All posts by Parish Secretary

PPC & Parish Assembly AGM

The minutes of the PPC meeting in March are now available on the website, and on the noticeboard at the back of church.

The next meeting of the Parish Assembly is our AGM on 23rd May at 7 p.m. in the Parish Room. One of the Agenda items concerns changes to the Guidelines for the Parish Pastoral Council. This is an open meeting, so please do come along to hear updates about what is happening in the parish and the partnership.

The Annual Mass Celebrating Marriage & Family Life

Bishop Robert Byrne CO will celebrate Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday 18 May at 11.00am, to give thanks for the Sacrament of Marriage. He has invited each parish community to be represented by at least two couples, young or old, newly married or celebrating a significant anniversary. In addition, everyone is welcome to attend. This promises to be a wonderful celebration and will provide affirmation and support for Marriage across the Diocese and the wider North-East community. If you would like to represent St Cuthbert’s at the Mass, please speak to Fr Andrew.

Finchale Partnership Open Afternoons

Thank you to Fr Shaun Swales and the parishioners of Blessed Edmund Duke for your hospitality at last Sunday’s Open Afternoon at St Joseph’s, Coxhoe. It was a joy to meet the members of the parish community, and fascinating to learn about the history of the church – and of course, the cakes were very welcome! Our next Open Afternoon is scheduled for Sunday 2nd June at St Patrick’s, Langley Moor.

Christ, The Good Shepherd

Today is Vocations Sunday, when the Church around the world prays for vocations to ordained priesthood and consecrated life. Today is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, because the readings of the Mass present us with the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the flock in his care. Jesus shows us the model for Christian leadership. Anyone who is called by God to minister in the Church should be a pastor: a good shepherd, who knows the people he serves, and cares for them with love and compassion, as Christ cares for his disciples. Jesus is absolutely united in love with God his Father, and the priest’s love for his people should be rooted in his love of God. It’s a demanding vocation, and perhaps it’s not surprising that in today’s world, and in a Church plagued by scandal, fewer young men are offering themselves for priestly ministry. Let us pray that God will continue to call shepherds for the Church, and that those who are called will respond generously; and let us each do all that we can to support and encourage all the vocations that the Church needs.

Open Gate

For 15 years, Open Gate has been supporting women while they are in prison, preparing for release, or after their release, in Durham and across the North-East. Sadly, the Trustees of Open Gate have now taken the decision to close it down, due to funding difficulties. Thank you for your support for Open Gate, which has made a difference to the lives of many women.

Ushaw College

Ushaw College have just launched a new exhibition called Hand in Hand, The artistic and spiritual life of Dame Werburg Welch based around the life of Eileen Welch, a Benedictine Nun at Stanbrook Abbey who was a prolific artist during the early 20th century arts and crafts movement. The exhibition showcases a large range of her work and is a collaboration between Ushaw and Stanbrook Abbey in Wass. It will run until the 29th June and Ushaw is open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm.

The Diocesan Mass for Justice, Peace and the Celebration of Creation

Will be held on Saturday 11 May at 10.00am at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle. It is jointly organised by the Justice and Peace Co-ordinating Council and CAFOD. The celebrant is Mgr. Andrew Faley and Fr. Chris Hughes will preach. All are welcome!

Following Mass, the AGM and Day Conference will be held from 11.00am to 3.15pm at the Mercy Hub, St. Mary’s Cathedral. Speakers include; Fr. Chris Hughes, Joe Kirwin and Sarah Croft. Up to date reports from the Co-ordinating Council will be shared followed by the election of members to the council for the next year. Please bring your own packed lunch (there is also the cathedral cafe). Everyone is welcome.

Congratulations

To Mark, who received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion at this year’s Easter Vigil, to Giordana, who received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and to their families and friends who shared in their celebration. It was a joy for our community to celebrate with them.