As many in the parish will know this group was established to support those who volunteer to work with assisted pilgrims during the Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes each year. Currently the group consists of a small number of parishioners from Middleton, Heywood and other neighbouring parishes. We have planned a number of social events to raise funds to support this. Some of the social events that have been planned and we hope that you will be able to join us. Friday 13th March, St Patrick’s Night Social Event in St Peter’s Hall, Middleton. Friday 24th April Quiz Night in St Peter’s Hall, Middleton and Sunday 31st May Afternoon Tea in St Peter’s Hall, Middleton. If there are any parishioners who are keen to join the group and become a volunteer then please email: lourdes.pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk and mention the Middleton and Heywood Lourdes group.
If you would like to join it is only £5 a month which needs to be paid at the beginning of every month. The more members we have, the bigger the prize and more money going back into our church. Winners are on the Notice Boards.
Heywood SVP Foodbank: are looking for someone with good money management skills to act as their treasurer. Role involves processing donations and payments, keeping good digital records of transactions and occasional reporting. If you would like to volunteer, please contact 07396071193 or speak to Brian Doyle for more details
Our Jubilee of Jubilee series continues this August by following the journey of young adults of our diocese who travelled to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth. From radio broadcasts, to video reflections, and written articles, this month's resources invite you to journey with our young pilgrims as they learn more about discovering and sharing the hope of Christ throughout our pilgrimage of life. Begin reflecting with us today at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/jubilee-2025/calendar/
When we consider the Christian life, we often think in positive terms: peace, light, joy, goodness, life. And yet, as the Scriptures remind us today, that Christian life must be lived in the midst of a world which is filled with more negative terms: division, distress, cruelty and death. The words of the Gospel may appear shocking to us: Jesus says that he comes to bring division, not peace, and this seems totally contrary to the message of the Gospel! And yet, Jesus is not announcing his desire of course he wants peace, not division but showing his understanding of the world in which we live. He is inviting us to weigh up the cost of the Kingdom, a cost he was willing to embrace: as the second reading tells us: Jesus, for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, endured the cross Whatever weighs us down, let us endure and persevere, so that the fire of Gods love may blaze over the whole earth.
Members of the parish finance council, the extra ordinary ministers of Communion, readers, the parish catechists are all invited to a parish introductory meeting with Fr Augustine the outgoing parish priest and Fr Ebuka the new parish priest on Monday the 2nd of March in the parish meeting room at 7pm.
Fr Augustine Franklin, MSP has been assigned to the churches of Doune & Callander in diocese of Dunkeld, Scotland. Will be taking up his new assignment on the 6th of March. The new parish priest will be in the parish this Friday the 27th of February Fr Augustine & Fr John’s Farewell: as the parish thank Fr Augustine & Fr John for their time with us in the parish, please if you wish to make a gift donations there are brown envelopes on the tables at the entrances to the church written ‘Fr Augustine and Fr John’s Farewell’. When returning, you could put them in the collection basket.
We are hoping to introduce the opportunity of parishioners meeting and sharing in the parish meeting room over tea and coffee after the Sunday 9.30 am Mass. Please we also need volunteers to go on the rota.
The Bereavement Group have invited Russ Magnall, an inspirational speaker to talk on health and wellbeing on Tuesday, 3rd March at 7pm-8:30 in The Parish Meeting Room. Russ has some wonderful stories to tell from his life experience as a Police Commander, mentor and wellbeing coach. All parishioners are welcome; it should be an entertaining night. Please ring Pat Greenall for any queries 07599355924.
Each Tuesday during our Lenten period, a series of reflections will be given online by various speakers, exploring the meaning of our Lenten Gospels and their implications for our lives today. The series will begin on Tuesday 17 February with Fr. Michael Deas reflecting on The Temptations of Jesus and will conclude with Bishop John on the Palm Sunday readings. For more information on how to book your free place, please visit the diocesan website: https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/online-readings-for-lent/
As many in the parish will know this group was established to support those who volunteer to work with assisted pilgrims during the Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes each year. Currently the group consists of a small number of parishioners from Middleton, Heywood and other neighbouring parishes. We have planned a number of social events to raise funds to support this. Some of the social events that have been planned and we hope that you will be able to join us. Friday 13th March, St Patrick’s Night Social Event in St Peter’s Hall, Middleton. Friday 24th April Quiz Night in St Peter’s Hall, Middleton and Sunday 31st May Afternoon Tea in St Peter’s Hall, Middleton. If there are any parishioners who are keen to join the group and become a volunteer then please email: lourdes.pilgrimage@dioceseofsalford.org.uk and mention the Middleton and Heywood Lourdes group.
You are invited the Churches Together in Heywood Cake & Brew on Wednesday 25th at Heywood Baptist Church. There will be short worship, followed by a conversation with the theme of Hope.
Members of the parish finance council, the extra ordinary ministers of Communion, readers, the parish catechists are all invited to a parish introductory meeting with Fr Augustine the outgoing parish priest and Fr Ebuka the new parish priest on Monday the 2nd of March in the parish meeting room at 7pm.
Fr Augustine Franklin, MSP has been assigned to the churches of Doune & Callander in diocese of Dunkeld, Scotland. Will be taking up his new assignment on the 6th of March. The new parish priest will be in the parish this Friday the 27th of February Fr Augustine & Fr John’s Farewell: as the parish thank Fr Augustine & Fr John for their time with us in the parish, please if you wish to make a gift donations there are brown envelopes on the tables at the entrances to the church written ‘Fr Augustine and Fr John’s Farewell’. When returning, you could put them in the collection basket.
We are hoping to introduce the opportunity of parishioners meeting and sharing in the parish meeting room over tea and coffee after the Sunday 9.30 am Mass. Please we also need volunteers to go on the rota.
Pope Francis
If peoples are to remain brothers and sisters, prayer must rise unceasingly to Heaven, and one single word constantly echo on earth: peace.