Where is this?
We will publish the answer next week.
Mission Appeal
Mass on Sunday 8 April will be celebrated by Fr Archie Casey of the Xaverian Missionaries. St. Guido Maria Conforti, Archbishop of Ravenna, Bishop of Parma, Founder of the Xaverian Missionaries (1895) wanted his first missionaries to continue the work of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the Missionary Family, in China at whose doors Xavier had died. Therefore, China was chosen as the first mission of the Xaverians, but all the missionaries were expelled from the country in 1954. The Xaverians then accepted the invitation of the Popes to announce the Gospel in many other nations. Today the Xaverians (who are roughly 707 in number) work in 22 countries. Fr Archie, who will be making the Annual Mission Appeal this weekend, has worked in Bangladesh and the Philippines.
Thank You
Film and Pizza Night
The White Flower Appeal in February raised £315.37 for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC.) Thank you for your generous support.
Little Sisters of the Poor: an appeal will be made, and a collection taken, in support of the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor on Sunday 22 April.
Doubt no longer, but believe
Jesus’ disciples had watched him die on the Cross. It must have been hard to believe that God had raised him from the dead, until they saw the risen Christ with their own eyes. No wonder that Thomas has doubts. His reaction is very human: “I refuse to believe, unless I can see and touch for myself.” But perhaps it was even more difficult for the disciples to believe that Jesus had forgiven them for abandoning him when he was on trial for his life. When Jesus came to the disciples, they were locked in a room, fearful of the Jews and – no doubt – ashamed of having let their Lord down. But Jesus comes, not to reproach them for their betrayal, but to offer forgiveness and peace. Even for Thomas, there are no words of accusation, only a call to believe. Jesus goes on, “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Our faith in Christ is based on the testimony of those who saw him. As St John says, our faith is our victory over the world.
Hexham Galilee Talk
Memory Cafe
Happy Easter!
A Day of Reflection for the Finchale Partnership
We are planning a Day of Reflection at the Parish Centre in Newhouse, Esh Winning on Saturday, April 28th from 10.30am – 3.30pm. In this Easter season Fr Jeroen (Minsteracres) will lead us in thinking about ‘Discipleship’. This is for all of us in our partnership of parishes. We’d like to extend a special invitation to those who have been received into the Church over these past few months, and at Easter. The day will be free of charge but we ask that people sign up in their parish to give us an idea about numbers.
Holy Week and Easter at St Cuthbert’s
Principal celebrations during Holy Week and Easter Week will be:
Holy Thursday, 29 March: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00pm followed by Compline at 9:50pm.
Good Friday, 30 March: Tenebrae at 10:00am, followed by Confessions until 11:00am; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00pm.
Holy Saturday, 26 March: Tenebrae at 10:00am; Easter Vigil at 8:30pm.
Easter Sunday, 27 March: Mass at 10:00am. Please note there is no evening Mass on Easter Sunday.
Confessions:
Wednesday 28 March 6:30pm-6:55pm and Good Friday 10:30am-11:00am.
Morning Prayer:
Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 March 8:00am, Easter Sunday 8:45am and Sunday 8 April 8:45am.
Durham Churches Together Good Friday Witness
Good Friday Parking Permits
He emptied himself
Mark’s account of Christ’s Passion is stark and straightforward. Jesus is abandoned by everyone. Judas betrays his friend to the chief priests. Peter, James and John can’t stay awake to watch with him in Gethsemane, and Peter denies three times that he even knows Jesus. The chief priests and the soldiers mock and jeer at him, and the crowd joins in – the same crowd that, a few days earlier, was shouting ‘Hosanna’ as Jesus entered Jerusalem. The only help that Jesus receives comes from Simon of Cyrene, compelled to carry his cross, and the only recognition is from an unnamed Roman centurion, who acknowledges him as a ‘Son of God.’ Jesus dies utterly alone, feeling himself deserted even by his Father. He has emptied himself completely in atonement for our sins. But the Father will raise him up. When we feel most alone and abandoned, or when we are tempted to despair at our sins, the Passion of Christ reminds us that God’s love and mercy reaches into the darkest places of our lives. God our Father will raise us up.
How well do you know the church?
Around the church
Easter Flowers
With Easter fast approaching please keep the Church flowers in mind. Any donations will be very welcome either through the donation box in the Porch or directly with Cliona Kear. Would you like to sponsor an arrangement in memory of a loved one, a birthday/anniversary or any event special to you? We are always open to ideas from parishioners. Please contact Cliona Kear on either 0191 386 3400 or e-mail c.m.kear@dunelm.org.uk Thank you.
Reading Group
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 20 March at 8pm in Orchard House, New Elvet. We will discuss Colm Toibin, Nora Webster. At the meeting we will be choosing the next two books.
When you reach the lobby read the instructions and dial 48 to be let in. For further information margaretharvey@uwclub.net or phone 0191 3840080. The group is open to all, parishioners, their friends, students of all varieties.