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: MONDAY20th JULY TO SUNDAY 26th JULY 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 St Apollinaris
10.00am Funeral Mass at St John’s for Rex Melling RIP
Tuesday St Lawrence of Brindisi
9.30am St Mary’s (See note on Page 2)
Wednesday St Mary Magdalene
9.30am Christ the King NB Only one Mass today
Thursday St Bridget of Sweden
9.30am Mass at St Marys
10.45am Funeral Mass at St John’s for Ray Williamson RIP
Friday St Sharbel Makhlouf
12.00 noon St Mary’s preceded by Exposition and Reconciliation from 11.30 to 11.55am
12.45am Funeral Mass at St John’s for Georgina Carroll RIP
Saturday St James
9.30 St Mary’s (See item below) 10.45 to 1130am Exposition & Reconciliation at St Mary’s 5.15pm to 5.55pm St John’s Reconciliation and Exposition
Vigil Masses
6.00pm St. John’s
6.30m St. Mary’s
Sunday Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Christ the King: 9.15am 5.00pm Christ the King
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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PARISH GARDEN PARTY - SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST Following last week’s meeting, our annual Parish Garden Party will take place this year on Sunday 23 August 2026 from 2pm to 4pm. Afternoon tea and the tombolas will be based in St Mary’s Parish Rooms The usual games including Spin the wheel, Spot the ball, Knock the cans. Velcro darts and Bonanza. Tickets for entrance to afternoon tea are £5.00 per person with accompanied Under 16’s free, and will be available soon. There will be a box at the back of each of the three churches for anyone to donate items for the tombola stall . If we are receive too many such gifts we would like to use them at another parish fundraiser. If you would like to pledge baking home-made cakes please contact Barbara on 07713 718 700 or 07930 508 209.
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PARISH HIKE - THIS SUNDAY The Parish hike will cover about five miles around Hurstwood and Gorple Moor this Sunday 19th July We will be meeting at 12.45pm at Worsthorne village centre. Please bring walking boots, water, packed lunch All welcome. |
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UNIFORMS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED Do you have any unwanted school uniform items? We are collecting school uniforms from any school and in any condition to help local families affected by the cost-of-living crisis. Collection boxes labelled “School Uniform Collection” will be available at the entrances of all three churches. This is a joint project, led by The Rotary Club and Building Bridges in Burnley. Thank you for your support and generosity |
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STRUNG SUNG SUPPER 20TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT Thanks to all who came from Burnley to this event in Moston, North Manchester. The atmosphere, the making new friends, seeing Fr Job, the dancing, the delicious food, the great singing, and much more contributed to making it an unforgettable evening. Thanks to all who contributed in anyway to the success of this most enjoyable event. The band have been invited back to St Dunstan’s next year which is brilliant.
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DATES FOR NOTING; DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN NEARER THE TIME.
Parish hike around Hurstwood and Gorple Moor The five-mile hike will be held on Sunday 19th July meeting at 12.45pm at Worsthorne. Parish Day Trip to St Anne’s Tuesday 25th August. |
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FUNERAL MASS OF AGNES GRAHAM RIP The funeral Mass for Agnes will be celebrated in the parish on Tuesday 21st July, however it was the express wishes of Agnes that her Funeral Mass be attended only by her family. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation. |
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LOURDES PILGRIMAGE CHARITY CYCLE RIDE The Lourdes Children and Families Trust has over 10 years experience of supporting families to enjoy pilgrimage holidays in Lourdes. We prioritise families with special needs who travel as part of a pilgrimage community of families creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime. On 24th July, 27 cyclists will begin a 7-day ride from the north coast of France, cycling 830km to Lourdes. A further 6 will be cycling all the way from Salford Diocese to meet the main peloton in France. All cyclists are self-funding, have donated their own time and money to the cause and most will also act as volunteers during the pilgrimage. Any donation you can make towards this cause would be grateful received. To donate please visit https:// www.justgiving.com/page/sam-walsh-4 or scan the QR code |
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GIFT AID ENVELOPES These are now available at the back of each church. At St Mary’s the Gift Aid boxes are labelled with your name. At Christ the King church please take a box of envelopes and look for the form inside the box, please complete form and return to the sacristy or please give to Mick Frazer or Tim McCarthy. Those who would like to start to gift aid, please also take a box , complete form inside and return to the appropriate sacristy. |
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Fr David’s Anniversary of Ordination Please remember Fr David in your prayers on the 33rd anniversary of his ordination. Thank you for all your years of ministry to us and throughout the Diocese. |
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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 July 2026 For Respect for Human Life Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God. |
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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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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 – 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 19TH JULY 2026
CAFOD Venezuela Earthquake Appeal Continues - Three weeks after devastating earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, the emergency is far from over. Thousands of families remain without safe shelter, communities are still coping with missing family members, the loss of loved ones and little to no livelihoods, and the long road to recovery is only just beginning. Therefore, if you are able and you haven’t already, please consider donating. Donations can be made by one of three ways, however, donating online is the preferred route as it ensures your money reaches CAFOD’s trusted Venezuelan partners quickly:
1) Donate online via the CAFOD website at: https://cafod.org.uk/Venezuela
2) Donate via phone by calling CAFOD Supporter Care Team on 0300 999 0030 (calls are answered 9.30am– 5.30pm, Monday–Friday)
3) Make a cash donation by putting it in an envelope marked “CAFOD Venezuela Earthquake Appeal” and placing it the offertory collection.
Thanks for all your previous support and please keep the people of Venezuela in your prayers.
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 9th July. All are welcome.
PARISH BONUS BALLGAME—WINNERS!
PARISH BONUS BALL GAME— IMPORTANT UPDATE
Thanks to all who support the Bonus Ball game in each of the three churches, which will continue each week. Since changes to the National Lottery, we will use the first of the two draws as our source for our Bonus Ball.
So in the light of the above information, the winning Bonus ball number for Wednesday was number 56
Congratulations to last week’s winners who are as follows:
St John’s: ~ Fraser St Mary’s: ~ Nora Christ the King: ~ Rollover
Please collect your prizes from the appropriate presbytery
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 EVENTS AT NELSON KSC CLUB
There are some great events on the horizon, and everyone is warmly invited to come along and support the work of the Knights of St. Columba.
Inter-Parish Quiz Night Friday 24th July starting at 8.00pm.Current champions: Parish of the Good Samaritan. There will be FREE pie and peas for all participants.
British Heart Foundation Charity Afternoon on Sunday 26th July. Entertainment by vocalist Mike Lester. £3 admission. Have enjoyable afternoon while helping to raise funds for a very worthy cause.
“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
In Today’s Gospel we hear the parable of the wheat and the darnel. At the beginning of the growth process, both wheat and darnel look the same.
Only as harvest time approaches do we notice a difference because they all grow together. The difference between the two then becomes apparent. In any relationship people enter a friendship or even a marriage with good intentions and it takes the test of time to work out what are the good bits and what are the bad.
Everything in life needs the test of time to see what the reality is. There is no substitute for real life; like the weed and darnel growing together. Patience and acceptance of God’s ways is the only way our lives can overcome evil in our world and in our lives.
This involves prayer and faithfulness to God. This should lead to a deeper personal friendship with Christ, and this is always the best way to remove evil thoughts, words and actions from our lives. Let us pray for the Lord’s mercy upon our lives, may we be careful and lenient in our thinking and our treatment of others.
May we try to eradicate evil in the world and in our lives by beginning with ourselves. May we strive to repent, be faithful and obedient to the Gospel. We know that unless we do deal with the evil and bad aspects of our lives, then they will get the better of us.
May we avoid writing other people off and condemning other because of their sins.
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
CAFOD NEWS APRIL 2026
Campaigning petition: Aiysha from Bangladesh once worked as a day labourer, barely earning enough to support her husband and son. Then, with CAFOD’s help, Aiysha learned about a sustainable way of growing food called ‘agroecology’ that works with nature, not against it.
Agroecology doesn’t rely heavily on single crops, as industrial agriculture does, nor on chemicals that make farmers sick. Instead, farmers use their local knowledge to grow food that fits their specific climate, soil and culture.
Since Aiysha learned about agroecology, she has almost doubled her income. Will you please help CAFOD urge the government to support sustainable food systems? Please send a message to the Minister of International Development, Baroness Chapman, calling on the UK government to do more on this issue at - https://action.cafod.org.uk/page/183763
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.