Sunday 9th March 2025
First Sunday of Lent
News!!! Social Media News!!!
St. Mary's is now Live on Facebook and Instagram allowing us to be a visible presence on social media. A new first in the history of our parish! My thanks and appreciation to parishioner Jacqueline Fofah who has volunteered to be our parish social media co-ordinator and has set up our Facebook and Instagram page.
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 7th March
1:40pm Funeral Service for Mary Frieda McNeill RIP at Accrington Crematorium
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday 8th March
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Lenten Weekday Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Pope Francis
6:30pm Vigil Mass of The First Sunday of Lent
Sunday 9th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Pope Francis
10am Mass of The First Sunday of Lent
Tuesday 11th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Mass
Wednesday 12th 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 13th March
10am Requiem Mass for Philip Spittal RIP
1:15pm Funeral Service for Jean Leyland RIP
7pm Lenten Lancashire Martyrs Talk: Blessed Robert Nutter & Venerable John Nutter
(See below for details)
Friday 14th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Lenten Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross led by parishioners
Saturday 15th March
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Sacrament of Confession
10am Lenten Mass (Celebrated in Lady Chapel)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Pope Francis
6:30pm Vigil Mass of The Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 16th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Pope Francis
10am Mass of The Second Sunday of Lent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (8th March – 15th March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Richard & Gertrude Henry, Cathleen & John Paul Haworth.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£672.92. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Second Collection Notice for this Weekend (8th/9th March) - Sick and Retired Clergy Fund
Our Diocesan Retired Priests' Fund is a vital resource that provides accommodation, care, and support to our clergy during their retirement after years of dedicated service to our diocesan community. As the number of priests reaching retirement age has grown, this fund has never been more needed to ensure our clergy can enjoy the happy and dignified retirement they so deserve.
When the fund was first established, it was practice having a specified second collection in parishes to help support the fund. These Second Collection dates were paused during Covid and, as yet, have not returned. The Vicars General have agreed that active collecting for the Fund should resume this year, and so there will be a Second Collection on the First Sunday of Lent (8th/9th March). We invite you to find out more about this fund and read our newsletter by visiting: https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/sick-and-retired-clergy-fund/
Lancashire Martyr Talks – 13th March & 18th March
This Lent Fr. John Broadley, parish priest of St. Marie's, Haslingden and church historian has very kindly agreed to give two talks on some of the Lancashire Martyrs. In this Holy Year with the theme 'Pilgrims of Hope', it is a good time to reflect and celebrate those past pilgrims of our Church who have trod our county of Lancashire holding on to the Faith despite persecution.
7pm Thursday 13th March: Blessed Robert Nutter & Venerable John Nutter.
7pm Tuesday 18th March: Venerable Edward Rishton.
Refreshments will be available after each talk and all are welcome.
Parish Bible Study – St. John's Gospel
The next session is Wednesday 12th March from 7pm – 8pm. All are welcome. All you need is a Bible and an openness to come to know Our Lord better.
Foodbank Donations
One of our parishioner's, Jackie Ringer who many of you will know from Mass and St. Mary's Rainbows, is hoping to re-establish our Foodbank Donation Box.
Oswaldtwistle Churches Together Food Bank, based at Rhyddings Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Oswaldtwistle opened in 2013. Members of St Mary's parish were involved in the original set up and volunteered on a regular basis over a period of time. St Mary's was a collection point with a food donation box at the back of church. Covid arrived and the collections ceased. As Lent is approaching, I am asking that we resurrect the box and ask my fellow parishioners to donate food items and/or toiletries. I will oversee this and will take the items on a regular basis to the foodbank. Many Thanks Jackie
This weekend there will be a labelled donation box at the back of church for all those who would like to contribute. For more information or any questions for Jackie please email the parish office – stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk - and we'll forward them on.
The Sacrament of Confession
"There are people who are afraid to go to confession, forgetting that they will not encounter a severe judge there, but the immensely merciful Father." - Pope Franics
During Lent the Sacrament of Confession will be available on Tuesdays 5pm -5:45pm and Saturdays 9am – 9:45am.
Stations of the Cross
"In difficult moments, I will fix my gaze upon the silent Heart of Jesus stretched on the Cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful Heart, will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting." – St. Faustina
During Lent following from the Wednesday morning parish Mass there will be an opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross (led by Fr. O'Brien) and after the Friday 6pm parish Mass there will be another opportunity to pray the Stations (led by parishioners – thank you to all those who have kindly volunteered).
Parish Lenten & Easter Walks
It would be wonderful to have some parish walks again this year however to do that we need people who are willing to facilitate and lead them. If any parishioners would like to volunteer to undertake this then please contact the parish office stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.co.uk. In the meantime Fr. O'Brien will lead a walk along the Tolkein Trail
Tolkein Trail Sunday 23rd March (Lent)
The Lord of the Rings reminds us of the power of Good over Evil. It was this landscape in the Ribble valley, around Stonyhurst College, that was meant to have shaped Tolkein's imagination when writing about the home of the Hobbits – The Shire.
Meeting at Hurst Green village car park by the Bayley Arms, 1:30pm
Distance 6 ½ miles 10.5km, Approx 3 hours
It is important to note that each person who joins us will be responsible for themselves and those in their family group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Be prepared for muddy hillsides and fells. Bring appropriate footware, clothing and food and drinks for the journey.
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.
A Message from the Friendship Club
The Friendship Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month in St Joseph's Parish Hall, Belgarth Rd, Accrington. We seem to have lost many of our friends from St Mary's Parish and we would love to meet new ones. We meet between 1:30pm and finish about 4:30pm. All are welcome male or female, young or old. If you have mobility or transport problems, we can often help you out. With this in mind many of our drivers can no longer help due to age related problems, we would also welcome volunteers to ferry some of our members to and from. For more information call Susan McKeown 07910747347
Jubilee for Communications
In celebration of the Holy Year, we are having a Jubilee of Jubilees to shine a light on a number of different themes represented in our diocese. We begin with our Jubilee for Communications, in which we explore this month's Gospels to reflect on how we can share the Good News in our world today. Access the resources now at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/jubilee-2025/calendar/
Diocesan Synod
Last weekend saw the final phase of the Diocese of Salford Synod, which was started back in 2023. On Saturday our Parish representatives - Sharon and Mike - joined around 175 clergy and lay people from all over the Diocese to review the 40 recommendations that had been submitted as part of the Synodal programme and to vote on the top 4 priorities across 4 different headings. The headings are:
Leadership and Collaboration
Spirituality and Formation
Young People & Schools
Community and Outreach
It is worth noting that all 40 recommendations are worthy of implementation, but the chosen 16 will be the first areas that Bishop John Arnold and the Synod team will focus on as part of the implementation stage of the pastoral plan for the diocese. As Bishop John explained in his closing comments, the next step is to develop the policies to support the implementation of the first 16 recommendations, and he is going to gather a group of clergy, religious and lay people together how they form policies based on the recommendations. As soon as we have further news on the next steps, we will let you know. The final part of this phase was the Closing Liturgy of the Synod, which took place on Sunday at St Patrick's Church in Collyhurst. This joyous thanksgiving service was a chance for Bishop John to lead everyone in prayer and song to formally receive the Synod's recommendations, celebrate the end of this phase, and to pass on his thanks to all those that have been involved over the last two years. This has been an important and worthwhile exercise where, over the last couple of years, parishioners from across the Diocese have been able to contribute towards the future direction - not only for the Diocese of Salford, but also on a local parish level. A couple of lines from the final hymn - written by Canon Michael Cooke (Vicar General) - perfectly summed up the whole process and the reason it is so important:
"Gathering insights from all generations, wisdom of ages, voices of our youth......Help us to listen to your Holy Spirit; leading us on the journey we must go."
If you would like more information on the Voting Day and to see the 40 recommendations, and the top 4 priorities for each heading, you can find it at dioceseofsalford.org.uk and look for the section Diocesan Synod: The End of the Journey.
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
Accessible Prayer Walk
The Diocese of Salford's Laudato Si' Centre is teaming up with diocesan charity Caritas Salford to host an accessible prayer walk. The session offers an opportunity to explore the beautiful, accessible grounds of the Laudato Si' Centre along with a peaceful prayer reflection. The retreat takes place between 10am and 11.30am on Friday 14 March. Find out more and register by emailing laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Job Vacancies
Senior Trust Fundraiser - Diocese of Salford
Appointment Type: Full-time, permanent
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with potential for reduced hours.
Location: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Salary: £38,155 - £42,303 per annum, dependent on experience.
Find out more and apply at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/vacancies
God Bless and keep praying.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Fr. O'Brien