13th March 2022
Second Sunday of Lent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 12th March
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 13th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
'The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.' - Pope Saint Pius X.
10am Mass for the Second Sunday of Lent
Tuesday 15thMarch
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6:30pm Lenten Weekday Mass
Wednesday 16thMarch
10am Lenten Weekday Mass
12:20pm Funeral Service for Patricia 'Pat' Cameron RIP (Accrington Crematorium)
Thursday 17thMarch
10am Mass, Feast of Saint Patrick, Bishop & Missionary
St. Patrick was born in c.385 A.D. and was taken, in his youth, as a captive to Ireland where he worked as a herdsman. Having escaped he became a priest and Bishop and returned to Ireland where he preached the Gospel and won many to the Faith. He died in 461 A.D. and was buried at Downpatrick.
Friday 18thMarch
11am Funeral Service for Christopher Graham RIP (Accrington Crematorium)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Lent Weekday Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 19thMarch
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Celebrated in the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil for Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday 20thMarch
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent
1:30pm Parish Walk – Tolkein Trail
(Further details below)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (12th March - 19th March) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for Joanne Hughes RIP.
Updated Guidance on Holy Communion
The Bishops' Conference, on advice from Public Health England, has confirmed that the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue is allowed.
Parish Primary Schools
This weekend staff and pupils at our three primary schools, Sacred Heart, St. Mary's & St. Oswald's will be joining us for our Masses. It's a wonderful way to remind families that the doors of church are open and welcoming; to help the school communities foster links towards the parish church and to pray for all our young people. Thank you to the staff who have helped to facilitate this weekend.
Parish Lenten Retreat: Thank You
Last week during our Parish Lenten Retreat Fr. Samuel Burke OP definitely gave us food for thought about the gift of Hope. As always, thank you to those who came to pray and support the retreat, for those who made countless teas and coffees and for the music ministry. Fr. Samuel thoroughly enjoyed his time at St. Mary's and was over the moon with the Lancashire Tea and Eccles cakes! As well as our sincere thanks lets continue to pray for Fr. Samuel in his vocation as a Dominican and priest.
Parish Lenten & Easter Walks
Over 50 parishioners turned up for the Sawley Abbey Lenten walk last Sunday. The weather was perfect and the views spectacular. Some fantastic groups photos – we'll get John Hughes our 'internet parishioner' to upload them soon. God Bless all those who came, especially our young people who kept me on my toes! The next walks are as follows:
Tolkein Trail Sunday 20th March (Lent)
The Lord of the Rings reminds us of the power of Good over Evil. It was this landscape in the Ribble valley, around Stonyhurst College, that was meant to have shaped Tolkein's imagination when writing about the home of the Hobbits – The Shire.
Meeting at Hurst Green village car park by the Bayley Arms, 1:30pm
Distance 6 ½ miles 10.5km
Approx 3 hours
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 footware, 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, Burnely, 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 24th March 7pm at St. John the Baptist, Burnley
Thursday 31st March 7pm at St. Mary's, Clyaton-le-moors
Thursday 7th April 7pm at St. Anselm's, Whitworth
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.
How do I pass on the Faith to my children and grandchildren?
This is a question many parents, grandparents and godparents ask, especially in light of our secular world. Over the next coming months I'm offering the opportunity to help give ideas and content about how the Faith can be passed on.
Tuesday 15th March 7pm – 8pm
Tuesday 22nd March 7pm – 8pm
Tuesday 12th April 7pm – 8pm
Tuesday 19th April 7pm – 8pm
Tuesday 26th April 7pm - 8pm
Stella Maris
On the one-year anniversary of the Ever Given ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal, Catholic charity Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) is hosting a webinar about modernisation in the shipping industry. It will look at the history of the container ship, the rise of the ultra-large container vessels, and explore what impact modernisation of the shipping industry has had on seafarers around the world. Please register now at www.stellamaris.org.uk/modernisation to join online on 23 March at 7.30pm to hear how shipping has changed in the last century, the impact this is having on seafarers today, and the important role Stella Maris has in supporting them.
St. Mary's Prayer Group
Dear Parishioners,
As you will have seen this week, Russian forces have invaded Ukraine. Troops have rallied, tanks are rolling and soldiers are on the move. But remember, there is more than one type of soldier. We are called to be Prayer Warriors, and we too are mobilising... for peace.
Jesus told us, 'Do not be afraid', so we refuse to despair, we reject fear and we pray to the Lord our God for a peaceful and rapid resolution to these terrible events. We pray in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. And we pray that the Holy Spirit inspires a sense of compassion and humanity rather than greed and self-interest in our leaders.
So every Saturday in church, at 6pm, we will be praying The Rosary - our weapon of choice - to pray for peace. Please join us. Prayers said in faith can move mountains. Even if we never see the outcome of our prayers, we can be assured that God has heard us - and our prayers will have been answered.
Sian sianclaireowen30@gmail.com
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 Team
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/
Communications Manager for Caritas Diocese of Salford
Appointment type: Full time (37.5 hours per week), part-time considered
Location: Caritas House, Manchester, with the opportunity to work flexibly
Closing date: Friday 18 March, 10am
Salary: £31,770 - £34,239
Find out more and apply: www.caritassalford.org.uk
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien