This Friday, 29 June, is the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul, a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be celebrated at St Cuthbert’s at 7.00pm on Thursday (Vigil Mass) and at 12.15pm on Friday.
Masses in other local churches: St Bede’s 9.15am, St Godric’s 10.00am, St Joseph’s 7.00pm; St Patrick’s, Langley Moor, Vigil Mass on Thursday at 7.00pm and Mass on Friday at 9.30am.
From Sunday 24 June and throughout the summer, our 6:30 Mass becomes a quieter celebration. However, we do need volunteers to welcome, read, take the collection and minister Holy Communion. If you can help, whether from the parish or chaplaincy community, please sign up on the list on the noticeboards. Please don’t leave it to the few.
Saturday 14 July will see the streets of Durham filled with people for Gala Day. As usual, we will be serving refreshments to help with our fundraising for charity and to offer a slightly quieter place for people to sit and relax. We will need items to sell and, just as importantly, lots of people to sell them! Please do sign up as soon as you can if you can offer a couple of hours on the day and/or some cakes, drinks or other produce.
John the Baptist was chosen by God to play a unique part in the plan of salvation. John would become the prophet who would proclaim to the people of Israel the message of repentance and forgiveness. He would announce the coming of the Saviour, and would witness by the sacrifice of his life.
John’s special mission is foreshadowed in the events around his birth. He was born miraculously, to elderly, childless parents. His coming was foretold by the angel Gabriel, and God gave him the name ‘John,’ meaning ‘God is gracious.’ The words of the prophet Isaiah were fulfilled in him: ‘The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name.’ No wonder that people asked, ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ But that question could be asked of any newborn child. Each one of us has been called by God before we were born. Each of us is chosen and named for a special part in God’s plan. Every disciple, in their own way, can be a prophet of the coming of Christ, as John was.
CAFOD’s gap year programme, aimed at those aged 18 – 30, is an opportunity to volunteer in the UK, gain experience, develop leadership skills and visit CAFOD partners and the communities with whom CAFOD works. Applications are open for a September 2018 start, deadline 30 June. Email cjones@cafod.org.uk to register your interest and find out more.
Three-day Walking Retreat with walks of 8-10 miles through the beautiful countryside around Minsteracres. Every day starts with a reflection. You will need suitable walking boots and weatherproof clothing. Tuesday 10th-Thursday 12 July, cost £125.
Minsteracres Summer Fayre: Saturday 14th July, 11am-4pm.
All those concerned about how we can support young people on their faith journey are invited to a co-workers’ meeting at the Emmaus Village on Sunday 8 July at 3.00pm (Tea, coffee and cake from 2.15pm). YMT will present a number of opportunities including the national Flame event which happens in March 2019 and this will also be a time to share good practice with people from other parts of the diocese. Please let YMT know if you are coming on 01207 592244 or admin@ymt.org
This national Catholic award scheme for school years 6-11, encouraging young people to reflect on their faith and put into action, can be carried out in both school and parish groups. Two training sessions will take place for those who would like to run the Award: Thursday 5 July 7pm – 8.30pm St Aloysius Parish Hall, Hebburn and Friday 6 July 1.30pm – 3pm at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, Hebburn. To book a place, please contact admin@ymt.org
Sunday 17 June, 3.00-3.30pm, at the Memorial at the junction of Southfield Way (A691 and B6532.) This short ecumenical service to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Durham Martyrs Memorial will be followed by refreshments at St Cuthbert’s Church, North Road. (The Memorial is diagonally across from County Hall and is at the housing side of the Roundabout in the former Dryburn Hospital site.) Everyone is welcome.
Our next film and pizza night is on Friday 22 June, with doors opening at 6:30pm with the screening beginning about 7pm. We will be showing the 1953 film “Roman Holiday”, starring Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn and a Vespa scooter! The film was nominated for 10 Oscars, with Audrey Hepburn winning as Best Actress (and Vespa scooters enjoying record sales after the film’s release!) All are very welcome.
Will meet on Tuesday 19 June at 8pm at Orchard House, New Elvet, to discuss James Meek, Private Island.
We will also choose the books for our next meetings and fix where we would like to meet for a meal over the summer, Please contact Margaret Harvey for more details [0191] 3840080 or email margaretharvey@uwclub.net All are welcome.
The kingdom of God is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Speaking to people living under the harsh and oppressive rule of the Roman Empire, Jesus teaches them in parables how different the world will be when God rules in the hearts of believers. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of justice, mercy and reconciliation. The two parables that we hear in today’s Gospel show us that the kingdom of God cannot be suppressed. The kingdom sprouts and grows, night and day. It grows like a mushroom bush, sprawling and spreading, impossible to root out. The seeds of the kingdom of God are our small acts of care and kindness – small expressions of faith. From such tiny seeds, God brings growth and fruitfulness beyond our imagination. This is what the kingdom of God is like.
From 30 June – 8 July, people in all corners of the country are preparing to Speak Up on climate change and renewable energy to their MPs. You are invited to hold a climate change event and to invite your MP to come along. It could be anything from a pub quiz, a climate bake-off or a climate Q&A. This is your opportunity to make sure that the concerns of the world’s poorest people are on your MP’s agenda. Find out more at https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Power-to-be/Week-of-Action
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