You are very welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to visit our parish website. We are a very active Catholic community, seeking to share the gospel values as revealed to us by our saviour Jesus Christ. If you find yourself in the area, please do call in and celebrate Holy Mass with us. Our parish priest, Canon John Griffiths is very keen to meet with visitors to the parish.
You are very welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to visit our parish website. We are a very active Catholic community, seeking to share the gospel values as revealed to us by our saviour Jesus Christ. If you find yourself in the area, please do call in and celebrate Holy Mass with us. Our parish priest, Canon Gerard Kearney is very keen to meet with visitors to the parish.
Our latest parish weekly news, notices and events below
Download the parish Newsletter Here
By Webmaster
•
September 26, 2026
For anyone who is thinking about being received into full communion with the Catholic Church; this maybe yourself or one of your friends. Please contact Deacon David for information about the “Journey in Faith” course that will begin in the Autumn with a hope that participants can be received into the church next Easter.
By webmaster
•
September 9, 2026
As part of the auction on Sunday 13th at St Mary's, we have a lot which could be purchased individually or by the parishioners in a group to keep for the Church. Pictures of the Não by Lladro nativity scene are attached to this email. At the auction there will be a reserve of £400 as each porcelain figurine purchased as new can cost between £150 and £350. Similar 8 piece sets are retailling for around £1160. Many of you have seen the Nativity scene on display at Mass today. Should you wish to pledge towards buying the Nativity scene for the Parish. Please can you email Fr Gerard the amount you wish to pledge by Saturday 12th September. This allows us to know any starting bid. All money raised for the Nativity Scene will go directly to the building fund.
By Webmaster
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September 7, 2026
Harrogate Hospital - has withdrawn the part-time chaplaincy role that Canon Gerard Kearney held due to funding cuts within the Trust. Meetings and written complaints have been entered into with so far, no movement from the Trust. If you require a Catholic Priest to visit whilst you, or a relative, are in hospital please ask the ward staff to facilitate this. In the meantime, please write to Eillen Watson at Harrogate hospital to register your dissatisfaction with the new arrangements. Her email address is eileen.watson3@nhs.net
By Webmaster
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September 7, 2026
Nepal Flooding: CAFOD's local Caritas partner, Caritas Nepal, is assessing and coordinating its response with local authorities. The immediate priorities are search and rescue, evacuation, emergency health care, aid distribution and restoring critical services. They have already dispatched food to provide meals for 300 families for 15 days. This response will be expanded as assessment continues and more areas become accessible. If you wish to support this work go online to: cafod.org.uk Please join us at CAFOD in praying for all who have been affected.
By Webmaster
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July 28, 2026
DIOCESE OF LEEDS: JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION View the July 2026 Newsletter here
Fr. Kearney's Prayer requests: Please remember those who are sick in your daily prayers:. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email the parish office through this link or email the parish direct (on the newsletter) - Also, please pray for our recently bereaved - List Here
By Webmaster
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September 26, 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. 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 15th 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)
By Webmaster
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September 26, 2026
Volunteering within both parishes offers not only the chance to support our parish community but also a rewarding opportunity to gain essential work experience. These roles are open to all ages and ideal for anyone completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award , seeking work experience or wishing to build skills that enhance their CV . • Counting Team : Help manage and count donations, developing valuable skills in accuracy, attention to detail, financial record keeping and teamwork. • Cleaning Team : Maintain the church premises, gaining experience in organisation and time management and responsibility for communal spaces. • Children’s Liturgy : Assisting or leading, gain skills in Teamwork and collaboration, creative lesson planning and managing group dynamics. • Event Helpers : Assist in setting up, supporting, and clearing up during parish events, ensuring smooth operations and community engagement. If you are interested in gaining practical experience while contributing to our community, please contact the church office or speak to a member of the clergy. Please note, we follow a Safe Recruitment policy, roles are subject to references and in some cases DBS checks.
By Webmaster
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September 26, 2026
This Sunday, we will be asking all families whose children attend Children's Liturgy to fill in a registration form, which your child will give you after the session. Please could you complete it after Mass and hand it in to one of the Children's Liturgy leaders. Please do this even if you have done this previously, since we need to make sure we have the most up to date information to hand.
By Webmaster
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September 26, 2026
Confirmation Catechesis for the Sacrament of Confirmation - Session 1 Sunday 18th October 11.30am to 2pm with a half an hour break for packed lunched session 2 Sunday 8th November same timings. Both sessions to be held in the classroom at St Mary’s. It is essential to attend both sessions before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Please email Fr Gerard before Wednesday 14th October to apply for Confirmation this year. The Sacrament will be celebrated at St Aelred’s on Saturday 21st November at 5.30pm
Becoming a Catholic
Are you new to the Catholic faith? Want to know more about why we beleive the things we do?
Parish Events
We very much encourage parishioners and visitors to partake in the communities events
Fun for children
Resorces and materials for the children
of the parish
Ministries
Become involved with parish ministries. There are many ways to participate in parish life.
Prayer Groups
Support the community with prayers and other activities.
Social Groups
Discover ths social activities within the parish.
You are very welcome!
Welcome to St Aelred’s Catholic Church
Welcome from everyone at the parish of St Aelred. Here on our website you can find out more about our church and our parish community. We hope that you can find everything that you need in these pages but if not please do contact us.
Children and families are warmly invited to a special liturgy for children at morning Mass on Sunday’s, during term time. Children from 4 – 8 years may attend the sessions in the parish hall during the first half of mass. Younger children may also join when accompanied by a parent.
Visitors are always most welcome to celebrate mass with us.
Our latest parish weekly news, notices and events
Keep informed about parish activities on a week by week basis. Our important activities can be seen featured below, and found on our Parish Newsletter - available online here, or in print at the back of the church.
Fr. Kearney's Prayer requests:
Please remember those who are sick in your daily prayers:
If you would like to add someone to the list, please email the parish office through this link or email the parish direct (on the newsletter) - Also, please pray for our recently deceased - List Here
By Webmaster
•
September 26, 2026
For anyone who is thinking about being received into full communion with the Catholic Church; this maybe yourself or one of your friends. Please contact Deacon David for information about the “Journey in Faith” course that will begin in the Autumn with a hope that participants can be received into the church next Easter.
By webmaster
•
September 9, 2026
As part of the auction on Sunday 13th at St Mary's, we have a lot which could be purchased individually or by the parishioners in a group to keep for the Church. Pictures of the Não by Lladro nativity scene are attached to this email. At the auction there will be a reserve of £400 as each porcelain figurine purchased as new can cost between £150 and £350. Similar 8 piece sets are retailling for around £1160. Many of you have seen the Nativity scene on display at Mass today. Should you wish to pledge towards buying the Nativity scene for the Parish. Please can you email Fr Gerard the amount you wish to pledge by Saturday 12th September. This allows us to know any starting bid. All money raised for the Nativity Scene will go directly to the building fund.
By Webmaster
•
September 7, 2026
Harrogate Hospital - has withdrawn the part-time chaplaincy role that Canon Gerard Kearney held due to funding cuts within the Trust. Meetings and written complaints have been entered into with so far, no movement from the Trust. If you require a Catholic Priest to visit whilst you, or a relative, are in hospital please ask the ward staff to facilitate this. In the meantime, please write to Eillen Watson at Harrogate hospital to register your dissatisfaction with the new arrangements. Her email address is eileen.watson3@nhs.net
By Webmaster
•
September 7, 2026
Nepal Flooding: CAFOD's local Caritas partner, Caritas Nepal, is assessing and coordinating its response with local authorities. The immediate priorities are search and rescue, evacuation, emergency health care, aid distribution and restoring critical services. They have already dispatched food to provide meals for 300 families for 15 days. This response will be expanded as assessment continues and more areas become accessible. If you wish to support this work go online to: cafod.org.uk Please join us at CAFOD in praying for all who have been affected.
By Webmaster
•
July 28, 2026
DIOCESE OF LEEDS: JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION View the July 2026 Newsletter here
By Webmaster
•
July 25, 2026
Food Bank: A TIN A WEEK: Our SVPs collect food for the hungry, can you spare a tin a week for this, also some toiletries? These can be left in the boxes at the back of our churches. The Lord tells us to feed the hungry, so thank you all for your donations which are sincerely appreciated.
Latest News
Important Notices
By Webmaster
•
September 26, 2026
Orders are being taken at the Piety shops in both churches. If you would like to buy your cards from church, please pop in to place your order.
By Webmaster
•
September 26, 2026
Confirmation Catechesis for the Sacrament of Confirmation - Session 1 Sunday 18th October 11.30am to 2pm with a half an hour break for packed lunched session 2 Sunday 8th November same timings. Both sessions to be held in the classroom at St Mary’s. It is essential to attend both sessions before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Please email Fr Gerard before Wednesday 14th October to apply for Confirmation this year. The Sacrament will be celebrated at St Aelred’s on Saturday 21st November at 5.30pm
By webmaster
•
September 9, 2026
As part of the auction on Sunday 13th at St Mary's, we have a lot which could be purchased individually or by the parishioners in a group to keep for the Church. Pictures of the Não by Lladro nativity scene are attached to this email. At the auction there will be a reserve of £400 as each porcelain figurine purchased as new can cost between £150 and £350. Similar 8 piece sets are retailling for around £1160. Many of you have seen the Nativity scene on display at Mass today. Should you wish to pledge towards buying the Nativity scene for the Parish. Please can you email Fr Gerard the amount you wish to pledge by Saturday 12th September. This allows us to know any starting bid. All money raised for the Nativity Scene will go directly to the building fund.
Events
By Webmaster
•
September 26, 2026
Confirmation Catechesis for the Sacrament of Confirmation - Session 1 Sunday 18th October 11.30am to 2pm with a half an hour break for packed lunched session 2 Sunday 8th November same timings. Both sessions to be held in the classroom at St Mary’s. It is essential to attend both sessions before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Please email Fr Gerard before Wednesday 14th October to apply for Confirmation this year. The Sacrament will be celebrated at St Aelred’s on Saturday 21st November at 5.30pm
By Webmaster
•
September 20, 2026
Dates for your diary: Pilgrimage to Walsingham: Saturday 26th September. St Aelred’s Church Cleaners meeting - At St Aelred’s on Saturday 26th September at 10am (for half an hour) CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day: Will be on Friday 2nd October. Collection Sunday 4th October 2026 Week of Guided Prayer – 11th -16th October 2026: If you would like to take part, then please return your completed form to Fr Gerard by Sunday 15th September. November Mass for the deceased: 7pm - Tuesday 10th November STA Confirmation Catechesis for the Sacrament of Confirmation - session 1 Sunday 18th October 11.30am to 2pm with a half an hour break for packed lunched session 2 Sunday 8th November same timings. Both sessions to be held in the classroom at St Mary’s. It is essential to attend both sessions before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Please email Fr Gerard before Wednesday 14th October to apply for Confirmation this year. The Sacrament will be celebrated at St Aelred’s on Saturday 21st November at 5.30pm 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.
By Webmaster
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September 6, 2026
St Aelred’s Fish and Chip Lunch The next fish and chip lunch will be held on Monday 14th September. The hall will be open from 12 noon and fish, chips and mushy peas will be served at 12:30 followed by sweets and tea/coffee. The cost is £8.00. Please pass on the money to Margaret or Tony. All are welcome. Please add your name to the list at the back of St Aelred’s church or phone Tony on 07912790773
By Webmaster
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February 21, 2026
Friendship Groups: St Aelred’s Friendship Group meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 1.30pm – 3.30pm all most welcome. St Mary’s Friendship Group meet Monday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3pm with refreshments and good cake! All most welcome.
By Webmaster
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September 26, 2026
Deanery Day of Renewal - Saturday 10th October, 11.30 am to 3.45 pm in St. Aelred’s church hall. Speaker is Lyn Bradbury, Lay Franciscan Formation Minister. Celebrating the Year of St. Francis of Assisi. “The Franciscan Cord.”
By Webmaster
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September 26, 2026
Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection. Put your faith into action and share the Lord’s love by supporting our global neighbours experiencing shortages of food and safe water. Your gift can support children like Tayla in Zimbabwe to stay in school by helping communities and schools provide nourishing meals, improve access to water and grow food in school gardens. Use the CAFOD envelope in church or donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope
By Webmaster
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September 25, 2026
St Aelred’s had our Parish BBQ last Saturday, here are some of the photos of the wonderful event:
VIEW OUR LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE PARISH PICTURE GALLERY
YOU ARE INVITED!
The parish ministry support the community in so many different ways. We encourage all parishioners to be involved.
Saint Ignatius Loyola
Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you
VISIT OUR LOCAL MARIAN SHRINE - KNARESBOROUGH