The Catholic Parish of

The Sacred Heart, Darwen St. Joseph’s Church St Edward’s Church Bolton Rd Blackburn Rd Parish Office Priest’s Residence Church House St. Joseph’s Presbytery 370 Blackburn Road 149 Bolton Road Darwen , BB3 0AA Darwen, BB3 2PG 01254 702525 01254 702026

e-mail: [email protected] www.darwencatholic.org.uk “They recognised him at the newsletter: [email protected] facebook.com/DarwenCatholic breaking of bread.” rd th 3 Sunday of Easter Year A 26 April 2020

St. Joseph’s St. Edward’s Sunday 9.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass Monday 9.15 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass Private funeral Phyllis Waddington R.I.P. Tuesday 9.15 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass Wednesday 9.15 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass Thursday 9.15 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass Friday 9.15 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass Saturday 9.15 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass Sunday 9.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m. Doors closed - Fr Brian Mass – 4th Sunday of Easter A

Masses & Services: Churches remain closed but Fr Brian continues to celebrate Mass each day as listed above. We are not currently able to live-stream Masses but will hopefully set up a professional system at some point in the future.

Invitation from John Message from

Live Mass at Salford Sundays 11am Cardinal Vincent Nicholls https://www.churchservices.tv/ The ’ Conference will be holding a weekly Mass, Bishop John will be celebrating 11am Sunday Mass every Thursday at 7pm, to show spiritual solidarity with during the remainder of the lockdown as a diocesan those who are sick and their families, NHS Front line call to solidarity and prayer during the pandemic. workers and those working in social care. He said: “I think one thing we have got to remember 23rd April Cardinal Vincent Nichols, is that Church is an important place and an 30th April Bishop Richard Moth, important symbol and it’s great when we can gather 7th May Bishop Marcus Stock, there together.But, Jesus didn’t have churches and 14th May Bishop Robert Byrne CO, Newcastle Cathedral he told us we were all part of the church and we 21st May Bishop Mark Davies, Cathedral could be Christian without a church building.” 28th May Bishop Terence Drainey,

St George Patron Saint of & Scouts WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEK? The myth of St George is that he slayed a Who did you ring or chat with via social dragon. He took on the challenges against media? all odds. We SHALL slay the coronavirus How did you keep active? but we must be patient and stay safe! What did you read? Where did you enjoy the sunshine? AFTER THE VIRUS In the Republic of Ireland after the crash of the 80s, all Beard or Face Mask??? public servants received a percentage wages cut and n Fr Brian’s beard has grown HUUUGE! taxes went up. It is inevitable after this crisis that there On a recent run over the moors, a will be a raise in taxes, but a wage cut may also passer-by remarked, “Oh it’s a beard, I accompany it. BE AWARE and PLAN AHEAD. thought it was a face mask!”

George Quirke R.I.P. FOODBANK UPDATE Former headteacher of St Edmund Many thanks to the very many people who contributed to the foodbank Arrowsmith/St Bede’s 1974-1994 last weekend. It is at present in a healthy condition and work continues. \ARE444444444444444444444ED|R Mass Intentions:

Lately Dead: Sarah Walsh, Geoffrey Riley, Phyllis Waddington, Bessie Carrington (née McKay), George Quirke

Anniversaries & Birthday Anniversaries: All whose anniversaries are at this time.

Other: All in need of special intentions.

Please pray for: all those who are poorly with the Covid 19 virus and for their families and carers. CORONAVIRUS – CHURCHES CLOSED UNITED IN FAITH ALL PARISH ACTIVITIES SUSPENDED Parishioners can join in spiritual See liks on our website & facebook pages to communion and/or watch live streaming the guidance from: The Government, The of Mass via the following link:

Bishops Conference & Salford Diocese: https://www.churchservices.tv/ http://www.darwencatholic.org.uk/ & Fr Brian’s sermons are published with the newsletter on our website. facebook.com/DarwenCatholic THIS SUSPENSION LIFTS Links to other resources: OUR SUNDAY OBLIGATION https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/c ovid-19-online-resources/

Pope Francis on Confession & the Sacrament of Reconciliation “I know that many of you go to confession before Easter ... many will say to me: ‘But Father ..... I cannot leave the house and I want to make my peace with the Lord. I want Him to embrace me ..... How can I do that unless I find a priest?’ Do what the catechism says. It is very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He is your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord, I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the catechism teaches us, to God’s forgiveness, without having a priest at hand.”

BwD Help Hub: Support & guidance 01254 588111 SHOP LOCAL with DELIVERY SERVICES www.theshuttle.org.uk/coronavirus . Market traders in Darwen & Blackburn are offering local home delivery services with fresh supplies. One Family or One Person? https://theshuttle.org.uk/new-market-delivery- Were you able to help someone you know in need service-for-blackburn-and-darwen/ last week? Who can you help this coming week? There are also take-away menus from local eating Remember, a telephone call or message is not establishments and pubs. Plus various businesses infectious. We can take care of each other from a offering delivery/collection eg Gibsons Hardware & Four distance and there are practical ways of helping or Seasons Garden Centre. Search information via GOOGLE. reassuring without increasing risk. BUT DO PLEASE STAY AT HOME & STAY SAFE! AT HOME OR AT WORK Remember to keep your distance and stay safe, CLERICAL CUISINE following all the regulations and hygiene advice. Moving on from Master Chef, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING!

it is not the fear of vampires,

but an over-dependence on simple ingredients which has fumigated Fr Brian’s kitchen!

FIRE HAZARD! Collections Up-date Fr Brian recently set off Watch this space next the fire alarms in the week for details of what to house as a result of an do if you would like to

annual cake experiment! contribute.

SUMMER TERM FOR OUR SCHOOLS Good luck to all our children, staff and parents as the new term gets under way. It is worth checking on the school websites and facebook/twitter pages to see some of the wonderful work that is happening

both in school and at home. Recent highlights include St Joseph’s Toilet Roll Challenge, St Edward’s Spring Chicken Dance & Earth Day Video & St Bede’s Excellent Work at Home posts. WELL DONE!