23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (C)
Sunday 7th September 2025

To download a copy of the latest bulletin please click here

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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.

POP INTO ST PAT’S
Monday 8th Sept – come along and join us for our wonderful ukulele group who will be entertaining us once again. This is always an enjoyable event.
Come along and join us – meet new people, make new friends.

NOVEMBER FAYRE – SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER AT ST MARY’S SOCIAL CLUB
There will be a Planning Meeting for the November Fayre on
Monday 15th September after the 6.00pm Mass
Please come along and get involved. Let us make this a good parish effort and a success for the parish.

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.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
BATLEY COMMUNITY CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Monday 15th December – 7.00pm – St Patrick’s Church
Following on from the success of last year, I am delighted to say that the wonderful Batley Community Choir will once again be coming to sing for us as we prepare for the wonderful season of Christmas.

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 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 –  At the beginning of September 1947, former St. Mary’s parishioner Elizabeth Ann Moss (née Lyons) visited relatives in Batley, staying with her brother-in-law Thomas Kilroy at Cobden Street. He was the widower of her sister Catherine, and she was able to bring him news of three of his children, Mary Agnes, Teresa, and James, who lived near her in Providence, Rhode Island, where she saidthey formed “quite a little colony of Batleyites.” The sister of former Batley rugby player Jimmy Lyons, Elizabeth Ann had emigrated to America in 1904, and this was her first visit to Batley since 1912. She was amazed at the differences in town stating “Batley has changed tremendously and my, how Commercial Street has improved”. This was the era of ocean travel, and she sailed to England on the Mauretania, returning to the U.S. in October 1947 on board the Queen Elizabeth.

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

NEWS FROM OUTSIDE THE PARISH

HOLY SPIRIT & ST PAUL’S 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.

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

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.