Parish News

This Sunday is the last Sunday of the church's liturgical year, the feast of Christ the King of the Universe. Do you remember as children dressing up as queens or princesses, kings or princes? As a child one year, out of a Christmas cracker, there fell a ring with a red stone, that, with a piece of curtain tied over my shoulders, and a flourishing a bamboo cane as a sword, I guess that I saw myself as some kind of knight or prince. It’s still a great pastime for children, and seeing all of the the costumes available for children these days there is a lot of royalty out there! Society also still reinforces a way of looking at royalty as something associated with being rich and powerful, deference, uniforms, jewels, and grand ceremonies. Even republics have their ceremonies and trappings of power. It seems to be something we need in some way. Yet all of this is the palest imitation of the kingdom, the splendour of a King, the one and only King. The full splendour of this kingdom is something that no eye has seen nor ear has heard – the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. Of course there is something great and glorious beyond us in this life, but we have already encountered our King. We have an opportunity to encounter him every day. We encounter him in his word. We encounter him through the sacraments he has provided for us which are comprised of things that we can see, taste and smell (bread, wine, oil) which also remind us that he is the first principle of every created thing in the world, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth. Other manifestations of his kingdom are also around us in creation. Despite our weaknesses the kingdom lives in our hearts and souls through the gift to us of the Holy Spirit. A gift that makes it is possible for us join the saints and with them to inherit eternal light. Our King, Jesus the Christ, is the one who saves, the anointed one. Jesus he will come again. When he comes there will be no more sacraments, because, if we are faithful to his kingdom here and now on earth, we will not need them, we will see and experience Jesus himself in both his humanity and divinity. God willing we will be one with Him, the Father in the Holy Spirit in an embrace of joy, light and love. However in Sunday's gospel things are very different. Our King is at his most vulnerable. He is pinned to the cross. He is immobile, mocked and derided. Maybe he is literally naked on the cross, which was a common humiliation at the time. Then people often turned up for public executions as a form of sport or pastime and today is no exception. The soldiers mock his kingship by not offering him fine wine but vinegar. The throne is the cross, the crown is of thorns. I invite you to take a moment to think about who you are in this scene. Maybe you are one of his followers in the crowd too terrified to do anything but to be there, perhaps you are one of the leaders who finally feel safe to jeer at him, perhaps you are the thief who wants Jesus to save you but you really do not believe that he can do it. Perhaps there are times when in some way we are all of these. Personally, I think that a good prayer for the feast day is “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom”, the answer of Jesus and his promise of eternal life to the person hanging beside him is meant for us too, hear it in your soul today. Jesus always keeps his promises. Thank you Jesus. Thank you my King. Your kingdom come. As always, be assured of my daily prayers for your intentions. God bless and keep you. Fr Chris

This winter St Urban’s meeting room will be open on the first Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 8.30pm as a warm and welcome space for anyone who has suffered loss, however long ago, and who would like an opportunity to talk about it. This is not counselling, it is just a warm and welcome space where your experience of loss can be shared, if you wish. The dates are: 3rd December, 7th January, 4th February and the 4th of March . No booking is needed, just turn up. Also we need volunteers to provide cake, to help prepare the room, to welcome people, to make and serve hot drinks and to clean the room afterwards. It is a wonderful ministry to others and if you feel called to offer any help at all please contact Breda on 07858517163.

This is being updated and will be displayed in our churches when it is complete. You will notice that November Dead List Masses have commenced and will run through until November 2026.

The winning numbers for the final draw of 2025 were £100. 18; £50. 115; £50.139. Congratulations to all of our winners!  The 200 club will return in the new year. The 200 Club raises money towards the upkeep of both of our churches. It costs £10 for a 10-week session. The prizes are £30 and £20 each week, and, for the final draw on week 10, the prizes will be £100 and 2 x £50 prizes. There are plenty of spare numbers and it is not too late to sign up. The chances of winning are very high and it is a great way to support the parish.

Our Christmas Fair is on Saturday the 29th of November starting at 1:00pm at St Urbans . A signup sheet is at the back of our churches for people willing to help with stalls etc. A sincere thank you to all those who have already signed up and donated. Donations of items are urgently needed (last year I bought a “retired” statue of the Infant of Prague!). Please be generous with your time and effort to support our parish and build our community.  Fr Chris

Ever thought of going on the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes volunteering as a nurse or as part of the hospitality team but want to know more, then you are invited to an information evening about the roles and pilgrimage. Hinsley Hall, Monday 1st December, 7pm . For more information, please email Phil Marshall on lourdes.enquires@dioceseofleeds.org.uk or 07766 148375. To register interest please email recruitment.lourdes@dioceseofleeds.org.uk , or simply turn up on the evening. It is a very busy but grace-filled week. Some members of our parish volunteer every year. Feel free to join us. Fr Chris

CONFIRMATIONS : next Tuesday, the 25th , 38 of our young people, with others from across the North Leeds Deanery, will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Marcus at St Mary’s Horsforth. Because of this there will be no evening Mass on that day but there will be Mass at St Urban’s at 10.00am. There will be no exposition or rosary that day.  Please pray for our wonderful young people receiving the last of the Sacraments of Initiation. Thank you to the catechists in our schools for their work in preparing for this special occasion.

Two people have generously volunteered to count our collection after the 10.30 Sunday Mass, but we need more. The more we have the more the work can be spread out. Please, can you help? Please speak to Father Chris.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: 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 the Tuesday evening Mass, or you can meet us there at around 7.50pm. The next date is the 2nd of December . If you’ve never been before, you’re more than welcome! 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.