Complacency and Conversion

On the Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist bursts onto the scene. John lives and speaks like the prophets of the Old Testament. He calls the people to repentance: a change of direction; a change of heart. The ordinary people of Israel flock to John, to confess their sins and be baptised as a sign of conversion. But the religious elite – the Pharisees and Sadducees – may be tempted to believe that their status as ‘sons of Abraham’ is a guarantee of their place in God’s kingdom. John wants to shake them out of their complacency. Everyone needs to repent, and to produce the fruits of repentance – a renewed faith and trust in God. The Baptist’s message is a stern and challenging one, but it comes with a promise; the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. In God’s kingdom, as Isaiah says, our worldly relationships of power and exploitation will be overthrown, and God will bring justice. John’s preaching challenges our complacency, too: he calls us to repentance in preparation for Christ’s coming.

Reach Out

St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle, welcomes everyone to find a moment of peace in a busy city. At Reach Out we will make an extra effort to invite people in, whether finishing or on the way to work, Christmas shopping, wandering the markets or about to meet friends. Everyone is welcome to stop for a few moments of quiet reflection, prayer or to light a candle.

Volunteers are needed to:

• reach out and invite passers-by into the Cathedral;

• welcome and guide within the Cathedral;

• provide hospitality;

• pray for all those we encounter.

Choose whatever you feel comfortable with and feel free to volunteer for all or part of the event.

The event is on Wednesday 11th December, 4.30-9pm, but you can come and go whenever you’re able to. If you’re interested please contact adult.formation@diocesehn.org.uk or speak to Fr Andrew.

Ushaw Lecture

Pope Pius XII’s Christmas Messages by Dr. Anna Rowlands of Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies. Tuesday 10 December; lecture from 6.00pm in the Exhibition Hall (drinks reception from 5.30pm), followed by mulled wine and mince pies at 7.15pm. Book online at Eventbrite or by telephone on 0191 334 1656.

A Time of Waiting

In the shops, it’s already Christmas. The tinsel is up and the carols are playing. In the world of commerce, the ‘Festive Season’ begins as soon as Halloween is over. However, before celebrating the birth of the Lord, the Church keeps the season of Advent as a time of prayerful waiting and preparation. We are invited to pause amid the Christmas shopping and reflect on the mystery of the coming of the Son of God into the world. Jesus tells his disciples that his Second Coming in glory will be unexpected. But at the time of Christ’s birth, no one was expecting that God would enter the world that he created as a tiny child, born in a stable to a poor family. This is the great, joyful surprise of our faith. The presence of God among us is not what we expect, nor where we expect – that’s how we miss it. God is present to us in those who are poor and marginalised; the homeless, the addicted, the lonely. As we begin the season of Advent, we are called to stay awake and stand ready, so that we don’t miss the amazing gift of God’s presence.

Fr Stan

Will celebrate both Masses today, and will give the Richardson Lecture at St Cuthbert’s on Monday, before leaving us this week. We thank Fr Stan for his contribution to the life of the parish and the chaplaincy during his Visiting Fellowship at Durham. Please remember him and his ministry in your prayers.

Evening Prayer (Solemn Vespers)

To mark the First Sunday of Advent, Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 4.30pm on Sunday 1st December in St. Cuthbert’s Chapel, Ushaw College.

The Finchale Partnership will be co-ordinating the celebration of this service, which also marks the launch of ‘The God Who Speaks’, a Year of the Word, proclaimed by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Vespers will be celebrated simultaneously at four other locations across the diocese.

Mince pies and mulled wine will be available afterwards and everyone is welcome.

God in Africa

Modernity, Christianity and Africa’s Futures. The annual Alan Richardson lecture, given by Fr Stan Chu Ilo, PhD, Research Professor in World Christianity and African Studies at DePaul University, Chicago. Here at St Cuthbert’s on Monday 2nd December; drinks reception at 5.30pm, lecture at 6.00pm. Admission is free, but you need to book online at centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com or by telephoning 0191 334 1656.

Financial Briefing to the Parish

This time last year I was reporting on a financially stable year. However, this year has been more challenging with our balances about to be at their lowest level for some years.

We are not in serious trouble and your generosity continues at its usual high level. The issue is that we have had, and continue to have, a year of unusually high expenditure in maintaining the fabric of our beautiful church.

I think it is worth looking at the major items:

  • Boundary Wall  £25K 
  • Electrical Repairs £5K
  • Passage Lights Upgrade £5k
  • Drains Repair £4K
  • New Sound system £2K

Plus..

Within the last few days we have been notified that the cost of upgrading the Presbytery Fire Alarms for multi occupancy will be at least £10K. This upgrade is a mandatory requirement as we want to be able to continue having visiting priests and religious to live in the Presbytery and be part of our community.

This work will take place over the next few weeks.

This gives a total of about £50K and it is this which has depleted our balances to the predicted level of £14K in the current account and £30K in our deposit account. In our experience the age and condition of our church and the possible need for urgent repairs requires that these predicted balances are the minimum acceptable level. The balances I reported a year ago were £22K and £63K respectively – this is a drop of £41K.

In addition we have one big project waiting in the wings. This is the repair to the presbytery stonework, this will be a six-figure sum, a challenge for future years.

In the year ahead we need to rebuild our balances and develop a strategy to raise the £100K for the stonework. I know we can depend on your continued generosity and a special thanks to those of you in the Gift Aid scheme. This raised nearly £10k in the last year. If you are a taxpayer and have not joined the scheme I would encourage you to do so; it is not too bureaucratic and all personal date is protected. Please see Andy Doyle or check our website to see how to join.

In addition, if you have a standing order with the Parish, it may be worthwhile to see if it has been de-valued in any way by inflation over the years.

 Also, as you know, under the diocesan development programme, ‘Forward Together in Hope’ we have started to work more closely in partnership with neighbouring parishes. A Partnership Finance Committee continues to operate with an annual budget of £5K for which our contribution will be £950 per year, based on an affordability calculation as specified by the Diocese. As well as giving financial advice to the Partnership, this committee reviews any project above £10k and advises the Diocese as to whether a project fits in the overall needs of the partnership. This is particularly important right now because of the ongoing property review by all members of our Partnership. The year ahead will see these new processes continuing to unfold and become an important part of our Parochial life.

In conclusion, the year ahead will present us with continuing financial challenges and more changes as we work within the new Partnership framework. I feel sure that your continuing generosity will see us through.

John Marsland

Chairman of the Parish Finance Council

November 2019

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