Sunday 19th March 2023 - Fourth Sunday of Lent/ Laetare Sunday
!!HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 18th March
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 Fourth Sunday of Lent
Sunday 19th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Fourth Sunday of Lent
Tuesday 21st March
1pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (Details below)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
Wednesday 22nd March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blesses Sacrament
10am Lenten Weekday Mass
7pm Consecration to St. Joseph (Days 16 -21)
Thursday 23rd March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blesses Sacrament
10am Lenten Weekday Mass
Friday 24th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 25th March
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, The Annunciation of the Lord (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sunday 26th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (18th March - 25th March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for the Hughes & Shorrock Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£652.43. Thank you for your kind generosity.
CAFOD Syria-Turkey Earthquake Appeal
The Appeal from our parish raised £239.25.
Words of Wisdom
Saint Peter Julian Eymard (1811 – 1868), wrote some beautiful reflections on the Blessed Sacrament. During Lent let's take a few minutes to read those words of wisdom on the Real Presence and appreciate the sacrifice and gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. This week St. Peter Julian writes about the fourth miracle of the Eucharist – Jesus' real presence in an infinite number of places at the same time.
"Not only is Jesus multiplied with the Sacred Particles, but by a wonder that follows from that of the multiplication, He is present at one and the same time in an infinite number of places.
During the days of His mortal life Jesus was present in one place only, He dwelt in one house only. Few persons were privileged enough to enjoy His presence and listen to His words. But today in the Most Blessed Sacrament, He is, so to speak, present everywhere at one and the same time. In a way His humanity shares the prerogative of His Divine immensity which fills all things. Jesus is present in His entirety in an infinite number of temples and in each one of them; Since all the Catholics scattered throughout the world are members of His Mystical Body, it does seem necessary that He, as the soul of it, should be everywhere, present throughout the whole body, giving life, and sustaining it in each one of His members.
Lord Jesus, we adore Thy power which has multiplied "wonderful works", thereby enabling Thee to dwell in the midst of Thy children, to come down to their level, and to be all their own.'
(Taken from The Real Presence, The Wonderful Work of God by St. Peter Julian Eymard)
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
On next St. Mary's Warm Welcome is this Tuesday, 21st March from 1pm – 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 home-made cake in a warm space. Why not come along and experience something different.
Red Box Missions
The spring magazines are now ready for collection from the mission box cupboard at the back of Church together with collectors books.
Thank you for your continued support.
Parish Lenten Walk
As you can see from the photo above, our first parish walk of the year was a success. We made it up Darwen Hill and down again. Thanks to all those who took part. Our next walk will be:
Lenten Walk II: The Huncoat Trail: 26th March
Thanks to Marie Leaver for helping suggest this local walk. We'll begin at the stocks/memorial garden in Huncoat at 1:30pm. It passes over the railway track in the village and makes its way to the motorway. Crossing over this (by bridge) we walk along the canal for a while. The path then has to go back across the railway and the motorway, through woods and back to the parked cars. It is about 4 to 5 miles of fairly easy walking.
Directions: travel up Burnley road to the Griffin pub, turndown Higher Gate Road till you come to the memorial garden BB5 6LJ.
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 footware, clothing and food and drinks for the journey. If you would like to ask more questions or get a copy of the route do see me in the sacristy at the end of the Mass.
Lenten Deanery Station Mass
The next Deanery Station Masses will be:
Christ Church, 15 Cross St, Nelson, BB9 7LE, on Thursday 23rd March at 7pm.
Offertory Envelopes, Gift Aid & Direct Debit
Thank you for your continued generosity and financial support towards St. Mary's, especially during these days of rising costs. Thank you also to Rob Harrison and Berni McGuinness who are continuing to facilitate this important part of our parish's life. Throughout this month of March the new offertory envelopes will be available. Please ask one of the stewards at the back of church for yours. Any envelopes that are not collected by Sunday 2nd April will not be re-ordered as the cost of ordering and printing envelopes is expensive.
Rob and Berni are usually available at the back of church to help answer any questions about paying via Direct Debit/Standing Orders or signing up to the Gift Aid scheme which is always a significant financial boost. For more info contact: berni.mcguinness@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Easter Raffle
We are hoping to begin an Easter Raffle, to help raise money for our church, and it would be great if parishioners had any Easter eggs to donate as prizes. If you are able to kindly donate an Easter egg then please pass them to one of the stewards at the back of church. You will also be able to begin buying tickets for the raffle from this weekend (£1 a ticket or £5 a strip).
Easter Chicks
Thanks to Lynne Pilkington and the ladies there will be handmade 'Easter chicks' on sale at the back of church with all the proceeds kindly going to church funds.
Enquirers morning for Vocations to the Diaconate
Saturday 1st April,10am, St Patrick's Church, Livesey Street, Manchester, M4 5HF
The Diocese of Salford's Department for Formation is holding an enquirers morning for anyone who may be discerning a vocation to the diaconate. If you would like to learn more about what a deacon is or does, or would like to speak to someone about how God might be calling you to serve as a deacon in our diocese, this event will help you find out more. Come along to an Enquirer's Morning at St. Patrick's Church, Livesey St, Manchester, on Saturday 1st April, starting with Mass at 10am and finishing with a sandwich lunch.
Email formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk to let us know you're coming.
You can also learn more about the role of deacons by visiting www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/diaconate-faqs/
Sponsor a Sanctuary Lamp
Prayer is so important and it works! One of the traditions at St. Mary's is to sponsor the sanctuary lamp, that burns for seven days continuously, before the Real Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The prayers behind each lamp are varied and different. Sometimes it burns in memory of a loved one, other times its for somebody who is sick or waiting for results and at other times its a prayer of thanksgiving or help for a particular situation or person. If you would like to sponsor a lamp to burn in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament then please see one of the stewards at the back of church. They will have a list of dates from the beginning of May until the end of December where you can choose to sponsor a £5 lamp for the week. I will bless each lamp and light it before the Vigil Mass on a Saturday and it will burn for the whole week. Please give your £5 to the stewards on duty when you choose your week. The new list will be available from the Vigil Mass (Saturday 11th March)
St Oswald's RC Nursery School, Hartley Ave, Accrington
Did you know that St Oswald's is able to offer a free nursery education for your child?
Our nursery is well staffed and resourced, providing a secure, caring learning environment for your child. Our staff are very experienced, friendly and approachable and we can promise you a warm welcome. The school's website, www.stoswaldsromancatholicprimaryschool.com/nursery has more information about what the children learn whilst they are there.
The Nursery has two classes :
* Class 1 - session times run from 8.55 a.m. to 11.55 a.m.
* Class 2 - session times run from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
Everyone is entitled to 15 hours of free education and eligible families are entitled to 30 hours.
Please check the Lancashire County Council website to see if you are eligible for 30hrs.
We offer a Breakfast Club from 8 a.m. which costs only 50p and children receive breakfast and activities. We also have links with childminders in the area who mind children from 3 p.m. onwards if this is required. Please ask for details.
Children must be three years of age to start and out of nappies.
If you would like to visit our nursery and / or put your child's name down on our Admission list for when they have their 3rd birthday, please do not hesitate to call Mrs. Lee on 01254 234924.
Shroud of Turin Exhibition Closing Talk:
By popular demand, The Christian Heritage Centre will host another talk on the Shroud of Turin at 7:30pm on Wednesday 22nd March. Led by the curator Pam Moon, the lecture will uncover the history of the Shroud, its hidden features revealed by scientific investigation, and its significance in revealing the Passion of Our Lord.
Guests who purchased tickets for the talk on Thursday 9th March but were unable to attend should contact events@christianheritagecentre.com to carry over their booking to this talk.
Tickets can be purchased by going to https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/shroud-of-turin-exhibition/
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham
Saturday 20th May, 2023, The Diocese of Salford's annual pilgrimage to Walsingham will be returning on Saturday 20th May. This year's pilgrimage has a number of places available to join the Day Pilgrimage and a very limited number of places for the overnight stay. The cost is £45 for the day trip and £134 for an overnight stay in a Standard room, and £150 for an overnight stay in an En-Suite room. For more information, email walsingham.pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or call 0161 817 2214. Alongside the main pilgrimage, we will also have our Youth Pilgrimage. For more information please email youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Caritas Salford Lent Appeal
This Lent, will you make a change to change a life? Whether you're making a change to your diet, fasting, amending your behaviour or adapting your thoughts and focus...as you pray, fast and give this Lent the change you're making could also help to change a life. By remembering Caritas Salford during Lent, your donations and prayers will make a real difference to the lives of the local people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire that the team supports - people in our local communities facing poverty, disadvantage, homelessness and isolation. There are lots of ways you can help:
• Keep Caritas Salford and the people they work alongside in the local community in your prayers this Lent
• Join their Lent appeal and collect change to help change lives (you can pay online at www.caritassalford.org.uk/service-view/lent2023/ )
• Help Caritas reach even more people by sharing news of the appeal on social media, with friends, family and other loved ones, colleagues and wider networks.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien