All posts by Parish Secretary

World Mission Sunday

Is Sunday 21 October. This is our chance to support missionaries in proclaiming the Gospel of hope to those who suffer around the world. By supporting Missio, the Pope’s official charity for overseas mission, you will be sharing the love of Christ with all people by helping everyone in need, regardless of background or belief. Today, your prayers and donations will help build a future of hope both in Ethiopia and around the world. Please give what you can, and if you are a taxpayer, please use the Gift Aid envelopes. Thank you.

Catholic Medical Association

 A talk and discussion on; Offering a second chance: abortion pill reversal. Everyone is welcome, especially those involved in healthcare. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. Wednesday 24 October at 7.15pm, at St Andrew’s Church, 9 Worswick Street, Newcastle, NE1 6UW. (Parking is limited on the street although there is parking available also on nearby streets and is free after 6.30pm.)

Can you drink the cup that I must drink?

The brothers James and John have a request to make of Jesus. When he is in glory – reigning as Messiah and King – they hope to sit in the seats of honour on his right and his left. Their request shows how completely Jesus’ disciples have failed to understand his teaching. He has explained again and again that he is calling them to service and to love of neighbour. Jesus wants his disciples to follow his example of humility and suffering. Yet the disciples are still thinking in terms of earthly glory and ambition – still falling into rivalry and jealousy, even as Jesus prepares himself to face his suffering and death.

James and John did eventually embrace Jesus’ message. After his death and resurrection, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they became fearless witnesses and teachers of the Good News, and they drank the same cup as the Master, giving their lives for Christ. The Spirit will transform us, too, if we are ready to respond to Christ’s call.

Treasure in Heaven

The people of Jesus’ time believed that worldly wealth was a sign of God’s favour. Rich people were admired and envied. The rich man who approaches Jesus in today’s Gospel tells him eagerly that he has kept all the commandments of God’s law from his earliest days. No doubt he believes that his wealth is God’s reward for living a good life. Jesus looks steadily at the man and loves him, and then issues a radical challenge: to give up all of his possessions and follow Jesus. Once again, Jesus turns the wisdom of the world on its head. He discerns that this man’s riches are an obstacle that prevent him from becoming a disciple. He needs to let them go, for the sake of something better: the treasure in heaven that only Jesus can give him.

The challenge is too much for the rich man, and he goes away sad. He doesn’t appear again in the Gospels, and we don’t know what became of him. This Gospel reading prompts us to imagine Jesus looking at us and loving us. What step does the Lord ask us to take, to set ourselves free for discipleship?

Mass of Thanksgiving

To mark the occasion of the canonisation of Archbishop Oscar Romero in Rome in October, Bishop Seamus will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday 13 October at 11am at St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle. All are welcome to attend. Archbishop Romero was assassinated in 1980 while offering Mass in San Salvador. He embraced a simple lifestyle; he was a popular preacher and responded with real compassion to the plight of the poor.

One Body

The Pharisees ask Jesus, ‘Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife?’ and in response to Jesus’ question, they add ‘Moses allowed us to draw up a writ of dismissal.’ Their words reflect the inequality of the Jewish Law at that time; a man could divorce his wife by a very simple procedure, but a woman had no right to divorce her husband. A woman dismissed by her husband could be cast off without money, property or place in society – she was nobody. In his reply, Jesus goes back to the origins of the human race. God created man and woman to be ‘one body,’ supporting one another in the covenant of marriage, which cannot be dissolved by human power. It seems a hard teaching to his disciples, but Jesus is challenging the unjust custom of his time.

Today’s Scripture readings remind us how important it is for the Church to support married couples and families on their journey through life. This week, the Synod of Bishops is meeting with the Pope in Rome, to discuss the Church’s ministry to young people. Young people today grow up in families of different shapes and sizes. Marriages can break down and families can find themselves in difficult situations. Pope Francis has often reminded us of the need to support and encourage every family, whatever their circumstances.

Partnership Matters

The October / November edition of the bi-monthly Partnership Matters news update is now available on the front page of the diocesan website (www.rcdhn.org.uk). This autumnal edition reflects on the first year since Partnerships were established. It highlights a document entitled ‘Partnerships One Year On’, how Partnerships can respond to Laudato Si, an update on the Partnership Conference as well as a range of activities and ideas shared from across the Diocese. This edition includes an update on what is happening in our own Finchale partnership.

CALL FOR FRESHERS’ FAIRY CAKES

The long summer University vacation is nearly at an end, and very soon we will be welcoming a new intake of freshers. We continue the venerable tradition of baking small fairy cakes (Image result for cartoon CUPCAKE IMAGESor similar!) to give as a sign of our welcome to those approaching the Catholic Society’s stall at the Freshers’ Fair Cakes can be dropped off at the Parish Office on Monday 1 October. On behalf of the new students, thank you in anticipation for your generosity!