Category Archives: Announcements

Week of Guided Prayer

Our annual Week of Guided Prayer will be held from Sunday 16th-Friday 21st January. A Week of Guided Prayer (also called a Retreat in Daily Life) brings the experience of an individually guided retreat to you, fitting around your work or study commitments. You have the opportunity to meet daily with a prayer guide and explore the Ignatian approach to prayer. The retreat is open to everyone – students, university staff and parishioners. Those who have taken part in past years have found it a worthwhile and enriching experience. For this year’s retreat, we hope to offer the option of either face-to-face or online meetings with your guide, while all the workshops will be presented online via Zoom. If you wish to take part in the Week of Guided Prayer, please contact Fr Andrew on andrew.j.downie@durham.ac.uk 

Interfaith Prayer Vigil

Interfaith Prayer Vigil at Derwentside Immigration Centre (Hassockfield). The Prayer Vigils take place on the first Sunday of the month meeting at 3.00pm with dates currently scheduled for Sundays 6 February, 6 March and 3 April. 

Churches and faith communities are standing together against Derwentside Immigration Centre (Hassockfield) and the detention of women seeking asylum. Details at https://diocesehn.org.uk/news/new-dates-for-interfaith-prayer-vigil-at-derwentside-immigration-centre-hassockfield/ 

You are my Son, the Beloved

Today, on the last day of the Christmas season, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The people came to John the Baptist to be baptised, as a sign of repentance and the forgiveness of their sins. John was such a powerful witness that the people began to believe he might be the Saviour promised by God; so John told them clearly that he was merely the forerunner, sent to proclaim the Saviour’s coming.

Jesus is the Saviour. So why did he come to John for baptism? Because, as Son of God, he had come to share in everything that we experience. Even though Jesus was without sin himself, he was baptised in unity with us. 

After Jesus’ baptism, while he was praying, the Holy Spirit came down on him, and he heard the voice of God the Father, telling him, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’ As Jesus began his mission of teaching and healing, he was encouraged by the voice of the Father who had sent him, and filled with the Spirit who would give him strength and guidance for his mission.

In his baptism, Jesus was united with us. In our own baptism, we were united with him. We were filled with the Holy Spirit, and sent out on a mission to the world. By our baptism, we were adopted as children of God, and Jesus is our brother. The words of God the Father are addressed to us, too: you are my beloved – my favour rests on you.

Centre for Catholic Studies

ISHWRA Seminar: a seminar offered by the International Scholars of the History of Women Religious Association. Women and the Jesuit norms in Europe: from the Matres Societatis Iesu to the Jésuitesses, 17th-19th centuries by Dr Sarah Barthélemy. Wednesday 12th January 2022, 2.00-3.00m, online.

Catholic Theology Research Seminar: ‘Normative’ and ‘Dissident’ Ecclesial Narratives in Dialogue by John O’Brien, Associate Professor (Research) at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham. Thu, 13 January 2022, 5.30-7.00pm in Seminar Room B, Abbey House, Palace Green, Durham. 

See the Centre for Catholic Studies website for details and registration for both seminars.

Changes to On-line Events over Christmas

Over the Christmas period we’ll be taking a break from our regular on-line events.

There will be no Gospel Reflection and Coffee morning on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. We’ll be starting again on Saturday 8th January.

We’ll also be taking a break from Lauds on Zoom on weekday mornings. We won’t be meeting from Monday 20th December over the Christmas period. Lauds will start again on Monday 10th January.

A Saviour for all the nations

Luke places the birth of Christ in history, telling us that it happened when Caesar Augustus had ordered a census of the whole world. Joseph and Mary were subjects of the Empire, and so they had to obey the Emperor’s command and travel to Bethlehem to be registered, even though Mary was close to the birth of her child and they could find no room at the inn. The Son of God was born into a family who were poor and powerless. 

The first people to hear the news of the birth of Christ were shepherds – rough men doing a rough job – living in the fields with their sheep. Jesus, the Saviour of the whole human race, would spend his life among the poor and the outsiders. 

Pope Francis has reminded us that the birth of Jesus Christ is good news for people of all nations. There are many things in the world that divide us from one another, and the pandemic has, in some ways, deepened our divisions. But Jesus comes to unite us. Whether we are rich or poor, old or young, black or white, we are called to come together and worship the Son of God, born in the stable at Bethlehem.

Two mothers

In today’s Gospel, two women are placed at the centre of the story; Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Each woman has become pregnant unexpectedly, through God’s power. Each is looking forward to the birth of her child with hope and joy, but also, perhaps, with some uncertainty and even fear. They have come together to support and encourage one another.

John the Baptist, still in the womb, recognises Jesus and leaps with joy to greet him. As a man, John will recognise Jesus and prepare the way for his coming, not seeking glory for himself, but pointing the people towards the Saviour. For now, Elizabeth and Mary rejoice together, because God is bringing salvation to his people. 

But salvation comes at a price. Both John and Jesus gave their lives in obedience to God’s plan. Mary had to watch her Son suffer and die – as Simeon prophesied, a sword of sorrow would pierce her soul. Mary faced her ordeal with absolute faith and trust in God. As we prepare to celebrate the feast of Jesus’ birth, let us remember and pray for all mothers, especially those caring for their families in difficult circumstances, and those who have to watch their children suffer.