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 18th October 2026
Twenty Nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Friday 16th October
1:30pm Requiem Mass for Bernadette Frost RIP
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Mass, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (Memoria)
followed by the veneration of her relic
St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) was born at Verosvres in Burgundy (France) and joined the Order of the Visitation at Paray-le-Monial. She received mystical revelations concerning the Sacred Heart of Jesus and, with the help of her Jesuit confessor, St Claude de la Colombière, spread this devotion throughout the world. She was canonised in 1920.
7pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 17th October
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Twenty Nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 18th October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Twenty Nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 24th October
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 25th October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£610.18. Thank you for your kind generosity.
The Sanctuary Lamp
This Week (17th October – 23rd October), The Sanctuary Lamp is for Mary Le Pla.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This Week (17th October – 23rd October), Our Lady’s Lamp is for Cathleen & John Paul Haworth.
Feast of St Carlo Acutis – A Heartfelt Thank You
A sincere thank you to everyone who helped make our celebration of the Feast of St Carlo Acutis on Monday such a special and grace-filled day in our parish. We are very grateful to all those who ensured that the church was open and ready to welcome the children, young people, parishioners and visitors who came to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Thank you to everyone who helped organise the music ministry and coordinate the visits of our three parish primary schools — Sacred Heart, St Mary’s and St Oswald’s — ensuring that each group had the opportunity to experience the peace and beauty of Eucharistic Adoration. We are also grateful to all those who joined us for the evening Mass in thanksgiving for the life and witness of St Carlo Acutis. As we continue to give thanks for this special day, let us keep asking St Carlo Acutis to pray for our young people and their families. May his love for the Eucharist inspire them to grow in faith, discover the joy of knowing Jesus and find a welcoming home within the Church. St Carlo Acutis, lover of the Eucharist, pray for us!
Pantasaph Pilgrimage – Saturday 17th October
Please note that the coach will depart at 8:30am sharp, so kindly arrive no later than 8:15am. Lunch will be served at 12pm, but you are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks for the coach if you wish. Please be aware that we will be walking up Calvary Hill for the Stations of the Cross, and the path to the Marian Grotto is uneven. For anyone who may struggle with mobility, you are welcome to remain in the parish hall.
We will depart Pantasaph at 4pm, with an estimated arrival back at approximately 6pm.
We look forward to sharing this special day of pilgrimage with you!
Discovering St Francis and the Franciscan Family
On 4th October the Church marked 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi, whose life and spirituality continue to inspire Christians throughout the world. Some parishioners have asked for recommendations to help them learn more about St Francis and the Franciscan family. Here are five books I have read and found helpful:
1. The Little Flowers of St Francis of Assisi
A collection of stories about St Francis and his early companions.
2. Poverty and Joy: The Franciscan Tradition by William J. Short, OFM
This book explores Franciscan spirituality, showing how poverty, humility and simplicity can lead to a deeper joy in Our Lord. It also introduces St Clare and other important figures in the Franciscan tradition, reflecting on prayer, suffering, healing and our relationship with creation.
3. The Life of St Francis by Ivor Gorby
A biography that I’m currently reading which is a great introduction to the life and spiritual journey of St Francis, from his early years to his radical response to the Gospel and the founding of the Franciscan movement.
4. St Clare of Assisi by Bret Thoman, OFS
St Clare was inspired by St Francis to embrace a life of prayer, poverty and complete trust in God. This book tells of her vocation and the founding of the Poor Clares.
5. The Writings of St Francis, translated by Ignatius Brady, OFM
This collection of writings, from St Francis himself, offers an opportunity to explore his prayers, letters, meditations and reflections. It offers a deeper insight into his love of Christ and his desire to follow the Gospel faithfully.
World Mission Sunday – Sunday 18th October 2026
World Mission Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday 18th October. This is an opportunity for us to pray for missionaries throughout the world and to support their work in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable communities. Pope Leo reminds us:
“Every gift, no matter how small, becomes a meaningful act of missionary communion.”
Missio, the Pope’s charity for world mission, has been supporting missionaries for more than 200 years, providing the spiritual and material resources they need to help local communities build and sustain their faith. Through our prayers and generosity, we can help the Church around the world to share Christ’s love with everyone, particularly those most in need. There will be a collection basket at the back of church, beneath the large crucifix, for anyone who would like to make a financial contribution. Thank you for your prayers and generosity in supporting the Church’s mission throughout the world. Every contribution, however small, can make a real difference.
A Parish Walk to Holy Mary’s Well
Last week, in my homily, I mentioned the Holy Well dedicated to Our Lady, historically known as Holy Mary’s Well, situated not far from Mitchell’s Reservoir, off what is now May Road, just outside Accrington. During the penal times of the 16th and 17th centuries, members of our local Catholic community gathered at this spot to pray and invoke the intercession of Our Lady during this difficult period. Since the homily, several parishioners have contacted me describing the well’s location, while others have expressed surprise at its existence and its connection with our local Catholic heritage. It would be wonderful to organise a parish walk to Holy Mary’s Well during Lent next year, giving us an opportunity to explore this important part of our local history, reflect on the faith of those who came before us, and spend time together in prayer and fellowship. If any parishioner would be willing to help plan and map out a suitable route, please contact the parish office at stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk. We hope this will be an opportunity to rediscover a little of our shared heritage and deepen our appreciation of the faith that has been handed down to us.
October – The Month of the Holy Rosary
October is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a beautiful prayer through which we reflect on the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus with Mary, His Mother. The Rosary invites us to slow down, place ourselves in God’s presence and allow Mary to lead us ever closer to her Son. As we continue through October, we warmly encourage everyone to make time for this simple yet powerful prayer. The Rosary is prayed publicly in church before the Saturday Vigil Mass at 6.00pm and before Sunday Mass at 9.30am, and all are very welcome to join us. If you would like to begin praying the Rosary, or would appreciate some help, rosaries and prayer cards are available from the Piety Stall at the back of the church. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Farewell and Thank You, Fr Francis Wadsworth
On Sunday 25th October Fr Francis Wadsworth will celebrate his last Mass at St Anne’s, Accrington as he concludes five years of faithful ministry here in Hyndburn. We give thanks to God for Fr Wadsworth’s pastoral care and sacramental ministry here to our local Catholic community. He now moves to Holy Family Parish in Denton, where he will continue his studies in British Sign Language (BSL) and his work with the Deaf Catholic community in Salford. May the Lord bless and guide him always, and may Our Lady accompany him in his new mission. Thank you, Fr Francis, and God bless you!
Homelessness - Write to your MP
As part of their latest campaign to support people in our diocese who are homeless, Caritas Salford - our diocesan charity - has put together information on how you can write to your MP to call for change. They are asking for help from people in our parishes, and would like as many as possible to call for Local Housing Allowance rates to be unfrozen and uplifted in line with local rents. The current rates are a significant driver of homelessness, and a letter to your MP could help bring about change to support local families and adults at risk. Find out more and access the free template letter and more on the Caritas website at: www.caritassalford.org.uk/EndHomelessness
A message from SPUC: Promoting a Culture of Life
Following the welcome rejection of assisted suicide in Parliament recently there is still much to do to preserve the sanctity of life within our country. In April this year the same Parliament decriminalised abortion at any stage, for any reason, for a woman aborting her own baby. Self-induced abortion up to birth is now permitted in England and Wales.
If you are shocked by this, you are not alone. A measure of this extreme must not go unopposed. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children is holding a meeting in Oswaldtwistle on Tuesday 20th October at 7.00pm to let you know how you too can be a voice for the voiceless. All are welcome, please do come along to:
Holy Trinity Free Church, 380 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 3NW.
For more information contact chrisleather@spuc.org.uk or call 07557565485.