The Friends of St Mary’s School
Webmaster • November 29, 2025
The Friends of St Mary’s School are holding a raffle with some amazing prizes such as Rudding Park membership to the ‘Foodies club’, So Bar voucher, Castlegate Bookshop voucher, passes to Fairfax House and many, many more. Tickets are £1 each and can be bought from Steph after mass on Sunday 30th November and 7th December. We unfortunately can not accept card payments so please bring cash. Thank you so much for your support, we are currently raising funds for a refurbishment of the school library.
St Mary’s PPC will meet on Sunday 7th December at 11.30am. Items for the agenda to be emailed by 30th November to the parish office.
Preparing for Christmas with prayer. Four sessions reflecting and praying over the Sunday Readings during Advent. Tuesdays 25/11, 2/12, 9/12, 16/12 in St Aelred’s hall after Mass at 10.45-11.45am. All very welcome.
Studio 3 dance workshop are having their annual Christmas show at the Frazer Theatre Knaresborough on 13th & 14th December. Local senior citizens are invited to a FREE performance, including a buffet lunch, on Sunday 14th December from 12.30. Tickets are available from The Welfare and Leisure Centre in the Market Place (underneath the clock). Please join us.
Action by Christians against torture: are again organising a Christmas greetings campaign to send cards to prisoners of conscience around the world. There are full details on the website - see acatuk.org.uk .
Deanery day of renewal. Saturday 13th December 11.30 am to 3.45 pm in St. Aelred’s church hall. Speaker is Rev. Lesley Taylor. the theme for her talk is "We are all poets." She will share on her Sabbatical and writing poems. There will also be activities for us to do.
The winning numbers for the October draw:- £40 - 128, £25 - 176, £20 - 122, £15 - 190. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The winning cheques can be collected from the notice board.
A Christmas Reflection, seasonal carols and readings. Sunday 14th December, 3pm, at St Mary’s. Refreshments served afterwards and a collection for Martin House Hospice will be taken.
Dates for your diary: STA Carol Service : 7 th December 4pm STM Carol Service 14th December 3pm STA/STM poinsettia Sunday’s 14 th and 21 st December . Open House at Fr Gerard’s Saturday 3 rd January 2026. 2-5pm all welcome for Mulled wine and mince pies. Confirmations 25 th February 2026 - 7pm at St Aelred’s. STA First Confessions 4.30pm 14 th March 2026 STM First Confessions 6pm 18 th March 6pm STM First Holy Communion 16 th May 11am STA First Holy Communion 17 th May 9.00am Details of classes coming soon! Parish Hall Bookings: St Mary’s OR St Aelred’s see the parish websites. Or email office.staelred@dioceseofleeds.org.uk hall.stmary.knaresborough@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
You're invited! Christmas Nativity at St Aelred’s – Would your child like to take part in this year’s nativity at St Aelred’s? All ages welcome and talking and non-talking parts available! The nativity will be carried out during the 9am Mass on Christmas day. Please contact Krista in person or via the office email if you would like your child to participate and the part they would like. office.staelred@dioceseofleeds.org.uk Thank you
Advent Reconciliation and healing service (with opportunities for individual Confessions) Tuesday 9 th December 2025 , 7pm – 8pm at St Aelred’s.