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Dozens of parishioners made the journey across the Pennines to Leeds for the Franciscan Sisters' live nativity and a visit to the city's Christmas market.

Making the journey to "Bethlehem" by coach, rather than on a donkey, we made our way to the centre of Leeds to visit the Christmas market, soaking up some of the festive atmosphere and doing a bit of last-minute shopping!

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After lunch we made our way to Corpus Christi church, the parish where the sisters are based, for their annual live nativity. It was wonderful to see the church packed for the event, which beautifully retold the story of Our Lord's birth.

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The nativity featured a real baby and - perhaps the stars of the show - two real donkeys!

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It was wonderful to see the sisters again and to share in their pre-Christmas celebrations. For us it was a wonderful day out - an event for our parish, but also a reminder that, as Catholics, we form part of a much larger family of faith which spans not only the Pennines, but the whole world. Soon that family will be united in celebrating the birth of our Saviour, God-with-us, Jesus Christ.