Sunday 22nd January 2023 - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 21st January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Agnes (Memoria) (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
St. Agnes, Virgin & Martyr, was martyred at the age of twelve or thirteen, according to St. Ambrose, around the year 300 A.D.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 22nd January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday 24th January
1:30pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (More details below)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Francis De Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (Memoria)
St. Francis de Sales was born into a noble family in Annecy in 1597. He was ordained a priest and worked strenuously for the Church by distributing printed essays on the Faith. He became Bishop of Geneva and is patron saint of journalists and writers.
Wednesday 25th January
10am Mass, The Conversion of Saint Paul (Feast)
'For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God [that is] with me. Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.'
1 Corinthians 15:9–11
Thursday 26th January
10am Mass, Saints Timothy & Titus, Bishops (Memoria)
Ss Timothy and Titus were companions of St. Paul, entrusted with the care of the Christian communities in Ephesus and Crete. To them are addressed the Pastoral Letters, attributed to Paul.
Friday 27th January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass
Saturday 28th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church (Memoria)
(Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
St. Thomas was born in Aquino in 1225 A.D. Becoming a Dominican he studied at Cologne under St. Albert the Great. An outstanding thinker, writer and teacher, he died in 1274A.D.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 29th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (20th Jan - 28th Jan), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Jean Dwyer RIP.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£608.31. Thank you for your kind generosity.
SPUC Appeal (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children)The Appeal last weekend raised: £83.79. Thank you for your donations.
Caritas Collection
This weekend (28th/29th January) Caritas have their diocesan mandatory collection. There will be a basket at the back of church, under the large crucifix, for anybody who wishes to donate monies to this charity.
Caritas Salford Mission Statement: Our mission is to help those across the Diocese of Salford, experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination to transform their lives with dignity. We provide a practical response to those in crisis, suffering hardship or who are at risk. We rebuild lives for the long-term, enabling people to live in a safe, healthy and secure environment. We call for a better, more just world where the voices of the poor are heard and acted upon and positively influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect those in need.
St. Mary Warm Welcome
The next warm welcome is on Tuesday 24th January from 1:30pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone is welcome! We have some talented parishioners who dispel the cold winter blues with live upbeat music that everyone can sing along to. Plus there's unlimited brews and fantastic homemade cake in a warm space. Why not come along and experience something different for the start of 2023.
Congratulations - First Holy Communion
Congratulations to Oskar, Riley & Tymon who all received Our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time at last weekend's Masses. Over the last few months these young parishioners have been meeting with me for weekly catechism lessons. As always its been a joy, as their parish priest, to accompany them and their families on this part of their faith journey. Let's pray for all our young people 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.
Cleaners Wanted
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
World Day of Prayer for the Sick: St. Mary's Healing Service
On Saturday, 11th February, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It's only fitting that this is also the day the Church invites us all to pray for those who are sick and suffering in mind and body. For those who have made the pilgrimage to Lourdes, you will know, that it is a place of healing but not everyone is fortunate to visit. This year, at St. Mary's on Saturday 11th February, there will be many opportunities to experience both prayer and healing, for yourself or on behalf of others.
9am – 9:50am – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
The Sacrament of Confession is that wonderful gift from God that helps to heal the soul. Come this morning to allow the Lord to soothe and strengthen.
10am – Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes
Are there people you know who are suffering? Then bring them in prayer to the Mass, especially at that moment when Our Lord is lifted up by the priest in the Host and offered to God the Father. Bring those you know who are sick and give them to Jesus at that most sacred moment.
2pm – Healing Service
A simple liturgy where we will listen to the Word of God and sing hymns, followed by intercessions for healing for ourselves and those we know and the opportunity for the Sacrament of the Sick for those Catholics who are sincerely ill finishing with a final blessing.
2:30pm – Tea, Coffee & A Catch Up
There will be time after the healing service for tea & coffee, a chance for others to talk and meet up with faces they may not have seen for a long time.
6pm – The Holy Rosary
As always, there will be the opportunity on this for praying the Rosary together as a parish family, for those who are sick among friends, family and in our community.
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:20pm – Candlelight procession to the parish grotto (Weather permitting)
One of the highlights of any Lourdes pilgrimage is the torch light procession where pilgrims walk together in prayer, song and solidarity in honour of God's gift to us, Mary, Our Mother. If you would like to bring flowers to lay at the grotto for loved ones who can't join us on this day then please do.
There is prayer throughout the day and at different times. I invite all parishioners to come to at least one event and be part of that powerful voice interceding for our brothers and sisters. If you would like the names of someone who is sick to be read out at the 10am Morning Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes or the 2pm Healing Service then you must have their permission. There is a box you can place their names in the Lady Chapel. Please print names clearly.
A message from The Friendship Club
'After an excellent Christmas dinner which was enjoyed by all who attended, I'm afraid we start the year on a very sad note. Kevin Dean a committee member and the man who played the piano for us, died over the New Year period. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gail his wife who is also on the committee. Unfortunately this leaves the friendship struggling. Unless we find two or three people who are willing to serve on the committee we will probably be unable to continue. We have many helpers for which we are very grateful but we need committee members. Anyone who thinks that they could help us out please contact myself Margaret Duggan on (01254) 233 070 or my mobile 07845549112 or Susan McKeown on (01254) 384 694 or mobile 07910747347.
Update: Church Roof
You will have noticed the increase of buckets around church before and during this Christmas. From the Lady Chapel to the front block of pews on the right hand side of church, the water is dripping in. One of the entrance porches is still closed off and the other, as parishioners have pointed out to me is deteriorating. As you know in November 2019 I contacted the diocesan building department about these issues and I've now been informed that this month (January 2023), a report will be submitted to a diocesan trustees meeting for them to consider the possibility of undertaking re-roofing works. The proposed works by the building department are:
• Replacement of low-level flat roof coverings to both buildings including associated coping repairs.
• High-level pitched roof repairs to both Transept areas (Replacement / redressing of leadwork and associated slate / coping repairs).
• High-level coping stone repairs to main church roof (Lift, provide new lead flashing & re-bed).
• Chimney stack repairs to presbytery (Slate repairs, replacement lead back & replacement
flaunching to chimney pots)
• High-level gutter replacement works to isolated areas of main church roof.
• High-level ridge repair works to main church roof.
• Removal of water damaged / loose internal finishes to facilitate drying of the structure.
The estimated cost of the work is £138,412.43
Let's continue to pray that St. Mary's will be given the green light and work can begin to keep this House of God dry for a little longer. As soon as I hear any-more news I'll update you all. God Bless.
Monthly Masses for Vocations to the Priesthood
A series of monthly Masses for Vocations is set to return this month to help inspire conversation and prayer around vocations to the priesthood. Our first Mass will take place at 7pm on Friday 20th January at St Bernard's RC Church, Burnage, Manchester, M19 1DR. All are very welcome to attend. To find out more about these Masses, please visit:
www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/monthly-vocations-masses/
World Youth Day - Last few places remaining!
There are still a few places left to join us for World Youth Day 2023! Join our Salford Youth Ministry team between 31 July and 7 August as they make their way to Lisbon to join other young Catholics from around the world in a joyous celebration of faith, culminating in an unforgettable Mass with Pope Francis himself! Find out more and register online at: www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/wyd-2023
Walsingham Pilgrimage 2023
Saturday 20th May 2023. You can now register your interest to join our annual diocesan pilgrimage to Walsingham this May! The cost for a day pilgrim is expected to be between £35 and £45. Our overnight option has been well received and is now nearly full. The cost of this is expected to be between £130 - £150 (includes evening meal, breakfast, and packed lunch.) Due to increased transport costs, we may look to reduce the number of coaches this year, so we would be grateful if you could please register your interest by email walsingham.pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or calling 0161 817 2214. Further information and booking forms will be made available soon.
Great Manchester Run - Free places with Caritas Diocese of Salford Team
Thinking of taking on a new challenge for 2023? Would you please consider running the Great Manchester Run in aid of Caritas Salford? The team has secured a limited number of free charity places for the 10km run on Sunday 21st May. To find out more or secure your place, please visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/every-step-you-take-helps-local-people-take-a-step-towards-transforming-their-lives or email fundraising@caritassalford.org.uk
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien