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 21st June
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Friday 19th June
3pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and The Divine Mercy Chaplet
5pm Confessions
6pm Weekday Mass, (Feria)
6:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
8:50pm Benediction
Saturday 20th June
9am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, St Alban (Memoria)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 21st June
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday 23rd June
9:15am Weekday Mass
Wednesday 24th June
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (Solemnity)
Thursday 25th June
10am Weekday Mass
Friday 26th June
3pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and The Divine Mercy Chaplet
5pm Confessions
5:30pm Mass, Saint John Southworth, Priest & Martyr (Feast)
6:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Saturday 27th June
9am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, St Cyril of Alexandria (Memoria)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Saints Peter & Paul (Memoria)
Sunday 28th June
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Saints Peter & Paul (Memoria)
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£630.90. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Happy Father's Day
On this Father's Day, we offer our prayers for all fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and those who fulfil a fatherly role in the lives of others. We thank God for their love, sacrifice, guidance, and care. We also pray for those fathers who are no longer with us and whose absence we fell every day. May they rest in the peace of Christ and continue to live on in the hearts of those who love them. May God bless all fathers today and always.
Day for Life 2026 – Special Collection this Sunday (21st June)
This Sunday, the Church in England and Wales will mark Day for Life, an annual day of prayer, reflection and witness dedicated to promoting the dignity and value of every human life from conception to natural death. This year's theme is "The Wonder of the Child in the Womb", inviting us to reflect on the gift of human life before birth and to pray for parents, families, healthcare professionals, and all who support and protect life. There will be an opportunity to support the work of the Day for Life Fund, which assists organisations and projects that uphold the Church's teaching on the sanctity of life and provide practical support to those facing difficult circumstances. For those who wish to make a financial donation, a basket will be placed beneath the large crucifix at the back of church before and after Masses next weekend. Thank you for your generosity and for your prayers as we continue to uphold the dignity of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God.
A Word of Thanks
This past week I had the privilege of attending the Intercession for Priests' Retreat at Hinsley Hall, Leeds led by Sr Briege McKenna. It was a grace-filled time of prayer, reflection, renewal, and fellowship with brother priests. During this dedicated time of prayer, the parish, all parishioners and your families were very much in my thoughts and prayers. I brought before the Lord your intentions, your joys and sorrows, your hopes and concerns, asking His blessing upon each of you. I would also like to thank you for being the parish family that helps sustain me in my own journey of faith and priesthood. The support, kindness, encouragement, and prayers that I receive from you are a constant source of strength and grace. It is a privilege to serve as your parish priest, and I am deeply grateful for the faith we share and the way we walk together as a parish community. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, as I assure you of mine.
God Bless Fr. O’Brien
The Sacrament of the Sick: A Gift of the Lord's Healing Love
The number of parishioners who came forward at the end of the Masses last weekend to receive the Sacrament of the Sick was a beautiful reminder that this sacrament remains a powerful gift of God's grace and healing. Jesus came among us to teach, to preach, and to heal, and through the ministry of the Church He continues to reach out with His healing love today. Later in the year we hope to hold another Healing Day, similar to the one celebrated on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11th February, when the Sacrament of the Sick and prayer ministry will be available for all who wish to receive them. In the meantime, please never feel anxious or reluctant to ask for the Sacrament of the Sick, whether for yourself or for a loved one. This sacrament is not only for those who are near death, but for anyone whose health is seriously affected by illness (mind and body), age, frailty or addiction. The Lord desires to bring strength, peace, comfort, and healing to His people. That is why He entrusted this wonderful sacrament to His Church. As St James reminds us:
"Are any among you sick? They should send for the priests of the Church, and they should pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up." (James 5:14–15)
If you or a member of your family would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please do not hesitate to contact me. God Bless Fr. O’Brien
Spend Some Time With the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration
Throughout this month of June, St Mary’s will remain open every Friday from 3.00pm until 9.00pm for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. In the midst of busy lives, endless demands and constant distractions, the Lord continues to invite us to come and spend time with Him. Whether for ten minutes or several hours, why not make a visit to church this Friday? Come and sit quietly before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Bring your prayers, your worries, your thanksgiving, or simply your presence.
In his Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, St John Paul II beautifully wrote:
“It is pleasant to spend time with him, to lie close to his breast like the Beloved Disciple and to feel the infinite love present in his heart. If in our time Christians must be distinguished above all by the ‘art of prayer’, how can we not feel a renewed need to spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament? How often, dear brothers and sisters, have I experienced this, and drawn from it strength, consolation and support!”
Many churches today are no longer open for extended periods of quiet prayer. Here at St Mary's, we are seeking to provide that opportunity for people to "drop in", encounter the Lord, and spend time in the peace of His Eucharistic Presence. In the silence of Adoration, Christ strengthens us, consoles us, heals us and draws us ever closer to Himself. The programme each Friday is as follows:
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5.00pm – Confessions
6.00pm – Holy Mass
6.30pm – Continued Adoration
8.50pm – Benediction
The remaining Fridays are 19th, and 26th June. "All who are thirsty, come to the water..." (Isaiah 55:1)
Bishop's Visit, Confirmations & Blessing of the St Carlo Acutis Statue
A reminder that on Tuesday 30th June at 7.00pm, we will be delighted to welcome our Bishop, Rt Rev John Arnold, to St Mary's Church. Bishop John will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 11 young people from across the Deanery of St John Vianney, as they receive a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and are strengthened in their Christian faith. During the Liturgy, the Bishop will also bless our new parish statue of St Carlo Acutis, the young Italian Catholic whose love for the Eucharist and inspiring witness to holiness continue to touch the lives of people throughout the world. We are especially grateful that Bishop John has kindly agreed to bring the diocesan relic of St Carlo Acutis, which will be available for veneration following the Liturgy. This promises to be a joyful and grace-filled evening for our parish and deanery. Everyone is warmly invited to attend and support our Confirmation candidates through their prayers and presence. Refreshments will be served after Mass, providing an opportunity to meet the Bishop and celebrate together as a parish community. Please do make every effort to join us for this special occasion.
A Joyful Celebration with Sacred Heart School
It was a great joy to welcome the children and staff of Sacred Heart School to our 10.00am Parish Mass on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus last Friday. The confidence, enthusiasm, and joy with which the children sang at the Mass was a blessing for us all. Their presence helped to make the celebration especially prayerful reminding us of the vitality and hope that our young people bring to the life of the Church. As we give thanks for their witness of faith, let us continue to keep all our young people in our prayers. Sadly, many children and young people today never have the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Holy Mass or to spend time in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. May we never take these precious gifts for granted, and may we pray that more young hearts will come to know the love of Christ and the peace that is found in His presence. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue to bless and guide all the children, families, and staff of our school community.
Sacred Heart Primary School
Sacred Heart RC Primary School is looking for any passionate parishioners who would be willing to come into our primary school and share their faith with us and their understanding of why having Jesus as a friend is so important with our lovely Reception class. Anyone who would like to come and visit school please contact Mr Cross at: sam.cross@sacredheart-church.lancs.sch.uk.
Prayers and resources for Refugee Week and World Day of Migrants & Refugees
Caritas Salford has a range of prayers and other resources to help as you mark Refugee Week this month. You can find these and other materials on the Caritas website: www.caritassalford.org.uk/resources
To read more about the week, click here: www.caritassalford.org.uk/refugees
New Volunteering Role at Caritas Salford
Our diocesan charity Caritas Salford has a team of almost 200 amazing volunteers, all of whom support their work with people in our parishes who are experiencing poverty, homelessness and discrimination. The team is looking for suitable volunteers who would be interested in giving a little time to work alongside families at their young parent accommodation in Blackburn - supporting and facilitating activities with the babies and their parents. All roles will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring check. To find out more about this or other volunteering opportunities with the charity, visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/volunteer or contact Matt Yates: m.yates@caritassalford.org.uk
