Diocese of Leeds News

DIOCESE OF LEEDS EVENTS - 23rd November 2025.

Diocesan Events, Invitations from Parishes and other Organisations, listed chronologically.

FAMILY RETREAT DAY: Families are welcome to a Retreat Day at St Stephen’s Church, Skipton, on Sunday 30th November, 12 noon to 3:30pm (Parish Mass at 10:30am). There will be a soup lunch provided, input for parents and children, a family activity and prayer. Please let us know if you are coming along by emailing office.ststephen.skipton@dioceseofleeds.org.uk and let us know the ages of the children attending.

DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE VOLUNTEERS INFORMATION EVENING: 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 1^st 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.

BATLEY JUBILEE MASS WITH BISHOP MARCUS: Over the Jubilee Year St Mary’s, Batley, have been celebrating monthly Prayer Vigils on the 1^st Friday of each month, comprising of Stations of the Cross at 6.00pm, Rosary at 7.00pm and Mass at 8.00pm, with Adoration/Confessions throughout. I am delighted to welcome Bishop Marcus who will be celebrating the final Mass on Friday 5^th December at 8.00pm. Please do join us for any part of this Prayer Vigil. 

THE GIFT OF JESUS – ADVENT UN-WRAPPED: Exploration of the Liturgical Season of Advent - a Day of Reflection led by Fr Dennis Cassidy at The Briery on Saturday 6th December. £25pp including a soup lunch and dessert and all refreshments. For more information and to book, contact the Administrators on 01943 607287 or admin@briery.org.uk

HEALING SERVICE: The next Healing Service will be on 10th December 2025 at 7pm in St Mary’s RC 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.

WOMEN OF HOPE - AN ADVENT WEEKEND RETREAT - 12^th - 14^th December at The Briery, Ilkley. As the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee year comes to an end, join us for a weekend unwrapping gifts from scripture, with music and art, and plenty of time for personal reflection. For more information and to book, contact the Administrators on 01943 607287 or admin@briery.org.uk

LEEDS CATHEDRAL GUIDED TOURS AUTUMN PROGRAMME: Free Guided Tours will take place on Saturday 13th December, at 1.30pm. The tours last about 1 hour. No booking is required. On arrival, please gather by the Baptismal Font at the back of the Cathedral.

LAUDATO SI’ ADVENT ECO-FAIR, HINSLEY HALL, LS6 2BX, Saturday 13 December 10am to 3pm. FREE entry! Stalls, activities, advice, refreshments! PLUS Adoration in the Chapel & (weather dependent) short Rosary Walk. If YOUR parish, business, or charity would like a stall, contact communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

CATHOLIC CARE IS HOSTING TWO CHRISTMAS LUNCH PARTIES: St John the Evangelist, Bradford on Tuesday 16th December, 12:30pm and St Winefride’s Church Hall, Bradford on Wednesday 17th December, 1pm. Both events feature a 3-course lunch and live music from the Toe Tappers. Tickets are £6. Contact Jean (07960 983384), Michelle (07739 975000), or Moira (07952 258572) for details.

PRIESTLY VOCATIONS DISCERNMENT MEETING: 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: 19^th 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. 

BEREAVEMENT ACCOMPANIMENT TRAINING: Elizabeth Prout Bereavement Care are offering a two day training course in bereavement accompaniment on Saturdays 17^th and 24^th January 2026 at The Briery Retreat Centre in Ilkley. The cost is £70 and includes a cooked 2 course lunch and refreshments on both days. For more information, please email epbereavementcare@dioceseofleeds.org.uk or contact The Briery on 01943 607287.

ANNUAL LOURDES DINNER DANCE: Friday 13^th 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.

NEURODIVERSITY AND OUR CATHOLIC FAITH: is the subject of research being conducted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Birmingham Newman University. If you’re an adult neurodivergent Catholic or a Caregiver of a neurodivergent Catholic, we want to hear from you. Your experiences will help us to become more inclusive and responsive to your needs. To find out more and to fill in our short surveys look here: www.godwhospeaks.uk/neurodivergent-catholic-surveys/

ONLINE ROSARY FOR THE DIOCESE: Come together online to pray a Rosary for the needs and intentions of the Diocese using Microsoft Teams. Fridays 21^st November to 19^th December, 2.30pm Please see events page of Diocesan website for dates/joining instructions.

CATHOLIC CARE CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2025: Catholic Care are supporting over 700 families this Christmas with special Christmas Eve Boxes filled with items to bring joy and togetherness. We’re kindly asking for donations of chocolates or sweets to include in the boxes, or a cash donation to help us purchase items. To donate or learn more, please call 0113 388 5400.
Thank you for helping us make Christmas brighter for those who need it most.

CANDLES FOR UKRAINE: The Rotary Club is collecting candle stubs that can be melted down to make "trench candles", to be used for light, cooking and heating. Please contact Drew directly on 07919 125491 with any questions or to arrange a collection. Alternatively, candle stubs can be left at Hinsley Hall reception before 12 noon on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025. 

CATHOLIC CARE IS RECRUITING: Adult LD support workers – Dewsbury – Full & Part time & fixed term maternity cover. Salary £24,892 - £26,096 pro rata. Also Care Bank Support Workers (Dewsbury) and Care Bank Residential Childcare Workers (Keighley) needed: £14.12 inclusive per hour plus sleeps. Please email CV to recruitment@catholic-care.org.uk

LEEDS CATHEDRAL VACANCY: Leeds Cathedral is recruiting a part time caretaker to work with a small dedicated team. For an application form and further information, please e-mail your contact details to recruitment@dioceseofleeds.org.uk Or alternatively for an informal chat, please phone 0113 245 4545. Closing date for applications is Friday 12th December.