Sunday 11h September 2022
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Statement from Cardinal Vincent Nichols and prayers for the repose of the soul of Queen Elizabeth. May she rest in peace.
On 21 April 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, Princess Elizabeth said, 'I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.'
Now, seventy-five years later, we are heartbroken in our loss at her death, and so full of admiration for the unfailing way in which she fulfilled that declaration.
Even in my sorrow, shared with so many around the world, I am filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the gift to the world that has been the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty. We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity.
In her Millennium Christmas message, she said, 'To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example.'
This faith, so often and so eloquently proclaimed in her public messages, has been an inspiration to me, and I am sure to many. The wisdom, stability and service which she consistently embodied, often in circumstances of extreme difficulty, are a shining legacy and testament to her faith.
Our prayer is that she is now received into the merciful presence of God, there to be reunited with her beloved Prince Philip. This is the promise of our faith, and our deep consolation.
Queen Elizabeth II will remain, always, a shining light in our history. May she now rest in peace.
We pray for His Majesty the King, as he assumes his new office even as he mourns his mother.
God save the King.
For the happy repose of HM The Queen
Almighty God,
You are the author and sustainer of all human life;
grant that your servant, Elizabeth our Queen,
whom you granted a long and happy reign as Monarch of these lands
may be forgiven her sins and rewarded with that eternal life
promised to all those born again
in the water of baptism and power of your Spirit.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
God, forever and ever,
Amen.
Eternal rest, grant to her O Lord,
And let Perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Amen.
May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 10th September
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions
10am Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel) Saint Ambrose Barlow, Priest & Martyr (Feast)
St Ambrose Barlow, born in 1585 at the still standing Barlow Hall in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, became a Benedictine after studies at Douai and Valladolid, before returning to Manchester to work for the many Catholics of this region. He was famed for his preaching and love of the poor, walking long distances in order to fulfill his ministry. He was imprisoned at least four times, before final arrest and execution at Lancaster in 1641. His skull is preserved at Wardley Hall (The residence of the Bishop of Salford), and his jaw-bone at St. Ambrose, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time followed by Torch light procession to Our Lady's Grotto
Sunday 11th September
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Solemn Mass beginning with the procession of the statue of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle
2pm – 5pm Parish Social BBQ
Tuesday 13th September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Requiem Mass for Queen Elizabeth II
'We pray for the repose of the soul of Queen Elizabeth II. We give thanks for her years of unquestioned service and dedication to our country. She has been a permanent person of unity for our nation. An abiding presence, who stood above the daily politics, giving a sense of calm presence in the leadership of our nation, even in the most turbulent of times. We pray for the Royal Family as they grieve the loss of a dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother. May they take comfort in her Christian Faith as we commend her to God. We will remember her in our prayers and in the celebration of Mass. May she rest in peace.'
Rt. Rev. John Arnold, Bishop of Salford
Wednesday 14th September
10am Mass, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast)
'In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent Heart of Jesus stretched on the Cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful Heart, will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting.' – St. Faustina
Thursday 15th September
10am Mass, Our Lady of Sorrows (Memoria)
'Turn your eyes incessantly to the Blessed Virgin; she, who is the Mother of Sorrows and also the Mother of Consolation, can understand you completely and help you.
Looking to her, praying to her, you will obtain that your tedium will become serenity, your anguish change into hope, and your grief into love. I accompany you with my blessing, which I willingly extend to all those who assist you.' - St. Pope John Paul II
Friday 16th September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Cornelius, Pope and Saint Cyprian, Bishop & Martyr
Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian both lived in a time of turbulence in the Church: they were at the forefront of the debate on reconciling those who had denied the faith under persecution. Together they struck a middle course and guided the Church onward by writing and preaching. Cornelius died in exile in 253A.D. Cyprian was martyred in 258A.D.
Saturday 17th September
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, No Confessions Today
10amVotive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
'We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son.' - St. Louis Marie de Montfort
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 18th September
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
1:30pm Parish Walk – Beginning at Witton Park, Blackburn
(More details below)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (10th September - 17th September), the Sanctuary Lamp burning in prayer before the Tabernacle is for Maureen Jackson & Michael Clayton.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£578.66. Thank you for your kind generosity.
THANK YOU!!!!
The parish celebrations taking place over the next few days could not have been made possible without the army of volunteers who have been generous with their time and gifts. Thank you!!!!
Parish Fundraising RaffleThanks to the generosity of parishioners donating some wonderful prizes, tickets are on sale for the parish raffle this weekend. All monies will go to the financial support of our church.
1st Prize £100
2nd Prize £50
3rd Prize £25
Other prizes include a Deluxe Facial and a Deluxe Pedicure at Touch of Class Hair & Beauty Salon, Oswaldtwistle and a voucher for a conditioning hair treatment worth £25; A Matrix hair product set worth £25 and a Olaplex product worth £25; A voucher towards a meal at Franco's Italian Restaurant, Oswaldtwistle; 2 x 60mins Spa Sessions and 1 x 30 mins massage or facial at Evolution Spa & Performance Centre, Burnley.
You can buy tickets for the raffle from the stewards at the back of church after Mass. They are £1 a ticket or £5 for a strip. The raffle will be drawn at the Parish BBQ on Sunday 11th September.
Thank you again to all those who have supported our parish raffle with such great prizes!!!
Parish BBQ & Bottle Tombola – Sunday 11th September 2pm - 5pm
The parish BBQ in honour of Our Lady and thanking all the volunteers who have done so much over the last two years will be on Sunday 11th September between 2 pm – 5pm. Tickets are on sale at the back of church from the stewards. £2.50 for adults and £1 for children who must be accompanied by an adult. Each ticket entitles the bearer to a free burger/hot dog. There will be a bar, bbq, refreshments, raffle, entertainment and a bottle tombola. If you could donate any bottles towards the tombola please bring them to church and pass them on to the stewards. God Bless and thanks for you support
Parish Walk – Sunday 18th September
Thanks to Marie Leaver for helping to come up with this parish walk. We'll meet at Witton Park car park, Blackburn at 1:15pm for a 1:30pm start. There is a car park – charge of £1.50 (need to pay as it gets checked). We'll walk through the park and up Buncer hill. Long climb and steep in parts. Good views from the top of the hill. Rest of the walk easier walking. Takes us to Hoghton Bottoms via fields and woods. Last part is along the canal before heading back to the park. The walk is about 8 miles and could take about 4 hours. Some parts can be muddy! Toilets are in the park at the start of the walk.
Sunday 18th September 1:30pm start
Witton Park Main Entrance, 293 Preston Old Rd, Darwen, Blackburn BB2 2TS
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 footwear, clothing and food and drinks for the journey.
Sacred Heart School
On Friday I was invited to attend the morning assembly that celebrates all the achievements of the children in their first week of school from behaviour to attendance. The assembly ended with a formal blessing for all the school community at the start of the academic year. As the children departed from the hall I went to each of their classrooms, with the headteacher Mrs Mashiter, to bless them with Holy water and remind them about our Guardian Angel who God sends to watch over us and pray for us. It always makes me smile how excited and happy children are when they get splashed by Holy Water and how disappointed some can be when they feel they've missed out!
St. Mary's School
On Thursday, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady's Birthday), both staff and students from the school joined us for the parish Mass. In the homily I spoke about the greatest present we can give Our Lady for her birthday – our prayers and love for God and others. We wish them all well as they begin their new school year.
St. Oswald's School
You will notice in the Chapel of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle the beautiful and colourful display of flowers that have appeared on the side wall. These were made by the children as a Happy Birthday present for Our Lady. Thank you to Miss Collinge and the pupils who came down to church to help put up this prayerful display.
On Wednesday I was invited to a formal New School Year Blessing Service. The children gathered together in the hall and read from Saint Paul's letter to the Corinthians where he explains that he is a teacher of the greatest wisdom – Jesus Christ. With Miss Barlow, the assistant head, I blessed each classroom and reminded the children that it is not only in these spaces we learn maths, science and English, but we grow in love and knowledge of Jesus and Our Lady.
Bible Recommendation
When people ask me what Bible they should buy I always recommend the CTS Catholic Bible. I would like to add a further recommendation – The Word on Fire Bible, The Gospels. I've recently bought a copy and have found the notes and commentary in it really helpful to understanding the scriptures better. Though it's only the four gospels and not all the books of the Bible I've found it a helpful tool to bring to Holy Hours and use for private prayer and personal reading. You can buy a copy at www.amazon.co.uk
The Relics of Saint Bernadette
This September, the relics of St Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage to England, Scotland, and Wales for the very first time, including a stop at Salford Cathedral. Throughout the two-day period, parishioners will have the opportunity to visit the relics, in addition to joining us for a number of Masses, services, and other events. Please visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/saint-bernadette-relic-tour/ to find out more and please do book ahead for all visits, Masses, and services wherever possible.
Tuesday 20th September
4-5pm - Open visits
5.30pm - Mass of Vocation
6.30 - 7.45pm - Open Visits
8pm - Youth Vigil
9pm - Torchlight Procession
Until midnight - Rosary on the hour
Wednesday 21st September
8am - Mass
9am - 11.30am - Open visits
12.10pm - Mass of Anointing (celebrated by Bishop Brain)
3pm - 5pm - Open Visits
5.30pm - Mass of Thanksgiving and Farewell Service (celebrated by Bishop John Arnold)
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/
The Catholic Fellowship Annual Mass
Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, Saturday 8th October 2022, 2pm
The Catholic Fellowship (for people with learning, physical and sensory disabilities, their families, carers and friends) will be holding a special Mass next month to celebrate the dignity of human life.
The Mass will welcome a number of representatives from organisations such as HCPT, L'Arche, SJMDP, MENCAP, Stroke Association, Dementia Association, Age UK, Scope, and more.
It will take place at 2pm on Saturday 8th October at Salford Cathedral and will be celebrated by Bishop John Arnold. Please contact Jane to book display space and for catering purposes on 07708151331 by 25 September 2022.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien