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Sunday 26th February 2023 - First Sunday of Lent
Masses & Liturgies for the Coming Week…
Saturday 25th February
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Lenten Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The First Sunday of Lent
Sunday 26th February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The First Sunday of Lent
Tuesday 28th February
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
Wednesday 1st March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blesses Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint David, Bishop (Feast)
St. David was born in Cardigan in 520A.D. He founded monasteries and became Bishop and Primate of Wales. He settled his See at Mynyw (Menevia) where he died in 588A.D.
7pm Consecration to St. Joseph (Meeting 1)
Thursday 2nd March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Lenten Weekday Mass
Friday 3rd March
10am Requiem Mass for Andrew Yates RIP
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Weekday Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 4th March
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Lenten Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for The Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 5th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Second Sunday of Lent
SCAM WARNING:
Please be aware that a SCAM e-mail is currently being circulated from an e-mail address with the name Fr Sean O'Brien catholicchurch553@gmail.com which is NOT genuine and any requests for money or gifts and donations must not be fulfilled.
Please be SCAM aware at all times.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (25th Feb - 4th March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for the Simpson & Catlow Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£697.89. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Words of Wisdom
Saint Peter Julian Eymard (1811 – 1868), wrote some beautiful reflections on the Blessed Sacrament. During Lent let's take a few minutes to read those words of wisdom on the Real Presence and appreciate the sacrifice and gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.
"The Eucharist is the work of a measureless love that has at its service an infinite power, the omnipotence of God. St. Thomas Aquinas calls the Eucharist the wonder of wonders, the greatest of miracles. To be convinced of this we need to mediate on what the faith of the Church teaches us concerning this mystery.
The first of the wonders in the Eucharist is Transubstantiation. Jesus, and after Him His priests, by His command and institution, take bread and wine, pronounce the words of the consecration over them, and immediately all the substance of bread and all the substance of wine disappear; they are changed into the Sacred Body and the adorable Blood of Jesus Christ.
Under the appearances of the bread as also under the appearances of the wine the glorified Body of our Saviour is truly, really, and substantially present.
Nothing remains of the bread and wine except the appearances: colour, taste and weight. The senses tell us it is bread and wine: faith tells us it is the Body and Blood of Jesus, concealed beneath the appearances which subsist only by a miracle. This is a miracle which the Almighty alone can perform, for it is contrary to the ordinary laws of nature for the qualities of a body to exist without the body itself which sustains them. That is the work of God. Their existence depends on His will just as our own existence does. God can do everything He wills to do. One thing is as easy for Him as another. That is the first wonder of the Eucharist."
(Taken from The Real Presence, The Wonderful Work of God by St. Peter Julian Eymard)
Parish Lenten Walk
After the success of last years Lenten and Easter walks there will be the opportunity this year to do the same. It's a chance to get out into the Lancashire countryside, enjoy some spectacular vistas and thank God the Creator for the blessing of having such peaceful and beautiful landscapes on our front doorstep.
Lenten Walk I: Darwen Moor: 12th March
A walk that I discovered, on a clear day, took in the full width of Lancashire from Pendle Hill to Blackpool Tower. The history of the area where people fought for ancient rights of access across the moors is inspiring and when you reach Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower) you can see why.
We'll begin the walk by meeting at Roddlesworth Information Centre, Tockholes Rd, Tockholes, Darwen BB3 0PA at 1:30pm
Route Terrain: Moorland, Farmland, Hills
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Height gain: 755 feet (230 m)
It is important to note that each person who joins us will be responsible for themselves and those in their family group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared for muddy hillsides and fells. Bring appropriate footwear, clothing and food and drinks for the journey. If you would like to ask more questions or get a copy of the route do see me in the sacristy at the end of the Mass.
CAFOD Syria-Turkey Earthquake Appeal
CAFOD is responding with support of provision of food, water, shelter, medical assistance and winter kits for survivors of the Syrian-Turkey earthquake disaster. On the weekend of the 4th/5th March there will be collection baskets at the end of the weekend Masses for any financial donations which people would like to make towards CAFOD'S work in this area. For more details visit CAFOD's Syria Turkey Emergency Appeal online at www.cafod.org.uk/give.
Deanery News: Welcome
We welcome 2 priests from the Diocese of Bauchi, Nigeria who will be ministering here in our deanery; Fr Job Stephen Zirra and Fr Benjamin Usakule Garba will assist Fr David Featherstone in the Good Samaritan Parish, Burnley and will reside at St. John's Presbytery, Burnley.
Lenten Station Mass 9th March
During Lent there is the tradition of Station Masses. This is where a Lenten Mass will be celebrated in a particular parish in the deanery and other parishes are invited to come. It's a wonderful reminder that we are part of a bigger family and are united by Our Lord in the sacrifice of the Mass. Our parish will be hosting one of the deanery Station Masses on Thursday 9th March at 7pm. Everyone is welcome – as you heard me say last weekend – Everyone! Fr. Bryan Cunningham SI, a priest of the Schoenstatt Institute, will be the visiting preacher and there will be refreshments afterwards. Confessions will be available before each Mass. Fr. Stamp has kindly offered to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession at St. Mary's from 6:15pm – 6:45pm. The other Station Masses will be:
St. Mary's, Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, BB5 3EZ on Thursday 9th March at 7pm.
St Peter's, Chapel Street, NewChurch, Rossendale, BB4 9EE, on Thursday 16th March at 7pm.
Christ Church, 15 Cross St, Nelson, BB9 7LE, on Thursday 23rd March at 7pm.
St. Mary's Warm Welcome
Thanks to all those who come along and support the St. Mary's Warm Welcome. It's an opportunity every fortnight for people to come together for a sing-a-long (the band do requests), a catch up with others and a decent brew with some tasty cake. Everyone and anyone is welcome. The next St. Mary's Warm Welcome will be on Tuesday 7th March from 1pm – 3pm. Why not come along and experience something different.Lenten Reading
If your looking to take time this Lent to do some spiritual reading here are a few suggestions:
Jesus of Nazareth. Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection by Pope Benedict XVI
The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Blessed Catherine Emmerich
The Fourth Cup. Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross by Scott Hahn
Understanding Divine Mercy by Fr. Chris Alar MIC
The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska
A Guide to Living in the Truth. St. Benedict's Teaching on Humility by Michael Casey
An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales
The Power of Silence, Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Cardinal Sarah and Nicolas Diat
Sacred Heart, St. Mary's & St. Oswald's Schools
It was a wonderful start to Lent this year having a full church on Ash Wednesday with the pupils from our parish schools. As always parishioners commented on the good behavior of the children and their enthusiasm for singing. Let's continue to pray for the staff and students of our schools.
St. Mary's Parish Centre Exhibition
To mark the last weekend of St. Mary's Parish Centre the 6pm Friday Evening Mass on the 10th March will be in Thanksgiving for all volunteers who have served the Centre over the years.
The Parish Centre has been more than just a building for many parishioners and their families, it's been a place of celebration, happy memories and a second home. It is important that this is recognized and we give thanks to God for all those who have volunteered in all kinds of ways to the life of the Parish Centre from its beginning. During the final weekend (Friday 10th to Sunday 12th March) we would like to invite parishioners to bring photos of memories and celebrations they have had at the Parish Centre and are willing to share with others. From the Friday evening there will be a number of display boards you can attach your photos to at the back of church. You may want to make copies of your photos so that they don't get lost or write your name and contact details at the back.
Sacred Heart Memorial Exhibition
June 2023 will be the twenty year anniversary of the closure of Sacred Heart church in Accrington, and the dissolution of the parish. Anyone who is a former Sacred Heart parishioner, or had family and friends who were, may have memorabilia or other items of interest, or simply personal memories they could write down and let us have on loan for the display. We found in the past that many documents and log books for the former Sacred Heart parish have been either lost or destroyed, making researching a full history of the parish very difficult, which is why we need items or information only you as parishioners may have. We have contacted all formal archives where items may have been sent without success, so personal family collections are all that are left to search. All original items will be carefully copied and returned, but we would prefer copies to be made available for us to display:
Have you photos of the annual procession?
Have you photos of the Corpus Christi processions at Paddock House?
Do you know where the oil painting of Fr McAvoy from Paddock House is?
Is there a building plan of the church and grounds?
Do you have any leaflets or the like from Old St Oswald's church on Hyndburn Road?
Please contact John Hughes on hughes.john.d@gmail.com with any information.
St Bernadette Relic Tour Film - Out Now!
Throughout September 2022, the relics of St Bernadette Soubirous toured the UK, including a visit to our very own Salford Cathedral. St Bernadette's relics travelled 11,500 miles from the Sanctuary in Lourdes to UK churches, cathedrals, a hospital and one prison, offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to people of all faiths and none to visit the saint's sacred relics at one of 52 public venues. Amazingly, the tour reached 1 in 4 UK Catholics! The relic tour team are delighted to announce the release of their new legacy film commemorating the visit. You can watch the film here: youtu.be/3HY8iT2GioM
National Novena to St Joseph
The National Novena to St. Joseph will take place from 11th March - 19th March at St. Joseph's Church in Maidenhead. Every year, the Mill Hill Missionaries prepare for the Feast of St. Joseph, their society patron, with a special novena of Masses and prayers to ask for God's blessing on their society's missionary outreach, and for the intentions of all those who support their work. For more information visit the Mill Hill website: www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena
The 89th Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
28th July - 3rd August 2023. We are delighted to announce that travel and accommodation booking is now available for this Summer's pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by Bishop John Arnold. Full details are available on the pilgrimage website: www.salfordlourdes.co.uk. All bookings and enquiries can be made via Joe Walsh Tours, (ATOL 11313), by phone on 0808 1890468, or by email: info@joewalshtours.co.uk All are welcome.
Caritas Salford Lent Appeal
This Lent, will you make a change to change a life? Whether you're making a change to your diet, fasting, amending your behavior or adapting your thoughts and focus...as you pray, fast and give this Lent the change you're making could also help to change a life. By remembering Caritas Salford during Lent, your donations and prayers will make a real difference to the lives of the local people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire that the team supports - people in our local communities facing poverty, disadvantage, homelessness and isolation. There are lots of ways you can help:
• Keep Caritas Salford and the people they work alongside in the local community in your prayers this Lent
• Join their Lent appeal and collect change to help change lives (you can pay online at www.caritassalford.org.uk/service-view/lent2023/ )
• Help Caritas reach even more people by sharing news of the appeal on social media, with friends, family and other loved ones, colleagues and wider networks.
Thank you for your kindness and support.
Salford Diocesan Job Vacancies
We are currently hiring for the two roles found below.
SDC Café Supervisor
Appointment Type: Permanent
Working hours: Minimum 20hrs per week, to be worked 10am-2pm, Mon-Fri
Location: St Sebastian Community Centre, 1 Douglas Green, Salford, M6 6ES
Salary & Benefits: £11.67 per hour, 20 days holiday, plus statutory bank holidays (subject to pro-rata).
About: SDC Trading is seeking to recruit an experienced Café Supervisor to provide high-quality food and hospitality services to customers and visitors to St Sebastian's Centre.
Parish Administrator (Three Martyrs)
Appointment Type: Part-time, permanent
Working hours: 12 hours per week to be over two days – Tuesday and Friday
Location: St Thomas of Canterbury Presbytery, 327 Great Cheetham Street East Higher Broughton Salford M7 4UE
Salary & benefits: £11.26 per hr., 25 holidays, plus statutory bank holidays and 5 Diocesan closure days (subject to pro-rata).
About: The Three Martyrs: St Sebastian, St Boniface, and St Thomas of Canterbury are looking for a Parish Administrator to provide administrative support to the parish including office administration, secretarial and basic accounting duties.
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien
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