St Cuthbert’s Parish Pastoral Council will meet this Thursday, 30th January, at 7.00pm. If there are any items that you would like the PPC to discuss, please speak to Fr Andrew or to Cliona Kear, the PPC Secretary.

The first recorded word that Jesus speaks in public is ‘Repent.’ Repentance means a change of heart – a change in the direction of our lives. Jesus calls his disciples to centre their lives on him. For the fishermen, Simon and Andrew, James and John, Jesus’ call means a complete change of direction. They leave their nets to follow Jesus and fish for people – calling disciples to follow the Lord.

What might it mean for us to answer Jesus’ call? He calls us to repent, too. Repentance might mean giving up selfishness, letting go of jealousy, forgiving those who may have hurt us. Repentance is not easy, but it is possible with God’s grace. Like the first disciples, Jesus is calling us, not to try to be someone we are not, but to be fully ourselves – fully alive in the love of God. The coming of the kingdom of heaven is Good News – news of mercy and forgiveness.

Monday 27th January, 1.00-3.00pm. Including a talk by Hungarian-born Tomi Komoly, who will speak about his time in a walled ghetto, his escape with his mother in 1944 and liberation by the Soviet army in January 1945. This service is attended by schools from across the county and seating for the general public may be limited.

At St. Oswald’s Institute, Church Street, this Tuesday 21st January at 8.00am. Everyone is welcome.

Is observed from 18-25 January. On Sunday 19th January, Canon Simon Oliver, Van Mildert Professor of Divinity at Durham University, will speak at both Masses at St Cuthbert’s.

A one-day conference and training event offered by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC.) Saturday 7th March, 9.30am-4.00pm at Tyneside Irish Centre, 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle NE1 4SG. Contact: 020 7091 7091 or information@spuc.org.uk

The parish room will be occupied on Wednesday 15^th January between 10:00am and 1:00pm.

Tuesday 28 January at 7.00pm at St. Mary’s School, Benton Park Road, Newcastle. Smajo Beso will tell of his parents’ experiences during the Bosnian Genocide in 1995, and Gerald Stern will recall his father’s experiences during the Holocaust.

Thursday 30 January at 7.00pm at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, Beamish Road, Billingham. Guest speaker; Marta Josephs, who will recall her father’s experiences during the Holocaust.

Durham County Council is consulting until 14th February on its Safe Durham Partnership Plan and on its Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Details at www.durham.gov.uk/consultation