Saturday 17th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Mass Saint Anthony, Abbot (Memoria)
St. Anthony, inspired by the words of Jesus which he heard proclaimed in the Gospel at Mass, retired to the Egyptian desert at the age of twenty. He attracted many to the monastic life, dying in the year 356.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sunday 18th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Wednesday 21st January
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Agnes (Memoria)
St. Agnes, Virgin & Martyr, was martyred at the age of twelve or thirteen, according to St. Ambrose, around the year 300 A.D.
7pm Parish Bible Study (see below for details)
Thursday 22nd January
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Weekday Mass
Friday 23rd January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Weekday Mass
Saturday 24th January
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Mass Saint Francis De Sales, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (Memoria)
St. Francis de Sales was born into a noble family in Annecy in 1597. He was ordained a priest and worked strenuously for the Church by distributing printed essays on the Faith. He became Bishop of Geneva and is patron saint of journalists and writers.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sunday 25th January
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (17th – 24th January), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Andrew Leyland RIP.
Our Lady's Lamp
This week (17th – 24th January), Our Lady's Lamp is for Matthew Brown.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£685.68. Thank you for your kind generosity.
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.
A BIG THANK YOU to all Parish Volunteers!
I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all those who were able to come together for the Volunteers Jacob's Join last Sunday, and for the wonderful spread of food that was so generously brought and shared. It was a joyful and fitting way to bring the Christmas season to a close. Once again, thank you to everyone who, in so many ways, helps to make St Mary's a place of welcome, fellowship, and genuine encounter with the Lord. Your generosity, hospitality, and quiet dedication continue to be a great blessing to our parish community. God Bless Fr. O'Brien
Volunteering at St Mary's – Stepping Forward in Service
St Mary's continues to be a place of prayer, welcome, and encounter with the Lord because so many parishioners quietly and generously give their time. As parish life continues to grow, new volunteers are always needed to help support this shared mission. Offering your time — even in a small way — is a beautiful expression of faith and service. Below are just some of the areas where help is currently needed. All volunteers follow the Salford Diocesan Safe Recruitment process, and some roles require a DBS, which the Parish Safeguarding Representative and Diocese will support. St Mary's is committed to a strong culture of safeguarding so that all may feel safe and welcome.
Stewards
Stewards play a vital role in the life of the parish. They help open the church for Masses, Adoration, Confessions, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, and are often the first friendly face people encounter. Stewards work as part of a team, so no one is overburdened. Contact: Jennifer Pickles after Sunday Mass or email jennifer.pickles@virginmedia.com
Church Cleaners
Our dedicated cleaning team ensures the church remains a prayerful and welcoming space. Cleaning takes place on a rota basis each Tuesday — the more volunteers, the lighter the commitment for everyone. Contact: Karen Beard at jakey9998@aol.com
Garden and Grounds Team
Volunteers help care for the parish grounds, paths, and car park — essential work, especially during winter. The team usually meets on Wednesdays and no special skills are required. Contact: Navada Keenan at keenannavada@gmail.com
If you feel called to help, or would simply like more information, please do step forward. Together, we continue to make St Mary's a place where all can encounter Christ.
A Reminder: Bringing Holy Water Home
Parishioners are kindly reminded to bring a bottle or suitable container to take blessed holy water home. This water reminds us of our Baptism — that we are children of God and deeply loved by Him, not because of what we do, but simply because we are His. Holy water may be used to bless ourselves each night, to bless children during bedtime prayers, or to bless the home each Sunday, helping us keep our baptismal identity alive in our daily lives. The Holy Water container is at the back of the church, please ask one of the stewards.
Caritas Sunday
Did you know that on Sunday 25th January, we will be marking Caritas Sunday? This annual occasion is a great opportunity to celebrate work of our diocesan charity, Caritas Diocese of Salford. To find out more about the work of Caritas Salford and how you can get involved, please visit https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/campaign/caritas-sunday/. We invite you to keep our diocesan charity in your prayers over this coming week.
Caritas Collection
On the weekend (24th/25th January) Caritas have their diocesan mandatory collection. There will be a basket at the back of church, under the large crucifix, for anybody who wishes to donate monies to this charity. Caritas Salford Mission Statement: Our mission is to help those across the Diocese of Salford, experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination to transform their lives with dignity. We provide a practical response to those in crisis, suffering hardship or who are at risk. We rebuild lives for the long-term, enabling people to live in a safe, healthy and secure environment. We call for a better, more just world where the voices of the poor are heard and acted upon and positively influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect those in need.
Parish Bible Study – Returning This January
Our Parish Bible Study resumes every other Wednesday from 7.00–8.00pm, beginning Wednesday 21st January 2026. All are very welcome. We are continuing our journey through the Acts of the Apostles and will begin by exploring chapters 12 and 13. So far in Acts (chapters 1–10), we have seen the Risen Lord ascend into heaven, the Holy Spirit descend at Pentecost, and the Church born in power and courage. We have followed the apostles as they preach, heal, suffer persecution, and grow in faith, while the Gospel begins to move beyond Jerusalem to the wider world. We have witnessed God breaking down barriers, calling unexpected people, and showing that salvation in Christ is for all. You do not need any prior knowledge — just bring a Bible and a willingness to come to know the Lord better and to hear Him speak through His Word. This is a relaxed and prayerful opportunity to grow in faith together. Everyone is warmly welcome.
Relics of St Carlo Acutis to Visit Diocese of Salford
In January, the relics of St Carlo Acutis will be hosted at two of our churches over five days, during which time the Diocese will welcome schools, parishioners and people from all over for veneration. Carlo is the first millennial saint and is celebrated for his profound faith and his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles from around the world. He was passionate about spreading the teachings of the Catholic Church up until his death from leukaemia at the age of 15. The relics will be presented at St Mary's Church, Burnley from 28-29 January 2026 before they travel to St Patrick's Church, Collyhurst from 30 January to 1 February 2026. More information will be shared soon with parishes and on the Diocesan website and social media channels.