St Benedict's, St Mary's and St Oswald's Warrington

Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

January 28th, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Thursday 2 February 2023

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Forty days ago, we celebrated the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Today, we remember the day Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple for the first time. While they were there, an old man called Simeon recognised Jesus as the ‘Light of the nations’. So today’s feast has also become known as ‘Candlemas’ because we bless and carry lighted candles to remind us that Jesus is the light who enlightens every person.

Last year, Raymond Friel posted this picture of the feast on his Twitter page:

He wrote: “In this depiction by Mantegna (c. 1455) some commentators believe that Jesus is modelled on the son of the artist’s patron who had Down’s syndrome. A beautiful thought, the profound solidarity of the Incarnation.”

Wednesday 1 February 2023

How to handle criticism

In a wide-ranging interview with Associated Press correspondent, Nicole Winfield, released a few days ago, Pope Francis spoke about the criticism he receives. He said that for him, as for everybody, it is better not to be criticised, for the sake of his “peace of mind.” But although criticisms are “like a rash, a bit annoying, I prefer them, because it means there is freedom of speech.” He added that what is important, is that criticisms should be made “to our faces because that’s how we all grow.” Criticism is worse, when it is “underhanded”, he said.

The Pope noted that he had spoken with some of his critics. “Some of them have come here and yes, I have discussed things – normally, as one speaks with mature people. I did not argue with anyone, but I expressed my opinion and they expressed theirs. Otherwise, you create a dictatorship of distance, as I call it, where the emperor is there and nobody can say anything to him. No, let them say because the companionship, the criticism, helps us to grow and make things go well.”

You can read a summary of the full interview at the Independent Catholic News website: Pope: Critics help us grow, but I want them to say it to my face | ICN (indcatholicnews.com)

Tuesday 31 January 2023 – St John Bosco

Today we keep the memory of St John Bosco, patron saint of children and young people.

Don Bosco was born in Italy in 1815. While training for the priesthood, he used his spare time to look after poor boys who roamed the streets of Turin. As a priest, he set up an oratory for them where they could come to eat and learn. He established a congregation to continue his work – the Society of Saint Francis de Sales (better known as the Salesians). He also founded a congregation for women – the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians – to take care of abandoned girls.

Some Quotes from Don Bosco

“Gentleness is the favourite virtue of Jesus Christ.”

“Put up willingly with the faults of others if you wish others to put up with yours.”

“If you must admonish someone, do it privately and most kindly.”

“I beg you most earnestly to avoid harsh, cutting remarks; treat each other as good brothers.”

“Trust in the power of the Holy Eucharist and Our Blessed Lady. Do what you can and leave the rest to God.”

Monday 30 January 2023

Pilgrimage of Peace

Tomorrow, Pope Francis will embark on an Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Reverend Iain Greenshields. They will be travelling to Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, African nations that have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts.

This will be the first visit of a Pope to the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1985, when John Paul II travelled to the nation, known then as Zaire. The second leg of the journey will be the first-ever papal visit to South Sudan.

In a letter addressed to the populations of both countries prior to his departure, Pope Francis noted the DRC “suffers from armed clashes and exploitation”, especially in the east of the country, and that South Sudan, has been “wracked by years of war” and “longs for an end to the constant violence that forces many people to be displaced and to live in conditions of great hardship.”

Today, Pope Francis said: “I ask everyone, please, to accompany this Journey with their prayers.”

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 29 January 2023

Mass sheet we will be using in church:

Mass Sheet (Sunday 4A)

Bidding Prayers:

Bidding Prayers (Sunday 4A)

Reflection on the Readings:

prego-ota-4-2023

CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine

Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.

Amen.

Some Funnies

God bless,
Fr Dave

Third Week in Ordinary Time

January 21st, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Friday 27 January 2023

Holocaust Memorial Day

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day when we remember the millions of people murdered under the Nazis, as well as the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and other places.

We gasp in shear horror at the evil done to human beings of all ages by other human beings. Humankind is doomed to repeat this evil if we fail to remember and learn from the past.

The Council of Christians and Jews invite us to pray these words today:

Loving God,
you care for each and every human life.
All people are cherished as your beloved children,
no matter how ordinary or extraordinary their stories are.

Today we come before you to remember the victims of the Holocaust.

We lament the loss of the six million Jews
who were killed in the Holocaust,
the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution,
and victims of all genocides.

May our minds be clear and attentive to their memory,
and our hearts be moved to bear witness to their lives.

Help us all to turn away from hatred and division,
and to build a world where genocide is no more.

Strengthen us so that we, in our own ordinary ways,
may show extraordinary love in the world today.

Amen.

Thursday 26 January 2023

Click on image to enlarge:

Wednesday 25 January 2023

In a new report published yesterday, the Church of England proposed a radical and inspiring vision for adult social care in England, drawing on Christian theology, tradition and values. The report sets out three actions to realise a new vision for care and support: rethinking attitudes to care and support; rebalancing roles and responsibilities; and redesigning the social care system. You can read the report below.

Full Report:

Care and Support Reimagined A National Care Covenant for England (Full)

Summary:

Care and Support Reimagined A National Care Covenant for England (Summary)

Easy Read:

2863 Reimagining Care Report Archbishop of Canterbury Easy Read final version

Tuesday 24 January 2023

“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me and I in Him’.”

(St Francis de Sales)

Monday 23 January 2023

Prayer

In all we do
You are with us, O God.

In all our laughter
You are with us, O God.

In all our tears
You are with us, O God.

In all our talk
You are with us, O God.

In all our silence
You are with us, O God.

In all our success
You are with us, O God.

In all our struggles
You are with us, O God.

In all our fear
You are with us, O God.

In all our sleeping
You are with us, O God.

In all our walking
You are with us, O God.

In all our loving
You are with us, O God.

(Source unknown)

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 22 January 2023

Mass sheet we will be using in church:

Mass Sheet (Sunday 3A)

Bidding Prayers:

Bidding Prayers (Sunday 3A)

Reflection on the Readings:

prego-ota-3-2023

CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine

Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.

Amen.

Some Funnies

God bless,
Fr Dave

Second Week in Ordinary Time

January 14th, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Thursday 19 January 2023

When I can’t pray

Lord, I can’t pray, I don’t know how to pray.
I don’t even know if I want to pray.
The well has run dry.
I’m so busy these days, how can I find time for prayer?
I don’t even know what to say any more.
When I was a child we said our prayers, it seemed so simple,
but now I wonder, what’s the point?
If we’re all praying for different things,
why do some prayers get answered and some don’t?
And why is it that good people who pray still suffer
and others, who don’t, seem to flourish?
Prayer feels like I’m talking to myself in an empty room.

My child, so many questions,
so much anxiety in your heart.
Do not be afraid, do not worry, I am with you,
whether you know that or not,
whether you feel it or not.
I know you struggle with prayer,
I know that you don’t know how to pray
but you don’t have to: my Spirit will pray in you.
All you need to do is bring your troubled heart to the well.
There I will meet you.
Let go of your fears, extend your hand to me.
That is all I want, more than anything:
an open hand and heart, a humble heart.
There I will find a home.

From ‘At Your Side’ (c) 2020 Raymond Friel & David Wells.
Published by Redemptorist Publications.

Wednesday 18 January 2023

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity

Today we begin the annual Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity

You can find prayers and thoughts for each day of the octave here:

WPCU 2023 English Pamphlet

Attend with favour to the prayers of your people,
we ask, O Lord,
and grant that the hearts of believers
may be united in your praise and in repentance together,
so that, with division among Christians overcome,
we may hasten with joy to your eternal kingdom
in the perfect communion of the Church.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(The Roman Missal)

Tuesday 17 January 2023

“Brothers and sisters, let us not forget the battered people of Ukraine who are suffering so much! Let us stay close to them with our thoughts, with our help, and with our prayers.”

Pope Francis, 15 January 2023

Monday 16 January 2023

Sr Moira Meehgan SSMN from The Irenaeus Project writes:

“On 1st January I read the Pope’s letter for the 56th World Day of Peace. It asks us to reflect on our past responses to the Covid Crisis. It made me think about the way the City Council managed to find the homeless a bed for the night, we were all aware of our neighbours, helping with their needs.

What has happened since then? Has our way of life changed or have we gone back to our old ways?

I received a calendar at Christmas and the month of January has a quote from Mahatma Ghandi: “You must be the change in the world that you wish to see”. I also think of a line of a hymn that I often sing: ‘Peace will come and let it begin with me’ (Tom Paxton). This is certainly a challenge that I take into this new year.”

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 15 January 2023

Peace Sunday

Mass sheet we will be using in church:

Mass Sheet (Sunday 2A)

Bidding Prayers:

Bidding Prayers (Sunday 2A)

Reflection on the Readings:

prego-sunday-2-ota-2023

CAFOD’s Prayer for Ukraine

Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.

May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.

Amen.

Some Funnies

God bless,
Fr Dave

First Week in Ordinary Time

January 7th, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Thursday 12 January 2023

Wednesday 11 January 2023

Warm Spaces

In addition to the Warm Space at St Benedict’s Church on Wednesdays, 12.00 – 2.00 pm:

Tuesday 10 January 2023

Click to enlarge…

Monday 9 January 2023

Charitable Incorporated Organisation

From the beginning of January, the Archdiocese became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). In the video below, Archbishop Malcom tells us more about this: