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

26th Week in Ordinary Time

September 30th, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Thursday 5 October 2023

Please pray for the Synod taking place in Rome.

Pope Francis: “Jesus’ gaze that blesses invites us to be a Church that does not face today’s challenges and problems with a divisive and contentious spirit but, turns its eyes to God who is communion and, with awe and humility, blesses and adores him, recognising him as its only Lord.”

Wednesday 4 October 2023 – St Francis of Assisi

Two momentous events today.

First, Pope Francis released a supplement to his 2015 Encyclical, Laudato Si’, on caring for our common home. Entitled, ‘Laudate Deum’ (‘Praise God’), the Apostolic Exhortation calls on the world to take climate change seriously – to read the signs of the times and to assist the world’s poorest people who are bearing the brunt of climate change. Focusing on international cooperation, Pope Francis calls us to move beyond expressing concern to having the courage to make substantial changes.

Bishop John Arnold, Lead Bishop for Environmental Issues for the Bishops’ Conference, said: “Clearly, the way we are currently living our lives is unsustainable. We need urgent political action, on a global scale, to address this crisis before it’s too late. But it’s also right that we ask ourselves certain questions. What is our relationship to God’s creation? Is it a resource for us to make profits from, or a precious gift that we are to protect? Are we stewards of the earth, or exploiters?”

You can read Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Laudate Deum, here:

laudate-deum-exhortation-041023.pdf (cbcew.org.uk)

Secondly, following a two year consultation involving all the Catholic parishes accross the world, the Synod on Synodality opened in Rome. In his opening address, Pope Francis said: “This is the Synod’s primary task: to refocus our gaze on God, to be a Church that looks mercifully on humanity. A Church that is united and fraternal, that listens and dialogues; a Church that blesses and encourages, that helps those who seek the Lord.”

You can follow the progress of the Synod here:

Synod 2021 – 2024

Tuesday 3 October 2023

Eve of the Synod on Synodality

“The essence of the synodal journey is found in a basic truth that we must never lose sight of: its purpose is to listen, to understand, and to put God’s will into practice.”

(Pope Francis, 3 October 2023)

Monday 2 October 2023 – The Guardian Angels

“At the side of every person is a protector the Lord gives to help us, to nudge us to get up when we have stumbled, to show us the way when we have chosen the wrong path. Let us listen to the voice of our Guardian Angel.”

(Pope Francis, 2 October 2023)

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 1 October 2023

Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Sunday 26A) 2023

Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (26A) 2023

Pastoral Letter: Pastoral Letter 1 October 2023

Reflection on the Readings: prego-sunday-26-ota-2023

Synod of Bishops 2021-2024

Synod 2021 – 2024

Some Funnies

God bless,
Fr Dave

25th Week in Ordinary Time

September 23rd, 2023 by Dave Heywood

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 24 September 2023

World Day for Migrants and Refugees

Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Sunday 25A) 2023

Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (25A) 2023

Reflection on the Readings: prego-sunday-25-ota-2023

World Day for Migrants and Refugees

World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk)

Some Funnies

God bless,
Fr Dave

24th Week in Ordinary Time

September 16th, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Thursday 21 September 2023 – Feast of St Matthew, Apostle

Wednesday 20 September 2023 – St Andrew Kim Taegon & Companions

Pope Francis at today’s General Audience:

“To all of you, I say: do not forget the poor, because they will be the ones who will open the door of Heaven for you.”

Monday 18 September 2023

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 17 September 2023

Home Mission Sunday

Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Sunday 24A) 2023

Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (24A) 2023

Reflection on the Readings: prego-sunday-24-ota-2023

Home Mission Sunday

Evangelii Gaudium Sunday – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk)

Some Funnies

God bless,
Fr Dave

23rd Week in Ordinary Time

September 9th, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Wednesday 13 September 2023 – St John Chrysostom

Today we keep the memory of St John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (present day Istanbul) in 4th century. He was a tremendous preacher. Some of his homilies still survive. One thought he shared:

“God loves us more than a father, mother, friend, or anyone else could love, and even more than we are able to love ourselves.”

Tuesday 12 September 2023

From today’s Morning Prayer of the Church:

“My helper is my God; I will place my trust in him.”

Monday 11 September 2023

“Lord, take me where You want me to go
Let me meet who You want me to meet
Tell me what You want me to say and
Keep me out of your way.”

This little prayer was written by Fr Mychal Judge, OFM. Fr Mychal was chaplain to the New York City Fire Department and died on this day in 2001 while ministering to those who were injured and dying at the World Trade Centre following the terrorist attacks.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 10 September 2023

Education Sunday

Mass Sheet we will be using in church: Mass Sheet (Sunday 23A) 2023

Bidding Prayers: Bidding Prayers (23A) 2023

Reflection on the Readings: prego-sunday-23-ota-2023

Education Sunday

Information and Resources:

Education Sunday (catholiceducation.org.uk)

Education Sunday – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk)

Education Sunday – Churches Together in England (cte.org.uk)

Some Funnies

God bless,
Fr Dave

22nd Week in Ordinary Time

September 2nd, 2023 by Dave Heywood

Thursday 7 September 2023

Wednesday 6 September 2023

In today’s Gospel, St Luke tells us: “When daylight came, he left the house and made his way to a lonely place.”

Fr James Martin SJ says: “Luke’s Gospel is sometimes called the ‘Gospel of Prayer’ for the many times it depicts Jesus “withdrawing” for solitude or prayer. If Jesus could take time to do this, why not all of us?”

Tuesday 5 September 2023

Season of Creation

During the weekend Masses, we launched this year’s Season of Creation which lasts from 1 September to 4 October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi.

The annual Season of Creation invites Christians around the world to come together to listen and care for our common home. This year, we unite around the theme, “Let Justice and Peace Flow.”

This short video introduces the season:

#SeasonofCreation 2023 theme launch – YouTube

Monday 4 September 2023

“The House of Mercy. Those two words contain the definition of the Church, called to be a home where all are welcome and all can experience a love that stirs and moves the heart: the tender love of the Father, who wants us to be brothers and sisters in his house.”

“At the heart of Christianity is this surprising news: when you lose your life, when you offer it generously, when you risk your life by dedicating it to love, it comes back to you abundantly, and a joy that does not pass away is poured out in you.”

(Pope Francis in Mongolia, 3 September 2023)

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) – 3 September 2023