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 November 2026
The Solemnity of All Saints
Friday 30th October
1pm Wedding Service for David Whitley and Chelsea Rawcliffe
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Saturday 31st October
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints
Sunday 1st November - The Solemnity of All Saints
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints
Monday 2nd November – All Souls
10am Mass
12pm Mass
6pm Mass
Tuesday 3rd November
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Mass, Saint Winifride, Virgin (Memoria)
Very little is known for certain about her except that she lived in the 6th/7th century near Treffynon (Holywell) in Clwyd. Her cult has been widespread since the middle ages, centers at Shrewsbury where she remains were enshrined in 1138, and her well at Holywell, which has remained a place of healing and pilgrimage through penal times to today.
Wednesday 4th November
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am, Weekday Mass (Feria)
10:35am – 10:45am Devotions to Saint Joseph
(At the foot of the parish statue of St. Joseph, see below for more details)
Thursday 5th November
10am Requiem Mass for all Deceased Clergy who have served the deanery.
All are welcome to this Mass at St. Mary's of the Assumption Church, Burnley.
Friday 6th November
3.00pm — Divine Mercy Chaplet and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5.00pm — Opportunity for Sacrament of Confession
6.00pm — Holy Mass
6.30pm–6.50pm — Eucharistic Adoration
6.50pm — Solemn Benediction
Saturday 7th November
9:30am Blessing of the Graves at Dill Hall
2pm Parish Remembrance Liturgy (see below for details)
6pm The Holy Rosary for peace in the world
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time
Sunday 8th November
9:30am The Holy Rosary for peace in the world
10am Mass for Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£595.33. Thank you for your kind generosity.
The Sanctuary Lamp
This Week (31st October –6th November), The Sanctuary Lamp is for the Jim and Sadie Pickles.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This Week (31st October – 6th November), Our Lady’s Lamp is for Gladys Boyle.
Welcoming Fr Peter Hapgood-Strickland to Hyndburn
We extend a warm and prayerful welcome to Fr Peter Hapgood-Strickland, who has been appointed by the Bishop of Salford as Parish Priest of St Anne’s and St Joseph’s.
As Fr Peter begins this new chapter in his priestly ministry here in Accrington, we welcome him into our Catholic family across Hyndburn and assure him of our prayers and support. May the Lord bless Fr Peter in his new ministry, strengthen him in his vocation, and guide him as he serves the people of our parishes and the wider community. Welcome to Hyndburn, Fr Peter! Be assured of our prayers as you begin this new journey with us.
Congratulations to David and Chelsea!
Congratulations to David and Chelsea, who celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage today, (Friday 30th October). As they begin their married life together, let us keep the newly married Mr and Mrs Whitely in our prayers. May they always support and encourage one another, grow together in faith, and discover ever more deeply the joy of sharing their lives in the vocation of marriage. May the Lord bless their union with love, patience and faithfulness, and may their life together draw them ever closer to the loving heart of Jesus. We wish them every happiness and God’s abundant blessings for the years ahead.
Devotions to Saint Joseph
On Wednesday 4th November, after the 10am Mass, there will be our devotions to St. Joseph (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 Church, that they may return and find a warm welcome.
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration – “Could You Not Watch One Hour With Me?”
On Friday, 6th November, our church will be open from 3.00pm until 7pm for our monthly First Friday Eucharistic Adoration. The First Friday devotion has a long tradition in the Church and is especially associated with devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At its heart is a simple invitation: make time for Jesus. In the midst of our busy lives, we are invited to come before the Blessed Sacrament, to pray, to be still, and simply to spend time with Our Lord. In the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus is truly present among us. What a wonderful opportunity to enter into His presence, bring Him our prayers and concerns, and allow Him to speak to our hearts.
Friday’s Programme
3.00pm — Divine Mercy Chaplet and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5.00pm — Opportunity for Confession
6.00pm — Holy Mass
6.30pm–6.50pm — Eucharistic Adoration
6.50pm — Solemn Benediction
Could You Give One Hour to the Lord? To ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended, we need two parishioners for each hour to act as our First Friday watchers. If you can commit to an hour, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the noticeboard at the back of church. You don’t need to come for the whole evening. Come for an hour, half an hour, or simply call into church when you can. Everyone is welcome to come and pray, whether or not you are signed up as a watcher. As Jesus asked His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Could you not watch one hour with me?” (Matthew 26:40). Jesus is waiting. Come and spend some time with Him. God Bless, Fr O’Brien
November – A Month of Prayer for the Holy Souls
As we approach November, we enter a special time in the life of the Church when we remember and pray for the Holy Souls and all our loved ones who have died. During this month, we are invited to entrust them to the loving mercy of God, confident in the hope of the Resurrection and eternal life. Throughout November, there will be a number of Masses, liturgies and devotions in our parish to help us remember those who have gone before us in faith.
Monday 2nd November – All Souls’ Day
Fr O’Brien will celebrate three Masses on All Souls’ Day, and all parishioners are warmly invited to attend at 10.00am, 12 noon or 6.00pm. A basket will be placed in front of the altar throughout November for the names of deceased loved ones. You are invited to place the names of those you wish to remember in the basket, knowing that they will be prayed for and remembered at each Mass celebrated during the month.
Thursday 5th November – Requiem Mass for Deceased Priests
At 10.00am, a Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Mary of the Assumption Church, Burnley, for all the deceased priests who have served the communities of East Lancashire within the Deanery of St John Vianney. Parishioners are warmly invited to attend as we give thanks for their priestly ministry and pray for the repose of their souls.
Saturday 7th November – Blessing of the Graves at Dill Hall
At 9.30am, Fr O’Brien will bless the graves of deceased Catholics buried at Dill Hall Cemetery. Families who wish to be present are warmly invited to join him in this prayerful act of remembrance for their loved ones.
Saturday 7th November – Annual Liturgy of Remembrance
At 2.00pm, we will gather in church for our annual Liturgy of Remembrance for the families of those who have died during the past twelve months and whose funerals have taken place at St Mary’s. This will be a special opportunity to remember our loved ones, to pray for them and for their families, and to find comfort in the faith we share.
Wednesday 11th November – Remembrance Day
On National Remembrance Day, we will gather outside the Pietà statue in the church grounds for a short time of prayer and silence. We will remember all those who have served in the Armed Forces, those who have died in conflict, and all victims of war and violence. We pray for peace throughout the world and ask God to comfort all those whose lives continue to be affected by conflict.
Wednesday 18th November – Parish Requiem Mass with Our Primary Schools
At 10.00am, our three parish primary schools — Sacred Heart, St Mary’s and St Oswald’s — will join us for the parish Mass, which will be offered as a Requiem. Each school will bring a book containing the names of deceased loved ones to be placed at the altar. Together, we will pray for those who have died, remembering the intentions of our children, their families and our wider parish community.
As we journey through November, may these moments of prayer and remembrance strengthen our faith, console those who mourn and remind us of the enduring hope we have in Christ. Let us continue to pray for all the faithful departed, entrusting them to the loving mercy of our Heavenly Father.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Mount Carmel Christmas Dinner with Entertainment
Mount Carmel are delighted to invite parishioners to their Christmas Dinner with Entertainment on Monday 30th November from 12:30pm – 2:15pm, to be held at Mount Carmel.
If you would like to attend, please add your name to the sign-up form available at the back of the church by Sunday 22nd November. Alternatively, you may contact the school directly on Tel: (01254) 233458 or email Cmunroe@mountcarmelhigh.lancs.sch.uk for further information.
Mount Carmel look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of festive food, entertainment, and community celebration.
Visit of the Relics of St Gerard Majella
To mark the 300th anniversary of St Gerard Majella's birth his relics will be coming to Our Lady of Grace Church Prestwich (M25 1AS) on Monday 23 November from 5:30pm. Mass at 6:30pm with time for personal blessing with the relic after mass. There will also be the opportunity for confession from 5:30pm. St Gerard is the Patron Saint of mothers, couples trying to conceive, those looking for work, and making a good confession. You are most welcome to join us.
Free Catholic Social Teaching Webinar
Catholic Social Teaching has been referred to as 'the Catholic Church's best kept secret' (Mark Shea). Many people are unaware of the depth of the Church's teaching on social justice, which applies the Gospel to current social issues impacting our communities. On Wednesday 11 November from 6pm to 7.15pm, our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford will be holding a free online session on Catholic Social Teaching, in advance of World Day of the Poor.
To register to join the free webinar, visit: www.caritassalford.org.uk/CSTWebinarNov26
Italian Mass at Salford Cathedral
There will be Mass celebrated in Italian at Salford Cathedral at 2PM on Sunday 6 December. Please do come along.
Una Santa Messa in italiano verrá celebrata al Duomo a Salford, domenica 6 dicembre, a 14:00. Sarete tutti benevenuti.