Ushaw Organ Weekend is being held on the weekend of Friday 31 May-Sunday 2 June. An invitation to organists at all ages and stages, observers, and all seeking a holiday weekend of inspiring music-making and cultural exploration. See noticeboard for details.L

Br John McAllister S.M. will speak at both Masses on Sunday, 5th May, on the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers and Brothers) and their work in education and pastoral care in Oceania, South Asia, Africa, and South America, for which there will be a retiring collection.

Next Sunday, 12th May, is the National Day of Prayer for vocations to priesthood and consecrated life. Please pray for the vocations that are needed by the Church.

The annual appeal and collection to support the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor in our diocese will be held next Sunday.

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.

Black Dignity. Presented by Dr Vincent Lloyd, Villanova University, Pennsylvania. Thursday 9th May at 5pm, in Pemberton Lecture Room, PG20, Palace Green.

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.

Friday 3rd May at 7.30pm in the Parish Room here at St Cuthbert’s. Short business meeting followed by ‘2020 Year of Pilgrimage,’ a presentation by Charlie Allen, Canon Chancellor of Durham Cathedral. Everyone is welcome. If you could represent St Cuthbert’s at this meeting, please contact Fr Andrew.

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 next Sunday 5 May and place them under the bench in the narthex ready to be collected.

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.

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.

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.