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 June
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 13th June
9am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 14th June
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wednesday 17th June
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Weekday Mass (Feria)
Friday 19th June
3pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and The Divine Mercy Chaplet
5pm Confessions
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
6:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
8:50pm Benediction
Saturday 20th June
9am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, St Alban (Memoria)
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 21st June
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sanctuary Lamp
This week (13th June – 19th June) Sanctuary Lamp is for Claire Hilton.
Our Lady's Lamp
This week (13th June – 19th June) Our Lady's Lamp is for Linda Usbourne.
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£618.38. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Deanery Corpus Christi Procession – A Wonderful Witness of Faith
What a beautiful and spiritually uplifting afternoon we shared at the Deanery Corpus Christi Procession last Sunday at St. Mary Magdalene’s, Burnley. The large crowd of Catholics who came together to process with Our Eucharistic Lord was both inspiring and encouraging. It was a wonderful public witness to our faith and devotion to Jesus Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Every parish from across the Deanery of St John Vianney was represented, including parishes from Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Burnley, with some people travelling from even further afield to take part. It was especially heartening that every priest of the deanery was present. The brass band and the enthusiastic singing added greatly to the joy and solemnity of the occasion. Despite some threatening weather, the rain held off and, remarkably, the sunshine appeared just when it was needed. I am convinced this was due to the intercession of Our Lady of Oswaldtwistle! The event was such a success that the Dean has already been approached about making the procession an annual deanery celebration. I am sure that all who attended would wholeheartedly support this idea.
Thanks to Tom Williamson for capturing this first Corpus Christi Procession of the Deanery of St John Vianney on camera. Jacqueline will be sharing photographs on our parish social media pages over the weekend. Let us continue to give glory and honour to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Out of love for us, He humbles Himself and remains truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. May the witness of last Sunday inspire us to renew our faith in His Real Presence and to place Him ever more firmly at the centre of our lives. God Bless Fr. O’Brien
Day for Life 2026 – Special Collection Next Sunday (21st June)
Next Sunday, the Church in England and Wales will mark Day for Life, an annual day of prayer, reflection and witness dedicated to promoting the dignity and value of every human life from conception to natural death. This year's theme is "The Wonder of the Child in the Womb", inviting us to reflect on the gift of human life before birth and to pray for parents, families, healthcare professionals, and all who support and protect life. There will be an opportunity to support the work of the Day for Life Fund, which assists organisations and projects that uphold the Church's teaching on the sanctity of life and provide practical support to those facing difficult circumstances. For those who wish to make a financial donation, a basket will be placed beneath the large crucifix at the back of church before and after Masses next weekend. Thank you for your generosity and for your prayers as we continue to uphold the dignity of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God.
Spend Some Time With the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration
Throughout this month of June, St Mary’s will remain open every Friday from 3.00pm until 9.00pm for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. In the midst of busy lives, endless demands and constant distractions, the Lord continues to invite us to come and spend time with Him. Whether for ten minutes or several hours, why not make a visit to church this Friday? Come and sit quietly before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Bring your prayers, your worries, your thanksgiving, or simply your presence.
In his Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, St John Paul II beautifully wrote:
“It is pleasant to spend time with him, to lie close to his breast like the Beloved Disciple and to feel the infinite love present in his heart. If in our time Christians must be distinguished above all by the ‘art of prayer’, how can we not feel a renewed need to spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament? How often, dear brothers and sisters, have I experienced this, and drawn from it strength, consolation and support!”
Many churches today are no longer open for extended periods of quiet prayer. Here at St Mary's, we are seeking to provide that opportunity for people to "drop in", encounter the Lord, and spend time in the peace of His Eucharistic Presence. In the silence of Adoration, Christ strengthens us, consoles us, heals us and draws us ever closer to Himself. The programme each Friday is as follows:
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5.00pm – Confessions
6.00pm – Holy Mass
6.30pm – Continued Adoration
8.50pm – Benediction
The remaining Fridays are 12th, 19th, and 26th June. "All who are thirsty, come to the water..." (Isaiah 55:1)
Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Green
Congratulations to Lisel Barron and Paul Green, who were married here at St Mary's on Friday 5th June. Many parishioners will remember Lisel as a dedicated altar server who served faithfully in our parish for many years before leaving to pursue her nursing studies. It was a great joy to welcome her back to St Mary's for the celebration of her wedding. We assure Lisel and Paul of our prayers and ask God's abundant blessings upon them as they begin the wonderful adventure of the vocation of Christian marriage together. May their love continue to grow stronger with each passing year, and may Christ always be at the centre of their home and family life. As Pope Leo XIV recently reminded us: "Marriage is not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman: a love that is total, faithful and fruitful." May the Lord bless Mr and Mrs Green with many happy years together.
Bishop's Visit, Confirmations & Blessing of the St Carlo Acutis Statue
A reminder that on Tuesday 30th June at 7.00pm, we will be delighted to welcome our Bishop, Rt Rev John Arnold, to St Mary's Church. Bishop John will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 11 young people from across the Deanery of St John Vianney, as they receive a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and are strengthened in their Christian faith. During the Liturgy, the Bishop will also bless our new parish statue of St Carlo Acutis, the young Italian Catholic whose love for the Eucharist and inspiring witness to holiness continue to touch the lives of people throughout the world. We are especially grateful that Bishop John has kindly agreed to bring the diocesan relic of St Carlo Acutis, which will be available for veneration following the Liturgy. This promises to be a joyful and grace-filled evening for our parish and deanery. Everyone is warmly invited to attend and support our Confirmation candidates through their prayers and presence. Refreshments will be served after Mass, providing an opportunity to meet the Bishop and celebrate together as a parish community. Please do make every effort to join us for this special occasion.
Prayers and resources for Refugee Week and World Day of Migrants & Refugees
Caritas Salford has a range of prayers and other resources to help as you mark Refugee Week this month. You can find these and other materials on the Caritas website: www.caritassalford.org.uk/resources
To read more about the week, click here: www.caritassalford.org.uk/refugees
New Volunteering Role at Caritas Salford
Our diocesan charity Caritas Salford has a team of almost 200 amazing volunteers, all of whom support their work with people in our parishes who are experiencing poverty, homelessness and discrimination. The team is looking for suitable volunteers who would be interested in giving a little time to work alongside families at their young parent accommodation in Blackburn - supporting and facilitating activities with the babies and their parents. All roles will be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring check. To find out more about this or other volunteering opportunities with the charity, visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/volunteer or contact Matt Yates: m.yates@caritassalford.org.uk
Fancy a Walk?
Caritas Salford is organising a 6-mile scenic, circular sponsored hike in Lancashire, along the delightful Downham Trail. Taking place on 5 September, the walk is an undulating route with the potential for expansive views from the summit of Beacon Fell.
Visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/LancsWalk for more information or to register for your free place.