Sunday 8th January 2023 - The Baptism of the Lord
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 7th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Christmas Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Baptism of the Lord
Sunday 8th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Baptism of the Lord
Tuesday 10th January
10:20am Funeral Service for Anthony Quinn RIP at Accrington Crematorium
1pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (More details below)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass
Wednesday 11th January
11am Requiem Mass for Sean O'Callahan RIP
Thursday 12th January
10am Mass, St. Aelred of Rievaulx (Memoria)
St. Aelred, born in 1110 A.D, died on this day in Rievaulx (Yorkshire) in 1167 A.D. He was educated at Durham and in the King's household in Scotland. He entered the Cistercian monastery at Rievaulx in 1134 A.D and was eventually elected Abbot. He is remembered for his spiritual writings, above all on the gift of friendship.
Friday 13th January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass
Saturday 14th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 15th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Please pray for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI was Pope for eight years – 19 April 2005 to 28 February 2013 – and became generally known in Britain as the second pope in history to visit the UK in 2010. The first such visit had been by Pope John Paul II to England, Wales and Scotland, in 1982.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls,
grant that your departed servant Pope Benedict,
whom you made successor of Peter
and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion,
which he faithfully ministered on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
Pope Benedict XVI Prayer Cards
The events office from the Bishops Conference of England and Wales have sent out today (Friday 6th Jan), a small number of prayer cards for Pope Benedict. I'll leave them at the back of church, under the large crucifix, please feel free to take one.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (7th January - 14th January 2023), the Sanctuary Lamp is for the Bury & Raywood Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£672.64. Thank you for your kind generosity.
New Year Saints!
Over the last 5 years we've had a prayerful tradition at the end of the New Year Masses to come forward to the sanctuary and, after making the sign of the cross, allowing a saint to choose us from the basket I hold up. Over 2023 those saints become our patrons, our companions, our brothers and sisters. Their prayers support and encourage us through the ups and downs of the forth coming year and their lives teach and inspire us how to be faithful disciples and come closer to Our Lord. Don't let your saint just be a name on a piece of paper, a new year novelty. Find/print a picture of them, look them up and read about their lives, pray to them regularly because they will and want to help and intercede for you. By giving honour to them, you give glory to God their Father and Creator.
A prayerful & joyful Epiphany
On Friday we celebrated the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. What made this Christmas time feast so unique and prayerful was the presence of pupils from our three parish primary schools, Sacred Heart, St. Mary's and St. Oswald's. The children's singing, behavior and attentiveness was exemplary. The wise men reminded us, with their gifts, of who the baby in the manger really is. True King (Gold), Holy Priest, (Frankincense) and merciful God who died and rose again for us (Myrrh). Let's continue to pray for all our young people that like the wise men they too will always follow the Star of Jesus in their lives.
SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children)
Next weekend (14th/15th January 2023) there will be the SPUC White Flower Appeal at St. Mary's. SPUC wants a world where abortion is unthinkable, and is raising awareness of the widespread problem of abortion coercion. According to an independent poll, 87% of GPs are concerned that the Government's "pills by post" scheme leaves women vulnerable to coerced abortion. SPUC is calling on the Prime Minister to condemn this abhorrent tragedy. The appeal next weekend is to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the sanctity of life, highlighting the defense of unborn babies and their mothers and to pray for those who are most vulnerable in our society. There will be a basket at the back of church, under the large crucifix, where people can financially donate monies towards SPUC and their work.
A St. Mary's Warm Welcome!
Some parishioners have put forward the excellent idea of having a 'Warm Welcome' twice a month at church on a Tuesday. What is a 'Warm Welcome'? It's the opportunity for a brew, meet up, catch up and sing a long in a warm St. Mary's. We have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on a Tuesday followed by an evening Mass so with the heating already on in church it makes sense to invite people to come along to a warm place, especially in these cold times and as many of you know expensive energy times! Dylan Owen (Saturday Vigil Mass musician) and Anthony Flanagan (Sunday Mass Choir Master) have generously offered their services to facilitate, as part of the 'Warm Welcome', a sing along. Something to make us smile and bring us together in the New Year. Everyone is welcome to come, bring neighbors', friends, family, people you know would love to get out of the house and do something different, parents and carers on their way to pick up children from school – Everyone is Welcome!!!
As always we need help. If you could volunteer to help join in with the brewing up, the extra voice to sing along, the opening up and closing up then please contact Fr. O'Brien at sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or one of the stewards at the weekend Masses. The more the merrier. If good numbers come to the first session then we'll know it's a project worth pursuing.
First St. Mary's Warm Welcome – Tuesday 10th January 1:30pm – 3pm.
Everyone Welcome – Spread the word!
Welcome
This weekend we welcome a family in our parish into full communion with the Church. For just under a year Oluwaseun 'Olu' has been receiving instruction and catechism classes about our Faith and the Bishop has given permission for her to be formally received into the Catholic Church. As well as Olu we will also welcome her two children, Elizabeth and Esther, when they will receive baptism. I believe one of the fruits of a living and prayerful parish is that people feel drawn towards it because they are able to experience Our Lord in a unique way. Let's keep praying for others to hear that call and find a home in the Church.
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.
Church Flowers
We are blessed to have such talented people like Maureen Mullen and the ladies who transform our church with their amazingly beautiful flower displays. However, flowers do cost money and we are always ready to accept any donations towards the cost of these arrangements. If you would ever like to make a donation towards church flowers then it would be more than gratefully accepted. Place your money in an envelope marked 'church flowers' and pass it on to one of the stewards or through the presbytery letterbox. God Bless.
Christmas Tree Recycling Project
Do you have a real Christmas tree to dispose of this year? The JustHelping Christmas tree recycling project is a convenient way to dispose of your tree while making a difference to our planet and raising funds for local charities. To find out more about the project or other collection points across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, head to https://just-helping.org.uk/register-tree
Confirmation Classes
On Wednesday 11th January I'll begin my Confirmation classes for those young people who are baptised Roman Catholic, 12 years old and up and live in the parish. For those young people who have already approached me at church, come and see me again and I can give you more details. I'll also be offering classes in September for those young people who need more time to think and discern if they want to be Confirmed as it is a big decision and a life impacting one – which you will never regret.
St. Oswald's School
On Wednesday I was invited to a New Year 2023 Liturgy at school. The children through scripture, music and reflection thought how the saints are people who not only inspire us by their lives but also actively pray for us in heaven. Each class was given a saint to learn more about, to try to imitate in their daily lives and be their class patron for the rest of 2023.
Deaf Awareness Training for Clergy and Parishes
Free training delivered by Dr. Minna Moffatt-Feldman, Accessibility Co-Ordinator, Diocese of Salford. Tuesday 10th January 2023 6:30pm – 8:30pm, St. Anne's, Cobham Road, Accrington, BB5 2AD. To book a place please email m.moffatt-feldman@caritassalford.org.uk
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 Scared 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
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.
Ecological Gardening Course
Our Laudato Si' Centre has teamed up with the Northern School of Permaculture and Ecospheres Design to create a fascinating training course on Ecological Gardening. Ecological gardens are self-regulating green havens, designed to re-vegetate the Earth, capture carbon, nurture biodiversity and mitigate climate change. This programme was developed to bridge the knowledge gap between conventional landscaping, gardening and horticulture, and designing resilient eco-gardens and re-wilding projects. Find out more at https://laudatosicentre.org.uk/general/eco-gardening-training/
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/
Refugee Entrepreneurship Programme Officer
Appointment Type: Full-time, fixed term contract until 31 March 2023
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Caritas House, M4 7FA, with some opportunity to work flexibly
Salary and benefits: £31,340
About: The post holder will provide practical support to refugee entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business. If you have experience of working with refugees in a one-to-one setting, giving advice on business startups, have experience of creating business and training opportunities in the North West of England then we would love to hear from you!
Closing date: 9am Friday 13 January 2023.
For further information and to apply, please visit www.caritassalford.org.uk
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien