Sunday 26th January 2025
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
(Sunday of the Word of God)

To download a copy of the latest bulletin please click here

---

FORTHCOMING FUNERALS

Name	Church	Arrangements
Brian Healey (RIP)	St Mary’s	Requiem Mass – Tuesday 28th January – 11.30am
Pat Timberley (RIP)	St Patrick’s	Requiem Mass – Monday 3rd February – 11.00am
Louis Mbanefo (RIP)	St Mary’s	Requiem Mass – Monday 10th February – 11.00am

JUBILEE 2025 –
‘PILGRIMS OF HOPE’

1ST FRIDAY PRAYER VIGILS
Friday 7th February – St Mary’s Church
6.00pm – Stations of the Cross & Confession
7.00pm – The Rosary & Confessions
8.00pm – Holy Mass
(Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout)

“If we want to grow and to be filled with the love of God, it is necessary to plant our lives firmly on three great realities: the Cross, the Host and the Virgin Mary: crux, hostia, et virginem…these are three mysteries that God gave to the world in order to structure, fructify and sanctify our interior life and to lead us to Jesus.” (Cardinal Robert Sarah: “The Power of Silence”)

May I invite you to come along and join us for our Jubilee Prayer Vigils. This is an opportunity to experience God’s forgiveness, receive the Jubilee Indulgence and rest prayerfully in the presence of our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament – All welcome.

CAFOD JUBILEE YEAR PRAYER CARDS – please find at the back of church a beautiful Jubilee Prayer Card which has been commissioned by CAFOD. Please take one home and also give a copy to family and friends who might appreciate one. May I encourage you to pray the Jubilee Prayer during this special year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’

WEEKDAY MORNING MASSES AT ST MARY’S – Please note that with immediate effect we will be reverting back to our original time of 9.30am for the weekday morning Masses in St Mary’s. The changed time of 10.00am on Tuesday and 12.00noon on Friday did not seem as popular as the Mass at 9.30am, so we are going back. May I say thank you to St Mary’s Primary Academy for being able to accommodate this change of time again. Then School Class Mass will now take place at 10.30am every other Friday.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

WELCOME TO BISHOP MARCUS – this week we welcome Bishop Marcus to our parish who is here to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with our Year 6 children. It is lovely that Bishop Marcus can be here with us for this special occasion.

PRAY FOR THE CONFIRMANDI – Please keep the children of Year 6 in our parish in your thoughts and prayers this week as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Marcus. May God bless and guide them at this very special moment in their lives of faith.

POP INTO ST PAT’S
Monday 27th January – come along and join us for our weekly social and lunch. This week our entertainment is Peter Hardcastle a local Saxophonist. He will play lots of oldies we all know.
Monday 3rd February – Pop into St Pats will start at 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Guest Speaker – Richard of Outback Beez will talk to us about beekeeping in West Yorkshire. Following his presentation there will be delicious honey available to buy.

Come along and meet old friends and make some new ones. Everyone welcome.

VIOLA BRADSHAW (RIP) – many people have been asking me the details for the funeral of Viola Bradshaw who sadly passed away so suddenly just after Christmas. Viola was only 10 years old and the family had no warning that there was anything wrong. Viola’s funeral funeral will take place as follows;
Friday 31st January – 1.00pm – Holy Spirit Church
Please keep Viola and her heart-broken family in your thoughts and prayers. Also, please remember the staff and children of Holy Spirit Primary Academy in your prayers. They too are devastated with this sad news.

PRESENTATION OF THE ST PATRICK’S 1ST RECONCILIATION CHILDREN – this weekend I am delighted to welcome the children in Year 3 who are now preparing to make their 1st Reconciliation. They will be presented to the parish at the 6.00pm Mass. Please keep the children in your prayers as they prepare for this important step in their life of faith.

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 next meetings are scheduled as follows;
Thursday 13th February 6.30pm
Thursday 20th March 6.30pm
Thursday 8th May 6.30pm
Thursday 5th June 6.30pm
These meetings will take place in the St Mary’s Parish Room. Tea & Coffee will be available. It is open to Catholics and non-Catholics are very welcome too. If you are struggling with bereavement, you are very welcome.

OUR PARISH HISTORY – On Sunday evening, 28th January 1934 a large audience of local Catholics gathered in Batley’s Empire Super Cinema, to listen to Father Martin Dempsey of London lecturing on “The Catholic Church, the only solution to the problems of the world.” Arranged by Batley Catholic Young Men’s Club, Dr. J. R. Cowgill, Bishop of Leeds, presided. Somewhat shockingly to readers today, the bishop said – to laughter – he did not know quite whether to put down Father McBride as a Hitler or a Mussolini, but he always seemed to get his own way. It shows the initially untroubled view about these two politicians. How these views were to change before the decade ended!
(Jane Roberts – Parish Historian)

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.

ST PATRICK’S LEGION OF MARY – The St Patrick’s legion of Mary meet on; Tuesday mornings at 10.00am in the St Patrick’s Parish Meeting Room.

ST BLAISE’S DAY MONDAY 3RD FEBRUARY – TRADITIONAL BLESSING OF THROATS – Monday 3rd February is St Blaise’s Day, but as you will see from the bulletin, I have had to rearrange Masses that day in order to accommodate a funeral. I know many people like to receive the traditional Blessing of Throats this day. So in order to make this blessing available, I will be doing the Blessing of Throats on Monday 3rd February at the 6.00pm Mass in St Mary’s and also upon request after any weekday Mass during that week. I am sorry that I am not available for our usual 11.30am Mass on the Monday.

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 & PAROCHIAL HALL – 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.
St Mary’s Social Club and Parochial Hall – Melton Street, Batley, WF17 8PT
Booking Enquiries – Michelle 07896 974429 or find us on Facebook
Website – http://stmaryssocialclubbatley.uk/

EVENTS IN ST MARY’S SOCIAL CLUB

Social Dancing	Sunday evenings from 7.30pm
Bingo in the Lounge	Tuesdays 8.00pm & Fridays at 8.00pm
Singing for Fun	Wednesdays from 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Quiz Night	Wednesdays from 8.30pm
Batley Rock and Roll Club	Wednesdays from 8.00pm
Fitness with Karen	Wednesdays 5.45pm – 6.45pm
Slimming World	Thursdays 9.00am – 11.00am & 5.00pm – 7.00pm Friday 9.00am
Central Pointe Dance (in the studio)	Monday to Thursday

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

For a full list of Diocesan notices please click here

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.