Fourth Sunday of Lent

Fourth Sunday of Lent

18th March  2012 

Parish Mass Book page  162 

Mass Times and Intentions

                                      6.30 pm  Vigil People of Parish

SUNDAY 18th March      11.00 am  Nancy Watson

                                                                                                                

Monday                          10.00 am  Eucharistic Service

Tuesday                       10.00 am  John O’Neill

Wednesday                  10.00 am  Stations of the Cross

                                       6.00 pm  NBF

Thursday                      10.00 am  Fr Vincent Humfress

Friday                             10.00 am  Fr George Dolan

                                       6.30 pm  Vigil Sick Person

SUNDAY 25th March        11.00 am  People of Parish

Sacrament of Reconciliation 

Saturday 5.45 pm - 6.15 pm

and at any time upon request

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Friday 9.30 –10.00 am

First Sunday of the Month 4.00-5.00 pm 

 Please pray for 

· Fr Ciaran McDonnell and all who are sick,  

· John O’Neill and all who have died recently, 

· all whose anniversaries occur at this time. 

Finance ...

Parish Offertory:  £330.57

CAFOD:     £104.25                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Many thanks  

L E N T  

· Mass on Tuesday to Friday at 10.00 am,  

· Evening Mass on Wednesdays at 6.00 pm, 

· Stations of the Cross Wednesdays at 10.00 am, 

· The Church will be open on Friday mornings during Lent, 

· St Bede’s Penitential Service, Sunday 1st April, 4.00 pm,

There are further opportunities at:

St Wilfrid’s, Blyth,  Thursday 29 March at 7.00pm

Ss Peter & Paul, Cramlington,

· Lenten liturgy and soup, Thursdays from 12.30 pm at Trinity Church, Bedlington.  

First Holy Communion  liturgy today, Sunday, is about ‘Offering Ourselves’.

Journey of Faith   will meet on Tuesday evening at 7.00 pm. 

Parish Council   

At the meeting of the parish council we first of all welcomed Mr Con Todd newly appointed Head teacher of St Benet’s and Executive Head of St Bede’s.  We had a fairly fruitful discussion about the future of Catholic schools developing their Catholic ethos and exploring ways and developing links with parishes.  The other item we discussed was the mission in December.  The theme will be exploring the vocations that we all have.  There will be an open parish meeting about this on Sunday 13th May after 11.00 am Mass.  Full minutes of the meeting will be on the notice board in the Narthex. 

Carmelites  meeting today.  All are welcome. 

Co-ordinator for commission for marriage and family life

Today (Sunday) we  welcome the Rev Deacon Peter Lavery, and his wife Pauline Lavery.  Peter is the coordinator for marriage and family life in the diocese.  Peter and Pauline will spend the afternoon with four couples who are getting married this year.  Peter will also act as a deacon next Sunday, and he will preach at the Mass.  Please keep our couples who are preparing for marriage in your prayers.   

St Bede’s School 

OFSTED inspectors have recently been in the school and I am pleased to say that the overall assessment was that the school is making “good progress” in all the areas specified when the school was put into special measures. On your behalf I would like to pass on sincere thanks and respect to Miss Horn, Mr Todd and all the staff for the hard work and effort that they are doing for the school.   

Planned Giving Boxes

The new envelopes for the new financial year, commencing weekend of 7/8th April are ready for collection today from the Narthex.  Please take your box, but do not use the envelopes until after 6th April.  If you are new to the parish, or would like to join the Planned Giving scheme, please leave your name and contact number and we’ll get back to you.  If you are a tax payer would you please consider signing a Gift aid Declaration!  Many thanks for your continued and generous support. 

Appeal for Helpers 

We are in need of extra people  to help with the counting and recording of the weekend offertories.  It would normally entail one hour every five weeks.   If you can assist you would be most welcome and if we get a number of volunteers we may be able to increase the number of teams.  Please give me your name, and contact number, if you are able to help. Thank you to all who do, or have assisted in, this ministry.

Open House 

The special one off event last Friday went very well.  Mr Lavery was very supportive of the project.  The question and answer session allowed older members of the community who may not often get the chance to raise questions with their MP.  My thanks to all who helped and took part in the event.

Easter Quiz Night

A quiz will be held in the church hall from 7.30 pm on Thursday 12th April.   There will also be other opportunities to win prizes. Any donations welcome and can be left in the narthex for collection. We intend to have a shared supper on the evening and any cooked or baked offerings will be most welcome. It is hoped that alcohol will also be available. Tickets will be available this weekend priced £4. Anyone wishing to reserve tickets can contact Lawrie Clark on 01670820528 (H) or 07764348367 (M)