Sunday 14th April 2024
3rd WEEK OF EASTER
To download a copy of the latest bulletin please click here.
To download a copy of current rotas please click here.
LAST WEEK’S MASS ATTENDANCE:
St Mary’s: Saturday 4.30 77 | Sunday 10.30am 95
St Patrick’s: Saturday 6.00 83 | Sunday 9.00am 91
Total Combined Mass Attendance: 346
Total Online Sunday Mass Views: 340
TEA AND COFFEE AFTER SUNDAY MASSES
St Patrick’s after the 9.00am Mass in the Parish Meeting Room
St Mary’s after the 10.30am in the St Mary’s Social Club
Come along and join us for some social time with fellow parishioners. Meet old friends and make new ones in the parish. All welcome.
CONGRATULATIONS TO JACKIE & CHRIS McLAUGHLIN ON THEIR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – on behalf of all the parish, may I say ‘congratulations’ to Jackie and Chris McLaughlin who are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary this weekend. May God bless them at this very special mile-stone in their lives.
BAPTISM CONGRATULATIONS TO LEIGHTON JOHN DIXON – on behalf of the parish, may I say ‘congratulations’ to Leighton John Dixon who was baptised in St Mary’s church last Sunday. May God bless him as he begins his journey of faith.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CONGRATULATIONS TO SAM GIERULA – on behalf of the parish may I say ‘congratulations’ to Sam Gierula who made his First Holy Communion last weekend. This was a lovely occasion both for him and his whole family.
VACANCIES AT ST PATRICK’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY – St Patrick’s Catholic Primary Academy, Birstall are looking for passionate, dedicated people to join the staff team. We have part time and full time opportunities available. The closing date for any interested applicants is Monday 22nd April. For further information, please look at the website.
ST JOHN FISHER’S “RACE NIGHT”- Supporting the St John Fisher’s Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
FRIDAY 26TH APRIL FROM 7.00PM – BATLEY IRISH NASH
Come and join us for a fun Race Night to help support our students go on the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes this year with the Diocese.
OUR PARISH HISTORY – On Wednesday 13 April 1892 it was announced that parish priest Fr Charles Gordon had been elected by ratepayers in the Township of Batley as one of their four representatives to serve on the Dewsbury Union Board of Guardians for the Poor. He received 1,642 votes, coming second to woollen manufacturer John Blackburn. In his letter of thanks , he said it had been his duty and privilege to labour and toil amongst the poor of the district for 17 years, and it would be his pleasure to look into and protect the interests of the poor. He also said he believed this was the first time a Catholic had been returned to the Board of Guardians to safeguard the interests of the 6,000 Catholics who lived within the Dewsbury Union area.
PARISH BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP – ‘The Journey’ Grief Care Group for anyone walking through Loss. An opportunity to spend time with others who recognise your journey in bereavement. The Group will meet as follows;
Thursday 25th April – 6.30pm
St Mary’s Presbytery, Cross Bank Road, Batley, WF17 8PQ
with coffee and cake, a listening ear and a supportive approach.
The Group will be facilitated by Eileen and Stacy and supported by the Elizabeth Prout Bereavement Care Group.
ST PATRICK’S DISCUSSION GROUP – We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 10.00am in the St Patrick’s Church Tea/ Coffee room. All are welcome. For further details call Andy Hill on 01274 315271 or 07729 626966.
BATLEY ECUMENICAL SONGS OF PRAISE – you are warmly invited to join our Christian brothers and sisters in our parish for an ecumenical songs of praise, where we join together in prayer and worship as we continue our Easter celebrations:
Sunday 28th April at 3.00pm – St Thomas Church, Grosvenor Road, Batley WF17 0LX
ST PATRICK’S LEGION OF MARY – The St Patrick’s legion of Mary meet every Tuesday morning at 10.00am in the St Patrick’s Parish Meeting Room. New members are always welcome.
ALEX WILD FUNDRAISER FOR THE KIRKWOOD (HOSPICE) – Alex Wild is currently raising money to support the wonderful work of our local hospice The Kirkwood in thanks for the way they cared for her dad in his final weeks. If
you would like to see what Alex is doing and also sponsor her, please click here.
Good luck to Alex in her efforts for this very worthy cause.
WELCOME SPACE – at St Peter’s Church, Birstall every Wednesday 11am-2pm. Free. Refreshments, hot drinks, 3 soups and sandwiches, board games and small little ones play area provided.
DRU YOGA WITH TAMLIN WALKER – Dru Yoga is great for maintaining and improving flexibility and for maintaining the health of your joints. It can help with stress, relaxation and even help you sleep better!
Sundays 6pm-7.10pm £7.50 Heckmondwike Community Centre Wednesdays 7.15-8.20pm £6 online via Zoom
Please contact Tamlin Walker on 07957434127 or email here for further information and a health registration form.
ST MARY’S SOCIAL CLUB – Are you thinking about where to celebrate a family party, baptism, wedding, birthday? (Not children’s parties) St Mary’s Social Club has great rooms available to hire at very good prices.
The Melton Lounge – ideal for parties up to 50 people with a well stocked bar.
The Ball room – can hold up to 160 people, with an adjoining kitchen and bar. For more information please visit here
St Mary’s Social Club and Parochial Hall – Melton Street, Batley, WF17 8PT
Booking Enquiries – Michelle 07896 974429 or find us on Facebook
Supporting your parish financially
I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to you all who have continued to support your parish financially at this difficult time. You really have been very generous in so many ways.
Standing Order Mandate – More and more people are paying their offertory collection by Standing Order, rather than using cash each week. If you would like to start using this facility please download the standing order form from the parish website or contact Michelle Anderson and she will arrange to post one to you. If you have any questions about setting up a standing order with the parish, do not hesitate to contact Michelle Anderson the Parish Administrator. The following contact details are for both St Mary’s and St Patrick’s.
Michelle Anderson:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01924 474650
News from the Diocese of Leeds
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR – CAR PARK SALE FUNDRAISER – There will be a car park sale on Saturday 11th May from 12:00noon until 4.00pm. Sale of New Designer Clothing, Furniture, Bric-a-brac, and lots more! Raising funds for the building of a new home at Mount St Joseph’s.
ST GEMMA’S HOSPICE PRECIOUS TIME APPEAL – On Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd April, St Gemma’s Hospice will be running a new 36-hour undraising initiative – the Precious Time appeal. The appeal invites people to donate during a 36-hour window, during which all donations will be doubled by major donors. We have already received pledges from major donors of over £100,000 to use during this 36-hour period. We are also recruiting Champions to help us spread the word and hopefully match this money through contacting their community, friends and family, and fundraising in other ways such as traditional bucket collections and bake sales. For more details of how to help, please click here.
FRIENDS OF THE BRIERY QUIZ NIGHT – You are invited to an evening of gentle fun at their next Quiz Night on Wednesday 24th April 7:00pm – 9:30pm at The Briery, 38 Victoria Avenue, Ilkley LS29 9BW. Tickets are £5 each and include your first drink! Booking is essential, so please contact the office to save your place or call 01943 607287.
CELEBRATION OF MARRIED LIFE – On Saturday 18th May, there will be a special Celebration Mass for Married Life at Leeds Cathedral at 12noon for couples and their families celebrating their 25th (Silver), 40th (Ruby), 50th (Golden), 60th (Diamond) and 70th (Platinum) wedding anniversaries this year. There will be an opportunity for couples, who wish to do so, to renew their marriage vows during the liturgy. If you are celebrating the anniversary of your wedding and you would like to take part in this celebration, please fill out the application form which is available at the back of church.
DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE – 5-11th July 2024 from Leeds/Bradford Airport: The theme is ‘and that people should come in Procession’. Booking now open and places are filling up. Please book with Tangney Tours T: 01732 886666 or online.
Further information is available here. If you are interested in volunteering (especially appealing for doctors, particularly GPs and nurses) please contact here. Dates for your diary: Sunday 14th April Meet the pilgrims, Hinsley Hall, 2-4pm.
Saturday 8th June Pre-departure Mass 11:30am Leeds Cathedral.
CENTENARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE CATHEDRAL JULY 2024 – On Thursday 18th July at 11.30am, together with the Priests, Deacons, Religious and Lay Faithful, Bishop Marcus will celebrate a Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral Church of St Anne, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Leeds, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Cathedral’s Dedication. More information about the Cathedral’s centenary celebrations will be published in due
course.
CATHOLIC CARE VACANCIES –
School Social Worker Spinal Point SP18 £29,269 to SP25 £33,945 (dependent on qualifications and experience)
Location: West Yorkshire (Full UK driving license required). Permanent, Part-time, or Full-time positions available.
Support Worker Spinal Point SP4 – 7 £23,151 to SP7 £24,294 pro rata (dependent on qualifications and experience).
Location: Todmorden Post: Permanent Part-time or Full-time positions available.
For further details and how to apply for these posts, please visit website or Telephone: 0113 3885400 to request an application form.
MARRIAGE CARE TRUSTEES VACANCIES – Marriage Care is recruiting new Trustees to join in enabling the vital relationship support services provided to the Catholic community and beyond. Use your skills and gifts to provide governance and strategic direction. For further information please visit website.
ANYTHING FOR THE BULLETIN?
If you have any items for the parish bulletin, please may I have them no later than Thursday 12.00noon. These can be sent to Michelle Anderson here or post them through either presbytery letterbox and I will pick them up and add them to the coming week’s bulletin. Many thanks.