Welcome to this website for the Parish of St. Mary. We are situated in Bradford, West Yorkshire as part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds. Our parish incorporates St. Peter's Church, Laisterdyke and St. Columba's Church, Tong Street. We have a vibrant parish community, always looking to welcome the stranger or newcomer. You are most welcome to visit our Churches, Mass or Services.

Please see the weekly Bulletin for Mass Times and the events page for information on all that is happening in our parish.

Fr. Patrick Akekpe, MSP
Parish Priest

Holy Week Reflections
April 7, 2020

Tuesday of Holy Week

Jesus is deeply troubled in spirit as he eats one of his last meals with his disciples in today’s gospel. The agony of spirit is accentuated by the fact that he knew that a man he had trusted and who had been a close collaborator in his ministry was going to betray him. Most of us can manage betrayals and back-stabbings from persons we perceive to be openly antagonistic towards us. However, when a friend or someone we may have confided in betrays our confidence the pain doubles. Jesus knew how to handle his external enemies- the Pharisees and Scribes and Jewish authorities. But this enemy from within broke his heart. However, this feeling was momentary. For after Judas went out into the darkness to carry out his sinister plot, Jesus exclaims: “Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified.”. Indeed like the psalmist, Jesus could say: “In you O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me: pay heed and save me.” If we too trust in the Lord, not even the betrayals of friends and enemies can shake our trust in the love and goodness of God.

Fr Patrick Akekpe, MSP