Sunday 18th June 2023
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Happy Father's Day Prayer
To all dads in the parish Happy Father's Day! Below is a prayer that Pope St. John XXIII composed asking for the intercession of Saint Joseph…
St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary,
you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty.
You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands.
Kindly protect all the fathers who trustingly come to you.
You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes.
They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labour and weariness.
But amid the worries of material life your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother.
Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone.
Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over him faithfully as you have done.
St. John XXIII
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 17thJune
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, The Immaculate Heart of Mary (In the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 18thJune
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday 20th June
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Alban, Martyr (Memoria)
St. Alban, Britain's first saint, died in a persecution in the middle of the 3rd century. According to the story, he was a pagan solider who sheltered a priest and was converted. He dressed as the priest, and was executed in his place.
Wednesday 21st June
9:15 am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (Memoria)
St. Aloysius Gonzaga was born into a noble family in 1568 and entered the Jesuits at the age of 17. He worked to help the victims of the Roman plague from which he died, aged 23.
Thursday 22ndJune
9:15 am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint John Fisher, Bishop and Saint Thomas Moore, Martyrs (Feast)
St. John Fisher was born at Beverley (Yorkshire) in 1469, died at London on 22nd June 1535. As Bishop of Rochester he combined pastoral ministry with study and writing. St. Thomas Moore, was born in Londin in 1478, died there on this day in 1535. Oxford scholar and an incorruptible judge, Speaker and Lord Chancellor. Both men were drawn into conflict with Henry VIII over his remarriage and papal supremacy, imprisoned and beheaded for treason.
Friday 23rdJune
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Saturday 24thJune
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (In the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 25thJune
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (17th June - 24th June), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Ken Hargreaves & May Hargreaves.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£621.97. Thank you for your kind generosity.
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.
Holy Day of Obligation...
On Thursday 29th June we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul. This is a holy day of obligation and all faithful Roman Catholics are obliged to come to Mass that day. At St. Mary's there will be Masses at 10am and 6pm.
Special Collection
This weekend (17th/18th June) there will be a special Collection for the Day for Life.
The Church teaches that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death. In England and Wales, Day for Life is celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year. This year it falls on 18 June. For the first time, it will be celebrated in Scotland and Ireland on the same day. The theme is 'Listen to Her' and focuses on post-abortion trauma and the impact of abortion primarily on women, but also men and others. Each year a message is released, usually by the Church's Lead Bishop for Life Issues, offering a reflection on the year's theme. The 2023 message is unique in that the bishops' have given it over to a Catholic woman who has had an abortion to share her experiences. Often the voices of women who have had an abortion are silent in Church and in society. The hope is that this will help break this silence and offer further opportunities for healing and reconciliation. As always, there will be a labelled basket under the large Crucifix at the back of church, to put your donations in. Thank you.
Bishops' Introduction
Voices of women who have had an abortion are often silent in Church and in society. This year's message for Day for Life is written by a woman and hopes to break this silence and offer opportunities for hope, healing and reconciliation.
Jane's Story
I went to Catholic schools, I knew about God and morality on some level, but for me, the culture spoke louder when it came to making decisions around sexuality.
When I was 15, I discovered I was pregnant and the fear clouded everything. I had one aim, and that was to solve the problem I had found myself in. A quick search for confidential help landed me at a clinic connected to an abortion provider. They seemed to genuinely believe that abortion was the solution to my problem and I don't remember discussing any other options. I was relieved when they determined that I was capable enough to make this decision alone, without the involvement of an adult, which is still legal to this day. By hearing other people share their stories and being gently encouraged by the team, I was able to speak the truth of what had happened to me on that day. My feelings were acknowledged, including my sense of loss.
That Saturday I travelled alone to the clinic. My parents were unaware, due to other difficulties in the family home that I didn't want to contribute to. I went through the degrading experience of a surgical abortion, and I thought that if I could just get through that day, I would never have to think about it again. I remember feeling conflicted as a tear rolled down my cheek, that I quickly wiped away. I believed I couldn't be sad because this was something I had chosen to do. So after the initial feeling of relief, I pushed down the experience and avoided anything to do with the topic of abortion. It was difficult to be around pregnant women and I found the anniversary difficult each year.
Over the next few years, I became more curious about faith through the invitation of a friend. I was looking for direction and truth, but my spiritual life was always tainted by the thought that I could never be forgiven for what I had done – somehow, God's mercy didn't apply to me. In the fleeting moments of honesty with myself and God, I knew that my choice didn't make me lose something, but someone. At times, this realisation was unbearable. This led to periods of deep depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as more promiscuous behaviour and numbing the pain with alcohol, food, or isolation.
This all changed when I was encouraged to go to confession. Even when I tried to justify my choice, the priest met me with the love and mercy of Jesus. The tears he shed melted my heart of stone. I began to give up my old ways of life and follow His way.
On this journey I was introduced to Rachel's Vineyard: a healing ministry that provides support for those who are suffering after abortion. I remember the kindness of the woman that I spoke to, and I knew I wouldn't be judged there.
It took so much courage to go on a retreat, but I can genuinely say it changed my life. By hearing other people share their stories and being gently encouraged by the team, I was able to speak the truth of what had happened to me on that day. My feelings were acknowledged, including my sense of loss.
I was finally given permission to grieve for the baby that had died through my choice. I acknowledged my motherhood and named my son Joseph. This was the start of God turning the guilt, shame and unforgiveness into a deep love for my son, as any good mother would have. The healing has continued alongside my faith journey. I've taken responsibility for the role I played in my abortion, but with perspective and time, I can see that my 'choice' wasn't really a choice at all. There were other people's failures, and an inability to truly give informed consent as a teenager that also contributed. The option that was presented as a quick fix solution has eternal consequences, and I truly believe that if I'd have known the impact abortion would have had on my life, even as a teenager, I would have made a different choice.
Pilgrimage to Walsingham in Prayer for the Sanctity of Life
Catholics around the country will be heading to Walsingham this August to pray and reflect on the sanctity of life. Archbishop Kevin McDonald will lead the pilgrimage on Saturday 5th August and celebrate Mass at 12 noon. For more information please visit www.prolifepilgrimage.org/
Prayers & Congratulations: The Sacrament of Confirmation
Our prayers and congratulations go to three of our young parishioners, Gabrielle, Kimberly and Theo. On Thursday they received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Joseph's in Accrington. Over the last six months they have been coming for regular catechesis at the presbytery. We've looked at the Scriptures focusing on the Kerygma; reflected on the person of Our Lord, His life, His Passion and His Resurrection; taken time to remind ourselves about the Sacrament of Confession and how essential it is to the life of a believer; and finally studied the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they help us to become holy and engage with the world around us as future saints.
If there are any young people in the parish (12 years+) and would like to prepare for Confirmation, then please come and see me at the end of one of the weekend Masses.
Sacred Heart School
On Friday morning the whole school community came to church to celebrate the great solemnity of the Sacred Heart. It's that wonderful celebration that reminds us of the mercy, tenderness and unconditional love of Jesus our Saviour. The words that we heard in the gospel say it all…
'Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light."' Matthew 11:28-30
The children were so well behaved, despite the heat, and everyone was impressed with their singing.
St. Mary's, Oswaldtwistle – Lenten Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine & Co. Mayo, Ireland
This week I contacted Patricia from Knock Pilgrimages with the idea of doing a Lenten pilgrimage next year (26th Feb - 1st March 2024), to the shrine of Knock in the west of Ireland. She has kindly put together a timetable for the pilgrimage with all the relevant details (see below). Have a pray about it and if you are interested then let one of the stewards know at Mass and they'll take your name and contact details. If there are enough names by Sunday 2nd July then I'll confirm with Knock Pilgrimages.
Monday 26th February 2024
Depart Manchester 08:10 – Arrive Knock 09:20
Friday 01st March 2024
Depart Knock 10:00 – Arrive Manchester 11:10
Monday 26th February 2024
Depart Manchester. 20 Minutes transfer to Knock Shrine.
Hotel Check In and Breakfast. Afternoon Mass.
Dinner and welcome meeting
Tuesday 27th February 2024
A Day in Knock. Tour of Museum and Grounds.
Mass. Confessions. Optional Prayer Guidance.
Private Time. Dinner followed by entertainment.
Wednesday 28th February 2024
Mass in Fr. Peyton Centre with tour. Lunch.
Onwards to Museum of Country Life.
Return to Hotel for Dinner. Free evening.
Thursday 29th February 2024
Guided tour of Ballintubber Abbey with Mass.
Lunch. Visit the holy mountain Croagh Patrick and Famine
Memorial. Enjoy some shopping time in Westport.
Return to hotel for Dinner and farewell entertainment.
Friday 01st March 2024
Morning Mass. Private Time before return flight.
Price of £649.00 per person
Package includes:
Flight with 10kg Luggage and priority boarding.
4 night's accommodation on Full Board basis
in 3* Knock House Hotel. All entertainment,
excursions and guided tours. Lunch on days out.
Assistance from Knock Pilgrimages representative.
Single room supplement of £100.00
Trees! Trees! Trees!
Update after last week's announcement - Branch Tree Surgeons Ltd Will begin the work on the 19th and 20th June.
Sacred Heart Memorial Mass
On Tuesday 27th June 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 (Tuesday – Sunday). There will be refreshments available at the end of Mass and everyone is welcome to attend.
St. Mary's School P.T.A
I received an email from Tony Alveston, one of the governors at St. Mary's school, asking could we appeal for volunteers for the PTA. If anybody is interested, please call Tony on 07837386755.
New Book. The Clergy of the Diocese of Salford (1850 -1902) By Lawrence R. Gregory and Rev. Dr. David Lannon:
We are delighted to announce the publication of the first volume of the History of the clergy of the Diocese of Salford. We have been working on this project for more than two decades, and now over 243 pages and 610 individual biographical profiles (many with photographs), we tell the stories of the missionary Priests who restored the Catholic faith to South and East Lancashire.
The book can be purchased from Amazon at this link.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C1J1WQ94?fbclid=IwAR1-5ZVyudHMxwC7xSuzH1V2fMCQS2LarlZXyhIVath2AAAnHMt5BXZ3QLA
Or if you don't use Amazon, by contacting Lawrence Gregory on LRCGregory@outlook.com
The Diocese of Salford was erected in September 1850 by Papal Bull – Universalis Ecclesiae, known as the Restoration of the Hierarchy. Thirteen new dioceses were created, and Nicholas Wiseman was elevated to the Cardinalate, as the first Archbishop of Westminster. William Turner was appointed as first Bishop of Salford in June 1851; the Church of St John the Evangelist, Salford was elevated to Cathedral status in June 1852; and the Diocesan Chapter erected the following month. The project to research into the lives and ministries of the early clergy of the Diocese has been ongoing for many years and is now being bought to fruition in a projected two volume publication. This, the first volume, tells the story of the clergy who were ordained for, or arrived to minister in, the Diocese from its formation in 1850 to the death of the third Bishop of Salford, John Bilsborrow in March 1903, while also including the details of those priests who were ordained prior to the Restoration of the Heirarchy in 1850, but who ministered in the Lancashire District, and before that the Northern District, at churches which would later become part of the Diocese of Salford.
Salford Cathedral 175th Anniversary Celebration Mass
Salford Cathedral is celebrating its 175th anniversary later this month with a Solemn High Mass. Bishop John will celebrate this special Mass at 11am on Sunday 25th June. The Mass marks the 175th anniversary of the opening of St John the Evangelist Church and will be followed by a reception in the Cathedral House and Gardens. If you would like to join us in this celebration, please RSVP to cathedral.admin@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or by post to Cathedral House, 250 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 5LE.
Bury Convent Grammar School "Old Girls" Reunion
Holy Cross College in Bury, formerly Bury Convent Grammar School, is hosting a reunion on Thursday 6th July from 6pm. The school was founded by the Daughters of the Cross in 1878 and continues to thrive as a large mixed 6th form today maintaining its distinctive ethos and celebrating the Catholic life and mission of the Daughters. Tours of the site and light refreshments will be provided. The event is free, but tickets will be required to monitor numbers. Tickets can be found at www.ticketsource.co.uk/holycrosscollege
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
Job Vacancies
Laudato Si' Centre Environment and Learning Officer
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 £34,608 - £37,073 per annum, depending on skills & experience
About: The Diocese of Salford is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Environment and Learning Officer to support transformation in keeping with Pope Francis's Laudato Si' encyclical, and to develop and deliver programmes at the Laudato Si' Centre, the flagship environment centre for the diocese. The Laudato Si' Centre is based at Wardley Hall and includes the walled garden and woodland, for schools, parishes and community groups, with a focus on learning, spirituality and wellbeing.
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Tuesday 27th June 2023.
For all the details please visit: https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Parish Administrator - St Robert of Newminster
Appointment Type: Part-time, 12-month fixed term contract
Working hours: 6 hours per week, working pattern to be agreed with the Parish Priest
Location: St Mary's Presbytery, Elbow Street, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3PY
Salary £11.26 per hr
About: The parish of St Robert of Newminster is looking for a Parish Administrator to provide administrative support to the parish including office administration, secretarial and basic accounting duties.
Closing date for applications: 12 noon Wednesday 28th June 2023
For all the details please visit: https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien