Sunday 20th April 2025
Easter Sunday

To download a copy of the latest bulletin please click here

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FORTHCOMING FUNERALS

Name	Church	Arrangements
Geoff Holland (RIP)	Crematorium	Cremation Service – Friday 16th May – 11.15am

HAPPY EASTER FROM FR EAMONN
Dear Parishioners,
May I wish you and al your loved ones a very happy Easter. May the joys of this holy season come down upon you. Lent si now over, let us look forward with hope ni this Season of Easter – Jesus Christ is Risen!
I would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for al the support, help, encouragement you offer to me on a daily and weekly basis. nI particular to al those who have helped with Holy Week. It is always a team effort with the parish pulling together. Icould not be the Parish Priest of Batley and Birstall without your help. Ilike tothinkweareateam-youneedmeandIcertainlyneedyoutoo. Toalwhohelpni any way, whether ti si apublic role or ni amore private role behind the scenes, may Isay a big thank you’ – it really is appreciated.
I hope you manage to get a little break and a well-earned rest, ti has been a busy Lent, but we are now able to celebrate the joy of Easter.
To our children and staff of our schools, I hope you have had a lovely Easter holiday and
were able to switch off and rest. Thank you for everything you do that make our schools the special places that they are.
Once again, wishing you all many Easter blessings and graces.
Fr Eamonn

From the Lectionary Readings
First Reading (Acts 10:34a, 37–43)
Peter proclaims the Resurrection, testifying that Jesus, anointed by God, was crucified and raised on the third day. The apostles are witnesses and preach forgiveness of sins through Him.
Psalm (Psalm 118)
A joyful proclamation: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” It celebrates God’s enduring love and God’s ultimate victory
Second Reading (Colossians 3:1–4)
Believers are urged to seek what is above, where Christ is seated, for their lives are now hidden with Him.
Gospel (John 20:1–9)
Mary Magdalene finds the empty tomb; Peter and the beloved disciple run to see it. The beloved disciple believes upon seeing the burial cloths, though as yet, they do not fully understand the Resurrection.

POP INTO ST PAT’S
Monday 21st April – ‘bring and share’ to mark St Georges’ Day
Monday 28th April – A talk by Mary and Geoff Twentyman: All Kinds of Folk.
Monday 12th May – a talk by Peter Moreland on The Holy Spirit Parish, an interesting talk on our neighbouring parish.
Monday 26th May – a talk by Helen Collins on life as a paramedic .
Come along and meet old friends and make some new ones. Everyone welcome.

CAFOD THANK YOU (ST PATRICK’S) – Huge thank you for all the support you have given to CAFOD this Lent.
Lent Fast realised the amount of £376:00. (This includes £55.15 from Rosie’s cake sale).
Big Lent Walk – goal- 200km=£200. – Achieved = 237km (still walking)= £335:00.
On behalf of CAFOD Thank you everyone for supporting and encouraging me. I am overwhelmed by your generosity and encouragement and have sent £711.00 to CAFOD on your behalf.

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 LOURDES GROUP EASTER RAFFLE – a big ‘thank you’ for your great support once again this year. You managed to raise £721.00 from the sale of raffle tickets. This is a great boost and very much appreciated. On behalf of the St Patrick’s Lourdes Group may I also say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all your support over the many years we have been working. We could not have done it without your help.

VOLUNTEERS HELP NEEDED FOR FUNERALS AT ST PATRICK’S – would anybody like to join our team of volunteers who help with funerals at St Patrick’s. We are now down to four teams and a few more volunteers would be greatly appreciated. It is not a difficult job, just mainly to clear away and lock up after a funeral has ended. Full training is given and with more teams it will be less of a burden on all concerned. If you are interested, please see Fr Eamonn

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 MARY SCHOOL REUNION 2025 – Friday 29th August will be the date for this year’s Reunion for St Mary’s Primary School pupils. The invitation is extended to all who left between 1958 and 1968. There will be Mass at 12.00noon at St Mary’s followed by a convivial afternoon at Batley Nash. Details to follow nearer the date, or call John Roe for more information on 07500 417071.

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 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.

REQUEST FOR HELP FROM ANNE DICKINSON – Wanted help to protect and keep safe an local ancient woodland owed by St Patrick’ Church and tenanted by a Catholic lady for more than 30 years who now suffers with arthritis. Barn owls, buzzards and a large number of animals call this wonderful place home including badgers, foxes, squirrels, frogs plus many more. There are species of wild flowers too. There could be so much more to this wonderful green place owned by our church can you help please, for more information phone me on 07761 964556

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.

IRISH NIGHT AT HOLY SPIRIT HECKMONDWIKE – there is a warm invite to all to join the parishioners at Holy Spirit and St Paul’s at Holy Spirit Heckmondwike for an Irish Night on:
Saturday 26th April doors opening at 7.30pm – Tickets priced £6.00 including supper.
Under 11’s are free and the bar will be open. Any enquiries please contact:
Peter Moreland on 07493230055.

OUR PARISH HISTORY –  During this week in 1953 it was announced that former St. Mary’s schoolboy and current Wilton Trinity second-row forward Peter Armstead, 18, had been chosen to play with the England Amateur open-age side in France at the beginning of May. Peter, who stood at 6 foot and weighed about 13 stone, was serving with the RAF. He previously played with the St. Mary’s under-16 and under-18 sides. It was whilst at St. Mary’s school that he was presented with a cup by the Local Amateur League for kicking 17 goals out of 17 attempts – a record for the district. Later in 1953 he signed for Wakefield Trinity. Another 18-year-old St. Mary’s lad, Shaw Cross player Austin Kilroy, was chosen for the shadow England Amateur side. He signed for Batley later in 1953.
(Jane Roberts – Parish Historian) Website: https://pasttopresentgenealogy.co.uk

HI –DE-HI AT THE ALHAMBRA – 24th – 26th April 2025 – WITH AMY ROCHE SHEARD & HER HUSBAND CHRIS – The beloved TV comedy Hi-De-Hi! arrives at The Studio, Bradford Alhambra, from April 24th to 26th, 2025, starring our very own Amy Roche-Sheard and her husband Chris. Set in 1950s Maplins Holiday Camp, the new season brings fierce rivalry as the “Miss Yellowcoat” competition
takes center stage. Meanwhile, Peggy dreams of becoming a Yellowcoat, Ted scrambles to dodge a bailiff, and camp gossip runs wild! Don’t miss this hilarious trip down memory lane. Performances are at 7:30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2:30pm. Book tickets online here or call 01274 432000.

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.