Diocese of Leeds News

DIOCESE OF LEEDS EVENTS - 8th March  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.

CATHOLIC CARE’S ANNUAL APPEAL: will take place in all parishes across the Diocese of Leeds on 14^th & 15^th March. We ask every parish to support the Appeal. Your generosity is vital in helping us continue our work with those most in need. This year’s collection will support our community markets, Gianna Babybank and social isolation groups. Any donation is greatly appreciated, and we hope you can help us make this our most successful Appeal yet. 

ROMERO LECTURE - INSPIRATION AND AFFIRMATION IN HARD TIMES – ST OSCAR ROMERO TO POPE LEO: Wed 11 March @ 7pm Leeds Trinity City Campus. Join SPARK Social Justice for an inspiring talk by Todd Walatka of Notre Dame University Illinois. See www.leedsjp.org.uk to book a free place.

BISHOP JOHN CROWLEY 3-DAY PREACHED RETREAT: 17^th-19^th March at The Briery, Ilkley. You are invited to join Bishop Crowley for a short retreat during Lent entitled "Rest and you will see, see and you will love, love and you will praise (St Augustine)" £230pp fully inclusive or £110 non-residential. For booking or more information contact the administrator on 01943 607287 or email admin@briery.org.uk

FAITH & LIGHT LOURDES FUND - AN EVENING OF MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE: featuring the Leeds Irish Choir, the Mount Brandon Ceilidh Band and other great performers. Leeds Irish Centre, Thursday March 19th @ 7.15pm, in aid of the Leeds Central Faith & Light Lourdes Fund. Tickets £10 from the Irish Centre or call Margaret on 07906116453.

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 

CATHOLIC CARE IS CELEBRATING ST PATRICK’S DAY IN BRADFORD!: The Wednesday Lunch Group holds theirs on Wednesday 25 March at St Winefride’s Church Hall.
Featuring a three‑course meal, music by The Wild Geese, and £6 tickets.
Everyone is welcome! For tickets, contact Michelle Vink on 07739 975000 (call/text) or michelle.vink@catholic-care.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. This is a repeat of the previous session. 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

PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND: St. Stephen’s Parish, Skipton, invites you to come on pilgrimage to Krakow in Poland, 12^th to 18^th October 2026. The itinerary includes visits to Wadowice (John Paul II museum), Auschwitz, the Salt Mines, the Divine Mercy shrine, the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa with daily Mass and time to explore Krakow. Cost is £1829 + flights. For the full itinerary and booking form, please email christopher.angel@dioceseofleeds.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!

FORMING CATHOLIC STUDENT LEADERS: Summer courses exploring faith, ethics and leadership for sixth form students, offered by the Christian Heritage Centre. Stonyhurst. 6 days in the beautiful Ribble Valley exploring themes linked to The Common Good (Year 12, 10-15 August) and to The Human Ecology (Year 13, 5-10 July). A fantastic opportunity to meet new friends, discuss and share with peers, tutors and academics, learn new skills, develop one's relationship with Christ, and to build character. www.christianleadershipformation.com 

ONLINE GOSPEL MEDITATIONS: Throughout the year, the Briery Retreat Team deliver fortnightly guided meditations via Zoom, with time for reflection and sharing. These are on Thursday from 7.30pm to 8.15pm. The 'doors' open at 7.15 for a chat and introductions. All are welcome. Register for the link by email admin@briery.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). 

VOLUNTEER MEMBERS FOR THE TRUSTEE’S AUDIT & RISK SUB-COMMITTEE: The Diocese of Leeds Trustee is seeking volunteer members for the newly formed Risk & Audit sub-committee. The committee oversees the activities of its two charities The Leeds Diocesan Trust and the St John’s School for the Deaf Trust. We are seeking those who have skills or experience in the areas of Audit, Risk, Finance and Governance. For further information please contact Carla Stockton-Jones, Trustee: carla.stockton-jones@dioceseofleeds.org.uk. 

CATHOLIC CARE IS RECRUITING: Life Skills Mentor, Dewsbury, Full and Part time available. Salary £24,892 - £26,096 pro rata. Please email CV to recruitment@catholic-care.org.uk

HEADTEACHER VACANCY: St. Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School, Ripon. Start: September 2026. Closing date: Friday 13^th March 2026. Further info: https://www.bishopwheelercatholicacademytrust.org/Trust-Academy-Vacancies/ To discuss or arrange a visit, contact admin@stwcps.co.uk. 

ASSISTANT HEAD OF CORE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION VACANCY: Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, Leeds. Start: As soon as possible. Closing date: 20 March 2026 Further info: please visit https://www.notredamecoll.ac.uk/vacancies To discuss or arrange a visit, contact Louise Jackson