Sunday 2nd June 2024

The Most Holy Body & Blood of the Lord

To download a copy of the latest bulletin please click here

FORTHCOMING PARISH FUNERALS

Name	Church	Arrangements
Peggy Woad (RIP)	St Mary’s	Requiem Mass – Monday 3rd June at 10.00am
Joe Halloran (RIP)	St Mary’s	Requiem Mass – Monday 10th June at 1.30pm
Margaret Gallagher (RIP)	St Mary’s	Requiem Mass – Thursday 13th June at 1.30pm
Agnes Gilbert (RIP)	St Mary’s	To be arranged

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

LAST WEEK’S MASS ATTENDANCE:
St Mary’s: Saturday 4.30 80 | Sunday 10.30am 95
St Patrick’s: Saturday 6.00 81 | Sunday 9.00am 112
Total Combined Mass Attendance: 368
Total Online Sunday Mass Views: 327

PLANNING MEETING FOR FR EAMONN’S SILVER JUBILEE PARISH PARTY
As you know Fr Eamonn is celebrating his 25th Anniversary of Ordination in July. We as a parish are currently planning to celebrate this special day with him. We would like as many people from the parish involved as possible. If you can spare any time or would like to be involved in a big or a small way, we are arranging a;
Planning Meeting – Thursday 13th June at 6.00pm in St Mary’s Parish Room
All are welcome. Please come along and support us for this special event for our Parish Priest.
If you have any questions / ideas about this celebration please contact Eileen in private on 07756473101

VISITATION OF THE PARISH BY BISHOP MARCUS – I am delighted to inform you that Bishop Marcus is coming to visit the parish. This is in accordance with his visitation every 5 years to all the parishes of the Diocese. He will be coming to celebrate the following Parish Masses;

Saturday 15th June | 4.30pm Mass | St Mary’s, Batley
Sunday 16th June | 9.00am Mass | St Patrick’s, Birstall

This will give him the opportunity to meet with you the people of the parish and also, enable me and the Bishop to discuss my role here as Parish Priest. I know we will make our Bishop very welcome here in Batley & Birstall.

POP INTO ST PAT’S – EACH MONDAY FROM 12.00 NOON
Please note: Whilst renovations take place, we will be meeting at:
St Peter’s Church, Birstall – 12.00noon – 3.00pm
Monday 3rd June- Guest Speaker, PC Louise Matthews is visiting us at our new venue at St Peter’s Church, Birstall. She will advise us how to avoid becoming victims of scammers.
Monday 10th June- join us for a quiz. Lots of fun and laughter as we put our memory and general knowledge to the test.
Monday 17th June– TBA
Monday 24th June– our wonderful ukulele group join us for a sing along. Always an enjoyable event.
Come along and meet old friends and perhaps make some new ones. Everyone welcome.

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 Group will meet as follows;
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. NEXT MEETING – THURSDAY 30TH MAY AT 6.30PM

OUR PARISH HISTORY – On Whit Tuesday 1876 (6 June) 1,000 Batley and Birstall Catholic residents, school children and teachers, holding many beautiful banners and accompanied by Batley and Birstall brass bands, processed from St Mary’s church to the junction of Low Lane and Bradford Road, Birstall. Here, the Bishop of Beverley laid the foundation stone for a new Catholic school in Birstall. The architect was Mr. Simpson of Bradford, and the estimated cost for the new building was £700. Parish priest Rev. Canon Gordon said this was only the beginning, and in a little time he hoped they would also have a grand church in Birstall (at this point St Mary’s church served both Batley and Birstall Catholic communities). Afterwards, tea was provided in the Birstall Drill Hall, and evening dancing, sports and entertainments were held in the field behind the Swan Inn. (by Jane Roberts – parishioner & local historian)

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.

BATLEY CENTRAL CHURCH SUMMER PROM – Batley Central Church invites you to a Summer Prom featuring the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band. A fabulous opportunity to spend a summer afternoon listening to this Championship band in a concert of well-known music for brass – Sunday 23rd June, 3.00 pm. £10 on the door (under 16s free).

DEWSBURY MINSTER’S BIG HYMN SING
SUNDAY 9TH JUNE – 6.00PM – DEWSBURY MINSTER
Come along to sing some of your favourite Hymns / Worship songs and support the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in celebration of Music Sunday. This is being led by our very own Sam Wilson who is the organist at Dewsbury Minster and also plays the organ for us at St Patrick’s.

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 Ballroom – 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

EVENTS IN ST MARY’S SOCIAL CLUB

Social Dancing	Sunday evenings from 7.30pm
MASC Batley Karate Club	Tuesdays 4.00pm – 6.00pm
Bingo in the Lounge	Tuesdays 8.00pm & Fridays at 8.00pm
Singing for Fun	Wednesdays from 2.00pm – 4.00pm
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

SPEN VALLEY UKELELE GROUP – are performing at Holy Spirit Parish Room on Saturday 8th June. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets priced £6.00 (under 11’s free) includes supper and the bar will be open. Any enquries to Peter Moreland on 07493230055. All welcome

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

HANDMAIDS WOMEN’S GROUP – Join the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal for Adoration, Music, Rosary, opportunity for Sacrament of Reconciliation and refreshments. Friday 7th June 2024 7-8.30pm Corpus Christi Church, Neville Road, Leeds.

DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION – The annual Diocesan Eucharistic Procession will take place on Sunday 9th June 2024, 3:00pm at Hinsley Hall (weather dependent). Barbecue and children’s games afterwards. All invited to participate including Altar servers and First Holy Communion children (wheelchair/pram accessible route). Further details on the Diocesan website.

GROWING OLD GRACE-FULLY ONLINE SESSIONS – Leeds Diocese older people’s charity Growing Old Grace-fully’s next online session is Reconciling With Our Past, Wednesday 12th June, 2:30pm with Pippa Bonner and Cath Mahoney. To attend email here.

CATHOLIC PARISH SUMMIT 2024 – If you want to see your parish come alive, be a part of the Catholic Parish Summit on 12-14th June in Harrogate. Speakers include Sr. Miriam Heidland and Fr James Mallon. See what’s behind a growing movement of parishes coming to new life, and learn how your parish can do it, too. Booking here.

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF UNFAILING HELP – The annual Novena to Our Lady of Unfailing Help, the Principal Patron of the Diocese, takes place from 18th to 26th June 2024 at Leeds Cathedral, Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 6BE. Monday to Friday 6.15pm; Saturdays and Sundays 5.00pm.

NAZARETH FAMILY MINISTRIES SUMMER PICNIC – Sunday 30th June, 12noon-4pm, St Mary & Monica’s Catholic Church, Bingley BD16 1SA. You’re invited to the next Nazareth Family Ministries Summer Picnic. Bring a picnic and gather with other Catholic families for fun, friendship, cake, age-specific talks, and Eucharistic Adoration. Register here.

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.

SAFEGUARDNG IN THE DIOCESE OF LEEDS – SURVEY – Diocese of Leeds Safeguarding and the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) would like to hear your views on current Safeguarding practice and processes in our Diocese. The Survey is very short – just two questions – and it’s anonymous, unless you choose to provide details. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts before 15th July 2024. Survey and more information available 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.

CLASS TEACHER VACANCY – St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Harrogate, Start: September 2024. Closing date: Monday, 03 June 2024. Further info here. To discuss or arrange a visit, contact Angela Simpson.

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.