Parish Notices - 15th August 2010

The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Today’s Readings: Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6.10   Corinthians 15:20-26   Luke 1:39-56
Sunday Missal pp. 955ff.

MESSAGE FROM FR SEAN:

Dear Friends

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. In many countries it is commonly called the Feast of Our Lady of the Harvest. This is not simply because it coincides with the harvest-time, but rather because it celebrates a gathering home to God of everything, of all that is in humanity and in Creation. Our feast today is not so much about the logistics of how Our Lady's body was assumed into Heaven, but rather also about how she was totally and fully brought into the fullness of God's presence. In that, she is an icon for us of our ultimate destiny, of what God wants for all of us....that we too might be gathered home in his harvest.

I leave this Thursday. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be here with you these past few weeks. I am a pretty frequent visitor to Durham, so hopefully I may again be able to join you occasionally. Thanks for the welcome that you have shown me.

God bless!

Fr. Sean Maher

WELCOMERS, READERS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS:
Although the current rota expires on Sunday 19th September it needs to be replaced with a short rota which will cover the period Sunday 5th September until Sunday 26th September 2010.  Please could you advise Fr Tony or e-mail Helen office@stcuthberts-durham.org.uk by noon on Wednesday 1st September if you will be attending either of the new 10am or 6:30pm Masses and if there are any Sundays for which you will not be available during this period. A longer term rota will be prepared during September when we hope that things will settle down.


GOOD NEWS THIS WEEK:
the gremlins have been exorcised from the web page.

NORTHUMBRIA HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST SPONSORED STEEPLECHASE.
Sponsorship forms and volunteer lists are now available on the narthex noticeboards.  Remember, this is an opportunity to have a great day touring, cycling or walking to as many churches in the North-East as possible on Saturday 11th September 2010 between 10am and 4pm?  Monies raised in sponsorship are split 50/50 between our own historic church and the Trust.  If you are feeling less energetic but would like to help out, we need volunteers to ensure the church is staffed between 10am and 4pm and to sign off the sponsor forms of our visitors.

PARKING PERMITS
There is a list at the back of church to sign up for the new parking permits that will be needed for the 10 am Sunday Mass which begins on 5th September.

PRAYER DIARY:
we pray especially for the intentions and work of Emmanuel Church.

MISSION (MILL HILL MISSION) BOXES:
Could holders of red mission boxes please bring them to church in the next few weeks for emptying?

PAPAL VISIT SEPTEMBER 2010
If anyone would like to visit Glasgow for the Papal Mass (16th September), a list of parishes in the diocese organising trips can be found at www.rcdhn.org.uk 

The theme for the Pope’s visit Cor ad cor loquitur - Heart speaks unto heart. Cardinal Newman chose the words as the motto for his coat of arms. ‘Heart speaks unto heart’ is a fitting choice as, on the final day of his Apostolic Journey, the Holy Father will beatify Newman.