All posts by Parish Secretary

Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar…

The Pharisees and the Herodians get together to set a trap for Jesus. If he tells the people not to pay their taxes to Caesar, he risks being arrested by the Roman rulers as an insurrectionist. If he tells the Jews that they should pay, he will anger his followers, who hate the Roman occupation. Jesus’ reply doesn’t evade the question, but rather takes it back to the principle that is at stake. Authority should be respected, as long as it acts justly and serves the common good. But the inscription on the coin handed to Jesus would read “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus, great high priest” – a blasphemous claim of divine status for the Roman Emperor. Caesar is claiming what belongs to God.

The modern world is complex and confusing. We are sometimes told that we live in a secular society, and that faith and politics don’t mix. But Christians have a responsibility to engage with political life and to put into practice the values of the Gospel. We should hold our leaders to account, seek the common good and uphold the rights of the poor and vulnerable. Some principles are more fundamental than party politics. Every person belongs to God.

Postgrad student seeking accommodation

My name is Jakub Betinský (29), from Slovakia, about to begin a PhD at Durham. My wife Justína and I are moving to Durham on November 12th. We are Catholic newly-weds looking for reasonably-priced accommodation: a flat in the outskirts of Durham or a large room with double bed and shared kitchen anywhere closer to the city centre. Since we are new to Durham, we will accept all help we can get to find our new home. If you know of any accommodation of this type, please do not hesitate to contact me either via email jakubbetinsky@gmail.com or call me at 00421 903 069 029. If you yourself have a spare large room/flat to rent, we would be happy to help out around the house too: gardening, cleaning at weekends, etc. Thank you.

Partnership Prayer

God of all Creation,
You have constantly poured out your Spirit
upon our Diocese and kindled here a light
which has spread throughout the world.

Lord Jesus, you gathered disciples to yourself
to learn from you and to model their lives on you.
Your Holy Spirit empowered them
to continue your work in the world.

Come upon us, Holy Spirit,
deepen the faith you invite us to share
and inspire us to become faithful witnesses.

As we begin to develop our partnerships,
help each one of us to use the gifts you gave us
to nurture one another,
to serve the world and to live in harmony
with the whole of creation.

All of this we ask in the name of
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen

The Event

A youth prayer night for students in school years 6 – 8. Praise and worship, games and icebreakers, small group challenges, inspiring speakers and prayer and reflection – and food! There is no cost and everyone is welcome. All young people, whether in a group or alone, must be accompanied by an adult. Wednesday 18 October, 6.00-7.30pm at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, Mill Lane, Hebburn NE31 2ET.

An angry king?

The king in this Sunday’s parable is a man not to be crossed. When the invited guests fail to turn up to his son’s wedding feast, he sends soldiers to burn their city to the ground. Then everyone is invited to the banquet – the good and the bad alike. But the man who enters the feast without a wedding garment is condemned and thrown out into the darkness.

Can we really see this king as representing God? He seems to have more in common with human rulers like King Herod or the emperors of Rome – who, as Matthew knows, did dispatch troops in 70 AD to burn down the city of Jerusalem. If so, perhaps the guest without a wedding garment represents Jesus, who was silent before his accusers and who was condemned on our behalf, and thrown out into the darkness. But Jesus’ death and resurrection was the price of our salvation. Thanks to his sacrifice, we can all share in God’s banquet.

Events at Minsteracres

The way of the embodied contemplative: This day will explore how the practice of meditation can also be encountered through the language of the body using breathing exercises, gentle stretching and slow Tai Chi movements to complement the seated meditation periods. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Please wear loose clothing. Led by Terry Doyle, a Benedictine Oblate with the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM.) Wednesday 11 October, 10am-4pm. Cost £25.

The Event

A youth prayer night for students in school years 6 – 8. Praise and worship, games and icebreakers, small group challenges, inspiring speakers and prayer and reflection – and food! There is no cost and everyone is welcome. All young people, whether in a group or alone, must be accompanied by an adult. Wednesday 18 October, 6.00-7.30pm at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, Mill Lane, Hebburn NE31 2ET.