Category Archives: Diocese

Day of Reflection for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Date: Saturday 23 September 2023
Times: 10.30am-3.00pm – arrivals, registration and refreshments from 10.00am. The day will include a Mass.
Location: St Joseph’s, High West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1LX
Cost: £10.00 per person
Catering: Please bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. 

Please get in touch with Ciara in the parish office office@stcuthberts-durham.org.uk or 0191 3843442, if you would like to book. 

Please Pray

Please pray for Rt Rev Stephen Wright, who will be installed as Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle on Wednesday 19th July at St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle.

A Prayer for Bishop Steven 
Lord, rock of our hearts,
from a sea swept island
you sent Aidan and Cuthbert
to sow your Word fruitfully
throughout our Northern Land and
you inspired Bede to understand and speak your truth
reflected in our lives and in our history.
Grant your servant, Stephen,
whom you have called to follow them,
a rich share in this heritage –
to speak your Word courageously
to teach wisely
and to lead with love.

Monsignor Kevin Nichols 1929-2006

Listening Exercise

Archbishop Malcolm has announced a listening exercise involving the people and clergy of our diocese. An additional date has been added to make it easier for those who wish to take part; 

  • 10th July at St Mary’s RC Church hall, Forest Hall, Newcastle
  • 11th July at St. Bede’s RC Church Hall, Bedlington 
  • 12th July at St Michael RC Church Hall, Houghton-Le-Spring 
  • 13th July at The Catholic Church of the English Martyrs and St. Peter & St Paul’s, Stockton-on-Tees

The meetings will begin at 7pm (prompt) and finish at 8.30pm. They will include a time for listening and discussion and a liturgy of healing for those who wish to take part. The process will be coordinated by Amy Cameron from the Vicariate of Faith & Mission and Dr Karen Kilby, Bede Chair at Durham University.

Ordinations

On Saturday 8th July Archbishop Malcolm McMahon will celebrate an Ordination Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle. Paul Kilduff and Endre Kormos will be ordained to the Priesthood and Alison Rebello and Patrick Rutherford will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. Please pray for them as they begin their ministry.

Diocesan Job Vacancy

The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle is looking to appoint a Fundraising Manager to lead on the development and implementation of a Diocesan Fundraising Strategy to include trusts, foundations and legacies. The role is full-time and permanent.  Please visit the diocesan website for full details or contact us on 0191 243 3301.

Diocesan Advent Collection

We’re appealing for even greater support for our Diocesan Refugee Project during Advent this year as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. This is in the spirit of the comparison of the Holy Family to a modern-day refugee family made by Pope Francis. The Project relies on donations from schools and parishes throughout the diocese. There has recently been a reduction in donations from some areas thought to be the effect of the cost of living crisis on the faithful. Items for the project include toilet rolls, biscuits, sugar, rice, tea, coffee, olive oil and tinned food – specifically fish, chick peas and tomatoes. Please leave your donations in the labelled box in the narthex. Your generosity is very greatly appreciated.

The Clergy Training Fund

The Clergy Training Fund meets the cost of training for priests and deacons for our diocese, and also of ongoing formation for our clergy. The annual appeal for the Clergy Training fund runs throughout the month of November. Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and diaconate, and support the appeal as generously as you can. You can read a letter from Fr John Bagnall, the Diocesan Director of Priestly Vocations, here.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultation 

This year Bishop Robert and the Diocesan Board of Trustees commissioned research to provide recommendations on improving Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the Diocese, led by expert consultant Ngozi Lyn Cole. As part of this process, three EDI ‘learning and development’ sessions are planned to take place over Zoom, with the theme ‘Being the kind of Christians God wants us to be.’ Everyone is invited to take part; details at https://diocesehn.org.uk/news/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-consultation/