Category Archives: Announcements

The Chaplaincy St Vincent de Paul Group

The Chaplaincy St Vincent de Paul Group raised £80 (before lockdown) for St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds. The Senior Fundraiser for the hospice writes: ‘Thank you so much for your recent donation to St Gemma’s Hospice on behalf of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Church in Durham. I just wanted to get in touch today to let you know that we really appreciate your kind support during this time, and ask that you please pass our sincere thanks on to everyone at the church who kindly contributed to the donation.’

Funerals this week

The Funeral Service for Margaret Moralee will be celebrated on Tuesday 2nd June at 12 noon at South Road Cemetery, Durham.

The Funeral Service for Denis Hawley will be celebrated on Friday 5th June at 1.30pm at Metal Bridge Cemetery, Co Durham.

Please pray for the repose of their souls, and for their families.

The hour has come

This Sunday falls between the two great feasts of Ascension and Pentecost.  Jesus has returned to God the Father, and the Church is waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Today’s Gospel, again, comes from John’s account of the Last Supper. Jesus prays to God the Father in the presence of his disciples. He has finished the work that his Father gave him. He has revealed God’s love to the world, and he has glorified the Father by his life and teaching. Now, Jesus knows that he is returning to the Father. He instructs the community of disciples who will remain to continue his work. The disciples belong to God. They have heard Jesus’ words and come to know him. They will witness to what they have heard and seen, and so they will bring others to God.

Today, we are the disciples sent into the world by Jesus. We belong to God by our baptism. We have come to know Jesus and believe in him, through hearing his words. We are filled with the Holy Spirit, who transforms us and gives us courage to face the opposition of the world. God is glorified when we live by the teachings of Christ. God is glorified when we keep God’s word, by loving God and our neighbour. Even in these strange and difficult times, we can give glory to God, and help others come to faith, by our witness and our love for one another. We are in the world, and we belong to God

The Spirit is in you


Jesus is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. He looks ahead, beyond his death and resurrection, to the time after he has returned to his Father; and he tells his disciples that they will not be left alone. The Father and the Son will send the Holy Spirit to be with the disciples. The Spirit is described as Parakletos – a word that means advocate, counsellor or supporter. The Spirit of truth will stand alongside the disciples and be the life of their community; ‘…he is with you, he is in you.’ The world cannot receive or recognise the Spirit, but the Spirit works powerfully in the disciples who love Jesus, drawing them into the loving relationship of Father, Son and Spirit.

In the First Reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, we see the Holy Spirit at work. The power of the Spirit can even overcome the ancient enmity between Jews and Samaritans; the people of the Samaritan town welcome Philip and come to faith in Christ, and they are cleansed of demons and healed of sickness. A Spirit-filled Church is a living and healing Church. This time of pandemic, when we cannot enter our church buildings or gather as a community, challenges us to reconsider what it means to be a Church. The Church is a community of disciples, united in faith and filled with the Holy Spirit. We are a Church when we live by Christ’s commandments of love for God and for our neighbour. There are many ways to show love, even in these strange times. Our life as a Church is not confined to buildings or structures. The Spirit knows no limits.

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life

Jesus is with his disciples at the Last Supper. He knows that he will soon be facing death, and he wants to reassure his friends that he is going to his Father. The disciples ask for proof, but Jesus, instead, asks them to trust in him. When Thomas says, ‘Show us the way,’ Jesus replies, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.’ When Philip asks, ‘Let us see the Father,’ Jesus’ response is, ‘I am in the Father and the Father is in me.’ He is reminding the disciples of all that they have seen while they have been with him. They have heard his teaching, seen his miracles and come to know him. Only moments earlier, he has shown them a striking example of his ‘Way’ by washing their feet. This is the way of love that Jesus calls his disciples to follow.

Having faith does not mean that we know all the answers. Christian faith is a loving relationship with Jesus. Unlike Thomas, Philip and the other apostles, we have not met Jesus face to face. We have come to know him through the Word of God and the sacraments – by sharing in the life of the Church. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe,’ and he was speaking of the many disciples like us, who would come to know him through the witness of the apostles. He calls us to trust him and follow him.

In today’s Second Reading, St Peter calls Jesus the ‘cornerstone,’ and says that we disciples are ‘living stones’ making up God’s house. At present, our churches are closed and we cannot worship together. Nevertheless, by our  baptism we are living stones and a holy priesthood. The house of God is not confined to a building: it is built wherever there is faith in Christ, and loving service to our neighbour. There are many rooms in our Father’s house.

Please Pray For

For the staff of our Catholic primary and secondary schools, who are keeping the schools open for vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers, and also providing online teaching and support for those who are at home. Please pray too for all of our young people, especially those preparing to leave school to begin work or further study.

Diocesan Day of Prayer

This Thursday, 14th May, we are hosting a Diocesan Day of Prayer for the sick and their families, NHS front-line, social care workers and other key workers. The day will be streamed online and begins with Divine Office from St. Mary’s Cathedral, and ends with Rt Rev Bishop Robert Byrne CO celebrating Mass for the sick and their families, and for NHS front–line, social care and key workers at 7.00pm. The Cathedral’s Youtube channel is at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC12EvW0Eqg-cFTh5i2y_EQw

To whom shall we go?

A 7-session online discernment programme for men considering priesthood. Could Jesus be calling you to be a priest? Our online course of reflection and discussion is an opportunity to ask that question. Gathering as an online group, we will discuss what it means to discern a vocation, learn a little about the path to priesthood and enjoy fellowship in the process! The course will take place at 7:15pm on Mondays beginning Monday 11th May. To express interest in joining our sessions, or to find out more, please contact Fr Chris Warren, Vocations Director, on vocations@rcdhn.org.uk

CAFOD Coronavirus emergency Appeal

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.

A Message from the archbishops

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.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

If we live in the city, we may have an idealised picture of life in the country. The life of a shepherd may seem like a calm and peaceful existence, walking on the hills in the sunshine. The people of Jesus’ time knew differently. Shepherds were rough, tough men who lived in the fields with their sheep. Robbery and violence were commonplace; the shepherd might have to fight off  thieves who came to steal or kill the sheep that he was watching over.

With this parable, Jesus is contrasting himself with the leaders of Israel – the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees. They are ‘bad shepherds,’ who do not know the people or care for them. Immediately before this parable in John’s Gospel comes the story of Jesus restoring the sight of a man born blind. The Pharisees, instead of rejoicing at the healing miracle, are angry with both Jesus and the blind man himself, because the cure was performed on the Sabbath. Their concern for the Law has blinded them to the good that Jesus is doing, and to the power of God working in him.

Jesus, in contrast, is a shepherd who knows each one of his sheep – every disciple – by name. The sheep know his voice and they trust him. Jesus’ desire for his sheep is that each one should have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10.) He wants every one of us to be fully alive, and he gives his own life to free us from our sins. In the words of St Peter in today’s Second Reading: ‘By his wounds you have been healed.’

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, when the Church prays for vocations to priesthood and consecrated life. The Church needs priests who will be good shepherds; pastors who know the people in their care, who look after them and earn their trust. Pope Francis has called on priests to ‘live with the smell of the sheep’ – to share the lives of the people they serve. Let us pray today that many young men will respond generously to God’s call to serve his people.

Masses for the Sick and their Families, NHS Front-Line workers and those working in Social Care

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.

Did not our hearts burn within us?

These two disciples are disappointed and dejected. They had high hopes for Jesus. They hoped he might be the one to set their people free from Roman rule. But their hopes were dashed when Jesus was crucified. Now they are walking the dusty road away from Jerusalem, leaving behind all their hopes and all their faith in him. Are they even his disciples any more?

When Jesus joins the two, they don’t recognise him. Jesus does what he so often does; he starts a conversation. He listens to their story. They have heard the news of the empty tomb, but in their dejection, they can’t imagine that Jesus could have risen from the dead. And so, patiently, Jesus explains it all to them; that Moses and the prophets, the whole of the Hebrew Scriptures, were preparing the way for the coming of the Christ.

The encounter prompts a generous response from the two disciples: they invite Jesus to stay and eat with them. And their hospitality is rewarded; when he breaks the bread, they recognise him, and they are transformed. Disappointment is replaced by faith; confusion by understanding. They set out at once, back to Jerusalem; back along the road that they have just walked, but now filled with joy, and ready to witness to their encounter with the risen Lord.

In normal times, our shared celebration of Mass is the heart of our Christian life. We listen to the Scriptures, we come to the table together and we receive the Bread of Life that the Lord breaks for us. Our sharing in the Eucharist transforms us, nourishes our faith, and prompts us to go out and pass on the Good News that we have heard. At present, we are unable to gather as a community to celebrate Mass. But we can still encounter the risen Christ in prayer – in our homes, on our daily walk. We can still hear the Word of God and be transformed by it, and we can still witness. Our hearts can still burn within us.

Popery, Politics and Prayer: British & Irish Catholicism; Conference Postponed

In light of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, the Centre for Catholic Studies have had to take the decision to postpone this summer’s Early Modern British and Irish Catholicism (EMBIC) conference.  We have been adhering to the University’s official guidance and, following meetings over the last couple of days, we have decided that it is best to make a decision now regarding the conference.

It is likely that, at the time in July when the conference was due to be held, restrictions will still be in place on travel and large gatherings. The EMBIC conferences are very deliberately international events and, rather than hold one with many people not able to attend, we would rather wait until, hopefully, we can all gather to discuss the topic.

If possible, it is hoped to run the conference in summer 2021, and an announcement will be made in due course.