Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 18th June
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
and Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Sunday 19th June
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Tuesday 21st June
5pm – 5:50pm
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint
Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (Memoria)
St. Aloysius Gonzaga was born into a noble family in 1568 and entered the Jesuits at the age of 17. He worked to help the victims of the Roman plague from which he died, aged 23.
Wednesday 22nd
June
10am Mass, Saint
John Fisher, Bishop and Saint Thomas Moore, Martyrs (Feast)
St. John Fisher was born at Beverley (Yorkshire) in 1469, died at London on 22nd June 1535. As Bishop of Rochester he combined pastoral ministry with study and writing. St. Thomas Moore, was born in Londin in 1478, died there on this day in 1535. Oxford scholar and an incorruptible judge, Speaker and Lord Chancellor. Both men were drawn into conflict with Henry VIII over his remarriage and papal supremacy, imprisoned and beheaded for treason.
Thursday 23rd June
10am Mass, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (Solemnity)
Friday 24th June
Solemnity of the Scared Heart
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, The Sacred Heart of Jesus. (No Abstinence)
Saturday 25th June
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
and Confessions
10am Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 26th June
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary
Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (18th June - 25th June) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for Amy Houston RIP.
Thank you
To all those parishioners who have emailed, written, left voice mails, signed up at the back of church and spoken to me to offer their time, gifts and skills – A BIG THANK YOU! I’ll pass on your information to the right people who will be in contact soon. Also thanks to those who continue to work on volunteering their services for God and our parish family.
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart
On Friday (25th June) we celebrate the solemnity
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. One of my favourite scripture verses that reminds
me every time about the Sacred Heart is from St. John’s Gospel. The scene is
the Last Supper when Jesus announces that He will be betrayed:
‘The disciple
Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said,
‘Ask who it is he means,’ so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, ‘Who is it,
Lord?’ (John 13:23-25)
What I like about this passage is the posture of John, the
Beloved disciple. Why? Well look at the picture below. By leaning on Our Lord’s
breast John effectively has his ear resting over the heart of Jesus. That
position allowed him to hear the beating heart of God Himself!
St. John’s experience of the beating Sacred Heart, lets us know that God’s love for us is real, tangible and concrete. It’s not some saccharine sentiment or a woolly notion but Truth. God loves us. We are loved. The heart is the place of love and passion and the Sacred Heart truly beats and thuds for love and passion for us. St. John heard and felt it – it is real!
However devotion to Jesus’ Heart has not been passed on or
even fully understood in recent times. This is heart breaking. In a world so
fragmented and divided the need for embracing the Sacred Heart has never been
as relevant and essential as it is today. When we know that we are loved, truly
loved, then no matter what obstacles and challenges come our way we have that
power and grace to to overcome them. This June let’s follow the example of St.
John the Beloved disciple and listen to the heart beat of God. Let’s continue
to draw closer to Jesus and foster a deeper more intimate relationship with
Him. How? By undertaking the First Friday Devotion.
What is the First Friday Devotion? Where did it begin? In 1673, a French Visitation nun called Margaret Mary Alacoque had visions of Jesus, where He asked the Church to honour His Most Sacred Heart. In particular, Jesus asked that the faithful “...receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months.” The request was connected to a specific promise made to all who venerated and promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart. After Margaret Mary’s canonization in 1920 the devotion spread rapidly throughout the Church and was promoted by various popes and saints.
Why Nine Fridays? The number nine is traditionally associated
with a novena and finds its origin in the nine days that the apostles spent in
prayer before Pentecost. A novena provides an extended amount of time for
preparation and interior renewal.
How do you pray the First Friday Devotion to come closer to
Jesus and know His love? Go to Mass and if you are in a state of grace receive
Holy Communion with the intention of honouring Christ’s Sacred Heart. It’s that
simple. The greatest prayer we have which offers perfect worship, adoration,
thanksgiving and atonement is the Holy Mass. If you love someone and want to
feel close to them then a person will move heaven and earth to be in their
beloved’s presence. It’s at Mass that we find ourselves in the True Presence of
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The wonderful thing about the Sacred Heart is
that He is loving and merciful! He has given us the Sacrament of Confession to
heal us if we are not in a state of grace so that we can receive Him in Holy
Communion.
What are the “promises” connected to this devotion? There are
12 promises Jesus spoke of that are connected to the Sacred Heart First Friday
Devotion:
(1) I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
(2) I will establish peace in their homes.
(3) I will comfort
them in all their afflictions.
(4) I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
(5) I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
(6) Sinners will
find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
(7) Lukewarm souls shall
become fervent.
(8) Fervent souls
shall quickly mount to high perfection.
(9) I will bless
every place in which an image of my heart is exposed and honoured.
10) I will give to
priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
(11) Those who
shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
(12) I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
The promises above, that Our Lord shared with St. Margaret Mary, remind us how deeply we are loved by God and how powerful the devotion to the Sacred Heart is! These promises are the real fruits that come from entering into a loving relationship with Jesus.
Are the First Fridays a “ticket” to heaven? Philip Kosloski,
a Catholic author for Aleteia writes:
It is not as simple as going to Mass for nine months and then clocking out, never going to Mass again and leading a sinful life! The entire purpose of this devotion is to draw a person closer to the heart of Christ. If a person fulfils these obligations with sincere faith, it is natural for he or she to be closer to God and better prepared for death. The moment that this devotion is observed in a superstitious manner, neglecting the need to live a virtuous life, all bets are off and Jesus’ promise is null and void.
Why not copy St. John the Beloved this year and listen to the Sacred Heart of Jesus beating out of love for you. Why not embrace the First Friday Devotion and be transformed by the life giving love that Jesus wants to bestow on you. Why not adore and honour the Sacred Heart in your prayers this year and allow your relationship with Jesus to dispel all worries and fears.
Caritas Salford News
We are delighted to have already received sponsorship of 5 of
the 20 rooms at Caritas Morning Star Hostel in Manchester, following its
reopening last month and our appeal for help.
Single homeless men, who would otherwise be housed in poor quality,
unsupported temporary accommodation, will benefit from having their own upgraded
and homely room in a supported project as a result. We would like to invite
people to choose to do the same – either for the Hostel - or for one of our
Young Parents’ Supported Accommodation settings in Bolton and Blackburn. This would allow us to upgrade every room for
each new young mum or dad who comes to stay with us with their infant child. To
get involved, individuals or groups would raise £1,500 per room. In return, we will include a name (or
dedication) on a list of sponsors in our entrance hall. To hear about the
difference your funding will make, we would be delighted to come and give a
talk in your church, school or community group. To sponsor a room at Morning
Star Hostel, enabling 6-12 homeless people each year to move off the streets, please
use this link: https://app.donorfy.com/form/NBJHFKD0E0/SEID7
Or, your group might wish to sponsor a room at one of our Young Parents' Supported Accommodation settings in Blackburn and Bolton, enabling us to provide safe, comfortable accommodation and a period of stability for young mothers (or fathers) and their infant children, at a time when they are exposed to increased risks or multiple vulnerabilities, preparing them for independent living and providing a better start to life for their children. Please use this link: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/service-view/caritas-young-parents-accommodation-donation-page/
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/
Salford Diocesan Job 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 22nd June 2022
To find out more and apply, please visit https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Caritas Job Vacancies
Advocacy, Policy & Research Coordinator
Appointment Type: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with the
opportunity to work flexibly.
Location: Caritas House, M4
Salary: £33,241-36,863
Closing Date: 10am on Thursday 7th July 2022
To find out more and apply, please visit www.caritassalford.org.uk
Summer Visitor
We welcome back Adam Bamber who is studying for the priesthood at Oscott College. Adam is a seminarian for the diocese of Shrewsbury and will be resident at St. Mary’s during the summer. Let’s pray for all seminarians and those men who are discerning a call to the priesthood.
Prayer for
Vocations
Loving Father,
you call us by name.
As we journey through
life
help us to be
confident in our own unique identity
and to find
opportunities
to develop our own
gifts and passions.
We pray that the Holy
Spirit
will pour on us wisdom
and guidance
to help us realise and
follow our dreams,
discerning your plan
for our lives.
Bless your Church
by raising up
dedicated and generous people
from our families and
friends
who will serve as
Priests, Deacons,
Sisters and Brothers.
May we support one
another in response to God’s call.
We ask this through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Last Weeks Offertory Collection
£532.44 Thank you for your kind generosity.
Holy Day of Obligation
Just a reminder that the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul is a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be a Vigil Mass for this solemnity on Tuesday 28th June at 6pm and a morning Mass on Wednesday 29th June at 10am.
Fathers Day Prayer
GOD OUR FATHER,
WE GIVE YOU
THANKS AND PRAISE FOR FATHERS YOUNG AND OLD.
WE PRAY FOR
YOUNG FATHERS, NEWLY EMBRACING THEIR VOCATION; MAY THEY FIND COURAGE AND
PERSEVERANCE TO BALANCE WORK, FAMILY AND FAITH IN JOY AND SACRIFICE.
WE PRAY FOR OUR
OWN FATHERS AROUND THE WORLD WHOSE CHILDREN ARE LOST OR SUFFERING; MAY THEY
KNOW THAT THE GOD OF COMPASSION WALKS WITH THEM IN THEIR SORROW.
WE PRAY FOR MEN
WHO ARE NOT FATHERS BUT STILL MENTOR AND GUIDE US WITH FATHERLY LOVE AND
ADVICE.
WE REMEMBER
FATHERS, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT GRANDFATHERS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US BUT WHO
LIVE FOREVER IN OUR MEMORY AND NOURISH US WITH THEIR LOVE. AMEN”
Prayer source
Lordcalls.com
Happy Fathers Day, God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O’Brien