Sunday 16th March 2025
Second Sunday of Lent
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Masses & Liturgies for the coming week...
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
Tuesday 18th March
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Mass
7pm Lenten Lancashire Martyrs Talk: Blessed Robert Nutter & Venerable John Nutter
Wednesday 19th March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary
'For several years I have asked some particular favour on his [St. Joseph's] feast day and have never been disappointed. If on account of some imperfection my request did not have God's glory in view, he always obtained for me something else which was more important.' - St. Teresa of Avila
10:35am – 10:45am Devotions to Saint Joseph
(At the foot of the parish statue of St. Joseph, see below for more details)
On this Solemnity the monthly parish devotions to St. Joseph will replace the Stations of the Cross
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)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (15th March – 22nd March), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Veronica Anderton.
Our Lady's Lamp
This week (15th March – 22nd March), Our Lady's Lamp is for The Simpson & Catlow Family.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£710.22. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Second Collection - Sick and Retired Clergy Fund
£316.92. Thank you to all those parishioners who donated towards helping our sick and retired diocesan priests. God Bless you for your kindness.
Sick and Retired Clergy Fund
Our Sick and Retired Clergy Fund is a vital resource that provides key provision for our priests 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.
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 – Tuesday 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 Tuesday 18th March: Venerable Edward Rishton.
Refreshments will be available after each talk and all are welcome.
Devotions to Saint Joseph
On Wednesday 19th March, after the 10am Solemnity Mass, there will be 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Job Vacancies
Maintenance Operative
Appointment Type: Full-time, permanent
Working Hours: 35 hours per week (we would consider someone who was available part time)
Location: Across the Diocese
Salary: £22,932 - £27,646 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