RETURN TO MASS IF YOU CAN

(please read carefully)

Returning to Mass at Pentecost

Spring Plenary 2022 Resolution

An invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales

This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58)

A beautiful hallmark of the Catholic faith is the profound desire to participate in the Holy Mass and share in the Eucharist. We do so with deep gratitude and joy. The Eucharist gives the Church her identity – “The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist.” It enables us to worship Almighty God, to support each other on our journey of faith, and to be a visible sign of faith in the world. This hallmark is supported and strengthened by the precept that our fundamental Christian duty is to worship God by participating in the celebration of Mass. Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is the greatest of all privileges, sometimes referred to as “the Sunday Obligation.”

Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this situation has now changed. The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply.

We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation.

Our Catholic people and parishes have benefitted during these difficult times from the online streaming of Mass and other services. “Virtual viewing” of Mass online does not fulfil the Sunday Obligation. It may, however, be a source of continual spiritual comfort to those who cannot attend Mass in person, for example those who are elderly and sick, for whom the obligation does not apply. In this context, we recognise gratefully the ministry of those who administer Holy Communion to the elderly, sick and housebound.

We are grateful to our clergy, religious and lay faithful who have served our parishes, schools and communities with dedication and distinction throughout this pandemic. Now we look forward with renewed faith and confidence.

In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, the Lord Jesus entrusted to us the precious gift of Himself. With humility, we glory in being a Eucharistic people for whom attendance at Mass is essential. Looking forward to the forthcoming feast of Pentecost, we now invite all Catholics who have not yet done so to return to attending Mass in person.

As the Church needs the witness of the presence of each person, so too each believer needs to journey in faith and worship with their fellow disciples. Nourished by our encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, fed with His Word and His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and supported by the presence of each other, we receive strength week by week, to serve the Lord and glorify Him with our lives.

Approved by the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference
Friday 6 May 2022

 St Mary's is back open  -  yay!!  :-)

Recordings of Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday Services 2022

Maundy Thursday: Mass of the Lord's Supper

Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord's Passion

Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday Morning Mass

Burnley Catenians - 50 Years Membership Presentation

Burnley Catenian Circle Past President, Aidan Stockton, was enrolled as a member of the Association in August 1970. However, because of the COVID pandemic, it was not possible to present his 50 years membership scroll in the usual manner in August 2020.

Face-to-face Circle meetings only resumed in late 2021 and arrangements were made to present the scroll to Aidan, a former teacher at St. Theodore's School, at the September meeting. Brother Eddie O’Donnell, Immediate Past GB National President, was invited to make the presentation as he would have done in his year of office.

Unfortunately, Aidan was unwell and unable to attend the meeting and, sadly, he died in October 2021 without ever receiving his scroll.
To ensure that Aidan's valued membership and service was marked in the correct way, invitations were made to his daughter Gill and granddaughter Aimee to receive the scroll and miniature on behalf of the family at the February Circle meeting held at Burnley Football Club.

Aidan's daughter Gill and granddaughter Aimee

receiving the scroll from Province 10 Director Mark Conroy

Following the presentation, which was made by Mark Conroy, Director of Province 10 and a member of Burnley Circle, Mark asked everyone to stand as he proposed a toast to Aidan and absent friends.

On receiving the 50-year Scroll, Gill said she would take it to her mother, Sheila, where it would take pride of place in her room.

OSCOTT ACTION FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE

Rosary Rally for Ukraine

Mark our seminarian and the other seminarians at Oscott College are walking round their grounds 100 times in order to raise funds for CAFOD to support Ukraine. They are also incorporating the Rosary into their sponsored event. They have asked for our support, please see poster below.

We include the Just Giving link should anyone be kind enough to donate a few pennies.

100 laps of the grounds is no mean feat!

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oscott-action-for-justice-and-peace1

The first of this years Deanery Lenten Station Masses will be celebrated in the Good Samaritan Parish at St Johns 7pm March 24th and there is a request for all who enjoy singing or playing an instrument to gather and lead our music.

Meeting at 6pm on the same evening will give us a chance, yes you've guessed it, to ensure we are all singing from the same hymn sheet! You are very welcome.

Parish Appeal in support of Lepra for World Leprosy Day

29th & 30th January

Watch this short video:

 Click below and double your donatation at no extra cost!

If you don't wish to donate online there will be a collection at both Christ the King and St John's this week-end

Parents of Children Preparing to Celebrate Their First Holy Communion

Please click on the attached link, which will assist parents of children preparing to celebrate their first communion in the coming days and weeks. This is in lieue of the normal parents meetings that have been cancelled due to covid.

https://youtu.be/cY3AEmXxQIA

Parish Appeal for Lepra, 29th & 30th January

At the end of the month it will be World Leprosy Day and the parish is mounting an appeal on behalf of Lepra, the charity caring for those with leprosy.

Please click here for further information.

(NB scroll down to the bottom of the Lepra page, where you'll see a handy QR Code which you can use to donate :-)

A short film (2m 40 sec) about what Lepra is doing to combat leprosy

 Click below and double your donatation at no extra cost!

If you don't wish to donate online there will be a collection at both Christ the King and St John's that week-end

Carmine’s thought for the day ~ Tues 18th January 2022

I would like to thank all parishioners for the warm welcome I have received during my placement here at the Parish of the Good Samaritan. I have enjoyed getting to know the town of Burnley and meeting the parishioners. Fr David and Fr Damien have been a great asset and I have learned a lot from them, much of which I will use in the future. Furthermore, I would to thank them for their hospitality, generosity and support. I was told before I came, that the people of Burnley are kind and down to Earth and this has definitely been my experience of you.

During the last two weeks, I have visited the sick and bereaved as well as helped to arrange other sacraments like Baptism. I have really enjoyed serving on the altar at parish Masses including a number of funerals. I have also been involved in working with a visiting school group to St John’s church. In addition to this there are lots of other things which I have been involved with.

It has been a privilege to see “behind the scenes” at the life of a priest and all that goes on in a parish. This placement has passed very quickly and am saddened to be leaving now. Thanks again for everything and please keep myself and the other seminarians for our Diocese in your prayers.

Carmine

 Universal Synod

Down-to-earth explanations of the very worthwhile Synodal project....

Journeying Together

What is this Synod?

Tuesday, 7 December 7:00pm-8:00pm but register for catch-up link later

Come along to an interactive panel discussion about the Synodal Pathway in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, as we respond to Pope Francis' call and start to listen, reflect and discern where the Holy Spirit might be moving us. Find out how you can get involved in your parish and diocese. With Synod experts Fr Jan Nowotnik from the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Dr Pat Jones from Durham University and Francis Stewart from CAFOD.

Register to join us

Many parishes have already commenced or about to commence their synodal journeys. We hope this online discussion will be helpful to everyone interested in the Synod and inspire more people to get involved in their parish and diocesan journeys.

Please forward this invitation to anyone you think might be interested – your family, friends in the parish, your parish priest, the Synod facilitators in your parish. All are welcome. Feel free to share the registration link on social media too.

Remember that if you can't attend live, you can still register and watch it on catch-up and share the link with others afterwards.

A Lovely Letter to Fr David, Fr Damien and All Parishioners

from Frs Emmanuel and Clement:

Dearest Brethren,

May the peace and blessings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you.

To be honest we lack words to express our gratitude to the members of Good Samaritan Parish Burnley for all the demonstration of love and affection fr Clement and I received from you. Words are not enough but we will continue to pray for each and every one of you.

It was really overwhelming as the cards poured in, emotional expressions, gifts of all kinds and so much coming from all the three churches. We will not forget you as we will carry you always in our hearts and prayers.

Blackley is not too far from Burnley and we will be very delighted if any of you visiting Manchester decides to drop by for a cup of tea or coffee in our much more humble presbytery.

Thank you, thank you and thank you.

Yours sincerely

Frs Clement and Emmanuel.

Burnley Catenians celebrated their Centenary (albeit 12 months later than expected) with a banquet at Turf Moor.   There were 136 diners including guests who travelled from as far away as Southampton, Ascot, Stirling and Worsthorne.  The Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley and the Catenians National President were the principal guests.  The photo shows Burnley Catenian Brothers and the principal guests.

 Pope Francis Calls Universal Synod

Pope Francis has called a Universal Synod which is taking place in every Catholic diocese across the world. The Synod is themed: "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission". Our Diocese wants to  hear from as many people as possible, those involved in the church and those who are not.

For more information, click here

The Diocese of Salford is highlighting an annual campaign to fight religious persecution for Christians around the world which returns this week with a special focus on women and young girls.

Red Wednesday is an annual initiative from Aid to the Church in Need that aims to highlight the daily suffering, oppression, violence, torture, and death endured by the Christian community the world over.

This year, Aid to the Church in Need is highlighting the plight of women and girls in particular, who in many parts of the world live under the constant threat of kidnap, forced marriage and conversion, rape, and sexual enslavement.

For further information see:

https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/red-wednesday/

 CAFOD Page updated: click here for more details

We're looking for a couple more people to help out with live streaming Mass every other Sunday.

It's interesting, it's easy, good on the job training given, bags of support!

Contact Mike Morris on 07929 451 566

or

email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St. Mary's Church Update

We received some encouraging news, although St Mary's church unfortunately remains temporarily closed. A new architect has been appointed to the project and over the next few weeks up to Christmas is carrying out the essential background checks and assessments that are particularly necessary for a listed building such as St Mary's church. He has also produced a works schedule which would see the necessary internal and external repairs beginning simultaneously on the second week of January. This is scheduled to be completed by the end of February and we envisage reopening in early March in time for the start of Lent. We will continue to keep you informed through the newsletter and through this website. 

STOP PRESS - WE'RE IN THE NEWS!

Our very own Good Samaritan Parish CAFOD Group, who are urging action at COP26 to save the earth feature in a Burnley Express article just published.

Read all about it!

We have been asked to put this on the website as it is felt some parishioners may find this cause to be of interest and may wish to support it:

MESSAGE FROM FR DAVID

Last weekend Fr David announced that that our wonderful Vincentian Fathers have been asked by their Superior and by Bishop John to take up a new mission in the Diocese. Therefore by 12th November, Fr Emmanuel and Fr Clement will have been transferred to the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St John Bosco in Blackley in North Manchester, which is already being run by the Vincentian Fathers.

We are very grateful for the joyful ministry of Fr Blaise, Fr Emmanuel, Fr Lawrence, Fr Benneth and Fr Clement which has greatly enriched and blessed our Parish here in Burnley over the last four years and more. We have really loved having them among us with their missionary charism and their desire to serve the poor and needy. They have made a major contribution and a lasting impression upon us all.

We know that the Vincentian Fathers will be greatly missed and their leaving will bring some questions and uncertainty. However please be assured that Fr David and Fr Damien are fully committed to doing their very best to serving and leading the Parish of the Good Samaritan. As we have planned for this eventuality, we are confident that the parish can continue to grow and flourish. We thank you for your continuing support, understanding and cooperation and ask your prayers for your priests during this time of change.

Fr Emmanuel & Fr Clement

We are most sad to learn that we are to lose Fr Emmanuel & Fr Clement in November as they are being transferred to another parish by bishop John. No doubt the other parish's needs are even greater than ours but neverless we are very sorry to see them go.

Like our other Vincentian Missionary priests before them, they have made a terrific contibution to the life of our parish and we have been well blessed to have had the benefit of their enthusiasm, dedication and service to us.

May God go with them to their new challenge; they will remain with us in the form of happy and grateful memories.

The parish CAFOD group tried unsuccessfully to arrange a meeting with our local MP regarding the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, COP26. The meeting was going to involve group members, pupil representatives from our parish schools and other interested parishioners or constituents. Since Antony Higginbotham is unable to meet us, as a group we have decided to write a letter urging him to ensure our UK Government leads by example and helps secure a just climate deal for all the world. We think it is very important that he knows the views of his constituents and we are hoping parish groups or parishioners will add their signatures to this letter:

 Please have your name added as a signatory to this letter (below), to do so contact Paul Carney, a member of the CAFOD group, by email:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Letter to Antony Higginbotham for COP26

(updated 20/10/21)

From This Week's Burnley Express...

Burnley kindness for Afghan refugees shines through

Our parish gets a very positive mention in this week's edition of the Burnley Express. As one of our parishioners noted, people "opened their hearts and their hands to reach out to care for their fellow humans in need."

Read all about it here

Afghan Refugee Appeal—WHAT A RESPONSE!

Caritas Salford requested that we collect goods for the displaced people. The parish joined forces with New Neighbours Together, the refugee charity that does so much of its excellent work from St John’s premises.

What followed was amazing! Firstly, our volunteers—a lovely group of parishioners, from teenage to ‘don’t ask!’, all our church communities, received, labelled, and stacked so much stuff! We had three lines of tables running the length of St John’s Parish Hall stacked, below and above up to shoulder height! It was five hours of intensive work, all done with great spirit and fun. Thank you all so much, and well done!

Our other volunteers were refugees who set the room up, and came to load up the van(s) to take the goods to Caritas’ depot in Manchester. They were non-stop-go! So much committed effort and at such speed! (Amongst them were a young couple who had brought goods from a mosque nearby, who stayed and got stuck in as well!) This reflects the spirit of the ‘project’ throughout.

On Friday and Saturday people came in their droves to bring their donations, from all part of our local community. There were lots of different schools, churches, mosques and other local charities from across East Lancs. All of these people were like the other hundreds of individuals who came with goods. They shone out with their kindness, generosity, and real wish to help their unknown ‘neighbours’ from the terrors of all that we have seen going on in Afghanistan.

We were also greatly assisted by three local organisations: Furniture for Education Worldwide (FEW), Calico and Emmaus who all offered transport to take the goods to Manchester. In the event the huge FEW van took the lot!! This itself felt like a miracle—the more we put in, the space never diminished until it was full!! Thanks to all three organisations.

But the greatest gift that the people and volunteers brought was their kindness, generosity, their loving care and concern for people in need. They opened their hearts and their hands to reach out to care for their fellow humans in need.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GIVING OF GOODNESS. A BRILLIANT RESPONSE BY WONDERFUL PEOPLE!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Just In...

Bishop John was on the phone yesterday morning to appoint Fr David as the new Rural Dean of St John Vianney Deanery in succession to Fr Simon Stamp who has this week been moved from Accrington to Manchester. Fr David feels honoured to be asked to become Dean and is very pleased to know that he was nominated for the role by several of the priests of the Deanery. It comes just as he just finished his diocesan vocations role which he had done for over 15 years.

He counts on your continuing support and prayers as he takes on this new role.

Congratulations to Fr David!

Update to yesterday's notice:

A chance to help financially or donate items to refugees arriving in the North West:

 https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/afghanistan-appeal-2021/

Concerned about the plight of those seeking refuge from the turbulent, dangerous situation in Afganistan?

Wish you could do something to help?

See this page on the diocesan website.

 Burnley Catenians

For more information about the Catenians you can contact the Burnley Circle Membership Officer, Mick Armfield, on 01282 459424. Please give him a call. It's a great organisation to be part of.

Looking for something but can't find it here?

It may have been archived:

Check out the Main Page Archive - click here