Redistribution, Recognition and Catholic Social Teaching. Dr Amy Daughton (Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge.) This Thursday 6th December, here at St Cuthbert’s. 5pm: Paper and discussion, 6.30pm: Post-seminar drinks. Everyone is welcome.

Christ, the Light of Our Lives; or ‘What Do the Ox and the Ass Get Out of Christmas?’ Presented by Prof. Janet Soskice, University of Cambridge. Tuesday 11th December at 5.15pm – see poster for details.

Thanks
as always for donations. Client numbers have increased enormously –
so please give more! And to anticipate Christmas/New Year service
closure, clients usually given extras in December. Generosity
particularly needed now.

Jesus stands before Pilate: an accused criminal, facing the judge. Jesus describes himself as a witness to the truth. Pilate’s cynical reply is, ‘Truth? What is that?’ For Pilate, the reality is power, and truth is negotiable. Jesus has come into the world to witness to the truth; the truth that, through his sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and death is overcome. Jesus and Pilate are speaking different languages.

Pilate’s
attitude seems to prevail in today’s world. Though we have access
to more information than ever before, there often seems to be little
respect for the truth. The voices of the poor are drowned out by
those of the wealthy and powerful. Today’s Feast of Christ the King
reminds us that those who exercise worldly power are answerable to a
higher authority. God’s kingdom will not pass away. The truth will
prevail.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA) has launched a national campaign to raise awareness of its Truth Project, which has been set up to give victims and survivors of child sex abuse the opportunity to share their experiences and, thereby, frame the outcomes of the Inquiry. You can find out more at www.truthproject.org.uk

Having HMP Durham as your close neighbour is doubtless a constant call on your generosity as a Parish, and I am appealing for your support again. Many of our men are desperate to engage in some way with their Faith and foster a relationship with the Lord. One of the ways we can support this is by creating a welcoming, accessible and accepting environment in our St Cuthbert’s Chapel. The Chapel itself is beautiful, peaceful and a place of sanctuary in an often brutal environment. We do use the space for Bible Study Groups as well as the weekend Liturgies and I’m looking to see if we can buy some more accessible materials to use with the men, many of whom are illiterate. To that end, I would be grateful for donations so that we can build a varied resource bank to fully include all of our men who are seeking to continue their Faith Journey by learning more about the Good News. (To donate, speak to Fr Andrew.)

Diocesan
youth event for young people in school Years 9 and up. Wednesday 5th
December, 7.00-8.30pm, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle. An evening
of music, faith, prayer, inspiration, meeting people, sharing faith
and much more. See www.ymt.org for
details.

The annual appeal for the Diocesan Clergy Training Fund remains open for another week. This is the sole means of supporting the formation of men training for the Priesthood and the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Your kindness will ensure that our Diocese has the resources to train ministers for the Church both today and into the future. The fund also supports ongoing formation for clergy.

The Parish Seeks to offer support to prisoners and their families in a number of ways. On Sunday 18 and 25 November we will be having our annual collection of toys, puzzles, coloured pencils etc. for children to play with whilst visiting family members in prison. Please leave your items under the bench in the narthex. Thank you.

Next weekend we celebrate Youth Sunday. Bishop Seamus and the Youth Ministry Trust wish to thank you for your generous contributions to last year’s collection and for all you have done throughout the year to support our young people on their faith journey. There will be a collection next week to support the work of YMT. Envelopes are available if you wish to Gift Aid your donation.

A film about Archbishop Oscar Romero, his people and Pope Francis. A screening to mark the canonisation of Oscar Romero will be held at St Cuthbert’s on Wednesday 21 November – doors open at 5.00pm for a 5.15 start. After the film, there will be a short Q&A with Julian Filochowski, Chair of the Archbishop Romero Trust, and a Justice and Peace-themed Mass at 7.00pm. Entry is free, but booking is essential as places are limited. Book at www.centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com or on 0191 334 1656.

Mass will now be celebrated here at St Cuthbert’s at 7:00pm on Wednesday 14 November, instead of St Chad’s college as previously advertised.