Welcome to the Church of
St Mary of the Assumption
Burnley
Address: St Mary's Presbytery, 3 Todmorden Rd, Burnley, BB10 4AU
Tel no. 01282 422 007
Church entrance on Yorkshire Street, just around the corner from Todmorden Road.
St Mary's Parish Safeguarding Representatives:
Carole Biddulph 07944 407 765
Diane Orrel 07497 519 153
(please note, these numbers are only for Safeguarding issues)
If for some reason you're unable to get through, in an emergency contact police or Social Services
On this Page:
Masses | Other Notices | Knights of St Columba | Christmas Masses
Christmas Celebrations | Reasons to Be Cheerful |Live Streaming
Prayers and Reflections | Foodbank | CAFOD Updates
Other Pages in this section:
Introduction | Mass & Confession Times | Where to Find Us | Virtual Tour of St Mary's
Sister Churches - Links | A Walk Around St Mary's | St Mary's Groups
St Mary's Photo Album | St Mary's History
Our Local Primary School (opens in a separate window)
MASSES AND OTHER SERVICES: : MONDAY 15TH DECEMBER TO SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2025
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament starting 30 minutes before each weekday Mass, Monday to Friday (Except before Funerals)
Please note the changes this week.
Monday Advent Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s
Tuesday Advent Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s
1.00pm Funeral Mass at St John’s for Patricia Bradley RIP
Wednesday Advent Weekday
9.30am Christ the King 7.00pm St John’s
Thursday Advent Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s 10.00am St John’s
Friday Advent Weekday
10am Funeral Mass at St Mary's for Joan Preston RIP
followed by Exposition and Reconciliation from 11.30 to 12 Noon
Saturday Advent Weekday
9.30am St. Mary’s, Exposition with Reconciliation from 10.30am to 11.30am
Vigil Masses:
6.00pm St John’s preceded at 5.15pm until 5.55pm with Reconciliation and Exposition 6.30pm St Mary’s
Sunday Fourth Sunday of Advent
Christ the King: 9.15am and 5.00pm
St Mary’s: 10.00am (This Mass will be live-streamed on the parish website*)
St John’s: 10.45am
(*A recording of the Mass should be available later from Sunday afternoon)
Stay with us Lord on our journey
“The Mass is the most perfect form of Prayer”—Pope Paul VI
Please click here for this week's Masses
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| Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy - Pope Francis |
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PARISH CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES 2025 Masses for Christmas in the parish will be as follows: First Mass of Christmas Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December
Christmas Day Masses Thursday 25th December 9.15am Christ the King 10.00am St Mary’s 10.45am St John’s
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“ALL CHANGE” MORNING AT ST JOHN’S– THIS SUNDAY It's all change from Sunday December 14th expanding our regular Sunday mornings after the 10.45 Mass, into the "Upper Room" of the parish hall. Our set up is run on donations and help yourself to whatever you like. There's tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, smiles, chat and all out of the wind and rain - marvellous!! The Christmas Raffle continues with first prize of a hamper to be drawn on Sunday 21st - be in it to win it! |
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POPE LEO’S OBSERVATIONS ON ADVENT WHILST IN THE MIDDLE EAST “If we truly want to help the people we meet let us ‘keep watch’ over ourselves, as the Gospel recommends , by cultivating our faith with prayer, with the sacraments, living it consistently in charity and casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armour of light. “How urgent this call for peace is, for us today,” How great the need for peace, unity and reconciliation around us, within us and among us. What can our contribution be in response?” |
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THE CATENIAN ROSARY GROUP Starting in 2002, The Catenian Rosary Group have asked people to donate rosaries to help in the Church’s missionary work. From initial gifts to South Africa and Australia the donations have expanded across Africa and Asia, including the fledgling Church in Nepal, with help on transportation from Missio. Over half a million rosaries have been donated in total! The donations also go to prisons, but because of prison restrictions, money donations are more welcome, The Catenian Burnley Circle is now asking everyone to search for and give unwanted rosaries and drop them in the boxes at the back of each church to further support this wonderful work. |
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS: ACTION NEEDED — AND— THANK YOU CELEBRATION Thank you for your continued hard work, support and dedication! We are reaching out to all volunteers for two purposes! If you do any ministry or voluntary work for the parish please read on. |
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VOLUNTER REGISTER—ACTION It has been two years since the last survey, and it is now time to update our volunteer register, for all three churches. Forms are available at the back of each church. If you are involved in any activities or Ministries, kindly take a form, fill it out, and place it in the designated box at the back of the church. |
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CHRISTMAS DECORATION VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED AT ST MARY’S The annual Christmas Decorating of St. Mary's Church will be carried out from 11.45am on Sunday 21st December 2025 and volunteers are required to assist with this effort. Due to health reasons the group responsible for this in previous years have limited ability to do the same again this year. Meet up in the parish rooms at 11.45am. Further information from John Edmondson via email: |
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PARISH CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH Thanks to all those who have agreed to help as part of the team putting on this now annual event and also to all those who have booked to come as our guests for Christmas day lunch. Sorry but we are now full booked so we are unable to accept any more guests. We are delighted at the response we have received this year and we are confident it will turn out to be a very enjoyable celebration. Thank you so much for the tremendous support. |
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HOLY COMMUNION AT HOME If you, or someone you know cannot get to Mass but would like to receive Holy Communion in their home, please ask their permission, then talk with Fr David to arrange things. |
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Pope Leo’s Prayer intention for December For Christians living in areas of war or conflict Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope |
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SONGS OF PRAISE FOR JUBILEE YEAR—POSTPONED Apologies but the event scheduled for 23rd October at St Mary’s is postponed, the new date for which will be communicated in the very near future. |
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ST MARY’S MEMORIAL CORNER Historic Photos: Peek into our community past with the new photo display at the back of church. Our record of our men who died in WWI has been transferred into a folder which is set out there. Lately Dead Memorial: There is a stand with Orders of Service of people who have recently had their Funeral at St Mary’s to enable your remembrance and to ask for your prayers. Older ones are. filed aside. A Brief history and Short Guided Walk around the Church: The leaflet has been updated and is now available at the back of church, for your interest. |
CHURCH STEWARDS
Huge thanks to our stewards who make attendance at church possible as we continue to work at remaining safe whilst in church. Please call Fr David if you would like to join this invaluable team.
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THE GOOD SAMARITAN WHATSAPP GROUP Continues to go strong with many varied items shared and is an extra layer of communication. across the Parish. Recent items include prayer intentions and a link to a petition to keep the hospital shuttle bus. If you'd like to connect please contact Margaret P 07751 025178. And we ask our Whatsappers to share with any none-Whatsappers in a more traditional manner - over a cup of tea!! I am choosing to rest in you and to allow your peace to calm me in my difficulties, and to strengthen me with the courage to face the challenges with your Spirit by my side. |
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KSC QUIZ NIGHT KSC QUIZ NIGHT AT ST MARY’S PARISH ROOMS Our next quiz night will be Monday 15th Dec at 8pm in St Mary’s parish rooms. This will be our last one of the year so we will have a Christmas theme and we will be serving free festive sandwiches and mince pies. Quiz Master will be Fr David. All are welcome..
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FOREIGN CURRENCIES, PENNIES, MEDALS AND GOLD If you have any of these items please bring them to church and place them at a box at the back of each church. The parish has received over £500 from what has already been raised.. Thank you. |
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175TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST MARY’S OPENING On 2nd August 1849 St Mary’s was opened by Bishop Brown, and a week of celebrations followed. We celebrate this septaquintaquinquecentennial anniversary(!!). We pray for the continued work within The Good Samaritan parish and all parishes to which it is ‘Mother Church’. |
CAFOD NEWS
CAFOD NEWS DECEMBER 2025
Our CAFOD group wish all our parishioners a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and express their thanks for the wonderful support in donations, campaigns and prayers throughout the year.
Your support enables CAFOD's local partners to get to work all over the world. They don't tell people what they need - they are led by the communities they work with, and by the local partners already present and trusted in the area. It is those local partners who have the best possible understanding of the challenges and opportunities of their communities. By supporting them, as they share their expertise and empower the skills of their communities, CAFOD knows your gifts are being put to the best possible use.
CAFOD works with people from all backgrounds and of all faiths, and none, so that everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
TUESDAY CLUB AT ST MARY’S
The Tuesday club meets every Tuesday from 1pm to 3.30pm in the Parish Rooms at St Mary’s. We have games of Bingo, refreshments and a good “catch up” with friends. All are welcome from across the parish. For more information please contact Marie tel 07427770970.
MONDAY MORNING MASS AT ST. MARY’S
Tea and toast will be served in the parish rooms after 9.30am Mass on Mondays.
This will be organised by the Legion of Mary who will commence their weekly meeting at 10.30am in the Newman Room. All are welcome.
SOCIAL GROUP AT ST. MARY’S
Our next gathering for cards, a quiz, darts, table tennis, a cuppa and a chat will at 1.30 to 3.30pm on Thursday 11th December. All welcome.
PARISH BONUS BALLGAME—WINNERS!
Thanks to all who have supported the bonus Ball game and it will continue each week.
The winning Bonus ball number for last Wednesday was number 38
Congratulations to last week’s winners who are as follows:
St John’s ~ Rollover. St Mary’s ~ Margaret Christ the King ~ Rollover
Please claim your prize from the appropriate sacristy.
BURSARIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO “ HELP YOU TO HELP OTHERS”
The Catenian Association offers financial support to young Catholics (aged 16—24) who are involved in development projects which help less fortunate people, (including Diocesan and HCPT Pilgrimages). For more information go to catenianbursary.com
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST MEMORIAL CORNER
Take a look at the two very interesting volumes of information regarding all those named on the war memorial at Saint John’s. They can be found in the memorial corner.
They have been compiled by one of our parishioners Linda. Her extensive work has involved studying a number of Internet sites, such as ancestry.com, the Commonwealth War Graves, British newspaper collection at findmypast and many more.
We thank Linda for her, thoroughly detailed research.
COST OF LIVING SUPPORT
This is a grocery targeted for those people who are having difficulties with the cost of living crisis. You pay a registration fee of £5 for the year, and can then shop weekly (or more often if need be) for £4 per visit — the usual ‘shop’ is equal to about £20/£30 in any other supermarket.
The two shops are 1) in the shopping centre square above New Look, and 2) Valley St near the cemetery. They’re open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm. Just drop in, see and buy!
The people of the parish have given donations and goods, through and in addition to the excellent work of Blessed Trinity College, who have raised over £14,000 since they started.
You are asked to continue to put food into the collection point in many supermarkets, as well as using the Blessed Trinity site for financial donations at https://tinyurl.com/ BlessedTrinityJustGiving. St John’s will continue to accept money gifts, in an envelope clearly marked dropped into the presbytery letterbox.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PARISH BY STANDING ORDER
You can make your contributions to the parish online by Standing Order; Please contact your bank and inform them that payment should now be made as follows:
Name: The Salford Diocesan Trust : The Good Samaritan Parish
Sort Code: 205558
Account number: 50404640.
Many thanks.
KSC INTER PARISH QUIZ Our Nelson brother Knights have a long tradition of interParish quizzes. For the second year the Good Samaritan Parish is invited (and challenged?!) to join in the fun! It will be held at the KSC Club 10 Forest St, Nelson on Friday 10th October at 8pm with free pie and peas supper. For catering purposes please let us know if you intend to take part: tel Michael 01282 691922.
KSC Rosary Crusade: This will take place at 6.30pm at John’s Ivy St, prior to 7pm Mass on Wednesday 8th October. All are welcome.
“I used to have an open mind, but my brain kept falling out!”
Here’s one of the Quotes sent from a parishioner on the website. There are many more—and Quips!
Have a laugh! Enjoy the wisdom! Send us one of your own favourites!
We’re all deeply into our new way of life and most of us we need to look for the silver linings. Till things go back to normal, let’s try to cheer each other up. Parishioner Tony Waters, who many of you may know from St Mary’s, has contacted us with a brilliant idea. In the current climate, why not have a series of items on reasons to be cheerful?…we reckon that anything that lightens up some of the doom & gloom has got to be good! We’ll publish them on the website, and in the Newsletter when space allows.
Email us with your suggestions to
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- So much unseasonal sunshine
- People smiling because you are deliberately avoiding them
- The fresh green of the springtime trees
- Young families out together for their walk
- Unexpected meetings and chats
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Join the fun—share the joy! Tell us your Reasons to be Cheerful! 😃
Video Recording Of Sunday Mass For The Parish
Like last week, we will be again uploading onto the parish web site a video recording of this Sunday’s Mass from St Mary’s
This should be available from late morning/early afternoon on Sunday. Thanks to all those who have helped to make this possible:
Video Recording: http://goodsamaritanparish.org.uk/index.php/view mass
Other Live-streamed Masses
The National Shrine in Walsingham; www.walsingham.org.uk
The Good Shepherd parish in Colne; www.goodshepherdpendle.org.uk.
You can also find the Readings for Mass each day on www.universalis.com
It is also possible that these streams will offer the Triduum services. The latter will coincide with our parish worship (if you see this Newsletter before the weekend is over).
FR DAVID’S REFLECTION
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called "Gaudete Sunday," a time of rejoicing because the birth of Christ is near, and the pink/rose coloured candle is lit on the Advent wreath to symbolise this joy.
We are encouraged to discover joy not by waiting for a perfect world to appear, but by recognising God’s presence and promise in the here and now.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus responds to the messengers sent by John the Baptist's by pointing to his actions: "The blind receive their sight, the lame walk... the poor have the good news preached to them.".
We are called to judge and recognise Jesus not by his words alone, but by the good things he does. We are all called therefore to let our actions add up to what we say we are. The Kingdom of God is not established through power, money, or impressive displays of our talents, but through the ordinariness of life, if we have eyes of faith to see it.
We are always in the presence of God, and so we are invited to slow down and recognise His presence. Our Advent journey should slow us down to a speed which allows God to "catch up" with us in our fast-paced world. So let us look for the joy in our lives on this third week of Advent.
This should be a challenge that leads to an adventure whereby we strive to see the joy even in the midst of challenging circumstances and setbacks.
When we discover the joy on these occasions we are surely very close to the Lord himself.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer Intentions in Ordinary Time
● A deeper understanding between Christians and Jews
● Those who suffer persecution oppression and denial of human rights
● Europe
● Seafarers
MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS ABOUT RECONCILIATION
These words from the Holy Father should help us while the Sacrament is not currently available:
“Do what the catechism says. It’s very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterwards I will go to confession.’ “You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the Catechism teaches us to God’s forgiveness, without having a priest at hand.”
“The greatest miracle accomplished by Jesus for Simon and the other disappointed and tired fishermen, is not so much the nets filled with fish, but to have helped them to not fall victim to disappointment and discouragement in the face of setbacks. He opened the way for them to become heralds and witnesses of His word and of the Kingdom of God”.
COMMUNITY GROCERY
This is a grocery targeted for those people who are having difficulties in the cost of living crisis. You pay a registration fee of £5 for the year, and can then shop weekly (or more often if need be) for £4 per visit — the usual ‘shop’ is equal to about £20/ £30 in any other supermarket. The two shops are 1) in the shopping centre square above New Look, and 2) Valley St near the cemetery. They’re open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm. Just drop in, see and buy!
The people of the parish have given donations and goods, through and in addition to the excellent work of Blessed Trinity College, who have raised over £14,000 since they started.
You are asked to continue to put food into the collection point in many supermarkets, as well as using the Blessed Trinity site for financial donations at https://tinyurl.com/BlessedTrinityJustGiving.
St John’s will continue to accept money gifts, in an envelope clearly marked dropped into the presbytery letterbox. Thank you all.
CAFOD NEWS
Campaigns Update – Pope Francis has announced he will be attending the global UN climate conference COP28 in Dubai this month. He’s called for political leaders at the COP28 talks to prevent the climate crisis from causing even greater tragedies for communities that have contributed least to causing it. We can support his message by asking our MP to act on the Pope’s call. To take part just follow the link: https://action.cafod.org.uk/page/137965/action/1
CAFOD’s World Gifts – Christmas is fast approaching, but don’t worry CAFOD have the best unusual presents for your friends and family that can make a real difference to people living in poverty. World Gifts are CAFOD range of gifts that help those families in most need across the world. For each gift you buy this Christmas, you will receive a beautiful gift card to pass on to your loved one. For the latest selection visit the CAFOD website or pick up a brochure at the back of our three parish churches: https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/
The present church building dates back to 1849, but its history dates back far beyond, to the days when the Catholic Church was persecuted in England, to secret masses at Towneley Hall and the time of priest holes.
There eventually came a time towards the end of the 18th Century when Catholics were tolerated and in the early 19th century a chapel was built at Burnley Wood, which became the direct predecessor of today's St Mary of the Assumption church.
During the 19th and into the 20th Centuries the parish grew, and nowadays St Mary's is a lively and outgoing parish with lots going on - see our Parish Groups page.
Saturday Vigil 6:30pm
Sunday Mass10:00
For other Masses, please see the Latest Newsletter
Mon - Weds - Fri: 12:00 - 12:30
Saturday Morning: 10:00 - 11:30am
St Mary of the Assumption, Burnley.
Entrance on Yorkshire Street, just around the corner from Todmorden Road.
Take a virtual tour of St Mary's church by clicking here.
With thanks to the former St Mary's Gem Church website (now defunct)
A Walk Around St Mary's (opens in separate page)
Church History in Outline, including former Parish Priests (opens in separate page)
A Short History of St Mary's, Burnley -
a comprehensive booklet by Margaret Durkin, BA, to mark the church's first centenary in 1949
(opens in separate page)
NEW! Added 26th Aug 2019 -
Silent Film of Canon Morrissey's Funeral, 1903
A Mitchell and Kenyon Film - when the page opens, click on the "Watch for Free" button - fascinating!
Parish War Dead (opens in separate page)
Links to our sister Churches in the Burnley Catholic Community:
Magnifying glass original (amended here) by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay. With thanks.