Sunday 15th September 2024
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

To download a copy of the latest bulletin please click here

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FORTHCOMING PARISH FUNERALS

Name	Church	Funeral Arrangements
Gerard Breslin (RIP)	St Mary	Requiem Mass – Friday 11th October – 1.00pm
Jenny Halloran (RIP)	Crematorium	Cremation Service – Tuesday 24th September – 1.15pm
Elizabeth Barrand (RIP)	Crematorium	Cremation Service – Monday 30th September – 2.00pm

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

THE ANNUAL BATLEY TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION
Monday 7th October – 7.30pm – from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
Once again this annual Diocesan event is fast approaching. This is always an important occasion for our parish and indeed the whole Diocese. Please do support this unique event.
STEWARD’S VOLUNTEERS LIST – if you are will to help as a Steward for the Torchlight Procession, please sign your name on the form at the back of church. Your help will be very much appreciated and full instructions will be given.

POP INTO ST PAT’S – EACH MONDAY FROM 12.00 NOON
Monday 16th September – come and join us for a Spanish lesson, just basic words, led by Mimi, (a regular at Pop into St Pat’s),in thanks to her we are organising a Spanish themed lunch. Delicious food, company and conversation guaranteed.
Monday 23rd September – Andy Hill accompanied by his guitar joining us for a wonderful musical session.
Monday 30th September – Our very popular Ukulele Group join us for another joyful singalong.
Come along and meet old friends and perhaps make some new ones. Everyone welcome.

DEVOTION TO THE DIVINE MERCY – as notified in previous bulletins, at the request of our Bishop Marcus Stock, I am going to start the Devotion to the Divine Mercy here in our Parish.
Commencing October, this will take place on a monthly basis as follows;
St Mary’s – 1st Thursday of the month at 6.00pm
St Patrick’s – Last Thursday of the month at 6.00pm
Please join us in this important and powerful prayer as we pray for our parish and indeed for the whole world. The full text for this devotion will be available to enable full participation.

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 Meeting will be Thursday 26th September at 6.30pm in St Mary’s Parish Room

GIFT AID – THANK YOU LETTERS – The annual Gift Aid thank you letters from the Diocese are now available on request. May I take this opportunity to also say thank you for all donations to the parish – your generosity is much appreciated.

THANK YOU FROM THE FAMILY OF TONY HALLORAN (RIP) – The collection at Tony’s funeral raised £272 for Kirkwood Hospice. The family would like to say thank you for your generosity.

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.

ST MARY & ST PATRICK’S AUTUMN FAYRE –
Saturday 16th November from 11.00am – St Mary’s Social Club
Following the success of our two parish communities working together for Fr Eamonn’s Jubilee celebrations, we have decided to hold a joint Autumn fayre in support of St Mary & St Patrick Parish Funds. This will be a lovely opportunity for our communities to come together again and work together for the parish and also get to know each other.

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.

OUR PARISH HISTORY – On 17 September 1899 Father Charles Gordon announced to a dumbfounded
congregation that he would be leaving St Mary’s after 25 years. Ordained on 15 August 1874, as a new priest he arrived at the parish shortly afterwards, taking up the position of curate to his eldest brother, Rev. William Gordon. Father Charles subsequently became parish priest at St Mary’s in late 1878 when his brother, William, was appointed the first rector of St Joseph’s Diocesan Seminary in Leeds. In 1890 Rev. William Gordon became the Bishop of Leeds, a position he held until his death in 1911, so it was his decision to move his brother from St Mary’s. Amazingly, Father Charles’ successor was yet another brother, Canon James Gordon. It meant that three Gordon brothers were consecutively priest-in-charge at the parish (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.

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.

THE BRADFORD CATHOLIC PLAYERS PRESENT – “SISTER ACT”
13th – 16th November 2024 – Yeadon Town Hall Theatre – Wed-Fri at 7.30 pm, Sat 1.00pm & 5.30.
Ticket Prices: Wednesday: Adults £18, Under 18 £5, Thursday to Saturday: Adults £23, Under 18 £10
Tickets are flying off the shelves, so don’t miss your chance to experience this joyous show.
To book your tickets click here.
Or email or call our ticket secretaries here or 07305632513

WEST YORKSHIRE DRAMA ACADEMY PRESENT ” In Her Stride” – The true tale of Catherine and Joshua Exley from Havercroft Batley who went to the Peninsular War to fight against Napoleon, will be performed by West Yorkshire Drama Academy students at Bagshaw on 14th and 15th September as part of Heritage Open Days.
The show is at 1 pm. Tickets are free but please book with Sue on 07956 048712 to ensure a seat.

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

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

GROWING OLD GRACE-FULLY ONLINE SESSIONS: Leeds Diocese older people’s charity Growing Old Grace-fully next online session is Hope in Later Life, Thursday 26th September, 2:30pm with Fr Donal Lucey and Paula Shanks. To attend email here.

Pilgrims of Hope – Parish Retreat: Spaces are available to join the parish retreat weekend on 18th – 20th October, led by the Briery Team. £180pp fully inclusive. For more information or to book, contact the Administrator on 01943 607287 or email here.

ADVENT DAY OF REFLECTION: Saturday 7th December and Advent Preached Retreat Friday 13th to Sunday 15th December. For more information or to book, contact the Administrator on 01943 607287 or email here.

NEW BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY TRAINING: A two day course for those wishing to learn how to accompany those who are grieving. 10am – 4pm Saturday 11th January and Saturday 18th January 2025 at The Briery. For more information or an application form please contact the Elizabeth Prout Bereavement Care team here.

Vacancies

Lay Chaplain VACANCY: Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, Leeds. Start: ASAP. Closing date: Monday, 07 October 2024. Further info here
To discuss or arrange a visit, contact Alicja Budka here

BISHOP WHEELER ACADEMY TRUST – VACANCIES:
Maternity Cover – Class Teacher at St Joseph’s, Harrogate
Teacher of Food Preparation and Nutrition at St Mary’s, Menston
Cover Supervisor at St Mary’s, Menston
Teaching Assistant at St Joseph’s, Barnoldswick

Please visit the BWCAT Website for further details: Bishop Wheeler Academy Trust – Trust & Academy Vacancies – click here

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.