For the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Friday 6th December at St Mary’s, Hexham. Bus leaves St Cuthbert’s at 5.30pm. Put the date in your diary now!

Modernity, Christianity and Africa’s Futures. The annual Alan Richardson lecture, given by Fr Stan Chu Ilo, PhD, Research Professor in World Christianity and African Studies at DePaul University, Chicago. Here at St Cuthbert’s on Monday 2nd December; drinks reception at 5.30pm, lecture at 6.00pm. Admission is free, but you need to book online at centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com or by telephoning 0191 334 1656.

Where is this?

We will publish the answer next week!

At the recent meeting of the Parish Assembly we discussed the proposed Parish Pastoral Plan, and we would still love to hear your views on what the parish should include in the plan.

There are copies of the plan available at the back of church with information about how you can share your ideas.

A public lecture by Bishop Robert Byrne CO, to mark the canonisation of John Henry Newman. Here at St Cuthbert’s on Tuesday 12th November: Vespers at 6.30pm, lecture at 7.00pm, refreshments at 8.15pm, 8.45pm Close.

This event is free, but please register at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com or by telephoning the Durham University Centre for Catholic Studies on 0191 334 1656.

Is on Friday 1st November. Mass at St Cuthbert’s will be at 7.00pm on Thursday 31st October (Vigil) and at 12.15pm on Friday 1st November. Mass in Durham Martyrs parish: Friday 9.30am (St Godric’s school) and 7.00pm (St Joseph’s church.) Mass at St Patrick’s, Langley Moor: Thursday 7.00pm (Vigil) and Friday 9.30am.

The next Day of Reflection at Ushaw, with Sr Rosarie Spence RSM, will be on Wednesday 27th November, 10.30 am – 3.30 pm

An opportunity to step aside, experience different ways of praying and enjoy a time of personal prayer, all in the beautiful surroundings at Ushaw. The cost is £10 per person, including tea/coffee at the beginning and end of the day. Lunch may be purchased in the Refectory. 

Booking should be made at www.ushaw.org

From Sunday 30th June and throughout the summer, our 6:30 Mass becomes a quieter celebration. However, we do need volunteers to welcome, read, take the collection and minister Holy Communion. If you can help, whether from the parish or chaplaincy community, please sign up on the list on the noticeboards. Please don’t leave it to the few.

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.

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

Deacon Matthew, who will be ordained priest by Archbishop Charles Scicluna on Saturday 27 April at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta.

Last week’s picture was the crucifix which is usually to be found on the lady altar.  This is the crucifix which we venerate on Good Friday.

At a recent meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council, David Hughes stood down as Chair of the PPC. Thank you to David for all the work he has done in the last few years as chair.

The PPC elected Helen Schofield as the new chair. If you’d like to know more about the PPC, or have ideas about issues we should put on our agenda, please let Helen know. She can be contacted via the parish office.

Each November we traditionally bring to mind those who have died and pray for the repose of their souls. Our Book of Remembrance will be open at the font all month from All Saints Day for you to write the names of your departed family and friends. We invite all who have been bereaved in the last few years to a special Mass at 10am on Saturday November 17 which will be followed by light refreshments. Also, our 10am Mass on November 11 (Remembrance Sunday) will be a sung Requiem Mass for the souls of all who died in the World Wars and other conflicts of recent years. Of course, in this centenary year of Armistice Day 1918 the day will have an added poignancy and our Parish Roll of Honour will be displayed.

Wednesday, 24 October: 10.30am to 4.00pm. Led by Sister Rosarie Spence. £10.00 per person including coffee, tea and biscuits served both on arrival and to conclude the day.
10.30am Coffee / Tea and biscuits
11.00am First Session
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Second Session
4.00pm Coffee / Tea and biscuits
Lunch is not provided, but there is a delicious range of great value home-made soups, pastries and cakes available in the refectory. Bookings can be made on-line via Ushaw’s website (www.ushaw.org) or call 0191 3345119.

Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard on Miner’s Gala Day.  We served tea, coffee, cakes and bacon sandwiches, and made £662.86 profit, which will be shared between 2 of the charities we support, Open Gate and CAFOD.

We opened the church to visitors – more than 50 people came in to light candles.

Our visitors also donated £105.57 for the use of the toilets, raising money for Toilet Twinning.