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 14th December 2025
Third Sunday of Advent
Masses & Liturgies for the following week ...
5pm – 5:45pm Adoration of Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Advent Weekday Mass
Saturday 13th December
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Saint Lucy, Virgin & Martyr (Memoria)
St. Lucy, a Sicillian martyr who died in the persecution of the fifth century under the Emperor Diocletian. She is an example of faithfulness and innocence, and her cult was very popular in the early church.
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Gaudete Sunday of Advent
Sunday 14th December
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Gaudete Sunday of Advent
Tuesday 16th December
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Advent Weekday Mass
Wednesday 17th December
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Advent Weekday Mass
6:30 Christmas Church Decorating
Thursday 18th December
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Advent Weekday Mass
Friday 19th December
5pm – 5:45pm Adoration of Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Advent Weekday Mass
Saturday 20th December
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Advent Weekday Mass
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday 21st December
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (13th December – 19th December), the Sanctuary Lamp is for John and Gladys Boyle.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This week (13th December – 19th December), Our Lady’s Lamp is for John and Gladys Boyle.
Last Week’s Offertory Collection
£673.28. Thank you for your kind generosity.
A Word of Thanks from Fr O’Brien
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those parishioners who joined us on Monday for the beautiful celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and for the parish prayer of consecration to Our Lady. It was a grace-filled evening of Adoration, the Holy Rosary, and the Holy Mass, and your presence made it a true act of faith and love for our parish. I am confident that, under Mary’s maternal protection, St Mary’s will receive blessings far greater than we can see or imagine. Our consecration to the Blessed Mother is a reminder that she accompanies us, intercedes for us, and leads us ever more surely to her Son, Jesus. My sincere thanks as well to the many families who have welcomed the parish statue of Our Blessed Mother into their homes and prayed the Rosary for the intentions of St Mary’s. Your generosity and devotion are a gift to our whole parish community. In a
special way, I thank the following families:
The Owen Family, The Burton Family, The Davit Family, The Peake Family, The
Radigan Family, The Yates Family, The Flanagan Family, The Whelan Family, The
Clarke Family
May Our Lady continue to watch over you and your households with her tender care. Let us remain united in prayer as we walk together in faith, hope, and charity. Fr O’Brien
Family Night – Decorating the Church for Christmas
We warmly invite all parishioners, families, and friends to join us for our Christmas Church Decorating Evening on Wednesday 17th December at 6:30pm. This has become a much-loved parish tradition and is a wonderful way to prepare our church—and our hearts—for the celebration of the Lord’s birth. There will be plenty to do: putting up the Christmas trees, dusting down the crib figures, polishing window ledges and altars, and adding those small touches that make our church so beautifully festive. As Scripture reminds us, “the labourer deserves his wages,” so everyone who comes is guaranteed an Irish coffee, a glass of fizz, and a mince pie—well-earned or simply enjoyed for the craic! Whether you’re decorating or simply soaking up the atmosphere, everyone is welcome. Please bring neighbours, friends, and relatives—this is very much a parish family social night. Come along, share in the laughter and warmth, and help us make the church shine for Christmas.
Confession Times at St Mary’s, Oswaldtwistle
Throughout Advent, Confession will also be available in our parish:
Fridays: 5:00pm – 5:50pm
Saturdays: 9:00am – 9:50am
Let this holy season be a time of forgiveness, renewal, and joyful return to the Lord who loves us.
St Mary’s Christmas Raffle – Donations Welcome
As we prepare for the joyful season of Christmas, we are once again organising our Annual Parish Christmas Raffle, to be drawn at the New Year’s Day Mass. We are kindly asking for donations of bottles of wine or fizz, boxes of chocolates, or tins of biscuits to help make up the prizes. All contributions, big or small, are very gratefully received. Tickets: £1 each or £5 for a strip
Where to buy: Available from the stewards at Mass
Where to leave donations: Please leave any donated items at the stewards’ desk
All proceeds from the raffle go directly towards supporting our parish. Thank you, as always, for your continued generosity and support.
Christmas Window Displays
We are delighted that Maureen Mullen, with her wonderful team of helpers, has once again kindly offered to create the beautiful Christmas window displays that have become such a cherished tradition in our parish. These are decorative window displays, bring a joyful festive atmosphere to our church each year. If you would like to sponsor a window in honour of your family, friends, or in memory of a loved one, Maureen will be available after the Sunday 10:00am Mass to take names. The suggested donation for sponsoring a window is £20. As always, any additional donations towards general Christmas flowers or decorations are very gratefully received. Please place contributions in an envelope marked Christmas Flowers or pass them to one of the stewards.
Marriage
Retrouvaille helps marriages. It can bring hope and healing to relationships. Next date: 12th February 2026. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 07887 296983
Sanctuary Lamp & Our Lady Lamp – 2026 Sponsorship
Prayer is powerful, and at St Mary’s we are blessed with the tradition of sponsoring the Sanctuary Lamp, which burns continuously for seven days before the Real Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. From January 2026, there will once again be the opportunity to sponsor the lamp in the Lady Chapel, placed beside the statue of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle. Each lamp burns for a particular intention—sometimes in memory of a loved one, for someone who is sick or awaiting results, or as a prayer of thanksgiving or petition in a difficult situation. Whatever the intention, these lamps are a beautiful expression of faith and love within our parish family. If you would like to sponsor a lamp—either before the Blessed Sacrament or in the Lady Chapel—please speak to one of the stewards at the back of church. They will have the full list of available dates from January to December 2026, and you may choose any week still open. The donation for sponsoring a lamp is £10 for the week. I will bless and light each sponsored lamp before the Saturday Vigil Mass, and it will burn throughout the week for your chosen intention. The lists will be available from this weekend: Friday 12th December, Saturday 13th December, and Sunday 14th December. Both the lists and the collection of donations will be handled by the stewards at the back of church. Thank you for supporting this meaningful and prayerful tradition in our parish.
Building & Maintenance Update
We would like to keep parishioners informed about some upcoming essential maintenance works. Over the years, there has been partial maintenance carried out on the drainage system around the church and presbytery. However, the Diocesan Property Department has advised that a full and detailed site investigation is now required to properly assess the condition of the drains serving the church, the presbytery, and the surrounding grounds. The diocesan-appointed chartered surveyor, Mr Lee Sloan, is overseeing this work on our behalf. After reviewing several options, he identified Dyno Rod Plumbing and Drain Services as providing the most suitable and cost-effective proposal. The planned works will involve:
- The High Pressure Water Jetting and CCTV/Trace Combined Unit being deployed to investigate the entire drainage system
- Accessing each outlet using hydraulic lifting equipment
- Cleansing the drainage lines to ensure clear visibility
- An updated detailed CCTV survey to assess the structural condition of the system. The previous CCTV report St. Mary’s commissioned was in 2019 and since then there has been further deterioration to the drains.
- A full report and recommendations for any further remedial work
The total approved cost for this investigation is £1,100 + VAT, funded as part of our ongoing property maintenance. These actions will hopefully begin in the New Year. Once the report is received, we will update the parish on any subsequent steps that may be required.
Caritas Salford Advent Appeal
Our diocesan charity, Caritas Salford, has released its 2025 Advent appeal to shine the spotlight on the true meaning of Christmas. To watch their latest animation and to find out more about how to help local people who are facing acute crisis this Christmas, please visit: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/campaign/bee-there-2025/
Advice as energy bills continue to rise
If you or those in your wider parish community are in need of support with rising energy bills, Caritas Salford has put together some helpful advice on their website. Their energy advice service team can support with free sessions and drop-ins in your area. You can find out more by visiting www.caritassalford.org.uk/energysupport
Christmas Celebrations at St Mary’s- Please Save the Dates
As we look forward to the joyful celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord, here are the times for our Christmas liturgies. Please pop these dates into your diaries and join us as we gather in faith, hope, and gratitude.
Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24th December
Carols Around the Crib – 5:00pm
A gentle and family-friendly time of carol singing and reflection as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus.
Family Christmas Eve Mass – 5:30pm
A joyful celebration of the Lord’s birth, especially welcoming to children and families.
Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December
Carols Around the Crib – 9:30am
Come early and join in singing traditional carols as we gather at the manger of Christ.
Christmas Day Mass – 10:00am
The solemn and joyful celebration of Christmas morning. Let us come together as a parish family to welcome the Light of Christ into our hearts and homes this Christmas.
St Mary’s RC Primary School Admissions
The Governing Body of St Mary’s RC Primary School is consulting on changes to the school’s admission categories for the 2027/28 academic year. These proposed changes will affect pupils starting their first year in September 2027. The full admission policy is available on https://www.stmarysoswaldtwistle.co.uk/admissions/ . The consultation runs from Friday 5th December 2025 to Friday 30th January 2026. Any objections must be submitted in writing to Mr. David Joyce, Chair of Governors, by 3.30pm on 30th January 2026. The Governing Body will consider any objections before deciding whether to implement the changes.
Salford Diocesan Synod
As Advent ushers in a new liturgical year, the Diocesan Synod Implementation Group offers a brief update on progress since the March 2025 Synod Voting Day, where 40 recommendations were prioritized under Leadership & Collaboration, Spirituality & Formation, Young People & Schools, and Community & Outreach—supported by Inclusion and clergy-engagement sub-groups. The emerging vision for a synodal Church in Salford centres on six themes: prayer, listening, and renewal as the heart of Eucharistic life; welcoming, inclusive, and accessible communities celebrating diversity; participation and representation through diverse leadership and formation; young people and families fully engaged in faith and service; collaboration and resources shared among all; and outreach, dialogue, and healing with compassion for survivors and interfaith ties. The Group will advance strategies in 2026 to realise this Holy Spirit-guided path.
Relics of St Carlo Acutis to Visit Diocese of Salford
In January, the relics of St Carlo Acutis will be hosted at two of our churches over five days, during which time the Diocese will welcome schools, parishioners and people from all over for veneration. Carlo is the first millennial saint and is celebrated for his profound faith and his use of the internet to log Eucharistic miracles from around the world. He was passionate about spreading the teachings of the Catholic Church up until his death from leukaemia at the age of 15. The relics will be presented at St Mary’s Church, Burnley from 28-29 January 2026 before they travel to St Patrick’s Church, Collyhurst from 30 January to 1 February 2026. More information will be shared soon with parishes and on the Diocesan website and social media channels.
Laudato Si Centre Volunteer Call-out: Retired Educators
The Diocese of Salford Environment Team is inviting retired education staff to volunteer at the Laudato Si Centre to assist with their successful programme of school visits. Volunteers would be supporting sessions with children from nursery age to Year 11 with activities including arts and crafts, games, and foraging. To find out more, please email laudatosi@dioceseofsalford.org.uk