Palm Sunday, 5/4/20:
This week's Sunday Mass, 5/4/20, Palm Sunday Year A is now available -
click on 'View Mass' in the Menu Bar above
Palm Sunday, 5/4/20:
Palm Sunday readings, recorded by Miss R Wilkinson of Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College, featuring William Black of Year 7 (appearing with his parents' permission) and our very own Father David.
A really nice, well put-together video - do enjoy!
Palm Sunday, 5/4/20:
There was a very catchy song a few years ago called “price tag” which spoke of someone wanting to be spoiled by her lover and asking that they give her everything she asked for, regardless of how much it cost. The song contained the line “forget about the price tag!” Everything has a price and therefore it is often unwise to forget what things cost. The danger of doing this is that when we forget about the price we can take things for granted.
There was a very big price tag on our salvation: it cost Jesus a great deal: He was betrayed by Judas for 30 silver pieces; He was denied by Peter 3 times when he most needed a good friend; He was rejected by the crowd, many of whom just days before had welcomed the Lord into Jerusalem by waving palm branches and they now urged Pilate to release Barrabas and instead crucify Him; He was flogged, mocked and spat upon by the Roman soldiers; although weak Jesus had to carry a heavy cross to Calvary, where he was stripped and nailed to the Cross. Our salvation came with a huge price tag!
Therefore the Palm Sunday liturgy for Mass with its contrasts between joy and sorrow, starkly remind us that it was a mighty price for Jesus to pay for our sins to be forgiven: but He thought we were well worth it; we were worth dying for, we were worth everything. The one thing, however that we must not do is to forget what the Lord did for us. So in this coming Holy Week we are to celebrate and remember the extent of the Lord’s love for us. Let us fully enter into the mystery of Holy Week and although this year, we cannot physically take part in the powerful ceremonies, they will be celebrated in private and so we can still mark the Paschal mystery albeit in a a quieter, more challenging way. Let us allow ourselves to join in the Easter Triduum as best we can spiritually, but with hearts still grateful to God. May we grow in our gratitude for Jesus who gave his all for us. The current words on our Christian lips should perhaps be “don’t forget about the price tag!”
Fr. David
4/4/20:
In keeping with the 'Beautiful Idea for Palm Sunday' item below (see entry dated 1/4/20), this is how the front door at St Mary's prebytery is looking right now:
The St John's Flower Ladies had better look to their laurels (pun intended!)
PS after witing that, I've been severely admonished - it WAS the St John's Flower Ladies who did it, and donated it to St Mary's!! So that's me put in my place then :-)
4/4/20:
Here's a link to Holy Week at Home - adaptations of the Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday Rituals for Family and Household Prayer.
In the absence of public worship we hope you find it useful.
Thought for the Day Saturday 4th April
Thanks to technology, I recently I attended my first ever on-line group meeting, which was effective and essential in these extraordinary times as well as an education for me. Some people dislike meetings with their protocol of chairs, secretaries, agendas and minutes etc.. but meetings by their nature are just bringing people together to share views and find agreement to make decisions.
In today’s Gospel we hear of an historic meeting of the Sanhedrin council called specially to discuss what to do with Jesus after the chief priests heard about him raising Lazarus from the dead. They all share their views amidst fear for their future, their city and their temple and so agree with the High Priest who says it is better for “one man to die for the nation”. They leave the meeting having decided to arrange for Jesus to put to death.
Jesus will of course allow the unjust decision of that meeting to be carried out. He will accept his Cross and his Death without resistance because at the heart of what we will commemorate in Holy Week is the generosity of Christ in giving of the precious gift of his life. Like Jesus, we should also be generous in giving to others not what is superfluous to us, but what is precious to us.
Fr David
In these days when we are unable to come to Mass, perhaps more frequent connection throughout the day with the Lord in prayer would be good. One suggestion might to pray the Angelus prayer (see below) twice daily around Midday and 6pm. It is largely based on the encounter of Our Lady with the Angel Gabriel and only takes a couple of minutes to pray. In these days of uncertainty, may Our Lady gently urge us to trust the Lord as she did in the uncertain times in her own life.
The Angelus
Leader: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary
R: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit
“Hail Mary…”
Leader: Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R: Be it done unto me according to thy Word.
“Hail Mary…”
Leader: And the Word was made Flesh.
R: And dwelt amongst us.
“Hail Mary…”
Leader: Pray for us, Most Holy Mother of God.
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Leader: Let us Pray.
Pour forth, we beseech you O Lord, Thy grace unto our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.
R: Amen.
Click Here for Previous Days' Thoughts
1/4/20:
As I post this it's only lunchtime and, no joke, it's been a busy day already! See below:
Holy Week and Easter Quiz from Fr David - how many can you get right?
Dominic Aunger sent this in for the website & newsletter via Fr David:
"We have been sharing jokes, prayers and ideas for coping in the “lockdown” situation. We saw this & wondered if we could share it with the rest of the parish through the newsletter or website. It regards attaching a green branch of any sort to one’s front door to visually celebrate Palm Sunday, see the link below."
https://thedeaconsbench.com/a-beautiful-idea-for-palm-sunday/
Dominic cocludes by saying, "Please God we’ll all safely come through this pandemic stronger, kinder and more faithful to the Lord’s mission."
Just had this in too - click on the message:
Bishop John has recorded a message for all clergy,
religious and parish volunteers which you can find here.
31/3/20:
Many thanks to Mick Armfield for bringing this to our attention:
The Burnley Community Hub has been set up by Burnley Council and other partner organisations to help the most vulnerable in our community who may be facing difficulties as a result of Covid 19.
There may be some of our older/sick or single Parishioners who may be struggling for whatever reason who could benefit from the services they aim to provide.
For more information for you access to further information is available at www.burnleytogether.org.uk
On the other hand, if you want to volutneer they would be glad to hear from you...
31/3/20:
If you have any news or thoughts you'd like to share, or some words of hope and encouragement in these difficult times, please send them to us via
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you - we hope to hear from you soon.
29/3/20:
Lovely readings for Sunday 29th March; please use these prayers to unite yourself with the worship of the Universal Church, and our own Parish of the Good Samaritan. Click on the link below:
28/3/20:
A Cheerful, Hopeful Message -
sent by Barbara Grime
My cousin sent this to me. It is supposed to be from Pope Francis. Whether it is or not, I think it is worth sharing!
So beautiful. Tonight before falling asleep, think about when we will return to the street.
When we hug again, when all the shopping together will seem like a party.
Let's think about when the coffees will return to the bar, the small talk, the photos close to each other.
We think about when it will all be a memory, but normalcy will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift.
We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us. Every second will be precious.
Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter.
We will go back to laughing together.
Strength and courage. See you soon.
Papa Francesco
27/3/20:
In case you were unable to watch the Pope's live Urbi et Orbi broadcast, here's a link to the full text of his meditation:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/urbi-et-orbi-pope-coronavirus-prayer-blessing.html
26/3/20:
We received this splendid idea from Mick Armfield of Burnley Catenians:
Just an idea. The Government have rightly asked us to thoroughly wash our hands, on a regular basis, for a period of around 20 seconds. Rather than sing 'Happy Birthday to you' twice, as suggested, why not say the Lord's Prayer which also takes approximately 20 seconds to recite.
23/3/20:
Pope Francis has made a statement this morning (23/3/20) at Mass.....
Reconciliation for Easter
“I know that many of you go to confession before Easter … many will say to me: ‘But Father ….. I cannot leave the house and I want to make my peace with the Lord. I want Him to embrace me ….. How can I do that unless I find a priest?’ Do what the catechism says. It is very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He is your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord, I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the catechism teaches us, to God’s forgiveness, without having a priest at hand.”
21/3/20:
We aim to provide a video of each Sunday's Mass celebrated at St Mary's, Burnley, for the duration.
Click on "View Mass" on the menu bar above to watch this week-end's Mass, celebrated by Fr David.
19/3/20 (since updated):
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
News Updates, Further Information & Links
Latest update: 22/3/20
If you are housebound or self-isolating at this time, please use these prayers to unite yourself with the worship of the Universal Church, and your own Parish, this Sunday, either by yourself or with your family. Click on the link below to download a PDF file.
Link 20/3/20 - Further resources for you:
https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/covid-19-online-resources/
Even more Parish News in our latest Newsletter, 22/3/20: Click here.
18/3/20:
Public Masses Closed
The following announcement has been made by the Catholic Archbishops of England and Wales:
Here are some links to relevant announcements on the Salford Diocesan website:
https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/latest-updates-on-covid-19/
WELCOME!
Three Churches
Three Communities
Serving One Lord.
Welcome to the website for the brand-new Parish of The Good Samaritan, Burnley, incorporating the churches of Christ the King, St John the Baptist and St Mary of the Assumption. Each of the three churches has its own special character, comprised of, and helping meet the needs of, its own community. We are part of the Diocese of Salford. The parish covers a wide area, encompassing Central Burnley and the semi rural areas of Worsthorne and Cliviger. The oldest church is St Mary's, which has a long history dating back to the nineteenth century, the current church being opened in 1849. St John's church opened in 1881 and the youngster of the three, Christ the King, came into being in 1936. Together the three make a rich and vibrant community, working together to celebrate our Catholic faith and put our relationship with Jesus Christ into action by sharing together in many different ways.
I am delighted at our new three church, one parish website and I trust you will find it easy to move around the site and hopefully find it to be a big help to you. Like all new ventures, a lot of hard work has gone into this new project by a small but dedicated team, to whom I am very grateful. I am also grateful that they have pledged to ensure our web site is kept current and updated regularly, which of course is so imperative. I must also give thanks to the many parishioners who contributed articles large and small for the website – without their articles the website would have little to show our visitors so a big thank you to them!
As well as the team of those involved in running and contributing to the website, there is also a team of clergy who serve the three churches by also working together. In addition to myself, as the Parish Priest based at St Mary’s, there is also Fr Kevin Tierney who is the Assistant Priest, also resident at St Mary’s. The rest of the team comprises Fr Emmanuel Ugwuoke and Fr Benneth Okonkwo, who are Vincentian priests, resident at St John the Baptist presbytery. We meet regularly in order to ensure that things run smoothly.
Much work and thought had gone into the idea of bringing our three parishes together as one, as part of Bishop John’s plan for the reorganisation of all the parishes in the Diocese of Salford published in early 2017. When I arrived in Burnley in July 2018 to begin my role in bringing the three parishes together, I spoke in each of the three churches of the need to move forward at the right pace in order to ensure that everyone is on board with us. I used the phrase: “Festina Lente”, which means “make haste, slowly”. I genuinely feel with this website, our recently launched joint three church Newsletter, as well as many of the other ways that we are finding to collaborate and work together, are all signs that we are making progress, without rushing.
Despite all the responsibilities, I genuinely love being in Burnley; the people here are really appreciative of what we are trying to do and I speak for the clergy team in saying how supported we each feel by the people we serve. There are a lot of very good things going on in each of our three churches, and a good many new things that we are keen to establish as we go forward. Thank you for your interest in our parish communities and please enjoy your visit to this website.
Fr David
Quick Guide 
Mass Times: Christ the King | St Mary's | St John's | All Three Churches
Find Us: Christ the King | St Mary's | St John's
Contact Us: Contact Details
Also on This Page: Dates For Your Diary | Regular Events | Related External Events | New Parish Prayer and Church Prayer Cards
Other Pages in this Section:
Weekly Reflection | Parish Clergy | Sacraments | How do I...? | Further Announcement Details | Local Martyrs | Inspirational Quotes | Celebration Photos
The Latest Reflection from Fr David -
Click here for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Sunday 5th April 2020
Coronavirus Guidance
The Bishops of England and Wales have advised Catholics with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from communion on the tongue or from the chalice to help contain the spread of the virus. Our priests and Ministers in the parish are currently being extra careful about hygiene before the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and in peoples homes.
Hope in the Future - Click here
Don't Miss Our New Prayer Cards! - click here to view
After several months of pretty intense behind-the-scenes activity, the St Mary's Parish War Dead section has been completely redeveloped, with a comprehensive list of St Mary's War Dead (which also covers men who lived in what was to become the Christ the King parish, by the way) and the cemeteries which became their final resting places.
Make our efforts worthwhile - take a look and browse at your leisure. If you're related to any of the parish war dead then we'd particularly like to hear from you if you have any corrections, additional info or photos you can share with us.
We hope you enjoy you visit to the new part of our parish website and that you find it interesting and informative!
The first Sing for Water North took place in Manchester in June 2011 and is one of a number of regional events in support of Sing for Water
Whether you are here as someone who would like to take part, or as a supporter, we hope that you will find something of interest. You can take a look at our Previous Events, Get Involved or Donate!
In 2020 Sing for Water North will, it is hoped, take place in Preston City Centre, on Saturday June 13th. The event will be hosted by Preston People’s Choir with their Musical Director Moira Hill and supported by colleagues from the Natural Voice Practitioners’ Network.
Contact Karen Smith 431723 if not internet active or just want to chat about it.
Dates for Your Diary
and Forthcoming Events
REGULAR EVENTS:
ALL THREE CHURCHES
Given the current state of uncertainty, notifications of regular events have been removed (hopefully temporarily!) for the time being.
Have an item or notice
for the website?
Our email addresses -
General: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For Christ the King - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For St Mary’s - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For St John’s - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For all sections - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
General Comments and Suggestions - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NB: these addresses are just for website matters -
if you have a church-related question or issue please see church addresses/phone numbers here
Other Events/Announcements of Interest
Help us Celebrate our Centenary!
Burnley Catenian Circle will be 100 in November 2020 and there will be some celebrations!
As part of the build up, we are seeking to gather a record of the Circle's history and are appealing for old photos, articles, memorabilia and memories of Circle events, members and families.
Can you help?
material can be sent to a special email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cyclone Idai Disaster
What CAFOD is doing about it:
Mission Possible, Nairobi:
read all about it - click here!
Volunteering Opportunities!
Here's your chance to volunteer for any voluntary posts which may appear from time to time in any or all of our three parishes.
Occasionally we may feature some opportunities for voluntary work with worthy causes in the wider community too!
Our first featured advertisement is for a good cause you may not have thought about...
To mark the very special occasion of our three churches coming together as one new parish, on Saturday 28th September we held a Celebration Mass at St Mary's followed by a Reception at Turf Moor, attended by 250 parishioners from all 3 churches.
To view some great photos taken of the occasion by Denise Foulds, click here
The Parish of the Good Samaritan logo design by Lucy in Year 8, BTCC
Other images, given freely & used with grateful thanks are by
OpenClipart-Vectors, Gerd Altman, Alexas_Fotos & Jo_Lanta,
all from Pixabay.com