Diocese of Leeds News

DIOCESE OF LEEDS EVENTS - 15th February  2026 

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

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.

PAX CHRISTI ASH WEDNESDAY PRAYERS: Leeds for the second year running is organising prayers of repentance on Ash Wednesday 18th February at 12.30 pm Dortmund Square, Leeds. We repent for all those involved in nuclear war preparations to repent and have a change of heart. We will also pray that all us speak out for peace.

PRIESTLY VOCATIONS DISCERNMENT MEETING: 20th February 2026, 6:30pm at The Newman Centre at St Theresa's, Crossgates. If you are planning on attending for the first time, and haven't done so already, please contact Fr Simon Lodge to register your interest on vocations@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

THE DIOCESE OF LEEDS COMMUNITY CHOIR: welcomes all parish musicians and parishioners, all choir parents and friends, and all school and Diocesan staff to come together and sing! Rehearsals work towards singing Mass in Leeds Cathedral. Rehearsals will take place from 2.30pm- 4pm 22 February, 8, 15 and 22 March at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Moortown.
To sign up please email: office@dioceseofleedsmusic.org.uk

NEW MEN’S GROUP: The Oratory of St Joseph, for young Catholic or other interested laymen aged between 21 & 35. Monthly meetings at Hinsley Hall LS6 2BX, for prayer, Adoration, talks, social time & free supper. Inaugural meeting Thursday 26^th February, 6.30-8.30pm. Contact: benjamin.hilton@dioceseofleeds.org.uk 

MASS FOR HEALING: Chapel at the Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York, 24^th February at 11.45am with Fr Dominique Minskip, Canon Michael Loughlin and Fr Jo Michael. For assistance or if you are unable to attend but would like your name or the name of someone you know placed on the altar during the mass, please contact Fiona Hill 01904 464900 fiona@stbedes.org.uk

IRISH NIGHT FUNDRAISER: in aid of the Little sisters of the Poor rebuild fund February 27^th 2026, Irish Centre, York Road, Leeds commencing at 7.30pm. Irish meal soda bread and Irish dessert, Irish music and dancing. Auction, raffle and football card, tickets on sale in Irish Centre and also contact Sister Christina email funds.leeds@lsplondon.co.uk 

LEEDS CATHEDRAL GUIDED TOURS: Free Guided Tour will take place on Saturday 7th March, starting at 1.30pm. The tours last about 1 hour.  Booking not required.  On arrival, please gather by the Baptismal Font at the back of the Cathedral. 

ARE YOU A CATHOLIC TEACHER OR LEADER WORKING OUTSIDE THE CATHOLIC SECTOR? Would you consider applying for a job in one of our diocesan schools? Diocesan Director of Education Kieron Flood will be hosting an on-line briefing for all those who are interested on Thursday 19^th March: 6-7pm. To book your place, please email Emma: education.admin@dioceseofleeds.org.uk 

WALK IN FATHER BROWN’S FOOTSTEPS! Saturday 28^th March. Third Annual Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage for Priestly Vocations. From St Anne’s, Keighley to Sacred Heart, Ilkley and Stations of the Cross at Myddelton Calvary. Follows the Ilkley Moor route walked by GK Chesterton and Fr John O’Connor, the Diocese of Leeds priest who inspired ‘Father Brown’. Sign up: pilgrimage-walks@dioceseofleeds.org.uk More details: https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/event/walking-pilgrimage-for-vocations-in-father-browns-footsteps/

DAY FOR CATECHISTS, CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD: Saturday 11^th April, 10am-3pm, Hinsley Hall

The Vicariate for Education ran a very fruitful and well-attended day workshop for Children’s Liturgy of the Word catechists in January. For anyone who was unable to make it, there will be a repeat of the day on the 11^th April. This will include similar input, times of sharing and prayer. Lunch included. Please register your free place no later than 3^rd April by emailing formation@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

SVP AND CAFOD WORK EXPERIENCE: The St Vincent de Paul Society and CAFOD are working together to offer a week of free residential work experience for 20 young adults in England and Wales. The experience will run from 21st – 26th June in London. Candidates must be aged 18-25 years old, but priority will be given to those in their first or second year at university. Apply here: https://svp1.formstack.com/forms/work_experience_application_form_2026. Applications close on 6^thApril. For any queries, please contact KeziaH@svp.org.uk

FLAME 2027: The largest Catholic youth event in England and Wales is back! Join 10,000 young people for a day of music, prayer, worship, talks from great speakers and much more at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday 6^th March 2027. Aimed at young people in Y9+, including university students and young adults. Passes are currently at the super early bird rate of £75 per person, which includes return coach travel to/from the Diocese, until 31^st July 2026. Email youth@dioceseofleeds.org.uk to book yours!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AS CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST DIRECTORS: Do you have skills in finance, change management, organisational growth or school improvement to support the governance of our Diocesan schools and Trusts. Further information from Kieron Flood, Director of Education: education.admin@dioceseofleeds.org.uk. 

VOLUNTEER MEMBERS TO THE EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE: The Diocese of Leeds, Vicariate for Education are seeking additional volunteer members to the Education sub-committee. The committee oversees the wok of the Vicariate for Education in Education, Youth and Adult Faith Formation. We are seeking those who have skills or experience in the areas of Adult Faith Formation and/or Youth Work. Further information from Kieron Flood, Director of Education: education.admin@dioceseofleeds.org.uk. 

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2026: The 2026 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place Friday 3^rd to Thursday 9^th July 2026. It is hoped that there will be two flights from Leeds. The booking process is now open. Bookings can be made online on https://www.tangney-tours.com/tours-and-pilgrimages/diocese-leeds/ or by phone direct with Tangney (01732 886666). 

DEPUTY HEADTEACHER VACANCY: St Columba’s Catholic Primary School, Bradford. Start: September 2026. Closing date: Monday, 23rd February 2026. Please contact the Trust HR department to discuss the role in more detail or to arrange a visit, hr@bcwcat.co.uk

HEADTEACHER VACANCY: St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Leeds. Start: September 2026. Closing date: Tuesday 24^th February 2026. Please contact the Trust HR department to discuss the role in more detail or to arrange a visit, hr@sgtgcat.org.uk

ASSISTANT HEAD OF CORE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION VACANCY: at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, Leeds. Closing date: 23^rd February 2026 Further info please visit https://www.notredamecoll.ac.uk/vacancies To discuss or arrange a visit, contact Louise Jackson l.jackson@notredamecoll.ac.uk

TEACHER OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION VACANCY: St. Mary’s, Menston, Start: Monday 27 April 2026. Closing date: Monday, 23^rd February 2026. Further info: https://www.bishopwheelercatholicacademytrust.org/Trust-Academy-Vacancies/

To discuss or arrange a visit, contact Jo-Anne Hughes, ja.hughes@stmarysmenston.org Further details attached. 

HEADTEACHER VACANCY: St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, Wakefield. Start: September 2026 or earlier. Closing date: Monday 23^rd February 2026. For an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please contact Rob Barraclough, Acting CEO, The Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust on 01924 802285, rbarraclough@bkcat.uk Visit https://www.bkcat.co.uk/vacancies/ for more details and to apply.

HEADTEACHER VACANCY: St Paulinus Catholic Primary School, Dewsbury. Start: September 2026. Closing date: Sunday 1^st March 2026. Visit https://mynewterm.com/jobs/148485/EDV-2026-SPCPA-18824 for more details and to apply.