To Fr Stan Chu Ilo of DePaul University, Chicago, who will arrive at St Cuthbert’s this week. Fr Stan is the Alan Richardson Fellow in Durham University’s Department of Theology, and will be staying at St Cuthbert’s this term.

The Diocesan Church Music Association have set up a link on their page of the Diocesan website, asking parish musicians to sign up to give them an idea of the resources around the Diocese and to keep people up to date with news of workshops etc.

If you would like to sign up the form can be found on the Diocesan website, clicking on ‘Departments’, then ‘Liturgy’, then Diocesan Church Music Association. Scrolling down will reveal a paragraph headed ‘Join our mailing list’.

There will be a Service of Reconciliation for our Confirmation candidates, their families and sponsors this Friday, 11th October at 7pm at St Cuthbert’s. Please pray for our young people as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

An afternoon celebrating the canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman will be held by Tyneside Newman Circle on Saturday 12 October at St. Mary’s, Cullercoats. The timetable will be:

2.00pm Fr. Andrew Downie, “Newman and the Development of Doctrine”
2.45pm Prof. Terry Wright, “Newman and the Bible”
3.30pm Refreshments
4.00pm Dr. Sheridan Gilley, “Newman and Holiness”
5.00pm Mass

The event is free and everyone is welcome, but if you wish to attend, please contact Prof. Terry Wright on Terry.Wright@ncl.ac.uk or 0191 274 8653.

Salus and Sanctus: On Salvation as Health and Well-Being. Presented by Canon Simon Oliver, Van Mildert Professor of Divinity, Durham University. Thursday 10 October at 5pm in Pemberton Lecture Room PG20, Palace Green, Durham.

CAFOD Harvest Fast Day is this Friday, 4th October. This Fast Day, CAFOD asks us to fast, pray and give, so we can extend the hand of friendship to the world’s poorest people. Fabiano’s village in rural Uganda has been devastated by drought. Every day, children would trek miles for water, risking their education – and safety. Donations from parishioners across England and Wales helped install a solar powered water pump in the village. Now Fabiano and his friends can collect water quickly and safely. On Family Fast Day, CAFOD invites us to eat a simple meal for lunch or dinner and give the money we save to help children like Fabiano. Please take a Fast Day envelope and give generously.

Our parish collects biscuits and toilet rolls to help provide basic supplies to asylum seekers in the diocese. These are collected regularly, on the first Sunday of the month. If you would like to donate items please remember to bring them to Church next Sunday 6 October and place them under the bench in the narthex ready to be collected.

Luke tells us that the Pharisees ‘loved money.’ They saw their wealth as a sign of God’s favour. With this parable, Jesus challenges, indeed, reverses the Pharisees’ view. At the banquet in God’s kingdom, the last will be first; the poor man Lazarus sits in the place of honour, with Abraham. The rich man addresses Abraham as ‘Father,’ but he has not lived as a true son of Abraham. He has been indifferent to the suffering of the poor man at his gate, ignoring the teaching of Moses and the prophets that the rich are obliged to act justly and to show concern for the poor. Now the rich man is cut off by an unbridgeable gulf from the joys of heaven – just as he was apparently remote from the sufferings of Lazarus in life. The parable warns us not to think that we can remain secure in worldly wealth and luxury, but to open our eyes to the suffering of our brothers and sisters, and to respond with care and compassion.

Our diocesan event aimed at young people in school Year 9 and up (but everyone is welcome.) Praise and Worship, prayer, live music, faith sharing, social time and refreshments. The Source takes place at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle, this Wednesday, 2nd October, from 7.00–8.45pm.

Canon Bob Spence will be celebrating the Sunday Masses at St Cuthbert’s today. Please give him a warm welcome.

Thank you to all who supported and contributed to the cake sale two weeks ago. £135.67 was raised in total.

Is today and there is a retiring collection in support. The Home Mission Office is a national organisation that helps the local Church engage in the vital mission of evangelisation. On Home Mission Sunday, they ask for our prayers and our financial support. Our prayers help them to be attentive to the Holy Spirit who directs their work and our donations to the collection will enable them to help the local Church share the joy of the Gospel throughout England and Wales. For more information about the Home Mission Office or to donate online please visit www.homemission.org.uk

Last Sunday Martin Donbavand completed the Great North Run in 2 hours, 38 minutes and 48 seconds! Martin would like to thank everybody in St Cuthbert’s parish for sponsoring him and supporting his good cause. If you would like to donate but haven’t yet please see Liz Donbavand.