We are delighted to have received an invitation from the Columbans in Britain to join a virtual encounter with Marjorie Engcoy, a Columban Lay Missionary from the Philippines assigned to Fiji.

This event will happen on Zoom on WEDNESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 2020 at 19:00, and is open to everyone.

Before joining the Missionary Society of St. Columban, Marjorie was an English teacher for five years. Growing up she met a number of Columban missionaries; priests, nuns, and lay. Their presence in her community helped to ignite her desire to become a lay missionary and establish her personal relationship with God. In mission, she has been involved in various different ministries such as youth, children, women, liturgy, evangelisation, leadership and JPIC. Marjorie looks forward to explaining some of these ministries in more detail and how through her mission work overseas she has experienced God’s love and His promise; “I will be with you, always.”

The webinar will include prayer, a short introduction and then time for questions. You will need a laptop, tablet or phone and a good internet connection. To take part, please register your interest here: http://tiny.cc/MeetaColumbanMissionary

Please pray for the repose of the soul of James McAloon, who died recently, and for his family. His funeral service will be celebrated at St Cuthbert’s on Saturday 15th August at 10.00am. Please note that due to Government regulations, attendance at the funeral service is limited to family members and invited guests. Please join with us in prayer at the time of the service, rather than attempting to attend.

BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship will broadcast Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Nichols in Westminster Cathedral, on Sunday 14 June at 8.10am. As an accessible radio broadcast, this is good news for the Catholic community. Please share news of this broadcast with any isolated parishioners who may not have access to the internet and therefore have been unable to attend online Mass services. For more information click here.

CAFOD launched its coronavirus emergency appeal on 30 April. The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are likely to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and without access to clean water and healthcare are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. The poorest and most marginalised communities will be pushed further into poverty. Your prayers and gifts are needed now more than ever to help protect the lives of those in poor communities.

You can find out more about CAFOD’s response to the coronavirus emergency, and donate online, here.

The Archbishops of England and Wales have written to all Catholics on behalf of their brother Bishops. The Archbishops encourage us to continue observing the lockdown restrictions in solidarity for the common good, and to pray and prepare for the moment when our churches can safely be reopened. You can read the full text of the Archbishops’ letter here.

Recognising that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone, special Masses will be celebrated for the sick, their families, care workers and NHS staff. These Masses will be celebrated each Thursday at 7pm, by a different Catholic Bishop in his cathedral. This Thursday, 7th May, Mass will be celebrated by Rt Rev Marcus Stock in Leeds Cathedral. You can watch the Mass on the cathedral’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-xVdN6rMCG0sSgxk8Rulow  

You can find out more, including how to watch the live stream of the Masses, on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference website, here.

Following the latest announcement from the Prime Minister on the measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we are no longer able to open the church for people to call in and pray. This is a necessary measure to protect us all.

Please keep in touch as we find other ways to support each other and to pray together over the next weeks and months.

St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle are live streaming Mass, and this can be found on the Cathedral’s YouTube Channel and The Tablet has put together a useful summary of resources you can use.

Due to a fault the electronic lock on the gate to the passage behind the church has been changed. Holders of keycards will need to have their cards re-enabled for the new lock. Simply pop into the Parish Office with your keycard during office hours.

 Monday 8:30am – 4:00pm, Tuesday 9:15am – 2:15pm
and Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Monsignor Denis Edwards, who lived and ministered at St Cuthbert’s in 2007-8 as the first St Cuthbert’s Visiting Fellow in Catholic Theology. Denis died on Monday 4th March after suffering a stroke. He was a priest of the Archdiocese of Adelaide and a distinguished theologian: a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion, a member of the International Methodist-Roman Catholic Commission and of the national Australian Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission. He was made a Monsignor by Pope Francis, held the Medal of the Order of Australia, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Fribourg. During his time at St Cuthbert’s, he formed a lasting friendship with Fr Tony Currer, who shared his love for jazz, cricket and Karl Rahner. RIP.

A full obituary for Fr Denis is shown here on the website of Australian Catholic University.