Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Westhoughton

Pray with us this as we think of all the many achievements of women both known and unknown.

Last Sunday, Pope Francis again spoke out about the terrible destruction being caused by the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and reiterated his call for a ceasefire.

A ceasefire is required to allow for a full humanitarian response.

https://cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/israeli-palestinian-crisis-how-you-can-help

Gospel of the Day (John 3,14-21)

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Lord's Day Reflection: ‘Recognizing what is tearing us away from God’s love' - Vatican News As the Church marks the Fourth Sunday of Lent, known as 'Laetare Sunday', Fr. Luke Gregory, OFM, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings ...

Gracious God, we pray for women throughout the world who are building up their own communities. As we love you, may we love our neighbour, and support one another to reflect your kingdom here on earth. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Lent - John 3:14-21 - Catholic Bishops' Conference Fourth Sunday of Lent Gospel reflection by Bishop Philip Moger, Auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Southwark.

Christ’s Passion, for all its injustice and brutality, is a glorious revelation of God’s love for all of humankind, and the source of our healing.
Pray with today's Mass readings:
https://ow.ly/U4Vk50QKLAl

The sword that pierces Mary's heart. Watch with Mary as she accompanies her son through his Passion.
Watch ad-free on Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/920213404

Consistent prayer produces progressive transformation, makes us strong in times of tribulation, gives us the grace to be supported by the One who loves us and always protects us.
- Pope Francis

'A Litany of Women for the Church' ~

Dear God, creator of women in your own image,
born of a woman in the midst of a world half women,
carried by women to mission fields around the globe,
made known by women to all the children of the earth,
give to the women of our time
the strength to persevere,
the courage to speak out,
the faith to believe in you beyond
all systems and institutions
so that your face on earth may be seen in all its beauty,
so that men and women become whole,
so that the church may be converted to your will
in everything and in all ways.

We call on the holy women
who went before us,
channels of Your Word
in testaments old and new,
to intercede for us
so that we might be given the grace
to become what they have been
for the honor and glory of God.

Saint Esther, who pleaded against power
for the liberation of the people, –Pray for us.
Saint Judith, who routed the plans of men
and saved the community,
Saint Deborah, laywoman and judge, who led
the people of God,
Saint Elizabeth of Judea, who recognized the value
of another woman,
Saint Mary Magdalene, minister of Jesus,
the first evangelist of the Christ,
Saint Scholastica, who taught her brother Benedict
to honor the spirit above the system,
Saint Hildegard, who suffered interdict
for the doing of right,
Saint Joan of Arc, who put no law above the law of God,
Saint Clare of Assisi, who confronted the pope
with the image of woman as equal,
Saint Julian of Norwich, who proclaimed for all of us
the motherhood of God,
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who knew the call
to priesthood in herself,
Saint Catherine of Siena, to whom the pope listened,
Saint Teresa of Avila, who brought women’s gifts
to the reform of the church,
Saint Edith Stein, who brought fearlessness to faith,
Saint Elizabeth Seton, who broke down boundaries
between lay women and religious
by wedding motherhood and religious life,
Saint Dorothy Day, who led the church
in a new sense of justice,

Mary, mother of Jesus,
who heard the call of God and answered,
Mary, mother of Jesus,
who drew strength from the woman Elizabeth,
Mary, mother of Jesus,
who underwent hardship bearing Christ,
Mary, mother of Jesus,
who ministered at Cana,
Mary, mother of Jesus,
inspirited at Pentecost,
Mary mother of Jesus,
who turned the Spirit of God
into the body and blood of Christ, pray for us. Amen.

— Joan Chittister, OSB

After a night of discouragement...

God of compassion, Restorer of the dawn: we know of course, you and I, that morning will, after this prolonged night, return. I’ve waited before … weary, … disappointed. Brand your hope into the centre of my heart … my hope in darkness …

Macrina Wiederkehr - 'Seasons of Your Heart'

As we celebrate Mothering Sunday today, we ask Our Blessed Lady to pray for all the mothers and mother figures in our lives - especially those no longer with us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God and mother of all, pray for us.

Join us next Saturday as we follow the final journey of Christ by praying the Stations of the Cross in the peace of our beautiful woodlands.

Find out more and book your place at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/lsc-stations-2024/

This Mothering Sunday, we ask our Holy Mother Mary to pray for mothers within our parish and across the world. We pray particularly for those who are no longer with us.

How does the atmosphere change as Jesus enters? What do I notice about him as he surveys the scene?
Pray with the scene:
https://ow.ly/OwrU50QHLEn

However you're making changes this Lent, you could change a life...

https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/campaign/st-josephs-penny/

Mass Scripture Reflections - 3rd Sunday of Lent (Yr B) Dominican Sisters of St Joseph: https://dominicansisters.netOur apostolate: https://lightoftruth.uk Music: “Acoustic Guitar #1” by Jason Shaw at https://audi...

'Cleansing the Temple' - Malcolm Guite:

Come to your Temple here with liberation

And overturn these tables of exchange

Restore in me my lost imagination

Begin in me for good, the pure change.

Come as you came, an infant with your mother,

That innocence may cleanse and claim this ground

Come as you came, a boy who sought his father

With questions asked and certain answers found,

Come as you came this day, a man in anger

Unleash the lash that drives a pathway through

Face down for me the fear the shame the danger

Teach me again to whom my love is due.

Break down in me the barricades of death

And tear the veil in two with your last breath.

'Jesus cleanses the temple', 17th-century Ethiopian.

Join us for a special opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross in the beautiful woodlands of our Laudato Si' Centre this Lent.

Find out more and book your place online by visiting https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/lsc-stations-2024/

Pope Francis: Let‘s all say ‘Enough!’ Stop the war in the Middle East - Vatican News Pope Francis issues a heartfelt appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, so that the Israeli hostages may be freed and the Palestinian population ...

Lord's Day Reflection: 'Consumed by zeal for God' - Vatican News As the Church marks the Third Sunday of Lent, Fr. Marion Nguyen, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings reflecting on wicked zeal ...

Continuing her series of Marian talks, next Friday Sr Hyacinthe will be speaking on how Our Lady can help us to understand the meaning of suffering. This talk is for the CWA's formation but is open to all who are interested!
Register here: https://www.lightoftruth.uk/event-details/understanding-the-meaning-of-suffering-with-the-virgin-mary

It is always possible to pray. The time of the Christian is that of the risen Christ who is with us always, no matter what tempests may arise.
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2743