22nd May 2022 - Sixth Sunday of Easter
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 21st May
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
10am Easter Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 22nd May
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Tuesday 24th May
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Easter Weekday Mass
Wednesday 25th May
10am Mass, Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest & Doctor of the Church (Memoria)
St. Bede was born in 673 A.D. and educated by the Benedictines; he joined the monastery, and began a life of great erudition, producing many writings: particularly on the Scriptures and History of the Church in Britain. He died in 735 A.D.
11am May Procession and Crowning of Our Lady at St. Oswald's School
All are welcome. See below for more details.
Thursday 26th May
The Ascension of the Lord (Solemnity)
The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter, is the final act of our redemption that Christ began on Good Friday. On this day, the risen Christ, in the sight of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven.
10am Mass of the Ascension
6pm Mass Mass of the Ascension
Friday 27th May
10:30am Memorial Service for Mrs Sarah Welch RIP at Sacred Heart School.
The children will also crown the statue of Our Lady. All are welcome. See below for more details.
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop (Feast)
In 597 A.D. Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine, then a monk of the monastery of Saint Peter on the Coelian hill in Rome, to evangelise the people of Britain. He converted king Ethelbert and founded the See of Canterbury. He died in 605 A.D.
Saturday 28th May
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
10am Easter Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sunday 29th May
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (21st May - 28th May) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for The Owen Family.
Return of the Sunday Obligation at Pentecost (Sunday 5th June 2022)
At the end of this week's e-newsletter is the full text of the Bishops of England and Wales Statement in regards returning to Mass at Pentecost.
...Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you
our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation
has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this
situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened
significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer
restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have
prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no
longer apply….
Parish Walk
After the great success of our last three parish walks the next one will be on Sunday 12th June at 1:30pm.
Holcombe Moor 12th June
We walk partly in the footsteps of an ancient pilgrim path to Whalley Abbey, marked with the stone base of a 12th century cross. The views are breathtaking!!! You are able to see Pendle Hill to the north, Winter Hill to the west, and to the south horizon you can see the beginnings of the Peak District followed by the Welsh Hills. The final leg of the walk passes Peel Tower.
Meeting at Lumb Carr Road Car Park, Holcombe, BL8, 1:30pm
Distance 4 ½ miles (7.3km)
Height gain 690 feet (210m)
Approx 2 ½ hours
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.
Sacred Heart School
Headteacher Appointment
This week the school governors, after a rigorous interview process, have offered the current acting headteacher Mrs Carolyn Mashiter the position on a permanent basis which she has accepted.
'I am sure you will all join us in congratulating Mrs Mashiter on her success and we look forward to continuing and building on the strong foundations that she has worked so hard on since September 2021. Thank you. Debbie Kenyon (Chair of Governors)'
Memorial Service
The Sacred Heart school community would like to invite parishioners to the memorial service of Mrs Sarah Welch at 10:30am on Friday 27th May. Sarah was the previous headteacher at Sacred Heart who sadly died in January 2021. The school have created a Memorial Garden in Sarah's honour which will be blessed at the service and the statue of Our Lady will be crowned by the children. Access to the service will be via the school entrance on Wesley Street. For more information please contact: (01254) 233 382. All are warmly invited and welcome.
Saint Oswald's School
The Rosary
This week I continued visiting the different classes at school and talking about the prayer of the Rosary. The best way I found to describe the mysteries of the Rosary to the children, was to see them as spiritual photographs. Each mystery is a snapshot of a moment in Our Lord's life which we can reflect on and come to know Him better. Some days its easy to pray the Rosary and some days its harder. However, what is for certain, it's a devotion that we can never give up on.
May Day Procession
The school community would like to invite parishioners to their May procession where the children will crown Our Lady's statue at 11am on Wednesday 25th May. All are welcome for this prayer which honours the Mother of God. For more information contact: (01254) 234 924
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle
Thanks to the Bury Family for their help in laying down a new carpet in the Chapel of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle. A fitting colour and a fitting present to give Our Blessed Mother in the month of May. Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
St. Mary's Coffee Morning: 10:30am Wednesday 8th June
The next parish coffee morning will be after the 10am Mass on Wednesday 8th June. It's a great time just to meet up for a brew and chat, something that Covid has all made us appreciate. If you would like to help out or get more information, please contact Ciara Kelly at cjk2988@gmail.com
Platinum Jubilee
The Bishops' Conference establishes that, at all Sunday Masses on 4–5 June 2022, each parish prays for Her Majesty the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee by including an intention in the Prayer of the Faithful and by reciting at the end of Mass (after the Prayer after Communion and before the Final Blessing) the Prayer for the Queen.
Prayer for the Queen (Following the Prayer after Communion)
V. O Lord, save Elizabeth, our Queen.
R. And hear us on the day we call upon you.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come before you.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Almighty God, we pray,
that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen,
who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue,
that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil
and, being blessed with your favour
may, with the royal family,
come at last into your presence,
through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life
and who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Prayer for the conversion of England by Cardinal Wisemann
O BLESSED Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry" and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.
Mass to celebrate 40th Anniversary of Papal Visit
This month marks 40 years since Pope St John Paul II visited our diocese. On 31st May 1982, this much-loved pope celebrated Mass in Heaton Park and visited Nazareth House in Prestwich. To celebrate this 40th anniversary, on Tuesday 31 May 2022 at 7pm there will be a Mass in Our Lady of Grace church, Prestwich, M25 1AS - the parish in which the Mass in Heaton Park took place. A reception in the parish hall will follow. Bishop Tom Neylon, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, was one of the twelve priests ordained in the park, and will be the main celebrant, accompanied by Bishop John Arnold, Bishop Mark Davies and some of the other priests ordained that day.
Update: The Three Kings!!!
Since appealing for donations to help restore our final parish crib figures – The Three Kings – parishioners have generously given £275. We only need to raise a further £720 to reach our target. If you would like to make a donation please place it in an envelope marked 'Three Kings' and put it in the offertory basket. Thank you as always for you generosity.
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 who 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/
Piety Stall
Ursula has sourced a number of Sunday Missal's that are available from the piety stall at the back of church for £11.50. They contain the Order of Mass and the Bible readings for Masses throughout the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time, Saints Feasts and other Solemnities etc.)
St Euphrasia's Care Home
St Euphrasia's Care Home in Blackley, Manchester, is extending its offer of a respite and day care service to wider members of the community. The all-female home currently provides care for the Good Shepherd Sisters but is now taking enquiries from all ladies looking for day care. Visitors can enjoy a warm home cooked meal, an assisted bath or shower, good company, daily Mass, and a friendly, peaceful environment to recharge their and their carer's batteries.
For more information, please email euphrasia116@gmail.com
The Christian Heritage Centre, Stonyhurst: Christian Leadership Formation Programme
The Christian Heritage Centre is delighted to announce that the Christian Leadership Formation programme is running for a second consecutive year and is currently open to applications from students in Lower Sixth. The application deadline is Friday 3rd June 2022, although references will still be accepted after that date for applications that have already been submitted. The programme is for students who are actively committed to their faith, who are intellectually gifted and who are committed to shaping a Christian society through their careers. It provided a spiritual and philosophical/theological formation in the Catholic tradition around themes relating to the common good, as well as workshops in skills pertaining to public life. Part- to full sponsorships are available to students who are unable to meet the costs, though we students are asked to attempt to fundraise £140 (10% of the course's costs) as a minimum contribution. Information and application forms are available here: https://christianheritagecentre.com/clf/
Mass for Young Adults
Sunday 12th June, 5.30pm, St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor Square, Manchester
Salford Youth Ministry is delighted to be celebrating another Mass for Young Adults on Sunday 12th June - Trinity Sunday. Our monthly Mass for Young Adults takes place on the second Sunday of every month at St Augustine's Church in Manchester and is followed by an informal social.
Caritas Salford announces reopening of Morning Star accommodation
Following improvement works, Caritas Salford is delighted to announce the re-opening of their Morning Star supported accommodation for people who are homeless. From this week, the Caritas team will welcome 20 single homeless men who would otherwise be housed in poor quality, unsupported temporary accommodation. Many will have been sleeping rough or 'sofa surfing' and will benefit from having their own room in a supported project. Could you help by sponsoring a room at Morning Star? Please visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/service-view/morning-star-hostel/ or call 0161 817 2285.
Diocese of Salford Jobs
Interim Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Appointment type: 6-12 months, fixed-term contract
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP. travel around the diocese will be required, along with occasional overnight travel to support aligned organisations.
Salary: £46,350 – £49,651 dependent on skills and experience.
Closing Date: 12 noon on Friday 10 June 2022
To find out more and apply, please visit https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Safeguarding Officer
Appointment type: Full-time, permanent
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP. travel around the diocese will be required, along with occasional overnight travel to support aligned organisations.
Salary: £41,200 – £44,134 dependent on skills and experience.
Closing Date: 12 noon on Friday 10 June 2022
To find out more and apply, please visit https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Heritage Project Manager for St John the Baptist RC Church, Rochdale
Appointment type: Part-time, fixed-term contract until 30/12/2023. 14 hours per week, to be worked flexibly.
Location: St John the Baptist RC Church, Rochdale, with travel in the local area. Some work will be conducted remotely.
Salary: £33,670 per annum subject to pro rata (approx. £13,648 per annum)
Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 23rd May 2022
To find out more and apply, please visit https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Heritage Volunteer Activity Coordinator for St John the Baptist RC Church, Rochdale
Appointment type: Part-time, fixed-term contract until 30/12/2023. 21 hours per week, to be worked flexibly.
Location: St John the Baptist RC Church, Rochdale, with travel in the local area. Some work will be conducted remotely.
Salary: £23,000 per annum subject to pro rata (approx. £13,800 per annum)
Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 23rd May 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
Returning to Mass at Pentecost
This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58)
A beautiful hallmark of the Catholic faith is the profound desire to participate in the Holy
Mass and share in the Eucharist. We do so with deep gratitude and joy. The Eucharist gives
the Church her identity - "The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the
Eucharist." It enables us to worship Almighty God, to support each other on our journey of
faith, and to be a visible sign of faith in the world. This hallmark is supported and
strengthened by the precept that our fundamental Christian duty is to worship God by
participating in the celebration of Mass. Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is the
greatest of all privileges, sometimes referred to as "the Sunday Obligation."
Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you
our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation
has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this
situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened
significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer
restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have
prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no
longer apply.
We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of
health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of
the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for
a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear,
this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation.
Our Catholic people and parishes have benefitted during these difficult times from the
online streaming of Mass and other services. "Virtual viewing" of Mass online does not fulfil
the Sunday Obligation. It may, however, be a source of continual spiritual comfort to those
who cannot attend Mass in person, for example those who are elderly and sick, for whom
the obligation does not apply. In this context, we recognise gratefully the ministry of those
who administer Holy Communion to the elderly, sick and housebound.
We are grateful to our clergy, religious and lay faithful who have served our parishes,
schools and communities with dedication and distinction throughout this pandemic. Now
we look forward with renewed faith and confidence.
In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord's Supper, the Lord Jesus entrusted to us the
precious gift of Himself. With humility, we glory in being a Eucharistic people for whom
attendance at Mass is essential. Looking forward to the forthcoming feast of Pentecost, we
now invite all Catholics who have not yet done so to return to attending Mass in person.
As the Church needs the witness of the presence of each person, so too each believer needs
to journey in faith and worship with their fellow disciples. Nourished by our encounter with
the Risen Lord Jesus, fed with His Word and His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and
supported by the presence of each other, we receive strength week by week, to serve the
Lord and glorify Him with our lives.
Approved by the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops' Conference
Friday 6th May 2022