17th July 2022 – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 16th July
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
10am Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel), Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Principle Patron of the Diocese of Salford
The scriptures speak of the beauty of Mount Carmel, where Elijah defended the faith of Israel. In 1156 A.D. hermits settled there and set up the Carmelite Order to lead a contemplative life under the patronage of the Mother of God
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 17th July
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday 19th July
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 20th July
10am Votive Mass of Saint Joseph
'We must be convinced that, in consideration of his great merits, God will not refuse St. Joseph any grace he asks for those who honour him.' - St Alphonsus Liguori
Thursday 21st July
10am Weekday Mass (Feria)
Friday 22nd July
9:10am St. Oswald's Yr 6 Leavers Prayer Liturgy at school.
All parishioners are warmly invited. See more details below.
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Mary Magdalen (Feast)
St. Mary Magdalen was one of Christ's disciples, present at his death. On Easter morning she was the first to whom the risen Redeemer appeared.
Saturday 23rd July
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
10am Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel), Saint Bridget of Sweden, Patron of Europe (Feast)
St. Bridget was born in Sweden in 1303 A.D. After the death of her husband (with whom she had eight children) she founded the Bridgettine Order. She died in Rome in 1373 A.D.
1pm Wedding of Alice Kennedy & Ben McCallion
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 24th July
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (16th July - 23rd July) the Sanctuary Lamp is burning in prayer before the Tabernacle for The McGowan & Houston Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£577.81 Thank you for your kind generosity.
Parish Finance Committee
The parish finance committee have very kindly taken time to help me compose a letter that sets out clearly the overall picture of St. Mary's finances. There is an overview how Covid has had an impact, our current financial situation and the different ways parishioners can still continue to help the parish financially. I would like to thank the committee for their time and support. The letter will be available for this weekend's Masses (16th/17th July).
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle - Parish BBQ – Sunday 11th September at 2pm
Thank you to all those who came to the meeting on Wednesday and all those who have volunteered but couldn't be present. It was great to have a meeting with real people rather than via a computer screen. After the joy and laughter of the meeting I'm looking forward to the actual BBQ and the different events over the festal weekend. More details will follow over the summer but in preparation some items are needed if you could help.
• There will be a Bottle Tombola – if you could donate some good quality bottles for this stall it would be much appreciated i.e. nice bottles of wine, beer, perfume, shampoo etc.
• There will be a parish raffle and again good quality prizes are needed, can you you help? Do you work for a company/business who would be happy and open to offering vouchers/treatments/meals/gift tokens etc. as prizes? Any bottles and donations that people can give, please leave with the stewards at the back of church.
• We are also looking for a First Aider(s). Somebody who has completed a First Aid course and would be willing to be on hand for the Parish BBQ. If you are a First Aider or have a family member/friend who is and would be willing to be on standby for Sunday 11th September then please email sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or call the presbytery and leave a voicemail (01254) 232433
Thank you as always for your time, generosity and support. God Bless.
Caritas Salford – Heat Wave Information
Caritas Salford is urging people to consider the impact of extreme heat on those experiencing homelessness, older people and children, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
With temperatures forecast to reach up to 34 degrees for parts of Greater Manchester and Lancashire over the weekend and through to Tuesday, the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency have issued health warnings. We know that those experiencing poverty, disadvantage or isolation are likely to be at greater risk. This includes those who may be homeless, older people and young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Over the coming days, we encourage people from across the Diocese of Salford to take action. You can look out for those who may find it difficult to keep themselves cool and hydrated: older people who may be isolated or have underlying health problems; for others, it could be as simple as offering a drink of water or sun protection. If you're concerned about someone over the age of 18, who you think may be sleeping rough, you can report this via the StreetLink app. This sends an alert to the relevant local authority or outreach service for the area to help them find support. If you are concerned about someone under the age of 18, do not use this app, instead call the police.
Over the coming days, Caritas Salford will be taking precautions to keep safe all those who access our services. If you are in a position to support us with this work all year round, please do get in touch with our team, or use any of the links on this email. We cannot do any of this without our wonderful staff and volunteers and the funds that are donated by you. Thank you.
For further advice on staying safe during hot weather, you can visit the following websites by clicking the links below:
NHS
Homeless Link
Age UK
Red Box Missions
The summer magazines and receipt books are in the Red Box Missions Cupboard at the back of Church for any volunteers yet to pick them up.
Sacred Heart School
On Tuesday morning I celebrated a votive Mass of the Sacred Heart for the whole school. We prayed for the Year 6 who are leaving to go on to their different 'big' schools. I emphasised to all the pupils that though they are leaving Sacred Heart school they are still part of St. Mary's parish and the doors are always open. Let's continue to pray for all our young people and their families that they will continue to walk with the Lord.
St. Mary's School
On Wednesday morning at the 10am Mass we said goodbye to the year 6 as well as Mrs Roberts, who goes on maternity leave, and Mr Crompton who starts at a new school in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. It was also at this Mass that we formally welcomed Mrs Duckworth as the new acting Headteacher of St. Mary's. It was at Mass that we assured both staff and pupils of our continued prayers.
St. Oswald's School
On Friday 22nd July the headteacher, Mrs Kippx and the staff, would like to warmly invite all parishioners to a prayer service in both celebration and thanksgiving for the Year 6 who will be moving on from school. Miss Collinge has created a very unique and personal Catholic liturgy that allows the children to both connect with the Word of God and express, in a personal way, their own prayers of thanks. In our ever changing world and times I'm very grateful that we have schools who have the courage, discernment and faith to allow me as a priest to proclaim Our Lord's name in both effective and dynamic ways. Ways that reach out and communicate with our pupils who come from a wide range of backgrounds, faith and non-faith alike. All are invited to St. Oswald's Year 6 Leavers Liturgy, in the school hall on Friday 22nd July at 9:10am.
Surveys of diocesan property
On Friday the diocesan environmental office, headed by Dr. Emma Gardner, conducted a survey of the church and presbytery to help us on our journey to net zero. The survey is being carried out on every parish throughout the diocese in association with Silver EMS and Twelvetrees. They are carrying out full and extensive surveys of all parish and diocesan buildings to help prioritise decarbonisation projects. The survey will collect information from all buildings across the diocese, including presbyteries and parish halls, to calculate the carbon emissions of each building and will look at ways in which improvements can be made to reduce carbon as part of the diocese's work towards its goal of being net zero by 2038.
Help us on our journey to net zero
As part of its ongoing commitment to caring for our common home, the Diocese of Salford is working hard to reduce its carbon emissions. To do this, research is being undertaken to calculate our existing carbon footprint, and we are hoping to find out more about travel around the diocese as part of that. As such, we would be very grateful if parishioners could complete a short survey to help us understand a little more about their own journeys to and from church.
Please visit https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/travel-survey/ to find out more and to complete the survey.
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/
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/
Diocese of Salford - Human Resources Advisor (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full time, permanent
Working hours: 35 hours per week worked Mon-Fri. Some flexible working required
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary, pension, and benefits: £26,780 – £32,919 depending on skills & experience, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and 5 Diocesan closure days, employers pension scheme if applicable.
For more information and to apply, please visit 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