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 25th October
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 24th October
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 25th October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wednesday 28th October
10am Requiem Mass for David Sugdeon RIP
Thursday 29th October
10am Requiem Mass for Eileen Ward nee Flanagan RIP
Friday 30th October
5pm – 5:50pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Weekday Mass (Feria)
Saturday 31st October
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Votive Mass of Our Lady
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints
Sunday 1st November - All Saints, Holy Day of Obligation
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints
Monday 2nd November – All Souls
10am Mass
12pm Mass
6pm Mass
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£606.56. Thank you for your kind generosity.
The Sanctuary Lamp
This Week (24th October – 30th October), The Sanctuary Lamp is for the Doherty Family.
Our Lady’s Lamp
This Week (24th October – 30th October), Our Lady’s Lamp is for Raymond Hilton RIP.
Our Pilgrimage to Pantasaph
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on our parish pilgrimage to Pantasaph Franciscan Friary. It was a real joy to come together in faith, prayer and fellowship as we celebrate the Year of St Francis. As we mark 800 years since the death of St Francis, may his beautiful example inspire us to live more simply, care for one another with kindness and bring Christ’s peace and love into our homes, our parish and our wider community. Thank you to all who took part and helped make the day so special and meaningful. May we carry the spirit of our pilgrimage into our daily lives, remembering the prayer of St Francis: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
November – A Month of Prayer for the Holy Souls
As we approach November, we enter a special time in the life of the Church when we remember and pray for the Holy Souls and all our loved ones who have died. During this month, we are invited to entrust them to the loving mercy of God, confident in the hope of the Resurrection and eternal life. Throughout November, there will be a number of Masses, liturgies and devotions in our parish to help us remember those who have gone before us in faith.
Monday 2nd November – All Souls’ Day
Fr O’Brien will celebrate three Masses on All Souls’ Day, and all parishioners are warmly invited to attend at 10.00am, 12 noon or 6.00pm. A basket will be placed in front of the altar throughout November for the names of deceased loved ones. You are invited to place the names of those you wish to remember in the basket, knowing that they will be prayed for and remembered at each Mass celebrated during the month.
Thursday 5th November – Requiem Mass for Deceased Priests
At 10.00am, a Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Mary of the Assumption Church, Burnley, for all the deceased priests who have served the communities of East Lancashire within the Deanery of St John Vianney. Parishioners are warmly invited to attend as we give thanks for their priestly ministry and pray for the repose of their souls.
Saturday 7th November – Blessing of the Graves at Dill Hall
At 9.30am, Fr O’Brien will bless the graves of deceased Catholics buried at Dill Hall Cemetery. Families who wish to be present are warmly invited to join him in this prayerful act of remembrance for their loved ones.
Saturday 7th November – Annual Liturgy of Remembrance
At 2.00pm, we will gather in church for our annual Liturgy of Remembrance for the families of those who have died during the past twelve months and whose funerals have taken place at St Mary’s. This will be a special opportunity to remember our loved ones, to pray for them and for their families, and to find comfort in the faith we share.
Wednesday 11th November – Remembrance Day
On National Remembrance Day, we will gather outside the Pietà statue in the church grounds for a short time of prayer and silence. We will remember all those who have served in the Armed Forces, those who have died in conflict, and all victims of war and violence. We pray for peace throughout the world and ask God to comfort all those whose lives continue to be affected by conflict.
Wednesday 18th November – Parish Requiem Mass with Our Primary Schools
At 10.00am, our three parish primary schools — Sacred Heart, St Mary’s and St Oswald’s — will join us for the parish Mass, which will be offered as a Requiem. Each school will bring a book containing the names of deceased loved ones to be placed at the altar. Together, we will pray for those who have died, remembering the intentions of our children, their families and our wider parish community.
As we journey through November, may these moments of prayer and remembrance strengthen our faith, console those who mourn and remind us of the enduring hope we have in Christ. Let us continue to pray for all the faithful departed, entrusting them to the loving mercy of our Heavenly Father.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
A Fond Farewell and Thank You to Peter and Sonia Regan
For many years, Peter and Sonia Regan of Hyndburn Funerals have been there for so many of our families at one of life’s most difficult moments: the death of a loved one, when we can feel at our lowest and most vulnerable. With compassion, kindness and understanding, they have supported and guided families through their grief, caring for both the living and the dead with dignity and respect. I am sure I speak on behalf of many here at St Mary’s when I say a heartfelt thank you to Peter and Sonia for all they have done, both publicly and privately, for so many members of our parish and wider community. Their quiet support and dedicated service have made a real difference to many lives, often at times when it was needed most. As Peter and Sonia begin their well-deserved retirement, we offer them our heartfelt gratitude and every good wish for the future. May God bless them both abundantly, granting them good health, happiness and many years to enjoy this new chapter of their lives. Thank you, Peter and Sonia. You have been a blessing to so many, and you will both be greatly missed.
Cause for the Beatification of Pedro Ballester
The Diocese of Salford has formally opened the Cause for the Beatification and Canonisation of Pedro Ballester, a young man from Manchester who died in 2018 aged just 21. Pedro was known for his warmth, generosity and strong faith. After being diagnosed with cancer while at university, he faced his illness with remarkable courage, offering his suffering in prayer and trusting deeply in God. As part of this process, the Diocese is inviting anyone who knew Pedro, or who has memories, testimonies or writings relating to him, to come forward to help build a fuller picture of his life and character. For more information or to contribute, please contact the Diocesan Tribunal:
Email: tribunal@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Post: Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Mass for Carers
A Mass is being celebrated for all Carers within our Communities at St Cuthbert's RC Church, Palatine Road, Withington, Manchester. M20 3LH. Mass will start at 12 Noon on Saturday 28 November 2026. Following the service sandwiches and refreshments will be served in the parish hall. Mass will be live-streamed through the parish website - stcuthbertswithington.com - so please attend online if you are unable to attend in person.
Salford Young Adults Mass
Young adults ages 18 to 35 are warmly invited to our Young Adults Mass at Salford Cathedral on Wednesday 28 October 2026. Mass will start at 7.30PM with the Rosary and Confession from 7PM. There will also be social time following the service. A great chance to pray together and meet other young Catholics across the Diocese.