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 12th MAY TO SUNDAY 18th MAY 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 SS Nereus and Achilleus
9.30am St Mary’s
Tuesday Our Lady of Fatima
9.30am St Mary’s 12 Noon St John’s
Wednesday St Matthais
9.30 Christ the King NB Only one Mass today
Thursday Easter Weekday
9.30am St John's NB Only one Mass today
Friday Easter Weekday
12 Noon Mass ay St Mary's preceded from 11.30am to 1155am with Exposition and Reconciliation
Saturday Easter Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s, followed by Reconciliation with Exposition: 10.30 to 11.30am
12.15 pm Easter Housebound Mass in St John's parish hall
Vigil Masses: 6.00pm St John’s preceded at 5.15pm until 5.55pm with Reconciliation and Exposition 6.30pm St Mary’s
Sunday Fifth Sunday of Easter
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 IN COUNCIL MEETING Thanks to all who came to the parish meeting on Thursday. Minutes will shortly be available for all who came. |
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Good Shepherd Sunday - Prayer for Vocations As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday today, we invite you to join us in praying for priestly vocations to our diocese as we say: Heavenly Father, in the great love you have for your people, we ask you to inspire men in our diocese to respond to your call to priestly life. Mould their hearts, Lord, after the Sacred Heart of your Son, so that they may grow in love and serve with joy. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. |
BOOKS OF CONDOLENCE
A Book of Condolence has been placed in Salford Cathedral’s temporary church for people to pay their respects. An online Book of Condolence, created by CathCom, is available on the Salford Diocese website. There is also a second online Book of Condolence from the Bishops Conference available on their website.
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A Statement from Bishop John Arnold on the Election of Pope Leo XIV We offer our prayers, especially in these early days, for Pope Leo XIV as he becomes the shepherd and guide of the Universal Church in the modern world. In his opening statement, we heard of Pope Leo’s tribute to Pope Francis and his desire for peace and solidarity and the need to create unity through the building of bridges. In taking the name of Leo, he is clear in the pursuit of upholding the dignity and rights of every human being and the mission of the Church in every aspect of our daily lives. In a world that faces so many global challenges, mayhe be an advocate for peace and a voice promoting care for our common home and our God-given dignity. May we follow his example in taking up our own unique mission as we work together to build up the Kingdom of God in our world today. Rt Rev John Arnold Bishop of Salford |
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PRAYER FOR POPE LEO XIV, THE SUCCESSOR OF POPE FRANCIS O God, who chose your servant Leo Xiv, in succession to the Apostle Peter as shepherd of the whole flock, look favourably on the supplications of your people and grant that, as Vicar of Christ on earth, he may confirm his brethren and that the whole Church may be in communion with him in the bond of unity, love and peace, so that in you, the shepherd of souls, all may know the truth and attain life eternal. rough our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. |
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PARISH EASTER EGGSTRAVANGA The Easter Eggtravaganza was a 'cracking' event and thanks to all from across the parish for the support in many ways - £426 raised!! Special mention to our gang of youngsters who paraded their beautifully decorated Easter hats and they were in turn delighted to each receive an Easter Egg - Thank you!! One raffle prize unclaimed—white116 |
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THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION We continue to enjoy working with the young people as they prepare for this important landmark in their Christian journey |
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FEAST OF SAINT GEORGE The deferred feast of St George will be celebrated in the parish with a special 9.30am Mass at St John’s on Monday 28th April. All are welcome. |
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CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BURNLEY SERVICE There will be a Churches Together in Burnley Service at St Mary’s on Pentecost Sunday 8th June at 6.30pm. |
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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. |
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HOME BLESSINGS WITH DEACON THEO Thanks to those who have already had their home to be blessed by Deacon Theo. If anyone else would like to have their home blessed, please arrange a convenient time by getting in touch with Deacon Theo on 01282 422007 or email: |
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DIOCESAN YOUTH MINISTRY PILGRIMAGES The first pilgrimage will take place on Saturday 3 May with a pilgrimage to Walsingham, in conjunction with our main diocesan pilgrimage. The second is a pilgrimage to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, taking place between 20-22 June. Find out |
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SALFORD DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2025
Thank you to those who have expressed an interest in joining as a Youth (16-35) volunteer group in Lourdes this year from 30th July to 7th August. It is still possible to express interest by contacting Deacon Theo. There have been a number of kind offers of substantial financial support for the pilgrimage which we hope will enable anyone wishing to come on this life changing experience to do so without financial worries. Please contact Deacon Theo (
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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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PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2025—UPDATE In the last few weeks, the children have been celebrating their First Reconciliation. Please continue to pray for the children and their families as they prepare to receive the Lord in First Holy Communion. |
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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 on Monday 12th May at 8pm in St Mary’s parish rooms
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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— 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, 11TH MAY 2025
CAFOD Partners from Colombia Visit Diocese - This Tuesday 13th May, at Our Lady of Dolours, 500 Bury New Road, Kersal, Salford, M7 4ND - 7.30 p.m. there will be a great opportunity to learn more about how your donations make a difference. CAFOD will be welcoming visitors from one of CAFOD’s Colombian partners, SIEMBRA. SIEMBRA is a non-governmental organisation which supports human rights and environmental defenders and this visit will focus on raising awareness on the case of the Atrato River, which flows through Colombia’s Pacific rainforest - one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
If you wish to attend and want more details contact Dominic on 07999 512102.
Lent Family Fast Day – the parish CAFOD group wish to sincerely thank everyone for their generous contributions to CAFOD’s Lent Family Fast Day appeal. As a parish we donated an amazing £2,172.99. Thanks also to Fr David for allowing us to make the appeal.
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
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 Wednesday 7th May was number 20
Congratulations to last week’s winners who are as follows:
St John’s ~ Jill St Mary’s ~ Theresa Christ the King ~ Patricia
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.
KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS—24TH MAY 2025
100 YEARS OF CATHOLIC CHARITY AND SOCIAL ACTION IN BURNLEY
The Knights would invite and welcome everybody to join them in celebrating their Centenary Anniversary on Saturday 24th May, The events are:
Evening Mass of celebration at 5.30pm at St Mary’s church. Bishop John Arnold has honoured the centenary as Celebrant of this Mass.
A three-course meal at Turf Moor and entertainment with fantastic artist Sean Middleton. Tickets are selling fast and are £20per person!
If you are interested please contact a Brother or Grand Knight Tom Wilkinson for more information: Mobile: 0789112951 Email:
“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
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.