donation.
Cheques can be made payable to Caritas Diocese of Salford, marked FAO Rachel Taylor: CARITAS SUNDAY 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. Rachel Taylor can be reached on 0161 817 2285 during office hours.
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
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/
Caritas Salford Vacancies
Caritas Salford is recruiting for a number of vacancies, including:
- Project Manager / Project Workers (Red Door) – These posts are thanks to new grant funding made available to Caritas.
- Support Workers (Young Parents Unit) – These posts are replacement roles.
- Day Centre Manager (Cornerstone) – This post is being advertised further to a restructure.
- Counsellor (Schools) – This post is thanks to Caritas securing a new contract.
- Individual Giving Manager – This post is a re-advertisement.
To find out more and apply, please visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/careers/
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien