: 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 September (Hinsley Hall), 17th October (Hinsley Hall), 14th November (Cathedral Hall), 19th December (Hinsley Hall). 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 simon.lodge@dioceseofleeds.org.uk .

Tuesday, 4 November at 6pm. If you would like to light a candle in remembrance of someone who has died during the past 12 months or at any other time , please email/hand in your name along with the name of the person you wish to be remembered into the parish office by Wednesday, 29th October. (In addition, if you wish to include your deceased relative or friend on the November Dead List, please also complete a November Dead List envelope).

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

In today's Gospel we hear Jesus teach about faith and service to God. The context is a continuing dialogue between Jesus and his followers about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus has just finished an instruction on sin and forgiveness. There are two related teachings that Jesus offers to his disciples when they cry out for an increase in faith. The first is the familiar reminder that faith, even just a little, will enable the followers of Jesus to do wondrous things. But this uplifting and inspiring teaching is quickly followed by the second teaching, a caution about knowing one's place in God's plans. The disciples of Jesus are to understand themselves as servants to God and his plans. Even when God works wonders through us, with our mustard seed-sized faith, we must not seek praise. Our participation in God's plans is God's grace to us. Nothing more, nothing less. When we are graced enough to cooperate with God, the work we do is nothing more than our obligation to God as faithful stewards. And yet, our faith enables us to believe that what we have offered in service to God, as his servants, can be made to produce a hundredfold.

Please collect your certificate from the Narthex. If you no longer pay tax and have been claiming gift aid, please notify the parish office as soon as possible so that the necessary adjustment can be made to your gift aid claim. Alternatively, if you are a taxpayer and don’t gift aid your donations to the parish, please consider doing this as it increases your donation automatically by 25% at no extra expense to you. Forms can be found in the leaflet rack in the Narthex.

Fr Eamonn Hegarty and the Parish of St Mary's, Batley will once again be hosting the annual Batley Torchlight Procession on Monday 6th October , commencing at 7:30pm. The Procession will start at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and end at the nearby St Mary of the Angels’ Catholic Church. The Torchlight Procession is a fine expression of our Catholic faith and gives honour to Mary, Mother of God. Refreshments afterwards.

WINE CALL MY BLUFF (In Memory of Fr. Barrie Senior)  Friday 17th October – 7pm - £15 per person (or £10 per person without wine and for our youth up to the age of 18). Raffle prizes gratefully received. Please leave any donations in the box underneath the Wine Call My Bluff table in the Narthex. Thank you! Tickets are on sale this weekend after Mass. Please see the events team or Fr. Gregory. Prior to the event from 6.15pm you are welcome to join Fr. Gregory at Fr. Barrie’s graveside, Sugar Lane Cemetery, to pray a decade of the Rosary. For anyone able to help tidy the grave Fr. Gregory will be there from 6pm. Please ask for more details. CHRISTMAS FAIR: Saturday 6th December 10am – 2pm. We will be starting to collect donations from next weekend of bottles, gifts, toys, books, and chocolates. Thank you for all your support in the continued success of our annual event.

Over 60’s Group We will be watching the box office hit, and Oscar nominated film portrayal ‘Conclave’ about Papal selection. Monday 13 th October 2pm in the Parish Centre