Category Archives: Announcements

Open Gate

For 15 years, Open Gate has been supporting women while they are in prison, preparing for release, or after their release, in Durham and across the North-East. Sadly, the Trustees of Open Gate have now taken the decision to close it down, due to funding difficulties. Thank you for your support for Open Gate, which has made a difference to the lives of many women.

Ushaw College

Ushaw College have just launched a new exhibition called Hand in Hand, The artistic and spiritual life of Dame Werburg Welch based around the life of Eileen Welch, a Benedictine Nun at Stanbrook Abbey who was a prolific artist during the early 20th century arts and crafts movement. The exhibition showcases a large range of her work and is a collaboration between Ushaw and Stanbrook Abbey in Wass. It will run until the 29th June and Ushaw is open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm.

The Diocesan Mass for Justice, Peace and the Celebration of Creation

Will be held on Saturday 11 May at 10.00am at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle. It is jointly organised by the Justice and Peace Co-ordinating Council and CAFOD. The celebrant is Mgr. Andrew Faley and Fr. Chris Hughes will preach. All are welcome!

Following Mass, the AGM and Day Conference will be held from 11.00am to 3.15pm at the Mercy Hub, St. Mary’s Cathedral. Speakers include; Fr. Chris Hughes, Joe Kirwin and Sarah Croft. Up to date reports from the Co-ordinating Council will be shared followed by the election of members to the council for the next year. Please bring your own packed lunch (there is also the cathedral cafe). Everyone is welcome.

Thanks from nepacs

During Lent, we collected toiletries for people being released from HMP Durham and Low Newton. The parishes of the Finchale Partnership also contributed to the collections and your generosity really is very gratefully received. We’ve received a letter from nepacs, which says:

To:  The Catholic Churches of The Finchale Partnership

A huge thank you one again for all the contributions we have received for HMP Durham and HMP Low Newton.

The number of men and women released from custody without any possessions is ever increasing therefore the toiletries we can provide are so appreciated by them, it is so satisfying to see their reactions when given a pack of items, it is quite humbling.

Your continued support has been amazing and as a charity we strive to improve the transition for ex-offenders from prison life to being released.

Thank you

Congratulations

To Mark, who received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion at this year’s Easter Vigil, to Giordana, who received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and to their families and friends who shared in their celebration. It was a joy for our community to celebrate with them.

Dawning Faith

The truth of Jesus’ resurrection dawned on his disciples slowly. The eleven apostles heard the testimony of Mary Magdalene that he was risen, and yet they locked themselves in a room, ‘for fear of the Jews’ – for fear that they would suffer the same fate as Jesus. Only when the Risen Lord comes and stands among them do they come to believe and rejoice. Jesus does not reproach his disciples for their lack of faith; instead, he wishes them peace, breathes the Holy Spirit on them, and sends them out with a mandate to forgive sins in God’s name. Thomas, in his turn, refuses to believe in the Resurrection until he has seen and touched for himself. Jesus calls him to believe, and he calls us, too: ‘Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ Our faith in the Resurrection of Christ brings us life and hope.

Italian Student Seeks au pair placement this summer

Irene Bellini is 21 years old and is studying Classics at the University of Calabria. Irene can already read and write English, and she hopes to come to Durham this summer, to work as an au pair to an English-speaking family and improve her language skills. She would be available from mid-July to mid-September. She can contribute to the family’s expenses, and can offer Italian conversation and teaching if the family wish. You can contact Irene on irene.bellini@outlook.com

Please note that no safeguarding checks have been carried out by the parish or diocese, and it would be the responsibility of the host family to obtain appropriate references and clearance.

Ushaw Lecture

Prof. John McGreevy (University of Notre Dame, USA); Jacques Maritain, Democratic Crisis, and the Promise and Peril of a Global Catholic History. This Tuesday, 30th April at Ushaw College. 5.30pm: Drinks reception in the Refectory; 6pm: Lecture in the Exhibition Hall. Everyone is welcome.