Please take a note of our mass times for Christmas.
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for today's Mass taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” Some people mark this Sunday on their Advent wreath with a pink instead of purple candle. This week's Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and message of John the Baptist. Last week we heard John speak about his relationship to the coming Messiah, Jesus. This week, we hear Jesus' message to John the Baptist, now in prison, about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus' assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God. In today's Gospel, John sends word to Jesus from prison, asking if Jesus is the Messiah for whom he has been waiting. Jesus responds by pointing to the miracles that he has worked and invites John and the other hearers to make their own determination. In his next breath, however, Jesus praises John for his role in preparing the way for Jesus. Then Jesus says that all of those who work for the Kingdom of God will be as great as John and even greater. Jesus' message to John about the signs of the kingdom being performed recalls the salvation described by the prophet Isaiah. This passage is a reminder that the beginning of salvation is already mysteriously present to us, but also yet to be fulfilled. Even as we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more, we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds. This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing.
Due to the unfortunate cancellation of our Annual Christmas Fayre, we are offering a smaller alternative next weekend after our 10am Mass on Sunday 14th December . Thank you for all your donations making this possible. Stalls to include tombolas, cakes, toys, books, haberdashery, and various gifts. Mulled wine will also be available from the bar. Our annual Christmas raffle will be drawn at this event. All Welcome! Please invite family and friends. We look forward to seeing you there.
In this week's Gospel, Matthew describes the work and preaching of John the Baptist. John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great prophets of Israel, preaching repentance and reform to the people. The description of John found in this reading is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). John directs a particularly pointed call to repentance to the Pharisees and Sadducees. John marks the conversion of those who seek him out with a baptism of repentance. Other groups in this period are thought to have practiced ritual washings for similar purposes, and John's baptism may have been related to the practices of the Essenes, a Jewish sect of the first century. John's baptism can be understood as an anticipation of Christian baptism. In this passage, John himself alludes to the difference between his baptism and the one yet to come: “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11). In this reading, John makes very clear that his relationship to the Messiah yet to come (Jesus) is one of service and subservience: “. . . the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals” (Matthew 3:11). In the context of Matthew's Gospel, today's passage is followed by Jesus' baptism by John, an event that is attested to in all four of the Gospels and appears to have been the start of Jesus' public ministry. As John's message prepared the way for Jesus in the first century, we, too, are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. We respond to John's message by our repentance and reform of our lives. We are also called to be prophets of Christ, who announce by our lives, as John did, the coming of the Lord.
Suzy fund would like to wish all Parishioners a peaceful and happy Christmas. Thank you for all your donations throughout the year. If you would like to give an extra donation over Christmas, please place in an envelope in the Suzy Collection box/ parish office with your name and we will send out New Year greetings
Time for prayers, questions, input from a priest and social time. There are two groups meeting simultaneously; under 18s and over 18s. Fridays 6.30pm-8.15pm: 19th December (Venue TBC). Under 18 participants must complete and return a permission form prior to attending. For permission forms and to notify of attendance (all participants) please contact Vocations Promoter, Fr Simon Lodge vocations@dioceseofleeds.org.uk .
Friday 13th February 2026 at the Met hotel in Leeds. Tickets are available from Phil Marshall at £45 or £400 for a table of 10. The ticket price includes reception drink, a 3 course Meal, Tea & coffee, DJ and entertainment throughout the evening. To secure your tickets for this popular event, contact Phil on 07766 148375 or email philmarshall49@outlook.com . All profits at the event go to the Diocesan Lourdes fund.
The Twelve, the Youth Leadership Team for the Diocese of Leeds, are doing more research into the engagement of young people within their parish and would like to hear from even more young people! The research includes roles that young people undertake, training opportunities, and general ideas for further engagement of young people in the parish. The new survey can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the poster on the noticeboard, or by visiting: https://forms.gle/p4274YfVS3XZBfsB6 . Thank you!
We would like to welcome Andrea Nicholls and Bismark Adomako who are now confirmed as our Parish safeguarding representatives. Safeguarding representatives have a special responsibility for promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults at risk. Please see our safeguarding notice board in the Narthex.
Envelopes are available in the Narthex. The names of deceased relatives/friends you would like to be remembered during Masses in November and throughout the year should be placed in the envelope, along with your name and donation and returned to the parish office as soon as possible.
Please note that starting from 11th October the Saturday Vigil Mass will be 5.30pm
The Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal are hosting a live nativity at Corpus Christi church, Neville Road Saturday 20th December , 2pm including real animals, party afterwards refreshments, activities for children, Fr Christmas coming with gifts, Carol singing. All welcome.
Suzy fund would like to wish all Parishioners a peaceful and happy Christmas. Thank you for all your donations throughout the year. If you would like to give an extra donation over Christmas, please place in an envelope in the Suzy Collection box/ parish office with your name and we will send out New Year greetings
The Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal are hosting a live nativity at Corpus Christi church, Neville Road Saturday 20th December , 2pm including real animals, party afterwards refreshments, activities for children, Fr Christmas coming with gifts, Carol singing. All welcome.
Global Healing - care for our common home, a film commissioned by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (33 minutes long).
DISCOVERING FAITH IN UNEXPECTED PLACES.
View our parish gallery which provides highlights of our parish community events and activities