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
Sunday 1st February 2026
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confessions
10am Mass, Saint John Bosco, Priest (Memoria)
St. John Bosco, born in 1815 in the north of Italy, dedicated his priestly ministry to working with young people, especially street children whom he encountered in Turin. He established the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, to assist in this work. He died in 1888.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sunday 1st February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass, Mass for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Tuesday 3rd February
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Blaise, Bishop & Martyr (Memoria)
St. Blaise was a bishop in Sebaste and martyred in the fourth century. Devotion to him spread throughout the church during the Middle Ages. He is invoked for disorders of the throat.
There will be the traditional blessing of throats for all those who come to this Mass.
(See below for details)
Wednesday 4th February
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Votive Mass of Saint Joseph
10:35am Devotions to Saint Joseph
(At the foot of the parish statue of St. Joseph, see below for more details)
7pm Parish Bible Study
Thursday 5th February
9:30am Mass, Saint Agatha, Virgin & Martyr (Memoria)
St. Agatha was martyred in Sicily in the persecution under Emperor Decius (240-251 A.D.). Her name is prayed during the Roman Canon.
Friday 6th February
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Mass, Saints Paul Miki & Companions, Martyrs (Memoria)
St. Paul Miki & Companions were Japanese martyrs. Towards the end of the 16th century there began a persecution of the Church in Japan and among those arrested were Paul Miki, a young Jesuit, and 25 others, some as young as 13. They were all taken to Nagasaki where they were crucified in 1597.
Saturday 7th February
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confessions
10am Mass, Votive Mass of Our Lady
‘The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.’ - St. Louis Marie de Montfort
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sunday 8th February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (31st January – 6th February) the Sanctuary Lamp is for Gerald & Jane McCaffery.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This week (31st January – 6th February) Our Lady’s Lamp is for Joyce Ashton.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£662.65. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Caritas Retiring Collection
Last weekend we raised £224.42 to send to support the work of Caritas in our diocese. Thank you to all who contributed towards it.
Parish Donations
Many parishioners have asked whether it is possible to support the parish by Direct Debit, especially when they are unable to attend Mass at the weekend. We are grateful to confirm that donations can be made in this way, allowing continued support for St Mary’s even when you cannot be present. The name of the parish account is: SRCDTR ST MARY OSWALDTWISTLE
Thank you, as always, for your continued generosity and support of our parish.
Parish Lenten Retreat 2026
We are delighted to announce that Angela McMorrow, facilitator and organiser of the Irish National Women’s Conference “Abide in His Love”, has kindly accepted our invitation to lead our Parish Lenten Retreat 2026. Angela will walk with us and encourage us as we begin the holy season of Lent, offering time for reflection, prayer, and renewal of faith.
Dates: Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th February 2026
Further details will follow nearer the time. Everyone is very welcome, spread the word.
Saint Carlo Acutis
Last weekend I was genuinely surprised by the number of people who spoke to me after Mass, or contacted me, about the possibility of purchasing a statue of Saint Carlo Acutis for our church. Many parishioners spoke about the importance of positively engaging with young people, and how a saint like Carlo could help them relate more easily to the faith. St. Carlo is often shown wearing trainers, carrying a phone and a laptop — very much a saint of our own time. Others felt that even if young people simply visited the church and saw Saint Carlo, it might prompt them to pause, think, and reflect on their own relationship with God, which in turn could lead to something deeper. Having listened carefully to these positive comments, I am happy to explore this idea further. I have contacted a company in Italy that produces respectful, high-quality, and tasteful religious statues. Their response was as follows:
Statue of Saint Carlo Acutis, made of painted wood from Val Gardena, carved by hand according to the old local tradition by specialised Italian craftsmen. The young man is represented with a backpack and a mobile phone in his hand, symbols of his role as a guide for young people and of his passion for technology. The symbol IHS, surrounded by thin white rays and depicted on his chest, recalls his deep love for God, especially in the Holy Eucharist. Suitable for indoor display. This handmade statue is available in a height of 100 cm at a cost of £3,279.15.
This is clearly a significant amount of money, and no decision has been made. I think it would be prudent to take this weekend to reflect and pray about it. If, after this, parishioners still feel keen to proceed, please let me know and we can consider beginning a fundraising appeal together.
God bless, Fr O’Brien
St Mary’s – A place of prayer
The church is a sacred space where we come to listen to God’s voice. Switching off our mobile phones on entering helps preserve the prayerful atmosphere for everyone. It prevents unexpected interruptions and reminds us that this is time set aside for worship, not messages or notifications. For a short time, we can step away from the noise of the world and focus fully on the Mass. God deserves our undivided attention, even in silence
Feast of Saint Blaise – Blessing of Throats
On Tuesday 3rd February, we will celebrate at 6pm the Mass of Saint Blaise. At the conclusion of Mass, there will be the opportunity to receive the traditional Blessing of Throats.
Saint Blaise is the patron saint of those who suffer from illnesses of the throat. The blessing is a long-standing Catholic practice in which the priest prays over each person, traditionally holding two crossed candles at the throat, asking God to grant protection from sickness and to preserve us in health. This blessing is a sign of God’s care and healing grace, and a reminder that we bring our everyday needs — including our health — before the Lord in prayer. All are welcome to remain after Mass to receive the blessing if they wish.
Devotions to Saint Joseph
On Wednesday 4th February there will be the first Wednesday devotions to St. Joseph after the 10am Mass (at the foot of his statue at the back of church). The devotions will include praying the Litany of St. Joseph, the Memorare of St. Joseph and the Prayer of the Holy Cloak Novena. In these devotions our prayer is to ask St. Joseph to pray for our parish family and for those who have wandered away from the Church, that they may return and find a warm welcome.
Parish Bible Study
Our next session is on Wednesday 4th February, from 7.00–8.00pm. All you need is yourself and a Bible — and a warm welcome awaits you!
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - World Day of Prayer for the Sick
Tuesday 11th February is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. To mark this important day, there will be several opportunities for prayer, healing, and quiet support within the parish.
1.00 pm – Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes
This Mass will include the Sacrament of the Sick and will be followed by refreshments at the back of the church. Everyone is very welcome, especially those who are sick, elderly, or in need of prayer and encouragement.
7.00 pm – Prayer and Healing Service
In the evening there will be a simple Prayer and Healing Service, again with the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. On the day, we will be blessed to be joined by Fr Michael Doody and Gill Atkinson from the Diocese of Leeds. They have kindly offered, for those who would like, to pray privately with them after each event. What does “praying with” mean? Quite simply, anyone who wishes may come forward with their intentions — worries, anxieties, illness, or concerns — and Fr Michael and Gill will spend a few quiet moments praying with them in the Lady Chapel. As Scripture reminds us of the power of prayer:
“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20) Please feel free to come along, whether you are seeking prayer for yourself or for someone you carry in your heart.
LAST CALL for Online Marriage Programme.
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Mass for Engaged Couples to be celebrated by Bishop John Arnold
On Saturday 14 February, Bishop John will be celebrating a special Mass for engaged couples across the diocese. The Mass provides couples with an opportunity to seek God's blessing to guide and strengthen them during this time of preparation. Newly-married couples are also invited to receive a blessing in their first year of marriage. The Mass will take place at St Patrick's Church in Collyhurst on Saturday 14 February 2026 at 1:30pm.