Welcome to the Church of
St John the Baptist, Burnley
Address: St John's Presbytery, Bracewell St, Burnley Lancs. BB10 1TB
Tel no. 01282 423824 or Father David. 01282 422007
Church entrance on Ivy Street, Burnley, just around the corner from Bracewell St.
Acting Parish Safeguarding Representative: Mike Morris,
Quick Guide 
On this Page:
Introduction | Mass & Confession Times | Where to Find Us | Sister Churches - Links
Other St John's Pages:
St John's Church Groups | St John's Ministers' Rota | St John's Monthly Memorials | St John's Photo Album | St John's Parish War Dead | St John's History | Humour
⚠️IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS⚠️
IN THE LIGHT OF THE CORONA VIRUS
Because all churches are closed until further notice the obligation for the faithful to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday and on a Holy day of Obligation is removed until further notice.
GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES
Please do heed the Government’s current guidelines and stay at home, except to buy food when essential. This will help protect yourself and the vulnerable in the community.
KEEPING IN TOUCH AS A COMMUNITY
Our webmaster, Mike, is doing a great job bringing all the church news to the website every day. Please keep looking at the site to learn what is happening, in the parish, diocese, and the wider world. There are many and varied services and provisions to keep us in touch with our faith and each other. We can offer strength to each other and have a chat and a laugh. We have numbers of parishioners who don’t use the internet, so please keep in touch with them—a chat will be especially welcome as well as passing on the news.
OTHER STREAMED MASSES
Please look for Mass from the National Shrine in Walsingham; www.walsingham.org.uk or the live streaming from The Good Shepherd parish in Colne; www.goodshepherdpendle.org.uk.
VIDEO RECORDING OF SUNDAY MASS FOR THE PARISH
Like last week, we will be again uploading onto the parish web site a video recording of this Sunday’s Mass from St Mary’s for Easter Sunday. This should be available from late morning/early afternoon on Sunday. Thanks to all those who have helped to make this possible: http://www.goodsamaritanparish.org.uk/
OTHER LIVE-STREAMED MASSES
The National Shrine in Walsingham; www.walsingham.org.uk
Live streaming (Sunday 9.30am) from The Good Shepherd parish in Colne; www.goodshepherdpendle.org.uk. You can also find the Readings for Mass each day on www.universalis.com
It is also possible that these streams will offer the Triduum services—though times may not coincide with our parish worship.
FEAST DAYS FOR HOLY WEEK
Mon 6 April - Monday of Holy Week
Tues 7 April - Tuesday of Holy Week
Wed 8 April - Wednesday of Holy Week
Thurs 9 April - Maundy Thursday
Fri 10 April - Good Friday
Sat 11 April - Holy Saturday
Sun 12 April - Easter Sunday
MARKING PALM SUNDAY
The priest will bless palms at the end his private Mass on Palm Sunday, however, these will be kept in church and distributed when the churches are reopened. In the light of us not having our own palms this year, a good idea is to put a green branch on our front door or in the window to mark this sacred day.
https://thedeaconsbench.com/a-beautiful-idea-for-palm-sunday/
PRAYER FOR HOLY WEEK
On his path to Gethsemane, on the night of his arrest, Jesus left his disciples—his friends—with lasting words of wisdom and promise: “You will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I love you …. Abide in me as I abide in you.” (John 14:20 and 15:4) During these holy days, we will listen deeply to Christ’s wisdom as we follow the path of prayer, prayer that leads us to a quiet place of abiding with Christ and sends us out with a greater compassion for all creation.
"We pray, fast, and perform the works of mercy in this time of grace. So that the Lord might find our hearts ready and fill them with the victory of his love"
- Pope Francis
OUR FRANCISCAN SISTERS’ MESSAGE
Sister Patricia and all the Sisters at the Franciscan Convent send prayerful greetings to our Parishioners and our Priests. We are very aware of the challenges facing your families and elderly people at this time. Our own families contact us with requests for prayers. After spending our lives serving the poor and needy in many parts of the world, we feel blessed now to spend our retirement years in the Parish of the Good Samaritan. We keep you in our prayers daily Thank you to the Sisters for their love and kind words. We should remember them in our prayers.
MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS ABOUT RECONCILIATION
These words from the Holy Father should help us while the Sacrament is not currently available:
"I know that many of you go to confession before Easter… Many will say to me: ‘But Father…I can’t 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’s very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s 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, ‘afterwards I will go to confession'"
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
With no Sunday Masses at which to take a collection, please hang onto your envelopes until things go back to normal then you can kindly bring your envelopes and contributions. Thank you.
FOODBANK
Please note that Christ the King has suspended Foodbank collection during the unfolding Coronavirus situation. We will not be taking any money donations either. Should you wish to do either of these, please take foodbank items to St Mary’s or St John’s church when open, and money donations to their Presbytery letterboxes marked ‘Foodbank’.
Every local Spar shop should have a collection point for groceries and other produce, so keep donating if you are able to do so. They welcome all non-perishable foods and oranges continue to be popular as they last a good while.
If you want to make a money donation here is the website: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/supportburnleyfoodbank
As we unable to distribute Palms this Easter we have placed some green shoots on our church door
Introduction
A warm welcome to St John’s section of the Parish of the Good Shepherd’s Web Page.
St John’s is a vibrant church community, with a real feel of being an extended family, reaching out to the whole community and beyond. Check out our groups and societies listing being added to regularly, you’ll see what that means.
This section, like the whole of the web site, belongs to its people. To that end if there is anything that you would like to see in your church’s section please contact Margaret Pickles or David Hartley.
The monthly anniversary memoriam, updated monthly, replicates the old newsletters weekly listing. If you have anyone you would like to be added for the month following current listing please contact David Hartley in sufficient time.
Many members of the parish family have asked for some form of humour to be incorporated, we’ll try to put a monthly mixed bag together. If you have anything you would like to share humour wise e-mail David Hartley.
You will see the reproduction of the contents of the Great War Memorial from church. The tribute for those who lost their lives in WW2 is really basic. Should we try to record names of the lost? E-mail David Hartley with your thoughts or ideas.
Sincere thanks to Mike Morris and Margaret Pickles for their dedication in putting together the whole Web Page.
New areas will keep being slipped in to the listing, keep checking in.
email contacts Margaret Pickles - at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
David Hartley - david.hartley2014 AT gmail.com
(replace AT with @ when emailing - thanks)
Notices
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 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.
Information of particular interest to Saint John's parishioners
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR We continue in our search for an Organist and Choirmaster for the dedicated church choir. The appointment would be for alternate Sunday Masses at 10.45am. Initially those interested are invited to contact David Hartley on 07434 763 822 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ST JOHN'S TEA DANCE The T Dances are back! At St John’s on Wednesdays 1.15pm to 2.45pm. Please note the change of times for the event. Keeeeeeeep Dancing!!
Postponed at the Moment
Missio Mission Boxes
A huge thank you from Missio to Saint John's Mission Box holders for the wonderful amount donated in 2019 of £2986.85.
Many thanks to you all
A delightful picture of Fr Benneth with Cole James Evans and his parents Keeley, Adam and big sister on the occation of his Baptism on 1st March 2020
Here is a picture of the latest little person to join the Saint John's family Reuden Thomas with his parents Neil and Rachel, Reuben was Baptised by Fr Benneth on Sunday 12th January
Welcome Reuben
A delightful picture of Rosie Farrow with her Mum, Grandmother and Great Grandmother at her recent Baptism conducted by Fr Emmanuel
Saint John the Baptist
The Ministers rota for the next 3 months will be available from the back of church next Sunday 29th December. Many thanks to all who undertake the various ministries
Terry and Shirley Quinn
The 10.45am Mass on 8th December was tinged with sadness, as Terry Quinn our organist and choir master was retiring from this role after 57 years of loyal service to Saint John the Baptist Church.
Following Mass conducted by Father Emmanuel, Father David on behalf of the congregation of Saint John’s presented Terry with a Papal Blessing and a cheque.
Terry’s wife Shirley is also retiring from her numerous roles within the church and was presented with a bouquet of flowers
Terry will be returning to play at midnight mass this year.
Looking forward to that Terry
Photographs of presentation below
Gardening at Saint John's Help received
Many thanks to the volunteers who stepped forward with such enthusiasm! the garden at the side of the church now looks neat and tidy and the flower arrangers are grateful for the large selection of cutting material.
The grass at the back of the Priests House has also now been sorted.
Any other help most welcome. Please contact the following link This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Saint John's Mission Boxes
Mission boxes will be next emptied in March 2020, Please bring your box to mass on March 1st or 8th
A member of the mission box group will be at the back of church at each Mass to help if required
There's lots going on at St John the Baptist's church. Please click here for the Groups & Activities page.
Events
We meet on the first Thursday each month for Prayer and Praise, 7pm - 8:30pm.
Venue - 39, Brennand Street. All denominations are very welcome. Phone - Anthony, 701730.
Eucharistic Ministers' Rota
Click here for the latest Eucharitic Ministers' Rota
St John The Baptist Primary School
Church History:
History of the Building and Former Parish Priests (more will be added in due course)
Facebook:
http://burnleyhistoricalsociety.com/
Magnifying glass image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay
