22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (C)
Sunday 31st August 2025

To download a copy of the latest bulletin please click here

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FORTHCOMING FUNERALS

Name:	Church:	Arrangements:
Christine Harrison	St Mary	Requiem Mass – Tues 2nd Sept – 11.30am
Brian Ledgard	St Patrick	Requiem Mass – Thursday 4th Sept – 1.15pm

BAPTISM CONGRATULATIONS – on behalf of the parish, may I say ‘congratulations’ to; Willow- Belle Jones & Grayson Gray
who were baptized in St Mary’s last weekend. May God bless them as they begin their lives of faith.

BACK TO SCHOOL – GOOD LUCK & EVERY BLESSING – to all the pupils and staff of our three wonderful parish schools, St Mary’s, St Patrick’s and St John Fisher, may I say ‘good luck’ for the beginning of a new academic year. May God bless all your work and efforts. I hope it is a good year for you all. Please keep our schools in your prayers, they play a vital role in our children’s education and also their Catholic formation

THE ANNUAL BATLEY TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION
Monday 6th October – 7.30pm
We will once again be hosting the annual Batley Torchlight Procession. The Procession will start at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. The Torchlight Procession is a fine expression of our Catholic faith and gives honour to Mary, Mother of God. Please support your parish in this unique and special Diocesan event. Refreshments will be available afterwards.
PLANNING MEETING MONDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER AT 7.00PM – there will be a short meeting after the Monday evening Mass on Monday 8th September. This is just to make sure everything is in place and what help we need. If you would like to get involved please join us for this meeting. Any offer of help is always welcome.
APPEAL FOR STEWARDS – are there any people who are willing to help on the evening. Mainly to shine a safety light around the procession route. Your help would be much appreciated. If you are willing to help, please sign your name on the form at the back of church.

SETTING UP AT CHILDREN’S LITURGY AT THE 9.00am MASS IN ST PATRICK’S – We now have the happy situation where more children are coming to the Sunday 9.00am Mass at St Patrick’s. In order to help encourage this, we are looking to set up a ‘Children’s Liturgy’ for them. I have some willing leaders who are happy to run this, but we also need more volunteers to help. Would you be willing to offer your time to help? If we get enough volunteers it could be done on a rota basis so it is not too onerous. Once we get the volunteers then we can arrange their CRB checks to comply with safe-guarding requirements. Hopefully we can get this off the ground very soon. If you are willing to help or to find out more please see Fr Eamonn after Mass and I can explain more. It would be a great thing to have at the 9.00am Mass both for the children and also for their parents who bring them.

POP INTO ST PAT’S YORKSHIRE DAY CELEBRATION
Monday 1st September – “Poetry” Please bring your own treasured poems to read.
Come along and join us – meet new people, make new friends.

ST MARY & ST PATRICK NOVEMBER FAYRE – once again we will be holding our annual November Fayre:
Saturday 15th November in the St Mary’s Social Club

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 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.

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 4th September – 6.30pm
Thursday 2nd October – 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.
(Elizabeth Prout Bereavement Care)

OUR PARISH HISTORY –  The end of August/beginning of September 1905 marked a new chapter in the history of both St Mary’s and St Patrick’s parishes. St Mary’s curate Father Peter Russell was appointed as the first parish priest at the newly established parish of St Patrick’s, and as a result was said to be the youngest parish priest in England. He remained parish priest at St Patrick’s until 1931. Father Peter McBride came to St Mary’s to take up the vacated curate position, assisting parish priest Father John Joseph Lea. Father McBride was to serve at St Mary’s for the next 46 years.

(Jane Roberts – Parish Historian) Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk

CATENIANS: FAITH, FAMILY & FRIENDSHIP – Meet formally each month on the third Tuesday plus whenever another event has been arranged. Membership is open to any catholic men but wives/partners are encouraged to always be involved. Details about the association can be found here or you may wish to speak to our Membership Officer Dennis Donnelly on 01484 606042.

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.

THE ROYAL VOLUNTARY SERVICES (RVS) COFFEE MORNING – The Royal Voluntary Services are holding a coffee morning at:
Batley Community Centre
Saturday 13th September 2025 between 10am to 12pm.
Cake stall, plant stall and a tombola raffle. Entrance £1.50, proceeds go towards the running of local RVS community groups. Come along to find out about local community groups that are available to join in Batley. Come and learn about local volunteering opportunities.

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

NOTICES FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT & ST PAUL’S – HECKMONDWIKE & CLECKHEATON HOLY SPIRIT COACH-TRIP TO USHAW SEMINARY & DURHAM Friday 5th September 5th £25.00 please contact Susan: 07956048711 MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING – Come along on Saturday September 20th for a Macmillan Coffee Morning from 10.00am – 1.00pm in St Paul’s Parish Hall, Cleckheaton. Wide variety of cakes and drinks, socialise and raise money for a great charity. Children’s activities and craft stalls too.

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.