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 4th October 2026
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Friday 2nd October
3.00pm – Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition
5.00pm – Confessions
6.00pm – Holy Mass, The Holy Guardian Angels
'Beside each believer stands an angel protector and shepherd leading him to life' St. Basil
6.30–9.00pm – Eucharistic Adoration
8.50pm – Solemn Benediction
Saturday 3rd October
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Votive Mass of Our Lady
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 4th October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wednesday 7th October
10am, Mass, Our Lady of the Rosary (Memoria)
'Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.'
-St. Padre Pio
Thursday 8th October
9:15am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10am, Weekday Mass
1pm Funeral Service for Anthony Gardener RIP
Friday 9th October
5pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
6pm Mass, Saint John Henry Newman, Priest (Feast)
St. John Henry Newman, born in London in 1801, was for over 20 years an Anglican clergyman and Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. His studies of the early Church led him towards Catholicism, into which in 1845, he was received and ordained in 1847. In 1879 he was created Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. Praised for humility, care of souls and contributions to the intellectual life of the Church, he died in Birmingham on 11th August 1890.
Saturday 10th October
9am – 9:50am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
10am Mass, Votive Mass of Our Lady
6pm The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
6:30pm Vigil Mass for Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 11th October
9:30am The Holy Rosary for Peace in the World
10am Mass for Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Last Week's Offertory Collection
£582.89. Thank you.
Home Mission Sunday Collection.
£80.85. Thank you
Sanctuary Lamp
This Week (3rd October – 9th October), the Sanctuary Lamp is for Tony Kaye.
Retired and Sick Clergy Appeal – Continuing This Week
Our diocesan Sick & Retired Clergy Fund helps to ensure that our retired priests can begin the next chapter of their vocation with confidence, knowing that the Church they have served so faithfully will continue to accompany and support them as they grow older. The appeal continues this week, and we invite you to remember our sick and retired priests in your prayers and, if you are able, to consider making a donation. Every gift, whatever the amount, helps to provide the care, dignity and practical support they deserve after their years of dedicated service to the people of our Diocese. There are two ways to donate:
- DONA card machine: Donations can be made using the card machine at the back of church.
- Collection basket: A basket is available at the back of church, beneath the large crucifix, for cash donations.
Both options will remain available this week. Thank you for your continued generosity and for remembering our sick and retired clergy in your prayers. God bless you for your kindness and support.
October – The Month of the Holy Rosary
October is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a beautiful devotion which invites us to reflect upon the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. The month of October became particularly associated with the Rosary because of the Church’s celebration of the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary on 7th October, a feast which has its roots in the Church’s long tradition of praying the Rosary. The Rosary is a simple yet profound prayer. As we repeat the prayers and meditate upon the mysteries, we place ourselves in the presence of Christ and ask Mary to accompany us and lead us ever closer to her Son. There is an opportunity to pray the Rosary publicly in church before each Saturday Vigil Mass at 6.00pm and each Sunday at 9.30am before the morning Mass. All are warmly welcome to join us. If you would like to begin praying the Rosary or need some help with the prayers, there are rosaries and Rosary prayer cards available at the Piety Stall at the back of the church. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Pantasaph – Saturday 17th October
There has been rather a lot of enthusiasm for our parish pilgrimage to the former Franciscan Friary at Pantasaph in North Wales on Saturday 17th October, where we will join other parish groups from across the Diocese of Salford. We originally booked a 17-seater minibus, thinking that only a few of us might be able to make the journey. That has now grown into a 49-seater coach! Perhaps the prayers of our first parish priest, Fr John Brereton, who was a Franciscan Friar before coming to Oswaldtwistle, have inspired us all! A pilgrimage is simply a journey made in faith. We travel together to a holy place, taking time to pray, reflect and deepen our relationship with God. It is also an opportunity to step away from our usual routines and enjoy the company and fellowship of others on the journey. We now have just two seats remaining on the coach. If you would like to join us, please contact our Parish Administrator, Ciara, at stmarysoswaldtwistle@dioceseofsalford.org.uk, or call the Parish Office Tel: 232 433. We look forward to travelling together as a parish and joining with the wider Diocese for this special day of prayer and pilgrimage. St Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Stations of the Cross- Friday 16th October - 7.00pm
Many parishioners have signed up for our parish day pilgrimage on Saturday 17th October, when we will join pilgrims from across the Diocese of Salford at the former Franciscan Monastery of Pantasaph in North Wales. An important part of the pilgrimage is the walk up Calvary Hill, praying the Stations of the Cross. For those who are unable to join us on the pilgrimage, Fr O’Brien will offer the opportunity to pray the Stations here at St Mary’s on Friday 16th October at 7.00pm. As we heard in last week’s homily, our first parish priest, Fr John Brereton, a former Franciscan, had the Stations of the Cross installed in our church in May 1899. They were placed here to help people recognise God’s personal love for each of us, revealed so completely in the Passion and Death of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Cross is the greatest expression of God’s love — a love that brings us hope, peace and redemption. From 7.00pm–8.00pm, Fr O’Brien will lead us in praying the Stations, offering short personal reflections at each Station, similar to those given on Good Friday morning earlier this year. Everyone is warmly welcome. Whether or not you are able to join the pilgrimage to Pantasaph, come and spend this hour with Our Lord, walking with Him on the Way of the Cross and reflecting upon the great love He has for each one of us.
A Blessing for the New School Year
This week, Fr O’Brien was invited into our parish schools — Sacred Heart, St Mary’s and St Oswald’s — as they begin a new school year. At Sacred Heart and St Oswald’s, Fr O’Brien visited each classroom to bless the children and staff, asking God to watch over them and bless all who learn, teach and work in each classroom throughout the year.
At St Mary’s, Fr O’Brien was invited to bless a small statue of a Guardian Angel for each class. These little statues will serve as a reminder to the children of God’s loving and protecting presence, and that they are never alone.
Homelessness - Write to your MP
As part of their latest campaign to support people in our diocese who are homeless, Caritas Salford - our diocesan charity - has put together information on how you can write to your MP to call for change. They are asking for help from people in our parishes, and would like as many as possible to call for Local Housing Allowance rates to be unfrozen and uplifted in line with local rents. The current rates are a significant driver of homelessness, and a letter to your MP could help bring about change to support local families and adults at risk. Find out more and access the free template letter and more on the Caritas website at: www.caritassalford.org.uk/EndHomelessness
Caritas Conference: Tackling poverty and injustice in the Diocese of Salford
Caritas Salford invites you to join them for a free day of learning and reflection on the social teaching of Pope Leo XIV. This conference will be held on Saturday 10 October from 11AM to 3.30PM. Guest speakers will be present with a free lunch provided. For more information and to book your place please visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/CaritasConference
A message from SPUC: Promoting a Culture of Life
Following the welcome rejection of assisted suicide in Parliament recently there is still much to do to preserve the sanctity of life within our country. In April this year the same Parliament decriminalised abortion at any stage, for any reason, for a woman aborting her own baby. Self-induced abortion up to birth is now permitted in England and Wales.
If you are shocked by this, you are not alone. A measure of this extreme must not go unopposed. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children is holding a meeting in Oswaldtwistle on Tuesday 20th October at 7.00pm to let you know how you too can be a voice for the voiceless. All are welcome, please do come along to:
Holy Trinity Free Church, 380 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 3NW.
For more information contact chrisleather@spuc.org.uk or call 07557565485.