Sunday 7th January 2024
The Epiphany of the Lord
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming
Two Weeks…
Friday 5th January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Christmas Weekday Mass
Saturday 6th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Votive Christmas Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Epiphany of the Lord
& Blessing of Epiphany Chalk (See below for details)
Sunday 7th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of the Epiphany of the Lord
& Blessing of Epiphany Chalk (See below for details)
Monday 8thJanuary
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, The Baptism of the Lord (Feast)
"The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism."
- St. Ambrose of Milan
Tuesday 9thJanuary
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass (Feria)
Saturday 13th January
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Sunday 14th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Tuesday 16th January
1pm – 3pm St. Mary's Warm Welcome (see below for details)
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 17th January
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass Saint Anthony, Abbot(Memoria)
St. Anthony, inspired by the words of Jesus which he heard proclaimed in the Gospel at Mass, retired to the Egyptian desert at the age of twenty. He attracted many to the monastic life, dying in the year 356.
7pm – 8pm Parish Bible Study Group (see below for details)
Thursday 18th January
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass - (Feria)
Friday 19th January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Wulstan (Memoria)
St. Wulstan was born in Warwickshire 1008 A.D and died in 1095 A.D. He became a Benedictine monk at the Cathedral Priory of Worcester. In 1062 A.D he was appointed Bishop, one of the few Anglo-Saxons to survive in high office following the Norman Conquest. He was renowned for his care of the poor and sick and the high standards he asked of his clergy.
Saturday 20thJanuary
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
"Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother."
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Sunday 21stJanuary
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (6th January - 13th January), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Stanley Nicholas Bury.
Next week (13th January - 20th January), the Sanctuary Lamp will be for the Burton & Clayton Families
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£648.80. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Missio – 'Red Box' Charity
This week I received a Thank You letter from Fr. Anthony Chantry, the Missio National Director on behalf of all those who donate money in the parish towards the Mill Hill Missionaries and the work of Missio. In 2023 you raised £893.08 for them.
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.
Caritas Collection
On the weekend (27th/28th January) Caritas have their diocesan mandatory collection. There will be a basket at the back of church, under the large crucifix, for anybody who wishes to donate monies to this charity.
Caritas Salford Mission Statement: Our mission is to help those across the Diocese of Salford, experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination to transform their lives with dignity. We provide a practical response to those in crisis, suffering hardship or who are at risk. We rebuild lives for the long-term, enabling people to live in a safe, healthy and secure environment. We call for a better, more just world where the voices of the poor are heard and acted upon and positively influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect those in need.
Parish Christmas Raffle
The Christmas Raffle was drawn last weekend. All winning ticket numbers have been placed on the noticeboard, in the narthex, by the stewards desk. Thanks to all who supported the raffle.
New Year Saints!
On New Years Day we had our annual 'saints in a basket' tradition at the end of the New Year Mass where people come forward to the sanctuary and, after making the sign of the cross, allow a saint to choose them from the basket. Over 2024 these saints will become our patrons, our companions, our brothers and sisters. Their prayers will support and encourage us through the ups and downs of the forth coming year and their lives will teach and inspire us how to be faithful disciples and come closer to Our Lord. Don't let your saint just be a name on a piece of paper, a new year novelty. Find/print a picture of them, look them up and read about their lives, pray to them regularly because they will and want to help and intercede for you. By giving honour to them, you give glory to God their Father and Creator.
Blessing of Epiphany Chalk
In various parts of the world, the Epiphany is marked with the time-honoured tradition of "chalking the doors." The formula for the ritual is simple: take chalk of any colour (ideally blessed by a priest on the Feast of the Epiphany) and write above the entrance of your home: 20 + C + M + B + 24
The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi - Caspar, Malchior and Balthazar - who came to visit Jesus in the place where he was born. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat, which translates as "May Christ bless the house." The "+" signs represents the cross, and the "20" at the beginning and the "24" at the end mark the year.
This inscription is a request for Christ to stay with those who dwell or work therein throughout the entire year. At the weekend Masses of the Epiphany I will bless any chalk that people would like to bring so that they can carry out this wonderful tradition.
The Epiphany Proclamation of Easter and other Feasts for 2024
The proclamation of the date of Easter and the other moveable feasts on Epiphany dates from a time when calendars were not readily available. It was necessary to make known the date of Easter in advance, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on its date. The number of Sundays that follow Epiphany, the date of Ash Wednesday, and the number of Sundays that follow Pentecost are all computed in relation to Easter. Although calendars now give the date of Easter and the other feasts in the liturgical year for many years in advance, the Epiphany proclamation still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of faith which are celebrated each year.
Ash Wednesday 14th February
Easter Sunday 31st March
The Ascension of the Lord Thursday 9th May
Pentecost Sunday 19th May
Corpus Christi Sunday 2nd June
First Sunday of Advent 1st December
Congratulations -First Holy Communion
Congratulations to Dylan who received Our Lord in Holy Communion for the first time during the last Sunday Mass of Advent (24th December) and to Christina, David and Michael who will make their First Holy Communion on the Epiphany. Over the last few months Christina Dylan, David and Michael, and other younger members of our parish, have been meeting with me for weekly catechism lessons. As always its been a joy, as their parish priest, to accompany them and their families on this part of their faith journey. Let's pray for all our young people that they will always appreciate the Sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist which lead them uniquely and personally to Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. For more information regarding catechism and preparation for the sacraments please contact Father O'Brien at the end of a weekend Mass.
Diocesan Synod: The Parish "Big Listen"
The Big Listen team is back this weekend, and they would love to meet with you after mass on either Saturday evening (6th) or Sunday morning (7th). This first phase of engagement is due to end in a couple of weeks time, and so the opportunities to have an input into this really important exercise are running out. If you are unable to meet with the team, then you can complete a form and place it in the box which is placed at the back of the church. You can pick up a blank form from the team after mass. We hope to see as many of you as possible. Thank you.
Contact details for the Synod Team should you have any further questions:
Sharon Siddle - 07917 002663, Sharon.siddle@yahoo.co.uk
Mike Freeman - 07500 952780, Cowleyfreeman@gmail.com
Joel Garrigan - 07875 132568, joelg_01@hotmail.com
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
The next warm welcome is on Tuesday 16th January from 1pm – 3pm. Everyone and anyone is welcome! We have some talented parishioners who dispel the 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.
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel – Change of Date
The next session is Wednesday 17th January 2024 from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better.
Date for you Diary - 11th February 2024 - World Day of Prayer for the Sick: St. Mary's Healing Service
At 2pm on Sunday 11th February, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It's only fitting that this is also the day the Church invites us all to pray for those who are sick and suffering in mind and body. For those who have made the pilgrimage to Lourdes, you will know, that it is a place of healing but not everyone is fortunate to visit. This year, at St. Mary's on Sunday 11th February, there will be the many opportunity to experience both prayer and healing.
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 it's 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 January until December next year 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 is now available
Free energy advice service for local people
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit our communities hard, Caritas Salford, our diocesan charity, has introduced a new service to support people with energy advice. The service includes advice on saving money on utility bills, as well as practical support such as insulation methods, support with condensation and damp, LED bulbs and draught excluders. For more information on the service or to find out when and where sessions will take place, contact energyadvice@caritassalford.org.uk or call 0161 817 2250.
Job Vacancies
Parish Administrator - St James and All Souls
Appointment Type: Part-time, permanent
Working hours: 22 hours per week - worked over four days
Location: Mother of God and St James Presbytery, Heywood Way, Pendleton, Salford, M6 5UJ
Salary: £11.26 per hour
Find out more and apply at https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies/
Childcare Assistant - Early Years Practitioner (St Hubert's)
Appointment Type: Part-time, fixed-term until 31st July 2024
Working hours: 21.5 hours per week - worked Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Location: Our Lady and St Hubert's Playgroup, Hallfield Road, Great Harwood, Blackburn, BB6 7SN (with some flexibility to work out of St Wulstan's Pre-School, Great Harwood)
Salary: £12 per hour
Find out more and apply at 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