Sunday 28th May 2023
Pentecost Sunday
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 27th May
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop (In the Lady Chapel)
In 597 A.D. Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine, then a monk of the monastery of Saint Peter on the Coelian hill in Rome, to evangelise the people of Britain. He converted king Ethelbert and founded the See of Canterbury. He died in 605 A.D.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Pentecost Sunday
Sunday 28thMay
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of Pentecost Sunday
Wednesday 31stMay
10am Mass, The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast)
This feast goes back to the 13th/14th century. It was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. Like most feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and his saving work. The more visible actors in the visitation drama (see Luke 1:39-45) are Mary and Elizabeth. However, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy—the joy of messianic salvation. Elizabeth, in turn, is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary—words that echo down through the ages.
1:30pm Requiem Mass for Karen Hughes RIP
Thursday 1st June
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest (Feast)
The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, on the first Thursday after Pentecost, focuses on Jesus' Priestly Office. Jesus is considered the model for believers, and for the clergy in particular, with priests acting in persona Christi ("In the person of Christ"). The laity are thus urged to pray that priests would be more like Christ, the compassionate and trustworthy high priest (Heb 2:17), ever-living to intercede for humanity before The Father (Heb 7:25).
11:40am Funeral Service for Robert Carlton RIP at Accrington Crematorium
1:40pm Funeral Service for Susan Raywood RIP at Accrington Crematorium
Friday 2nd June
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saints Marcellinus andPeter, Martyrs (Memoria)
Ss Marcellinus and Peter were martyred in the persecution of Diocletian 300 A.D. Peter, in prison, invited the priest Marcellinus to baptise his gaoler, whom he had converted; the authorities had the two men executed. Their names appear in the Roman Canon at Mass.
Saturday 3rd June
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs (In the Lady Chapel)
Mwanga, the ruler of Uganda in 1885-1887, persecuted Christians of all denominations; among those executed were Charles and 21 companions, court pages, for being Christians and refusing to acquiesce in the king's desires.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Most Holy Trinity
Sunday 4th June
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of The Most Holy Trinity
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (27th May - 3rd June), the Sanctuary Lamp is for The Bridges Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£608.84. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Catholic Communications Network
Last weekend's diocesan collection for the Catholic Communications Network raised £45.62
Parish Donations
Many people have asked can they donate monies towards the parish via Direct Debit and if so what is the name of the parish account: SRCDTR ST MARY OSWALDTWISTLE.
Thank you for your continued support.
Pentecost Prayers
On Saturday evening (27th May) at the 6:30pm Vigil Mass I'll receive Jordan Fox into full communion with the Church. This is always something to celebrate, a new member of God's family! Over the last six months Jordan has been taking part in catechesis sessions and will receive Our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time and be Confirmed. Let's continue to keep him and all new members to the Church in our prayers.
Salford Diocesan Synod
At last weekend's Masses I spoke about the Diocesan Synod and the Bishops request for at least two parish representatives to come forward on behalf of St. Mary's. If you are still praying and discerning, then the following maybe of some help:
Online Synod Information Session, Tuesday 6th June 2023, 7–9pm, Online (Zoom)
Bishop John has recently announced the launch of our own Diocesan Synod, inviting us all to prayerfully discern how we can best address the changing needs of our diocesan community. To help us begin this journey, we are holding an online information session to help you find out more about the synod and how you can get involved. There will be a presentation from the Synod Team followed by an opportunity for questions. Attendees can register by emailing formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or by calling 0161 817 2214.
Each parish is asked to nominate two lay Synod Members. Please prayerfully consider how you can contribute to our Synod and pray to The Holy Spirit for the right people to come forward as prospective Synod Members for our parish.
The new deadline for submitting the names of your parish Synod Members is Tuesday 30th May 2023. A form to collect this information will be sent out nearer the time.
Parish Synod Representatives
Role of a Synod Member
• To lead/facilitate small discussion groups in the parish with the support of the
other Synod Members and volunteers in the parish.
• Synod Members will be tasked with listening, reflecting and discerning.
• They will be asked to find ways of listening to the concerns, needs and reflections
of their communities and to 're-present' these to the Synod where they will be
gathered together.
• Synod Members will be called to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit guiding the
life and mission of the Church in this place and time.
• Synod Members will be asked, with their communities, to formulate the concrete
proposals upon which the Synod gathering will vote on in February 2025.
• No prior theological knowledge or expertise is required for this role but personal
commitment, preparation, prayer, being open to guidance and enthusiasm are
crucial to it.
• Members must be willing and able to commit to the Synod process for a period of
two years. Members will need to be present for the two Synod gatherings, to
facilitate two/three local listening sessions and attend training sessions.
All Synod Members will need to be nominated with a reference from their parish priest
plus a secondary reference.
A resource for prospective Synod Members is at www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/synod.
Who might be a Synod Member
A Synod Member is a baptized Catholic who is…
• open to the presence and activity of the Spirit of God in our world, in our Church
and in each person .
• outstanding in firm faith, good morals, and prudence (cf. Canon 512).
• prepared to listen carefully to the needs of the Church in Salford Diocese.
• trying to foster a personal prayer life.
• committed to the Baptismal call to play a part in the Church's mission and to the
Synod journey.
• willing (with guidance and support) to facilitate group discussions.
• willing to put aside personal agendas to listen with respect and without judgment
to the ideas and opinions of others.
• prepared to gather and record people's ideas and to feed them back faithfully to
the diocese.
If you would like to nominate yourself, or a prospective candidate from the parish, to be considered for the opportunity of representing St. Mary's at the Synod please see Fr. O'Brien after the weekend Mass you usually come to or email him sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Parish Walk
Thanks to all those who came along to last Sunday's parish walk around Entwistle. The weather was perfect and the paths took us through some interesting and spectacular terrain.
Thank you also to Marie and Shelia for helping to facilitate the walk. With the summer holidays fast approaching and people making plans to be away, our next parish walk will be sometime in September.
Saint Oswald's School
On Friday morning the school held their Rosary Rally where all the petitions in the prayer box, which has been at the back of church for the last month, were prayed for. The children then gave a reflection on each of the Glorious Mysteries and crowned the new school statue of Our Lady. This statue was donated by the family of Doreen Pinder, who many of us remember. She would be over the moon to know that her 'Our Lady of Lourdes', is being used to help young people know the importance of the Rosary. Thanks to Doreen's family for their generosity and support and thank you to all the parishioners who supported the rally by putting petitions in the prayer box. The school have provided little prayer cards to say Thank You which can be found at the back of church.
Sacred Heart School
On Friday afternoon I was invited to the school's Marian Procession. The children prepared a short liturgy with scripture readings and reflections that reminded us of the gift of Our Lady. The whole school then prayed a decade of the Rosary and the Children presented their flowers to Mary. It's always good to see our young people embracing these beautiful and ancient traditions.
Saint Mary's School
On Wednesday I was invited by Mrs Duckworth and Mrs Quinn to talk to their classes about the saints. I gave two examples of saints, St. William of York and St Frances Cabrini, as people who copied Jesus in how they spoke, acted and thought. I then reminded the children that they too could be saints and help make the world a better, hopeful and joyful place.
Sacred Heart Memorial Mass
Tuesday 27th June marks the 20th anniversary since Sacred Heart Church in Accrington closed. 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. On Tuesday 27th June 2023 the 6pm Mass will be a Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the former parish of Sacred Heart and the many blessings people received from it. Everyone is welcome. Thanks to Michael Leeming and Bernard Dowling who will continue the good work started by John Hughes to produce an exhibition to tell the story of Sacred Heart parish. This exhibition will be at the back of church during the week of 27th June - 2nd July. 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 leave them in an envelope, with your contact details, at the stewards desk and label the envelope to either Michael or Bernard.
Refugee Week - Free Online Awareness Session from Caritas Salford
Caritas Salford, our diocesan charity, runs services which supports people from a refugee background who have settled in Greater Manchester and Lancashire. As part of their Refugee Week activities this year, the team at Caritas is offering a free training session on 'Refugee Awareness' which will take place online on 5th June from 6pm to 8pm. The training will provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by refugees and is an opportunity to connect with refugee experiences and discover how you can help create a more welcoming environment for newcomers to our communities. To reserve a place at the online session, visit:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/refugee-awareness-training-tickets-635362495327
Northern Dioceses' Environment Group meeting
The Northern Dioceses' Environment Group will be hosting its next meeting on Thursday 8th June at Wheeler Hall in Leeds. The meeting, which takes place between 10.30am and 3.30pm, is an opportunity for people across the North to come together to discuss ways our Church might work together for the good of our common home. Find out more and register online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-dioceses-environment-group-tickets-629999193547
Society of St Gregory Summer School - Joyful Proclamation of the Gospel
26 - 29 July, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park Campus, Childwall, L16 1JD
Join the Society of St Gregory this July for a fascinating Summer School that delves a little more into the importance of liturgy. The workshops will explore practical ideas for parish ministry, such as how we plan music in our liturgy, how to be more creative in planning our liturgy, how to help young people in liturgical ministry, and how to find deeper meaning in our celebrations. The course will welcome a number of guest speakers to help explore these topics, including Bishop John Arnold. Find out more and register at www.ssg.org.uk/summer-school-2023
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien