Our Blog

Inverted Man Bun!

Thanks to St Edward’s school office staff for this temporary solution to taming Fr Brian’s beard!

Read more

Re-opening Announcement


PLEASE BEAR WITH US! We are not re-opening just yet. Although the government announced today that churches can re-open for public worship on 4th July, we still await full guidance on the regulations for the celebration of Mass and the authorisation to re-open. Today we had a diocesan inspection in both churches, and we are pleased to announce that our planning and preparations met with approval. We are ahead of the game! A risk assessment will be drawn up by the inspector and this will need to be reviewed in the light …

Read more

Social Distancing Benches

Preparations are underway for when Churches re-open. All measures will be announced once we receive the full guidance and instruction from the government and then the Church authorities.

Social distancing benches at St Joseph’s: 32 singe bays or 64 doubles for 2 people from the same household.

St Edward’s: 34 singles or 68 doubles for 2 people from the same household.

…

Read more

NOT RE-OPENING YET

ST JOSEPH’S & ST EDWARD’S CHURCHES ARE NOT RE-OPENING YET. While the law allows churches to reopen on Monday for private prayer, not all churches will be opening as it is too soon. Strict measures have to be put in place and we are preparing to implement these. We await further guidance …

Read more

Crow Nursery

St Edward’s really is a bird haven this spring. A fledgling crow was ‘crawling’ round the back garden while Fr Brian was cutting the grass. The parents kept on returning to feed and encourage the chick to fly.

IMG_8680
Feathers all preened, 1 final practice before flying away into the trees to parents and siblings!

Read more

Empty Nest St Edward’s

Empty nest at St Edwards – 5 fledging blackbirds & both parents now happily flying in & out of the back garden and surrounding trees.

Read more

Update on Church Re-openings

The government has now approved a phased re-opening of churches nationally, beginning with individual private prayer. Not all churches will re-open straight away. Darwen has not yet been contacted so St Joseph’s and St Edward’s will not re-open on 15th June. Planning and preparation is underway for re-opening and details will be communicated once the various infection control measures have been addressed and approved by Salford Diocese. We face big changes ahead and must accept that this will be a very different way forward.https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/churches-to-begin-preparing-for-private-prayer-opening/

Read more

Just for fun!

For shear (pun) good luck, should Fr Brian be shaved on Good Shepherd Sunday?

    

 

Read more

St Joseph the Worker Feast Day 2020

Posted today on Salford Diocese FB & Twitter:

Today on the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, let us pray for all of those key workers who are on the front line of this crisis. Let us remember their dignity and continue to value their work in the months and years to come as we move out of this crisis.

Read more

St George’s Day 2020

Fr Brian socially distanced at home but still flying the flag for St George & Scouts at St Joseph’s 23rd April 2020.

 

 

Read more

Easter 2020

Fr Brian celebrated the Easter vigil at St Joseph’s 6.15pm and Sunday Masses 9am St Joseph’s & 11am St Edward’s. Both our Churches were empty, but our hearts are full of love as we remember the joys of past Easter celebrations. Fr Brian said Mass for everyone in the Parish and all those who have gone before us.

 


Fr Brian’s Easter Sermon:Easter Sunday Sermon 2020

Latest Newsletter: 12th April 2020…

Read more