Sunday 1st December 2024
First Sunday in Advent Year C
Masses & Liturgies for the coming week...
Friday 29th November
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Saturday 30th November
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Andrew, Apostle (Feast)
St. Andrew was born at Bethsaida, a fisherman with his brother, Simon, whom he introduced to Jesus (in John's Gospel). He is the patron saint of Scotland.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the First Sunday of Advent (Year C)
Sunday 1st December
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the First Sunday of Advent (Year C)
Wednesday 4th December
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Advent Weekday Mass
10:25am – 10:35am Devotions to Saint Joseph
(At the foot of the parish statue of St. Joseph, see below for more details)
Thursday 5th December
9:30am Advent Weekday Mass
Friday 6th December
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Nicholas, Bishop (Memoria)
St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra, in what is now Turkey; he died in the fourth century in Eastern Europe. "Saint Nicholas" distributes presents to children on this day, in remembrance of his charity and care as a bishop.
Saturday 7th December
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass Mass, Saint Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor (Memoria)
St. Ambrose was born in 340 A.D. He was a surprising choice as the Bishop of Milan. Renowned for his charity and eloquence, a great hymn-writer and preacher. He baptised St. Augustine of Hippo. He died in 397 A.D.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)
Sunday 8th December
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (30th November - 7th December), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Michael Beard & Michael Power.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£655.28. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Safeguarding Training
Safeguarding is such an important part of parish life fostering a culture of of transparency, accountability and protection for those who are vulnerable and for everyone's dignity. On the 19th November I completed the clergy safeguarding training day at Salford Cathedral Centre – Referral & Safe Recruitment Themes; Modern Day Slavery; Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. In the church narthex the noticeboard contains further information regarding safeguarding with relevant contact details.
Building Update
On Tuesday the roofers were working on the Lady Chapel and discovered issues connected to the valley gutters. A consequence of water damage has been the fragility of the plaster above the Lady Chapel next to the confessional. At this present moment the chapel & confessional will be temporarily closed off. In the meantime the statue of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle will be moved so that parishioners can still continue their devotions and ask for her intercession. Over the weekend I'm hoping to be divinely inspired and create a temporary confessional especially as the Sacrament is so well received here at St. Mary's.
Sunday Missals
This weekend the new Biblical translation (ESV – Catholic) officially comes into effect for all readings at Masses and other liturgies that are celebrated. We have ordered an extra number of Sunday Missals for those who would like to buy them at the cost of £20. They are available from the Piety Stall or direct from Fr. O'Brien.
Devotions to Saint Joseph
On Wednesday 4th December, after the 10am Mass, there will be our first Wednesday devotions to St. Joseph (at the foot of his statue at the back of church). The devotions will include praying the Litany of St. Joseph, the Memorare of St. Joseph and the Prayer of the Holy Cloak Novena. In these devotions our prayer is to ask St. Joseph to pray for our parish family and for those who have wandered away from Church, that they may return and find a warm welcome.
Sanctuary Lamp & Our Lady 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. From January 2025 there will also be the opportunity of sponsoring a lamp in the Lady Chapel by the statue of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle The prayers behind each lamp are varied and different. Sometimes they burn in memory of a loved one, other times 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 or in the Lady Chapel 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 £7 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 £7 to the stewards on duty when you choose your week.
The lists will be available from this weekend beginning Friday 29th November, Saturday 30th November, Sunday 1st December
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
The next warm welcome will be on Tuesday 10th December from 1pm – 3pm and will have a pre-Christmas twist!!!. Everyone and anyone is welcome! We have some talented parishioners who will dispel the coming winter blues with live upbeat music that everyone can sing along to. Plus there's unlimited brews in a warm space. Why not come along and experience something different.
Advent Spiritual Reading
Below are a list of book titles that you might find to be interesting reading over Advent and Christmas. www.amazon.co.uk
Jesus of Nazareth, The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI
God With Us: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew by Edward Sri
Forming Intentional Disciples, The Path to knowing and following Jesus by Sherry A. Weddell
Into His Likeness, Be transformed as a Disciple of Christ by Edward Sri
Habits for Holiness, Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress by Fr. Mark Mary Ames CFR
Befriending Silence, Discovering the Gifts of Cistercian Spirituality by Carl McColman
Toward God, The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer by Michael Casey
Journeying with Jonah, The struggle to find yourself by Denis McBride CSsR
Thank You Keeley!
I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to Keeley who has made her own Christmas cards and key rings to help raise money for the parish. If you would like to buy any of the crafts that Keeley has made you'll find her selling them on Sunday mornings by the statue of St. Joseph.
Christmas Window Displays
Maureen Mullen with her team of helpers have offered to produce some Christmas window displays (not flower displays) for the nine windows in church and other areas. If you would like to sponsor a display for your family/friends or in memory of a loved one then please see the list at the stewards desk. The donation is £20. Any monies for general flower donations over Christmas will be gratefully appreciated, please enclose them in an envelope marked Christmas Flowers or pass it to one of the stewards.
Appeal: Parish Christmas Raffle Prizes
At the start of Advent (30th Nov/1st Dec) we are hoping to sell tickets for our annual St. Mary's Christmas Raffle and are asking parishioners for any items they would be happy to donate. Do you work for a company/business who would be happy and open to offering vouchers, treatments, meals, or gift tokens etc. as prizes? Any donations that people can generously give, please leave with the stewards at the back of church.
Carol Services
The Diocese of Salford is delighted to announce the return of its Salford Schools Singing Programme (SSP) Carol Services, which will take place in churches across the diocese this December. For a full list of dates and locations for our services, please visit https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/ssp-carol-services-24/
Laudato Si' Centre - Advent Wreath Workshop
Join the Diocese of Salford's Laudato Si' Centre team on Friday 6 December for the return of its Advent Wreath Workshop, where you will have the opportunity to learn how to create your own wreath from natural materials under the guidance of our skilled team. Find out more and book at https://laudatosicentre.org.uk/events/wreath-workshop
109 Loyola Scout Group Christmas Fayre
Saturday 7th December, 10am – 2pm. £1 Entry includes free raffle ticket. Tombola, Craft Stall, Cafe and More. Mill Hill, Oswaldtwistle, BB5 3LX, Behind Tesco, car park off Harvey Street.
Caritas driver
Caritas Salford, our diocesan charity that supports people across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, is in urgent need of the support of a volunteer van driver. Van drivers are vital to Caritas services and are essential to their day-to-day running. If you can drive, have a few hours to spare each week, and want to help Caritas to support people across the diocese, then please contact their volunteer coordinator Matt on m.yates@caritassalford.org.uk or visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/volunteer
A Call to Lead - A Post-Confirmation Programme
A new post-confirmation programme has been developed by Salford Youth Ministry and the Young Christian Workers Movement to bridge the gap between confirmation and adult formation, with the aim of helping young people to grow in faith and become active leaders of the parish community. For more information about the programme, please visit https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/a-call-to-lead
Diocesan Mass for Young Adults
Our Diocesan Mass for Young Adults returns to St Augustine's in Manchester this December with a festive feel. Join us at 5.30pm on Sunday 8 December as we gather together for Mass before enjoying some seasonal treats and the return of our series of talks exploring the Catholic faith. All are welcome!
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham 2025
Our diocesan pilgrimage office is now taking bookings for its next annual pilgrimage to Walsingham. Next year's pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 3 May 2025, with an option to extend your visit by staying overnight on Friday 2 May. For more information, prices, and details on how to book, please visit https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/walsingham-pilgrimage-2025 or call 0161 817 2209.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien