PARISH NEWS ARTICLES

DIOCESE OF LEEDS: JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION View the July 2026 Newsletter here

Family Film Night! All are welcome to join us for the Family Film Night in St Aelred's Hall, Harrogate this Sunday 2nd August at 5:30pm , £5 per family (to be paid on the door). Hotdogs and ice cream included! Bring along some cozy blankets, cushions and yourselves, see you there!

Growing Old Gracefully - are holding a reflection morning on Saturday November 14th at St Joseph's in Wetherby led by Paula Shanks focusing on the Spiritual needs of unpaid Carers.

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.

The Diocese of Leeds Youth Service are excited to be offering this once in a lifetime opportunity to go on pilgrimage to Seoul, South Korea for World Youth Day in August 2027 as part of a Northern Diocesan Partnership! For more information and to apply, please email: youth@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

Safe Spaces – Are a free, independent, remote support service for adults who have experienced abuse by someone in the Church. For more information, please see the poster and take a leaflet from the back of Church.

A very warm welcome to Mgr Paul Fisher celebrating Mass with us this weekend.

We are looking for new volunteers to help count the weekend Mass collections. To be carried out after Sunday Mass, in pairs, only once a month. Please speak to Canon Gerard if you can help.

Anyone in the parish is welcome, men in particular, as our current team is entirely female and it’s important for our children to experience a variety of voices and role models. If you would like to help, just let Canon Gerard, Deacon David or Deacon Philip know, so we can get safeguarding checks underway. The only requirement is a willing spirit and the ability to help with one or two Sunday sessions per half-term. All planning is provided.

Dates for your diary:  Family Film night at St Aelred’s on Sunday 2 nd August further details to follow. 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 6 th 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. 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

Cafod is working with trusted partners in Venezuela to provide emergency water, food and shelter, If you want to donate go to cafod.org.uk

Mass intentions A spiritual gift to a friend or family in need or anyone mourning a loved one. All Mass intentions can be made via the brown envelopes in the narthex, please write the intention on the front of the envelope and a cash donation placed in them or use the tab on the Dona machine if you are able to. Please give at least 2 weeks’ notice to facilitate a special day.

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.

Fishy Lunch: St Aelred’s Hall, Monday 20th July 2026.  All are welcome to come and enjoy fish & chips, mushy peas, bread & butter, coffee/tea and sweets as well as some good chat. Hall opens 12 noon, luncheon served 1230 £8.00 monies to be paid to Tony or Margaret. Please put your names on the list at the back of St Aelred’s Church or phone Tony on 07912790773.

A Week of Guided Prayer – Will take place between 11th -16th October 2026 Please take a moment to read the leaflet. If you are interested, then please return your completed form to Fr Gerard by Sunday 6th September.

Red boxes have all been emptied and can be collected from the library area at the back of church. A cheque for £86.82 has been sent off to Mill Hill. Next collection will be in November. Thank you - Michael Gilhooly.

Aid to the Church in Need has launched its first-ever global petition on religious freedom, calling on governments and the United Nations to do more to defend the right to believe, and to ensure that those responsible for persecution are held to account. Stand in solidarity with the persecuted Church and give witness to the importance of religious freedom for all. To add your voice please scan this QR code.

St Aelred’s Summer Fayre – A very big thank you to all who worked on and supported St Aelred’s summer fayre last weekend, a total of £1514.05 was raised! There are some raffle prizes to be collected from the back of church.

We are looking for a few more volunteers to join the Welcome Rota at Saturday evening Mass at St Aelred's. It's a simple role, welcoming parishioners and visitors, and involves serving approximately once a month. For more information, please speak to Mary Clewes, Deacon David or Canon Gerard.