PARISH NEWS ARTICLES

Elizabeth Prout Bereavement Care are offering a two-day training course in bereavement accompaniment on Mondays 22nd & 29th June 2026 at The Briery Retreat Centre in Ilkley. The cost is £70 and includes a cooked 2 course lunch and refreshments on both days. For more information, please email epbereavementcare@dioceseofleeds.org.uk or contact The Briery on 01943 607287.

Celebration of Married Life on Saturday 16th May , there will be a special Celebration Mass for Married Life at Leeds Cathedral at 12 Noon for couples and their families celebrating their 25th (Silver), 40th (Ruby), 50th (Golden), 60th (Diamond) and 70th (Platinum) wedding anniversaries this year. There will be an opportunity for couples, who wish to do so, to renew their marriage vows during the liturgy. If you are celebrating the anniversary of your wedding and you would like to take part in this celebration, please fill out the application form which is available at the back of church.

The Chapel Of Our Lady of the Crag in Knaresborough - We are a small group of local people who hold the Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag in Trust. We are in need of more trustees, gardeners, volunteers and fundraisers to help us in our mission to keep this unique site open to visitors. Donations of plants and money towards our long-term preservation projects would also be welcomed. The Chapel is now open 2-4pm (provided the weather is clement) until the end of September and by appointment at other times. We look forward to your visit! Please see our website for more details: www.ourladyofthecrag.org/

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.

Deanery day of renewal. Saturday 9th May 11.30 am to 3.45 pm at St. Aelred’s church hall. The Speaker will be Fr. Chris Thomas. The theme of the day is Baptism in the Spirit. The day includes session 5 of the Life in the Spirit seminars and praying for Baptism in the Spirit. Everyone is welcome to take part. The schedule is as follows; 11.30 to 12.00 Registration tea/coffee, 12.00 to 1.00 Praise and worship, 1.00 to 2.00 pm Lunch/ socialising, 2 pm to 3.15 pm Speaker, Sharing groups for reflection. 3.00 to 3.45 pm Intercessory prayers and farewells. For more information contact Dolores Omand 01423870789

Knaresborough Bed Race 2026 – Date: Saturday 13 th June 2026. Planning meeting Sunday 10th May 2026 following 10.30am Mass.

As part of the consultation currently taking place across our two Dioceses, there is an opportunity for all clergy, religious and members of the lay faithful to contribute by completing an online questionnaire, either individually or as a parish group. Prayerful reflection should be given to the questions so that the Holy Spirit may guide this process of discernment. Prayer resources and a presentation are available on the diocesan website to support this process. Responses should be submitted no later than Friday, 22nd May 2026. For more information and to complete the questionnaire, please visit: https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/leedsmiddlesbrough-consultation-2026/

 Mass intentions gratefully received using the brown envelopes in both churches. All Mass intentions must be made via the brown envelopes in the narthex and a cash donation placed in them or use the tab on the Dona machine. Please give at least 2 weeks’ notice to facilitate a special day.

American Style Ceilidh - Saturday 25th April 7.30pm  The next in our popular twice-yearly series will be at St Wilfrid's church hall, Duchy Rd. 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.

Divine Mercy Sunday April 12th This will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Skipton Road, Harrogate. 2pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with confession. 3pm Prayer of Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Benediction and veneration of the Holy Image. All very welcome

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS 2026 : St. Aelred’s Church. Woodlands Drive Harrogate HG27BE Wednesday evenings from 7.00pm to 8.30pm except Saturday 9th May noon to 3.30 (shared table lunch) Sessions, topics and speakers. 15th April -God’s Love – Fr. Jonathan Hart 22nd April –Salvation –Fr. Chris Angel 29th April –New Life - David Bolton 6th May- Receiving God’s gift -Rev. Mike Resch 9th May – Praying for Baptism in the Spirit- Fr. Chris Thomas 13th May – Growth – Rev. Olivia Lambert 20th May – Transformation – Deacon Martin Fenlon.  Free event. Register online via the QR code, Ring Dolores Omand 01423870789 or register on the night

most boxes of envelopes for the next financial year have been given out. If you have not received yours please contact David Rutherford [887470 leaving name and contact number] and delivery / collection can be arranged.

Palm Sunday Masses as usual. Wednesday 1st April Mass of Chrism at Leeds Cathedral 11am – all welcome. Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm St Aelred’s with watching at the Altar of repose until 9pm. Good Friday 11am Family Stations of the Cross St Aelred’s 3pm The Lord’s Passion at both churches. Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 7pm at St Mary’s. Easter Sunday usual Sunday Masses.

Help create a 'garden' in the Lady Chapel for Holy Thursday at St Aelred by loaning a household plant within a pot. Bring it to Church on Palm Sunday, 28/29th It does get cold in the Chapel so don’t bring a very delicate plant as it may not survive. We are also asking for any greenery and white, yellow or orange flowers for the Church for Easter. Please bring these along by or on Holy Thursday, 2nd April for St Aelred’s. A retiring collection will be taken at both churches on Palm Sunday towards flowers for the Easter season.

We will be holding a chocolate raffle (both churches) on Sunday 29th March in aid of CAFOD. We are in need of chocolate donations, please leave any chocolate donations in the relevant box at the back of church, thank you! If you would like a raffle ticket, please see Krista Gray or email: office.staelred@dioceseofleeds.org.uk tickets priced at £1 each. Many thanks!

Mozart Requiem and Coronation Mass will be performed by the Fisher Singers on Saturday 28th March at 7.30pm in St Wilfred's Church, Harrogate Tickets £15/£8 under 18s.Tel: 07958665410/07411258713. Tickets also available on the door.

St Mary’s Thursday 26th March 7pm. St Aelred’s Saturday 28th March 4.30pm.

St Aelred’s Spring Garden Tidy Saturday 21st March 9.30 – 11.30am Loppers, Builders bags and cake most welcome.

St Aelred’s PPC will meet on 4th March at 6.45pm in the parish centre