• Newsletter: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
  • Newsletter: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Newsletter: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

26th July 2026

Newsletter: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

26th July 2026

16.30 Confessions
17.30 VIGIL MASS

9.00 MASS
10.30 MASS (& Coffee)
12.00 Baptisms

10.00 Mass
10.30 Coffee Morning

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

16.30 No Confessions
17.30 VIGIL MASS

09.00 MASS
10.30 MASS (& Coffee)
12.00 Baptisms

LOURDES PETITIONS

Fr. Brady will be travelling to Lourdes with the Diocese at the end of July. If you would like Fr. Brady to take your petitions to Our Lady’s Grotto, please hand in to Church by 10am Tuesday 28th July. Please do not enclose any money. Money for candles and Masses can be given to Fr. Brady.


THANK YOU

We are delighted to announce that £200 has been donated from the Tuesday Coffee Morning. Thank you to everyone who contributes, attends and helps make it a success.


UCM

The next meeting will be Wednesday 29th July beginning at 7.30pm. The UCM would once again like to invite ALL PARISHIONERS to a tea and cake afternoon here at St. Mary’s and St. Philip Neri in the Atrium on Wednesday 5th August, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Come along and have a cup of tea and cake and a chat with friends and family. There will of course be a raffle, See poster on the noticeboard.


SAFEGUARDING REMINDER

For the safety and wellbeing of all our children, we kindly ask that parents and carers accompany their child if they need to leave Mass for any reason (for example, to use the toilet). Please remember that the Church doors remain open during Mass, and therefore children should not leave the building unaccompanied. Thank you.


ST. MARY’S RC CEMETERY BANK HOLIDAY MASS

The annual Mass will take place on Monday 31st August at 11am at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wardley. It will be held outside the Chapel and there will be limited seating.


HELP END CHILD POVERTY IN OUR PARISHES

Child poverty is increasing in our area, with latest statistics from the government showing almost one in three children are growing up in poverty. Our diocesan charity Caritas Salford supports local families facing crisis and is asking us to join them in taking action to help. There are lots of different ways we can get involved. Visit > to find out more.


OFFICE CLOSED

The Parish Secretary is in Lourdes with the Diocesan Pilgrimage

A NIGHT OF MUSIC AND FUN

The African Priests and Religious of the Diocese of Salford are inviting you to a concert in celebration of African Liturgical and Folk music. This is to be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Failsworth, M35 0NN on 31st July 2026 at 7pm. This promises to be a night of good music (by the invited choir) and laughter (by the priests and religious who also try to sing!) Above all else, let us come together and have a fun evening.


FANCY A WALK

Caritas Salford is organising a 6 mile scenic, circular sponsored hike in Lancashire, along the delightful Downham Trail. Taking place on 5th September. The walk is an undulating route with the potential for expansive views from the summit of Beacon Fell. Visit > For more information or to register for your free place.


CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT THIS SUMMER

During August and September, Castlerigg Manor in Keswick is opening its doors to families, groups of friends, or private individuals who are looking for an affordable stay in the Lake District. Breakfast and evening meal are provided, and Mass is celebrated on site. For more information check out >or contact direct 01768 772711.


QUIET RETREATS FOR ADULTS THIS OCTOBER

During October half term, Castlerigg Manor is running a quiet retreat for individual adults who want to spend a few days of peace, relaxation and prayer in the Lake District. Each day there will be a talk, Mass and evening prayer, and then a lot of time to explore the Area, pray or just simply relax. Book at > or Contact >


CONFIRMATION

Confirmation will take place at St. Bernadette’s, Whitefield on Sunday 4th October at 2pm. Please see Fr. Brady for more information.


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field-and in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.’
Matthew 13:44

STAY WITH US, LORD, ON OUR JOURNEY

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL

St Matthew presents us this week with three final pictures from his collection of Jesus’ images about the Christian community.

Matthew likes pairs of parables: the dragnet pairs with last week’s darnel-parable, the treasure pairs with the pearl.

The Kingdom is an exciting and unexpected treasure which can change our whole life; it’s like winning the pools or the lottery – except that God’s gifts change us only for the good, and fill our lives with meaning and joy.

Of course we know that God’s call is demanding: you’ve got to pay a price for the field in which the treasure lies, or for the genuine pearl found in a junk-shop!

The very last picture – the householder bringing down different food-packets, pots and jars off the shelf – is encouraging too: some are old favourites (perhaps like the Christian values and prayers which we inherited from our families), but some add new flavours too, which we have discovered or been taught ourselves.

If we listen, the Spirit is always there to show us new ways of living out our Christian calling, revealing to us an opportunity for prayer or help or service.

This ‘householder’ is often thought to be Matthew’s secret signature for himself: he brings out old and new in the Christian message.

BAPTISMS Please see Fr. Brady after Mass if you would like to have your child baptised, where all enquiries will be dealt with in person. Fr Brady much prefers this rather than an email. Thank you. A baptismal certificate for one of the parents must be provided as evidence of baptism in a Roman Catholic Church. Fr. Brady is available after weekend Mass on Saturday at 5.30pm, Sunday at 9.00am or 10.30am, all of which fulfil the Sunday obligation. All Catholics are OBLIGED to celebrate Mass EVERY Sunday.

BAPTISM CERTIFICATE COPIES REQUESTS For those requesting copies of baptism certificate the office can be contacted initially and the certificate can be collected at any of the weekend Masses. This is also to encourage people to come to Mass.

SICK AND HOUSEBOUND If you know of anybody who would like Fr Brady to visit, could you please give him their name and address with postcode and a contact telephone number. Thank you.

MASS INTENTIONS, OUR LADY’S LAMP AND THE SANCTUARY LAMP  The practice of requesting a Mass to be offered for loved ones, living or deceased, is a beautiful and wonderful part of our Catholic Tradition. Continuing this long-standing practice, you can remember someone who has died recently or many years ago. The Mass can also make beautiful gifts for any special occasion: birthdays, anniversaries, in thanksgiving for a prayer answered etc. You can offer an intention for anybody who is struggling with a serious illness or other difficulties of life. There are Mass Intention Envelopes provided on the table in the Atrium. (Please ensure that you have the express consent of the sick or housebound person as the bulletin is posted on the parish website, therefore making that information available to the public at large. Please provide a contact number with Mass Intentions so that any discrepancies can be resolved. Our Lady’s Lamp and Sanctuary Lamp are £5.00 and burn for seven days. Please place any intentions in an envelope with your donation and give to Father Brady or place in the Mass offering Box in the Atrium. All newsletter items must be sent in by Thursday morning.

MASSES AND PRAYERS RECEIVED THIS WEEK

Lately Dead
Kate Byrne, Margaret Young, Josephine Nicholson, Maggie Dawidziak.


Birthday Memories
Peter Baker, Patrick Barrett.


Anniversary
Anna Pabian, Jack Eagleton.


Sick
Andy Watson, Francis Loughran, Noel Moore, Paul Moore, Rita Webster.


Other
Holy Souls (throughout July), Private Intention for Margaret White, Rita Webster for a Speedy Recovery, For Restored Health, Special Intention, In Thanksgiving.

This week, the Sanctuary Lamp burns for:

Kate Byrne
And
Ann Timothy.

This week, Our Lady’s Lamp burns for:

Cara Parkinson.

The Vatican

Please click on the red ‘Play’ button to watch Vatican Media Live.

Lourdes TV

Please click on the red ‘Play’ button to watch Lourdes TV.

LOURDES PETITIONS

Fr. Brady will be travelling to Lourdes with the Diocese at the end of July. If you would like Fr. Brady to take your petitions to Our Lady’s Grotto, please hand in to Church by 10am Tuesday 28th July. Please do not enclose any money. Money for candles and Masses can be given to Fr. Brady.


THANK YOU

We are delighted to announce that £200 has been donated from the Tuesday Coffee Morning. Thank you to everyone who contributes, attends and helps make it a success.


UCM

The next meeting will be Wednesday 29th July beginning at 7.30pm. The UCM would once again like to invite ALL PARISHIONERS to a tea and cake afternoon here at St. Mary’s and St. Philip Neri in the Atrium on Wednesday 5th August, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Come along and have a cup of tea and cake and a chat with friends and family. There will of course be a raffle, See poster on the noticeboard.


SAFEGUARDING REMINDER

For the safety and wellbeing of all our children, we kindly ask that parents and carers accompany their child if they need to leave Mass for any reason (for example, to use the toilet). Please remember that the Church doors remain open during Mass, and therefore children should not leave the building unaccompanied. Thank you.


ST. MARY’S RC CEMETERY BANK HOLIDAY MASS

The annual Mass will take place on Monday 31st August at 11am at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wardley. It will be held outside the Chapel and there will be limited seating.


HELP END CHILD POVERTY IN OUR PARISHES

Child poverty is increasing in our area, with latest statistics from the government showing almost one in three children are growing up in poverty. Our diocesan charity Caritas Salford supports local families facing crisis and is asking us to join them in taking action to help. There are lots of different ways we can get involved. Visit > to find out more.


OFFICE CLOSED

The Parish Secretary is in Lourdes with the
Diocesan Pilgrimage