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 9TH MARCH TO SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2026
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 Lent Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s
Tuesday Lent Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s 12 Noon St John’s
Wednesday Lent Weekday
9.30am Christ the King 6.00pm St John’s
Thursday Lent Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s 10.00am St John’s
Friday Lent Weekday
6.30am Lenten Mass at St Mary’s
9.30am St Mary’s NB: No Reconciliation and Exposition today
7.00pm Stations of the Cross at St Mary’s
Saturday Lent 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 in Lent
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
St Carlo pray for us and especially for all our young people.
“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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LENT 2026 During Lent we are called to pray, fast, and give. There are additional opportunities to help us make Lent a holy and fulfilling preparation for Easter. Friday early morning Lenten Mass at St Mary’s: There will an extra Mass at 6.30am at St Mary’s on Fridays of Lent. This will be followed by breakfast in the parish rooms for all present. Stations of the Cross: Stations of the Cross will be celebrated each week during Lent at the churches in the parish.This week it will be on Friday 13th March at St Mary's at 7.00pm.
‘Walk with Me’ Booklets and calendars are available in all three churches. |
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A Prayer during Lent Dear Lord, cleanse my heart and renew my spirit. Remove anything that separates me from you. Help me to walk in your truth and live according to your purpose. Let this Lent shape me into the person you created me to be. Amen |
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SVP HOUSEBOUND MASS The SVP’s next Housebound Mass is on Saturday March 21st commencing at 12.15pm in St John’s Parish Hall. As in the past it an invitation across the parish for anyone who is housebound or disabled young or old to attend. If transport is required please contact Klaus on 07977913092 or Maria on 07929256406. The usual lunch will be served afterwards. All are welcome! |
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PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2026 Congratulations to the children of the parish who were presented last weekend onto the Parish Sacramental Programme, and also to those who will celebrate being presented onto the Programme at this Sunday’s 5.00pm Mass at Christ the King. |
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CATHOLIC SAFER RECRUITMENT DROP-IN SESSION FOR PARISH VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ATTENTION OF EVERYONE WHO HELPS IN THE PARISH We are hosting a “Drop in Session” for all parish volunteers who have not registered with the Diocesan Safer Recruitment . We are also inviting those Parish volunteers who have had a change in their voluntary role(s). We would also like to see those parish volunteers whose DBS is due to expire in the next 6 months. Staff from the Diocesan Safeguarding team will be in attendance to assist and answer any questions. The session will take place in St Mary’s Parish rooms on Thursday 19th March between 10am and 3.30pm, no appointment is necessary. For further information please call Anna 07714 664 519. With sincere thanks for your continuing support for the parish and the mission of the Church. |
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SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION Bishop John will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for St John Vianney Deanery at St. Mary’s church, Burnley at 7pm on Thurs 25th June. Young people living in the parish, who are in school year 8 or older and who have completed the Sacramental Programme (ie made their first Holy Communion) are now eligible to be prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you are interested please contact Fr David by 31st March , who will give you a letter providing details of the programme of catechesis and a Parental Consent/ Application Form. We will also be promoting the Sacrament through Blessed Trinity Catholic College. |
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A DAY FOR THE PARISH IN SOUTHPORT On Tuesday 28th April we are planning a day out in Southport. We would leave Burnley around 9.30am and arrive at Holy Family RC Church in the Meols Cop area of Southport. On arrival we would have tea/ coffee in the parish rooms then afterwards receive a spiritual talk by the Parish Priest Fr Kevin McLoughlin. Fr Kevin will then preach at a concelebrated Mass in the church around midday. We would then proceed towards Lord street and the promenade for lunch and time to explore. We plan to leave around 3.30pm and be home for 5pm. Our mode of transport will depend on how many people are interested; but if we work on the cost being £10 per person then we can adjust accordingly. If interested in booking a place, please call Lynne .tel 07850048538. |
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NOTICE FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS—VOLUNTEER REGISTER—ACTION REQUIRED 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. Thank you.. |
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CASTLERIGG MANOR Catholic Family Retreat at Castlerigg Manor // March 27-29th // £160-230 per family- For the first time since Covid, Castlerigg Manor are bringing back their popular family retreats. There will be streams for different ages and fun activities for everybody including Mass in the evening and time to explore Keswick May Half Term B&B Stays at Castlerigg Manor - In May half-term, Castlerigg Manor (Catholic retreat centre in Keswick, Cumbria) will once again be opening their doors for B&B stays. A great way for families, groups of friends, and individuals to get an affordable stay in Keswick. Mass will be provided on site. For more information go to: castleriggmanor.com |
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SALFORD DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES If you, or your child, would like to join this group please contact Fr Theo ( during the coming week so that we can form a group. Every year Salford Diocese takes hundreds of pilgrims on pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many pilgrims are sick, elderly or disabled and so require additional care. Pilgrims are supported by a medical and nursing team and a group of volunteers from across the Diocese. Last year one of our young people from the parish joined the volunteer team alongside Fr Theo and had a wonderful time. This year we would again like to offer young people (from Year 11 upwards) the chance to join the pilgrimage. The group will travel to Lourdes by coach from 29th July to 6th August 2026 as part of the Diocesan Youth Group (DYG). The special “youth price” for this is £699 which includes travel, accommodation and all meals. Funding and fundraising will allow this cost to be reduced significantly (such as £100 from the Catenian Association). We wouldn’t want anyone not to put themselves forward due to cost. If anyone would like to join the medical and nursing team or would like more information about joining as a pilgrim, then please speak to Fr Theo who can provide more information |
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RCIA SCRUTINIES We are hoping to have a number of people from our parish to be baptised or received into full Communion with the Church this Easter. Four of them; Jake, Izzy, Joshua and Adam are currently “Catechumens” and so will receive the “Scrutinies” during the Sunday Masses over the next three Sundays, starting this Sunday the 3rd Sunday of Lent at 10.45am Mass at St John’s. This is based on the Gospel of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the well This is a very important time for them so please pray for them and the candidates over the coming few weeks as Easter draws near. |
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THE CATENIAN ROSARY GROUP—THANK YOU Burnley Catenians thank Parishioners for their generosity in donating rosaries for the Catenian Association appeal. More than 90 rosaries have been donated, sent on to the organiser and will be sent to Australia and Tanzania for use in growing Catholic communities. |
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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 February 2026 For Children With Incurable Diseases Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength 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
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY COLLECTION
Thank you to all our parishioners who took a Fast Day envelope last weekend and to those you made a donation on line. Your kind donations can help families around the world to grow food in difficult conditions and enable our neighbours to provide for their families.
You can still donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10.
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 26th February. 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 45
Congratulations to last week’s winners who are as follows:
St John’s ~ Myles St Mary’s ~ Teresa Christ the King ~ Daniel
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: BFC SIGNED FOOTBALL SHIRT RAFFLE
The Grand Knight Tom Wilkinson of KSC 110 is selling numbers towards the draw of a Framed Team Signed BFC Shirt 25/26. All money raised is being equally split between Pendleside Hospice and Georgia Fourie Butterfly Fund.
Please dig deep this Lent to help raise much needed funds for these amazing charities. Numbers are only £5 each, around the same price as a large Costa Coffee!' Draw is to be made on Easter Monday provided 100 tickets are sold. Numbers are £5 each.
Please get in touch with a Brother or Tom (07891 124951) to buy or for more information.
KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA PRESENTATION TO CANON JUDE HARRISON
Members of the Supreme, Provincial and local the KSC attended St Mary’s church last Sunday to present Canon Jude, who grew up in St Mary’s parish, with their Columba Cross. This is their highest award, and reflects Canon Jude’s continuous work for the Order and HCPT throughout his priestly ministry. Our congratulations to Canon Jude, and our thanks for his dedication and care.
“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
IIn today’s Gospel, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well in the heat of the midday sun. She has made a lot of mistakes and as a result is no doubt the source of much local gossip.
Jesus convinces her by talking about “living water” that she needs God in her life. She has come to seek water from the well but is “thirsting” for something else in her life: a chance to change, to be forgiven her sins and to be given a clear new direction for her life.
The Lord broke with custom to engage with the woman and this of course paid off and as a result of the encounter many others were won over to believe in Jesus through the word of the Samaritan woman. In this way Jesus shows us that everyone matters to God, he wants no one to be forgotten or overlooked because everyone is of value to him and of course people can change.
Lent is a time for giving, Jesus gave the woman something money could not buy; He gave her respect. He also gave her self-worth in the sight of God. He gave her hope and a chance to start again. The spirit of Lent is to give without counting the cost to us: when we give we should not do it for ourselves but for the Lord and the good of all.
Our giving and other disciplines of Lent are opportunities to change and to become more like Christ. May the Lord help us to always be careful in our encounters with others and give everyone we meet a chance to change and be open to be changed ourselves
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.