Friday 31st
July 2020
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
You will have noticed that over the last two years this image
(see below) has appeared on many of our parish documents, newsletters and the
parish website.
It is the circular stain glass window found above the Chapel
of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle and depicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As many
of you will know the month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary. When we see a statue or picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we
automatically recall the Lord’s love and mercy for all humankind. Images of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary remind us of Our Lady’s desire to bring all people to
her Son. Mothers want the best for their children and our heavenly mother is no
exception. Her Immaculate Heart wants us to find real happiness, true joy and
eternal peace and she knows that these things can only be found in Jesus Christ
her Son.
The Latin inscription at the bottom of our stain glass window
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary reads, ‘ECCE MATER TUA’, which simply
translates, ‘Behold your Mother’. These words were spoken by Jesus on
the way to calvary in John’s Gospel.
‘Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing
near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the
disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made
a place for her in his home.’ (Jn 19:26-27)
Our Lord himself entrusts us, his people the flock of his
pasture, to Mary his Mother. He knows that she will love and protect us through
thick and thin. He knows the power of her prayers on our behalf. He knows that
those who embrace her will be led to him who is The Way, The Truth and The
Life.
At some point during the month of August I will do another
online parish rosary similar to the one in May. I invite you to join me as we
petition the Immaculate Heart of Mary to bring us, as a parish family, ever
closer to her Son who wants to heal, transform and strengthen us as his
missionary disciples.
Thank You
After hearing, reading and witnessing how other parishes have
attempted to re-open their church doors I am in no doubt that St. Mary’s should
be used as an example by the Bishop of good practice. The gardens and church
grounds are immaculate and carefully tended to each week by a dedicated army of
volunteers. Church is cleansed, disinfected and bleached every Tuesday by a
committed team of cleaners who are helping us to meet the Covid-19 health and
safety conditions. Public Masses are obviously a new experience for both priest
and people, especially in regards to official requirements and practices. Those
parishioners who have freely stepped forward and volunteered to act as stewards
have not only made St. Mary’s a safe and pleasant environment to worship in but
they have helped to maintain its silent prayerful and reflective atmosphere.
The booking system, which as you know I find difficult, has been facilitated
wonderfully both on the phone and online by volunteers again. Thank you. My
final thanks goes to those who have attended the Holy Mass over the last two
weeks. Normal practices and routines of coming to Mass have changed which can
be disconcerting yet people have been so accommodating and thoughtful towards
stewards and fellow parishioners. We maybe on the verge of a second viral spike
with an uncertain future but it’s quite clear that the devotion and faith of
this parish is unflinching! Alleluia and thank you for your witness.
The Sacrament of Confession
Many people have taken the opportunity to come to Confession
over these last two weeks and actually receive God’s mercy. If you would like
to take advantage of this Sacrament then please email, write or leave a voice
mail at the presbytery to make an appointment. Confession, because of the
Covid-19 conditions and requirements, is now being temporarily celebrated
outside in the presbytery garden. There is also a good examination of
conscience on the parish website by Fr. Stephen Wang which you may find
helpful.
Public Mass Times
This week all Salford diocesan clergy received an email from
one of the Vicar’s General, Mgr John Daly in regards to public worship.
‘We are now hearing of reports of the increase of cases of
coronavirus in various parts of the diocese. As a result local councils are
making statements such as reverting back to lockdown. Some of the statements
are asking people not to break guidelines re social distancing. Re public
worship, our guidance is that we maintain the 2 metre rule, keep services to a
minimum, no singing, observe sanitising and steward people arriving and leaving
church. At present these measures enable us to keep our people safe. You will
be aware that Bishop John does not want any priest to be under undue pressure
to open churches where people are unsafe….’
In the light of this email with the new lockdown restrictions
in East Lancashire and with the Sunday obligation still temporarily on hold, I
am very happy and confident for us to continue to celebrate Mass publicly here
at St. Mary’s. It is those parishioners who are volunteer stewards, cleaners
and gardeners that have enabled us to do this safely and effectively.
Throughout August Mass will continue to be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
and Fridays when possible. Let’s pray that by September we will be able to
increase the number of liturgies and the congregation capacity in church. All
future Mass times will appear on the parish website. The diocese have continued
to emphasise the next two points:
Social Distancing - IMPORTANT
Worshippers should limit their interactions with anyone they
are not attending church with, i.e. if they are attending corporate worship
with one other household, wherever possible they should maintain social
distancing with anyone outside of this group.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport
and will be mandatory in shops and in supermarkets from 24th July 2020. People
are also strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces
where there are people they do not normally meet, such as a church.
God Bless and keep praying
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Fr. O’Brien
