Can you spare an hour or more to help get the Church and Parish Room ready for Holy Week and Easter? We will be having a spring clean on Saturday 4th April from about 10:30am and if you can help, please do come along.
Holy Week Liturgy & Foot washing
If you can help with welcoming, reading or administering Holy Communion at our Easter services, please sign up on the rota on the noticeboard as soon as you can. We need lots of volunteers to ensure that our liturgies are celebrated with dignity and joy without overloading our ministers.
If you would be willing to take part in the foot-washing which is part of the Mass on Holy Thursday evening, then also sign up on the list on the noticeboard or let Fr Andrew or Andy Doyle know as soon as possible.
Lenten alms appeal
This year’s appeal is for the St Cuthbert’s Care Hardship Fund, which offers financial support to older Catholic people who wish to live in the St Cuthbert’s Care nursing homes in Sunderland or Newcastle, but lack the full means to do so. Details at www.stcuthbertscare.org.uk
Saviour of the World
Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well would seem shocking to his disciples. A Jewish man of that time was not supposed to speak in public to a woman outside his family. Jews and Samaritans distrusted and shunned one another. And it seems that this woman may be an outcast even among her own people; she has had five husbands, and she comes to draw water alone, at the hottest part of the day, when the other women of the community won’t be around.
Jesus pays no attention to rules that divide and exclude. He enters into a conversation with the woman, and draws her to faith in him. She becomes a disciple, and then a missionary; her witness draws the people of her town to faith in Jesus. The Samaritan woman who came to the well to draw water has received the living water that Jesus promised. The Samaritan town has become a field that produces a rich harvest of faith. Jesus sets no barriers to his mission. He really is the Saviour of the world.
New Parents’ and Tots group
We’re hoping to put together a group for parishioners with young families. This will begin as just a WhatsApp group for getting to know each other and prayer support, but we hope to arrange some meetups for coffee and a play at a later date. If you would like to be added to the group please message Annie Glasspool on 07927644241.
Do you enjoy singing at Mass?
If you enjoy the singing at Mass why not consider becoming more involved, even for just a short time? The choir invites you to help support the singing of the Liturgy over the Easter Triduum. We rehearse every Tuesday evening from 7.45 – 8.45pm. Every week, as well as rehearsing for the upcoming Sunday, we will be refreshing/learning items for the Easter Triduum, so why not come and join us? Don’t worry if you can’t read music or feel like your voice isn’t good enough. It’s not a performance; it’s about coming together to use the gifts we have to enhance our Liturgy and help our congregation in its worship. Why not give it a go? If you’d like more details please contact Alison McLean on 07770 884692 or email her at alison.mclean1@hotmail.com
Events at Minsteracres
A Lenten Reflection at Ushaw
An opportunity to experience different ways of praying at this time of Lent and on the feast of the Annunciation, led by Sister Rosarie Spence RSM, on Wednesday March 25th, 10.30am-3.30pm. The cost is £10.00 per person, to include refreshments at the beginning and the end of the day. Lunch can be purchased in the Refectory, and you can book online at www.ushaw.org or on 0191 3345119
Bible Basics
A casual and informal overview of the Bible, looking at the major events and the different books of the Bible. This is for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Bible. Beginners welcome! This will be facilitated by Dori Berahya, who has 20 years of experience in Adult Religious Education. Saturday 21 March at 10.30am at St. Cuthbert’s Durham, and repeated on Thursday 26th March at 7.00pm at St. Joseph’s, Langley Park.
Finchale Partnership Prayer & Spirituality
In the first of a series of sessions on different prayers and devotions, we’ll be talking about the Stations of the Cross. We’ll be exploring the history and practice of the Stations, so whether you are very familiar with praying the Stations, or if you’ve seen them in church and simply want to know how it works, join us on Thursday 2nd April at 7.00pm, at St. Cuthbert’s. There will be a talk, the opportunity to ask questions and we will finish with Stations of the Cross in church.
How Well Do You Know the Church?
Around the Church
Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has now moved to Stage 2 guidance in its guidance to parishes. This means that, as from now, Holy Communion will not be administered from the chalice, and communicants will be asked to receive the host in their hand. There should be no physical contact at the Sign of Peace, and the holy water stoups will be emptied.
You can read the full guidance here.
Congratulations
To the catechumens and candidates taking part in our Journey in Faith programme, who were welcomed to the Elect by Bishop Robert at St Mary’s Cathedral last Sunday. You can see the pictures at www.rcdhn.org.uk
This is my Beloved Son
Jesus knows that the Cross awaits him in Jerusalem, and he has begun to prepare his disciples for his suffering and death. He takes Peter, James and John to the mountain top, where they are granted an astounding vision of Jesus in his heavenly glory. Moses and Elijah appear, symbolising the Law and the Prophets, which are to be fulfilled and completed in Jesus. And then the disciples hear the voice of God the Father. No wonder they are overcome with fear.
The disciples had been following Jesus for some time, but they often failed to understand him, especially when he foretold his Passion. The vision on the mountain would, in a way, be encouraging for them; Jesus, the Teacher they had chosen to follow, truly was the Son of God. But it was also a stark confirmation of the road that Jesus was walking – the road that led to Calvary. This was what it meant to be a beloved Son; this was the road that they, as disciples of the Son, were also called to walk. Only after the Lord’s death and resurrection would his disciples understand. Today’s Gospel reminds us that, for disciples of Christ, the road to glory goes by way of Calvary.
Bishop Dunn Memorial Lecture
Pride and Providence: Reflecting With St Augustine on Our Political Malaise. Presented by Sr Margaret Atkins OSA, Augustinian Sisters, Boarbank Hall, Cumbria. Wednesday 10th March at 5.30pm, at Ushaw College. Entry is free, and transport will be provided from Durham city centre, but you need to register at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com/
St Vincent de Paul Holy Island Children’s Camp
Holy Island Summer Camp offers a Christian camping holiday to boys and girls in school Years 5 & 6. Bookings are open now. Details at www.svpholyislandcamp.co.uk If the cost of camp is a problem, please speak to Fr Andrew.
The
camp also needs volunteers for dormitory, kitchen and caretaking
roles – see the website.
A guided tour of the Parish Website
People sometimes ask where they can find out more about the parish, and you may not realise just how much information there is on our website.
On Sunday 8th March there will be a guided tour of the website, to help you find your way round, and explain how you can find the Facebook page and sign up for the e-newsletter. Please join us over coffee after the 10.00am Mass.
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Bible
An opportunity for people to come together to explore this resource and learn how to lead groups who will be using it after Easter. This event is part of The God Who Speaks, the Year of the Word. On Saturday 21 March, at St. John Vianney Church, Newcastle. Please contact spirituality@diocesehn.org.uk to register your interest.
Parish Dinner
The Parish Dinner will be held on Wednesday 1st April at 7.30pm at Finbarrs Restaurant, Aykley Heads. Menus and details of how to book a place or places are now available in the porch. Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. The final day to book and pay for your booking is Sunday 22nd March. Gil Bolton is the contact for the dinner. Please hand your booking forms to Gil after Mass or contact him; email gilmar.bolton@btinternet.com or by phone 07816819515.