Representatives of six Catholic schools attended an inaugural mass of dedication to celebrate the forming of a new trust.

More than 300 students from St Mary’s School, Menston, St Joseph’s in Otley, Ss Peter and Paul, Yeadon, Sacred Heart, Ilkley, St Mary’s, Horsforth, and St Joseph’s, Pudsey, took part in the mass at St Anne’s Cathedral in Leeds.

Many staff, past and present, governors, guests from the Diocese of Leeds and parents also attended the mass, held to celebrate the forming of the Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust.

The theme for the mass was “In Truth and Love”, the motto contained on the Bishop Wheeler Episcopal Coat of Arms.

The Mass was concelebrated by Mgr John Wilson, Mgr Michael McQuinn, Mgr Keiran Heskin, Canon Lawrie Hulme, Fr Anthony Jackson, Fr Billy Steele, Fr Malachy Larkin and Mgr Paul Owens.

Following the blessing of the Trust Candles, promises were presented by the Trust Headteachers, Diane Todd of Ss Peter and Paul, Yeadon, Alixina Lubomski of Sacred Heart, Ilkley, Alison Ashworth of St Joseph’s, Pudsey, Cecilia Knight from St Joseph’s, Otley, Peter Hughes from St Mary’s, Horsforth, and Thomas Rothwell from St Mary’s, Menston.

Acting Headteacher at St Mary’s Menston, Thomas Rothwell, said: “This was a wonderful service that showed how co-ordinated the work of all the schools in the trust has become in such a short period of time. The children were a credit to their schools.”