Peace Sunday is this Sunday, 16th January. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year is: ‘Dialogue between Generations, Education, Work and Dialogue: Tools for Building Lasting Peace.’ Details and resources at https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2022
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
Online training in Community Organising
Online training in Community Organising offered by Citizens UK. Details at https://diocesehn.org.uk/news/training-available-for-community-organising/
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/
Finchale Partnership: Minutes
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.
Thank You
Journey in Faith
Our sessions re-commence this Tuesday at 7pm but, as the Bishop has asked us not to make use of parish halls and rooms for meetings because of the current wave of COVID, this week’s meeting will be on Zoom. Please contact Andy Doyle (andydoyle1066@sky.com or 0798 543 4185) for the joining details.
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.
Job Opportunity
Million Minutes, a Catholic charity, is looking to appoint a Catholic Social Teaching Project Worker on a fixed-term, part-time basis. Details here. The closing date for applications is Sunday 9th January 2022.
Pastoral letter
Bishop Robert has written a Pastoral Letter for the Feast of the Holy Family. Read it here.
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.
Thank you
Durham Churches Together New Years Eve Service
Friends of the Holy Land
Our crib collection this year will go to support this charity, which helps the most deprived Christian families, especially those living around Bethlehem, in Gaza, in Israel and in Jordan. With no pilgrims or tourism since March 2020 and no government support to individuals or businesses, many families have lost their income and are increasingly calling on FHL for help. www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
Northern Catholic Calendars
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.
Carol singing at Hallgarth care home
Lay Dominican Group
Our local group of Lay Dominicans meets on Zoom at 2.30pm on Sunday December 19th and will include an informal reflection on “The Nativity through Dominican Eyes”. If you would like to join our Zoom meeting or to learn more about the Lay Dominicans then contact Andy Doyle (andydoyle1066@sky.com or 0798 543 4185).