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Saturday, 26 March 2022

27th March 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Lent: Laetare Sunday

27th March 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Lent: Laetare Sunday

 

 

Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…

Saturday 26th March

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Sunday 27th March

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Tuesday 29th March

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

6pm Lenten Weekday Mass

Wednesday 30th March

10am Lenten Weekday Mass

Thursday 31st March

10am Lenten Weekday Mass

7pm Deanery Station Mass at St Mary’s, Clayton-le-moors

Confessions available from 6:30pm onwards

Friday 1st April

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

6pm Lenten Weekday Mass

6:30pm Stations of the Cross

Saturday 2nd April

9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

10am Lenten Weekday Mass (Celebrated in the Lady Chapel)

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil for the Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sunday 3rd April

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Lent

   

Sanctuary Lamp

This week (26th March - 2nd April) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for William and Michael Shorrock.

Pope’s Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to Our Lady

Thank you to all those who responded to the Holy Father’s call on Friday to pray for the consecration of humanity, Russia and in particularly Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Parish Lenten & Easter Walks

Thanks to all those who came on the last parish walk. The weather was great and our younger parishioners loved it. The photo below is from the day and reminds us of our future hope!

 


The next walk:

Haslingden Grane Sunday 24th April (Easter)

The shortest walk – well it is Divine Mercy Sunday! Beautiful scenic views.

Meeting at Clough Head Information Centre, 1:30pm

Distance 3miles 4.8km

 

I hope that many parishioners and families will join me and Mr Crompton (St. Mary’s School RE Yr 2 Teacher RE Co-ordinator) as well as other familiar faces on these walks for the simple joy of getting out into the fresh air, enjoying the peaceful and prayerful countryside, meeting others and having fun!

It is important to note that each person who joins us will be responsible for themselves and those in their family group.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared for muddy hillsides and fells. Bring appropriate footwear, clothing and food and drinks for the journey. If you would like to ask more questions or get a copy of the route do see me in the sacristy at the end of the Mass.   

Offertory Envelopes, Gift Aid & Direct Debit

Thank you for your continued generosity and financial support towards St. Mary’s, especially during these days of rising costs. Thank you also to Rob Harrison and Berni McGuinness who are continuing to facilitate this important part of our parish’s life. With Covid none of this has been easy. From this weekend the new offertory envelopes will be available until the 13th April. Please ask one of the stewards at the back of church for yours. Any envelopes that are not collected by the 13th April will not be re-ordered as the cost of ordering and printing envelopes is now £361.42 (Envelope Systems Ltd).

Rob and Berni will be available at the back of church this weekend to help answer any questions about paying via Direct Debit/Standing Orders or signing up to the Gift Aid scheme which is always a significant financial boost. For more info contact: berni.mcguinness@dioceseofsalford.org.uk    

Deanery Station Masses

There is an ancient practice of the faithful gathering at particular churches during the Lenten season for prayer, witness and solidarity. These are called Station Masses. In our deanery of St. John Vianney (Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn, Rawtenstall) there will be three Station Masses over Lent. The preacher at each Mass will be Fr. Ian Kelly. Fr. Kelly is a Salford diocesan priest who gives numerous retreats and days of recollection throughout the country for religious communities, lay groups and priests.

Thursday 31st March 7pm at St. Mary’s, Clayton-le-moors

Thursday 7th April 7pm at St. Anselm’s, Whitworth

Confessions will be available before each Mass starting at 6:30pm

Everyone throughout our deanery is warmly invited and encouraged to come and support these Masses through prayer and witness. 

Ukraine Crisis

We are all shocked and appalled at the devastating scenes of the invasion of the Ukraine. Catholic agencies are at the centre of the response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis and supporting those whom have been displaced. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and all those against war. There are regular updates on the Caritas website on the various ways parishes and schools can support the aid effort. Please go to: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/ukraine-crisis/

Friendship Club

There will be no Friendship Club meeting in March but hopefully, the first Wednesday of April we will be back for good. If anyone is interested in joining the Friendship Club, please contact Margaret Duggan (01254) 233 070. There is no age or health limits, everyone is welcome. All venues are walker and wheelchair accessible. We look forward to meeting new friends

Environment Resources for Lent

This Lent, we are looking to renew our relationship with the earth and its Creator through the Lenten themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As such, we have created a pack with key environmental resources from across the Catholic community, in addition to stories and ideas from our parishes around the diocese.

Please visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/lent-environment-resources-parishes/ to download your copy now.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham led by Bishop John Arnold Saturday 7 May 2022

After a break of two years, due to the pandemic, we are pleased to confirm the resumption of our annual pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine in England. The pilgrimage will be led by Bishop John and will take place on Saturday 7th May 2022. We hope coaches will be available from each deanery, leaving around 7:00am and arriving back around 10:00pm. The cost for the day trip is £20.00. Those wishing to make their own way are welcome to join the pilgrimage in Walsingham.

To book your place on the pilgrimage and on a coach, please download and return the Pilgrim Booking Form. If you have any questions, email walsingham.pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk.

Alongside this, there will be a youth pilgrimage for young people in years 7, 8 and 9. The Youth coach will leave on Friday 6th May 2022 around 10am from Salford Cathedral and arrive back around 10:00pm on Saturday 7th May 2022. The group will be staying at Elmham House in Walsingham. The subsidised cost for the Youth pilgrimage is £50.00 which includes accommodation, food, and travel. To book a place, please complete the form by clicking here: https://forms.gle/nwDThmqBFLV5LEjU7

2022 Salford Lourdes Pilgrimage is Announced

Friday 29th July – Thursday 4th August 2022

We are delighted to announce that we will return to Lourdes this Summer for the 88th Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by the Rt Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford.

Full details, including travel and accommodation pricing, insurance details and volunteer application forms will be available in the coming weeks but may we ask in the meantime that if you may be interested in joining us this Summer that you please fill in an ‘expression of interest’ form by visiting the diocesan webpage.

We look forward to welcoming you to Lourdes for our joyful return in July.

Salford Lourdes Pilgrimage Tea.

Job Vacancies

DBS Administrator for the Diocese of Salford

Appointment type: Full time (35 hours per week), 12-month fixed-term contract, subject to review and consideration for a permanent position. Part-time hours could be considered.

Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP

Closing date: Monday 28 March 2022, 12 noon

Salary: £19,000 - £22,000 per annum.

Find out more and apply: www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/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 March 2022

Find out more and apply: https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies

Office Manager for Caritas Diocese of Salford

Appointment type: Full time (37.5 hours per week), 9-5 Monday to Friday (occasional support of fundraising activities outside these hours)

Location: Caritas, 104 Denmark Road, Manchester M15 6JS

Closing date: Thursday 31 March, 2022

Salary: £23,859 -  £25,825 per annum

Find out more and apply: www.caritassalford.org.uk

Manchester Universities Catholic Chaplaincy

Receptionist (1 x morning; 1 x evening)

Appointment type: Term time, 20 hours per week (10am - 2pm) or 25 hours per week (2pm - 7pm)

Location: Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy, 337 Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PG,

Closing date: Friday 25 March, 2022

Salary: £9.90 per hour

Find out more and apply by emailing pscallysj@jesuit.org.uk or call 07935 373551

Salford Cathedral Concert Series

Saturday 2 April, 3pm, Salford Cathedral

Salford Cathedral is excited to announce the next event in its Concert Series, where Silviu Cobeanu, cantor at St Marie’s Cathedral, Sheffield, and Robert Webb, organist at St Marie’s, will give a recital of beautiful sacred music. This concert is free, and no booking is required. A retiring collection will take place, which will go to the cathedral’s Music Foundation.

Young Adults Mass

St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor Street, All Saints, Manchester, M15 6BW

Sunday 10th April 2022, 5.30pm

We are delighted to announce the return of our regular Mass for Young Adults. The Mass will take place on the second Sunday of every month at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Grosvenor St, Manchester. Our next Mass will be at 5.30pm on Sunday 10 April - Palm Sunday - and will include a short talk on next year's World Youth Day, and a social event following the celebration of the Mass. All are very welcome to attend. For any further questions, please email Alex at SalfordYoungAdults@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk

Ancient Byzantine Iconography course

A full, seven-day immersion in the spirituality and discipline of writing an icon in the Byzantine style, led by Deacon Nikita Andreyev, of the Prosopon School of Iconograph. Residential and non-residential options, with the course taking place from Saturday 25th June to Friday 1st July at the Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst. For more info and to book, https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/iconography-course

Eco-Gardening Training at Laudato Si' Centre

Various dates beginning April, Laudato Si' Centre at Wardley Hall. The Eco-gardening Essential Training programme enables gardeners of any skill level to confidently adopt sustainable gardening methods. Participants have the opportunity to learn the theory and practice of gardening with ecological patterns. The programme has been designed to skill people up while supporting the development of an eco-garden setting. Find out more and book at https://northernschool.info/eco-gardening-course-laudato-s

Finally...Happy Mother’s Day!!!

To all the mums in the parish, may God Bless you and have a wonderful weekend whatever you do.

Mary, on this day when we honour all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace.

Dear Mother, thank you for your "Yes" to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God's word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Dear mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give them the grace of surrendered love so that they could join with you in giving their own "Fiat." May they find daily strength to say yes to the call to the sacrificial love- the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their love and witness be a source of great inspiration for all of us called to follow your Son.

On this Mother’s day, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us who have recourse to you.

Amen.

 

God Bless and keep praying.

Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

 

Fr. O’Brien