LAST WEEK’S MASS ATTENDANCE:
St Mary’s: Saturday 4.30 78 | Sunday 10.30am 75
St Patrick’s: Saturday 6.00 89 | Sunday 9.00am 102
Total Combined Mass Attendance: 344
Total Online Sunday Mass Views: 283
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.
On behalf of the parish, may I say ‘congratulations’ to Arlo Christopher Craig Jarrett, Saoirse Claire Willans-Scalley and Jude Alfie Farrelly who were baptised in St Mary’s and St Patrick’s last weekend. May God bless them as they begin their journey of faith.
FR EAMONN’S SILVER JUBILEE OF ORDINATION – DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – As you may know, Fr Eamonn will be celebrating his Silver Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood on Wednesday 10th July. Due to the fact that at that time the Bishop and many priests of the Diocese are on the Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes, he will be have a Parish Celebration as follows;
Mass of Celebration – Friday 19th July at 7.00pm – St Mary’s Church, Batley
Followed by a party in the St Mary’s Parochial Hall
There is an open invitation to the all the parish. He would be delighted if you could join him.
If you have any questions / ideas about this celebration please feel free to phone Michelle on 01924 474650
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.
‘POP INTO ST PAT’S – EACH MONDAY FROM 12.00 NOON – IN ST PATRICK’S
There is a warm welcome to join us each Monday for a lovely social gathering with friends from the parish and local community. Refreshments, entertainment and good company always available. ALL WELCOME.
Monday 22nd April– Pop into St Pat’s for a catchup with our very friendly community, a warm welcome always guaranteed for all. Doors open at 12 till 3.
Monday 29th April- come along for a singalong accompanied by our incredible Ukulele group . Always a joyous occasion. Please bring a cushion if you like a soft seat.
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 – In April 1932 St Patrick’s Church appointed a new organist, Martin McLoughlin. He succeeded Walter Hughes, who had undertaken the role for the previous 12 years, before moving to Hebden Bridge.
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 here
Phone: 01924 474650
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE
J&P and SPARK SOCIAL JUSTICE LISTENING EVENT – Join us in person for a listening event focused on people living in poverty. Sat 27th April 11am-1pm, St Monica & St Mary Church, Cottingley, Bingley. Lunch will be provided. Go to website to register.
CAFOD/SVP GENERAL ELECTION PREPARATION – The Year of Encounter provides webinars and on-line resources providing information to enable Catholics to make better informed voting choices. Next webinars: Thursday 25th April, 6.30pm and Saturday 4th May, 11am. See website to register.
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. Please book with Tangney Tours Tel: 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. Pre-departure Mass, Saturday 8th June 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.
COME AND SEE OPPORTUNITY – For women interested in learning about Franciscan Religious Life. Saturday 4th May 2024. 11am – 4pm. Franciscan Convent. 52 Dalby Road, Melton Mowbray. LE13 0BP. Contact: Sr Dorothy Paul 01664562422. Email here.
WEEKLY ONLINE MEDITATIONS FROM THE BRIERY – Join us for a short meditation on the Sunday Gospel from 7.30pm to 8.15pm on Thursdays. The Zoom opens at 7.15pm for a chat. All are welcome. Register for Zoom link by emailing here or call 01943 607287.
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.