Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle
Lancashire
BB5 3EZ
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. S D O’Brien
Parish Administrator: Ciara Kelly
Tel: 01254-232433
Email: stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Christmas Special Newsletter
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL & EVERYONE!
Thank you to every parishioner who has helped to make this holy season such a prayerful and joyful celebration. From musicians and singers, readers and cleaners; from our church garden angels and altar servers; from Christmas tree and crib decorators to our saintly stewards and generous raffle prize donors — and to all who faithfully fill the pews — thank you. Each act of service, whether seen or unseen, has helped to make our parish a true place of welcome, worship and community. To each and every one of you: a very big thank you, and may God bless you abundantly.
Masses & Liturgies for the following TWO weeks ...
Wednesday 24th December
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5pm Carols Around the Crib
5:30pm Christmas Eve Family Mass
Thursday 25th December
9:30am Carols around the Crib
10am Christmas Day Mass
Friday 26th December
10am Mass, Saint Stephen, Martyr (Feast)
St. Stephen was the first martyr to shed his blood for Christ, as witness to the newly revealed love of God. ‘...The love that Christ brought down from heaven to earth, lifted Stephen from earth to heaven.’ - The Office of Readings
Saturday 27th December
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Holy Family of Jesus
Sunday 28th December
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Holy Family of Jesus
Thursday 1st January 2025
10am Mass, The Solemnity of Holy Mary, Mother of God
At the end of Mass there will be, as always, the opportunity for our Saint of the year to choose us from the basket. (See below for details)
Friday 2nd January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Mass, Saints Basil the Great & Gregory of Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors of the Church (Memoria)
St. Basil the Great & Saint Gregory Nazianzen were close friends and great figures of the Eastern Church in the fourth century. Basil was Bishop of Caesarea and active in promoting the monastic life, writing a "rule" which is still observed today. Gregory was Bishop of Constantinople and because of his great learning is still known in the East as "Gregory the Theologian"; he eventually retired from the episcopacy to return to his monastery in Nazianzus. Gregory summed up their lives: 'Our great concern, our great name, was to be Christians and be called Christians."
Saturday 3rd January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am The Most Holy Name of Jesus (Memoria)
The greatest promoters of this devotion were St Bernardine of Siena and St. John Capistrano, who used the monogram of the Holy Name in their preaching. Because the manner in which St. Bernardine preached this devotion was new, he was accused before Pope Martin V, but was successfully defended by John. This feast reminds us that the word "Jesus" means "God saves", and our salvation comes through Christ alone.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of Second Sunday of Christmas
Sunday 4th January
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Mass for The Second Sunday of Christmas
Tuesday 6th January – HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
10am Mass, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord & Blessing of Epiphany Chalk
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass of the Epiphany of the Lord & Blessing of Epiphany Chalk
Wednesday 7th January
10am Requiem Mass for William ‘Bill’ Finn RIP
Thursday 8th January
9:30am Christmas Weekday Mass
Friday 9th January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Christmas Weekday Mass
Saturday 10th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Baptism of the Lord
Sunday 11th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of The Baptism of the Lord
4pm St Mary’s Volunteers Jacobs Joint (See below for details)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (27th December – 2nd January) the Sanctuary Lamp is for Linda & David Usborne.
Next week (3rd January – 9th January), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Joe & Agnes Duggan.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This week (27th December – 2nd January) Our Lady’s Lamp is for Stanley Nicholas Bury.
Next week (3rd January – 9th January), Our Lady’s Lamp is for Raymond & Claire Hilton.
New Year Saints!
On New Year’s Day, following Mass, we’ll continue our annual “Saints in a Basket” tradition. Parishioners are invited to come forward to the sanctuary and, after making the Sign of the Cross, to allow a saint to choose them from the basket. Throughout 2026, these saints will become our patrons and companions — our brothers and sisters in faith. Through their prayers, they will support and encourage us through the joys and challenges of the year ahead, and through their lives they will teach and inspire us to be faithful disciples and to draw ever closer to Our Lord. Please don’t let your saint remain simply a name on a piece of paper or a New Year novelty. Take time to learn about them: find or print an image, read about their life, and ask for their intercession regularly. They desire to walk with you and to pray for you. When we honour the saints, we give glory to God, their Father and Creator, who has worked such holiness in their lives.
The Epiphany Proclamation of Easter and the Moveable Feasts — 2026
The proclamation of the date of Easter and the other moveable feasts on the Feast of the Epiphany dates back to a time when calendars were not widely available. It was therefore important that the faithful were informed of the date of Easter well in advance, as many of the Church’s celebrations throughout the liturgical year depend upon it. The number of Sundays following Epiphany, the date of Ash Wednesday, and the length of the season after Pentecost are all calculated in relation to Easter. Although modern calendars now provide these dates years ahead, the Epiphany Proclamation continues to hold great significance. It reminds us of the central place of the Resurrection of the Lord in the Church’s year and draws our attention to the great mysteries of faith that are celebrated throughout the liturgical year.
The Moveable Feasts for 2026
Ash Wednesday — 18th February
Easter Sunday — 5th April
The Ascension of the Lord — Thursday 14th May
Pentecost Sunday — 24th May
Corpus Christi — Sunday 7th June
First Sunday of Advent — 29th November
Blessing of Epiphany Chalk
In various parts of the world, the Epiphany is marked with the time-honoured tradition of "chalking the doors." The formula for the ritual is simple: take chalk of any colour (ideally blessed by a priest on the Feast of the Epiphany) and write above the entrance of your home: 20 + C + M + B + 24
The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi - Caspar, Malchior and Balthazar - who came to visit Jesus in the place where he was born. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat, which translates as "May Christ bless the house." The "+" signs represents the cross, and the "20" at the beginning and the "24" at the end mark the year. This inscription is a request for Christ to stay with those who dwell or work therein throughout the entire year. At the weekend Masses of the Epiphany I will bless any chalk that people would like to bring so that they can carry out this wonderful tradition.
Thanksgiving Jacob’s Join for All Parish Volunteers
On Sunday 11th January at 4.00pm, all parish volunteers are warmly invited to gather for a Service of Thanksgiving, followed by a Jacob’s Join. This occasion provides an opportunity to express my sincere thanks to everyone who, throughout the past year and continuing into the present, has so generously given their time, talents and skills for the life of our parish family. From readers, stewards, sacristans and servers; to cleaners, gardeners and gritters; from singers and musicians, flower arrangers and counters; to catechists and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — these are just some of the many roles carried out week by week at St Mary’s. Without the dedication and generosity of our volunteers, parish life simply could not flourish. I therefore warmly invite all who volunteer in any capacity to come together, bring a contribution for the Jacob’s Join, and celebrate in thanksgiving the extraordinary works of faith that take place in our church each day. For any volunteer roles not specifically mentioned, my apologies — there are so many. And to those who are unable to attend on the day: thank you, and may God bless you abundantly.
Interested in Knowing More About the Catholic Faith or Simply Wanting to Reconnect?
If you are curious about the Catholic faith, please know that you will always find an open door here at St Mary’s. We offer opportunities for those who have no previous experience or knowledge of the Catholic faith, as well as for those who may have lapsed in practice and would like to reconnect, especially if the circumstances of life have changed and faith is once again calling. Whether you are simply asking questions, seeking a deeper understanding, or hoping to return to the practice of the faith, you will be met with welcome, patience, and support. To find out more or to begin a conversation, please contact Fr O’Brien through the Parish Office: stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk .You will always be welcome at St Mary’s.
Parish Bible Study
Here at St Mary’s, we warmly invite you to join our Parish Bible Study, which takes place every other Wednesday from 7.00pm to 8.00pm in the church. Everyone is welcome — whether you are very familiar with the Bible or opening it for the first time. No prior knowledge is needed, just a willingness to listen, share, and grow in faith together. During January, we will be exploring the Acts of the Apostles, walking alongside the men and women of the early Church as they live out their faith in the Lord Jesus, encountering both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of discipleship. All you need to bring is a Bible and an open heart. As St Jerome reminds us: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” For more information, please contact the Parish Office: stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
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