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 30th November 2025
First Sunday of Advent
Masses & Liturgies for the following week ...
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady
2pm Parish Pilgrimage – St Mary’s, Burnley (See below for details)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for First Sunday of Advent
Sunday 30th November
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for First Sunday of Advent
Wednesday 3rd December
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Francis Xavier (Memoria)
St. Francis Xavier was a friend of St. Ignatius Loyola, one of the first Jesuits, he preached in India, Japan and China where he died in 1552.
10:35am Devotions to Saint Joseph
(At the foot of the parish statue of St. Joseph, see below for more details)
7pm Reconciliation Service at Christ Church, Nelson
Thursday 4th December
9:30am Weekday Mass (Feria)
Friday 5th December
5pm – 5:45pm Adoration of Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Advent Weekday Mass
Saturday 6th December
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Nicholas, Bishop (Memoria)
St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra, in what is now Turkey; he died in the fourth century in Eastern Europe. "Saint Nicholas" distributes presents to children on this day, in remembrance of his charity and care as a bishop.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 23rd November
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (29th November – 5th December), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Bernice and Michael Power.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This week (29th November – 5th December), Our Lady’s Lamp is for Michael Beard.
Last Week’s Offertory Collection
£628.94. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Devotions to Saint Joseph
On Wednesday 3rd December, after the 10am Mass, there will be our first Wednesday 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.
Mini Parish Jubilee Pilgrimage – This Saturday!
This Saturday, 29th November, we will make our parish Jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Door at St Mary’s, Burnley. A Jubilee Year is God’s invitation to begin again — to be refreshed, renewed, and restored in His love. Passing through the Holy Door is a powerful symbol of stepping into a new future with God at the centre, open to all His blessings and graces. We will gather at the main entrance of St Mary’s at 2:00pm and pass through the Holy Door together, followed by prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and refreshments at 3:00pm in the parish room.
The parish minibus will leave promptly at 1:30pm from St Mary’s Oswaldtwistle car park. For those travelling independently, parking is available via Todmorden Road (postcode BB10 4AU).
Let us come together as a parish family and allow the Lord to refresh and renew us as we cross the Holy Door with faith and hope.
The Season of Advent – A Time of Waiting, Hope, and New Light
This weekend marks the beginning of Advent, the beautiful season when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ — in history at Bethlehem, in mystery through grace, and in glory at the end of time. Advent calls us to slow down, pray, and make room for the Lord who desires to be born anew in each of us. At all Masses this weekend, we will bless our Parish Advent Wreath, the traditional sign of the growing light of Christ breaking into our world.
Advent Reading Recommendations
If you’d like something to accompany your spiritual journey this Advent, here are a few excellent and accessible options:
“Advent of the Heart” – Fr Alfred Delp, SJ
Short, powerful reflections written from prison during WWII — full of hope and depth.
“Advent Gospel Reflections” – Bishop Robert Barron & Word on Fire
Daily scripture reflections that are brief, clear, and inspiring.
“Rejoice! An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Scripture” – Ascension Press
A simple, prayerful weekly guide to preparing for Christmas.
“Soundings: Advent Readings” – C.S. Lewis
Reflective pieces that invite deeper thought and a renewed sense of wonder.
“Rooted in Hope” – A Carmelite Advent Prayer Book
A contemplative approach to Advent, ideal for quiet moments of prayer.
Choosing even a small book or daily reflection can help make Advent a time of real renewal.
Advent Reconciliation Service – Wednesday 3rd December
As we prepare spiritually for Christmas, we have been warmly invited to a Advent Reconciliation Service on Wednesday 3rd December by the Catholic community at Christ Church, Nelson a 7:00pm. There will be five priests available to hear Confessions, including Fr O’Brien.
Jesus said to the Samaritan Woman: “If only you knew what God is offering!”
Let us take a small step of faith and be ready to receive from the abundance of God’s mercy.
Confession Times at St Mary’s, Oswaldtwistle
Throughout Advent, Confession will also be available in our parish:
Fridays: 5:00pm – 5:50pm
Saturdays: 9:00am – 9:50am
Let this holy season be a time of forgiveness, renewal, and joyful return to the Lord who loves us.
Dates for Your Diary: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
On Monday 8th December we will celebrate the beautiful Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with a parish Mass at 7:00pm, and everyone is warmly invited to come. During this Mass, Fr O’Brien will consecrate our parish to Our Lady, asking for her grace and blessing to help us grow as a parish family and to renew us in the faith of her Son, Jesus. Let us come together in prayer and devotion as we entrust our parish to Mary’s loving care.
Parish Bible Study
With the Advent season and preparations for the Christmas holidays and peoples diaries being very busy the next parish bible sessions will start in January 2026. Watch this space for the next date as we continue to walk with the early Church through the Acts of the Apostles. All you need is yourself and a Bible — and a warm welcome awaits you!
109th Loyola Scout Group Christmas Fayre.
Saturday 6th December 2025, 10am to 1pm at The Scout HQ, Mill Hill, OswalBB53LX. (Behind Tesco; Car Park off Harvey Street.) Raffle, Tombola, Games, Cafe and More. Come and visit Father Christmas and have lunch in our pop-up cafe. £1 Entry includes free raffle ticket. (Accompanied children free.
Caritas Salford Advent Appeal
Our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford, has released its 2025 Advent appeal to shine the spotlight on the true meaning of Christmas. To watch their latest animation and to find out more about how to help local people who are facing acute crisis this Christmas, please visit: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/campaign/bee-there-2025/
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Our diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage group invites you to a special Mass in preparation for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John, will take place at 3pm on Sunday 7 December at St Patrick's, Collyhurst (M4 5HF). Following Mass, information will be shared by the Salford Lourdes Pilgrimage group on plans for the 2026 pilgrimage.
A Day of Reflection on the role of Sacred Music in the Liturgy
On 29 November, a practical day course will be held on understanding the use of Sacred Music within the Mass, starting at 11am and finishing with sung Mass at 5:15pm. The morning session will take place at St. Augustine’s, Grosvenor Square, and the afternoon session and Mass will take place at St. Mary’s, the Hidden Gem. The cost is £20 per person, which includes a buffet lunch and light refreshments. To book and for more information please contact Dr. Rosemarie Darby via email: rosemarie.darby@manchester.ac.uk
Sustainable Wreath Making Workshops at Laudato Si' Centre
If you are interested in learning how to make your own Advent decorations using sustainable materials, why not sign up for one of the Laudato Si' Centre's upcoming wreath making workshops? The workshops are taking place on the below dates:
Friday 28th November from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Friday 5th December from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Please email laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk for pricing, further information, and to book your place!
Laudato Si' Centre Volunteer Call-out: Retired Educators
The Diocese of Salford's Environment Team is inviting retired education staff to volunteer at the Laudato Si' Centre to assist with their successful programme of school visits. Volunteers would be supporting sessions with children from nursery age to Year 11 with activities including arts and crafts, games, and foraging. To find out more, please email laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk.
December Carol Services: Diocese of Salford Schools' Singing Programme
The Diocese of Salford Schools’ Singing Programme will be hosting a series of free carol services in churches across the diocese this December. Each service begins at 6.30pm and includes traditional carols and readings as part of a one-hour programme. Find your nearest service at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/whats-on/