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
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 25th 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)
Tuesday 27th January
1pm Funeral Service for Baby Thomas Christopher Burton RIP
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass
Wednesday 28th January
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church (Memoria)
St. Thomas was born in Aquino in 1225 A.D. Becoming a Dominican he studied at Cologne under St. Albert the Great. An outstanding thinker, writer and teacher, he died in 1274A.D.
Thursday 29th January
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Weekday Mass
Friday 30th January
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Weekday Mass
Saturday 31st January
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)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (24th January – 30th January) the Sanctuary Lamp is for Jean Dwyer.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This week (24th January – 30th January) Our Lady’s Lamp is for Jean Dwyer.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£731.93. 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.
Caritas Collection
This 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.
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.
St. Carlo Acutis to Visit Diocesan Churches
This month (January 2026), the Diocese of Salford will host the relics of St. Carlo Acutis at two diocesan churches over five days. Born in 1991, St. Carlo is the first millennial saint and he is celebrated for his profound faith and use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles from around the world. At just 7 years old, he wished to receive his First Holy Communion and told his parents, “This is my programme of life.” Alongside his digital Evangelism, St. Carlo is revered for his charitable work and great desire to help others. He gave his time towards helping those experiencing homelessness and hunger in Milan, even purchasing sleeping bags and food for them using his own money. St. Carlo was passionate about spreading the teachings of the Catholic Church up until his death from leukaemia at the age of 15.
About the Relics: Relics consist of physical remains of a saint that are venerated after their death, or they could be objects that have been in contact with a saint. We use the relics as a reminder of the saint’s life, to inspire our own path to sainthood, and to give praise and glory to God.
St Carlo Acutis Relic: This First Class pilgrim relic is a section of the Saint’s pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart. This is a sac filled with water that encloses the heart and the great vessels, holding them in place and protecting the body’s most important organ. The relic, therefore, is of major importance physiologically. The pericardium is preserved in a reliquary and is carried worldwide by the Diocese of Assisi, as custodian of the relics of Carlo Acutis, and respecting Church guidelines.
When and where can you visit the relics? St Mary’s RC Church, Burnley
Wednesday 28th January
10:00am – Opening Liturgy to Welcome the Relics, including explanation of the relics. Open to the faithful for veneration
2:30pm – Talk: Eucharistic Adoration and Miracles
3:00pm – Adoration and open visits
6:00pm-6:30pm – Talk: St Carlo Acutis: An Ordinary Life Becomes Extraordinary
6:30pm – Meditated Rosary with Sayings of Saint Carlo Acutis
7:00pm – Welcome Mass for the Relics with Bishop John Arnold
8:00pm – Church closed
Confessions will be available
Thursday 29th January
9:30am-3:30pm – [Closed for School Visit]
3:30pm – Open visits
4:30pm – Talk on the Eucharist followed by Adoration
6:00pm – Talk on Miracles and Graces of Saint Carlo Acutis
7:00pm – Thanksgiving Mass
8:00pm – Church closed
Parking & Further Information: St. Mary’s has on-site parking; there will be overflow parking at the Cricket Club across the road. St. Mary’s has disabled access – if you have any specific requirements please contact the Youth Team on youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk. There will be no refreshments provided
Address for St Mary’s, Burnley: 3 Todmorden Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB10 4AU
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.
LAST CALL for Online Marriage Programme.
Does your marriage need some TLC? Need help with communication and trust? Retrouvaille helps marriages. It can bring hope and healing to relationships. Next date: 12th February 2026. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 07887 296983
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.