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 7th September 2025
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Happy Feast Day (8th Sept) to all parishioners and extended members of our parish family here at St. Mary’s, Oswaldtwistle.
Let’s continue to ask Our Blessed Mother for her intercession, so that we can grow closer towards her Son and become those saints he has called us to be.
Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle, pray for us.
Masses & Liturgies for the following week ...
6pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions.
7pm Healing Mass, with the Sacrament of the Sick and a Eucharist Healing Procession
Saturday 6th September
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady
1pm Wedding Service of Jonathan Eccles & Antonia Carroll
6pm The Holy Rosary
6:30pm Vigil Mass followed by a Torchlight Procession to the Grotto (weather permitting)
Sunday 7th September
9:30am The Holy Rosary
10am Mass beginning with the procession of the statue of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle around the church.
Monday 8th September: Day of Celebration
9:30am The Holy Rosary
10am Feast Day Mass
1:30pm Celebratory Afternoon Tea
6pm Feast Day Mass
Tuesday 9th September
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Wednesday 10th September
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Mass, Saint Ambrose Barlow, Priest & Martyr (Feast)
St Ambrose Barlow, born in 1585 at the still standing Barlow Hall in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, became a Benedictine after studies at Douai and Valladolid, before returning to Manchester to work for the many Catholics of this region. He was famed for his preaching and love of the poor, walking long distances in order to fulfill his ministry. He was imprisoned at least four times, before final arrest and execution at Lancaster in 1641. His skull is preserved at Wardley Hall (The residence of the Bishop of Salford), and his jaw-bone at St. Ambrose, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy.
Friday 12th September
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
6pm Mass, The Most Holy Name of Mary (Memoria)
‘Mary means Star of the sea, for as mariners are guided to port by the ocean star, so Christians attain to glory through Mary's maternal intercession.’ - St. Thomas Aquinas
Saturday 13th September
6pm The Holy Rosary
6:30pm Vigil Mass, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast)
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320AD under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335AD of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion. However the feast, more than anything else, is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: his salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to Heaven opened.
Sunday 14th September
9:30am The Holy Rosary
10am The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast)
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320AD under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335AD of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion. However the feast, more than anything else, is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: his salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to Heaven opened.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (6th September – 12th September), the Sanctuary Lamp is for George Rogan.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This week (6th September – 12th September, Our Lady’s Lamp is for Maurice Cross.
Last Week’s Offertory Collection
£579.37. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Parish Festal Weekend
On 8th September, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, we celebrate a special moment in our parish history. On this day in 1948, St. Mary’s was formally consecrated, marking the first time the parish had been debt-free since 1897! A memorial stone near the Hawthorn Avenue side entrance commemorates this milestone. This is our parish feast, and from Friday 5th to Monday 8th September, there will be a variety of opportunities for prayer and celebration. You are warmly encouraged to invite family, friends, and neighbours to join us for any of the Masses and liturgies. It’s a wonderful occasion to share the life of our community and to witness that St. Mary’s is a vibrant Catholic parish, proud of our faith in Jesus Christ, and eager to share the blessings of Our Lady with others.
Holy Humour: Mobile Phones
In Corsica there is a Catholic Church that has the following visible notice as worshippers and visitors enter:
En entrant dans cette église, il est possible que vous entendiez l’appel de Dieu.Par contre, il n’est pas susceptible de vous contacter par téléphone.Merci d’avoir éteint votre téléphone. Si vous souhaitez parler à Dieu, entrez, choisissez un endroit tranquille et parle lui. Si vous souhaitez le voir, envoyez-lui un SMS en conduisant.
Translation :
It is possible that on entering this church, you may hear the Call of God. On the other hand, it is not likely that he will contact you by phone. Thank you for turning off your phone. If you would like to talk to God, come in, choose a quiet place, and talk to him.
If you would like to see him, send him a text while driving.”
Consultation on Changing the Saturday 6:30pm Vigil Mass Time
Over the past three months, parishioners have raised the possibility of bringing the Saturday Vigil Mass forward. This discussion has come from concerns among older members of our community about attending Mass during darker evenings, as well as the practical needs of families with young children. Many parishioners have expressed a preference for an earlier time, with 5:30pm being a commonly suggested option. In order to consider this change, we need to address some practical matters. Specifically, we would need volunteers willing to serve as stewards to open and close the church, particularly if our current stewards are unavailable at the new time. Similarly, we would require parishioners to step forward as readers, in case existing readers are unable to accommodate the change. If you are willing to support this potential change by volunteering as a steward or reader, please email the parish office at stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
during the month of September. If we are unable to meet these practical needs by the end of September, the Vigil Mass will remain at its current time of 6:30pm.
Be Daring! Be Brave! Try Something New to Strengthen Your Relationship with God!
Opening the Bible and beginning to read can feel daunting or confusing at first—but we believe that through Sacred Scripture, God speaks to us personally. Why not take a step in faith and give it a try? On Wednesday 10th September, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, you're invited to explore the Acts of the Apostles, chapter by chapter. Discover the miracles, challenges, and faith of the early Christians. Learn about the cultures that shaped them, the stories behind their lives, and the courage that carried the Church forward in its earliest days. All you need to bring is yourself and a Bible. This is not an academic course or formal lecture—it’s a welcoming space for believers to gather, reflect, and walk with the Lord through Scripture. Everyone is welcome. Step out of your routine. Do something different. Come and join us.
Marriage Support & Healing
MARRIAGE HELP - Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next date: 17th-19th Oct. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983
Food Bank Update
Some parishioners have recently asked what specific items our local Food Bank is currently in need of. Below is an update from our parish Food Bank liaison, Jackie Ringer:
“The Food Bank is incredibly grateful for the ongoing generosity of St Mary's parishioners and sends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donates. I recently reached out to find out which items are most needed at the moment. While they currently have a surplus of tinned soup, the following items would be especially welcome:
Tinned fruit, rice pudding, meat, vegetables, and spaghetti
Breakfast cereals, instant noodles, rice, biscuits
Pasta sauces, tea, coffee, sugar
Toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, sanitary towels, toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, toothbrushes”
A big thank you to Jackie for keeping us informed, and to all those who continue to support the Food Bank. God bless you for your kindness and generosity.#
The Martyr-Saints of the North-West
A priest of Salford Diocese will be leading a weekend of study exploring more about the Reformation-era martyrs of the North West. Part-retreat, part-biographical, the weekend will be led by Mgr John Allen, who has recently published a book on the history of the diocese. The study weekend runs from 12-14th September at the Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-martyr-saints-of-the-north-west/
Annual Rosary Rally - The Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary Manchester will hold their Annual Rosary Rally on Saturday 13th September. All are invited to come together to pray the Holy Rosary for Peace, and to end wars around the world as requested by Pope Leo XIV. The rally will take place from 2.30pm at St. Willibrord's Church, North Road, Clayton, M11 4WQ, and light refreshments will be served afterwards.
Jubilee for the Environment
This September, in conjunction with the Season of Creation, the Diocese of Salford is delighted to be continuing our Jubilee of Jubilees series with the Jubilee for the Environment. Our Diocesan Environment Team has a range of resources and events to share with you over the coming weeks. Please stay tuned throughout the month by visiting https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/jubilee-2025/calendar/
Mini Pilgrimage Opportunity
The Northern Dioceses Environment Group - of which the Diocese of Salford is a member - is organising a mini pilgrimage from Leeds City Station to Kirkstall Abbey on Saturday 20 September, 12.45 - 4pm. The 4.7 mile pilgrimage runs mainly along the Leeds Liverpool Canal Towpath. All are welcome to join. Find out more by emailing laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Food Bank Update
Some parishioners have recently asked what specific items our local Food Bank is currently in need of. Below is an update from our parish Food Bank liaison, Jackie Ringer:
“The Food Bank is incredibly grateful for the ongoing generosity of St Mary's parishioners and sends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donates. I recently reached out to find out which items are most needed at the moment. While they currently have a surplus of tinned soup, the following items would be especially welcome:
Tinned fruit, rice pudding, meat, vegetables, and spaghetti
Breakfast cereals, instant noodles, rice, biscuits
Pasta sauces, tea, coffee, sugar
Toiletries: soap, shampoo, conditioner, sanitary towels, toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, toothbrushes”
A big thank you to Jackie for keeping us informed, and to all those who continue to support the Food Bank. God bless you for your kindness and generosity.