26th June 2022 - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
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
Tuesday 28th June
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Vigil Mass for Saints Peter and Paul (Solemnity) Holy Day of Obligation
Wednesday 29th June
10am Mass for Saints Peter and Paul (Solemnity) Holy Day of Obligation
"Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labours, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith." - St. Augustine of Hippo
Thursday 30th June
10am -10:45am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Friday 1st July
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Oliver Plunket, Bishop & Martyr (Memoria)
St. Oliver Plunket was born in Co. Meath (Ireland) in 1625, died at Tyburn in 1681. Ordained in Rome he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in 1669. He held synods and visitations and promoted the reforms of the Council of Trent. Imprisoned in Dublin in 1679, he was tried, condemned and executed in London, final victim of the 'Popish Plot' and the last to be executed for the faith in England.
Saturday 2nd July
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 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 3rd July
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (25th June - 2nd July) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for Joe & Sadie McGowan.
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.
Welcome back
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
St. Mary's Coffee Morning: 10:30am Wednesday 6th July
The next parish coffee morning will be after the 10am Mass on Wednesday 6th July. It's a great time just to meet up for a brew and chat. At the June Coffee morning a parishioner had posted me some photos of past faces and events from the parish. It was great to put a face to many of the names I have heard about and listen to the stories about various past parishioners and priests. Somebody even spotted their dad as a little boy on one photo! Please feel free to bring any photos you may have from St. Mary's past to share with others. If you would like to help out or get more information please contact Ciara Kelly at cjk2988@gmail.com
Congratulations to our new Deacons!
Last Saturday, 18th June, people from across the Diocese of Salford gathered in Salford Cathedral to witness the Ordinations of four men to the Order of the Deacons. Damien Buggie, William Lee Davies, Davie Nalikata and John Walsh were joined for this celebration by priests from across the Diocese, as well as the friends, family and personal connections, to welcome them into the diaconate. The joyous ceremony was celebrated by Bishop John, who highlighted that these men stepped forward to be the first of a new generation of Deacons in our Diocese. He gave thanks to them and acknowledged that as we navigate our way in a changing Church he can't say where their journey will take them but he was hopeful that they would take on the challenge to express their ministry in different ways. Finally the new Deacons were met with a challenge from Bishop John to help his shape the diaconate now and in the future. Please join us in praying for our new Deacons, Damien, William, Davie and John as they continue their journey of formation in the Diocese of Salford. If you would like to know more about being a deacon in the Diocese of Salford please contact: Fr Paul Daly – email: Paul.daly@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions about Deacons
What is a deacon?
Deacons have been members of ordained ministry since the earliest beginnings of the Church. Coming from the Greek word diakonos, meaning servant, deacons are called to serve the people of God through the ministries of liturgy, word, and charity. There are two types of deacon: permanent and transitional. Permanent deacons are ordained into the diaconate with the intention of remaining in that role, whilst transitional deacons are usually seminarians in the last stage of training before being ordained into the priesthood.
How is a deacon different to a priest?
While priests are called to reflect the work of Christ the High Priest, deacons are called to reflect Christ the servant. Both are ordained ministries and have some of the same liturgical functions, but their roles are very distinct. Only priests can consecrate the Eucharist in the celebration of the Mass, offer absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and anoint the sick. A deacon also leads a very different life outside his vocation. A deacon can be married and have a family, as well as having a separate job outside the Church.
What does a deacon do?
A deacon performs a number of liturgical duties within a parish. Deacons assist priests at Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homily, and serving as ordinary ministers of the Eucharist.
Deacons can also baptise, witness marriages, and preside at funerals or burial services. They may also be called upon to lead the celebration of the Liturgy of Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, and benedictions, and offer blessings in the name of the Church.
Can a deacon be married?
Deacons can be either married or unmarried, but an unmarried man may not get married after being ordained. A married man looking to become a deacon must be able to demonstrate a stable marriage and family life. A man's wife must give her consent and support for him to take on the ministry. It is also important that children should not be negatively impacted by their father's commitment to the ministry.
How are deacons assigned?
Just like priests, deacons are assigned to parishes and tasks by the bishop, according to the needs of the diocese. Usually, a deacon will be assigned to a parish close to his home. However, he may also be required to take on ministry – such as providing pastoral services in hospitals, prisons, nursing home etc. – outside that parish.
Are deacons paid?
No. Vocations to the diaconate are not paid positions and are instead taken up on a voluntary basis. Deacons will often have work outside their vocation to support themselves and their families financially.
Are deacons an answer to the growing shortage of priests?
Although there are some shared duties between priests and deacons, the unique calling of each is very different. The role of deacons could help alleviate some of the heavy workload of priests, but healthy numbers of each are crucial to the life of the Church.
How do you become a deacon?
If you are interested in becoming a deacon, your first port of call is to speak to your parish priest, or to contact our vocations promoters for the permanent diaconate:
Fr Paul Daly paul.daly@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Relic of St Bernadette Visits Salford
Salford Cathedral, 250 Chapel St, Salford M3 5LE, Tuesday 20th-Thursday 22nd September 2022
Throughout 2022, a relic of St Bernadette will travel from the Upper Basilica in Lourdes, crossing the English Channel to begin a much-anticipated tour of the UK, visiting every Catholic cathedral in the country. Salford Cathedral will host the relic from the 20-22 September 2022.
This is a fantastic opportunity to venerate the remains of this beloved saint, and will be particularly meaningful to those who cannot make it to Lourdes in person.
Find out more about the visit at www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/relic-of-st-bernadette-visits-salford/. More information will be provided in the coming months.
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/
Sacred Heart School
Colours of the Year
On Thursday Mrs Harling invited me to talk to Year 4 about the different seasons, feasts, and celebrations throughout the Catholic liturgical year. Green for Ordinary Time, evoking the image of the evergreen tree whose leaves are constant and full of life no matter if it is summer or winter, just as God's love for us is constant and faithful no matter the season. Purple for Advent. A time of waiting and preparing for Jesus to come. Just as purple could only be worn by important people in times past so purple reminds us that in Advent we are waiting for the most important person in our life to come again, Jesus Our Lord. Gold for Christmas and Easter, white and blue for Our Lady and Red for the feast days of martyrs who shed their blood for Jesus.
School Feast Day
On Friday was the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the school feast day. I was invited to lead a liturgy in the morning for the school community to remind us of God's unconditional love which is shown through the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
'Do not let the past disturb you. Leave everything in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and begin again with joy.' St. Teresa of Calcutta
Summer Fair
On Friday 1st July, Sacred Heart school will have their Summer Fair at 3:15pm. There is a huge raffle with prizes including: Meal at the Brickworks, Health & Beauty Vouchers, Rascals Soft Play Vouchers, Monte Cristo, Finch Bakery etc. There will also be a cake stall, Hot Dogs and ice cream; Games such as Bat a Rat, Treasure Hunt, Hook a Duck and more. It is Free Entry and every one is welcome.
Summer courses at The Christian Heritage Centre, Stonyhurst
Catholicism & Contemporary Culture, 4th – 7th August 2022
Explore the themes of truth, sacramentality and the symbolic in Catholicism and the challenges from contemporary culture. The second in our Faith & Reason series, this course offers a practical approach to fundamental themes of the Catholic faith. Of particular interest to senior leaders, teachers and catechist seeking a deeper knowledge of the Catholic vision in today's world. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/faith-and-reason-2/
The Search for Happiness, 26th – 29th August 2022
Explore the four pillars of the good life – the Cardinal virtues – and how they structure our search for happiness, through the philosophy and theology of St Thomas Aquinas. In partnership with CEPHAS, this course offers a fascinating engagement with this foundational theme for the Christian life through the thought of the Church's greatest theologian. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-search-for-happiness/
Join us for World Youth Day 2023
Registrations are now being taken for young people to join us as our diocesan Youth Ministry Team travels to Lisbon for World Youth Day 2023. Taking place between 31st July - 7th August 2023, World Youth Day will see young people from across the globe meeting in Lisbon to celebrate Mass with the Holy Father. Our own Youth Ministry Team will once again be travelling to World Youth Day with young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Applications to join our diocesan trip are now open. You can find out more and apply by visiting https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/youth/how-to-get-involved/
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
Lay Chaplain for Aquinas College
Appointment Type: Part-time or full-time, term time plus 2 weeks
Location: Aquinas College, Nangreave Road, Stockport, SK2 6TH
Salary: £25-894-£28,499
Closing Date: 12 noon, Friday 1 July 2022
To find out more and apply, please visit www.aquinas.ac.uk/about-aquinas-college/vacancies/
Last Weeks Offertory Collection
£523.07 Thank you for your kind generosity.
Restoration of the Three Kings
A donation was made last week that has now fully paid for the restoration of our Three Kings. Thank you to all those who have generously contributed towards it. God Bless you all.
Sponsor a Sanctuary Lamp
Prayer is so important and it works! One of the traditions at St. Mary's is to sponsor the sanctuary lamp, that burns for seven days continuously, before the Real Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The prayers behind each lamp are varied and different. Sometimes it burns in memory of a loved one, other times its for somebody who is sick or waiting for results and at other times its a prayer of thanksgiving or help for a particular situation or person. If you would like to sponsor a lamp to burn in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament then please see one of the stewards at the back of church. They will have a list of dates from the beginning of July until the end of November where you can choose to sponsor a £5 lamp for the week. I will bless each lamp and light it before the Vigil Mass on a Saturday and it will burn for the whole week. Please give your £5 to the stewards on duty when you choose your week.
The new list will be available from the Vigil Mass this weekend (Sat 25th June)
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien