Spirituality in our Parish
Words for the Soul Book Group. Next meeting is on Thursday February 2nd 7.30-9pm in HN Presbytery to discuss 'Everything belongs' by Richard Rohr. New members very welcome. Please contact the group via HN parish office if you would like to know more. The next book to be discussed on March 22nd is 'Etty Hillesum - a life Transformed' by Patrick Woodhouse. For anyone interested in taking part in the Book Group, some copies of this book will be available at the Lent sessions on Feb 26th & March 7th, or can be borrowed from OLK Parish offices (via Amanda & Su.).
'Lord, teach us to pray.' - a parish Retreat day at Myddelton Grange on Saturday March 17th. This is Day 1 ('Our Father, who art in heaven...') of a sequence to be spread over 2 years, focusing on The Lord's Prayer. For further information click here or see leaflets available in each OLK church. Please book your place by March 5th or asap. Everyone is very welcome at these Retreat days which offer time to be still - time apart to be with God. Material for reflection and creative prayer is provided by experienced Retreat guides and guest speakers/facilitators. Previous participants have described these Retreats as 'inspiring', 'peaceful', 'refreshing', and have enjoyed the fellowship with other people. Further dates for this sequence in 2012 are June 23rd, September 8th, November 17th.
Evenings during Lent 2012
At Holy Name Church Hall
Sunday February 26th 7.30-9pm
The Devil Today:
Our Faith and our Experience in the Life of the Church.
A talk by Fr Pat.
With a contribution by Fr Boniface on: The Situation in Africa.
At Assumption Church Social Club Rooms
Wednesday March 7th 7.30-9.15pm
The Turning Point:
A reflective evening of poetry, scripture and music.
Facilitated by Maggie Jackson and OLK parishioners.
At St Mary’s School Hall
Wednesday March 28th 7.30-9pm
The Gospel Passion Narratives
A talk by Fr Chris Angel.
Following-up the sessions on St Mark held at Holy Name during Advent. Opportunity for questions throughout.
All welcome.
Light refreshments before/during the Evenings.
Why Spirituality? click here
HOLY NAME SENIOR CITIZENS
CHRISTMAS PARTY
To view more pictures of the party and soak up the atmosphere click here.. (it will take a few minutes to load the page)
After an unsure start, this years’ workshop was as successful as in the previous 15 years it has been running! Many thanks to all who helped and especially Joanne Tremlett who starts organising this event in October.
A total of 98 children and 40 adult helpers listened to the story about different colours putting aside their differences and working together to make a beautiful rainbow. The children then made lots of Christmas crafts including Angels; Christmas cards, different tree decorations and always the most popular with the children, decorating – and eating – Christmas biscuits.
Sally Burns and team have been collecting green hand prints from as many St Mary’s church goers as possible to create a 3D Christmas tree. This was assembled and will be placed in St Mary’s for all to see over Christmas along with the children’s prayer baubles. Inspired by the City of Sanctuary service in October, we have tried to say Merry Christmas in the many languages that make up the Our Lady of Kirkstall Parish and these too will be displayed in church.
All the children made a Christingle and at the end of the workshop we heard the meaning behind each element that makes up the Christingle. Then we lit them and sang a few carols.
Joy and Pam from the Salvation Army Mount Cross Hostel came to collect the gifts donated for the families who will be spending Christmas at the hostel. They are always very thankful for these donations and enjoy their visit.
Fr Boniface lead the final blessing and then the tidying up began!!
St Mary’s Ladies Group getting together for their Christmas Party held in the School Hall on 14th December. An evening enjoyed by all.
The Jewish winter festival of Hanukkah
On Sunday 20th November, Mr Ralph Ross of the Leeds Orthodox Jewish community, visited our parish to talk to parishioners from our three church communities about the Jewish winter festival of Hanukkah. Ralph explained that this festival is celebrated from the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev (Nov.-Dec.) to the 2nd of Tevet (Dec.- Jan.) and a menorah, (or hanukiyah), unique to the celebration, is the main artefact used during the festival. This menorah consists of 8 individual candle holders and a 'servant' candle holder (shammas) whose candle is used to light the others. On the first night of the festival one candle is lit, on the second two, and so on until the last night, when all eight candles burn. This 'kindling of lights' is, Ralph informed, the central ritual of Hanukkah.
The historical events which gave rise to the festival are recorded in the Old Testament books of the Maccabees. Ralph explained that these events involved a battle ostensibly between Jews and Antiochus Epiphanes when he became king of Syria in 175 BC. However, the reality, Ralph emphasised, involved a struggle on a wider and deeper scale - a clash between Hellenistic and Jewish values. It was the defilment of the Temple in Jerusalem by the worship of pagan idols and its subsequent cleansing and re-dedication by the Jews known as the Maccabees (Hammers) that gave this festival its other title, the Festival of Dedication. After the cleansing of the Temple, a small amount of oil, undefiled and with seal on the jar unbroken, was found to kindle the perpetual lamp in the Temple and to keep it burning for one day. However, a miracle occurred, when the lamp burned brightly for eight days until fresh supplies of consecrated oil arrived. This festival was most certainly celebrated by the Holy Family and we can find a reference to Jesus celebrating Hanukkah in John 10:22.
Those who would like to continue dialogue with the Jewish community might be interested in joining 'The Council of Christians and Jews' (Tel. 0207 015 5160 website: www.ccj.org.uk ) which has a Leeds branch and members from our parish. CCJ is Britain's oldest national interfaith organisation and has been pioneering dialogue between Christians & Jews for over 65 years.
Our Lady of Kirkstall - Parish of Sanctuary
October 8th has been designated as the Patronal Feast Day of the Parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall, established by Bishop Arthur on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15th) 2010.
The Feast was celebrated this year by a special event in the premises of the Holy Name of Jesus, one of the three churches constituting the new Parish – the others being the Assumption of Lady (Spen Lane), and St Mary’s (Horsforth). The celebration comprised a Service followed by a Social gathering to initiate the process of establishing Our Lady of Kirkstall as a ‘Parish of Sanctuary’.
The Sanctuary Movement is a national enterprise which seeks to build a culture of respect and hospitality in our cities for people who have come to the UK seeking safety and the opportunity to build their lives anew. Several cities are already participants in this movement and Leeds is in the process of becoming one. The aim is to create a network of organisations making our city more welcoming and fair for all. Schools and churches are among such organisations and on our Patronal Feast the parishioners of Our Lady of Kirkstall were invited to become involved.
The Service in the church comprised Scripture readings and prayers with musical contributions by pupils from the three primary schools of Holy Name, St Mary’s, and the Sacred Heart, and a visual sequence about the origins and development of the City of Sanctuary Movement. A drama - Asylum Dialogues – told the moving story of one individual asylum seeker - and thereby revealed the serious difficulties faced by many others who seek safety and new beginnings for themselves and their families in this country.
Asylum Dialogues was presented by actors from ‘Ice and Fire’, the outreach project of Actors for Human Rights, a network of more than 500 professional actors dedicated to drawing attention to contemporary human rights concerns.
After the Service everyone moved across to the church hall where a cold buffet of food and drinks had been prepared by those of our parishioners who have come from different parts of the world to live in this locality. Everyone was startled to discover from how many countries our parishioners have come (35!), and all enjoyed meeting each other and sampling the great variety of dishes on offer!
To facilitate the holding of the special Service in the church, arrangements were made to hold the regular Vigil Mass in Holy Name Primary School over the road, and a good number who attended that Mass came across afterwards to join the social event in the hall.
Our thanks go to the pupils and staff of the three schools, to Ice and Fire, and to all who planned and took part in this happy event - which increased our awareness of the composition of our local Catholic community and reminded us of the Gospel challenge to welcome the stranger and respond generously to the needs of the poorest among us.
Jews and Christians gather to remember the victims of the Holocaust
'In Search of the Beloved' Retreat Day
On September 10th , 26 OLK parishioners and friends met at Myddelton Grange to explore this theme through prayer, poetry, art and reflection upon our different faith journeys. Paul Sutherland (our guest faciltator) and Maggie Jackson shared some of their own poetry and led us into imaginative contemplation on scripture passages and on the poetry of Sufi poets such as Rumi and Rabbia. Holy Mass was offered by Fr Simon Lodge who preached on Love and the need to keep our focus on God/The Beloved.
Feedback from participants includes the following comments:
'The content was very inspiring and moving.' 'Beautiful and peaceful venue.'
'Every minute of the day was loving and healing.' 'Mass was very special.'
'Time to get back in touch with myself, God and others around me. To read, speak and listen to many wonderful words and insights. To realise how close we are in ultimate goals within the two faith paths (Sufism and Catholicism). 'The love, the peace, the sharing, the fellowship.'
'A very special and unique opportunity to listen to wise words from a man of great faith.'
'...a lovely "vibration". Great to be among like-minded and like-oriented people. Paul Sutherland is a star!' 'Such a gift to those in need.' 'Thank you for a truly memorable day.'
Singing that raised the roof?
The OLK parish celebrate the first mass for 400 years in Kirkstall Abbey.
Our three churches, together with Bishop Arthur, celebrated an historic event on Sunday when Mass was held for the first time in the Abbey for centuries. Spirits weren't dampened by the odd spot of rain on this joyous occasion as all sections of the parish came together in this celebration, with parades by the uniformed organisation and confirmation group. Music was performed and sung by musicians from all three churches, the event finishing with many picnicking together in the grounds of the Abbey.
To download the Bishops Homily Click Here (pfd) (Word)
To see more photos of the Kirkstall Abbey event on the Catholic Post website click here
The rain didn't spoil the fun at Holy Name Scout Camp at Bradley Wood, near Huddersfield
The Scouts, Cubs and for the first time the Beavers spent the weekend on camp at Bradley Wood Scout Camp. 60 children took part in various activities, including the scouts on the death defying high ropes with a platform at the end of a pole that rose several meters into the sky, then taking the leap of faith (if they really trusted their mates at the other end of the ropes). To see more pictures of the camp click here.
Congratulations to all the children who made their First Holy Communion this year.
Holy Name Scouts completed a successful bank holiday weekend 1,525 ft up at Hag Dyke!
Holy Name Scouts had a great bank holiday weekend in the dales at Hag Dyke, 1,525ft high above Kettlewell. Hiking and cooking were high on the agenda, but they also managed a disco on the final night! They once again held a simple service on Sunday in the specially built chapel at the side of the main building, it's the highest chapel in England!
The Adel Ladies and SM Ladies Group get together
The two ladies groups in the Parish from Adel and St. Mary's had a first get together evening and everyone seemed to have an enjoyable evening.
" St Bede's Pastoral Centre in York (next to the Bar Convent) offer a very full programme of events and courses on Spiritual matters. To see their Autumn programme visit www.stbedes.org.uk or contact Carol Reeves and Diane Granger, Administrators,St Bede's Pastoral Centre,
21 Blossom Street,York YO24 1AQ Tel 01904 464900"
Gospel Music Night
- A truly memorable occasion
The Gospel Night was an occasion to express our faith in the loving presence of our Blessed Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist through a wide variety of sacred songs - and in respectful silence – in which we were ably supported by musicians and singers from the three churches and by choirs drawn from the three Primary Schools within our pastoral care: viz. Sacred Heart, Holy Name, and St Mary’s. The church was full – not only with the numbers of people – but with their gratitude to Jesus for coming among us in this approachable way: the Blessed Sacrament. This thanksgiving was evident in the reverence and joy which characterised the Service. Again, an opportunity to mix socially in the adjacent school hall facilitated the development of our new, larger, Catholic community.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR SHOPPING?
A mini bus will pick up anywhere in Horsforth, take you to Morrisons, leave you to shop then return you to your home, every Friday morning. Round trip only £2. Ring John Hardcastle on 2587451.
The St. Mary’s Confirmation Group on retreat
The St. Mary’s Confirmation Group have been on a retreat to Ampleforth Abbey led by Fr. Bede who is one of the Benedictine Monks as part of their Confirmation programme.
This is the fourth year for the retreat and as in previous years was enjoyed by the candidates and the adult volunteers alike.
The candidates experienced Compline with the Monks in the Abbey on Saturday evening and a school Mass on Sunday morning. Some of their work that formed the sessions with Fr. Bede can be seen on the side walls in St Mary’s Church.
One of the candidates has written an account of the trip for the SM newsletter which will be available at the end of the month.
To find out more about the imagery in the new stained glass windows on the sanctuary of the parish church (Holy Name) click here.
Our Lady of Kirkstall - A prayer for the Parish Formation (click here)
Safeguarding
Bishops Letter on Safeguarding can be downloaded here
The masthead is based on this view of the parish......
Thomas Girtin, Kirkstall Abbey, a watercolour
Yorkshire, England, AD 1800
This watercolour is signed and dated 1800, late in Girtin's career. A ruined abbey is set in a wide valley through which the River Aire meanders. In the background are hills and clumps of trees crowned by a typical English summer sky of moody clouds. In the foreground, a few farmers go about their work. Individual elements often regarded as 'picturesque' are treated with unexpected grandeur and seriousness.
The landscape appears unconfined, with the suggestion of great distances extending both to the sides and to the far horizon. Yet the viewer is drawn to focus on the white stones of the ruined abbey and the river which bends at this point, its water lit, the left bank in shadow. This effect of light and shade (chiaroscuro) is reinforced by the clouds which are dark and light, broken up by the clear blue sky and sunlight.
Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) and J.M.W.Turner, born in the same year, knew each other well. Both artists painted fine watercolours of English cathedrals and antiquities. Between 1793 and 1795 they worked side by side, copying watercolours by John Robert Cozens, learning from his subtleties of mood and technique. Girtin toured England on sketching trips, the tones of his watercolours developing from the cool grey blues of Cozens to his won warm browns and reds. He dies at the early age of twenty-seven, described by his contemporary, Joseph Farington (1747-1821) as 'a genius'.
J. Rowlands, Master drawings and watercolou (London, The British Museum Press, 1984)
L. Stainton, British landscape watercolours (London, The British Museum Press, 1985)
D. Hill, Thomas Girtin: genius in the N (Harewood House, Leeds, 1999)
(There is no sign of Cookridge tower on top of the hill! But interestingly it depicts the area of the new parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall rising up from the Aire valley - it hasn't changed a bit!).
