Fifth Sunday of Lent - Sunday 6th April 2025

Sunday 6th April 2025

 Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Masses & Liturgies for the coming week...

 

Friday 4th April

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

 6pm Lenten Mass

6:30pm Stations of the Cross led by parishioners 

 

Saturday 5th April

9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession

10am Lenten Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel) 

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Sunday 6th April

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass of The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Tuesday 8th April

5pm – 5:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

5:45pm Lenten Weekday Mass

 

Wednesday 9th April

9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

10am Lenten Mass

 10:30am Stations of the Cross

7pm Parish Bible Study (See below for details)

 

Thursday 10th April

9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

10am Lenten Mass

 

Friday 11th April

3pm Funeral Service for Thomas Wheelan RIP at Accrington Crematorium

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

 6pm Lenten Mass

6:30pm Stations of the Cross led by parishioners 

 

Saturday 12th April

9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession

10am Lenten Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel) 

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil Mass of Palm Sunday

 

Sunday 13th April

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass of Palm Sunday

 

 

Sanctuary Lamp

This week (6th April – 12th April), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Jack and Andrew Hargreaves.

 

 

Our Lady's Lamp

This week (6th April – 12th April), Our Lady's Lamp is for C. Hester & M. Hester.

 

 

Last Week's Offertory Collection

£599.94. Thank you for your kind generosity.

 

 

Pastoral Letter: Assisted Suicide  

This weekend there will be a Pastoral Letter from the Bishops Conference which will be read at all Masses in England and Wales this weekend, 5th/6th April. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, is urging Catholics to contact their MPs – even if they have done so already – to oppose the Bill that seeks to legalise assisted suicide. As well as restating the Bishops' objections to the Bill in principle, the Cardinal also expresses his dissatisfaction regarding the "deeply flawed" and under scrutinized parliamentary process.

 

 

Not Dead Yet UK

Not Dead Yet UK is a network of Disabled and terminally ill people who fear that, if the Bill is passed, many people's lives will be ended prematurely due to errors and abuse. The right to choose for the privileged few will be at the expense of the right to a decent life for many. There are postcards that parishioners can sign and post to our MP at the back of church.    

 

 

Mercy in the Holy Year

The Diocese of Salford has produced a number of resources to help us learn more about the theme of mercy and reconciliation in the Jubilee Year, including an FAQ sheet on Plenary Indulgences. To find out more, please visit https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/plenary-indulgences

 

 

Parish Bible Study

The next session is Wednesday 9th April from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better. We've now completed John's Gospel so on the 9th April we will be looking at the different Gospel accounts of the Passion.  

 

 

Parish Easter Egg Raffle

We are hoping to begin our Parish Easter Raffle next weekend and it would be great if parishioners could donate only Easter eggs as prizes. If you are able to kindly donate an Easter egg then please pass them to one of the stewards at the back of church. Tickets are available from the stewards desk at the back of church - £1 a ticket or £5 a strip.

 

 

Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum Dates & Times

Saturday 12th April

6:30pm Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

 

Sunday 13th April

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

 

Tuesday of Holy Week 15th April

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

6pm Holy Week Mass

 

Wednesday of Holy Week 16th April

Today the Mass of the Sacred Chrism is celebrated at St. Patrick's, Collyhurst. At this Holy Week Liturgy all the priests gather, from around the diocese, to renew their priestly promises before the Bishop. It is also at the Liturgy that the Sacred Oils are blessed by the Bishop for the coming year.   

 

Maundy Thursday 17th April

7:30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper

8:30pm Watching at the Altar of Repose

9:30pm Compline (Night Prayer)

 

Good Friday 18th April

8:30am – 9:45am Confessions

10am Stations of the Cross

3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion

 

Holy Saturday 19th April

8:30pm The Solemn Easter Vigil

 

Easter Sunday 20th April

9:30am The Holy Rosary

10am Mass

 

 

Holy Week Retreat at Stonyhurst

A prayerful retreat focusing on the true meaning of Easter is taking place at Stonyhurst College this Holy Week. The retreat will run from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday and provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resurrection of faith and foster a sense of community and spiritual renewal. A special Children and Young People's programme has also been developed for our young parishioners. Find out more at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/stonyhurst-holy-week-retreat/

 

 

CAFOD's Myanmar Earthquake Appeal

CAFOD (the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development) has shared details of its Myanmar Earthquake Appeal. Funds raised for this appeal will provide much-needed water, food, solar lights, mosquito nets and water purification tablets to those devastated by this disaster. Your generosity will extend far and wide and will help the Catholic Church in Myanmar bring comfort and relief to families who are in urgent need. Visit cafod.org.uk/myanmar to find out more and donate.

 

 

Caritas Salford E-newsletter

Did you know that Caritas, our diocesan charity, now has a monthly e-newsletter providing updates, free resources, news and event details, plus much more? To begin to receive it, visit: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/newsletter/

 

 

Lourdes Diocesan Youth Group

Are there any young people in your parish who might want to join this year's pilgrimage to Lourdes? The Salford Lourdes Coordination Team and the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team have set up a new "group" so that any young person can join the pilgrimage without having to set up a parish or school-based group. The pilgrimage dates are from 30th July to 7th August inclusive of travel, which is by coach, and will cost £669 including travel, hotel accommodation, and all meals.

Young people can join one of three age groups:

·         13-15 (aspiring volunteers)

·         16-17

·         18+

If you have any young people who might be interested, please ask them to send an email to youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk and all the information they need will be sent back to them. Please promote this great opportunity in your parishes to help our young people grow in their faith and build community in this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope.

 

 

Diocesan Youth Ministry Pilgrimages

Our diocesan youth ministry team is organising two fantastic pilgrimage opportunities, led by Bishop John, for young people in Years 7, 8, and 9. The first pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 3 May with a pilgrimage to Walsingham, in conjunction with our main diocesan pilgrimage. The second is a pilgrimage to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, taking place between 20-22 June. Find out more and register at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/youth/ministry/prayer-and-pilgrimage

 

 

God Bless and keep praying.

Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

 

Fr. O'Brien

Laetare Sunday - Sunday 30th March 2025

Sunday 30th March 2025

 Laetare Sunday

 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

 

There is but one and only one,

Whose love will fail you never.

One who lives from sun to sun,

With constant fond endeavour.

 

There is but one and only one

On earth there is no other.

In heaven a noble work was done

When God gave us a Mother.

 

- Author Unknown

 

 

Masses & Liturgies for the coming week...

 

Friday 28th March

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

 6pm Lenten Mass

6:30pm Stations of the Cross led by parishioners 

 

Saturday 29th March

9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession

10am Lenten Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel) 

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

 

Sunday 30th March

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass of The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

 

Tuesday 1st April

5pm – 5:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

5:45pm Lenten Weekday Mass

 

Wednesday 2nd April

9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

10am Lenten Mass

 10:30am Stations of the Cross

 

Thursday 3rd April

9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

10am Lenten Mass

 

Friday 4th April

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

 6pm Lenten Mass

6:30pm Stations of the Cross led by parishioners 

 

Saturday 5th April

9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession

10am Lenten Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel) 

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Sunday 6th April

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass of The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

 

Sanctuary Lamp

This week (29th March - 5th April), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Martin Dwyer.

 

 

Our Lady's Lamp

This week (29th March – 5th April), Our Lady's Lamp is for Thomas Anderton.

 

 

Last Week's Offertory Collection

£631.35. Thank you for your kind generosity.

 

 

Parish Lenten & Easter Walks

Thank you to all those who came on the parish walk on Sunday following the Tolkein Trail. As always, the opportunity of spending time with the parish family was greatly appreciated by all who came. Some parishioners have kindly offered to facilitate more walks in the future so watch this space. If feel inspired to facilitate a walk please contact the parish office stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk       

 

 

Tuesday Evening Masses

Each Tuesday evening, starting from Tuesday 25th March (this week) until July, I'll be doing an online study programme with Unbound Ministry Training UK to help me further develop skills as a priest in and around the area of spiritual healing. The course begins at 6:30pm every Tuesday so for the next 14 weeks, temporarily, I'll be celebrating Tuesday Mass 15 minutes earlier at 5:45pm unless advertised differently.  

 

 

Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel

The next session is Wednesday 9th April from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better. We've now completed John's Gospel so on the 9th April we will be looking at different Gospel accounts of the Passion.   

 

 

Parish Easter Egg Raffle

We are hoping to begin our Parish Easter Raffle next weekend and it would be great if parishioners could donate only Easter eggs as prizes. If you are able to kindly donate an Easter egg then please pass them to one of the stewards at the back of church. Tickets are available from the stewards desk at the back of church  - £1 a ticket or £5 a strip.

 

 

Easter Flowers

Each year (Christmas & Easter) we offer the opportunity for people to sponsor a flower display in church in prayer for a loved one who has died or for deceased family and friends. We are blessed to have Maureen and other volunteers who freely share their talents to make this happen so that the windows in church and the statues of St. Patrick, St. Joseph and St. Margaret Clitherow are beautifully decorated. If you would like to sponsor a display for £20 please see Maureen Mullen personally this year with your money (Maureen is usually available at church on Wednesday mornings, Friday mornings and Sunday mornings). There has been a significant increase to the cost of flowers so if people would like to donate money for flowers in general during the Easter season then please put your donation in an envelope marked 'Flower Money'. Thank you. 

 

 

Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum Dates & Times

Saturday 12th April

6:30pm Vigil Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

 

Sunday 13th April

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

 

Tuesday of Holy Week 15th April

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

6pm Holy Week Mass

 

Wednesday of Holy Week 16th April

Today the Mass of the Sacred Chrism is celebrated at St. Patrick's, Collyhurst. At this Holy Week Liturgy all the priests gather, from around the diocese, to renew their priestly promises before the Bishop. It is also at the Liturgy that the Sacred Oils are blessed by the Bishop for the coming year.   

 

Maundy Thursday 17th April

7:30pm Mass of the Lord's Supper

8:30pm Watching at the Altar of Repose

9:30pm Compline (Night Prayer)

 

Good Friday 18th April

8:30am – 9:45am Confessions

10am Stations of the Cross

3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion

 

Holy Saturday 19th April

8:30pm The Solemn Easter Vigil

 

Easter Sunday 20th April

9:30am The Holy Rosary

10am Mass

 

 

 

Holy Week Retreat at Stonyhurst

A prayerful retreat focusing on the true meaning of Easter is taking place at Stonyhurst College this Holy Week. The retreat will run from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday and provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resurrection of faith and foster a sense of community and spiritual renewal. A special Children and Young People's programme has also been developed for our young parishioners. Find out more at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/stonyhurst-holy-week-retreat/

 

 

Diocesan Youth Ministry Pilgrimages

Our diocesan youth ministry team is organising two fantastic pilgrimage opportunities, led by Bishop John, for young people in Years 7, 8, and 9. The first pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 3 May with a pilgrimage to Walsingham, in conjunction with our main diocesan pilgrimage. The second is a pilgrimage to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, taking place between 20-22 June. Find out more and register at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/youth/ministry/prayer-and-pilgrimage

 

 

Are you aged between 18 and 35 or know someone who is? 

Our diocesan charity Caritas Diocese of Salford is looking for young adult volunteers to join their governance committee as co-opted members to help shape the charity in the coming months and years. Find out more about how you can help tackle poverty, homelessness, disadvantage, and displacement in our parish communities at www.caritassalford.org.uk/youngadultboard 

 

 

Thank you from Caritas Salford

Thank you to everyone who has already supported our diocesan charity, Caritas Diocese of Salford, during this year's Lent campaign. Services have continued to increase, and all of your prayers, kindness and generosity make a huge difference to the lives of people in our parish communities. To find out more about ways Caritas helps local people or to make a donation or support in another ways this Lent or beyond, visit www.caritassalford.org.uk 

 

 

Mass for People who are Sick and People with Caring Responsibilities

A special Mass to mark the Jubilee for People who are Sick and People with Caring Responsibilities will be taking place on Saturday 5 April. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John, will also include an opportunity for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Mass begins at 2pm at Salford Cathedral's Temporary Church. All are welcome to attend. 

 

 

 

God Bless and keep praying.

Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

 

Fr. O'Brien

Third Sunday of Lent - Sunday 23rd March 2025

Sunday 23rd March 2025

 Third Sunday of Lent

Facebook (St Marys RC Church Oswaldtwistle)

https://www.facebook.com/share/164UHbBSuw/

Instagram (stmarysrcoswaldtwistle)

https://www.instagram.com/stmarysrcoswaldtwistle?utm_source=qr&igsh=MTl5cHhqdm9yOWtp

Masses & Liturgies for the coming week...

Friday 21st March

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

 6pm Lenten Mass

6:30pm Stations of the Cross led by parishioners  

Saturday 22nd March

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Third Sunday of Lent

Sunday 23rd March

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Pope Francis

10am Mass of The Third Sunday of Lent

1:30pm Parish Walk – Tolkein Trail (See below for details)

Tuesday 25th March

5pm – 5:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

5:45pm Mass, The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)  

The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the most important in the Church calendar. First, it celebrates the actual Incarnation of Our Savior -- the Word made flesh in the womb of His mother, Mary. Second, it is a principal Marian feast. Two other feasts honouring Our Lord's mother, the Assumption (August 15th), and the Immaculate Conception (December 8th). New Year's Day, January 1st, is observed as a Solemnity of Mary.

Wednesday 26th March

9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

10am Lenten Mass

 10:30am Stations of the Cross

7pm Parish Bible Study (See below for details)

Thursday 27th March

9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

10am Lenten Mass

Friday 28th March

5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

 6pm Lenten Mass

6:30pm Stations of the Cross led by parishioners  

Saturday 29th March

9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession

10am Lenten Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)  

6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Sunday 30th March

9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World

10am Mass of The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Sanctuary Lamp

This week (22nd March – 29th March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Michael Salmon.

Our Lady's Lamp

This week (22nd March – 29th March), Our Lady's Lamp is for Family Prayers Needed.

Last Week's Offertory Collection

£640.15. Thank you for your kind generosity.

Tuesday Evening Masses

Each Tuesday evening, starting from Tuesday 25th March (this week) until July, I'll be doing an online study programme with Unbound Ministry Training UK to help me further develop skills as a priest in and around the area of spiritual healing. The course begins at 6:30pm every Tuesday so for the next 14 weeks, temporarily, I'll be celebrating Tuesday Mass 15 minutes earlier at 5:45pm unless advertised differently.  

 

Lancashire Martyr Talks

On behalf of our parish, I would like to thank Fr. John Broadley for the talks he prepared and delivered about Ven. Edward Rishton and Blessed Robert Nutter & Ven. John Nutter. Priests who ministered to the local Catholic community 400 hundred years ago while facing aggressive persecution from the state authorities. All those who attended the talks have said how informative they found Fr. Broadley's presentations and it made many pause for thought.    

Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel

The next session is Wednesday 26th March from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better.

Parish Lenten & Easter Walks

Thank you to all those who came on the parish walk on Sunday. As always, the opportunity of spending time with the parish family was greatly appreciated by all who came. Sadly, nobody has come forward to facilitate a future walk but if you do feel inspired please contact the parish office stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk        

Parish Easter Egg Raffle

We are hoping to begin our Parish Easter Raffle next weekend and it would be great if parishioners could donate only Easter eggs as prizes. If you are able to kindly donate an Easter egg then please pass them to one of the stewards at the back of church. Tickets will be available from the weekend of 22nd /23rdMarch (£1 a ticket or £5 a strip).

Easter Flowers

Each year (Christmas & Easter) we offer the opportunity for people to sponsor a flower display in church in prayer for a loved one who has died or for deceased family and friends. We are blessed to have Maureen and other volunteers who freely share their talents to make this happen so that the windows in church and the statues of St. Patrick, St. Joseph and St. Margaret Clitherow are beautifully decorated. If you would like to sponsor a display for £20 please see Maureen Mullen personally this year with your money (Maureen is usually available at church on Wednesday mornings, Friday mornings and Sunday mornings). There has been a significant increase to the cost of flowers so if people would like to donate money for flowers in general during the Easter season then please put your donation in an envelope marked 'Flower Money'. Thank you.  

Lenten Day Retreat

The Parish of Our Lady of Hope in Salford is hosting a Day Retreat to help us prepare and reflect during this season of Lent. Taking place at Ss Peter and Paul RC Church, the retreat will include time for Adoration, praise and worship, with talks from guest speakers John Hesketh and Daniella Stephens. The retreat takes place on Saturday 29 March, 10am - 4pm. Lunch will be provided.

 

Lourdes Diocesan Youth Group

Are you a young person looking to take part in a pilgrimage this year? Do you want to make new friends, build community, and grow in your faith together as a pilgrim of hope? Why not join the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes between 30th July to 7th August? Cost per person is £669, including travel by coach, hotel accommodation, and all meals. Young people can join one of three age groups made up of young pilgrims from across the diocese: 13-15 (aspiring volunteers), 16-17, and 18+. For more information or to register, please email youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk.

Diocesan Youth Ministry Pilgrimages

Our diocesan youth ministry team is organising two fantastic pilgrimage opportunities, led by Bishop John, for young people in Years 7, 8, and 9. The first pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 3 May with a pilgrimage to Walsingham, in conjunction with our main diocesan pilgrimage. The second is a pilgrimage to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, taking place between 20-22 June. Find out more and register at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/youth/ministry/prayer-and-pilgrimage

Are you aged between 18 and 35 or know someone who is?

Our diocesan charity Caritas Diocese of Salford is looking for young adult volunteers to join their governance committee as co-opted members to help shape the charity in the coming months and years. Find out more about how you can help tackle poverty, homelessness, disadvantage, and displacement in our parish communities at www.caritassalford.org.uk/youngadultboard

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham 2025

Our diocesan pilgrimage office is now taking bookings for its next annual pilgrimage to Walsingham. Our pilgrimage in this Holy Year of Jubilee will take place on Saturday 3 May 2025, with an option to extend your visit by staying overnight on Friday 2 May. For more information, prices, and details on how to book, please visit https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/walsingham-pilgrimage-2025 or call 0161 817 2209

Mass for People who are Sick and People with Caring Responsibilities

A special Mass to mark the Jubilee for People who are Sick and People with Caring Responsibilities will be taking place on Saturday 5 April. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John, will also include an opportunity for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Mass begins at 2pm at Salford Cathedral's Temporary Church. All are welcome to attend.

God Bless and keep praying.

Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Fr. O'Brien