Sunday 20th August 2023
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 19thAugust
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (In the Lady Chapel)
'The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.' - St. Louis Marie de Montfort
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 20thAugust
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
2pm Mass at Altham Graveyard (details below)
Tuesday 22nd August
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memoria)
'This is why the Blessed Virgin is called Powerful—nay, sometimes, All-powerful, because she has, more than anyone else, more than all Angels and Saints, this great, prevailing gift of prayer. No one has access to the Almighty as His Mother has; none has merit such as hers. Her Son will deny her nothing that she asks; and herein lies her power. While she defends the Church, neither height nor depth, neither men nor evil spirits, neither great monarchs, nor craft of man, nor popular violence, can avail to harm us; for human life is short, but Mary reigns above, a Queen for ever.' - St. John Henry Newman
Wednesday 23rdAugust
10am Mass Requiem Mass for Paul Duckworth RIP
Thursday 24thAugust
9:15 am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Bartholomew, Apostle (Feast)
St. Bartholomew, born at Cana, was led to Jesus by Philip and after the Ascension, tradition has it that he preached the Gospel in India and suffered martyrdom.
Friday 25thAugust
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Saturday 26thAugust
9am – 10am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 27thAugust
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (19th August - 26th August), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Michael Salmon
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£738.98. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Bidding Prayer Intentions
If anybody would like any recent deaths or anniversaries of loved ones names being read out in the bidding prayers for the weekends of the 26th /27th August, 2nd/3rd September, then please mail them through the presbytery letterbox or email them to Father O (sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk) by 12noon Thursday 24th August. Thank You.
Parish Envelopes
Over the next few weeks would parishioners, who kindly donate to the parish via their weekly envelopes, just clarify the number on their envelope and their address with the list the stewards have the back of church. The dust is still settling after the Covid pandemic and because it's such a huge boost to the parish finances we want to make sure we have everything perfect and confirm peoples details with our records. Thank you again for all you do to support St. Mary's.
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.
Parish Coach Trip to St. Mary's College (Seminary), Oscott
Adam Bamber, our seminarian, has invited us to spend an afternoon at his seminary, Oscott Birmingham, as part of the college initiative called "Parish Sunday". The day will comprise of afternoon tea on arrival at Oscott, a tour of the seminary led by Adam and other seminarians and culminates in joining the Community for Solemn Vespers in the College chapel. This will take place on Sunday 15th October. A coach has been booked leaving church at
12.00 noon prompt. We hope to be back in Oswaldtwistle by 9pm. I've asked the coach company to make a stop on the return journey to Oswaldtwistle via Knutsford Services. It will give people an opportunity to get something warm to eat and drink as there is an M&S, Costa, Burger King and KFC there. Places are limited so please book early to ensure you get a seat. The cost of the whole experience is £20 per person. There is a sign-up sheet with the stewards at the back of church if you are interested. We need to know numbers by the weekend of the 26th/27th August to confirm with the coach company.
Holy Mass at Altham Graveyard
On Sunday 20 August at 2.00pm (weather permitting) Mass will take place at Altham Graveyard, next to the site of the old St Mary's Church, Burnley Road, Altham. All are welcome to attend, to remember their loved ones. It would be helpful if those attending could bring with them a folding chair for the outdoor Mass. If it is raining, then the Mass will be held at St Mary's Church, Clayton le Moors.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle
On the 8th September (which is the feast of Our Lady's Birthday), in 1948 St. Mary's was formally consecrated because the parish was finally debt free for the first time since 1897! By the side entrance to the church (Hawthorn Ave), there is a memorial stone to commemorate this event. This is our parish feast and so from Friday 8th September – Sunday 10th September this year there will be different opportunities for both prayer and celebration. Please feel free to invite family, friends and neighbours to any of the Masses and Liturgies and let them know they'll be warmly welcomed. It's a great time to witness that St. Mary's is a Catholic community of prayer who are proud of our faith in Jesus Christ and want others to know about the blessings that Our Lady gives.
Friday 8th September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Parish Feast Day Mass, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
7pm Altar Servers Pizza Night
Saturday 9th September
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass (In the Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary
6:30pm Vigil Mass followed by Torchlight Procession to the Grotto of Our Lady (weather permitting)
Sunday 10th September
9:30am The Holy Rosary
10am Mass beginning with the procession of the statue of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle
2pm St. Mary's Celebratory Afternoon Tea (All Tickets Sold Out)
Parish Summer Raffle
Tickets for the Parish Summer Raffle are available – £1 at ticket. The Raffle will be drawn after Sunday 10th September and the winning numbers will be placed on the noticeboard in the church narthex (by the stewards desk). Thanks as always for your help and generosity towards church.
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
Back by popular demand... The next warm welcome is on Tuesday 19th September from 1pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone are welcome! We have some talented parishioners who will dispel the coming autumn 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.
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ!" - St. Jerome
A strong statement from St. Jerome yet true. One of the simplest ways to come close to Our Lord, to know him better, is to pick up our bible yet this can be a daunting thing. Where do we start? How are we meant to read this or understand that? This autumn/winter there will be the opportunity for scripture study in the parish – open to everyone. No prior knowledge is expected, no biblical or theological training is needed. Simply bring yourself, your bible, and the desire to know God more. I thought we could begin journeying through St. John's Gospel. I'll be using a CTS (Catholic Truth Society) Bible. You can order these from Amazon or ask me.
The Parish Bible Study group will meet every two weeks on a Wednesday from 7pm – 8pm. Even if you can only make one session it's worth doing:
4th Oct, 18th Oct, 1st Nov, 15th Nov, 29th Nov, 13th Dec – Everyone is welcome.
Parish Social: Franco's
We are blessed to have a group of parishioners who are busy organising a parish social at Franco's in October. Watch this space with more details to follow.
Sacramental Preparation for Young People
If there are any young people, ages 7+. who are baptised Roman Catholics, live in the parish boundaries and would like to begin preparing to receive God's mercy in the Sacrament of Confession and His love in First Holy Communion, then please see Fr. O'Brien at the end of the Mass you usually come to.
Confirmation Preparation
If there are any young parishioners, ages 12 +, who are baptised Roman Catholics, live in the parish boundaries and would like to know more about the Sacrament of Confirmation please see Fr. O'Brien.
Congratulations & Many Blessings
Happy Birthday to Mrs Mary Austin who was 101 years young last week. I asked Mary what advice, as our wisest and most senior parishioner, she would give – keep praying and never stop.
Mass for Vocations to the Priesthood
Each month, our diocesan vocations team travels to a different deanery to hold a special Mass for the future of the priesthood in our diocese. Our next Mass for Vocations to the Priesthood is set to take place on Thursday 14th September at St Monica's in Flixton. All are welcome to attend! Missed this? Last week, we were delighted to share the vocation story of one of our diocesan priests. Watch online now at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SftOl2vVMXk
Our Faith, Our Planet, Our Commitments
Thursday 14th September 2023, 6.30pm – 9.30pm Manchester Museum
An annual conference on climate change is set to take place next month to discuss ways people can work together to reduce our carbon footprint. Our Faith, Our Planet, Our Commitment takes place on Thursday 14th September and will include a series of workshops and networking opportunities to help communities work together for the good of our common home. Find out more and register at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/our-faith-our-planet-our-commitments-tickets-676670799577?aff=oddtdtcreator
Celebration of Human Dignity Event and Mass - Caritas Diocese of Salford
Saturday 16th September, 10.30am start, Sacred Heart RC Church and Parish Centre, Gorton, M18 7JW. Caritas Diocese of Salford is inviting people across the diocese to join them in a celebration of human life and dignity next month. The day will involve hearing from people who have experienced barriers to inclusion, sharing practical examples of how parishes and communities can support people facing such barriers, and will end with a Mass for the intention of "The Preservation of Human Dignity", celebrated by Bishop John.
Find out more and register at https://tinyurl.com/caritassalford
Job Vacancies
Diocese of Salford - Senior Finance Officer (replacement role)
Appointment Type: Full-time, permanent
Working hours: 35 hours per week, Mon - Fri
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £28,119 - £31,176 per annum, depending on skills and experience
Find out more and apply at www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Forthcoming Funeral
On Tuesday 29th August there will be an 11am Requiem Mass for Marjorie Finn RIP at St. Mary's.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien