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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 22nd February 2026
First Sunday of Lent
Saturday 21st February
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Lenten Mass
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for First Sunday of Lent
Sunday 22nd February
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the First Sunday of Lent
2:30pm Rite of Election at St Patrick’s Church, Manchester
Monday 23rd February
5.00pm – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6.00pm – Lenten Mass
7.00–7.45pm – Talk: Faith - Angela will share her own faith journey.
8.00–8.15pm – Refreshments
8.15pm – Liturgy: Adoration & Prayer with Individuals
Tuesday 24th February
11am Funeral service at For Tony (Thomas Anthony) Jordan RIP Accrington crematorium
5.00pm – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6.00pm – Lenten Mass
7.00–7.45pm – Talk: Our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Spirit & Disciple of Christ
8.00–8.15pm – Refreshments
8.15pm – Liturgy: Adoration & the Rosary
Wednesday 25th February
5.00pm – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6.00pm – Lenten Mass
7.00–7.45pm – Talk: Our Lady and the Holy Eucharist
8.00–8.15pm – Refreshments
8.15pm – Liturgy: Adoration & Healing Service
Thursday 26th February
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Lenten Mass
Saturday 28th February
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for First Sunday of Lent
Sunday 1st March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the First Sunday of Lent
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (21st February – 27th February) the Sanctuary Lamp is for Brendan Brown.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£541.39. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Parish Lenten Retreat 2026
We are delighted to announce that Angela McMorrow, facilitator and organiser of the Irish National Women’s Conference “Abide in His Love”, has kindly accepted our invitation to lead our Parish Lenten Retreat 2026. Angela will accompany us as we begin the holy season of Lent, offering time for reflection, prayer, and renewal of faith over three grace-filled evenings: Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th February 2026. Each evening will include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Mass, a talk, refreshments, and a concluding time of prayer.
Monday 23rd February
5.00pm – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6.00pm – Holy Mass
7.00–7.45pm – Talk: Faith (Angela will share her own faith journey.)
8.00–8.15pm – Refreshments
8.15pm – Adoration & Prayer with Individuals
Those who wish may come forward as priests gently lay hands and pray for renewal and strengthening in the Holy Spirit.
Tuesday 24th February
5.00pm – Adoration
6.00pm – Holy Mass
7.00–7.45pm – Talk: Our Lady, Spouse of the Holy Spirit & Disciple of Christ
8.00–8.15pm – Refreshments
8.15pm – Adoration & the Rosary
We will pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament, reflecting on Mary’s faithful discipleship.
Wednesday 25th February
5.00pm – Adoration
6.00pm – Holy Mass
7.00–7.45pm – Talk: Our Lady and the Holy Eucharist
8.00–8.15pm – Refreshments
8.15pm – Adoration & Healing Service
The final evening will include a Healing Service during Adoration. The Gospel of the woman with the haemorrhage (Mark 5) will be proclaimed, highlighting faith, trust, and encounter with Christ.
All are warmly invited. Please join us as we begin Lent together in prayer and renewal.
Pastoral Letter from Bishop John Arnold
Our Bishop has issued a Pastoral Letter at the beginning of this holy Season of Lent.
In his letter, the Bishop reflects on:
The first anniversary of our Diocesan Synodal voting day and the continuing development of a Pastoral Plan for the Diocese
The 800th anniversary of the death of Francis of Assisi
The recent visit to the Diocese of the relic of Carlo Acutis
The Bishop reminds us that Lent is a time of reflection and renewal — not simply keeping rules but deepening our journey with Christ. Drawing inspiration from St Francis and St Carlo Acutis, he encourages us to live our faith with conviction, generosity, prayerfulness, and care for others and for creation. He invites us to continue walking the synodal path together, becoming ever more faithful “ambassadors for Christ” in our daily lives. The full Pastoral Letter can be viewed on the diocesan website, and printed copies are available at the back of church.
Following the recent appeal, the parish is delighted to share that, through the generous donations of parishioners, a total of £2951.45 has now been raised towards the purchase of a statue of Saint Carlo Acutis. This is a wonderful response and a clear sign of the love and concern of the parish for our young people, both those known to us and those yet to come. The donation box will remain at the back of the church, beneath the large crucifix, and once the remaining £341.31 has been raised, the parish will be able to proceed with the purchase of the statue. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so generously and prayerfully. Please continue to ask Saint Carlo Acutis for his intercession for our young people and their families.
Update: Statue of Saint Carlo Acutis
Following the recent appeal, the parish is delighted to share that, through the generous donations of parishioners, a total of £2951.45 has now been raised towards the purchase of a statue of Saint Carlo Acutis. This is a wonderful response and a clear sign of the love and concern of the parish for our young people, both those known to us and those yet to come. The donation box will remain at the back of the church, beneath the large crucifix and donations can also be made using the Dona machine at the back of the church. Once the remaining £341.31 has been raised, the parish will be able to proceed with the purchase of the statue. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so generously and prayerfully. Please continue to ask Saint Carlo Acutis for his intercession for our young people and their families.
Stations of the Cross During Lent
As we prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, the parish is pleased to share that the Stations of the Cross will once again be prayed together during this important time of reflection and renewal. Following requests from parishioners last year, the Stations will continue to be offered:
Each Wednesday after the morning Mass, led by Fr O’Brien
Each Friday after the 6.00pm Mass, led by parishioners
This provides a simple and prayerful way to walk with the Lord on His journey to Calvary and to deepen our Lenten observance. We are especially grateful to those parishioners who have kindly volunteered to lead the Friday evening Stations while Fr O’Brien is teaching the Confirmation classes to our young people. Your generosity helps ensure this beautiful devotion remains available to our parish family.
Parish Bible Study – The Acts of the Apostles
Wednesday 4th March: 7.00–8.00pm
All are warmly invited to our next Parish Bible Study as we continue our journey through the Acts of the Apostles. So far, we have explored Acts chapters 1–15 — an extraordinary account of how the early Church was born and began to grow. Among the dramatic moments we have reflected on:
The Ascension of the Lord and the choosing of Matthias
Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit
Peter’s powerful preaching and the rapid growth of the Church
Miracles, healings, and bold witness despite persecution
The martyrdom of Stephen
The dramatic conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus
The missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas
The baptism of Cornelius and the opening of the Church to the Gentiles
The Council of Jerusalem and the decision that shaped the Church’s future
On Wednesday 4th March, we will move on to Acts chapters 16 and 17, following St Paul’s missionary travels into Europe — including imprisonment, conversion, and courageous preaching in new lands. Whether you have attended from the beginning or would like to join for the first time, you are most welcome. No prior knowledge is needed — just bring your Bible and an open heart.
Exploring our Lenten Gospels
Each Tuesday during our Lenten period, a series of reflections will be given online by various speakers, exploring the meaning of our Lenten Gospels and their implications for our lives today. The series will begin on Tuesday 17 February with Fr. Michael Deas reflecting on The Temptations of Jesus and will conclude with Bishop John on the Palm Sunday readings. For more information on how to book your free place, please visit the diocesan website: https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/online-readings-for-lent/
Permanent Diaconate 'Come and See' Event
Could you be called to serve the church as a Permanent Deacon? If you are a Catholic man interested in learning more about the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Salford, please come along to our ‘Come and See’ event. This is a chance to discuss and learn more about the ministry. This event takes place from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday 7 March at St Mary’s Church, Hall Burnley, BB10 4AU.
For more information about the Diaconate, please email diaconate@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or visit the diocesan website here: www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/vocations/permanent-diaconate/
Safeguarding and Our Parish Volunteers
The parish would like to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to all our volunteers, whose generosity of time, talents and commitment makes such a vital contribution to parish life. Everything that happens in the parish is supported by people who give freely and faithfully, and this is deeply appreciated by both the parish and the Diocese. As part of diocesan safeguarding procedures, all parish volunteers across the Diocese are being asked to complete a volunteer information form. Many have already completed this process. The purpose is to ensure that volunteers are properly supported, that accurate emergency contact details are held, and that everyone can continue their role with confidence and peace of mind. In recent weeks, a number of volunteers have kindly been coming to the parish office on Fridays to share their details with the parish safeguarding representative, Vinette Davitt. This has been greatly appreciated. The Diocese is grateful for the time and cooperation shown and wishes to emphasise that every volunteer is valued and supported. Vinette Davitt and Ciara Kelly, the parish administrator, have already begun contacting volunteers and assisting them with completing the necessary forms. Over the coming weeks, it is hoped that this process will be completed. If you have not yet been contacted, please do not worry—no one has been overlooked, and Vinette or Ciara will be in touch in due course. Thank you once again to all our volunteers for everything you do and for your continued generosity in serving the parish.
Caritas Salford - Pray, Fast, Give
This Lent, visit Caritas Salford's website for a range of free resources and information for your parish community as you pray, fast and give this Lent: www.caritassalford.org.uk/Lent