Category Archives: Announcements

Messengers of Peace

The prophet promises peace for Jerusalem. After the time of exile, the Jewish people can return to their own land, and can hope for stability and prosperity. The people of Jesus’ time probably hoped for the same things, but the reality was a struggle for survival: subsistence farming, heavy taxation and constant unrest, which would be brutally suppressed by the Roman occupiers. Jesus sent out his seventy-two disciples ‘like lambs among wolves,’ with none of the things that they would normally rely on – money, possessions or even shoes. All that the disciples carried with them was their faith in Jesus. He sent them out with a message of peace; not a peace imposed by the edge of the sword, but the peace of God’s kingdom, brought about by God’s mercy. Their lives would be a witness to the peace of the kingdom. Today, that peace is needed as much as it ever was, and the Lord sends us, his disciples, out into the world to witness.

Cardinal Hume Memorial Lecture – St Mary’s Cathedral – Thursday 11 July.

The diocese is delighted to announce that Catherine Pepinster, former editor of the Tablet will deliver the sixth Cardinal Hume Memorial Lecture in the Cathedral on Thursday 11th July at 7.00pm. The Lecture is entitled ‘A migrant, pilgrimage people – how the Catholic revival shaped the Church today’ and will focus on examining the kind of the church the Catholic Church became after emancipation. It was very much a Church of migrants, especially Irish, in the early days, and it was as much focused on education as worship. Catherine will also look at how churches and schools served the mostly migrant church and how that has given Catholicism a particular character in the UK. Cardinal Hume will come into because of his impact on the church at the national level and how important he thought education was, but also how his interest in serving the homeless is typical of the Catholic Church in this country – a very strong feeling for those struggling in society.

Baptism

Katherine Mary Glasspool will be baptised on Saturday 6th July at 11.15am, after Mass, which will be celebrated at 10.30am this week. Everyone is welcome to the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism, and to refreshments afterwards in the Parish Room. Our congratulations to Katherine and her family.

Flawed Heroes

Today we celebrate two great apostles: Peter, the rock on which the Church was built and its first leader; and Paul, the preacher who brought the Good News of Christ to the Gentiles. Each of these men was chosen by God to be an example and an inspiration to the Church throughout its history. And yet, the New Testament shows both Peter and Paul to be real, flawed human beings. Peter recognised Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God, but he feared what this would mean, and tried to dissuade the Lord from taking the road that led to his crucifixion. Paul was sometimes hot-headed and outspoken, and in his letters he vividly describes his own struggles and anxieties for the Church. Each played a vital part in the building up of the Church; each gave his life for Christ, in Rome. God chose Peter and Paul, with all their flaws, to do remarkable things by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we feel discouraged by our own sins and failures, we should remember that God has chosen us, too, to do wonderful things.

A Message from Bishop Seamus

I would like to express my sincere thanks for the very generous gift presented to me by the priests and people of the Diocese, on the occasion of my retirement. I would also like to offer my thanks to all those involved in education in the Diocese for their very generous gift too. I am truly humbled by the kindness of so many. Rest assured that these gifts will be a great help in my retirement. Please keep me in your prayers and be assured of mine for the priests and people of Hexham and Newcastle diocese. May God bless you all – Bishop Seamus.

Parish Reading Group

The parish has a Reading Group which discusses all sorts of literature (not just theology nor only Christian writing). All members of the Parish are welcome to join, including undergraduates and post graduates.

Will meet on Tuesday 25 June at 8pm at Orchard House to discuss Bart Van Es, The Cut-out Girl.

We will also discuss next term’s books and one for the summer and also where/whether to have supper together before next session.

All are welcome. Note, to gain entrance to Orchard House, come to the front door and press 47 on the keyboard,

Welcomers, Readers & Ministers of Holy Communion

The current rota will ends today. Please could you let the parish office know on 0191 3843442 or email office@stcuthberts-durham.org.uk of any Sundays you will not be available for the new rota by noon on Thursday 27 June. The new rota will run from Sunday 30 June until Sunday 1 September. If you would like to be included in the rota more or would like to be on a little less, please do get in touch, thank you.

Annual Collection for the Diocesan Lay Training Fund

Continues today. Whatever our role in the Church, we need to understand our faith and to know what the Church teaches, and be able to discern our calling, so that we can live out our vocation and mission and thus witness to our faith. The Lay Training Fund is available to support this vision, and has funded many scholars at the Centre for Catholic Studies. The collection continues until 7th July.

Justice & Peace Refugee Project, Sunday 7 July

Our parish collects biscuits and toilet rolls to help provide basic supplies to asylum seekers in the diocese. These are collected regularly, on the first Sunday of the month. If you would like to donate items please remember to bring them to Church on or before Sunday 7 July and place them under the bench in the narthex ready to be collected.

As well as our usual collection of toilet rolls and biscuits we have an additional special collection just in July. Gender neutral shampoo, STs ( not tampons) and nappies sizes 5 -6 inclusive (not newborn or smaller) are also requested. Thank you for your generosity.

Finchale Partnership Open Afternoons

In our area, and especially to the people of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs at Newhouse, Esh Winning, St John Boste is ‘a local lad’.  At a time when it was illegal to be a Catholic priest John Boste was arrested in what is now our parish, and then executed in Durham in 1595.  More recently mining has played a big part in building up our community, though, obviously, all of the collieries are now closed.  You are welcome to come and visit our Church and Parish Centre in Newhouse on Sunday 7 July, 2.00 – 4.00 pm (DH7 9LF). We’ll be delighted to meet you and show you our Church.