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 8th March 2026
Third Sunday of Lent
Saturday 7th March
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 Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday 8th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent
Tuesday 10th March
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6pm Lenten Mass
Wednesday 11th March
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Lenten Mass (followed by Stations of the Cross led by Fr O'Brien)
Thursday 12th March
10am Requiem Mass for Lynne Pilkington RIP
Friday 13th March
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Lenten Mass (followed by Stations of the Cross led by Parishioners)
Saturday 14th March
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 Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
Sunday 15th March
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (7th March – 13th March) the Sanctuary Lamp is for Richard and Gertrude Henry.
Our Lady's Lamp
This week (7th March – 13th March) Our Lady's Lamp is for Ken Le Pla.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£695.39. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Message of Encouragement
As we began Lent on Ash Wednesday, many of us did so with generous hearts. We made resolutions, formed plans, and embraced practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving with real determination. Yet it is often the case that, after a strong beginning, we can run out of steam. The momentum fades. Spiritual enthusiasm can give way to spiritual fatigue. If that has happened to you this Lent, do not worry — and above all, do not give up. The Christian life is not about never faltering; it is about always beginning again. Paul the Apostle reminds us in his Second Letter to the Corinthians: "Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the favourable time. Not yesterday, when we were full of energy. Not tomorrow, when we hope we might do better. But now. Let today be our "now". Our moment to start again. Our moment to renew a simple commitment to prayer. Our moment to fast with love. Our moment to give generously and quietly. And if we have not yet really begun, then let today be the beginning. It is through these Lenten practices — sometimes small, sometimes hidden, sometimes imperfect — that the Lord gently reshapes our hearts. And if we persevere, even quietly and humbly, we will find that when Easter comes and we welcome the Risen Lord, there will be a deep and lasting joy within us.
Now is the favourable time. Let us begin again. God Bless Fr. O'Brien
Schools Lenten Mass
It was a great joy to welcome the children and staff of our three parish primary schools — Sacred Heart, St Mary's and St Oswald's — to the Lenten Mass on Wednesday 4th March. During the homily, Fr O'Brien spoke to the children about ancient Greek actors. In Greek, an actor was called a hypokritēs — someone who wore a mask and played a part. Jesus uses this word in the Gospel when He warns His disciples not to be "hypocrites" in their almsgiving, prayer and fasting. In other words, we are not to put on a show or wear a mask, but to practise these things with sincerity, genuinely desiring to grow closer to the Lord. At the Offertory, each school brought forward a special box containing the children's own Lenten promises and prayers — heartfelt commitments of how they hope to pray, fast and give this Lent. It was a moving sign of their desire to live their faith not just outwardly, but from the heart. Please keep our children and their families in your prayers during this holy season, that all of us may practise our Lenten disciplines with sincerity and joy, drawing ever closer to the Lord as we journey towards Easter.
First Confession and First Holy Communion Preparation
If there are families in the parish with children aged 7 or above who would like to begin preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion, please do speak to Fr O'Brien. The sacraments are precious gifts from the Lord. Through them, we are drawn into the real and living supernatural life of grace — a life that brings us closer to the Heart of God, where true love, peace and lasting joy are found. Confession teaches us the beauty of God's mercy; Holy Communion nourishes us with the very presence of Christ. Preparation for these sacraments is not simply about completing a programme or reaching a single day of celebration. It is the beginning — or deepening — of a lifelong relationship with the Lord in the heart of His Church. For this reason, it is so important that families are ready to walk this journey together, supporting one another in prayer, Sunday Mass attendance, and in living the faith at home. If you feel your child is ready to begin this important step, please make yourself known to Fr O'Brien after Mass or email the parish office at stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk.
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 can kindly donate an Easter egg then please pass them to one of the stewards at the back of church. Tickets are available from the steward's desk at the back of church - £1 a ticket or £5 a strip.
Easter Windows
Each year at Easter, we offer parishioners the opportunity to sponsor a flower display in the Church in memory of a loved one who has died, or for deceased family and friends. We are blessed to have Maureen and other volunteers who generously share their time and talents to decorate the church.
If you would like to sponsor a window 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).
Easter Flowers
Due to the significant increase in the cost of flowers, we invite parishioners who are able to donate towards the flowers used to decorate the church during the Easter season. These beautiful arrangements help to enhance our celebrations and create a fitting setting for this important time in the Church's year. If you would like to contribute, please place your donation in an envelope marked "Flower Money" and hand it to one of the stewards. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Handmade Easter Crafts by Keeley
Keeley has been busy again creating her wonderful Easter crafts, and they will be available to buy at the back of the church after weekend Mass. Each piece has been lovingly handmade, and it's a lovely way to celebrate the season while supporting her hard work and creativity. If you'd like to pick something up, please remember to bring some cash. Your support is always greatly appreciated and helps encourage all the time and care she puts into making these beautiful items.
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
Lourdes - Diocesan Youth Group
Are you a young person looking to take part in a pilgrimage this year? Do you want to make new friends, build community and grow in your faith? Why not join the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. It's simple to sign up and you can join a new "group" led by the Diocesan Youth Department. The pilgrimage and travel dates are 29th July to 6th August. The cost is £695 and this includes coach travel and full board hotel accommodation (Astoria Hotel). Young people can join in 3 age groups 13-15 (aspiring volunteers), 16-17 and 18+. If you are interested, please email youth@dioceseofsalford.org.uk for details of how to register.
Young Adults Hub
The diocesan Youth Team are delighted to share news of the Young Adults Hub, created especially for those aged 18–35 across the Diocese of Salford. The Hub offers a welcoming space for young adults to deepen their faith, build authentic friendships, and grow together through prayer, formation, and social gatherings. If you would like more information, please reach out to Mikey hub.president@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk and Edward hub.chair@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Youth pilgrimage to Lindisfarne
Following on from the success of last years pilgrimage to Lindisfarne, we are offering young people in Years 7, 8 and 9 another opportunity to go to Lindisfarne from Friday 22 May – Sunday 24 May 2026. The cost is £120 which includes travel by coach and full board accommodation. We will be staying on the island at the SVP Camp. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact outh@dioceseofsalford.org.uk