20th March 2022
Third Sunday of Lent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 19th March
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday 20th 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 Third Sunday of Lent
1:30pm Parish Walk - Tolkien Trail (See details below)
Tuesday 22ndMarch
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
Wednesday 23rdMarch
10am Requiem Mass for John 'Jack' Wolfenden RIP
Thursday 24thMarch
10am Lenten Weekday Mass
7pm Deanery Station Mass at St John the Baptist Church, Burnley
Confessions available from 6:30pm onwards
Friday 25thMarch
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 26thMarch
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 Fourth Sunday of Lent
Sunday 27thMarch
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (19th March - 26th March) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for Nellie & William Gleeson.
Parish Lenten & Easter Walks
The next walks are:
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.
St. Mary's Prayer Group
Dear Parishioners,
As we hit the grim milestone of 20 days of war, we continue to bear witness to unspeakable atrocities committed across Ukraine. Innocent people trapped in city of Mariupol face bombs, starvation and disease. Women in the throes of labour, sick children and newborn babies were brutally attacked at a maternity hospital. Volunteers trying to get supplies to those in need were murdered. People trying to flee the besieged city are running targets. They can't even bury their dead with dignity for fear of being shot.
Mariupol means the 'City of Mary'. Let's just think about that for a second. The city of our Holy Mother. Here at St Mary's parish that must surely take on a grim, disturbing significance.
Of course the violence is not limited to Mariupol. The world looks on whilst cities and towns across Ukraine are blasted beyond recognition. Our hearts are breaking from the sidelines.
What can we do? What can be done? We are so small in the face of these seismic geopolitical events and unimaginable tragedy. Well, we can pray. We MUST pray. It is the only thing we can do. The antidote must come from one man's love - Jesus' love. And this starts with ourselves, we need to change from within. This is not new information, all of this is in the Gospels. Pray, fast, forgive, love, repeat. We may be small but if we sow the seeds of love, then, like a tiny mustard seed, God's miracle will grow into something large and magnificent.
So please, please join us on Saturdays at 6pm to pray the Rosary for peace in Ukraine and the world. We are so small, but the power of our prayers will echo up to Heaven. And if you are unable to join us in person, please do pray the Rosary at home, at 6pm, in solidarity with us.
Sian Owen (sianclaireowen30@gmail.com)
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
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.
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.
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/
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.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien