Webmaster • January 17, 2026
Please could parents of children in Year 3 and above for Confession and Year 4 and above for First Communion, speak to Dominic Williams or contact him by email at dominic.williams@dioceseofleeds.org.uk if they're interested in their children receiving either or both (if they're in Year 4 or above) sacraments.
For Prayer With The Word Of God. Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us build a more fraternal and missionary Church.
LOURDES NURSES VOLUNTEER APPEAL: Are you a qualified nurse? Would you like to join the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes (3-9 July 2026)? Please contact: lourdes.enquiries@dioceseofleeds.org.uk for further information. We desperately need registered nurses to join the team to enable our assisted pilgrims to travel to Lourdes. This is a wonderful experience, and many nurses return year after year. Please consider joining our friendly, happy team of volunteers and enjoy a truly blessed week with our assisted pilgrims.
ANNUAL LOURDES DINNER DANCE : 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.
RELICS OF ST GERARD MAJELLA: The Diocese will have the privilege of hosting the relics of St Gerard Majella at various venues across the Diocese in the week of 26th January. He is popularly invoked as a patron of mothers, particularly expectant mothers, couples trying to conceive, and those looking for work. Come along to pray in front of his relics, participate in Mass and receive a blessing with his relics. For times, dates and venues please see poster on the noticeboard.
JOIN BISHOP MARCUS IN PRAYING FOR VOCATIONS: Our Lady of Unfailing Help! Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send labourers into His harvest and that He will grant an abundance of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life within the Diocese of Leeds, and throughout the world. Amen.
If you have any unwanted gifts, our social events team are making a plea for donations by leaving a box in the Narthex where you can donate your items to be utilised at their events through the year. Alternatively, please contact Annette Allsop on 07717 756770 if you want to donate anything directly. Thank you for your support.
Gill Atkinson is leaving her position as our administrator soon to answer a call to ministry in healing and prayer beyond our parish. Therefore, we are seeking to recruit a new Parish Administrator to support the life and mission of the parish. The role involves providing administrative support to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the parish. A job description and application form are available at [www.peterpaul.org.uk For enquiries, please contact Canon Tim Wiley Tel. 01977 702297 Email. Timothy.wiley@dioceseofleeds.org.uk Closing date for applications: 23 January 2026. Jesus has called us to do what He did, and that includes healing the sick. “They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17). Gill will still be available for prayer ministry if you want to contact her directly.
"For such as these": Saturday 24th January, 10am-3pm offered by the Diocesan Vicariate for Education - Hinsley Hall. A day aimed at those involved with Children's Liturgy of the Word and other ministry with children. We will explore different resources and ideas to best form our children and young people - with times of prayer, input, Mass and discussion. Free event with lunch provided. Please email formation@dioceseofleeds.org.uk to book your place.
For the attention of men between 35-55 years who may be considering a calling to an ordained ministry. There is to be an informal information session on the diaconate on Saturday 24th January at Hinsley Hall between 10.30-12.30. For further details see the flyer or contact Deacon Joe on joseph.cortis@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
We heard Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism last Sunday, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Today, we hear John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus as found in John’s Gospel. John’s Gospel differs from the other Gospels because John does not describe Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Instead, John the Baptist announces that he knows that Jesus is the Son of God. In today’s reading, John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching and cries out, giving witness about who Jesus is. In John’s testimony he says that he saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus. By this sign, John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the one who is to come after him. John the Baptist uses two titles for Jesus that are familiar to us. John calls Jesus the “Lamb of God” and the “Son of God.” By using these titles, John the Baptist identifies Jesus’ ultimate purpose: to redeem sinful humanity. John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus clearly distinguishes John’s baptism from the Baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John baptizes with water; Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John also puts his practice of baptism in the context of Jesus’ ministry. The purpose of John’s baptism was to make Jesus known to Israel. John the Baptist’s sense of purpose is clearly identified in this reading: he baptized in order to prepare for and make known the ministry of the One who was to follow. John’s witness is an excellent example of what it means to be a disciple. By our Baptism, we are called to make Jesus known to all the world by our words and by the witness of our lives.