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 6TH JULY TO SUNDAY 12TH 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 Maria Goretti
9.30am St Mary’s
Tuesday Weekday
9.30am St Mary’s
2.00pm Funeral Service at St John’s for Drahomir Kohut RIP
12.00 noon St John’s
Wednesday Weekday
9.30am Christ the King
7.00pm St John’s
Thursday St Augustine Zhao Rong and companions
9.30am St. Mary’s 10.00am St John’s
Friday Weekday
12.00 noon St Mary’s preceded by Exposition and Reconciliation from 11.30 to 11.55am
Saturday St Benedict
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 Fifteenth 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
|
|
|
‘FIRST OF THE MONTH’ THIS SUNDAY Our "First of the Month" continue at St Johns on Sunday July 5th after the 10.45am mass. We will then be in the middle of Wimbledon and a certain World Cup so the Swingball and Footy nets will be in full swing with refreshments and 'deuce' in the Parish Hall!! Come and Join the Fun! |
|
ST MARY’S COFFEE MORNING CANCELLED—THIS SUNDAY 5TH JULY The children who have celebrated their First Holy Communion will have their Thanksgiving Mass this Sunday and will have their celebration party in St Mary’s in the Parish Rooms afterwards. The Coffee Morning and the Home Produce Stall are cancelled for one week only. If you can, why not pop up to St John’s for their ‘First of the Month’ fun event at 11.45?! |
|
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CELEBRATION MASS We wish the children a happy and memorable day as they celebrate all that they have received during the Parish Sacramental Programme. Congratulations on their progress in faith. God Bless them.
|
|
DATES FOR NOTING; DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN NEARER THE TIME. Social and fundraising Meeting to plan the Parish Garden party will be at St Mary’s presbytery on Tuesday 14th July at 7pm. All are welcome. 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. |
|
RIGHT TO LIFE — ACTION PLEASE! The House of Lords will vote on Wednesday which will decide whether abortions become legal up to the time of actual birth. Many C of E Bishops do not attend the House of Commons frequently, and their votes are vital to prevent this happening. Go to the website: https://righttolife.org.uk/bishops. There is a preprepared letter for you to read (and adjust if you wish). Enter yor name address and vote. Simple BUT VITAL. - Please act! |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Pope Leo’s Prayer Intention for June 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. |
|
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.
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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
14 TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 5TH JULY 2026
CAFOD Venezuela Earthquake Appeal - As you will have no doubt seen in the news, the situation in Northern Venezuela is tragic after two devastating earthquakes struck in quick succession near Caracas last Wednesday night. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people whose needs are so great at this time. Thousands of our neighbours have been killed or injured, and buildings, including churches, seminaries and Caracas Cathedral, have been damaged or destroyed.
CAFOD have launched a “Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Appeal” to aid the work of its trusted Church partners in Venezuela who are already helping the survivors of this crisis with emergency water, food and shelter.
Donations can be made three ways, however, donating online is the preferred route as it ensures your money reaches CAFOD’s trusted Venezuelan partners quickly so helping those in most need just as quickly. Here are the three routes: 1) Donate online via the CAFOD website at: https://cafod.org.uk/give/donate-to-emergencies/venezuelaearthquake-appeal 2) Donate via phone by calling CAFOD Supporter Care Team on 0300 999 0030 (9.30am–5.30pm, M–F) 3) Make a cash donation by putting it in an envelope marked “CAFOD Venezuela Earthquake Appeal” and placing it the offertory collection.
Many thanks for all your previous support and God be with the people of Venezuela.
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: ~ Linda St Mary’s: ~ Donna 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
-
-
-
- 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
-
-
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, Jesus the Master teacher speaks of humility. In our world we are told to big ourselves up, project ourselves if we want to get on. Humility will get you nowhere.
However, we also don’t like show offs, or people who are full of themselves because we find them irritating and annoying so we should look for another way forward. Genuine humility is a real gift.
A truly humble person does not make a big deal of their status or position in society. Nor do they make a big thing out of their achievements and successes. We are to model ourselves totally on Christ in every aspect.
Jesus though he was divine, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own avantage; rather, he made himself humble by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human form.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient even unto death, which of course led to his death on the cross! When we are around people who are ambitious and proud of themselves, we can feel inadequate and inferior and so become defensive and not enabled to be your best in their presence.
Humble people enable others to be at ease and at peace around them and can therefore can bring out the best in others. So as we listen to Jesus the Master teacher, let us come to him who yearns for our love and for us to grow in our friendship with him.
He will give us peace of mind and rest for our souls. Let us learn from him and particularly model our lives on his gentleness and humility
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.