Sunday 19th February 2023 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 18th February
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 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 19th February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday 21st February
1pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (Details below)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass
ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday 22nd February
(Day of Fasting & Abstinence)
10am Mass with the distribution of Ashes
6pm Mass with the distribution of Ashes
Thursday 23rd February
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blesses Sacrament
10am Lenten Weekday Mass
Friday 24th February
1pm Requiem Mass for Mrs. Margaret Ann Mackenzie RIP
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 25th February
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Lenten Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The First Sunday of Lent
Sunday 26th February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The First Sunday of Lent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (18th Feb – 25th Feb), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Sadie & Jim Pickles and Peter Pickles.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£647.80. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC)
This week SPUC wrote to our parish in thanks for the £83.79 we raised for them in January.
'Thank you very much for your contribution to SPUC'S annual White Flower Appeal...Your support enables us to face three urgent threats:
1. Tackling "abortion coercion". Your support helps us turn the spotlight firmly on abortion coercion, we can expose a huge deception and injustice – and change the way the general public talks about abortion and so-called 'choice'.
2. Safeguarding pro-life speech. The arrest of a pro-lifer for silent prayer near an abortion centre highlights the serious danger we all face. Your donation will allow us to continue the fight and grow our influence in parliament. We must give politicians the information they need to expose the abortion lobby's lies.
3. Fighting the growing support for abortion amongst "Generation Z". The 18-25 demographic leans heavily in favour of abortion. Your support allows us to expand our outreach to young people in schools, university and the culture.
...Thank you again, with all my heart – and please do thank your wonderful parishioners too.
John Deighan, Chief Executive Officer SPUC'
CAFOD Syria-Turkey Earthquake Appeal
CAFOD is responding with support of provision of food, water, shelter, medical assistance and winter kits for survivors of the Syrian-Turkey earthquake disaster. On the weekend of the 4th/5th March there will be collection baskets at the end of the weekend Masses for any financial donations which people would like to make towards CAFOD'S work in this area. For more details visit CAFOD's Syria Turkey Emergency Appeal online at www.cafod.org.uk/give
St. Mary's Parish Centre, Lock Street
Last Sunday (12th Feb) I was invited to join the committee of volunteers who freely give their time to facilitate the running of St. Mary's Parish Centre on Lock Street. They expressed that due to rising energy bills, future property maintenance costs and the increasing commitments many of the volunteers are facing, they had come to the difficult decision to close. I appreciate that this was not an easy decision for the committee to make and nor have they taken it lightly. The Parish Centre will formally be closed on Monday 13th March and the diocesan company, SDC Trading Limited (Salford Diocesan Clubs Ltd), will facilitate the next steps with the diocesan trustees and property department.
The Parish Centre has been more than just a building for many parishioners and their families, it's been a place of celebration, happy memories and a second home. It is important that this is recognised and we give thanks to God for all those who have volunteered in all kinds of ways to the life of the Parish Centre from its beginning. Therefore on the 10th March, the 6pm evening Mass will be in Thanksgiving for all those who have been involved with the life of the Centre and have given both their time and support to it over the years. During that weekend (Friday 10th to Sunday 12th March) we would like to invite parishioners to bring photos of memories and celebrations they have had at the Parish Centre and are willing to share with others. From the Friday evening there will be a number of display boards you can attach your photos to at the back of church. You may want to make copies of your photos so that they don't get lost or write your name and contact details at the back.
Again, I would like to thank the St. Mary's Parish Centre committee and volunteers for all their work and time and I appreciate that their decision has not been an easy one. On behalf of the parish Thank You.
Salford Diocesan Non-Catholic School Admissions Policy
This week Simon Smith, Director and Episcopal Delegate for Education for the Diocese of Salford, contacted parish priests in regards the signing of faith references for Non-Catholic Schools. The diocese has now a policy which they have asked that I share in the parish newsletter:
1. Firstly, I am required to first ask or discuss whether parents and carers have considered and visited the local RC High School.
2. I am then to reflect, where possible, for at least one week from the presentation of the reference form.
3. I will then sign the form although I will be unable to verify the frequency an applicant attends Mass. The diocese have composed a letter to go with the application addressing this issue that reads:
To whom it may concern
It is not the policy of the Catholic Church to keep a register of those who attend Mass in our churches. People do not always attend the same Mass or the same church within the parish (or neighbouring parish) on a weekly basis. Therefore it is not possible to give an accurate figure regarding the numbers of times people have attended in accordance with your admissions criteria.
Signed (Parish Priest)
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
On Tuesday, 21st February, from 1pm – 3pm will be the next St. Mary's Warm Welcome. 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.
Lenten Station Mass 9th March
During Lent there is the tradition of Station Masses. This is where a Lenten Mass will be celebrated in a particular parish in the deanery and other parishes are invited to come. It's a wonderful reminder that we are part of a bigger family and are united by Our Lord in the sacrifice of the Mass. Our parish will be hosting one of the deanery Station Masses on Thursday 9th March at 7pm. Everyone is welcome – as you heard me say last weekend – Everyone! Fr. Bryan Cunningham SI, a priest of the Schoenstatt Institue, will be the visiting preacher and there will be refreshments afterwards. The other Station Masses will be:
St. Mary's, Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, BB5 3EZ on Thursday 9th March at 7pm.
St Peter's, Chapel Street, NewChurch, Rossendale, BB4 9EE, on Thursday 16th March at 7pm.
Christ Church, 15 Cross St, Nelson, BB9 7LE, on Thursday 23rd March at 7pm.
Saint Joseph
'If Joseph was so engaged, heart and soul, in protecting and providing for that little family at Nazareth, don't you think that now in heaven he is the same loving father and guardian of the whole Church, of all its members, as he was of its Head on earth?' - Pope Pius XII
As many of you know Saint Joseph is a powerful intercessor in Heaven. It was God who chose Joseph to be the husband of Our Lady and the foster father of Jesus. It was into the home of this carpenter that Our Lady and Christ were loved, protected and cherished. Would you like to entrust yourself to Saint Joseph? Do you want to come closer to Jesus and be a better person? Do you want foster a greater devotion to Our Lady? If the answer is 'Yes' then why not consecrate yourself to St. Joseph. What does it mean to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph? Well, it basically means that you acknowledge that he is your spiritual father, and you want to be like him. To show it, you entrust yourself entirely into his paternal care so that he can help you acquire his virtues and become holy. This Lent there will be an opportunity to undertake this act of consecration here at St. Mary's. If you would like to do this then contact Fr. O'Brien via email sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or speak to him at the end of Mass for what you'll need to undertake this life giving prayer and spiritual act. The date of the meetings will be:
Wednesday 1st March 7pm – 8pm. First Group Meeting.
Wednesday 8th March 7pm – 8pm. Second Group Meeting.
Wednesday 15th March 7pm -8pm. Third Group Meeting
Wednesday 22nd March 7pm – 8pm. Fourth Group Meeting.
Wednesday 29th March 7pm -8pm. Fifth Group Meeting.
Wednesday 5th April 7pm – 8pm. Sixth Group Meeting and Consecration Day.
Just for the Craic Social Group
Just for the Craic' is a new social group for anybody over 65. The first Saturday of every month held at the club next to St Joseph's Church, Belgarth Road Accrington 1pm till 4pm. Tea, Coffee, Cake and lots of chat! A get together to catch up with old friends and a place to make new ones! Best of all it's FREE!! Disabled access. No expectations just place to meet up and catch up!
Sharing the Hope Deanery Days
As part of our Hope in the Future programme, the Diocese of Salford Department for Formation is set to host a number of deanery days to help individuals, parishes, and deaneries learn more about the needs in their community and then to prayerfully discern how best to respond with the resources available to them. The second of our Sharing the Hope Days will have a specific focus on Blackburn and Burnley deaneries and will take place on Saturday 18th February (10am – 2pm) at Our Lady and St John RC High School, Blackburn, BB1 1PY
Mass for Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Sunday 19th February, 5.30pm, Salford Cathedral. Join us for our annual Salford Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage Mass, which will take place on Sunday 19th February, 5.30pm at Salford Cathedral. The Mass will officially open the 2023 pilgrimage. Bishop John will celebrate Mass and the wonderful Lourdes choir will provide music. All are welcome!
Young Adults Day Trip to York
Saturday 18 March, 8am - 5pm
Pick up points: Manchester University Chaplaincy and Salford Cathedral. Cost: £20
Join Salford Youth Ministry and Manchester Universities' Catholic Chaplaincy on a fascinating journey of faith history as we travel to the historic city of York to explore more about how it has shaped the religious fabric of our nation, and to find out more about inspirational religious figures, such as St Margaret Clitherow.
For more information and to register, contact youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Pray with Nature – we need your help!
The Diocese of Salford's Laudato Si' Centre is calling on parishes, schools, and individuals across the diocese to help with a special prayer campaign this Lent. The Pray with Nature campaign is a series of reflections on our Laudato Si' Centre social media channels that uses photos to help us reflect on the gift of creation and to draw ever closer to God, the Creator. If you have a photo of nature you'd like to share – be it a flower, an animal, a sunset, or even a raindrop in a puddle – we'd love to hear from you! Simply send your photo to communications@dioceseofsalford.org.uk by Monday 20th February.
Salford Diocesan Job Vacancies
We are currently hiring for the following roles:
SDC Café Supervisor
Appointment Type: Permanent
Working hours: Minimum 20hrs per week, to be worked 10am-2pm, Mon-Fri
Location: St Sebastian Community Centre, 1 Douglas Green, Salford, M6 6ES
Salary & Benefits: £11.67 per hour, 20 days holiday, plus statutory bank holidays (subject to pro-rata).
About: SDC Trading is seeking to recruit an experienced Café Supervisor to provide high-quality food and hospitality services to customers and visitors to St Sebastian's Centre.
Parish Administrator (Three Martyrs)
Appointment Type: Part-time, permanent
Working hours: 12 hours per week to be over two days – Tuesday and Friday
Location: St Thomas of Canterbury Presbytery, 327 Great Cheetham Street East Higher Broughton Salford M7 4UE
Salary & benefits: £11.26 per hr, 25 holidays, plus statutory bank holidays and 5 Diocesan closure days (subject to pro-rata).
About: The Three Martyrs: St Sebastian, St Boniface, and St Thomas of Canterbury are looking for a Parish Administrator to provide administrative support to the parish including office administration, secretarial and basic accounting duties.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien