Thank you to all who have brought in toilets rolls and biscuits for this months collection. These can still be left in the narthex today.
There are now over 50 new clients a month so the need continues to be very great and our generosity still asked for. There is also an appeal for more financial support. Please consider starting a standing order or increasing your current one or sending a cheque. Please see the Refugee Project Spring 2019 newsletter on the notice board for details.
Jesus the Prophet
Jesus is speaking in the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth. At first, his words meet with approval. But as he begins to challenge the worshippers, their mood changes. Jesus sees that the people of Nazareth are looking for miracles and wonders, like the ones they have heard about elsewhere, before they will put their faith in him. He reminds them that their ancestors rejected all of the prophets sent by God, and that God’s love and mercy are not restricted to one nation, but are for the whole of humanity. No wonder the members of the synagogue congregation become angry, and try to drive Jesus out of town!
The rejection that Jesus suffers in Nazareth recalls the rejection suffered by the prophets before him, and points forward to his ultimate rejection and crucifixion. Jesus will stand firm in the face of all the attacks on him. His response to opposition is not anger, but perfect love.
Catholic Theology Research Seminar
Theology, Evolution and Violence: On Making War or Peace? The annual Teilhard Seminar, supported by the British Teilhard Network, www.teilhard.org.uk Presented by Prof. Celia Deane-Drummond, University of Notre Dame, USA. This Thursday, 7th February, at 5.00pm Pemberton Lecture Room, PG20, Palace Green. The seminar will be followed by a meal for those who wish to take part – contact ccs.admin@durham.ac.uk for more information.
Baptism Thanksgiving
Diocesan Vacancy
How Well Do You Know the Church?
Around the Church
Finchale Partnership Minutes
The minutes of January’s meeting of the Finchale Partnership Development Group are now available here.
Keyboard Free Music Workshop
The Diocesan Church Music Association presents an accessible ‘KEYBOARD FREE’ music workshop.
Mass parts, psalms and other music suitable for guitars and melody instruments. Singers also welcome.
Led by Evanna Donachie (Music group member/guitarist at St. Joseph’s Church, Durham) and Alison Purvis (Musical Director at St. Cuthbert’s).
Saturday 9th March 2019 at 10.00am – 3.30pm (approx.) at Ushaw College, Durham.
Cost: £10 to cover room hire and to include a soup and sandwich lunch.
Please note that booking is essential for this event. For further details about the day and to book your place please email: alisonpurvis1@hotmail.com or call on 0191 3719184
Retreat in Daily life
Parish Reading Group
The parish has a Reading Group which discusses all sorts of literature (not just theology nor only Christian writing). All members of the Parish are welcome to join, including undergraduates and post graduates.
A reminder that our next meeting will be on Tuesday 29 January at Orchard House at 8pm, to discuss Kamil Shamsie, Home Fire.
To enter the house come to front entrance. On your left on the outsideby the front door you will see a panel. Dial 48 and follow instructions which will be given.
Mass in the extraordinary form
This text is being fulfilled today
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks in public for the first time. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he begins his ministry of teaching. In the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth, he chooses the words of the prophet Isaiah, to tell the people that his coming is good news for the poor, for prisoners, for the sick and the downtrodden. The promises that God made through the prophets are being fulfilled in Christ.
The Gospels show Jesus encountering different reactions to his ministry. Those who are poor and powerless will welcome his message of hope. The sick will flock to him for healing. Others, though, will reject the challenge of his teaching – the call to act justly and to forgive those who wrong us. The Word of God is life-giving, but also disturbing. It is a Word that changes the world. The Spirit of the Lord has been given to us, too, and the Spirit calls us to action.
The SOURCE
Diocesan Holocaust Memorial Evenings
Diocesan Holocaust Memorial Evenings on the theme ‘Torn from Home.’ Tuesday 29th January at 7.00pm at St Mary’s Catholic School, Benton Park Road, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7PE (speaker: Mrs Gay Keenaghan) AND Thursday 31st January at 7.00pm, at St Michael’s Catholic Academy, Beamish Road, Billingham TS23 3DX (speaker: Mr Zigi Shipper BEM). Booking is essential for both events, at www.interreligioushn.eventbrite.co.uk or by telephone on 0191 265 5290.
Finchale Partnership Confirmation programme
A Confirmation preparation programme will be run in the Finchale Partnership during 2019, open to all young people in school Y9 and upwards. The initial information session for young people and their parents is planned for March 2019. We would like to establish a group of people from across our Partnership – experienced Confirmation catechists and adults who are not catechists but would be willing to help with the sessions. There will be a meeting on Tuesday 5th February 7.15pm, St Patrick’s presbytery, Langley Moor, DH7 8JJ (parking available, Mass at 6.30pm). If you are interested in helping but cannot attend this meeting please contact Brendan Payne (brendanpayne@doctors.org.uk / 0771 753 1935).
Parish Pastoral Council
At a recent meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council, David Hughes stood down as Chair of the PPC. Thank you to David for all the work he has done in the last few years as chair.
The PPC elected Helen Schofield as the new chair. If you’d like to know more about the PPC, or have ideas about issues we should put on our agenda, please let Helen know. She can be contacted via the parish office.
How Well Do You Know the Church?
Around the Church
Thank You
For all your generosity with fundraising over the past year. Before Christmas we sent off a donation to St Cuthbert’s Hospice of £868.64 from money raised at 10am Mass tea and coffees and profits from the Shared Harvest in September (please see letter on the noticeboard). This week we sent off to buy 13 birth certificates and a tree for life with the money raised over Advent and we have twinned our toilet with one in Malawi with money donated over the year in the toilet twinning box.