All posts by Parish Secretary

Complacency and Conversion

On the Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist bursts onto the scene. John lives and speaks like the prophets of the Old Testament. He calls the people to repentance: a change of direction; a change of heart. The ordinary people of Israel flock to John, to confess their sins and be baptised as a sign of conversion. But the religious elite – the Pharisees and Sadducees – may be tempted to believe that their status as ‘sons of Abraham’ is a guarantee of their place in God’s kingdom. John wants to shake them out of their complacency. Everyone needs to repent, and to produce the fruits of repentance – a renewed faith and trust in God. The Baptist’s message is a stern and challenging one, but it comes with a promise; the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. In God’s kingdom, as Isaiah says, our worldly relationships of power and exploitation will be overthrown, and God will bring justice. John’s preaching challenges our complacency, too: he calls us to repentance in preparation for Christ’s coming.

Reach Out

St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle, welcomes everyone to find a moment of peace in a busy city. At Reach Out we will make an extra effort to invite people in, whether finishing or on the way to work, Christmas shopping, wandering the markets or about to meet friends. Everyone is welcome to stop for a few moments of quiet reflection, prayer or to light a candle.

Volunteers are needed to:

• reach out and invite passers-by into the Cathedral;

• welcome and guide within the Cathedral;

• provide hospitality;

• pray for all those we encounter.

Choose whatever you feel comfortable with and feel free to volunteer for all or part of the event.

The event is on Wednesday 11th December, 4.30-9pm, but you can come and go whenever you’re able to. If you’re interested please contact adult.formation@diocesehn.org.uk or speak to Fr Andrew.

Ushaw Lecture

Pope Pius XII’s Christmas Messages by Dr. Anna Rowlands of Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies. Tuesday 10 December; lecture from 6.00pm in the Exhibition Hall (drinks reception from 5.30pm), followed by mulled wine and mince pies at 7.15pm. Book online at Eventbrite or by telephone on 0191 334 1656.

A Time of Waiting

In the shops, it’s already Christmas. The tinsel is up and the carols are playing. In the world of commerce, the ‘Festive Season’ begins as soon as Halloween is over. However, before celebrating the birth of the Lord, the Church keeps the season of Advent as a time of prayerful waiting and preparation. We are invited to pause amid the Christmas shopping and reflect on the mystery of the coming of the Son of God into the world. Jesus tells his disciples that his Second Coming in glory will be unexpected. But at the time of Christ’s birth, no one was expecting that God would enter the world that he created as a tiny child, born in a stable to a poor family. This is the great, joyful surprise of our faith. The presence of God among us is not what we expect, nor where we expect – that’s how we miss it. God is present to us in those who are poor and marginalised; the homeless, the addicted, the lonely. As we begin the season of Advent, we are called to stay awake and stand ready, so that we don’t miss the amazing gift of God’s presence.

Fr Stan

Will celebrate both Masses today, and will give the Richardson Lecture at St Cuthbert’s on Monday, before leaving us this week. We thank Fr Stan for his contribution to the life of the parish and the chaplaincy during his Visiting Fellowship at Durham. Please remember him and his ministry in your prayers.

Evening Prayer (Solemn Vespers)

To mark the First Sunday of Advent, Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 4.30pm on Sunday 1st December in St. Cuthbert’s Chapel, Ushaw College.

The Finchale Partnership will be co-ordinating the celebration of this service, which also marks the launch of ‘The God Who Speaks’, a Year of the Word, proclaimed by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Vespers will be celebrated simultaneously at four other locations across the diocese.

Mince pies and mulled wine will be available afterwards and everyone is welcome.

God in Africa

Modernity, Christianity and Africa’s Futures. The annual Alan Richardson lecture, given by Fr Stan Chu Ilo, PhD, Research Professor in World Christianity and African Studies at DePaul University, Chicago. Here at St Cuthbert’s on Monday 2nd December; drinks reception at 5.30pm, lecture at 6.00pm. Admission is free, but you need to book online at centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com or by telephoning 0191 334 1656.

Youth Sunday

Today, on Youth Sunday, we celebrate the gift of young people in our Church and renew our commitment to encourage and support them. Please pray for the young people in St Cuthbert’s parish and in the University Chaplaincy community, and for those who work with them; and please give generously to today’s collection for the Youth Ministry Team, our diocesan youth service: www.ymt.org

A Crucified King

As Jesus is dying on the Cross, he is mocked by the religious leaders, by the soldiers who crucify him, and even by one of the criminals who is being executed with him. And yet, the titles that they give him in cruel mockery are all true. Jesus really is the Christ of God, the Chosen One, the King of the Jews and of all nations. He shows us a different kind of kingship. Jesus is a King who comes to seek out the lost, to heal the sick and to forgive sinners. He welcomes the outcasts and upholds the dignity of the poor. He even forgives those who nail him to the Cross. Jesus’ authority was such an affront to the Roman and Jewish leaders that they had to crush him utterly.

Only the ‘good thief,’ the repentant criminal hanging on his own cross alongside Jesus, recognises him as King, with power to forgive sins. His act of faith wins him the promise of paradise. Today’s feast of Christ the King reminds us that we are citizens of a kingdom that is not of this world. We have put our faith in the crucified King.