Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum;
habemus papam
Pope Leo XIV…
We pray for our new Holy Father and give thanks to God that we have a new shepherd and successor of St Peter
Masses & Liturgies for the next two weeks...
Saturday 10th May
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter & Columban Missionaries Appeal
Sunday 11th May
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter & Columban Missionaries Appeal
Tuesday 13th May
5pm – 5:45pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Easter Weekday Mass
5pm – 5:45pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Easter Weekday Mass
Saturday 17th May
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 18th May
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Tuesday 20th May
5pm – 5:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
5:45pm Easter Weekday Mass
Wednesday 21st May
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Easter Weekday Mass
7pm Parish Bible Study (see below for details)
Thursday 22nd May
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Easter Weekday Mass
Friday 23rd May
5pm – 5:45pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Easter Weekday Mass
Saturday 24th May
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 25th May
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (10th May – 17th), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Martin Dwyer RIP.
The following week (17th May – 24th May), the Sanctuary Lamp is for The Flanagan Family.
Our Lady's Lamp
This week (10th May – 17th May), Our Lady's Lamp is for Michael Duggan RIP.
The following week (17th May – 24th May), Our Lady's Lamp is for Terry Coogan RIP & Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£750.08 Thank you for your kind generosity.
Columban Missionaries Appeal – 10th/11th May
Each year the Bishop gives permission for a Religious Order to make an appeal throughout the diocese to raise awareness of the charitable works they do and to request financial support in donations from parishes. This year the Columban Missionaries have been allocated the opportunity to make their appeal throughout Salford Diocese. This weekend (10th/11th May), here at St. Mary's, Fr. Patrick O'Beirne SSC will celebrate the Masses:
"The principal purpose of the weekend visit to you is to raise awareness of our missionary vocation. to encourage people to be more involved in the missionary work of the church,
to thank our loyal supporters. to seek greater support for our mission magazine, "The Far East" and with your permission, to take up a Mission collection at all Masses."
There will be a collection basket under the large Crucifix at the back of church should people wish to make a donation towards the work of the Columban Missionaries.
Deacon Adam's Ordination to the Priesthood
It is great news that Adam will soon be ordained to the priesthood. The date, God willing, is Saturday 5th July at Shrewsbury Cathedral. We are hoping to organize a coach from the parish however this is all depends on the numbers of parishioners who would like to go. Initially the 47seat coach would leave St. Mary's at 8:30am for the 12noon Ordination Mass. It would depart approx 3pm/3:30pm. The cost would be £20. The following weekend (17th/18th May) there will be a list for people to put their names and contact details along with their £20. If we are not able to cover the cost of the coach by the start of June, then all monies will be refunded Let's continue to keep Adam in our prayers.
Good Shepherd Sunday - Prayer for Vocations
As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday today, we invite you to join us in praying for priestly vocations to our diocese as we say: Heavenly Father, in the great love you have for your people, we ask you to inspire men in our diocese to respond to your call to priestly life. Mould their hearts, Lord, after the Sacred Heart of your Son, so that they may grow in love and serve with joy. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
"Come and See" Day for the Permanent Diaconate
On Saturday 17th May, our diocesan vocations team will be holding a "Come and See" event for anyone interested in learning more about the permanent diaconate. Whether you're discerning a possible vocation to this wonderful ministry or would just like to learn more about the work of a permanent deacon and how that supports our parishes, our vocations team is on hand to help you discover more. Join us for our drop-in session at St Patrick's Church, Collyhurst, any time after 10am Mass and before 3pm. Email diaconate@dioceseofsalford.org.uk to find out more.
Hospital Emergency Call
I'll be helping out the Fr. Samson Ojekunle, the Catholic Chaplain at the Royal Blackburn Hospital by going on the emergency 'on call' rota from the 22nd May until the 24th May. As you'll appreciate, an emergency is never planned and so it may mean that certain visits or appointments I've made will be either delayed or postponed. Thank you to all our stewards in advance, whose invaluable help means that, even if I can't make it in time for Mass, the church is open for prayer. Let's pray for all the sick and those who care for them. Our Lady of Lourdes pray for them.
Parish Social Media: St Mary's Facebook & Instagram
Thanks to Jacqueline who has been maintaining our parish presence on social media and allowing others beyond the church walls to feel connected and experience our Catholic Faith in the Lord Jesus. If you haven't yet, then do check out the photos and videos that have been posted of our celebrations over the Easter Triduum at St. Mary's.
Facebook (St Marys RC Church Oswaldtwistle)
https://www.facebook.com/share/164UHbBSuw/
Instagram (stmarysrcoswaldtwistle) https://www.instagram.com/stmarysrcoswaldtwistle?utm_source=qr&igsh=MTl5cHhqdm9yOWtp
Parish Bible Study – The Book of Revelation
The next session is Wednesday 21st May from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better. Come and join us.
Parish Walk Sunday 18th May 1.30pm
This walk is a circular route along the old railway lines from Stubbins, Ramsbottom to Irwell Vale, passing over Lumb Viaduct. The walk is easy to moderate and will take aprox 1.5 hours. It is mostly flat with one very short, steep decline and one slightly longer incline. You will need suitable footwear as the incline is uneven and is unsuitable for prams. We will meet just after the factory on Stubbins Vale Road. Be careful of factory vehicles crossing the road (forklifts etc). Parking is available as you turn onto Stubbins Vale Road or just after the factory on the roadside.
Starting/meeting point address: Melba Swintex Factory Stubbins Vale Road Ramsbottom
BL0 0NT. Contact Vinette 07714207971
Holy Day of Obligation Reminder: The Ascension of the Lord
On Thursday 29th May we celebrate The Ascension of the Lord which is a Holy Day of Obligation for all faithful Roman Catholics. There will be opportunity at St. Mary's for prayers, devotions and Mass:
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass
Prayer Visitors
Thank you to those who came to Tuesday's meeting and those who have seen me subsequently about the parish Prayers Visitors initiative. Now that we have the principles in place about exactly what the role is – a prayer visitor/ a fellow believer praying with another believer and not a social worker/therapist/counsellor – we will prepare the safeguarding policies and practices.
Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Lindisfarne
Young pilgrims in Years 7, 8, and 9 are invited to join the Diocese of Salford's Youth Ministry Team for a faith-filled pilgrimage to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The pilgrimage will be led by Bishop John Arnold and will take place between 20-22 June. To find out more, please email youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or call 0161 817 2214.
Ecological Rosary at the Laudato Si' Centre
Join us at the Diocese of Salford's Laudato Si' Centre on Friday 9th May as we gather together to pray the Ecological Rosary. There will be a gathering at the woodland to pray an ecological-focussed Rosary together, surrounded by the beauty of nature. This event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in prayer and enjoy the tranquillity of the outdoors. Email laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk to find out more and to register.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien