Newsletter

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, having consulted the Ordinaries of the Dioceses, has agreed that the cessation of public liturgies should begin from Friday evening 20th March 2020.  Because of the situation the Church finds herself in, the obligation for the faithful to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday or Holy day of Obligation is removed, until further notice. 


Baptisms 
Baptisms should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can gather safely.     
Sacrament of Reconciliation 
Confession may be offered on request as long as hygiene and social distancing requirements are observed (eg a physical barrier between the penitent and the priest such as a grille and cloth).  The use of Rite II and Rite III of the Rite of Penance is not permitted as this, by necessity, requires the gathering of people in our churches.  
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion 
These celebrations should be postponed until a time that allows for families and friends to gather safely within our churches. 
Confirmation 
The celebrations of Confirmation should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can resume public worship. 
Matrimony 
If possible, the celebration of the sacrament of Matrimony should be deferred until such time that people can gather in numbers safely.  However, if this is not possible and only in the most pressing of circumstances, then those present for the marriage should be restricted to the celebrant, bride and groom and immediate family, and if necessary, the legal Registrar.  
Anointing of the Sick 
No pastoral visits should be made to people who are self-isolating until the isolation period ends.  However, do offer phone support.   Visits to people in care homes or hospitals should follow advice from the staff on infection control.   
Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil 
This will be dependent on the forthcoming decisions of the Bishops for the Holy Week ceremonies. 
Funerals 
There must be great pastoral sensitivity to this issue.  The funeral service should take place at the graveside or at a crematorium, subject to the conditions laid down by the cemetery or crematorium authorities.  Arrangements should be made for a Mass to be celebrated in memoriam when congregations are allowed to gather.    


The last Mass at St Edward's  before this comes into force will be on Friday morning at 9.30am. The planned evening Mass on Friday will not now take place.

Prayer Intercessors - (Please ring Ann Purtill with prayer intentions) The prayer intentions for this week are for

	Pope Francis
	·All priests, those preparing for the priesthood and for vocations
	The sick and the elderly, at home and in hospital, those in residential care and all carers, for their ongoing strength and support
	Those who are bereaved
	Those undergoing treatment for illness
	Those who have lost their faith
	For all people suffering with addictions and their families
	Those who are lonely
	Those suffering the effects of family breakdown
	Please ring Ann Purtill with your prayer intentions 6527206. If you are unable to do any of the jobs on the Volunteer Form, your prayers are invaluable

DIOCESE OF SALFORD REFUGEE APPEAL is being organised by Caritas offers of help see the Caritas website
http://www.caritassalford.org.uk/refugee-response

CHURCH CLEANING -

The next church cleaning will be Tuesday 17 March at 10.00 a.m..  Everyone welcome, no experience needed, an equal opportunity employer, any age, gender, all abilities very welcome.  All equipment provided.

.             CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD GROUP

During 9.30 Mass at the Liturgy of The Word. Meet at the back of Church for fun songs, Bible reading and art activities. See Emily Allmand for more information.

VISITS!!!!  If any member of your family or parishioner is unable to attend Church, due to illness or by being in hospital (ANY HOSPITAL!).  Please inform Father Marsland on 0161 624 3762 to enable him to arrange a visit.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

Year 4 sacramental programme

Our year 4 children made their First Holy Communion during the Easter masses. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED New Catechists are needed to support the children as they prepare to receive the sacraments. Can you spare one hour on a Sunday just 8 times over the next 18 months to join our group of catechists who work in small groups with the children. No experience necessary. For more information please contact Fiona on 0161 624 6693 /07971295353 or  Wendy on 01457 834123/07940802933.

PARENT'S FORUM

There is a FACEBOOK page called 'Friends of St Edwards Community Events" where the Forum post updates about meetings/events etc and which we would love people to join.

FRIENDS OF ST EDWARD'S COMMUNITY AND TODDLER GROUP

FRIENDS OF ST EDWARD'S TODDLER GROUP, Open Thursdays (term time) 9.30-11.30 in the Church Hall.  Healthy snacks, rhyme time & fun only £1.50 for first child, 50p any extras. 
We are looking for more helpers, so if you can spare 2 hours on Thursday mornings, please get in touch. Help needed setting up/tidying up & kitchen. Contact Clare Postlethwaite 07801 252009

FRIENDS OF ST EDWARD'S have contributed children's religious themed sticker books (adding to the donated books already in the Church Porch). Please feel free to make use of them during Mass.

ST. EDWARDS 100 CLUB DRAW
If you would like a little flutter and  also help with parish funds you can join the 100 club at any time just ring me on 0161 633 5758 or E-Mail d.clayton177@ntlworld.com Thank you for your continued support.

ABC  - ABOUT BEING CATHOLIC  Thursday from 7pm ‘till 8pm in the presbytery for anyone thinking of becoming Catholic and all who are interested in discussing religious topics and helping those who are preparing to join the Church.  All very welcome, (no age limit).

www.caseresources.org.uk and www.comehomeforchristmas.co.uk for more information . CASE also runs the Catholic Enquiry Office, offering free and confidential information about the Catholic faith to enquirers - if you know someone who has questions about the Catholic faith, you could ask them to look at www.life4seekers.co.uk

Piety Shop.

REPOSITORY STALL   Open after each Mass, come along and browse.

St Vincent de Paul Society

One of the roles of the SVP is to visit people in their own homes. If you would like a visit or you know of anyone who would like a visit please let us know by ringing Kath on 0161 620 9692 or Geoff on 0161 678 6901. We would like to stress that all visits and information are kept in the strictest confidence.

We are concerned that we may not know if relatives/friends would like a visit from the SPV or indeed, would like to receive Holy Communion at home. We have a letter box at the back of church for you to leave details e.g. relatives going into care or anyone you know who may like a visit.

SVP WANTED Donations of foreign coins/notes, pre-decimal coins.  Please see notice in porch and leave in container.  Thank you

Thank you to all who contribute to our collections every second Sunday of the month.

If you would like a visit from the SVP or know of anyone who you think might like a visit please ring Geoff on 678 6901 or Kath on 620 9692.  All information is kept in strict confidence. New members welcome if interested, please contact a member of the SVP.

The SVP has a letter box on the wall at the back of church, which can be used by any parishioners to leave messages for the SVP.

Emergency Food Distribution for Refugees (See J&P pages)

Our parish continues to be a major supporter in supplying food donations for asylum seekers here in Oldham.

 In short supply at the moment are tins of fish (in oil)such as Tuna,Sardines and Mackerel. Rice long life milk ,fruit juices,biscuits etc are also most welcome. Please continue your valuable support leaving donations at the back of church.

                STAMPS WANTED collection of used stamps (as many or a few as you can manage) on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis. Please leave in the box at the back of Church.
Thank you for the continuing support with the used stamp collection. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

New people are needed for every activity and group mentioned in this Newsletter.  Any help you can give to continue to build up the Parish Community will be invaluable .Please don’t be shy coming forward during the summer months, as you can see we have a few blank spaces for volunteers. 

New readers needed to read at every Mass during the weekend. The readings are available beforehand so you can go over any tricky bits! Please contact Fr John or Eileen O'Toole

Many people wanted a copy of this which was read in Church recently….a good thought to start the New Year.

A Lifetime
It takes a lifetime to learn to live,
how to share and how to give.
How to face a tragedy that comes your way,
how to find courage to face each new day.
How to smile when your heart is sore,
how to go on when you can take no more.
How to laugh when you want to cry,
how to be brave when you say goodbye.
How to love when your loss is great,
how to forgive when you want to hate.
How to be sure that God’s really there,
How to find him – seek him in prayer.

ITEMS FOR THE NEWSLETTER can be left at the Presbytery or contact Ann Jamshed, email annjamshed@btinternet.com before 6pm Thursday evening please.
Would you like the Newsletter emailing to you? Please send an email titled Newsletter to Ann on the above address.

Function Rooms (Parish Centre) : Church Hall available for parties, weddings, christenings,events etc. Bar and staff included. Enquiries to Hugh Chrystal 07796 615514. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU CONTACT FATHER MARSLAND

St .Edward's Lending Library Checkout the bookrack in the Church Porch (just outside the Piety Shop). If you have any Christian books you no longer require, please consider donating them to our library for other people to enjoy. Books may be freely borrowed but please remember to return them!Catholic newspapers are also on sale in the porch - please pay at the Piety Shop

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY Do you have any children’s books, bibles, books about saints, you could donate to Church? We are trying to get a selection of books for children to borrow during Mass.  Please leave in the box at the back of Church.

Links pages Several new links have been added to our links page

EWTN - This 24 hour catholic television channel is now available on Sky channel 589 . Programme Schedule can be downloaded from http://www.ewtn.co.uk/