Week of Guided Prayer
Webmaster • August 16, 2026
Week of Guided Prayer – 11th-16th October 2026. Please take an information leaflet from the back of church and consider taking part in this valuable offering for ALL parishioners. You do not need to have taken part in a retreat before. You will be supported through the process. If you wish to talk it through, ask questions etc before committing, speak to Fr Gerard, Deacon David, Deacon Philip or Bernadette. If you would like to take part, then please return your completed form to Fr Gerard by Sunday 6th September. Payment towards the retreat in daily life can be made in cash, on the dona machine, QR code from the bulletin or by bacs (please see Fr Gerard for details of the account number)
We are looking for willing volunteers to join a panel to create a Social Team to help organise and support events throughout the year in the parish. If you are interested in helping, please contact Jeff on 07811 356525.
American Style Ceilidh - Saturday 12th October 7.30pm in St Aelred’s hall. The next in our popular twice-yearly series. Come and dance to a top class live band. Sociable and fun. No previous dance experience needed - our expert dance caller will explain everything. This event is open to the public - bring your friends from outside the parish. Tickets £12 / £6 on the door. Tea, coffee & cake in the interval. No licensed bar but you can bring your own drinks if you wish. For more information see Philip Rowe (Sunday organist 9am).
Please note that when you hand in a Mass intention all dates are allocated 2 weeks in advance. Please be aware that due to the high volume of Mass requests we have received this year, the timeframe from the request to the Mass being celebrated is approximately 10 weeks. If you want a specific date you will need to hand in well in advance to avoid disappointment, if the date you request has already been taken you will be given the next available date nearest to your request. Please ensure that you put your donation inside the envelope (minimum donation £10), and the details on the outside ( in block capitals) , who the mass is for, and the date and church you would like. Thank you.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is back in the House of Commons, seeking to legalise assisted suicide. MPs vote on Friday, 11 th September 2026, so please consider contacting your MP by going to: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/
St Mary's SVP - Would like to say a big thank you to all those who supported us for this year's fund raising walk, both by sponsorship and those who joined us on the walk. Thanks to you we raised a total of £260.
Dates for your diary: Finance Advisory Groups: St Mary’s Sunday 6th September at 11.30am. St Aelred’s, 7pm, Tuesday 15th September. Gift Aid Sunday across both parishes: Sunday 6th September there will be an opportunity after all Masses to join our standing order and gift aid scheme. PPC Meetings: St Aelred’s 6.45pm on Tuesday 8th September. St Mary’s Sunday 13th September at 11.30am. Items for both Agendas no later that Thursday 3rd September. St Aelred’s Parish BBQ: Saturday 19th September from 4pm. Tickets on sale soon. CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day : Will be on Friday 2nd October. Collection Sunday 4th October 2026 November Mass for the deceased: 7pm - Tuesday 10th November STA Confirmations 2026: will be celebrated on the feast of Christ the King 22nd November 2026. Preparations will be held on Sundays 18th October and 8th November. 11.30am to 2pm First Reconciliation: will be held on Saturday 14th March 2027 at 4.30pm at St Aelred’s. Wednesday 17th March 2027 at 6pm at St Mary’s. A meeting for parents from St Mary’s on Sunday 29th November 2026 following the School Family Mass. A meeting for parents from St Aelred’s on Saturday 28th November 2026 at 4.30pm in church. First Communions: will be held at St Mary’s on 22nd May 2027 at 11am and St Aelred’s on Sunday 23rd May 2027 at 9am. A meeting for parents from St Mary’s on Sunday 29th November 2026 following the School Family Mass. A meeting for parents from St Aelred’s on Saturday 28th November 2026 at 4.30pm in church. Christmas Fair St Aelred’s: 29th November 2026. Christmas Lunch for both parishes will be held at St Aelred’s on 9th December 2026 . Advent Reconciliation Service . Thursday 10th December 7pm STA
We are joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham. The coach will depart Harrogate at 6.15am arriving in time for Mass at 12noon, followed by a procession along the Holy Mile and Benediction in the Abbey grounds. We expect to return to Harrogate about 10pm. Please bring a packed lunch. On the return journey, we are hoping to stop by the seaside for fish and chips. The cost is £35 per person (including fish and chips). Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For further details or to book a place, please email Caroline: office.strobert@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
If you have any blooms you would like to share, please place them at the back of either St Aelred’s or St Mary’s church, for our flower teams to arrange them. Thank you.
The winning numbers for the June draw are:- £40 - 9, £25 - 128, £20 - 53, £15 - 2. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The winning cheques can be collected from the notice board.
Bishop Marcus And The Diocesan Trustees - Are still seeking volunteers as independent members to join a newly established Audit and Risk Committee. The commitment is four meetings a year. This would be a two-tothree-year commitment as discussions and consultations about bringing together the Dioceses of Leeds, Middlesbrough and Hallam progress; and would be of great value in a process of unification. We are seeking those who have skills or experience in the areas of Audit, Risk, Finance and Governance. For further information please contact Carla Stockton-Jones, Trustee: carla.stockton-jones@dioceseofleeds.org.uk