Our Blog

Lockdown Closure from 5th November 2020


OUR CHURCHES & HALLS WILL CLOSE AGAIN FROM THURDAY 5th NOVEMBER
UNTIL THE CURRENT LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED.
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/statement-on-the-four-week-national-lockdown-and-a-call-to-prayer/
The Prime Minister announced further widespread restrictions in England beginning on Thursday 5 November.  The Government have published their New National Restrictions Guidance on their website here.  Whilst there was no formal announcement on Places of Worship by the Prime Minister, there is clear guidance on the Government website that places of worship will be required to end all acts of collective worship, except for funeral ceremonies.
We will continue to publish …

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Marathon Walk for Hospice

Fr Brian thanks everyone who supported his marathon walk. Fr Brian has added the donations sent in to Church to the Just Giving page which will go direct to the hospice. The target of £1,000 has been doubled with gift aid  and there is still one week to go for donations. Many thanks also to everyone who supported with  prayers and acts of kindness plus those who ‘Walked with Fr Brian’ in so many different ways on the day. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and shows our Parish is active and caring.
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Petition – Don’t Criminalise Trespass.


PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION
TO HELP PRESERVE OUR FREEDOM OF THE MOORS & RIGHT TO ROAM
petition.parliament.uk/…39/signatures/new
Don’t criminalise trespass

The Government’s manifesto stated “we will make intentional trespass a criminal offence”: an extreme, illiberal & unnecessary attack on ancient freedoms that would threaten walkers, campers, and the wider public. It would further tilt the law in favour of …

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Salford Diocese Update

“As some churches begin to reopen for public worship, Mass will look and feel different for a while to ensure it is safe….

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Inverted Man Bun!

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

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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 …

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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.

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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 …

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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.

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

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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.

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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/

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Just for fun!

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

    

 

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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.

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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.

 

 

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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…

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