Sunday 27th November 2022 - First Sunday In Advent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 26th November
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
'In trial or difficulty, I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.' - St. Therese of Lisieux
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The First Sunday of Advent
Sunday 27th November
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The First Sunday of Advent
Tuesday 29th November
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Advent Mass
Wednesday 30th November
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
St. Andrew was born at Bethsaida, a fisherman with his brother, Simon Peter, whom he introduced to Jesus in St. John's Gospel. He is the patron saint of Scotland.
Thursday 1st December
9:15am - 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Advent Mass
Friday 2nd December
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Advent Mass
Saturday 3rd December
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Francis Xavier (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
St. Francis Xavier was a friend of St. Ignatius Loyola, one of the first Jesuits, he preached in India, Japan and China where he died in 1552.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 4th December
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Second Sunday of Advent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (26th November - 3rd December), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Michael Beard & Peter Power
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£681.35. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Gift Aid Appeal
This weekend Rob Harrison, one of our parishioners who volunteers to oversee the gift aid scheme, will say a few words at the end of the Vigil and Sunday Masses about what gift aid is and how it greatly contributes to the upkeep and running of St. Mary's. He'll also mention other ways of helping St. Mary's financially like standing orders etc. He'll be available at the end of each Mass to answer any questions you may have relating to donating towards church.
Easyfundrasing – Helping our parish when doing your Christmas Shopping
Please remember to use easyfundraising when you do your Christmas online shopping this year, see our parish web site for more information www.saintmarysoswaldtwistle.co.uk/easyfundraising.html.
Over 7,000 brands including eBay, John Lewis & Partners, Argos and M&S will donate to St Mary's Oswaldtwistle Community Care Fund for FREE when you use easyfundraising to shop with them. This means you can raise donations for us when you buy anything from decorations and festive food shopping to gifts like toys, jewellery, tech, experiences and more!
These donations really help us and all you have to do is use easyfundraising when you're ordering the things you'll be buying anyway. Follow this link to sign up.
Advent is Here!!!
This Sunday is the beginning of the Advent season. Four weeks of preparation before the celebration of Christmas with its solemnities and feasts. Have you thought how you are going to prepare to come closer to Our Lord during the Advent season and greet Him on Christmas Day? I hope the information below helps with thinking about prayer, reflection and resources to prepare for Our Lord's birth.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during Advent
Take some time each week to be with Our Lord in Adoration. Sacrifice a few minutes each week to pop into church and simply be in His presence before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. No words are required, no actions are asked but to be simply present to Him. To have that silence in church to listen to Him. During each time of Adoration there will be a table of resources at the back of church to help people in prayer. Please feel free to use and read whatever you find useful.
If Jesus stays with us wherever there is a consecrated Host,
what need is there to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to visit places he lived two
thousand years ago?
If only people visited tabernacles with the same devotion!
Blessed Carlo Acutis
"Know also that you will probably gain more by praying fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament than by all the other spiritual exercises of the day. True, Our Lord hears our prayers anywhere, for He has made the promise, 'Ask, and you shall receive,'
but He has revealed to His servants that those who visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament will obtain a more abundant measure of grace."
St. Alphonsus Liguori
Tuesday 29th November 5pm – 5:50pm
Wednesday 30th November 9:15am – 9:50am
Thursday 1st December 9:15am – 9:50am
Friday 2nd December 5pm -5:50pm
Confessions
Over the season of Advent there will be extra opportunities for Confession (See weekly timetable above). Many people still become anxious when they hear the term 'Confession', but as we saw in the Gospel last Sunday with the Good Thief St. Dismus, the words of Our Lord's forgiveness give us such hope and courage to live and live with joy. Jesus' mercy is boundless and I can tell you as a penitent, to receive his forgiveness is the most freeing and peaceful experience you can ever have. I came across this article written by a priest called Fr. Patrick Briscoe O.P. in 2021. I think he hits the nail on the head and I would like to share it with you.
There's really no reason to *not* start Advent with a good confession!
1 NEW YEAR, NEW START
Advent opens the Church's liturgical calendar. The First Sunday of Advent sets the cycle in motion, beginning a new year. Pope Benedict XVI writes, "The first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins a new Liturgical Year, a new journey of faith that on the one hand commemorates the event of Jesus Christ and, on the other, opens to its ultimate fulfilment."
Every confession is a fresh beginning, a new start. As the prophet Isaiah puts it, "Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow."
In confession Christ wipes away our sins, opening the door to new life with him.
2 PREPARATION
Pope John Paul II says, "Preparing ourselves to receive him requires first and foremost an attitude of intense and trusting prayer. Making room for him in our hearts demands a serious commitment to convert to his love."
The sacrament of penance is a powerful prayer, a very great prayer which drives out sin. Casting out the shadows of darkness, we give our hearts over to Christ's light and love.
3 MEDITATING ON THE LAST DAY
Pope Francis writes, "During Advent we do not just live in anticipation of Christmas; we are also called to rekindle the anticipation of the glorious return of Christ, when he will return at the end of time , preparing ourselves, with consistent and courageous choices, for the final encounter with him. We remember Christmas, we await the glorious return of Christ, and also our personal encounter: the day in which the Lord will call."
For Christians thinking of Jesus "coming" has a double meaning, a double perspective. We think of Christ's first coming in Bethlehem. Traditionally, too, we also think of his "coming again in glory" as we say in the Creed.
Confession readies us to meet Christ, who will come again as our judge. Will we be ready to stand before Jesus and make an account of our lives?
4 PENITENTIAL
For many Catholics, confession is a purely penitential exercise. In many places it's difficult to find convenient, available confessors. Confession demands an examination of conscience, an honest look into the dusty corners of the soul. The priest might not offer any helpful advice, or worse yet, he might be distant or dismissive.
And yet we believe that God works through the sacrament anyway. In Advent all of these aspects of confession can be offered up, given over to God as penance. It suits the character of the season!
5 JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM
How do we walk with Jesus and Mary again to the manger? The most important way is by imitating their closeness to God.
In confession, God draws us very near, pouring out his merciful love. In confession we are brought close to God, we might even say, as if we were standing in the midst of the Holy Family in Bethlehem!
6 DON'T WAIT!
Last-minute Advent confessions are as painful as last-minute Christmas shopping. The best reason to begin Advent with a confession is that you won't be scrambling in the mad rush before Christmas!!! You too can avoid long lines by taking the time to confess today
Advent Spiritual Reading
Below are a list of book titles that you might find to be interesting reading over Advent and Christmas. All are accessible and are available via the Cathedral Centre Books (Mon – Fri 8:30am – 3:30pm Tel: 0161 817 2208 www.cathedralcentrebooks.com) or www.amazon.co.uk
Jesus of Nazareth, The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI
God With Us: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew by Edward Sri
Forming Intentional Disciples, The Path to knowing and following Jesus by Sherry A. Weddell
Into His Likeness, Be transformed as a Disciple of Christ by Edward Sri
Habits for Holiness, Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress by Fr. Mark Mary Ames CFR
Befriending Silence, Discovering the Gifts of Cistercian Spirituality by Carl McColman
Toward God, The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer by Michael Casey
Journeying with Jonah, The struggle to find yourself by Denis McBride CSsR
Family Night – Decorating the church
This year, being free of Covid restrictions, we are able to invite all parishioners, friends and family, to help decorate church in preparation for Christmas on Wednesday 7th December at 6:30pm. Trees need being put up, crib figures dusted down, window ledges and altars buffed up etc. The Good Book tells us that the labourer deserves his wages so I guarantee Irish Coffee, Mulled Wine and a Mince Pie or two for everyone who comes. All parishioners are welcome to come just for the atmosphere and craic. It's a parish family social occasion, so bring neighbours and relations, bring yourselves and your family, decorating or not decorating everyone is welcome.
Appeal: Parish Christmas Raffle Prizes
At the start of Advent (26th/27th November) we are hoping to sell tickets for our St. Mary's Christmas Raffle and are asking parishioners for any items they would be happy to donate. We have at the moment, even before our appeal has started, the following:
£150 voucher for CarpetMarket, Burnley (floorcoverings)
Fortnum & Mason Champagne and Port in presentation box
Do you work for a company/business who would be happy and open to offering vouchers, treatments, meals, or gift tokens etc. as prizes? Any donations that people can generously give, please leave with the stewards at the back of church.
E-Newsletter
When the Covid pandemic started back in early 2020 we were blessed as a parish to have John Hughes facilitate our parish website. With his I.T skills we were able to produce regular parish emails and e-newsletters to keep people updated with news and events. The e-newsletter is looked at by over 300 people each week! Not only in Oswaldtwistle but as far away as a Catholic College in Russia (привет), China (ä½ å¥½), Australia (G'day) and Canada (Hi/Bonjour). The e-newsletter has also allowed us to save up to £250 each month on printing costs and reduced our paper impact on the environment, which the Pope and Bishop will be happy to hear. I've decided to continue with this form of communication because it's proved to be so successful and is read by so many people. However, I appreciate that a small number of parishioners don't have the support of children and grandchildren to help them with accessing the internet so thanks to one of our kind parishioners, Tracey Beveridge, she will be editing a mini newsletter (20copies each week) for those few people who have no access to the parish e-newsletter. Sadly it would be impossible to fit all the contents of the e-newsletter on to a sheet of paper (even on both sides!) so Tracey will edit the paper copy to show Mass and Liturgy times at church as well as one or two imminent parish announcements. In the past when unforeseeable changes have occurred we have been able to email mid-week e-newsletters to let parishioners know, unfortunately the paper newsletter will only be correct at time of printing and liable to change and mistakes. I would ask the kindness and discernment of parishioners to continue to subscribe to the parish e-newsletter and allow those most vulnerable and isolated in our parish family to take home those limited paper copies. Thanks to Tracey for also producing a weekly timetable sheet that will go on the parish sign/noticeboard on Catlow Hall Street.
On behalf of us all at St. Mary's I would like to thank John and Tracey for volunteering their skills and time to help our parish family stay in touch, both in Oswaldtwistle and beyond. I would also like to thank those parishioners who kindly print off copies of the e-newsletter for neighbors or use it as a social excuse to visit people who are isolated. Thank You.
The Sacrament of Confirmation
If there are any younger members of the parish family who are 12years + and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or want to know more about it then please see Fr. O'Brien at the end of a weekend Mass. It's a sacrament that is life changing and affirming.
Congratulations -First Holy Communion
Congratulations to Scralett who received Our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time at the Friday evening Mass (25th November). Over the last few months Scarlett has been meeting with me for weekly catechism lessons. It's always a joy to accompany our young people and their families on this part of their faith journey. Let's pray for all our young parishioners, that they will always appreciate the Sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist which lead them uniquely and personally to Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. For more information regarding catechism and preparation for the sacraments please contact Father O'Brien at the end of a weekend Mass.
Diocesan Almanac
This weekend the new diocesan almanacs for 2023 will be available at the piety stall for £3.50.
There are also Christmas cards on sale as well other devotional items.
Sacred Heart Memorial Mass
Last weekend a parishioner reminded me that on the 27th June 2023 it will be twenty years since Sacred Heart Church in Accrington closed down and part of the parish was formally amalgamated with St. Mary's, Oswaldtwistle. So many people have fond memories of Sacred Heart. It was part of their family history; that special place where they received Our Lord in the Sacraments; that home where they felt supported and encouraged by fellow 'Sacred Hearters', who have long since died but whose prayers and friendship are still warmly remembered. Next year we will have a Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the former parish of Scared Heart and the many blessings people received from it. John Hughes will be producing an exhibition to tell the story of Sacred Heart parish that will be open to all in June next year (times and dates to be confirmed). If you have any photos (copies) you would like to pass on for the exhibition or you have some memories/experiences you would like to write down and share then please contact John at: hughes.john.d@gmail.com
Christmas Window Displays
Maureen Mullen with her team of helpers have offered to produce some Christmas window displays (not flower displays) for the nine windows in church. If you would like to sponsor a display for your family/friends or in memory of a loved one then please see one of the stewards this weekend before or at the end of one of the Masses. The donation is £10.
Cleaners
We are blessed at St. Mary's to have a dedicated number of people, who give up their time on a Tuesday morning to be on a rota and help keep our church clean and tidy. Volunteers are always needed as the more helpers the less pressure and frequency for people to be on the rota. If you could help in anyway please contact the parish housekeeper, Karen Beard via email: jakey9998@aol.com
Parish Grounds
The drop in temperature and the darker nights can only mean one thing – autumn has arrived! This also means that trees begin to shed their leaves and as we all know we have plenty of trees on the parish grounds. Volunteers are always greatly appreciated with this yearly task and all help is gratefully accepted. Maintaining the paths and keeping them free from leaf debris isn't the most glamorous of jobs but it's an important one for health and safety reasons. If there is a day you are free, or a time you can pop down to church, which is convenient for you, please contact Navada Keenan who helps to facilitate all our parish garden volunteers – email: keenannavada@gmail.com
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who do so much to keep our church gardens looking pristine and tidy. It is much appreciated. Thank you.
St. Oswald's School
On Friday morning I was invited to the school's Advent Liturgy where both pupils and parents came together in prayer. We had hymns, readings from the Bible and bidding prayers as well as the important blessing of the Advent wreath. I explained to the children that Advent, like football is a game of two halves. The first part of Advent reminds us of the Second Coming of Christ and to be prepared for every moment of the day. The second part of Advent, from the 17th December, is the countdown down to our celebrating Jesus's birth and how we will greet Him on Christmas Day.
Cost-of-Living Crisis Guidance
Parishes in our diocese have been reaching out and seeking ways to support members of their community through the cost-of-living crisis, and Caritas Salford has created a guidance webpage to signpost a number of ways both parishes and individuals can navigate through the crisis and support others. The information can be viewed here: Cost of Living - Caritas Diocese of Salford (caritassalford.org.uk) and you can also contact Matthew Yates at Caritas on m.yates@caritassalford.org.uk for more information.
Mount Carmel High School
'We are hoping to hold our community Christmas party once again this year, for the senior members of our parishes who would like to come together and join us for a two-course Christmas meal and entertainment.'
Christmas Meal with Entertainment at Mount Carmel High School, Monday 12th December 2022.
Pre-bookings only please, Telephone: 01254 233 458
Arrival time 12:30pm. Expected finish time 2:15pm.
World Youth Day, Lisbon, Portugal 31st July - 7th August 2023
World Youth Day (WYD) is the gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It aims to provide all participants with a universal Church experience, fostering a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. WYD seeks to promote peace, unity and fraternity among peoples and nations around the world.
Cost £980. The price includes Travel (flights), Accommodation (Hotel Empire), WYD Registration Fees, Day Pilgrimage to Fatima, Insurance, and Preparation Days.
For more information: youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk Tel: 0161 817 2205/ 07436157005
Volunteer Information Evening for Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Are you interested in joining our incredible team of volunteers for our 89th diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes? We're hosting an online information session on Wednesday 30th November (7pm – 8pm) for anyone who may be interested in volunteering with us when we travel to Lourdes next summer.
You can sign up to the information session by visiting https://tinyurl.com/SalfordLourdes23
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Lourdes office on: Lourdes.Pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Diverse Communication Awareness and Tactics Training
Have you ever wondered if:
everyone in your parish uses the same mode of communication all the time?
you use different language styles and modes with different people?
everyone you encounter understands language in the same way?
you are always able to make yourself understood?
Join Caritas Salford for a free awareness session on Tuesday 6th December from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP.
The session will aim to increase awareness of:
Modes of communication: Speech, sign languages, sign systems, deafblind-tactile communication, augmented and alternative communication, symbols, body language, lip reading and more
Understanding your audience: Culture, semantics, idioms and metaphors, social cues, context, idiosyncratic language, active listening, turn-taking, and repair tactics.
Basic sign language: Finger spelling and basic vocabulary in simple exchanges
Technology and human resources: Communication aids, interpreters, communication support professionals
Organisational barriers: Ways in which organisations operate that create barriers
Adjustments and sustainability of mitigations
To book your place or find out more, please email Minna on m.moffatt-feldman@caritassalford.org.uk
Job Vacancies
Gardener and Well-being Co-ordinator (Replacement Role)
Appointment Type: Full-time, permanent
Working hours: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri though some evening and weekend work will be required.
Location: Wardley Hall, Wardley Hall Road, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2ND.
Salary and benefits: £22,660 – £27,855 per annum dependent on skills and experience, 25 holidays, plus statutory bank holidays and 5 Diocesan closure days.
About: The Diocese of Salford seeking to recruit a Gardener and Wellbeing Coordinator to tend to the grounds of the Hall, including the Laudato Si' Centre (in accordance with seasonal needs), and support horticulture, well-being school, and community programmes.
For further information and to apply, please visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Parish Administrator - St Mary and St Philip
Appointment Type: Part-time, permanent
Working hours: 14 hours per week, Tues-Fri 9:30am- 1pm
Location: St Mary, Belgrave Street, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 4DG
Salary and benefits: £10.23 per hr, 25 holidays, plus statutory bank holidays and 5 Diocesan closure days (subject to pro-rata).
About: The parish of St Mary and St Philip are looking for a Parish Administrator to provide administrative support to the parish including office administration, secretarial and basic accounting duties.
For further information and to apply, please visit www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Jobs with Caritas Salford
Caritas Salford has several varied vacancies due to increased funding and a recent restructure. Please see www.caritassalford.org.uk/careers/ for more information.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien