THE HAPPY COUPLE

Congratulations to Mark Owens and Colleen Tobin who were married at St Marie's this afternoon.









DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS

A Remeinder of our devotions THIS SUNDAY beginning at 2:00pm in St Marie's Church

2:00pm

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

(Confessions will be heard during Exposition)

3:00pm

Chaplet of Mercy,

Blessing and Veneration of the Image

4:00pm

Holy Mass in Thanksgiving
for the Beatification of Pope John Paul II

 

ALL WELCOME

ALLELUIA CHRIST IS RISEN

The Altar of Repose transformed into the Easter Garden

Incensing the Paschal Candle on Easter Day

THE EASTER VIGIL

Here are a few inages taken from our Great Paschal Vigil

Bless this new fire and make it holy

May the light of Christ dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds

Accept this Easter Candle fashioned from the work of bees

Give to the waters of this font the grace of your Son

PREPARATIONS

The Easter Vigil is the Mother of All Vigils and each year a lot of preparation goes into making it a prayerful and joyful celebration. I would like to record my thanks to all who have helped to prepare the church for the Sacred Triduum. Thank you to all the ladies who share in the 'ministrty of the mop' and have been involved in the Big Clean.  The Church looked magnificent.  

In the picture we see that flowers have been placed by the Sacred Heart Statue. My thanks also to those involved in decorating the church with flowers, those who prepared the Easter Garden and the Cross.  Those who helped prepare the altar with the 'putting things out and taking them in again' 

I would also like to record my thanks to all our altar servers who came together for the Easter Ceremonies. Your contribution helped all who came to pray the ceremonies of Holy Week and that is the most important thing. My thanks to Michael, John Paul, Luke, Gregory, Philp, Sophia, Rosin, Hannah and Grace. 

Music also plays a big part in the ceremonies of Holy Week.  I would like to thank all those who contributed the the Liturgy by using their talents in musoic for the greater glory of God.  A number of people have commented on how lovely the music was this year.

Finally, all of this would be worthwhile if no one actually came to the services.  My thanks to those who came to pray the Ceremonies of Holy Week.  My prayer is tha you found them inspiring and that they have helped to deepen your own faith.

GOOD FRIDAY

The Liturgy resumed on Good Friday afternoon for the Solemn Celebration of the Lord's Passion

HOLY THURSDAY




 On Holy Thursday we gathered at St Marie's for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. The Mass begin with Blessed John Henry Newman's hymn Praise to the Holiest.

After the Homily Father Francis performed the Mandatum - The Washing of the Feet in memory of Christ washing the feet of the Apostles, His first priests at the Last Supper. 













At the end of Mass the Blessed Sacrament was transferred to the Altar of Repose that had been lovingly prepared by some of the men of the parish.  The Watch continued until 11:45pm when those remaining recited Compline.

SCHOOL PLAY




Hosanna to the Son of David. 
Blessings on Him who comes in the name of the Lord






Before St Marie's School finished for the Easter Break they produced a very beautiful and moving Passion Play.  Through the use of music and readings they led us through the events of Holy Week.  Here are a scenes from the play.



It is accomplished





Jesus carries His Cross



This is my Body, given for you

THE GREAT WEEK BEGINS

'Bless these branches and make them holy...'

The Procession enters the church

The Mass begins



'Dirigatur Domine oratio mea, sicut incensum, in conspectu tuo...'



FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY

SUNDAY 1st MAY 2011

2:00pm

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

(Confessions will be heard during Exposition)

3:00pm

Chaplet of Mercy,

Blessing and Veneration of the Image

4:00pm

Holy Mass in Thanksgiving

for the Beatification of Pope John Paul II

ALL WELCOME

EASTER SERVICES

PALM SUNDAY

5:00pm Vigil Mass at St Joseph’s Church

9:15am Mass at St Joseph’s Church

11:30am Holy Mass at St Marie’s Church

Monday of Holy Week 18th April

9:30am Holy Mass at St Joseph’s

Tuesday of Holy Week 19th April

9:30am Holy Mass at St Joseph’s

Wednesday of Holy Week 20th April

11:45am -12:10 Confessions at St Marie’s

12:15pm Holy Mass at St Marie’s

THE GREAT EASTER TRIDUUM

(This year the entire Triduum will take place at St Marie’s church)

HOLY THURSDAY 8:00pm at St Marie’s

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Washing of Feet

and Procession to the Altar of Repose and watching till Midnight.

GOOD FRIDAY

10:00am Stations of the Cross

at St Joseph’s Church

12:00 Churches Together Walk of Witness

beginning at the URC Church.

3:00pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion,

Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion

at St Marie’s

7:30pm Maria Desolata Devotion

(Stations of the Cross through the eyes of Our Lady).

at Saint Marie’s

HOLY SATURDAY 23rd April

CONFESSIONS10:30am – 12:30pm at St Marie’s

THE GREAT PASCHAL VIGIL

8:30pm at Saint Marie’s

Lighting of the Paschal Fire, The Great Paschal Vigil,

Blessing of the Font, First Mass of Easter.

 

(PLEASE NOTE:

There will be no VigiMass at St Joseph’s at 5:00pm)

EASTER DAY 24th April

9:15am

Holy Mass at St Joseph’s

11:30am

Holy Mass at St Marie’s

EASTER MONDAY

9:30am Holy Mass at St Joseph’s Church

EASTER TUESDAY

9:30am Holy Mass at St Joseph’s Church

EASTER WEDNESDAY

12:15 Holy Mass at St Marie’s Church

EASTER THURSDAY

9:30am Holy Mass at St Joseph’s Church

EASTER FRIDAY

12:15 Holy Mass at St Marie’s Church

EASTER SATURDAY

10:00am Holy Mass at St Marie’s Church

1:30pm Marriage of Mark Owens and Susan Tobin

at St Marie’s Church

May I take this opportunity to encourage you all to come to the ceremonies of Holy Week and Easter. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil form one unit. They are three acts of the one play. No one goes to the theatre and only attends only one act so why do the same with Our Lord’s Passion?

With the assurance of my prayer and every blessing for a Happy and Holy Easter.

GOING TO CONFESSION

Lent is traditionally a time when we think about Confession.  I offer this post to help you make a fruitful use of this Sacrament during Lent.  Use the examination of conscience to look deeply and honestly at your life and then come and receive the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord.  He awaits you in this Sacrament of His love and mercy.

‘It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation. The appeal we make in Christ’s name is: Be reconciled to God.’

1 Cor 5:18-20

‘A recommendation for all the faithful: have confidence in sacramental Confession.’

Pope Paul VI

‘It is here in the sacrament of Penance that God’s mercy will at last win the victory over human wickedness. It is here that men will be cleansed of their sins and reconciled to God. We condemn the theory that the frequent confession of venial sins is ‘not a practice to be greatly valued.’ On the contrary, for a constant and rapid advancement in virtue, we highly recommend the pious practice of frequent Confession, introduced by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.’ BLESSED JOHN XXIII

A Prayer Before going to Confession
O my God, help me to see and know the condition of my soul honestly and humbly, and to make a sincere and truthful confession. Teach me true sorrow for my sins then, in your mercy grant me Your forgiveness, Your grace and Your love, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer. Amen.

An Examination of Conscience
You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart.
Have I ignored God or excluded Him from my life and works?
Have been loyal to the Teaching Authority of the Church and been willing to profess my faith in public as well as in private?
Is my daily prayer a real conversation with God in mind and heart?
Have I put my trust in superstitions or involved myself in the Occult or Satanism?
Have I a true reverence and love for the name of God or have I offended Him through blasphemy, cursing or perjury?
Did I miss Mass on Sunday or Holyday of Obligation through my own fault?
Did I fulfil my Easter duties?
Have made a dishonest Confession in the past?

You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
Have I been disobedient, rude or disloyal to my parents or lawful superiors?
Have been harsh or overbearing to those under my authority?
Have I neglected my duty to provide a religious education for my children and to help them to know and love their faith?
Have I been impatient, angry, proud, jealous or hateful to others?
Did l get drunk, use drugs, give bad example or scandal?
Have I been involved in vandalism; driven recklessly or injured anyone?
Did in any way co-operate in an abortion?
Have I been lazy at my work, in study, or in the home?
Have I been immodest or impure by myself or with others?
Have I placed myself in occasions of sin, by reading, listening to, or looking at what was indecent, or pornographic?
Have failed to show love, understanding and respect to my marriage partner or been careless about my marriage vows?
Have I used forms of birth control forbidden by the Church?
Have I been guilty of cheating, theft, or gambling rashly?
Have I received stolen goods? Have I made restitution?
Do I give a full day’s work in return for a full day’s pay?
Do I pay a full day’s wage to those who work for me?
Have I told lies to injure anyone or excuse myself?
Have I been considerate, kind and generous to others in thought or deed?
Have I given way to self pity, brooded over injuries or refused to forgive?

After carefully examining your conscience be sorry for your sins and make up your mind not to sin any more.
PROCEDURE IN CONFESSION

Begin by saying:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Bless me, Father for I have sinned it is – [a week, or a month, a long time] since my last confession.

Then tell your sins to the priest. If you get stuck do not worry. Ask the priest to help you. When you have finished confessing your sins you should say:

I am sorry for all these sins and the those I cannot now remember.’

Then wait while the Priest gives any necessary advice, and assigns the penance.
Then make an Act of Contrition

O my God, because you are so good I am very sorry that I have sinned against You and with the help of Your grace I will not sin again.’


The Priest then gives you absolution:

God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins, through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• Develop the habit of examining your conscience every day. It is then easier to recall sins committed.

• If it is a long time since your last confession or you unsure what to do ask the priest to help you

• Don’t postpone your confession. That never solves anything.

• Try to go to confession frequently at least once a month, to offer to God your love in spite of failure and receive both His forgiveness and His strength to overcome your faults and future temptations.

• Sin is any wilful thought, desire, word, action or omission forbidden by the law of God.

• We are bound to confess to a priest each and every serious sin (commonly called mortal) of which we are aware, in order to receive forgiveness. - This is the firm teaching of the Church, founded on the law of a good and loving God.

TIME IN SCHOOL

As part of their work on vocation and ministry in the life of the church I was invited to talk to the Year Five children at St Marie's School about my work as a priest.  I always find this work rewarding and challenging as the children often ask questions that cause me to reflect on my ministry as a priest.

As always we end by talking to the children about the vestments a priest wears to celebrate Mass.  A few pictures are included here.

CHLOE BURKE RIP

Please remember in your prayers the family and friends of Chloe Burke who was taken from us in tragic circumstances in February this year.

On Monday of this week I had the honour, priviledge and sad task of laying Chloe to rest.    May I record my thanks to the children and staff of our primary school to helped with the singing and preparing the liturgy for the funeral Mass.  I have had a number of phone calls saying how lovely they thought the Mass was and how beautifully they thought the children sang.

God bless, Chloe.  Your light shines now and forever in the glory of heaven.

PARISH PRIEST

TERENCE

By the Grace of God and Favour of the Apostolic See

Bishop of Salford

Decree of Appointment

Parish Priest

Whereas, a parish is a community of the Christian faithful stably constituted in a particular church whose pastoral care is entrusted to a pastor under the authority of the diocesan bishop (Code of Canon Law, Canon 515 §1);

Whereas, a parish priest, in the parish entrusted to him, exercises pastoral care in the community committed to him by carrying out the functions of teaching, sanctifying, and governing, with the cooperation of other clergy and with the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful, according to the norm of law (Canon 519);

Whereas the discipline of the Church expects that a presbyter be assigned as parish priest of every parish for the well-being of the faithful;

Whereas, by Episcopal decree, Prot. No. A02/2011, the Parish of St Marie and St Joseph, Bury was formed on 4t' day of March, 2011 by the amalgamation of the parishes of St Marie, Bury, and St Joseph, Bury;

By this decree, I appoint the Reverend Francis Wadsworth to be parish priest of St Marie and St Joseph, Bury, in the Diocese of Salford. He is to exercise this ministry in the spirit and customs of the diocese.

He is to take canonical possession of the parish by presenting this decree and making the profession of faith to the Rural Dean of Saint Therese of Lisieux Deanery, Reverend Father Paul Brindle within three months of the date of this decree.

He is required to make an accurate and clear inventory of all ecclesiastical goods owned by the parish; one copy is to be sent to the diocesan curia and the other is to remain in the parish archives; eventual changes in the inventory are to be indicated on both copies (Canon 1283).

Given at Salford, this 4" day of March, in the year of our Lord, twenty hundred and eleven.

TWO INTO ONE WILL GO

Since the retirement of Fr. Morrow as parish priest of St Joseph's, Bury we have known that the parishes of St Marie and St Joseph would be amalgamated to form one new parish under the care of one parish priest. The official Decree of Amalgamaation was signed by the Bishop on the 4th March 2011.  The Decree was read out in the two churches of the parish that weekend.  Here is the text.

TERENCE

by the Grace of God and Favour of the Apostolic See

Bishop of Salford

DECREE

Since the diminution of the number of priests, and the changing needs of the people of Bury, require a different arrangement of pastoral provision to that provided by the present number of parishes, and having taken note of the consultation amongst the parishioners and priests concerned, the proposal to amalgamate the parishes of St Marie, Bury, and St Joseph, Bury to form one new Parish, was put before the Council of Priests in their consultative role as required by Canon 515 §2.

Since the laity of the area can be best served by the amalgamation of St Marie, Bury, and St Joseph, Bury this pastoral solution is hereby decreed to be in force and effective as from the date below.

After appropriate consultation, the newly formed parish established by this decree is to be named the parish of ST MARIE AND ST JOSEPH, BURY the church of St Marie being the parish church. Notwithstanding the provisions of Canon 857 §2 the people of St Marie and St Joseph, Bury shall be permitted to celebrate baptism in the church of St Joseph, Bury, as the Parish Priest deems appropriate. The Parish Priest is reminded of his ability under Canon 118 §1 to permit marriages to take place in the church of St Joseph, Bury.

Consultations regarding parish boundaries having been concluded by the Boundaries Board, the attached schedules are hereby decreed to be in force as of this date.

NOTE: in accordance with Canon 121, the newly defined parish of St Marie and St Joseph, Bury acquires the patrimomial rights, goods, and liabilities of the erstwhile parishes of St Marie, Bury and St Joseph, Bury as from the date below.

Given this 4th day of March, 2011

Prot. No. A02/2011

REST IN PEACE

Please pray for all those who have recently died

Chloe Burke

Elizabeth Violet Lyons

Bridget Cosgrove

Rosina Balsamo

Mary Walsh

Mary Helen Flynn

John Cannon

Margarita Garford

Michael Galvin

Rose Goodhall

Edith Delaney

Doreen Leyden

Avril Bradbury

Joyce Brandwood

James Rothwell

Giovanni Tucci

Francis Joseph Collier

RECENT BAPTISM

Please remember in your prayers Archie Patrick O'Connor who was baptised recently at St Marie's.  Thanks to Fr. Tomasz Seweryn who took the photos.