8th May 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Easter (Vocations Sunday)
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 7th May
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Vocations Sunday)
Sunday 8th May
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Vocations Sunday)
Tuesday 10th May
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Easter Weekday Mass
Wednesday 11th May
10am Easter Weekday Mass
10:30am Parish Tea & Coffee Morning – All are welcome
1pm Funeral of Hazel Greenwood RIP at Accrington Crematorium
Thursday 12th May
10am Easter Weekday Mass
Friday 13th May
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Our Lady of Fatima (Memoria)
Our Lady of Fatima is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in connection with her apparitions to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Our Lady of Fatima told the shepherd children to pray the rosary daily for the end of the war (World War I). Mary continued to appear once a month for 6 months to the three children, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco. In October of 1930, the Bishop of Leiria-Fátima approved the visions as "worthy of belief."
Saturday 14th May
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Matthias, Apostle (Feast) – (Mass celebrated in Lady Chapel)
St. Matthias was chosen by the apostles to take the place of Judas Iscariot, so that the number of apostles might remain as twelve. Tradition has it that Matthias went on to preach in Ethipoia.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 8th May
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (7th May - 14th May) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for the Whittam Family.
St. Mary's Coffee Morning: 10:30am Wednesday 11th May
The next parish coffee morning will be after the 10am Mass on Wednesday 11th May. 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
Vocations Sunday
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday, and is marked as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of this day is to fulfil Jesus' instruction to "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:38). While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates her attention on raising up shepherds for God's people - vocations to Holy Orders (the priesthood and diaconate) and to the religious life - while encouraging all who are discerning their vocation to pray more earnestly that they may hear and respond to God's call.
At the back of church (under the colourful cross) there will be a collection basket for anybody who would like to make a donation to the diocesan Ecclesiastical Education Fund. This fund supports the training of our seminarians and future students for the priesthood in the diocese of Salford. At present we have 6 men at different stages of formation for the priesthood. Five at Oscott and one at the Venerable English College in Rome. If you would like to know more about vocations to the priesthood then please see Fr. O'Brien or the vocation director:
Fr. Mark Paver (Vocations Director)
St. Luke's Presbytery
Swinton Park Road
Salford
M6 7WR
Tel: 0161 736 2696
Diocesan Prayer for Vocations
Heavenly Father,
we ask you to send labourers into your harvest.
Inspire, in the hearts of your people,
vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
Bless our families with a spirit of generosity,
so that those whom you call have the courage to give themselves
to your Church in faith.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Ruben who will make his First Holy Communion this weekend and to Hero, Mica & Princess who were all blessed to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist last weekend. Let's pray for all our young people that they will always appreciate the Sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist which lead them to Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
First Holy Communion and Confession
If there are any young people 7+ who would like to know more about the power of God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession and prepare to receive Jesus in Holy Communion then please come with a parent/guardian to see me in the sacristy at the end of Mass. The parish sacramental programme is an ongoing event throughout the year so nobody ever misses out.
The Sacrament of Confirmation
If there are any younger members of the parish family who are 12years + and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or know more about it then please see me at the end of a weekend Mass. It's a sacrament that is life changing.
May: The month of Mary
I've been asked would I recommend any books about Our Lady to help people understand her better and further their relationship and devotion towards her. Below are some titles that I have found helpful and easily found on Amazon.
Hail, Holy Queen by Scott Hahn
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary by Brant Pitre
Rethinking Mary in the New Testament by Edward Sri
10 Wonders of the Rosary by Fr. Donald Calloway MIC.
Mary Most Holy, Meditating with the Early Cistercians by Cistercian Publications.
Mary: Mirror of the Church by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa
33 Days to Morning Glory. A Do-it-Yourself Retreat in preparation for Marian Consecration by
Fr. Michael Gaitley MIC.
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. You will notice the chapel floor is stripped and in the next week or so Paul and his sons will lay down the new blue carpet – a fitting colour and a fitting present to give Our Blessed Mother in the month of May. Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Collection Baskets
The parish finance committee (Sean Keenan, Michael Partington & David Neville) met recently to review the parish finances in the light of the Covid Pandemic. Our current income is only 50% of what it was in 2019. The biggest drop has been the loose collection. The committee has advised me about making better use of the collection baskets at Masses and therefore following their guidance I have made the decision to re-introduce the collection baskets at the offertory. This will begin next weekend (7th/8th May). During the weekday Masses there will still be baskets on the table at the back of church and at the front by the Sacred Heart Chapel. Paying by Direct Debit has become a popular way of supporting the parish. If you would like to know more about this of Gift Aid then please contact Rob Harrison or Berni McGuinness berni.mcguinness@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
We are delighted to bring you the details for the 88th Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2022. We have worked extremely hard to ensure that the pilgrimage will be a very safe and fulfilling experience for all who attend. The pilgrimage will be led by Rt Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford. It leaves on 29th July and returns on 4th August 2022. Booking via Joe Walsh Tours Ltd. www.joewalshtours.co.uk , further enquiries email: lourdes.pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Reminder: The final date for submission of Medical Assessment Form 2022 is Saturday 7th May 2022. All details and forms can be found from the Salford Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage website https://www.salfordlourdes.co.uk/travel-accommodation
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 your generosity.
Sacred Heart School
I was invited into Mrs Harling's class to talk about my vocation as a priest this week. By the end of the hour not only had I been asked questions about "What do priests eat and why do you wear black?", we got onto deeper theological issues such as - "Where does God live?", "Who made God?" and "Can people become angels?" As always, I left school smiling.
St. Mary's School
On Friday I was in Miss Hansom's class to show the children my ordination photos and go through the promises a priest makes – Prayer, Celibacy, Obedience. I then reminded the pupils that everyone is called by God and sometimes to more than one vocation. Let's pray for all the children in our schools that they will hear God calling them to their right vocation.
Welcome back!!!
Fr. Stamp, our previous Dean from St. Anne's, is returning back to the Deanery in June. Father has been appointed by the Bishop to St. Peter's, Newchurch and St. James the Less, Rawtenstall. We wish him well and our prayers go with the retiring priests from these parishes - Fr. Boast and Canon McBride.
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/
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/
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/
Caritas Diocese of Salford Jobs
We have a number of career opportunities available right now for excellent candidates with a passion for social justice. Please visit our website for more details https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/careers/
Parish & Communities Engagement Officer for Caritas Diocese of Salford
Appointment type: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Caritas House, M4 with opportunity to work flexibly
Closing date: Monday 16 May 2022, 10am Salary: £29,568 - £33,241
Advocacy, Policy & Research Co-Ordinator for Caritas Diocese of Salford
Appointment type: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Caritas House, M4 with opportunity to work flexibly
Closing date: Monday 16 May 2022, 10am
Salary: £33,241 - £36,863
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