Twenty Fifth 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 17th September
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
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)
Tuesday 20th September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 21st September
10am Mass, Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (Feast)
St. Matthew, born at Capernaum, was a tax gatherer when called by Jesus. He wrote his Gospel in Hebrew, and tradition has it that he preached the Faith in the East.
Pupils from St. Oswald's School, KS2, will be joining us for Mass.
Thursday 22nd September
10am Mass (Feria)
Friday 23rd September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
St. Pius of Pietrelcina, born 25th May 1887, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars aged 16 and was ordained priest in 1910. He lived a remarkable devotion to prayer and the sacraments. He committed himself to relieving the pain of many families, chiefly through the foundation of the "House for the Relief of Suffering". He died in 1968.
Saturday 24th September
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10amMass, Our Lady of Walsingham (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
The lady of the manor of Walsingham, Richeldis de Faverches, was instructed by a vision of the Virgin Mary to build in her village a replica of the house of Nazareth in which the Annunciation had taken place. The vision occurred, according to tradition, in 1061A.D. The original house was destroyed at the Reformation, but during the 19th and early 20th centuries pilgrimage to Walsingham was revived.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 25th September
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (17th September - 24th September), the Sanctuary Lamp burning in prayer before the Tabernacle is for The Owen Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£641.06. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Parish Social BBQ & Raffle
We raised £2,245.90!!! Thank you to all parishioners, visitors and friends of our parish.
THANK YOU!!!!
Where do you begin? Who do you thank first? So many people were involved in making last weekend's parish feast such a HUGE success. Throughout the three days there was opportunity for prayer, reflection and coming together as a family socially. It was commented how many young families we have in the parish and another visitor said there was a real joyful and happy atmosphere about the occasion. By naming people and groups individually there is always the danger of missing somebody. So to each and every person THANK YOU AGAIN!!! And to Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, thanks for keeping the rain away for us until 5pm.
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.
Prayer Cards – Queen Elizabeth II RIP
The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales have published and distributed a prayer card on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The card contains psalms, prayers for the repose of the Queen and also a prayer for the new King Charles III. Our allotted cards arrived on Thursday morning and there will be one available for each household in the parish. Please see the stewards at the back of church this weekend.
Royal British Legion "A Memorial Minute"
You are warmly invited to join us for a moment of reflection around the Queen's Jubilee Tree, Rhyddings Park, Oswaldtwistle on the eve of the Queen's funeral - on Sunday 18th September at
7.45pm to observe The National Minute Of Silence at 8.00pm. This event is being held to bring the public together to observe a national moment of reflection to mourn and reflect the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
Church & Oswaldtwistle Branch Branch No BR 1504
Contact Hilary Austin - Branch Chair Home Tel : 01254 387640 Mobile : 07934024623 Email : ChurchOswaldtwistle.Chairman@rbl.community
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
Sacred Heart, St. Mary's & St. Oswald's Schools
This week Mrs Harling, Miss Hanson & Miss Collinge, who are the R.E co-ordinators for the parish schools, came to the presbytery to plan dates, events and projects for the next few months. In October all three schools will be focusing on the Rosary, especially the Luminous Mysteries. It gives me the opportunity to teach this wonderful prayer, both practically and how it draws us closer to Jesus through Mary. In November, the month of the Holy Souls, there will be space for the children to pray for loved ones who have died and take part in various liturgies and Masses for the dead. Advent will be that season, as always, trying to create some silence and peace. A time to help our young people fully embrace the period of preparation, to see the centrality of Christ, in a hijacked liturgical festive season. Thanks to all staff in helping to continue to foster our Faith in the schools and allowing the children, of all backgrounds, beliefs and non, to experience Our Lord in prayer, worship and action.
The Three Kings
This week Lewis & Lewis Ltd. returned our restored statues of the three kings. They look very impressive, dignified and perfect to complete our fully restored parish crib figures. It's taken three years and many generous parishioners and benefactors – Thank you to all who have supported this project. The three kings will be at the back of church (under the crucifix) this weekend for people to have look and see many of the details that you miss when they are in the crib.
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)
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