Parish News

The Mass schedule for this week is as normal with the exception of no exposition during the week or rosary on Tuesday evening. I wish to sincerely thank Father Maurice Pearce for covering the weekday Masses and Canon Eugine McGillycuddy for covering this Sunday.  Fr Chris

At the time of writing our sick brothers and sisters of the Diocese are preparing to leave for home and by the time you read this, God willing, they will all be safely home. Then the Ampleforth Pilgrimage arrive and I will spend the week with them as one of their chaplains. I am so immensely proud of the pupils of Cardinal Heenan High School who have been part of the pilgrimage’s youth section. They have not spared themselves in supporting their designated sick pilgrims. We are so lucky to have three great schools on our parish. As for myself, the task of a clergy chaplain is to provide pastoral and sacramental support to the pilgrims and at times pilgrimage volunteers too. It is an intense couple of weeks for me, but it is an opportunity to help very vulnerable people to find spiritual comfort and grow in grace. I am acutely aware the impact of my absence from the parish, and I want to sincerely apologise for any discomfort and inconvenience that this has caused but be assured that I have offered prayer and Mass for your intentions.  Fr Chris

How do we get to heaven and “inherit eternal life”? This is the question posed to Jesus in Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus asks the questioner what his answer would be. The reply has two elements, love of God and neighbour both of which are found in Jewish law. The love of neighbour was at the time unique to the Jewish religion; however “neighbour” was seen as the person who lived nearby, or may stretch to the whole of the nation of Israel, there was certainly no thought of a wider community or fellowship. It did not include the love of all humankind. Jesus, as he so often does, turns to a story to make his point. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho is about 17 miles and the road descends more than 3,000 feet, it was a wild country and it still has a desolate feel, just rocks and desert. The two passers-by, the priest and the Levite, obviously see the person left for dead. In fairness perhaps they went on their way because of a reasonable fear they too would meet the same fate as the traveller, also, if he was dead, their religious rules meant that they would be ritually contaminated if they touched him. But Jesus will have deeply shocked is audience by making the hero of his story a Samaritan. The bitterness between Jews and Samaritans was long standing and very deep; it is hard for us to understand just how upsetting this would have been for Jesus’ audience. The hostility between the two peoples was fully reciprocated. Jesus, as he always does, presses on with his message – the duty we all have of pausing to notice and care for the other regardless of who they are, especially those we would prefer to ignore. A need to reach out with compassion, tenderness, and generosity, just as the Samaritan does, going the extra mile for the other. The Samaritan is closer to inheriting eternal life than the lawyer. So, what about us? As I don’t use a car, I find that I have moments every day when I walk on by. Times when I avert my eyes or cross the street to avoid an encounter that I don’t want to have. There are times every day when I am the priest in the parable. Lord, have mercy on me a sinner. At my best I pause to offer what I have, and there are times when it’s just a chat with another human being, just taking an interest. It is the movement of generosity of spirit which not only draws me and the other person closer to the heart of Jesus but makes both of us feel a better person. What about you? Do you walk on by too? Who are you on the road to Jericho? Are you on the road to eternal life with God? Please be assured of my prayers for your needs and intentions in Lourdes. Fr Chris

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: The next date for the Tuesday evening socials is Tuesday the 5th of August . We meet at the Meanwood Tavern for a drink and some pizza. It's a great opportunity to meet new people in the parish and catch up with others. We walk up after Tuesday evening Mass, or you can meet us there at around 7.45pm. For any questions, or to join the WhatsApp group for reminders, please get in touch with Joaquim Messa on 07454 678034 or Sarah Messa on 07952723416.

There will be a Healing Service on Tuesday the 15th July at 7pm in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Horsforth. This is a beautiful opportunity to pray for healing for yourself or others, whether physical, psychological, or spiritual. Remember Jesus is alive, and miracles can and do happen! Everyone is welcome, including non-Catholics and those of no faith - all that is needed is an openness to Jesus.

NORTH LEEDS DEANERY EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION will be in the afternoon of Sunday 13 July 2025 at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Harrogate Road, Leeds. 2pm followed by fun and games and a BYO Picnic.  It promises to be both prayerful and fun and I would strongly encourage you to attend if you can.

A warm welcome to Father Paddy of the Xaverian Order who is kindly saying our Sunday Masses this weekend during my time in Lourdes. There will be a retiring collection for their work. More information about the work of Father Paddy’s order can be found here Xaverian Missionaries UK – "Make Of The World One Family" . Father Maurice Pearce will be covering the weekday Masses  for the next two weeks; next Sunday the Masses will be celebrated by Canon Eugine McGillycuddy. I am very grateful to my brother priests for their help

Please join Catholic Care at their Head Office at Hinsley Hall on Sunday 13th July for their Summer Garden Party. Enjoy an afternoon of games, delicious refreshments, stalls and more - all in support of our charity. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some sun, connect, and make a difference.

HAS YOUR CHILD MADE THEIR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION? If so they can become a member of our altar server team in either of our churches. It is a wonderful opportunity to draw nearer (literally) to the Lord Jesus in the Mass and to better understand  what happens in the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Training will be given.