Special Extended Weekly Newsletter

Message from Fr Richard

Last week the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales announced that the public celebration of Mass has to be suspended due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation.  Consequently there will be no Masses at St Mary's, either during the week or on Sundays and no Eucharistic services either.  This suspension will last until further notice.   It will be a big disappointment and a sadness for everyone in the parish for whom coming to Mass is part of their life.  On the other hand, as the Bishops have reminded us, the church can still remain open for private prayer and we can pray in our homes (as we do already), and in a particular way, try to spiritually unite ourselves to the Eucharistic Sacrifice.  We can also look out for the needs of those around us, especially the housebound and the isolated. 

Mass will continue to be offered in the church by Fr Richard.  Just because we can't be there in person, the great prayer of the Mass will still be offered for our Parish!  Fr Richard will still accept Mass Intentions; simply put them in an envelope in the normal way and post them through the Presbytery door.

 

This week, beginning Sunday 22nd March (4th in Lent)

Fr Richard will be celebrating Mass privately in church at the following times:

Tuesday to Friday - 10am

Saturday - 12noon

Sunday - 10:30am

 

Church opening times

The church will be open for private prayer at the following times this week:

Tuesday -  from 10:30am until 12noon

Thursday - from 10:30am until 12noon

Saturday - from 12:30pm until 2pm

Sunday - from 11am until 2pm

 

Correction (added 23-3-20): Unfortunately the church will not be open at all until further notice even for times of private prayer (please see above announcement).

Parish Secretary The office will be open Tues & Weds 10-1pm, Thurs 10-12pm and Friday 10-2pm.  To contact the Presbytery email: secretary.stmaryshorwich@gmail.com  Tel. 01204 468209. 

Communication

In the days and weeks ahead, our ability to communicate Parish news is greatly reduced because we will not be gathering for those all-important Sunday Masses when notices are read out!  It is very important to consult the parish website: www.stmaryshorwich.com.  There will still be a weekly Newsletter published which can be accessed as usual on the website.  On the Home page, click on 'Blog' and then click on 'Parish Newsletters'. A printed copy of the Newsletter will be pinned on the notice board just inside the church porch, on the right hand side. You can also 'phone to speak to either Ruth the Parish Secretary or Fr Richard on: 01204 468209.  There will be a recorded 'phone message updated weekly in place of the normal list of Mass times.

Also please note: 

Ruth's email address is: secretary.stmaryshorwich@gmail.com

Fr Richard's email address is: richard.howard@dioceseofsalford.org.uk

 

Sunday Collection

As there will be no Sunday Masses for a while, there will also be no opportunity to take a Sunday collection!  Because the Parish survives on the generosity of our parishioners we would invite you to set aside the amount you would normally give each week (using offertory envelopes if you have them) and save them up until Sunday Mass resumes.  Alternatively you may put your offertory through the Presbytery door, in your normal offertory envelopes, or in any kind of envelope if you don't use offertory envelopes.  This can of course be done anonymously; simply write 'Sunday Collection' on the front.

Offertory Envelopes

Because the church is closed for the time being, parishioners will not be able to collect their new Offertory Envelopes.  The remaining boxes of envelopes will be delivered through the letter boxes of those parishioners who won't be able to collect them from church.  This will de done as soon as possible.

Resources for 'live-streaming' of Mass

A number of parishioners have asked whether they can watch Mass being celebrated in church from their own homes.  This can be done by going on the internet and visiting the following websites:

www.stcuthberts.org.uk (this is our neighbouring parish)

www.stgregoryschorley.org.uk

www.walsingham.org.uk (this has a full schedule of live Masses and other liturgies)

www.ewtn.com (this American Catholic network features live daily Mass)

Mass sheets for the forthcoming Sunday

These will be available to collect at the back of church when it is open during the week.  They will allow parishioners to read the Scriptures if they do not have their own Missal.  On the reverse side will be a simple liturgy to allow people to 'pray' the Mass at home.  We would ask that parishioners take no more than two of these away with them, so that we do not run out!

If you would like to prepare for next Sunday (5th in Lent) by meditating on the Scripture readings, but cannot get a Mass sheet, the texts are:

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Psalm 129 (130)

Romans 8:8-11

John 11:1-45

To view the daily and Sunday Mass Readings for up to a week in advance, go to: www.universalis.com

Re-dedication of England as Our Lady's Dowry

Next Sunday is also the day of this special Marian re-dedication of our country Mary.  

Prayer and Spirituality Resources

If you took the 'Walk with Me' booklet home at the start of Lent, this is an excellent way to keep praying and reading Scripture each day as we approach Easter.  You can also find more information on the pathway of prayer and sacramental life we are now being asked to follow on the Bishops' Conference website: www.cbcew.org.uk  You should also visit our own Diocesan website: www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk

Information for Lent

Unfortunately, most of the events that we publicised at the beginning of Lent have had to be cancelled. This includes the remaining Bolton Deanery Station Masses, the Churches Together in Horwich and Rivington Ecumenical services and the Parish Passover meal.

Prayer List

Please remember in your prayers this week:

Our sick and housebound: Sheila Rudd, Stephen Tootill, Evelyn Smith, Vivienne Dickinson

Lately Dead: Kathleen MacKay

Anniversaries: Ellen Egan

Please also remember in your prayers, all those who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus, both here and abroad.  Likewise pray for all our health and care workers at this time.  Finally let us pray for charity among all people in these days and a return to faith in God and a love of Him before all things.

CAFOD Family Fast Day

Many thanks for the £789.98 that we raised for those most in need.  Your generosity is much appreciated.