Thursday 24th
September 2020
Our Lady of Walsingham
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
There is a
wonderful verse found in the Letter to the Hebrews that begins:
‘Only faith can
guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the
realities that at present remain unseen. It was for faith that our ancestors
were commended.’
(Heb 11:1-2)
In our current fragile world, both globally and locally,
there seems little to celebrate. However, as the writer of Hebrews reminds us
it is only through faith that we can see hidden realities. Here as St. Mary’s
our living faith continues to reveal the reality of hope, that can sometimes
seem hidden, yet through the eyes of faith is very much alive and active. I’ll
prove it in the following pieces of good news:-
Welcome
Over the last two weeks we have we have received Bernadette
Smith and Andrew Price into the Church. This is wonderful and hope giving news!
Bernadette and Andrew, over the last two Saturday’s, have been both baptised,
Confirmed and received Holy Communion for the first time. We also have a number
of more youthful parishioners (All who have had to contend with my poor
teaching skills since last October and faithfully stuck with it) who will be
baptised over the next few weeks and receive the Eucharist for the first time.
Laswon was baptised and received Holy Communion for the first time last Sunday
and over the next few weeks Carson and Shay will follow suit. May the Lord Bless our new brothers and
sister and may Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle always pray for them. Amen
About Becoming Catholic (ABC)
Over lockdown many people have emailed to ask about our
Catholic Faith with the intention of wanting to both explore and learn more
about it. Obviously with government restrictions this is a little more
challenging but not impossible. The Holy Spirit is always bestowing wisdom and
creativity so if you or somebody you know would like to contact me in regards
to knowing more about the Faith then please feel free to do so. sean.obrien@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Sacramental Programme 2019/20
Normally First Confessions and Holy Communion would have
taken place for those who first began preparation for these Sacraments last
autumn. Despite Covid-19 these children will be blessed over the course of the
next few weeks when they begin to receive the real and true presence of Jesus’
forgiveness and mercy in Confession and His life giving grace in the Blessed
Sacrament. Let us pray for these young people as they continue their journey of
faith.
Volunteer Stewards
I am now celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass publicly
six times a week because of those parishioners who have come forward as
stewards. It is also because of these parishioners that funeral liturgies can
once again commence at St. Mary’s which
is helping people with their grief. I know the parish is very grateful for what
they are doing as without their voluntary service our church doors would have
to close. The stewards are there to see that the conditions issued by the
Government and Diocese are followed. They did not make these rules and if we
wish to remain open for worship we must comply. It is not pleasant for stewards
to have to insist on the rules. If everyone could follow what they have been
asked to do then it makes life easier and safer for everyone. This should come
naturally to us as Christians – not to put ourselves first but to think of the
good of others. Next time you come to church say a prayer of thanks for those
people who have given up their time to afford us the blessing of being in the
presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. If you would like to volunteer as a
steward then please contact Jennifer Pickles at jennifer.pickles@virginmedia.com
Parish Grounds
As has been commented by numerous people returning to church,
St. Mary’s grounds are looking well and being ‘...devotedly taken care of.’ The
upper car park is moss free (for the time being), the paths are clear, the
lawns are mowed, the flower beds are pruned and tided and the hedges are
trimmed. But! Autumn is coming and in a few weeks there will be leaf fall – a
lot of leaf fall! As always if people could come forward their help would be
very much welcomed and appreciated. It’s
fresh air, exercise and the great open doors, all good for body, mind
and soul. Contact Navada Keenan for more information at: keenannavada@gmail.com
As you can see brothers and sisters our parish is not
stagnant but living, breathing and continuing to witness to the presence of
Jesus Christ in the world. On Wednesday 16th September we celebrated
the Memoria of the two early martyrs Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian. The first
reading was from St. Paul to the Corinthians and I think his words are a good
way of ending this letter.
‘We are only the
earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an
overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.
We are in
difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our
problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted but never deserted;
knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in
our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen
in our body.’ (2 Cor 4:7-10)
With many people and families suffering from the effects of
Covid-19 both psychologically, emotionally, financially and practically we only
have one sure and certain anchor to hold fast on to – Our Lord. Let’s continue
to hold each other in prayer and never loose sight that of the blessings and
hope we see in our lives of faith.
God Bless and keep praying
Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
Fr. O’Brien