World Day of Prayer: Friday 7th March

Webmaster • February 28, 2026

World Day of Prayer: A women led, global ecumenical movement – annually first Friday in March Friday 6th March at 2pm at St Mary’s RC Church, Bond End, Knaresborough. Our sisters in Nigeria invite us to join them for the World Day of Prayer. The service they have prepared reflects the theme, “I will give your rest”. 120 participating countries will be celebrating this service on the same day. It begins in Samoa and moves across the world in a continuous wave of prayer, finishing 38 hours later in American Samoa. It truly is a worldwide day of prayer. The World Day of Prayer is an international women-led ecumenical movement that shares the hopes, concerns and prayers of women from around the globe. Each year women from a different country craft a service, sharing their unique spiritual journey and culture. For 2026 the women of Nigeria have created a service that speaks to our need for peace and solace, drawing on their faith and experiences in a world filled with struggles and anxieties. This is the first time for more than 10 years that St Mary’s have held the service - next year it will be held at St John’s CofE. Please support us. Refreshments will be served in the Hall following. ALL ARE WELCOME. More info on the movement can be found at wwdp.org.uk

St Aelred’s Fish and Chip Lunch

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
St Aelred’s Fish and Chip Lunch The last one for 2026, Parishioners and friends of St Aelred’s and St Mary’s - All are welcome to come and join us on Monday 30th November St Aelred’s Hall. Doors open 12pm and lunch served 12.30pm. Light bite fish and chips, mushy peas, coffee/tea, bread and butter, sweets for afters. £8.00, monies to be paid to Tony or Margaret. Please put your names on the list on the noticeboard at the back St Aelred’s. Any queries phone Tony on 07912790773. N/B If you would like to bring a bottle for your table please feel free to do so. There will also be a free raffle, so donations of raffle prizes will be gratefully received - bring on the day or hand to Tony or Margaret, Many Thanks

Carol Service

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
St Aelred’s Carol Service - Sunday 13th December at 4pm at St Aelred’s a collection will be taken for the parish SVP.

St Aelred’s Building Fund

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
St Aelred’s is starting a building fund to renovate the hall. This week we received a grant from Starbeck Community Fund for £5,000. Any social events and sponsorships will go towards the renovation of the hall. Further grants are being applied for at the moment and a fund raising thermometer will appear in the hall very soon.

CAFOD World Gifts

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
Following on from last week's Live Simply update, the CAFOD World Gifts catalogues are available at the back of church, please help yourself and consider a Christmas gift that transforms the lives of communities living in poverty.

Parish Day of Prayer for Advent

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
Tuesday 8th December 2026 from 8am to 8pm, in the Lady Chapel, there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St Aelred’s.  A sign up sheet will be available soon to cover half hour slots of prayer.

Advent Retreat Day at St Robert's Primary School

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
Tuesday 15th December - St Aelred's parishioners have been providing Advent and Lent Retreat Days for the children for ten years now. It is a highly enjoyable and life giving event for all involved. If you could help with this year's Advent offering or would just like to hear more about what is involved, please speak to Dominika Praga.

St. Aelred's SVP Conference

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
Annual Appeal 2026 7/8 November to 5/6 December. This is the annual appeal on behalf of St. Aelred’s SVP Conference. Please give what you can, and if possible, please Gift Aid your donation. Bacs donations to 60-60-04 / St Vincent de Paul / Acc. No. 46076255. If you do a Bacs please consider filling in a gift aid slip as well. More information on 7/8 Nov, there will also be a cake stall in the hall after Mass, all welcome.

Reconciliation Service for Advent

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
Reconciliation Service for Advent – Will be on 7pm 10th December at St Aelred’s

Christmas Lunch

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
St Aelred’s and St Mary’s Joint Christmas Lunch – Will be on Wednesday 9th December at 12noon , £15 each and includes a 3 course meal with festive refreshments. Please sign up at the back of Church and make payment to either Rhonda or Fr Gerard, all welcome!

St Aelred's Christmas Fair

By Webmaster • November 7, 2026
Will take place on Sunday 29th November following 9am Mass. Please consider donating any bottles and raffle prizes to be left at the back of Church. Please sign up on the notice board at the back of Church if you are kindly able to help on a stall. Raffle tickets will be on sale soon, many thanks!